Midwest Energy Group

MEEA Minute — May 2009


Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
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Upcoming Events

Ohio Energy Expo

June 2
West Plaza
State Capitol
Columbus, OH

See the "Join Us..." article for further info!


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Market Introduction to Solid State Lighting Workshop

July 13-15
Chicago Mariott Downtown
Chicago, IL

See the "DOE SSL Workshop..." article for more info.


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REAMP EE Working Group In-Person Meeting

July 29-30
Madison, WI

Save the Date and watch the REAMP Commons for updated information.


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Midwest Energy Solutions: Opportunity Now!

January 13-15, 2010
Hotel Intercontinental
Chicago, IL

Save the Date postcard and 2010 Sponsor Prospectus are available for download. Registration is not yet open, but it will be open on our Conference and Events website in the near future.
In this Issue

Welcome to the MEEA Minute, the monthly newsletter of the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. In this issue read about:

2009 Annual Meeting of the Membership – A Success!
Congratulations to Change A Light Pledge Drive Winners
New Board Members Elected
New Member Spotlight: Serious Materials
Join us at the Ohio Energy Expo
DOE SSL Workshop to be Co-Hosted by MEEA
New Member Spotlight: Green Dream Group
Update on Federal Energy Legislation
Lights for Learning YouTube Contest Winners!
MEEA Members – Join a Committee!
Update on Illinois Natural Gas Portfolio Standard
Six Midwest Cities in ENERGY STAR Top 25
Michigan Introduces Building Code Legislation

Articles

2009 Annual Meeting of the Membership – A Success!

The MEEA Board and staff would like to thank all MEEA members who attended our Annual Meeting of the Membership on Tuesday, May 19th at the Affinia Hotel in Chicago. The meeting was a great success reflecting the growing prominence of energy efficiency in the Midwest and of MEEA. Nearly 70 energy professionals representing over half of our 97 member organization were in attendance. Members were briefed on MEEAs program activities, policy initiatives, and plans for the 2010 Midwest Energy Solutions conference. They also heard presentations on the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act from Gil Sperling of the U.S. Department of Energy; Amy Butler of Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth; Richard Schlimm of the Wisconsin Community Action Program Association; and Martha Dooley of the Village of Schaumburg, Illinois. The panel discussed the desired impact of the stimulus funds at the federal, state and local sectors and how MEEA members could get involved.

As a special surprise for our members, MEEA had a raffle of energy efficiency gadgets. Congratulations to our winners:

EcoHatchey eco starter kit – Jim Larsen, Cardinal Glass Industries
Free Play Eyemax Solar Powered Radio – Mary Ann Emmons, Commonwealth Edison
Belkin Conserve Energy Smart Strip w/remote control – Diane Munns, MidAmerican Energy Company
Blue Line Innovations Power Cost Monitor – Pat Michalkiewicz, Peoples Gas
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Congratulations to Change A Light Pledge Drive Winners

The Change a Light, Change the World pledge drive for 2008-2009 from the US EPA has come to an end, and winners have been announced. MEEA was in the running for a Top 5 slot, but was pushed out of that position, a bittersweet loss for MEEA but a boost in overall energy efficiency and greenhouse gas savings that we can still celebrate. We would like to congratulate a few MEEA members who held on to top spots in the following categories:

Top Overall: ComEd (98,416,895 lbs of CO2 savings)
Top Energy Efficiency Program: ComEd (98,416,895 lbs of CO2 savings); Ameren Illinois Utilities (33,397,501 lbs of CO2 savings)
MEEA came in at 6th Place for Energy Efficiency Programs, saving 18,775,007 lbs of CO2

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New Board Members Elected

We are proud to announce these new members of the MEEA Board of Directors.

