Month: February 2026
February Map of the Month
By Will Bryan
Housing in the Southeast is aging, and the cost of living in it is getting more expensive. As we noted last month, around 40% of housing in the region was built before 1980, when the nation’s first minimum standards for energy efficiency were implemented. For residents of older homes, occupancy can come with an unexpected tax: the high costs of deferred maintenance and inefficiencies, not to mention the health and safety impacts of living in substandard housing.
These burdens are not distributed equally. In this month’s map of the month, we assess the quality of housing in Savannah, Georgia using the metric of energy use intensity (EUI), a measure of energy use per square foot. EUI is a helpful proxy for housing quality and efficiency. Higher EUIs signal leaky buildings with heavy heating and cooling loads, while low EUIs indicate more efficient spaces. By modeling heating EUI at the census block group in Savannah, Georgia – a city where the housing stock is older than the state and regional average – we show where efficiency gaps are the widest and shed light on which communities are shouldering the impacts of our aging housing.
As the map shows, EUI varies considerably across the City of Savannah. The most efficient households in the city use more than 4.5 times less energy per square foot than the least efficient households in the city, which translates into considerable monthly cost savings.
The highest EUIs are concentrated on the outskirts of the historic district. While the housing here is nearly as old as that in the city’s core, these neighborhoods have had fewer resources available for retrofits and upgrades. The result is that it is less likely that homes in these areas have been retrofitted and they are more likely to experience the impacts of deferred maintenance.
In Savannah, these issues are shaped by the legacies of the South’s long history of residential segregation. As the chart below indicates, block groups in the city with the highest EUIs all have majority Black populations, while census block groups with the lowest EUIs are all majority white. Additionally, homes in areas with low EUIs tend to be newer than the typical home, benefiting from modern construction techniques and minimum standards for building efficiency. This showcases the ways that segregation, a lack of housing choice, and unequal access to capital over the past century continue to circumscribe who has access to healthy and efficient housing today.
Inside SEEA’s 2026 Annual Member Meeting
The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) is preparing for one of its most pivotal Annual Member Meetings yet. As the region faces accelerating load growth, rising affordability concerns, and the urgent need for a more flexible and resilient grid, SEEA’s 2026 gathering is designed bring members together to align priorities, share insight, and move decisively into action.
Executive Director John Silkey describes the meeting as a rare opportunity for members to step away from day‑to‑day pressures and work collectively on the Southeast’s most complex energy challenges. As he puts it, the Annual Member Meeting is “a chance for members to come together in a more intimate setting and make deeper connections with their peers across sectors by working together on hard problems.”
This year’s event is more than a convening. It’s a strategic inflection point for the region.
Why This Meeting Matters Now
At its core, the Annual Member Meeting is about connection, shared learning, and building a stronger regional network. Silkey emphasizes that the value of the gathering goes far beyond presentations or updates. It’s about the kind of deep, meandering conversations that simply can’t happen in virtual settings.
“Build trusted relationships and have meandering, curious conversations together… You don’t get that over a one-hour zoom.”
This meeting creates space for:
Silkey notes that when members have both time and a facilitated process, they can “move quickly from ideas to collaboration”, something that rarely happens in the normal place of work.
What’s New in 2026: A Sharper Regional Focus
This year’s meeting reflects a shift in both SEEA’s strategy and the region’s needs. According to Silkey, “SEEA, and the region, are gaining a sharper focus on what’s needed now and over the next five to 10 years… to create a reliable, flexible, and affordable grid for all.”
Several elements distinguish the 2026 meeting:
The Role of SEEA Members: Co-Creators of the Region’s Energy Future
SEEA’s members aren’t just participants, they’re essential architects of the region’s path forward.
As Silkey puts it, “Members are the key! The challenges and opportunities we’re facing as a region are more and more complex, which means we need more cross-sector collaboration. No one organization has the answer anymore – we all have a piece of the puzzle and what SEEA can do is bring those pieces together so we can see what the picture looks like.”
