Category: Press Release
Lauren Casentini Appointed 2025 Chair of the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lauren Casentini Appointed 2025 Chair of the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)
Atlanta, GA – January 29, 2025 – The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) and Resource Innovations are pleased to announce that Lauren Casentini, Chief Executive Officer at Resource Innovations, has been named Chair of the SEEA Board of Directors for 2025. As Founder and CEO of Resource Innovations, and former executive and board member for the largest energy efficiency firm in the U.S., she’s changing how utilities navigate the clean energy transition. With a proven track record of innovation, scale, and impact, Lauren has been recognized four times on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, a recognition awarded to less than 6% of companies.
Casentini succeeds outgoing Chair, Joe Gehrdes, and will serve a two-year term, focusing on SEEA’s mission to improve energy performance, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance the economic competitiveness of the Southeast. As Chair, she will play a critical role in supporting SEEA’s initiatives, advocating for energy policies, and facilitating collaborations across states, utilities, and businesses to drive the clean energy transition.
“I’m honored to take on this new role as Chair of the SEEA Board,” said Lauren Casentini. “The Southeast is at a pivotal moment in its energy transition, and I look forward to working alongside our members, stakeholders, and partners to accelerate energy efficiency in the region. Together, we can create a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable energy future.”
“Lauren’s deep expertise and strategic vision will be invaluable as SEEA continues its mission to enhance energy reliability, security, and affordability for all residents across the Southeast,” said Aimee Skrzekut, President and CEO of SEEA. ” Her exceptional leadership, paired with a steadfast commitment to collaboration and innovation, will empower SEEA to drive impactful progress and solidify its role as a transformative leader in advancing energy efficiency throughout the region.”
As Chair of SEEA, Casentini will work closely with the organization’s diverse membership, which includes utilities, businesses, non-profits, government agencies, and other stakeholders, to shape regional energy efficiency policies, promote best practices, and foster partnerships that support a cleaner, more energy-efficient future for the Southeast.
About SEEA
Founded in 2007, the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) promotes efficient energy as a catalyst for economic growth, workforce development, and energy security in the Southeast and U.S. Island Territories. We provide research, consultation and education, stakeholder facilitation, program management and financial services to a diverse set of stakeholders in the energy sector including government agencies, utilities, businesses, and non-profit organizations. Our work includes research and facilitation to identify the impacts of energy insecurity in Southeast communities; supporting the adoption, implementation, and compliance of building energy code; engaging community partners to find knowledge and training gaps on advanced technology; and developing educational materials to inform decision-makers in the energy sector.
About Resource Innovations
Resource Innovations (RI) is a women-led energy transformation firm focused on impact. Building on our expertise in energy efficiency, we’re constantly expanding our portfolio of clean energy solutions to guide utilities through increasingly complex, connected challenges. We are a portfolio company of Morgan Stanley Capital Partners. Visit resource-innovations.com to learn more about how we are accelerating the clean energy transition and leading the charge to power change.
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) Launches BRESE Collaborative to Enhance Regional Building Codes
Atlanta, GA — 9/17/2024 — The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) is proud to announce the launch of the Building a Resilient and Efficient Southeast (BRESE) Collaborative, a groundbreaking initiative designed to address the region’s unique climate challenges and regulatory landscape. This collaborative effort aims to bolster energy code adoption, implementation, and compliance across the Southeast, a region currently lagging in building code advancements compared to national standards.
With energy emissions and building resilience increasingly at the forefront of regional concerns, the BRESE Collaborative will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to enhance and streamline building energy codes. By focusing on tailored solutions for the Southeast’s climate zones and regulatory environments, the BRESE Collaborative will empower states and municipalities to effectively lower building emissions and improve energy efficiency.
The BRESE Collaborative will employ a multifaceted approach to drive progress, including the formation of peer-to-peer cohorts, a Community Code Innovation Prize for financial and technical support, and the provision of targeted technical assistance. The initiative will also create vital opportunities for convening and collaboration, directly engaging with state and local governments, implementers, and regional interest groups.
Maggie Kelley Riggins, senior program manager at SEEA, will lead this initiative as the principal investigator. “The BRESE Collaborative is a critical step towards advancing energy efficiency and resilience in the Southeast,” said Kelley Riggins. “By leveraging regional expertise and resources, we aim to create a sustainable model that not only addresses immediate challenges but also lays the groundwork for long-term improvements in building energy codes.”
