January 2023 Newsletter

road leading from 2022 to 2023

ICAST Experts Weigh In: Don’t-Miss Decarbonization Updates from 2022

Before we turn all our attention to 2023 and the feeding frenzy created by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), there are a few developments to highlight from the year before. For starters, we see a significant shift on gas appliances. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of housing on health has been under the microscope. Gas usage contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and can exacerbate health hazards like poor indoor air quality. Still, it is historically much cheaper than electricity, making it challenging to motivate communities to electrify. This is especially true in the lower-income communities ICAST serves. Read more here
Male worker walking amongst solar panels and wind turbines

Energy Efficiency Jobs in America 2022: Setting the Stage for Transformation

Good news! A stronger workforce is coming. Already, nearly 2.2 million Americans are employed by the energy efficiency sector. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) bring historic investments in efficiency to all sectors of the U.S. economy.

The new Energy Efficiency Jobs in America provides details for energy efficiency jobs, the largest portion of the overall U.S. clean energy workforce. Read more here

Solar Panel Farm

Rapid-deployment solar arrays cut energy cost up to 20%, says 5B

Australian company 5B has developed a hinged, folding solar array for ridiculously quick and easy installation at industrial scale. In May, 5B showed just how quick: a team of 10 covered the area of a soccer field with a 1.1-MW array in a single day.

The company says it's not just the fastest array to install – it's also much easier to pack down and move than other designs, making it appropriate for non-permanent sites. Read more here

Energy rating level with contractor tape measure

ICAST Policy Blog
White House Announcements

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $45 Million to Support Resilient and Efficient Building Energy Codes 

Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) has announced $45M in competitive grants to help states and partnering organizations implement updated building energy codes and reduce energy bills. According to U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm, homes and businesses account for more than one-third of emissions across the country. Building energy codes establish minimum acceptable energy efficiency (EE) standards for new buildings, additions, and major renovations in residential and commercial buildings. DOE estimates that by 2040, these modern energy codes would save homes and businesses $138B on their utility bills (equivalent to $162 in annual savings per residential unit).  

White House Releases Inflation Reduction Act Guidebook for Clean Energy and Climate Programs 

Through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Biden Administration aims to build a clean energy economy, reduce energy costs, tackle climate change, and curb harmful pollution. On December 15th, the White House released an IRA guidebook that clearly describes the Act’s tax incentives and funding programs and background information on each program’s purpose, eligibility requirements, period of availability, and more.   Read more here

Entrance of 47Seventy Settler's Point Apartments

Heat Pump Project at 47 Seventy Recognized by Utah Housing Coalition

Utah Housing Coalition (UHC) gives awards to individuals, agencies, and projects that increase housing affordability. Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) nominated 47 Seventy Settler’s Point for a green renovation incorporating dual fuel heat pump upgrades this year. The results are in, and 47 Seventy took home a Project of the Year award for energy preservation. 

47 Seventy is a 416-unit “naturally occurring affordable housing” property in Utah. It is owned by Marble Partners, LLC, and managed by Apartment Management Consultants (AMC), LLC. The owner’s initial goal was to replace their old central air conditioners (CACs).

Read more here.

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ICAST Deepens Colorado Partnerships

ICAST’s Director of Business Development, Ryan Kristoff, joined the Energy Efficiency Business Coalition’s (EEBC) Board of Directors as their Fundraising Committee Chair. He has been helping them secure funding for programs and operations. EEBC is a statewide trade association of non-utility companies that provide energy efficiency, demand response, and data analytics products and services in Colorado. Mr. Kristoff hopes to grow EEBC and help it become more sustainable for Colorado businesses, particularly with the influx of federal funding coming to the State. He has also supported EEBC on its Denver Good Green Jobs Grant Initiative, working to help connect HVAC contractors with ICAST’s Heat Pump Training Program.   

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