The COVID-19 Pandemic has presented significant challenges for program implementers across the Midwest and the world. Whether it was adapting preexisting programs to serve new needs or inventing entirely new programs to address the onslaught of demands brought on from the pandemic, program partners have had to think on their feet and act fast to serve their communities. Today’s post highlights Greenlite Lighting Corporation USA for winning the 2021 Inspiring Efficiency Impact Award.

2021 brought another great year for the Inspiring Efficiency Awards. We had dozens of outstanding applicants working for energy efficiency in their communities. The winners were selected by an incredible group of volunteers who dedicated their time to choosing one or two winners in each category.

Each spring, the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program honors businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through superior energy achievements. ENERGY STAR Award winners are leaders in their industries for their efforts to reduce emissions and create a healthier environment.

The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance is excited to announce the winners of the 16th annual Inspiring Efficiency Awards, honoring leaders and innovators in the energy efficiency community across five categories: Leadership, Education, Impact, Innovation and Marketing. 2019 has been a great year for advancing energy efficiency throughout the Midwest and MEEA is proud to recognize so many impactful individuals, organizations and programs. This year’s winners are:

What does it take to run and grow a successful home performance contracting business?

Author’s note: this article is best enjoyed with musical accompaniment.

March Madness is over, and Villanova isn’t the only one taking home a trophy. We’re proud to announce that Illinois Home Performance won the 2018 ENERGYSTAR® Partner of the Year Award! With the help of an all-star starting lineup, IHP delivered a victory for homeowners and energy efficiency.

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IHP previously won back-to-back Partner of the Year Awards in 2014 and 2015, followed up with an ENERGYSTAR Excellence in Promotion Award in 2017. How’s that for a dynasty?

Earlier this month, Midwest Energy News released its annual 40 Under 40, which “highlights emerging leaders through the region and their work in America’s transition to a clean energy economy.” Included in this auspicious list was MEEA Senior Policy Associate Julia Friedman. Julia is an invaluable member of the MEEA team and the EE industry, advocating for state-level energy efficiency policies and fostering crucial relationships between governments, utilities and other stakeholders.

Midwest Energy News also honored several MEEA members including:

Despite holding several meetings over the last eight months about the proposed 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)/ASHRAE Standard 90.1 -2013 for commercial buildings, the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code Council (CBCC) made several unannounced changes to the proposed rule at their final meeting on November 16 that will result in reduced energy efficiency.

On November 1^st MEEA was presented with the Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award for work done in 2015 on the Building Operator Certification (BOC) program. During 2015, BOC was able to continue the success of the veterans program and fill a gap in the market by offering a new pilot BOC training for operations and maintenance staff of large multifamily buildings.

On February 24-26, more than 650 energy professionals (a new attendance record!) gathered at the Chicago Hilton & Towers to discuss energy efficiency, the utility industry, benefits to economic development, industrial efficiency and the potential impact of state and federal regulations at the 14th annual Midwest Energy Solutions Conference. With experts and business leaders from around the globe, MES was an unparalleled opportunity to network, swap best practices and plot the future of the energy efficiency community.

This year’s MES conference tackled critical questions like: