Posted
on July 18, 2011, 3:01 pm,
by Oliver,
under
News.
According to a report by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the United States is losing its competitive advantage in clean energy technology to many European and Asian countries. As a result, several foreign companies have moved to the U.S. to penetrate the American clean energy market and to expand their market opportunities in the energy efficiency industry. Companies which now have offices in the U.S., such as Iderdrola (Spain), Goldwind (China) and Enercon (Germany), are beginning to dominate the industry and out-compete American manufacturers. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted
on July 10, 2011, 2:33 pm,
by admin,
under
News.
As Efficiency First begins to transition from rapid initial growth into a long term trade association, Jared Asch will no longer fill the role as the National Director of the organization. Efficiency First would like to thank Jared for his numerous contributions helping in the effort that brought Efficiency First from humble beginnings to a player on the national stage in a matter of a few short years.
As the organization’s first National Director, Jared was instrumental in putting together an organizational structure and the day-to-day operations. In addition to building a team of highly skilled professionals, Jared executed on a series of initiatives that set the organization on its impressive growth trajectory. The significant membership growth and chapter development during Jared’s tenure was due in large part to his hard-charging efforts.
Kara Saul-Rinaldi has been appointed by the board as interim Managing Consultant, providing executive support during the organization’s previously announced search process for an Executive Director (click here to see the ED announcement). Kara and her firm, AnnDyl Policy Group, have been and continue to support Efficiency First in its governmental affairs activities.
With respect and thanks, Efficiency First wishes Jared all the best in all his future pursuits.
Greg Thomas
Efficiency First Board of Directors
Please join us for Efficiency First’s upcoming Webinar:
Home Performance Standards: The Latest from RESNET & BPI
July 13th, 2011 from 12:30pm-2:00pm EASTERN
Qualifies for 1.5 BPI CEUs
RESNET and BPI (Building Performance Institute) have made some recent updates to standards and certifications and this webinar presents you with an opportunity to learn how these will impact your business. Specifically, you will learn about the changes to BPI’s Standardized Qualification of Whole House Energy Savings Estimate (BPI-2400-S-2011, formerly BPI-107) and updates on RESNETS’s EnergySmart Certifications.
Panelists include Steve Baden, Executive Director of RESNET & John Jones, National Technical Director of BPI.
This webinar qualifies for 1.5 BPI CEUs. For more information on CEUs, please click here.
Efficiency First memberhsip is required to access the webinar. To learn more about membership, click here
Posted
on July 7, 2011, 5:30 pm,
by Oliver,
under
News.
Advocates, consultants and organizations dealing with climate change and environmental services have recently prompted global companies to actively face risks from climate change and incorporate them into business models. Technology and policies invested in clean energy and efficiency programs may not be enough to mitigate the impacts of global warming, and according to many advocates, businesses have a responsibility to take proactive measures in response to future climate change.
Regardless of the political debate over climate change, businesses have an opportunity to respond to threats of global warming while realizing new potential earnings. According to a recent report jointly led by the United Nations, the World Resources Institute and Oxfam America, 83% of the business studied recognize that climate change would negatively affect their products or services and might offer new business opportunities, but very few had adjusted their business models to include adaptation of possible risks and rewards.
Whether or not energy and climate policy in the U.S. is effective, other countries will likely implement new regulations to which large firms will have to adapt. In doing so, businesses can assist communities most affected by global warming. Heather Coleman, a senior policy advisor on climate change at Oxfam, argues for active engagement from businesses by suggesting that local populations suffering from environmental damage due to climate change in turn affect global companies which depend on those people and resources.
The report argues that it is advantageous for global business to preemptively assist those communities in order to avoid the worst effects of global warming. This will enable them to harness new market growth in developing countries at the same time. However, there are several reasons why companies have been hesitant to restructure their business models based on climate change predictions. Some companies have been unsure how to incorporate scientific data on climate into operations on the ground. Others cite the uncertainty over details of future climate change as a serious security risk for long-term investment. However, the report from the United Nations suggests that including potential climate change into business models is worthwhile both for global companies and for communities likely to suffer from global warming.
To view the U.N. report click here.
Efficiency First New York applauds the passage of on-bill financing legislation, a job creation measure in the Power NY Act (A.8510-Cahill/S.5844-Maziarz) that will allow homeowners to finance energy-efficiency improvements through payments on their utility bill.
On the eve of June 22nd, 2011 the legislation passed with overwhelming majorities in both houses (117-13 in the Assembly and 59-3 in the Senate).
“On-bill financing overcomes an energy efficiency contractor’s biggest barrier to growing jobs: homeowners that can’t afford to spend money to save money,” said Efficiency First New York Co-Chair Stephen McKenna of Murtha Construction, a Long Island-based home performance contractor. “In some areas of the state, a third of interested customers don’t sign contracts because they lack financing. This program will unleash the industry’s potential and allow New York home performance contractors to double, triple or even quadruple the size of their crews.”