Jeff Haase–Demand Efficiency Program Supervisor, MN DOC
Greg Mueller–Marketing Director, Beta/Kramer
Diane Munns–VP of Energy Efficiency and Regulatory Affairs, MidAmerican Energy
Tom Van Paris–Manager of Marketing & Member Services, Hoosier Energy
Jan Patrick–Section Manager, MI DELEG
Karen Rhodes–Manager, Energy Efficiency Marketing, Xcel Energy
Dan York–Senior Research Associate for the Utilities Program, ACEEE
Emmett Romine–Manager, Energy Optimization, DTE Energy (Ex-Officio)
Don Nichols–Consumer Programs Manager, AEP (Ex-Officio)
They join our returning Board members to form the Board of Directors for FY2010. Board Officer elections have not yet been held. The full list of MEEA Board members is available on our website.

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New Member Spotlight: Serious Materials

Serious Materials develops and manufactures sustainable green building materials that save energy, save money, improve comfort and aggressively address climate change. SeriousWindows™ and SeriousGlass™ reduce heating and cooling energy costs by up to 50% and improve occupant comfort.

QuietRock® soundproof drywall and QuietGlass® reduce material use, enhance livability, and support dense sustainable urban construction. EcoRock™ uses 80% less energy in its core production and has the potential to save billions of pounds of CO2 annually making it the only true green alternative to gypsum drywall and five times more environmentally friendly.

SeriousWindows, SeriousGlass and super-insulating ThermaRock™ drywall support energy efficiency funding programs as outlined under The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) including Weatherization (WAP), Green Federal Buildings, State Energy Program (SEP), Energy Efficiency Block Grants, Energy Tax Credit for Consumers, and Tax Deductions for Commercial Buildings. The company was commended by President Obama for the work it is doing to create American green jobs. For more information visit www.SeriousMaterials.com

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Join us at the Ohio Energy Expo

With the generous support of Columbia Gas of Ohio and the Energy Foundation, MEEA will host the 2009 Ohio Energy Expo at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus on Tuesday, June 2nd. The event will feature 20 exhibitors from all sectors of Ohio's energy efficiency community, including utilities, government agencies, consulting businesses, non-profit organizations, and manufacturers of energy efficient products. The event will provide an opportunity to bring these diverse organizations together to educate legislators and attendees on efficient, renewable and alternative forms of energy being produced and supported in Ohio. The 2009 Ohio Energy Expo will also highlight the positive economic impact that progressive energy policies, programs, and best practices can generate for all residents and the substantial opportunity that these policies yield for job creation in the state of Ohio.

Please join us from 10:30am to 2:30pm on the West Plaza of the State Capital grounds in Columbus. The Energy Expo will feature a short program, a barbecue-style lunch, and exhibits by Ohio companies. To RSVP or request more information regarding this event, please contact Ellen Carter at ecarter@mwalliance.org or 312.784.7249.

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DOE SSL Workshop to be Co-Hosted by MEEA

The U.S. Department of Energy has long been leading the pack in the realm of solid-state lighting, so it’s with great excitement that MEEA is partnering with DOE to act as the local host to the annual Market Introduction to Solid-State Lighting Workshop, taking place from July 13-15th, 2009 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown. MEEA is assisting DOE on logistical elements such as agenda development, event marketing and promotion, and sponsorship coordination. MEEA will also be developing a walking tour through which attendees will be able to observe in situ LED installations in downtown Chicago. Keep an eye on future issues of the MEEA Minute for more details, or stay tuned to www.meeaconference.org , which will soon have a page dedicated to promoting this great event.

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New Member Spotlight: Green Dream Group

Green Dream Group, LLC is a Chicago-based building performance firm, specializing in home energy audits, commercial building energy modeling, and assistance with green building certifications and financial incentive programs. Through third-party, scientific testing, the company helps home and business owners lower utility bills, increase the comfort, durability, and air quality of the living space, and do good for the environment. Green Dream also provides independent verification of building performance for both Delta Institute's residential low-income weatherization program and SEDAC's commercial building program.

Diagnostics include: Energy Modeling, Blower Door, Infrared, Consumption Analysis, Moisture Detection, Combustion Analysis and Safety Testing, Tax Credit Verification and Energy Star Homes certification.

