The MEECA Maven:  News and updates on Michigan's energy efficiency industry. January 2016
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Where does it go?  The time that is…

 
As MEECA’s staff has been working diligently launching a new exciting FREE trial membership program, we are realizing that the time is flying by. 
 
Already now into early February, we would like to bring our members up to date on activities and issues the association has been working on and things to keep you informed about.
 
First, a quick word on Michigan’s energy legislation…it should be no surprise that the frightening circumstances with Flint’s water crisis have all but completely dominated the scene in Lansing.  Certainly, some bills are moving.  None of them relate to energy. 
 
We have not broken free from the stall we reported on in December. 

In conversations with Senator Mike Nofs, chairman of the Senate Energy Policy Committee, he expresses confidence in moving substitutes for Senate Bills 437 and 438 yet this month. 

MEECA has not seen these bills and they have not been released for review, yet.  MEECA has reiterated our commitment to the Senator to work through the process finding our way to a bill that expands Michigan’s energy efficiency industry.  We will have to wait and see what happens in the next couple weeks.   
 
In an interesting Federal twist, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015, which passed the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee 18-2 last summer, was slated for debate in the Senate this week.  One of the more than 100 amendments to that bill was $600-million dollars in funding for the Flint water crisis. 

Yesterday, the bill’s lead sponsor, Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) spoke meaningful words about the situation in Flint.  After the Flint amendment failed, Democrats moved to not continue voting on the bill for now. 

Click Here to see The Detroit Free Press article on the developments.  


Back here in Michigan, we very pleased to share information about DTE Energy’s 2016 Energy Efficiency for Business Program, specifics about the DNV GL Trial Membership Program and a glimpse at a national effort continuing to scale the home performance market. 
 
Lastly, thank you to the 9 new members MEECA has signed up during January! 

This brings our membership count to 83 – there is Power In Numbers!
 
 
 
Sincerely,
Brindley Byrd


Executive Director

brindley@meeca.info

517-203-9180



FREE Trial Membership Program

DNV GL and DTE Partner to Enhance Trade Ally Network


This past month, MEECA has been working very hard to design and launch a new membership development program targeting commercial energy efficiency contractors.

We have proudly partnered with DNV GL and DTE Energy to create a FREE 6-month Trial Membership Program (TMP). This program has two primary goals: 
  • Add value to the DTE Designated Trade Ally program through further contractor engagement in industry issues, and
  • Grow MEECA’s membership.
This trial membership program is open only to DTE Energy Efficiency for Business Designated Trade Allies who utilize the DTE Commercial & Industrial (C&I) rebate program.  

MEECA asks that all of our current members share this information with others in your networks who may not be DTE C&I Trade Allies or who are not yet a MEECA member. 

TMP contractors will receive specialized programming and services from MEECA providing valuable information to help grow their business.

MEECA is proud to say we have welcomed seven new members into the program already and are looking to enroll many, many more.
TMP enrollment ends on February 29th, 2016. 

Spreading the word about this program is key to MEECA’s continued success. MEECA encourages our members to share this information to influence other contractors to become a part of MEECA.

As always, there is POWER IN NUMBERS!

Click here for TMP program details and for an enrollment form…


DTE’s Energy Efficiency Program for Business

2016 Program Kicks Off in January

 
The beginning of 2016 is off to a very busy start for Michigan’s energy efficiency industry as well as DTE Energy’s Energy Efficiency Program for Business – their utility rebate program for commercial and industrial customers.
 
Throughout January, the DTE Outreach Team, lead by DNV GL and supported by Franklin Energy (both MEECA members) held three events in Southgate, Grand Rapids and Troy. Hundred’s of contractors from every trade attended and learned about the 2016 DTE commercial and industrial programs.
 
MEECA’s executive director attended all three kickoff meetings being an invited vendor to share important information about the industry and the association with kickoff attendees. We were also there to promote our brands new FREE Trial Membership program.   
 
DTE, MEECA and DNV GL have been working together to create and launch a contractor engagement program, looking to increase value in the Designated Trade Ally program and build MEECA’s membership. 
 
Designated Trade Allies are trained by the DTE Outreach Team to understand how to be successful using the DTE program and include contractors, suppliers, designers and consultants who have attended a required Designated Trade Ally training.   
 
As a Designated Trade Ally, your company is put into DTE’s energy efficiency directory. This makes it easier for customers to find you.

It also gives you access to the DTE Trade Ally portal and provides you direct access to DTE program staff ready to help you and your customers implement energy efficiency projects.
 
For more information, go to the DTE Designated Trade Ally portal at dteTradeAlly.com.
 
Click here to read more about the 2016 DTE Energy Efficiency Program for Business…
 

 




Home Performance Coalition Convenes Market Innovation Forum


San Francisco hosts forum creating actionable steps for home performance.

 

In early December, the Home Performance Coalition assembled a group of 40 key residential energy efficiency industry stakeholders, thought leaders, and a few outside-of-the-box thinkers to discuss the state of the home performance industry. These individuals were brought together to discover new, creative approaches, build connections and ultimately accelerate market growth.

 

Amanda Godward, MEECA’s vice president and owner of Ecotelligent Homes attended this forum in San Francisco.



“It was great to see so many stakeholders gathered together in the same place. I was personally happy to see that contractors specifically were included in the meeting."

 





Click here to read about the steps that emerged at the forum... 

 

 

Welcome New Members! 

MEECA gains nine new members in the past month


On behalf of MEECA, we want to welcome you to our association. We know that everyone involved with MEECA will benefit from your support and involvement.
K.T. Group Inc. Tom Jones
CEDAM Jaime Schriner-Hooper
 
Salinger Electric Co. Inc Nick Cotsonika

Biz Adapter Don Eizen

Adopt-A-Watt LCC Tom Wittaker
 
Inspired Green Denny Duchene

Help Grow MEECA! Share our Membership Application with your colleagues.  There is Power In Numbers!

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