A Note from the Executive Director
After a year of uncertainty, there is a lot of excitement brewing at NEEA. Last month, the alliance and Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) hosted the second entirely virtual Efficiency Exchange conference. Held over three days with more than 300 attendees, the conference included sessions on heat pumps, equity and inclusion, and the future of energy efficiency.
In May, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm made a number of energy policy announcements on behalf of the Biden Administration (see next page). This work includes a new national focus on heat pumps and a ten million dollar ‘L Prize’ for lighting with a requirement for luminaire level lighting controls. Support from the DOE, along with its recognition of Northwest efforts, are important steps forward for many of the technologies that the alliance has been working to advance. This increased visibility will help further transform the market by providing more efficient options for American homes and business.
And finally, with vaccination rates nearing 65% in Oregon, we are starting to see the possibility of a return to the office and in-person stakeholder engagements with continued flexibility for hybrid meetings. I look forward to that future and continue to marvel at the steadfast resilience and ingenuity from NEEA staff, funder staff, implementers and contractors.
