Buildings Blueprint (3rd Quarter)

By Olivia Begalla, Maggie Kelley Riggins, & Elizabeth Willis

Buildings Blueprint July-September 2024
A Note From our Team
We are deeply saddened by the devastation caused by Hurricanes Francine and Helene across our region. To our friends and partners in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Louisiana – we see you, we hear you, and we are profoundly grateful that you are still with us. To those preparing for Milton, we hope you, your families, and your community are able to stay safe this week.
As our region faces increasingly intense storms and the challenges of aging infrastructure, we understand that events like these are no longer rare. At SEEA, we remain committed to strengthening the resilience of people and communities, helping them not only to survive but to thrive after disasters. As our colleague Jackie Dadakis from Louisiana reminds us, we are in this work to “make buildings more resilient so that our people don’t have to be.”
We are grateful to see the rapid response from emergency responders, state agencies, essential service providers, and volunteers. Below are just a few current resources to support the region.
- FEMA has begun taking applications for the Individual Assistance Program, which includes money for emergency housing at hotels, immediate recovery needs and more. Call 800-621-3362 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov for more information or to get started on an application.
- National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) has reputable and recommended local organizations to support and volunteer through – https://www.nvoad.org/
For future updates, visit the FEMA website – https://www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-helene
Welcome to SEEA’s Buildings Blueprint where we provide updates and resources on buildings and energy codes in the Southeast and U.S. Islands.
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Regional News:
The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) is excited to announce the launch of the Building a Resilient and Efficient Southeast (BRESE) Collaborative, as part of a $90 million initiative from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance energy codes nationwide. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this groundbreaking effort will address the Southeast’s unique climate challenges and regulatory landscape by uniting diverse stakeholders to strengthen building energy codes. Through peer-to-peer cohorts, a Community Code Innovation Prize, and targeted technical assistance, the BRESE Collaborative aims to improve energy code adoption, compliance, and efficiency—ultimately reducing emissions and energy costs across the region.
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We are excited to announce the launch of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) Codes Collaborative Fellows program! This opportunity is open to qualified professionals, and applications will be accepted until November 1, 2024. Selected fellows are expected to begin in January 2025.
The fellows will work as contractors for the ACEEE with a budget of $160,000 allocated over two years. This budget includes up to $10,000 for travel expenses, including participation in annual in-person Codes Collaborative meetings, the Department of Energy National Energy Codes Conference, and events with the Urban Sustainability Directors Network.
Five proposed project topics are available for fellows, but applicants are also encouraged to suggest their own ideas for review by the National Energy Codes Collaborative:
- Career transition roadmaps
- Ensuring compliance with HUD/USDA minimum energy standards
- Community-based organization engagement
- Supporting energy-focused builders
- Labor engagement
Check out the Fellows Program site for more information and to submit an application.
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The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office (DOE) of State and Community Energy Programs announced its selection for Round 1 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Support for Building Energy Codes and Innovative Codes. Notably, one state within our region, Hawaii, was awarded $18.1 million to develop and adopt a building performance standard designed to reduce energy costs while also driving the creation of resources, jobs, and training in disadvantaged communities. This initiative represents a significant step forward in making energy efficiency more accessible and equitable across the state.
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A report from the Climate Jobs National Resource Center highlights the job creation potential tied to the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) tax incentives, projecting that nearly 313,588 jobs could emerge from 1,132 clean energy projects currently in development in the Southeast. While this surge is promising, the clean energy sector faces significant challenges, including labor shortages and a lack of registered apprentices to meet growing workforce demands. The IRA’s emphasis on labor standards is essential for closing these gaps and ensuring a skilled workforce is in place to support the clean energy transition.
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The U.S. DOE has awarded $190 million in funding through the 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize and Grant to help K-12 schools enhance energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and create healthier learning environments. Initially, the 21 winners received a $300,000 cash prize, with 16 advancing to phases 2 and 3, entering cooperative agreements for additional awards ranging from $7.5 million to $15 million. This national effort will improve 320 school facilities across 25 states, benefiting over 123,500 students and 9,100 teachers while driving cost savings that can be reinvested in education.
Prize winners in the Southeast include Broward County Public Schools (FL), Hoke County Schools (NC), and West Kentucky Educational Cooperative (KY). Selectees for cooperative agreements from the Southeast include Marion County School District (SC), Miami-Dade County Public Schools (FL), Richmond Public Schools (VA), and Rockingham County Schools (NC).
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The State Energy Office within the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff has awarded Earth Advantage a contract to develop and implement a statewide voluntary home energy labeling program. Leveraging the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Home Energy Score™, Earth Advantage will create and manage a program aimed at educating South Carolina residents about their homes’ energy performance. This program will encourage energy-efficient upgrades, promote conservation, and facilitate transparency in real estate transactions by providing standardized energy reports. Home energy labeling is an important tool for achieving energy targets and can greatly impact real estate valuation and lending practices, increasing the value and demand for more efficient homes. “It’s encouraging to see more and more states adopting Home Energy Score to drive demand for more efficient homes,” said David Heslam, Executive Director at Earth Advantage. For more information, visit, Earth Advantage.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a fully Spanish version of Portfolio Manager, enabling Spanish-speaking building owners, managers, and tenants to easily measure and assess energy use, water consumption, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions in their buildings. Users can also apply for ENERGY STAR certification and access support in Spanish, with additional resources expected in early 2025. To learn more, join the “Portfolio Manager 101 (En español)” webinar on October 20th from 1:00 to 2:15 pm.
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Events:
Southeast Energy Summit – November 20-22, 2024 – Nashville, TN
Save the date! The annual Southeast Energy Summit brings together the brightest minds in the industry to connect, explore and innovate for a more energy-efficient Southeast. Join us November 20-22, 2024 in Nashville, TN to dive into dynamic discussions, celebrate regional accomplishments, and enjoy fun networking events! Some notable sessions include Revitalizing Manufactured Housing: Strategies for Enhancing Efficiency, Affordability, and Resilience, Empowering the Future: Building a Resilient Workforce for the Evolving Energy Landscape, and Show Me the Money: How to Capitalize on Federal Funds.
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The U.S. DOE maintains a page dedicated to building events in the region, highlighting upcoming webinars and workshops. In the upcoming quarter, participants can look forward to sessions such as “Successful Strategies for Better Insulating,” “Beyond Zero Energy: Balancing Embodied Carbon and Operational Energy Solutions to Achieve Zero Emission Buildings,” and “Resources and Best Practices for Growing the Green Building Workforce.” This resource is an excellent opportunity for those seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in energy efficiency and sustainable building practices.
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Mark your calendars for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit, scheduled for April 30th to May 2nd, 2025 in Washington, D.C. This annual event serves as a pivotal gathering for partners and key stakeholders to explore emerging technologies and share innovative strategies in energy efficiency, decarbonization, water and waste reduction, and more. Registration opens in early December, so be sure to keep an eye on the Better Buildings website for updates!