Cannabis cultivation is an energy-intensive sector: energy consumption per square foot for indoor grow operations is about ten times that of a typical office building. Production (and consumption) of marijuana has been growing rapidly, especially in the 10 states with legalized recreational marijuana. For example in Denver, Colorado, the legal cannabis industry currently accounts for about 4 percent of the city’s total electricity consumption. At the same time, the illicit production of marijuana in the U.S. continues to account for more than half of all U.S. marijuana production.

Join the Midwest Home Performance Collaborative for a webinar where we discuss the importance of recognizing energy efficiency features during real estate transactions. Presenters from Pearl Certification and the Missouri Home Energy Certification Program will share the innovative ways in which they ensure that the value of home performance upgrades is captured when efficient homes are sold.

Presentation slides

Please join us for a webinar summarizing work done by OSP, NREL, and MEEA on an energy efficiency technical resource manual!

Who should join: DOE and NREL regional energy efficiency stakeholders

Agenda

• Welcome and project context (DOE/NREL)
• MEEA presentation
• Next steps Q&A
   

Evaluating the need for a regional energy efficiency technical resource manual for small utilities in the Midwest

Abstract

In this webinar, MEEA’s policy experts will dive into the state-by-state election results and what they mean for energy efficiency. You’ll learn what to expect from new administrations, and we’ll share our outreach strategy to encourage EE-friendly transitions.

Did you know that nearly 20% of the energy a household uses goes to water heating? But many utilities are missing out on serious energy savings by relying on frustrating and ineffectual consumer mail-in rebates. 

In this webinar, A. O. Smith will show how utilities can transition to a model that’s up to 10x more effective: distributor midstream instant discounts. We’ll cover the size of the prize, the benefits of midstream programs, and implementation best practices for wholesale, retail and for low-income housing.

Over the last 15 years, Iowa has dramatically increased building efficiency through energy code advancements. One might assume this would make above-code savings more difficult to achieve, but over this period, commercial buildings have continued to average 30% savings above the energy code.

The cost-effectiveness tests used for energy efficiency programs are decades old and, in many cases, haven’t kept up with the energy policy goals of the states that use them. The National Standard Practice Manual (NSPM) is an attempt to bring cost-effectiveness testing up to date to meet modern needs. 

In this webinar, we’ll get an inside look at why the State of Minnesota re-evaluated their tests and how they used the NSPM to envision a new, customized Minnesota Test. 

Hennepin County, Minnesota is working to make it easier for mid to small size cities to pass energy benchmarking disclosure policies. Utilizing the power of collaborative purchasing, Hennepin County has created a comprehensive set of services for cities that want to pass their own benchmarking policy. Working closely with the City of Minneapolis, the county is looking to streamline the process and create consistency across the region. You'll learn directly from the county about their efforts and their successes. 

As customer expectations continue to evolve with the changing technology, utilities are increasingly focused on delivering customer communications that are both personalized and effective. This webinar will highlight how Oracle Utilities helped ComEd and Columbia Gas of Ohio leverage segmentation and targeting in their Demand Side Management programs to drive greater value.

This installment features the winners in the Education category, Xcel Energy, and the Marketing award recipients, Nicor Gas. 

Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy service works with communities in Minnesota and Colorado to develop local stakeholder-based energy plans, and provides technical assistance and resources to implement those plans. Partners in Energy tailors its services to complement each community’s unique goals, vision and needs.