May 19 – 20, 2015 - University of South Florida, Patel Center of Global Solutions, Tampa, FL
DAY 1 – TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015
8:00 am – 8:30 am
Continental Breakfast
8:30 am – 8:45 am
Welcome and Introductions
Following a brief introduction, the presenters and attendees will review the meeting agenda, logistics, planned focus and discussions, and expected outcomes.
Presenters:
- David Terry, Executive Director, National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO)
- Hosting state representative – Kelley Smith Burk, Acting Director, Office of Energy, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Dr. Rafael Perez, Dean, Patel College of Global Sustainability, University of South Florida
- Dr. George Philippidis, Associate Professor, Sustainable Energy, Patel College of Global Sustainability, University of South Florida
- Molly Cripps, Director, Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation; Regional Representative to the NASEO Board of Directors
- David Gipson, Director, Energy Resources Division, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; Regional Representative to the NASEO Board of Directors
- Brian Henderson, Southeast Regional Coordinator, NASEO
8:45 am – 10:45 am
State Priorities Roundtable
Each State and Territory Energy Office (SEO) will have 7 minutes to highlight their energy policy and program priorities. The remaining time will focus on Q&A, identification of the challenges SEOs want to overcome, possible opportunities to collaborate as a region (including particular state, territory and/or regional needs that NASEO can support).
Moderator:
- Molly Cripps, Director, Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation; Regional Representative to the NASEO Board of Directors
Focus:
- An individual state/territory update provided on program/policy/planning priorities and challenges
10:45 am – 11:00 am
Break
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
List of Strategic Objectives
Following the “State Priorities Roundtable”, immediately move to a discussion of possible strategic objectives to be met for the year within the region. The outcome of this session will be an initial bulleted list of strategic objectives to include topics to be covered on the conference calls and at meetings; specific state one-on-one technical assistance that could be provided; opportunities for multi-state collaboration, mutually beneficial program opportunities, and potential funding opportunities; and results-oriented goals for the region during 2015.
Moderator:
- David Gipson, Director, Energy Resources Division, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; Regional Representative to the NASEO Board of Directors
Discussion:
- Are there several states/territories with similar priorities and focus?
- Are there ways that NASEO and other Southeast states/territories can assist you in reaching your objectives?
12:00 pm – 12:45 pm
Working Lunch
12:45 pm – 1:45 pm
U.S. Department of Energy Program Update
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Office including the Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program (WIP) oversees the U.S. State Energy Program and Weatherization Assistance Program and provides technical assistance to states in developing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and programs. Topics addressed during this session will include WIP priorities, as well as best practices information and lessons learned and water and wastewater treatment energy efficiency efforts. An update will also be provided on the April 28-29 Risk Assessment workshop that was held to help States gain awareness of risk considerations relating to energy systems and infrastructure and to become more aware of necessary capabilities and available tools, methods and processes for assessing risks to energy systems and assets.
Moderator:
- Greg Guess, Division Director, Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Kentucky Department of Energy Development and Independence
Presenter:
- AnnaMaria Garcia, Director, Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs Office, U.S. Department of Energy
Focus:
- Status update on SEP, WAP, and WIP budgets/funding and program direction
- Overview of the DOE BetterBuildings Program and resources.
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Energy Efficiency Efforts
- Update on smart grid and grid modernization strategies
- Update on U.S. Department of Energy State Energy Risk Assessment Workshop
1:45 pm – 2:30 pm
DOE BetterBuilding Accelerators
This session will be an overview of the resources, how states/territories can best utilize strategies and examples of applying the resources that deal with data centers, energy data, energy savings performance contracts, outdoor lighting and industrial superior energy performance.
Moderator:
- Elmo Roebuck, Jr., Director, Virgin Islands Energy Office
Presenter:
- AnnaMaria Garcia, Director, Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs Office, U.S. Department of Energy
Focus:
- Following the update on the Accelerator program and resources, several of the Southeast State BetterBuilding Partners (AL, VI, NC, and TN) will discuss their perspectives and how they are utilizing the program and resources and providing examples for other interested SEO participation.
2:30 pm – 3:15 pm
“JOLT” Session on Federal/State/Local Partnership Strategies
Building off the DOE resources, this session will provide several quick update sessions of federal/state/local partnerships dealing with building energy training program strategies, building energy code compliance activities, facilitating local governments with technical assistance, and helping link rural resources.
Moderator:
- Larissa Williams, Bureau Manager, Technical Assistance, Energy and Natural Resources Division, Mississippi Development Authority
Presenters:
- Andrea Schroer, State Energy Project Manager, Energy Resources Division, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
- Trish Jerman, Deputy Director, Programs, South Carolina Energy Office
- Craig Scroggs, Rural Energy for America Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Focus:
- This will be in the form of a panel session with several state energy office speakers providing relatively brief 5-7 minute presentations on topics, such as Building Operator Certification, Professional Energy Manager diploma, energy code compliance activities, etc. In addition, the USDA will provide information on rural energy programs and opportunities for federal/state/local partnerships.
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm
Break
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
EPA 111(d) Compliance Strategies – Clean Power Plan Discussion
Update from the State Energy Offices on their state’s actions and planning. Also an update will be provided on the NASEO activities in support of State Energy Offices. The panel will discuss their activities with states on assessing compliance strategies and on modeling and economic analysis. In addition, this session will include a strategy discussion and recommended processes for stakeholder engagement following the release of upcoming final rule.
