Wednesday, August 1, 2012

9:00 am - 11 am
Montana Weatherization Training Center at Montana State University (Optional)
At the Weatherization Training Center, the goal is to train the professionals who are on the ground weatherizing homes every day. Working closely with Montana's Human Resource Development Councils and Tribal associates, they focus on safe, efficient, cutting-edge techniques to address the health, safety, and energy efficiency issues present in low-income housing.

11:30 am -12:30 pm
Dutch Treat Lunch for Tour Participants

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Welcome and Introductions - State Highlights Roundtable
MODERATORS: Jim Ploger, Jim Arwood, Bill Nesmith, NASEO Regional Coordinators
Brief Update from Participating State Energy Offices, SEO Directors
This session will provide a forum for State Energy Office directors to:

1. Describe the nature of his/her SEO (size, priorities, etc.);
2. Exchange best practices in his/her agency;
3. Share one key lesson learned in operating energy efficiency programs;
4. Share one key lesson learned in operating renewable energy programs;
5. Identify state and regional needs that NASEO can support.
   (8 minutes each)

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Networking Break

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
State Energy Program Overview and Future Challenges
MODERATOR: David Terry, NASEO
Presenter: Anna Garcia, OWIP Program Manager, U.S. Department of Energy
This session will focus on the State Energy program, and specifically on:

1. ARRA closeout issues;
2. Evaluation, Measurement and Verification;
3. Challenges regarding FY 13 funding;
4. Programmatic administrative issues;
5. 2012 NASEO Membership Survey
6. Other

6:00 pm
Group Working Dinner: EcoSmart House
NASEO will host a dinner for attendees to allow continuation of ideas exchange and information sharing; attendees from the various regions may discuss items of regional concern, such as selection of regional representatives to the NASEO Board, and other items of interest.

ECOSMART HOUSE: A new cutting edge, eco-smart house has just been competed in Bozeman, but the owners don't plan to move in for two years. The house will act as a living laboratory for REHAU, a German-based company that specializes in polymer-based products and MSU. The house took two years to build and is designed to be sustainable and energy efficient. New technologies include the prototype windows that have a special film inside that tints in sunlight. The walls are made of concrete and the home has four different heating systems, all of which will be studied for their efficiency and cost effectiveness over the next two years.
Thursday, August 2, 2012

7:00 am – 8:00 am
Breakfast (included with hotel room)

8:00 am – 9:30 am
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: Building Energy Codes Initiatives
MODERATOR: Brian Henderson, NASEO Buildings Codes Coordinator
This session will focus on compliance issues in the area of building codes. Learn more about the challenges facing states and the initiatives being developed to address building codes compliance and enforcement.

9:30 am – 10:30 am
Networking Break

10:30 am – 12:00 pm
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: Policy Initiatives
MODERATOR: Jim Arwood, NASEO, Southwest Regional Coordinator
Policy initiatives at the federal and state level have impacts on SEOs all across the country. New air regulations will affect electric utilities and presents both challenges and opportunities for the states. Transportation initiatives are becoming more prevalent as more and more states implement policies moving toward natural gas and electric transportation alternatives and infrastructure.

12 noon – 1:00 pm
LUNCH
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Sandy Glatt, State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network (SEE Action Network), Department of Energy
MODERATOR: Bill Nesmith, NASEO
Discussion of the Industrial EE - CHP WG of the SEE Action Network – the state, local and
utility focused element of the Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO).

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: Financing Programs – Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs), Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs), Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC), Warehouse for Energy Efficiency Loans (WHEEL) Program.
MODERATOR: Jim Ploger, NASEO, Central Regional Coordinator
Dale Hahs, Executive Director, Energy Services Coalition
Francisco (Cisco) DeVries, President, Renewable Funding
Elizabeth Bellis, Legal Counsel, Energy Programs Consortium (by telephone)
In the post-ARRA era, financing programs are important in allowing states to continue efforts of energy efficiency. This session will allow discussion of best practices and successful program states are using. Financing tools include use of Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (OECBs), revolving loan funds (RLF), energy savings performance contracting (ESPC), WHEEL and others.

2:15 pm – 2:30 pm
Networking Break

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: Utility Involvement with SEOs and their Programs
MODERATOR: Bill Nesmith, NASEO, Northwest Regional Coordinator
Idaho/Oregon/Washington Utility – Bruce Folsom, Director of Energy Efficiency, Avista (confirmed)
Idaho PUC - Paul Kjellander, Commissioner (former Idaho SEO Director)
Montana Utility – Bill Thomas, Manager of Regulatory Affairs, NorthWestern Energy
NW Energy Efficiency Association (NEEA) - Susan Stratton, Executive Director (former Wisconsin SEO Director)
Kansas PUC/Energy Office – Patti Petersen-Klein, Executive Director, Kansas Corporation Commission
Joint coordination and cooperation between State Energy Offices (SEOs), Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) and local utilities are becoming increasingly important in the future of energy efficiency and renewable energy. This session will provide an opportunity to explore possible ways SEOs can interact with their local utilities and PUCs in furthering energy efficiency.

4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
FINAL DISCUSSION ITEMS AND ACTION ITEMS
MODERATORS: Jim Arwood, Bill Nesmith, Jim Ploger, NASEO Regional Coordinators
Discussion to focus on policy initiatives at the federal, regional and state levels that could have impacts on SEOs all across the country. From EPA rulings, the WGA theme emphasizing regional energy plans and corridor studies, to clean energy standards and multi-state MOUs on transportation programs, a number of new initiatives have impacts that could present both challenges and opportunities for State Energy Offices in 2013.

5:00 pm
Adjourn