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Update on Federal Energy Legislation

On May 15, 2009 the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act , House Bill 2454, commonly referred to as "Waxman-Markey" was referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Foreign Affairs, Financial Services, Education and Labor, Science and Technology, Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Ways and Means. Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Representative Henry Waxman, and Chairman of the Energy and Environmental Subcommittee, Representative Edward Markey, are currently co-sponsors of the comprehensive environmental legislation. The ACES Act has been heavily debated by legislators from both parties and all regions of the country; however lawmakers have still indicated that they would like to report the bill by the Memorial Day recess.

Among the many proposals within the ACES Act are:

a combined efficiency and renewable electricity standard;
a strategy for carbon capture and sequestration;
a program to invest in cleaner transportation and infrastructure;
the development and deployment of smart grid technologies;
the advancement of energy efficiency in building codes, appliance standards, transportation, and other sectors;
goals for reducing global warming causing pollutants;
a greenhouse gas cap and trade program; and
a plan to create green jobs.
The Obama Administration has made it clear that they want progressive energy and climate legislation to be on the agenda for the 111th United States Congress. The President has encouraged both Parties to find common ground on the subjects being disputed and come to a consensus so that, as a nation, we can begin addressing our escalating climate and energy issues.

For more the full text and status of the ACES Act, search by the bill number (HB 2454) on THOMAS

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Lights for Learning YouTube Contest Winners!

MEEA has just wrapped up the first annual Lights for Learning™ "How Do You Shine Like An ENERGY STAR®?" contest, which was initiated in April to drum up interest in Lights for Learning™ and encourage students to apply their own creativity in promoting energy efficiency. Students across Illinois were asked to submit YouTube videos explaining how they conserve energy. The contest was advertised in both major Chicago-area newspapers and a variety of creative, educational videos were submitted. We are pleased to announce the winners and invite everyone to view their videos!

First place – Won a Mac Book, iPod touch & docking station
Green Club, led by Mr. John Murray
Clinton Rosette Middle School in DeKalb, IL
Second place – Won a Nintendo Wii
Challenge Class - Gabby, Alex, and Robert - led by Mrs. Grace Finn
Forest Park Middle School in Forest Park, IL
Third place – Won an iPod touch
Katie O'Brien, Kindergarten
St. Philip the Apostle School in Addison, IL
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MEEA Members – Join a Committee!

We would like to invite all of our Board and Members to consider joining one of our Committees to become more involved with MEEA. A list of committees, with a brief description and staff contact is below:

Policy Committee: This committee will provide you with the opportunity to assist in developing MEEA's policy positions, shaping our advocacy messages, engaging other members to advance policy goals and identifying additional regional stakeholders.
Contact: Anne McKibbin at amckibbin@mwalliance.org or 312.784.7265
Program Committee: On the Program Committee you will have the ability to discuss regional collaboration and partnerships for new and ongoing programs. You will also have the opportunity to develop agendas to facilitate information exchange on programs and help MEEA explore future program ideas as energy efficient practices and technologies emerge.
Contact: Jay Wrobel at jwrobel@mwalliance.org or 312.784.7245
Membership Committee: The role of the committee to ensure that MEEA is serving our members and to grow the membership to include efficiency stakeholders in each industry and state.
Contact: Stacey Paradis at sparadis@mwalliance.org or 312.784.7267
Conference Committee: This committee is open to all members who are interested in collaborating with MEEA's staff for our 2010 Annual Midwest Energy Solutions Conference: Opportunity Now! The committee meets via conference call every 2 months for strategic planning and brainstorming on conference themes, panel topics, speakers and overall messaging. Committee members are encouraged to participate in the committee by bringing forth any suggestions and recommendations that will ensure a successful year for Midwest Energy Solutions and engage every professional in the energy efficiency industry.
Contact: Erin McAllister at emcallister@mwalliance.org or 312.784.7263
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Update on Illinois Natural Gas Portfolio Standard

Floor Amendment 2 to Illinois Senate Bill 1918 was filed on May 15th, 2009 by Representative Robert Flider. MEEA had been involved in ongoing discussions with the Attorney General’s office, the City of Chicago, regulated utilities, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), and with environmental and low-income advocates regarding the development of the amended bill.