Key partners in the BRESE Collaborative include the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, the Mississippi Energy and Natural Resources Division, Greenlink Analytics, and the Southeast Sustainability Directors Network. Together, these organizations will engage over 200 stakeholders across the region, delivering technical assistance to at least 25 cohorts and CCIP projects.
“Building codes in the Southeast lag behind the nations in energy efficiency improvements, impeding climate action,” said Matt Cox, CEO of Greenlink Analytics. “Improved codes reduce electricity use, decrease carbon emissions, lower costs, and boost health. The BRESE project aims to accelerate these advancements for better building practices through community engagement, which will benefit people in the Southeastern region.”
The project is anticipated to produce significant benefits, including a conservative estimate of 10% improvement in residential and commercial building codes. This improvement is projected to yield cumulative savings of 47 trillion btu in energy, $1.1 billion in cost savings, and a reduction of 5.8 million metric tons of CO2 emissions over five years.
“The BRESE Collaborative is a pivotal investment in the Southeast’s energy future, fostering workforce development, pioneering efficiency-based policies, and strengthening our foundation for federal support. Through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions, we will drive meaningful change and position the Southeast as a leader in energy efficiency,” said Aimee Skrzekut, President and CEO of the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA).
For more information about the BRESE Collaborative, please contact:
Senior Program Manager
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)
About SEEA:
The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing energy efficiency in the Southeast to create a cleaner, more resilient, and equitable energy future. By fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders and providing technical expertise, SEEA drives impactful energy efficiency initiatives across the region.
About Greenlink Analytics:
Greenlink Analytics (“Greenlink”) is an Atlanta-based clean energy and equity research non-profit organization equipped with sophisticated analytical technologies and deep industry knowledge in the clean energy space, receiving accolades from MIT, Georgia Tech, Yale, and the National Science Foundation, among others. It uses these technologies to help create a smarter, cleaner, and more equitable future.
Re-Launching the “Energy Insecurity in the Southeast” StoryMap
ATLANTA, GA– SEEA proudly announces the re-launch of our acclaimed StoryMap, “Energy Insecurity in the Southeast.” Initially unveiled in 2021, this innovative digital resource delves into the complex issue of energy insecurity, which is prevalent in the Southeast. In this region, one in three households experience or have experienced energy insecurity, particularly low-income households and people of color.
The original StoryMap garnered attention and became SEEA’s most-viewed and cited resource, drawing the interest of decision-makers, community advocates, journalists, researchers, and others eager to address the causes of energy insecurity.
Aimee Skrzekut, SEEA President, reflects, “To increase awareness and to track Southeast progress, SEEA has thoroughly updated and refreshed the StoryMap. The new version includes a broader conceptual framework integrating the most recent data while offering insights into the roots of energy insecurity in the Southeast. The StoryMap also highlights the role of existing policies in perpetuating disparities in energy insecurity and housing quality while showcasing SEEA’s multi-faceted approach to addressing the challenge of Southeast energy insecurity.”
William D. Bryan, Ph.D., SEEA’s Director of Research, notes that the new StoryMap “underlines the intersectional nature of energy insecurity.” “By calling attention to the ways that energy, housing, and financial policies have contributed to disparities in who experiences the burdens of energy insecurity, we hope to show the necessity of multi-stakeholder solutions that reach beyond the energy sector to include partners in housing, public health, healthcare, insurance, and more. In this way, energy efficiency can provide pathways to reduce energy costs and improve the quality, healthfulness, and sustainability of housing while also facilitating community stability and wealth building.”
To explore the newly refreshed StoryMap and learn more about SEEA’s efforts to foster a more equitable, resilient, and inclusive energy-secure South, visit Energy Insecurity in the Southeast (arcgis.com).
For media inquiries, please contact:
William D. Bryan, Ph.D.
About SEEA:
The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing energy efficiency in the Southeast to create a cleaner, more resilient, and equitable energy future. By fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders and providing technical expertise, SEEA drives impactful energy efficiency initiatives across the region.
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance Announces New Board of Directors and Advisory Committee Members
ATLANTA, GA – The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) today announced new members of the Board of Directors and its Advisory Committee.
“We are honored and excited to welcome this new slate of 2024 Board of Directors and Advisory Committee members,” said Joe Gehrdes, Chair, SEEA Board of Directors. “They represent the leading voices in energy efficiency in the Southeast and we look forward to working together to improve the quality of life across the region.”
