Efficiency First California

HERS II BPC Path Curriculum:

On September 7, members attended a California Energy Commission hearing (recording available here) where the commission was deciding whether to approve a HERS II curriculum for home performance contractors. Based on concerns expressed by members about mixing HERS II too much with home performance contracting, Efficiency First California, along with CBPCA, asked the CEC to hold off on it's approval. Commissioners did, however, approve the curriculum request -- although several of the commissioners expressed a desire to learn more from the home performance industry about the concerns companies have about HERS II and it's implementation. Moving forward, we will continue our push to ensure that California's energy rating systems are built to help drive an increase in retrofit work, rather than complicate and add over-burdensome expenses to the process.

One thing is clear: HERS II certification is NOT currently required for home performance companies to participate in Energy Upgrade California. That's because Efficiency First California pushed the CEC to release a public statement that HERS II would not be a requirement in Energy Upgrade California at least through the end of the current utility planning cycle, which goes through December 2012 (and may get extended to December 2013).

Energy Upgrade California Steering Committee

On September 9, in a meeting with the Energy Upgrade California steering committee, we presented concerns raised by companies that responded to our industry survey, as well as recommendations for program administrators to implement. Efficiency First California representatives presented contractors’ concerns regarding the EUC, program and provided potential solutions of the problematic pieces of the program. For example, we asked program representatives to consider speeding up the "Job Approval" turn around times, and create QAQC guidelines that are a consistent throughout the state so that contractors have a play book to follow and know what we are being QA-ed on. Details regarding these issues and pursuant discussions are in this memo sent to the Energy Upgrade California Steering Committee.

In the coming weeks and months, we're going to continue our efforts to represent home performance companies around the state and push hard to make California's programs and policies work better for home performance companies. There's a lot more work to be done, we look forward to making it happen with your input and your help. Please contact California@efficiencyfirst.org with any questions or get involved.

See highlights of Efficiency First California's recent industry survey.

Regional Chapters

San Francisco Bay Area Chapter
North Bay
Los Angeles Chapter
Sacramento Chapter
San Diego Chapter

Petition to CEC and CPUC: Improve Energy Upgrade California

Efficiency First California has submitted letters to the California Energy Commission and Public Utilities Commission, making specific recommendations for program improvements on program delays, rebate levels, financing, software, marketing plans and more.

Read the letters and sign your company onto the petition.

Energy Upgrade California Whole House Program

This new Home Performance Incentive Program is a collaboration between Public Utilities Commission, Energy Commission, utilities, local governments and private sectors. It Coordinates federal, state, utility and local government retrofit program outreach,incentives and contractor and participant qualifications. For more information Download the Program Guide .

California Training Reimbursement Grants

Efficiency First has grant funding available for significant training reimbursements for California Efficiency First members. Click here for more information.

Issues

PACE Update

With the recent ruling from the Federal Housing Finance Authority halting many PACE programs, Efficiency First has written a memo to the California Energy Commission regrading alternatives to PACE financing. Download the memo.

The Campaign to Stop the Dirty Energy Proposition

Four years ago, with support from businesses, environmental and health organizations, California passed AB 32, a law that sets new clean energy and pollution control standards in California. This law, building on decades of state clean energy policies, has launched our state to the forefront of the clean technology industry – sparking innovation and clean energy businesses that are creating hundreds of thousands of new California jobs.

Now, Two Texas oil companies are spending millions to push a deceptive ballot proposition that would "suspend" AB 32 and kill our progress. The Dirty Energy Proposition will be on the ballot in November, and Efficiency First members can help make sure it is defeated:

Visit www.stopdirtyenergyprop.com/join-us.php and sign your company onto the Stop the Dirty Energy Proposition campaign's coalition.

See this video from the Campaign to Stop the Dirty Energy Proposition:

AB811 Programs :

In response to the development of AB811 (special tax districts promoting retrofits & renewables) programs in Southern California we have developed a working group. The Finance & Incentives working group is headed by Doug Donovan (E-mail) and is working with LA & San Diego Counties to make sure home performance contractors are represented during the planning stages. Current discussions focus on loading order requirements, Standards: we are working to require BPI standards for contractors.

HERS II Rollout

In December 2008, the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved HERS II regulations to replace the original HERS system. The process has been delayed due to concerns over industry readiness and program management. In order to move the process forward the CEC has proposed an Interim Performance Approach to be implemented as a transition to HERS II, and they recently held a workshop to discuss proposed requirements for the Interim Performance Approach and related HERS II roll out.

Some of the important takeaway points from the meeting are as follows:

  • HERS II rollout: There is a one-year delay in requirements for contractors to work with HERS II raters on residential retrofit projects
  • In the meantime, an Interim Performance Approach will be used to determine compliance with financing contracts and loading order requirement (10% energy efficiency required for renewable energy projects)
  • This interim approach will require BPI certified building analysts to be on the staff of Home Performance contracting firms who are working on retrofits
  • Once ARRA contracts switch over to HERS II, there will be a parallel pathway for BPI contractors to work within the HERS II model.
  • The CEC has opened up the market on software. Originally, contractors were forced to use Energy Pro, but now DOE Best Test approved software will be permitted.

Pre-Title 24 homes :

Assembly Bill (AB) 758 requires the California Energy Commission to develop and implement a comprehensive program to achieve energy savings in existing residential and commercial building stock that falls significantly below the current Title 24 building standards for new construction. In coordination with the other California chapters we will track updates and make sure home performance contractors' voices are heard.

Training:

The need for training programs that are accessible to contractors looking to become home performance contractors has never been clearer. We are investigating opportunities to aid in the process of creating an online training platform.

Documents

Listen to the March 17 Leveraging PACE in California Presentation:

Resources

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Other Chapters

Chapter Events

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