Throughout the spring, Efficiency First New York member companies worked hard to support passage of on-bill financing. Contractors met with legislators in Albany and in district offices, made phone calls and wrote letters to communicate how on-bill financing will create jobs in the hard-hit construction industry and help homeowners achieve energy savings.
Damian Hodkinson, Efficiency First National Board Member and owner of True Energy Solutions in Rochester added: “On-Bill Financing will make it easier for New York homeowners to implement energy-efficiency measures by helping to reduce the challenge of upfront cost. Homeowners will be able to pay for energy efficiency measures the same way they pay for energy — on their utility bills. That means more energy savings and comfort for homeowners, and more job creation at my company and other contractors around the state.”
As on-bill financing moves forward, Efficiency First New York will push for effective implementation. Efficiency First New York will also keep member companies informed and up-to-date with the latest information about the program.
If you would like to get involved with Efficiency First New York’s efforts on on-bill financing or other issues affecting New York’s Home Performance companies, please contact newyork@efficiencyfirst.org.
Over 60 energy efficiency professionals gathered in Kansas City this past Tuesday Night to launch Efficiency First Kansas City.
Congrats -- A New Efficiency First Chapter Is Born!
This meeting was an opportunity for energy efficiency professionals of all types to meet each other and begin working together to grow the Home Performance industry in the Kansas City region. It was held at the Project Living Proof building in Kansas City, MO.
Participants heard a presentation from Jerry Schechter of the Kansas City, MO Office of Environmental Quality, about EnergyWorks KC, a new program funded by the federal Department of Energy’s Better Buildings initiative, which aims to transform the energy efficiency market across the Kansas City metropolitan area.
After the presentation, attendees engaged in a discussion about the needs of the local industry — expanding consumer awareness about home performance, working with local programs and policymakers to spark industry growth and more.
EF member & Home Performance contractor, Donna Sanders
“As owner of a new Home Performance company in Kansas City, I’m looking forward to meeting others in the industry and working with them to create local industry growth,” said Donna Sanders of 106 Greenway, who has helped spearhead efforts to get the chapter launched. “The Kansas City region has huge opportunities for growth in the energy efficiency sector. Our member companies are ready to step up to the plate and help more local homeowners improve the comfort, air quality and energy efficiency of their homes – and create good, green jobs in the process.”
The next Efficiency First Kansas City meeting is July 26. Contact kansascity@efficiencyfirst.org for more information or to get involved.
From Beau D’Arcy, Owner of Effortless Efficiency:
Dozens of Home Performance professionals from over 30 companies in Illinois attended the first meeting of Efficiency First Illinois -
-the new trade association for Home Performance companies across the state. The event took place at the offices of the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) in downtown Chicago.
The crowd represented many different facets of the efficiency market. We had whole home performance contractors, insulators, HVAC companies, window installers, energy auditors/raters, and some people who were looking to learn more about the home performance industry.
We talked about Efficiency First and why it will be important for us to have a local chapter, and explained how critical is was for everybody to become members of EF to help us “drive our own destiny”.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted
on July 6, 2011, 10:00 am,
by Lacey,
under
News.
Efficiency First is currently seeking a Executive Director in Washington, DC, to maintain its high standard of public policy advocacy and guide it to an even more vigorous future. The ideal candidate for this position will have significant experience with and knowledge of public policy issues relating to energy efficiency in buildings, exceptional interpersonal verbal and social skills necessary to make public presentations and a proven record of developing strong networking ties and partnerships. Click here to read the job description on the Efficiency First website.
Overview
The Executive Director (ED) is the senior officer of Efficiency First 501(c)(6) and its associated 501(c)(3) organization, the Home Performance Resource Center (HPRC), and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the organization, developing and managing the budget, managing all staff, and implementing organizational and public policies as may be adopted by the Board. The ED is the senior manager overseeing the work of all Efficiency First and Home Performance Resource Center staff including the San Francisco office staff. Essential duties and responsibilities include the following.
- Public Policy-Participate in policy positions development and provide coordination for the Policy Committee, as well as communication to EF’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors of EF and the HPRC.
- Organizational- Ensure that EF and HPRC operate in compliance with their duly adopted Bylaws, Policies, and Operating Rules in addition to all federal policies related to its 501(c)(6) and 501(c)(3) organizational entities.
- Membership Development-Responsible for the design and implementation of chapter development and chapter support which is a core activity of EF to build active and successful local chapters.