New Board of Directors members begin their three-year terms on January 1, 2024. The new board members are:
- Monika Beckner, Vice President, Energy Services & Programs, Tennessee Valley Authority
- Mandy Faulk, Director, CLEAResult
- Tim Jarrell, Vice President, Power Supply Rates and DER Strategy, Cobb Electric Membership Corporation
- Ian McLaughlin, Principal – Sustainability, Carbon Program Lead, Chick-fil-A
- Jason Pope, Director, Energy & Natural Resources Division, Mississippi Development Authority
- Carlos Tejera-Fernandez, Program Director, Energy Policy Program, Department of Economic Development and Commerce of Puerto Rico
New Advisory Committee members begin their 1-year terms on January 1, 2024. The 2024 committee members are:
- Tom Ashley, Vice President, Government & Utility Relations, Voltera
- Anne Dougherty, Founder & Co-owner, ILLUME Advising
- Tony Morgan, Deputy Director, Office of Energy, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Stephen O’Day, Partner, Smith, Gambrell and Russell LLP
- Mitchell Simpson, Associate Director, Arkansas Energy Office
- W. George Taylor, Business Development Director, Walker-Miller Energy Services
- Jay Wrobel, Senior Advisor, Residential and Utility Strategy, Building Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy
Questions? Contact Sarah Burgher, senior marketing and communications manager.
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance Announces 2023 Summit Award Winners
The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) announced the winners of the inaugural Summit Awards – The Peak Award for Excellence in Leadership, the Luminary Award for Pursuing Energy Equity and the Vanguard Award for Innovation in Efficient Energy on Friday, October 27, during the 2023 Southeast Energy Summit. The Summit Awards recognize individuals and organizations forging a more equitable, efficient energy future in the Southeast.
The award winners are as follows:
The Vanguard Award for Innovation in Efficient Energy – ICF and EZ Green Home
EZ Green Home and ICF partnered on a duct-seal program for low-income communities in Jackson, MS. They have helped over 1,900 families save money on their monthly utility bills through the program.
EZ Green Home is a forward-thinking company dedicated to providing hands-on installation of energy-efficient products and solutions to underserved and hard-to-reach populations. ICF provides a range of services for governments and businesses, including strategic planning, management, marketing and analytics.
About the Vanguard Award for Innovation in Efficient Energy
At its best, efficient energy is a holistic approach to the generation, distribution and utilization of energy that maximizes social benefit and promotes prosperity. Efficient energy includes programs to optimize energy use in residential and commercial buildings, zero- and low-emission transportation and advanced technology. Innovation in efficient energy is characterized by a new method, technology or idea that has resulted in a net-new advancement in efficient energy. This award recognizes an outstanding organization or program that has championed an innovative approach to efficient energy in the Southeast.
The Luminary Award for Pursuing Energy Equity – TVA EnergyRight®
TVA EnergyRight® developed the Small Business Uplift program to bring transformative energy efficiency solutions to small businesses in underserved communities. This kind of support for mom-and-pop businesses is invaluable, instilling a sense of opportunity among neighbors and empowering sustainable growth in communities that need it most.
About the Luminary Award for Pursuing Energy Equity
Energy equity is measured by the presence of an inclusive decision-making process, the equitable distribution of both the costs and advantages of energy use to the entire community, accounting for historic prejudice and inequality and a view of how future generations will be impacted by choices made today. This award celebrates the accomplishments of an outstanding organization or program that has made significant strides in pursuing energy equity by sharing in the benefits and burdens of the energy transition regardless of income, race, ethnicity, gender or geographic location. Benefits of an equitable energy transition include greater access to efficient energy technologies, a more diverse workforce, healthier buildings and people, more resilient buildings and a more vibrant economy for all.
The Peak Award for Excellence in Leadership – Dr. Anthony Kinslow II, Gemini Solutions
Dr. Anthony Kinslow II, CEO of Gemini Energy Solutions, is leading the charge on sustainable energy transformation. His mission is to revolutionize clean energy access and foster prosperity in underserved communities. Starting with his 2016-founded company, he’s harnessed microgrids to empower marginalized communities and create “clean energy hubs” featuring solar panels and EV backup power.
About the Peak Award for Excellence in Leadership
Leadership is a multifaceted quality that creates a clarity of mission, an environment that encourages innovation at all levels of an organization, and empowers others within the organization and in the community. This award is given to an exceptional individual who demonstrates leadership in the efficient energy sector, considering greater energy efficiency, low- and zero-emission transportation, equitable energy benefits and burdens, and the advancement of the community at large.
