The 2019 National Home Performance Coalition (HPC) Conference and Trade Show was held in Chicago this past week. The conference was an exciting and informational experience for attendees, focusing on weatherization and networking opportunities. Washington state was represented by Department of Commerce employees Donn Falconer, Britt Pomush, Laura Viik and Vince Schueler from the Washington State University Energy Program. Washington’s Weatherization Network had representatives from the Community Action Council of…
Author Archives: Rachel Lucas
The 2019 Biennial Energy Report has been published and is ready for reading. This years report provides analysis in: Deep decarbonization and electrification Energy efficiency and renewable energy Updated fuel mix disclosure mechanism Equity considerations in the clean energy transition Energy resilience Investment Regional energy issues
It’s been a busy start to 2019 for Commerce’s Weatherization Plus Health program. We’ve participated in several regional and national forums and shared the structure and results of our Plus Health work providing lasting home and client health improvements. Dec. 17, Vince Schueler, our WSU Energy Program Evaluation partner, shared results of our evaluation with a Working Group of Vermont, Connecticut, and New York weatherization programs working on development of…
In late January, Commerce’s Weatherization Plus Health Program, and partners Washington State University Energy Program, Pierce County Human Services (Weatherization Program), and Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department released an analysis of the Weatherization Plus Health Partnership work done in Pierce County from 2016 – 2018. The partnership built on earlier collaborations between Pierce County Human Services and the Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department’s asthma outreach program. For the Plus Health partnership, the…
Commerce’s Weatherization Plus Health and the Washington State University (WSU) Energy Program are bringing on new research partners – Three3, Ellen Tohn and Associates and the National Center for Healthy Homes (NCHH). This team of national experts will help Commerce and the WSU Energy Program detail improved health outcomes to clients receiving Weatherization Plus Health services and estimate health benefit values. Over the next six months this team will develop:…
The final review of RD&D applications is underway and Commerce anticipates announcing awardees the week of Feb. 21. The Solar Deployment application period closed on Dec. 3 and are currently under review. Additional applications are being accepted, with a review timeframe pending. Grid Modernization application period closed Dec. 28. We received five applications. After going through the review period, awardees will be announced on Feb. 20. Electrification of Transportation (ET)…
The Energy Efficiency and Solar (EE&S) application period closed on Dec. 31. We received 88 applications, over half were for solar projects. The Governor’s budget has a $35 million request for this program (up from $10 million this year). Awardees should be announced in April.
Electric utilities in Washington vary in size and scope of operations. This is reflected in the way utilities approach resource planning and forecasting. Larger utilities typically use multiple sources of electricity supply to meet their customers’ requirements and engage in sophisticated assessments of risks and benefits in evaluating alternative sources of new energy. Many smaller utilities rely on a single supplier to supply all of the power required by their…
The RD&D application period closed on Nov. 13. They are being evaluated and awardees will be announced Feb. 21. The Solar Deployment application period closed on Dec. 3, but are still accepting applications. Awardees will be notified Jan. 22. Grid Modernization application period closes Dec. 28 with awardees announced on Feb. 20. Electrification of Transportation (ET) program will issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity on Jan. 19.
The Energy Efficiency and Solar (EE&S) application period closes on Dec. 31. Awardees should be announced by March 1.