SEEA’s role is to synthesize these perspectives into actionable knowledge. As Silkey explains, SEEA is most effective when it “asks rich questions, listens, and pulls together the important insights, connections, and new questions its members come up with.”
Why In-Person Collaboration Still Matters
Rather than back-to-back presentations, SEEA structures the Annual Member Meeting to prioritize hands-on collaboration—giving a small group of cross-sector partners the time and space to tackle complex challenges together, shape programs and policy, leave with clear next steps, and new contacts.
He describes the gathering as “an intimate setting with 50-70 of our most proactive members… It gives us the space to leave the day-to-day behind for two days and work on the hard things together.”
Looking Ahead: A Meeting Designed for Action
Silkey hopes attendees leave with more than inspiration. He wants them to walk away with concrete next steps.
“Collaborative projects that move us toward a shared vision of what we’re working for together.”
SEEA hopes the 2026 Annual Member Meeting is a catalyst where cross-sector partners turn ideas into programs, policy, and research that help the Southeast lead in energy optimization.
As SEEA continues to evolve, this meeting reflects where the organization, and the region, are headed: toward deeper collaboration, sharper focus, and a shared commitment to a resilient, flexible, and affordable energy future.
SEEDS Press Release
Q1 2026 Buildings Blueprint
Buildings Blueprint
February 2026
Welcome to SEEA’s Buildings Blueprint, where we share updates and resources on energy codes and the built environment across the Southeast and U.S. Island territories.
SEEA Updates
December Map of the Month: Energy Burden in Mississippi
Mississippi plays a major role in the nation’s energy system, yet households across the state face some of the highest levels of energy insecurity in the country. This month’s map uses U.S. Department of Energy LEAD Tool data to show average energy burdens by census tract, revealing that affordability challenges are widespread, particularly in the Mississippi Delta and rural communities, where historic disinvestment and higher poverty rates deepen household energy costs. Understanding where burdens are highest can help guide targeted weatherization and home repair efforts that improve affordability and support overall grid reliability.
Click the link below to read the blog and explore the interactive map.
January Map of the Month: Aging Homes, Rising Energy Costs
Across the Southeast, the age of our housing stock plays a major role in energy costs and affordability. Roughly 40% of homes were built before 1980, often before modern energy codes were in place, and rural communities are especially impacted, with some areas where 40% or more of homes were built before 1960. Without efficiency upgrades, residents in these older homes are more likely to face higher energy bills.
January’s Map of the Month, by Amy Lovell, Ph.D., highlights where older homes are concentrated across the region and underscores the opportunity for energy efficiency upgrades, which can reduce annual energy costs by 10–30%. It also shows how newer building energy codes can deliver additional savings for new construction, while pointing to ongoing challenges around upfront repair costs and limited funding for retrofits.
Resources
Virginia Launches Centralized Hub for Energy Rebates and Incentives
The Virginia Department of Energy has launched a new online platform, Virginia Energy Connect (VEConnect), designed to simplify access to energy rebates and incentive programs for residents and businesses statewide. The hub brings together federal, state, and local energy programs into a single, easy-to-navigate site, helping users more easily identify and stack opportunities for energy upgrades and cost savings.
Developed in collaboration with community organizations, state and local agencies, utilities, and contractors, the platform was shaped to address common barriers to participation in energy affordability programs. For households and small businesses facing high energy costs, VEConnect highlights pathways to energy-efficient technologies and building improvements that can lower bills and improve comfort—offering a model for how one-stop-shops can support energy efficiency goals across the Southeast.
New Playbook Supports Public Sector Innovation
A new resource from Johns Hopkins University, developed in collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies Innovation Teams (i-teams), offers practical guidance for public sector leaders working to solve complex local challenges. The Path to Public Innovation Playbook outlines tested methods and mindsets that help governments identify opportunities for impact, build trust with residents, and deliver lasting systems-level change.