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance Receives Multiple Department of Energy Awards for Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation in the Southeast
ATLANTA, GA – The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) announced today three, 36-month awards from the U.S. Department of Energy, totaling $4.7 million to support healthier, more efficient housing in the Southeast.
Senior program manager Maggie Kelley Riggins, joined U.S. Secretary of Energy, Jennifer M. Granholm on stage in New Orleans, LA today, saying, “What’s on paper must now meet practice. This award meaningfully supports the clean energy transition, and it is especially important for the clean energy workforce.”
“We are incredibly honored and grateful for this opportunity to improve building energy efficiency in the Southeast. These projects empower local and state leaders to use energy codes to create a prosperous, healthy and energy-secure region,” said SEEA president Aimee Skrzekut.
“Cutting emissions from buildings across America and ensuring they’re more energy efficient are critical components of President Biden’s plan to tackle the climate crisis and create cleaner and healthier communities,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm in the official announcement from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The awarded projects include:
Securing Energy Code Advancements in Louisiana
In collaboration with the Louisiana Office of the State Fire Marshall, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, American Institute of Architects Louisiana, Green Coast Enterprises, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, and the International Code Council, SEEA will provide training and technical assistance on the most recent residential and commercial energy code updates to the building energy workforce in Louisiana. Implementing an updated energy code supports a stronger, more diverse workforce and lays the foundation for future funding applications. Residents in Louisiana are estimated to save 1.026 MMT of CO2 over five years, equivalent to removing 45,663 gasoline-powered cars from the road over the same period, by adopting and implementing the new energy code.
Georgia Residential Field Studies: Single-family and Multifamily
SEEA will work with state leaders including the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, Built Environment LLC, Greater Atlanta Homebuilders Association, Georgia Power Company, Oglethorpe Power Company, Conditioned Air Association of Georgia and ECO-Action to conduct single-family and multifamily energy code compliance studies. This is the first multifamily energy code compliance study in the Southeast. These studies will prepare the Georgia homebuilding industry for an advanced energy code adoption process and identify energy code training and education gaps. Meeting updated energy code standards for new construction and major renovations will help Georgia residents save an estimated $210 million in energy costs over five years.
Closing Equity Gaps to Advance Codes and Standards
With our partners, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, City of Atlanta, City of Savannah and the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, SEEA will seek to understand and repair the impacts of historical disinvestment in the equitable implementation of building performance standards. The group will develop novel data tools to account for the financial and social costs of inequitable standards, calculate the investment needed to equitably improve building performance and develop and deploy a replicable policy and program community toolkit. The team will pilot this approach in Atlanta and Savannah partnering with civic and community leaders, including those from disinvested areas, small business owners and staff, residential renters and homeowners. The project team estimates $1.6 billion in energy cost savings over five years.
Founded in 2007, the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance is a nonprofit, regional energy efficiency organization based in Atlanta, GA. We work to optimize the use and impact of energy to enhance the quality of life in the Southeast. We believe that all people in the Southeast should be able to live and work in healthy and resilient buildings, utilize clean and affordable transportation, and thrive in a robust and equitable economy.
Questions? Contact Sarah Burgher, senior marketing and communications manager.
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance Now Accepting Nominations for the Annual Summit Awards
ATLANTA, GA – The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) today announced it is seeking nominations for its annual Summit Awards – The Peak Award for Excellence in Leadership, the Luminary Award for Pursuing Energy Equity and the Vanguard Award for Innovation in Efficient Energy. The Summit Awards recognize individuals and organizations forging a more equitable, efficient energy future in the Southeast. Visit southeastenergysummit.com/awards to learn more and to nominate a colleague or company that meets the award criteria. Nominations are due no later than Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at 5 p.m. ET.
SEEA president, Aimee Skrzekut, said, “the Summit Awards highlight and celebrate innovative, efficient energy solutions created in the South, by the South that create a practical and sustainable pathway to reliable, affordable energy for all.”
The awards are as follows:
The Peak Award for Excellence in Leadership (Individual)
Leadership is a multifaceted quality that creates a clarity of mission, an environment that encourages innovation at all levels of an organization and empowers others in the community. This award recognizes an exceptional individual who demonstrates leadership in the efficient energy sector, considering greater energy efficiency, low- and zero-emission transportation, equitable energy benefits and burdens, and the advancement of the community at large.