Moderator:
- David Terry, Executive Director, NASEO
Presenter:
4:30 pm – 5:15 pm
Strategies on the Implementation of the Weatherization Assistance Program
Most of the SEO’s in the Southeast operate the Weatherization Assistance Program or are working very closely with their State’s WAP administrative agency. Also, several of the WAP programs have been reorganized or recently shifted to new agencies. This session will focus on the interactions with LIHEAP, the utilities, best practices, and quality control/quality assurance procedures.
Moderator:
- Mitchell Simpson, Deputy Director, Arkansas Energy Office, Economic Development Commission
Presenters:
- Georgia will present its strategy on WAP, as well as key issues such as quality control inspections
- David Gipson, Director, Energy Resources Division, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; Regional Representative to the NASEO Board of Directors
- Andrea Schroer, State Energy Project Manager, Energy Resources Division, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
5:15 pm – 5:30 pm
NASEO Programs and Policy Update
Energy planning has a longstanding history in many states and recent analysis by NASEO shows that state energy planning is rapidly becoming a priority for governors and legislatures to establish policies and programs to deal with evolving energy markets and create economic development opportunities. This session will discuss several state planning experiences and the available key NASEO resources.
Presenter:
DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015
8:00 am – 8:15 am
Continental Breakfast
8:15 am – 9:15 am
State Strategies on Financing Energy Projects
Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs) can help state and local governments access low-interest financing for energy projects. While almost $800 million is available in the Southeast, only about $160 million or 20% has been allocated. This session will explore strategies for returning unused allocations of local governments back to the state for re-use, green community projects, leveraging funding under other sources and possible successful state templates for replication. A number of the states are also operating revolving loan funds, and loan loss reserves. In addition, this session will explore the status of packaging loans on the re-sale on the secondary market (WHEEL), as well as an update regarding the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Program.
Moderator:
- Karl Frost, Energy Efficiency Unit Manager, Energy Division, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
Presenters:
- Greg Montgomery, Chief Financial Officer, Abundant Power
- Patrick Thomas, Project Manager, Loan Programs Office, U.S. Department of Energy
- Sandy Fazeli, Program Director, NASEO, and NASEO Financing Committee Lead
9:15 am – 10:15 am
Preparing for the potential surge in Southeast solar and renewable activities
This session will address some key developments occurring in Southeast states on PV leasing, net metering, etc. Several states, such as South Carolina are in the process of implementing major solar regulations dealing with roof top solar leasing, community solar and small scale solar initiatives.
Co-Moderators:
- Kelley Smith Burk, Acting Director, Office of Energy, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Trish Jerman, Deputy Director, Programs, South Carolina Energy Office
Presenter:
- Dr. James Fenton, Director, Florida Solar Energy Center; Professor, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Central Florida
10:15 am – 10:30 am
Break
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Affiliates Update Session
Several of the NASEO Affiliate members will provide an introduction to their organization, and update of relevant activities in the Southeast region and discuss partnership and promotional opportunities with the Southeast States/Territories. Each Affiliate will have 3 minutes (gong enforced) to introduce themselves, their organization, and key updates designed to be pertinent to the State/Territory members. In addition, an educational topic session will include motor and motor system efficiency and commercial/industrial fan system efficiency.
Moderator:
- Ward Lenz, Director of Government Relations, Advanced Energy
Presenters:
- Patrick Keal, Government Affairs Director, Big Ass Solutions
- Panel session of several NASEO Affiliate members, including Advanced Energy Economy, ConEdison Solutions, Energy Systems Group, Schneider Electric, Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, and Southern States Energy Board.
11:30 am – 12:15 pm
Linkages between Energy Assurance Planning and Statewide Comprehensive Energy Plans
A number of Southeast states have recently completed or have energy planning processes underway, as well as updating their energy assurance plans. In addition, energy emergency planning has been underway in preparation for the hurricane season. This session will also explore state interactions and planning with large partners, such as military installations.
Co-Moderators:
- Brad Atkinson, Energy Section Chief, Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
- José Maeso González, Executive Director, Puerto Rico Energy Affairs Administration
Presenter:
- David Blalock, Assistant Division Counsel, Department of Defense, Region IV, Environmental Coordinator's Office, U.S. Army Environmental and Energy Office
12:15 pm – 1:00 pm
Working Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Acceleration of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
The rapid advance of electric vehicles over the past few years has left many local governments with challenges to respond to the charging infrastructure and policy issues. This session will focus on advanced policies and coordinate state/regional planning and utility/vehicle manufacturer incentives to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and partnering with key state and local stakeholders.
Moderator:
- Sandy Fazeli, Program Director, NASEO, and NASEO Transportation Committee Lead
Presenters:
- Andrea Schroer, State Energy Project Manager, Energy Resources Division, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
- Karen Glitman, Director of Transportation, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC)
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Next Steps/Adjourn
This meeting wrap-up session will identify key outcomes, state collaboration opportunities, key 2015 objectives and the follow-up next steps from this meeting. This session will re-visit the Session #3 “List of Strategic Objectives” of Day-1, and assimilate relevant items from this Day-2 discussions and learnings into a plan of Southeast Objectives for 2015.
Co-Moderators:
- Molly Cripps, Director, Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation; Regional Representative to the NASEO Board of Directors
- David Gipson, Director, Energy Resources Division, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; Regional Representative to the NASEO Board of Directors
Presenter:
- David Terry, Executive Director, NASEO
2:30 pm
Adjourn