- Financial/Fundraising- Responsible for preparing the Annual Budgets for Board approval, managaging the overall annual budgets and developing and implementing fundraising activities consistent with the annual budget approved by the board; preparing grant applications; furnishing granting agencies with required progress reports; and establishing, subject to Board approval, policy related to membership dues and benefits.
- Public Relations/Outreach- Serve as the official spokesperson for EF and the HPRC at the staff level in consort with the Board Chairs and the members of the EF Executive and Policy Committee. Approve all Press Releases and media strategies and make public presentations about advancing home retrofits and represents EF to external entities.
Qualifications
Priority will be given to applicants with at least 10 years experience working with public policy issues relating to energy efficiency in buildings including regulated utility programs and holds a bachelors degree in public policy or management focus. Efficiency First recognizes Institutions of Higher Education which are accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or an equivalent.
This is a senior position in a prominent organization. Salary is commensurate with experience. Efficiency First benefits include holidays, vacation and personal days, and health insurance coverage.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter outlining skills/ background; a résumé and letters of reference to: EDsearch@efficiencyfirst.org.
Applications accepted until July 22st, 2011
You can read the job description in its entirety in PDF form at: www.efficiencyfirst.org/EDSearch.
Posted
on June 27, 2011, 11:18 am,
by Oliver,
under
News.
Efficiency First’s Best Practices Working Groups
Monthly Digest – June 2011
What our Best Practice working groups have been working on:
Business Models
- HVAC transition paper which will provide a blueprint for how to transition your business from HVAC to whole house performance.
Finance and Incentives
- Summary of financial options – what a contractor can use today
- Studying the Sensible Accounting to Value Energy (SAVE) Act and its implications for the home performance industry
Marketing
- Working on a library of power points about energy efficiency and home performance
- As an educational campaign for SEO, the group is working on a guidebook for the industry’s key terms, citations and listings
- Marketing resources for contractors:
- Creating a Homeowner Profile Template
- Working on a home performance resource database of marketing information, data, logos, brochures, etc for contractors to use when creating sites/presentations on energy efficiency
- Marketing support tools for contractors and energy auditors can be downloaded at: http://www.efficiencyfirst.org/marketing/
- Outreach effort to get home performance contractors to speak/present to local communities
Multi-Family Homes
- Finishing 3 case studies and a white paper of challenges and recommendations for multi-family programs
Real Estate
- GreenMLS: Contributed content for GreenMLS Toolkit which was inspired by Efficiency First presentation at ACI. Updated toolkit is available at www.greenthemls.org
- Tracking Retrofit Value: Proposed an Appraisal Essentials for Home Performance Contractors resource
- Home Sale Labeling programs: the first draft of a labeling white paper is completed and REWG is monitoring EF chapter areas with labeling activity
- Tracking Consumption and GreenMLS; if the home performance industry can track it more thoroughly, the real estate industry can report it in the GreenMLS
- Host monthly learning calls for REWG members on the third Thursday of every month. Recent topics include GreenMLS panel (June), overview of City of Austin labeling program (May) and Energy Trust of Oregon labeling program (April)
Workforce Development
- Has completed a hiring toolkit with resources to help home performance companies find and hire qualified staff
- The committee has also provided feedback on the HERO online self-assessment, a resource for job seekers to help them determine the best career paths and training opportunities in the home performance industry
- Wrote a letter to the Department of Labor supporting the creation of a weatherization technician apprenticeship. Currently crafting recommendations on how such an apprenticeship could be structured
We are continually working hard to develop a thriving Home Performance industry and if you would like to join any of the nine working groups that we support, we’d love to have you on board.
For more information on Efficiency First’s Best Practice working groups, check out http://www.efficiencyfirst.org/take-action/best-practices/
If you’d like to contribute in one of our working groups, please send an e-mail to internpolicy@efficiencyfirst.org with your contact information and which group you would like to join.
Efficiency First offers valuable resources through its Facebook, Twitter and Linked In groups. These social media networks allow members of the home performance industry to develop business relationships and connections throughout the industry. By joining Efficiency First’s social network groups, clients, members and potential customers can stay updated on news from the home performance industry and learn what Efficiency First is doing for its members. The Facebook and Twitter pages provide members with information regarding webinars, blog posts, events and presentations, in addition to state and national news.
Learn more about public policy issues that Efficiency First is involved in and take advantage of the resources and information available regarding home performance businesses. Through online professional networking companies can expand their business relationships and potential customer bases. Our Facebook and Linked In accounts also allow supporters of the energy efficiency and retrofit industry to engage in discussion groups which increases awareness and access to information. By fostering discussion participation and the expansion of client networks, Efficiency First’s social networks bolster the home performance industry’s impact on energy efficiency.
To join Efficiency First’s social networks, go to
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/efficiencyfirst
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Efficiencyfirst
Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/efficiency-first/22/bb1/5a4
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