The Luminary Award for Pursuing Energy Equity (Organization or Program)
Energy equity is measured by the presence of an inclusive decision-making process, the equitable distribution of both the costs and advantages of energy use to the entire community, accounting for historical prejudice and inequality, and a view of how future generations will be impacted by choices made today. This award celebrates the accomplishments of an outstanding organization or program that has made significant strides in pursuing energy equity by sharing the benefits and burdens of the energy transition regardless of income, race, ethnicity, gender, or geographic location. Benefits of an equitable energy transition include greater access to efficient energy technologies, a more diverse workforce, healthier buildings and people, more resilient buildings and a more vibrant economy for all.
The Vanguard Award for Innovation in Efficient Energy (Organization or Program)
At its best, efficient energy is a holistic approach to generating, distributing, and utilizing energy that maximizes social benefit and promotes prosperity. Efficient energy includes programs that optimize energy use in residential and commercial buildings, zero- and low-emission transportation and advanced technology. Innovation may be characterized by a new method, technology or concept that has resulted in a net-new advancement in efficient energy. This award recognizes an outstanding organization or program that has championed an innovative approach to efficient energy in the Southeast.
Questions? Contact Sarah Burgher, senior marketing and communications manager.
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance Announces Inaugural Energy Insecurity Project Implementation Awards
ATLANTA, GA – The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) today announced the winners of the inaugural Southeast Energy Insecurity Project Implementation Awards. The award winners were selected by the Southeast Energy Insecurity Project (SEIP) Leadership Forum. The project was formerly housed at Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions.
Sabrina Cowden, principal at Sabrina Cowden Consulting and a member of the Leadership Forum, said, “The award winners are doing the hard work of developing and implementing programs that facilitate better access to energy assistance. We are excited to support projects that provide meaningful pathways to address energy insecurity and can be held up as program models throughout the Southeast.” The awards are as follows:
The City of Savannah (GA) Office of Sustainability & the Athens-Clarke County (GA) Unified Government Sustainability Office
These governments were selected for a shared $10,000 award to support a project that will expand access to Georgia Power’s Home Energy Efficiency Assistance Program (HEEAP), an energy efficiency assistance program for income-qualified customers. This project will promote and explain the HEEAP to the community. The project team will also collect data on observed barriers to participation. This data will be brought to the Georgia Public Service Commission’s Demand Side Management Working Group, which advises both the commission and Georgia Power on existing and future energy efficiency programs, with the goal of lowering participation barriers for Georgia Power customers.
Alicia Brown, the clean energy program manager for the City of Savannah said, “I’m very excited for the opportunity partner with my friends in Athens-Clarke County. There are energy efficiency programs available today, that customers pay for on every power bill, that are not used as much as they should be simply because people don’t know they exist. Our goal is to spend the next four months changing that narrative in our respective communities and collecting insights to take back to the Public Service Commission to make these programs even more effective for those who need the assistance most.”
The Sustainability Institute (Charleston, SC)
This organization was selected to receive a $12,500 award to support a project that will identify and address health and safety challenges that prevent access to energy assistance and launch an awareness campaign to educate energy insecure communities and decision-makers. This project is focused on four underserved communities in North Charleston, SC that have a high number of aging homes and high energy burdens. This project will help develop a program that identifies homes that need repairs before they can receive weatherization upgrades. Project partners and AmeriCorps staff will support raising community awareness and outreach.
The Sustainability Institute’s project partners include the Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC), Liberty Hill Improvement Council, Charleston Area Affordable Housing Coalition, Charleston County Government, Charleston Climate Coalition, and the South Carolina Energy Justice Roundtable.
Bryan Cordell, executive director of the Sustainability Institute, said, “So many families in our region are not only spending more than they can afford to heat and cool their homes, they are also facing home health and safety challenges that prevent efficiency repairs from ever being implemented. We are excited for the opportunity to work with underserved communities to better understand the challenges families are facing so that we can build a programmatic model that holistically addresses those needs. We believe that weatherizing homes is critically important work. The optimal outcome pairs energy upgrades with a healthy and safe living environment and also engages and empowers families.”
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Questions? Contact Sarah Burgher, senior marketing and communications manager.
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance Announces New Board Officers and Advisory Committee Members
ATLANTA, GA – The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) today announced new officers for the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and three new members for its Advisory Committee.