There are several efficiency-promoting aspects to this bill. The first, and most important, is an Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EEPS) for regulated natural gas utilities, adding to the EEPS that already exists for electric utilities in Illinois. An EEPS would require these utilities to implement cost-effective energy efficiency measures in order to achieve a determined amount of natural gas savings per year. A natural gas EEPS could save a substantial amount of money on energy bills for Illinois' residential, commercial, and industrial natural gas consumers. These savings can then be spent and invested in state and local economies, stimulating the recovery of businesses and growing jobs. In addition to significant savings of natural gas, and consequential savings on customers’ utility bills, the reduction of natural gas usage would also decrease harmful carbon dioxide emissions.

MEEA analyzed an earlier version of the natural gas EEPS bill (then HB4321) earlier this spring to estimate the ensuing benefits for the people of Illinois. The EEPS that MEEA analyzed, as with that contained in SB1918, bases efficiency savings for each year off of the amount of natural gas used in 2009, starting with 0.2% in 2012, ramping up to 1.0% by 2016, reaching further to 1.5% by 2019, and remaining at that level thereafter. By 2030 utilities could cumulatively have saved 10 billion therms of natural gas, leaving approximately $10.4 billion in the pockets of natural gas customers. The resulting reduction in carbon dioxide emissions could total over 53 million metric tons. Bill savings for customers would not only come from decreased use. A 2005 study by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) estimates that the shift in demand from a 1% per year reduction in natural gas consumption could result in price reductions at the wholesale level of 10-20%, savings which utilities would pass along to the consumers in the form of lower prices.

SB1918 would also create a Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) to help low- and fixed-income households better manage their utility bills and avoid disconnection. This program would additionally promote efficiency measures to aide these households in reducing their energy use. Though this provision is aimed at low-income consumers, it can benefit all utility customers by reducing costs for the utility associated with disconnecting and reconnecting service, as well as from these households' contribution to the market effects from demand reduction.

To review the full text of the bill, please visit the IL General Assembly bill listing; MEEA has reposted a factsheet and list of current supporters, including ourselves, on our website.

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Six Midwest Cities in ENERGY STAR Top 25

In March the US EPA released a list of the top 25 cities with the largest number of homes that have earned the ENERGY STAR® label for high energy efficiency. Cities within MEEA's Midwestern footprint include:

No. 6 – Chicago (Chicago is a MEEA Member!)
No. 8 – Minneapolis-St. Paul (St. Paul is a MEEA Member!)
No. 14 – Detroit, MI
No. 15 – Milwaukee, WI
No. 20 – Grand Rapids, MI
No. 25 – Madison, WI
Congratulations to all the cities that made the list and especially to the homebuilders in those cities who have been working hard to ensure that new home buyers save energy and money with high efficiency homes!

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Michigan Introduces Building Code Legislation

On April 1, 2009 Representative Rebekah Warren introduced HB4756 to amend the "Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act" ( 1972 Public Act 230) which governs the adoption of building codes within the state. The bill currently has six additional co-sponsors in the House and has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Technology.

This amendatory act would put Michigan residential and commercial energy building codes in full compliance with the requirements for receiving additional State Energy Program (SEP) funds from the Department of Energy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The ARRA requires that all states have a residential energy code that meets or exceeds the current (2009) version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and a commercial code that meets or exceeds ASHRAE 90.1-2007. Each state must also have an 8 year plan in place to achieve 90% compliance for new and renovated buildings.

The current Michigan Uniform Energy Code (MUEC) for residential buildings is based on the 2003 International Residential Code (IRC) with the 2004 IECC supplement, and the commercial code is equivalent to ASHRAE 90.1-1999. Both codes are on a three year review cycle, however there is no automatic upgrade, and the last long-overdue update was effective October, 2008.

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The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) is a collaborative network advancing energy efficiency in the Midwest to support sustainable economic development and environmental preservation.


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