Designed for cities building internal innovation capacity, the Playbook draws on lessons from i-teams in more than a dozen countries and can be used as a guide, reference, or companion to training. For communities advancing energy efficiency, building performance, and climate resilience, the resource offers valuable insights into how local governments can design and implement inclusive solutions that respond to real-world conditions in the built environment.
New Guide on Multifamily Heat Pump Water Heater Installations
A new factsheet from the Advanced Water Heating Initiative outlines best practices for installing heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) in multifamily buildings. Based on insights from an ongoing 400-unit retrofit project, the guide highlights key lessons from replacing in-unit gas water heaters with HPWHs, alongside ductless heat pumps for space heating.
The resource focuses on common challenges and practical strategies to support successful implementation, offering helpful guidance for those navigating similar upgrades.
Regional News
Virginia Data Center Project Breaks Ground in Caroline County
Construction is underway on a new data center campus in Caroline County, Virginia, where CleanArc Data Centers is investing $3 billion in a large-scale digital infrastructure project. The campus, which officially broke ground on November 20, 2025, is designed to support nearly one gigawatt of grid capacity and respond to growing demand for scalable, energy-conscious data center development.
The project incorporates features such as water-efficient cooling systems, land conservation measures, and design elements intended to limit noise and light impacts. As data center growth continues across the Southeast, developments like this highlight the increasing importance of energy efficiency, grid coordination, and sustainable building design in meeting rising digital demand while managing local impacts.
City of Charlotte Launches Program to Support Accessory Dwelling Units
The City of Charlotte has launched the Queen City ADU Program to make it easier for property owners to add accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to existing residential properties. ADUs—such as garage apartments, basement conversions, or detached backyard units—offer a flexible way to introduce smaller housing options while maintaining neighborhood character.
As cities across the Southeast look to expand housing supply in thoughtful ways, ADUs are emerging as a practical tool to support affordability, sustainability, and more efficient use of existing infrastructure. Charlotte’s program highlights how local policies can encourage gentle density, provide housing options for seniors, single residents, and multigenerational households, and advance climate-conscious development within established communities.
What SEEA Staff is Reading
New Report Links Modern Building Codes to Insurance Affordability
A November 2025 white paper from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness examines strategies to improve the affordability and availability of homeowners insurance amid growing climate and disaster risks. The report highlights adoption of the latest International Codes® as a key tool for reducing property losses, estimating that widespread use of modern building standards could help prevent more than $600 billion in damages by 2060. For the Southeast, where resilience and energy performance are increasingly intertwined, the findings reinforce how up-to-date energy and building codes can support safer, more durable, and cost-effective buildings over the long term.
New Global Guide Supports Bamboo as a Low-Carbon Building Material
A new structural engineering manual published in January 2026 introduces the world’s first standardized guidance for using bamboo as a primary structural material in buildings. Developed by researchers and engineers from institutions including the University of Warwick, Arup, and international partners, the guide aims to close a long-standing gap that has limited bamboo’s use in modern construction despite its strength, affordability, and low carbon footprint.
By providing clear design principles for safe, durable bamboo structures—including guidance on resilience and fire considerations—the manual opens the door for broader adoption of bio-based materials in the built environment. For regions exploring lower-carbon alternatives to steel and concrete, the resource highlights how updated standards and technical guidance can expand sustainable building options while supporting climate-conscious design worldwide.
Atlanta Revitalizes Downtown Ahead of the 2026 World Cup
As Atlanta prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the city is moving forward with a major revitalization effort in the historic Underground Atlanta district. New pedestrian-only streets, streetscape improvements, lighting, greenery, and adaptive reuse projects are reshaping the four-block area to improve walkability, accessibility, and everyday use for residents and visitors alike.