“We are thrilled to welcome our 2023 Executive Committee and Advisory Committee members,” said Aimee Skrzekut, SEEA president. “Their expertise and leadership in the energy efficiency sector and in the Southeast will help us continue to work towards a region that is a healthier, more resilient and a more affordable place to live.”
New Executive Committee members begin their two-year teams on January 1, 2023. The new committee members are:
- Chair: Joe Gehrdes, Director, Community Relations, Huntsville Utilities
- Vice Chair: Sybil Montegut, Vice President of Enterprise Analytics and Innovation, Cleco
- Secretary: Lauren Casentini, CEO, Resource Innovations
New Advisory Committee members begin their 1-year terms on January 1, 2023. The new committee members are:
- Mandy Faulk, Director, CLEAResult
- Lisa Manuel, Project Manager, Advanced Energy
- Mitchell Simpson, Director, Arkansas Energy Office
Questions? Contact Sarah Burgher, senior marketing and communications manager.
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance Announces Inaugural Summit Awards Winners
ATLANTA, GA – The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) today announced the winners of the inaugural Summit Awards – The Peak Award for Excellence in Leadership, the Luminary Award for Pursuing Energy Equity and the Vanguard Award for Innovation in Efficient Energy. The Summit Awards recognize individuals and organizations forging a more equitable, efficient energy future in the Southeast.
Summit Awards Committee Chair and SEEA Board Secretary, Angela Strickland, said, “there has never been a more important time to recognize advances in efficient energy in the Southeast. We are excited to spotlight the leaders, advocates and innovators in the region who are moving us forward.”
The award winners are as follows:
The Vanguard Award for Innovation in Efficient Energy – Cobb EMC
At its best, efficient energy is a holistic approach to the generation, distribution and utilization of energy that maximizes social benefit and promotes prosperity. Efficient energy includes programs to optimize energy use in residential and commercial buildings, zero- and low-emission transportation and advanced technology. Innovation in efficient energy is characterized by a new method, technology or idea that has resulted in a net-new advancement in efficient energy. This award recognizes an outstanding organization or program that has championed an innovative approach to efficient energy in the Southeast.
Cobb EMC is a not-for-profit cooperative electric utility located in Marietta, GA. They serve 190,000 members in their service territory. Their Energy Network Program incentivizes their members to make energy efficiency and smart technology improvements in their homes. You can learn more about cobbemc.com/save.
The Luminary Award for Pursuing Energy Equity – EZ Green Home
Energy equity is measured by the presence of an inclusive decision-making process, the equitable distribution of both the costs and advantages of energy use to the entire community, accounting for historic prejudice and inequality and a view of how future generations will be impacted by choices made today. This award celebrates the accomplishments of an outstanding organization or program that has made significant strides in pursuing energy equity by sharing in the benefits and burdens of the energy transition regardless of income, race, ethnicity, gender or geographic location. Benefits of an equitable energy transition include greater access to efficient energy technologies, a more diverse workforce, healthier buildings and people, more resilient buildings and a more vibrant economy for all.
EZ Green Home partners with energy providers in Maryland, New Jersey, Illinois and Mississippi to help customers become more energy conscious and save money on their monthly utility bills. Since 2013, EZ Green Home has helped more than 100,000 homeowners see significant reductions in their monthly energy consumption. Learn more at ezgreenhome.com.
The Peak Award for Excellence in Leadership – Chelsea Harnish, VAEEC
Leadership is a multifaceted quality that creates a clarity of mission, an environment which encourages innovation at all levels of an organization, empowers others within the organization and in the community. This award is given to an exceptional individual who demonstrates leadership in the efficient energy sector, considering greater energy efficiency, low- and zero-emission transportation, equitable energy benefits and burdens, and the advancement of the community at large.
Since 2015, Chelsea Harnish has overseen all VAEEC operations and strategic initiatives including program, policy, communications, membership and events. Chelsea regularly engages with decision makers, partners and members that help advance energy efficiency policy and programs that will help grow the industry throughout the commonwealth. Learn more at vaeec.org.
Winners were announced today as a part of the 2022 Southeast Energy Summit. SEEA president, Aimee Skrzekut, said, “These opportunities to advance new technologies, create better low-income programming, establish a diverse energy workforce, and prepare a more resilient Southeast have never been greater than they are right now.”
Questions? Contact Sarah Burgher, senior marketing and communications manager.