What Is Driving Changes In California Energy Policy?
California is pushing hard to cut its carbon footprint. Senate Bill 32 (passed in 2016), requires the state to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030; in 2018, former Governor Brown signed SB 100 which set a target to make the state completely carbon neutral by 2045. Because of…
Read MoreWhy Heat Pumps All Of A Sudden?
Over the past year, it seems like everyone involved in California energy policy has started talking about heat pumps–even if they’re not 100 percent sure what heat pumps are. What is it about heat pumps that make them so interesting, and why are they suddenly getting so much attention? Most of the interest is driven…
Read MoreThe Power Is Off. Now What?
Once again, California has been challenged by devasting and deadly wildfires ripping across the state. The Kincade fire raged out of control in Northern California, and multiple fires were burning in Southern California. All of the wildfires have one thing in common: plenty of dry fuel created by millions of dead trees after four years…
Read MoreAre Autumn Firestorms and Power Shut Downs The New Norm For California?
California is under siege; our fall warm winds have turned into a vehicle for disaster. If you watch the national news, it appears that the end is near, and California will soon be the charred remains of what was once a vibrant and innovative region with natural beauty and diversity. To some, this might be…
Read MoreUnintended Consequences
There is no doubt the electrification trend is taking hold in California. As reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) becomes the most important goal for energy policy, it makes sense to shift end uses of energy away from the limited resource of fossil fuels to the electric grid. Recently, the increase in renewable generation has quickly made…
Read MoreWill Decarbonization Work Without Energy Efficiency?
California is going through a policy paradigm shift concerning energy efficiency, the goal of saving energy overall taking a back seat to reducing emissions. Assembly Bill 3232 directs the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. The direct combustion of fossil fuels in buildings (primarily for space and…
Read MoreDid You Know Your House Has A Tailpipe Too?
Recently, there has been a noticeable shift in California energy efficiency policy. For years the focus has been on the overall reduction in energy use. Today, the goals are much more complicated, with aggressive state mandates specifically targeting greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, when energy savings occur has become a factor, often superseding total…
Read MoreI believe in electrification. So why did I just install a new furnace?
Our executive director Charley Cormany works with the Building Decarbonization Coalition and National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to bring a contractor’s perspective to residential decarbonization and electrification policy in California. Efficiency First California (EFCA) manages the SMUD Home Performance Program, which last year started incentivizing electrification with hefty rebates. I subscribe to MCE’s 100% renewable…
Read MoreHow To Hide The BS In Your Work
Building Science (BS) is pretty powerful stuff. Home performance contractors have been providing data and improving building science techniques for well over 30 years now. But while there is no question building retrofits have many benefits, selling the concept to homeowners and property managers is no small feat. While early adopters and others who have…
Read MoreEfficiency First is Now Part of the Building Performance Association
Two years ago at the Home Performance Coalition conference in Nashville, a few folks had an after-hours conversation discussing the state of the efficiency industry and the players involved. At the time, Efficiency First National was struggling financially and with membership growth. From the conversation, it became evident that several organizations were replicating each other’s…
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