The MEECA Maven: News and updates on Michigan's energy efficiency industry. August 2014

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MI EE Expo & Capital Day

Promoting Michigan’s Energy Efficiency Industry

The summer winds down with a what looks to be a great Labor Day weekend. The kids are getting ready for a new year of school. Football is in the air. The Michigan Energy Efficiency Contractors Association (MEECA) has scheduled a day to promote Michigan’s energy efficiency industry.

Make plans to attend the Michigan Energy Efficiency Expo & Capital Day on Wednesday, September 17th, 2014. MEECA members from across Michigan will set up small tabletop displays inside Michigan’s capitol building. These owners will meet face to face with their legislators to share the impact energy efficiency has had on their businesses. The day will end with a cocktail reception being held at Lansing’s premeire downtown restaurant.

For more information please click here.

Also, Save the Date for the MEECA Annual Banquet being held on Tuesday, October 28^th, 2014 at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing, MI. Stay tuned for more details.

The Power in Numbers keeps growing. MEECA is now 67 members strong! Thank you to all new members for showing your support for Michigan’s energy efficiency contractors.

With August being the one-year anniversary of the creation of MEECA, I’d like to make sure and thank all the Steering Committee and Board Members for striking out on a course to be the voice of Michigan’s energy efficiency contractors. It has been a great first year!

Sincerely,

Brindley Byrd
Executive Director
brindley@meeca.info
517-203-9180

CLEAResult Innovating Implementation

Creative Programs Target Trade Allies

CLEAResult is one of Michigan’s leading companies providing implementation services to utility clients throughout the entire state. With headquarters in Austin, TX this nationally respected consulting firm designs and administers utility-based efficiency programs across the country.

Efficiency UNITED is the consortium of utilities whose Energy Optimization programs are administered by CLEAResult. With 19 utilities being part of Efficiency UNITED, CLEAResult has to take innovative approaches to building relationships with contractors in the many varied markets served by CLEAResult’s utility clients.

Utilizing a strong web-based communications platform www.EfficiencyUnited.com, CLEAResult provides valuable resources, tools and links to energy efficiency contractors.

Click here to see their entire Trade Ally Toolkit.

This toolkit provides valuable information for any sized contractor, no matter if they serve the residential or commercial customers. Contractors have access to a calendar of events including free technical training sessions, information on the most current program promotion to maximize energy savings and project revenue. Additionally, contactors have access to communication and marketing tools created by CLEAResult staff to be utilized by Efficiency UNITED Trade Allies.

Be sure to plan to attend the next Trade Ally Tuesday training session happening in an area close to you. See full schedule of sessions including how to register by clicking here.

For information on how to become an Efficiency UNITED Trade Ally, please click here or contact one of CLEAResult’s Trade Ally Advisors:

Jeffrey Filek - Residential
517.243.9946
jeff.filek@clearesult.com
Territory: Lower Peninsula (excluding SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company)

Jim Quain - Residential
517.525.5815
jquain@clearesult.com
Territory: Upper Peninsula, SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company

Glenn Voisin – Commercial & Industrial
517.999.2319
gvoisin@clearesult.com

MEECA Member Meet & Greet

Second Networking Event is Set for August

Michigan is currently debating what our future energy policy will be. P.A. 295 is set for reevaluation in 2015. Until now, energy efficiency contractors have not had a voice in those discussions.

The Michigan Energy Efficiency Contractors Association (MEECA) was created to be that voice.

Join MEECA members, its board of directors and other energy efficiency industry stakeholders for a chance to discuss Michigan's energy policy and other activities MEECA has been working on.

Light appetizers and Michigan beer provided.

Meeting Details:

Date: Wednesday, October 1st, 2014
Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Location: Vantaura Energy Services
4039 40th St., SE, Suite 4
Grand Rapids, MI 49512

The event is free.

(Contributions certainly accepted!)

Click here to register.

ACEEE Issues Report on Pontential Reports

Understanding the Potential of Energy Efficiency

In November of 2013, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) issued a study of the potential of and source of energy efficiency installations in Michigan over the next 10-years.

With funding provided by Consumers Energy and DTE Energy, the MPSC hired GDS Associates, an energy engineering and consulting firm located in Georgia, to conduct research and issue a report on Michigan’s energy efficiency potential.

Titled the “Michigan Electric And Natural Gas Energy Efficiency Potential Study,” this final report looks at the potential for energy efficiency installations in residential and commercial buildings broken down by ‘measure’ and forecasted according to varying methods of calculating scenarios.

Click here to read more and see which measures rank the highest in potential installations…

MPSC Approves Energy Assistance Grants

$89.5-million Going Back to Utilities

The Michigan Public Service Commission in conjunction with the Department of Human Services has approved Energy Assistance Program grants totaling $89.5 million to 13 organizations for the fiscal year beginning October 1.

On July 1, the commission issued a request for proposals soliciting projects that would provide energy assistance programs to help low-income households meet home energy costs, with a focus on services that would enable participants to become or move toward becoming self-sufficient.

The grants will be funded by $50 million collected through a low-income energy assistance funding factor approved by the commission, as well as $40 million in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds provided by DHS, the PSC said in a statement.

Read further to see what agencies received funding...

To join MEECA please complete our Membership Application.

For more information please contact Brindley Byrd at 517-203-9180 or brindley@meeca.info.

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