A Note from the Executive Director

This quarter, we are taking a minute to recognize the alliance’s 30-year history of success, released as part of the NEEA 2025 Annual Report. Working together, regional utilities and energy efficiency organizations have created permanent market change leading to 1,046 average megawatts (aMW) of co-created electric savings since 1997, and 5 million (MM) Therms of natural gas savings since 2019. These efforts have benefited consumers while supporting a more reliable, affordable and efficient energy future for the Northwest.

At the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) Summer Study last month, I had the honor of announcing Midea as the winner of the Hot Water Innovation Prize, a national competition led by NEEA in partnership with ACEEE and a national coalition of energy efficiency organizations. The contest was designed to catalyze the development of a low-cost water heater designed to fit into smaller or space-constrained homes, making efficient water heating available to a wider range of households in an accelerated timeframe. These water heaters are intended for people living in apartments, condos or manufactured homes that might rely on electric resistance water heaters instead.

This competition is a classic example of Market Transformation in action and accelerating innovation with manufacturers. Since NEEA announced the Hot Water Innovation Prize, other manufacturers have brought to market compact heat pump water heaters that have similar product requirements as specified in the prize.

Throughout the conference, it was inspiring to see the alliance’s work represented in important national efficiency conversations through Market Transformation presentations, panels, and showcasing Northwest research.

For more than 30 years, these partnerships and conversations have helped advance energy efficiency across the Northwest and the nation. While significant progress has been made, important work remains ahead.

More details are available in the quarterly newsletters linked below. Please reach out to NEEA staff directly with questions.