Led by local ownership and supported by city planning efforts, the redevelopment emphasizes reuse of existing buildings, support for small businesses, and a more people-centered downtown experience. While the World Cup has accelerated timelines, project leaders note that the upgrades are designed to deliver lasting benefits—laying the groundwork for a more vibrant, sustainable downtown long after the global event concludes.
What Ski Resorts Can Teach Us About Energy-Efficient Buildings
Ski resorts across the U.S. are investing in cleaner energy systems, more efficient buildings, and lower-impact operations to reduce their environmental footprint. A recent roundup highlights resorts that are leading the way through strategies such as on-site renewable energy, efficient heating and snowmaking systems, waste diversion, and transportation initiatives.
While the approaches vary by location, the examples underscore a broader lesson for the built environment: large, energy-intensive facilities can meaningfully reduce emissions and operating costs through thoughtful building upgrades and clean energy integration. For communities across the Southeast and beyond, these efforts illustrate how efficiency and sustainability measures can help preserve economic activity, manage energy use, and adapt buildings to changing climate conditions.
Trane and Amazon Partner on AI-Driven Energy Efficiency in Large-Scale Facilities
Trane Technologies, in collaboration with Amazon and Amazon Web Services, is scaling the use of AI-enabled building controls to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions across Amazon Grocery fulfillment centers in North America. Initial pilots at three facilities achieved nearly 15% reductions in energy use by autonomously optimizing HVAC systems—exceeding original performance targets without compromising comfort or operations.
Following the pilot’s success, the technology is expected to roll out across more than 30 fulfillment and distribution centers, with plans to expand into grocery stores beginning in 2026. For the built environment sector, the collaboration highlights how advanced controls, data-driven operations, and scalable digital tools can play a growing role in decarbonizing existing buildings while delivering measurable cost and energy savings.
Walmart Scales 3D-Printed Construction Across Retail Projects
Walmart is expanding the use of 3D concrete printing across multiple construction projects nationwide through a partnership with Alquist, signaling a shift from pilot projects to broader commercial deployment. The initiative will deliver more than a dozen projects of varying size and scope, beginning with a new build at a Walmart site in Missouri.
The approach uses robotic 3D printing systems to produce structural walls and building components, supported by construction partners FMGI and Hugg & Hall. Project teams point to faster timelines, reduced on-site waste, and more consistent construction quality compared to conventional methods. As retailers and developers explore new ways to build more efficiently, the expansion highlights how emerging construction technologies could reshape commercial building delivery while supporting cleaner, more resource-efficient practices.
Events
SEEA Annual Members Meeting
Save the date for SEEA’s 2026 Annual Members Meeting! Join us for three days of learning, collaboration, and connection with energy efficiency leaders from across the Southeast. From timely industry insights to meaningful peer conversations, the Annual Member Meeting is where our community comes together. This will be our 4th annual gathering, hosted by ICF at their state-of-the-art headquarters, a space designed for collaboration with a focus on sustainability.
📍 Reston, VA
📅 June 1 – 3, 2026
2026 Women in ASHRAE Leadership Symposium
The Women in ASHRAE Leadership Symposium is back after a sold-out debut, bringing together women from across HVACR and the built environment for two days of leadership growth and connection. Open to professionals at every career stage, the event supports skill-building, peer learning, and collective momentum for the future of the industry.
📍 Omni Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA
📅 April 13-14, 2026
Register for RE+ Southeast 2026!
This event is designed to serve and advance this market by bringing together buyers and suppliers in solar and energy storage to explore business solutions, new technologies, policy initiatives, and other market factors.
📍Atlanta, GA
📅 March 31 – April 1, 2026
Register for the 2026 Green Sports Alliance Summit
The Green Sports Alliance Summit highlights better practices for enhancing performance and fosters dialogue with stakeholders and fans about environmental stewardship and social justice. This event will convene innovators who are pushing sustainability forward in sports and honor the trailblazers reshaping entertainment for a more sustainable future.
📍 Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland | Cleveland, OH
📅 May 5 – 7, 2026
Thank you for reading!
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