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

• Add value to the DTE Designated Trade Ally program through further contractor engagement in industry issues, and
• Grow MEECA’s membership.

DTE’s Energy Efficiency Program for Business

2016 Program Kicks Off in January

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