Author Archives: John Otterbein

Rebuild it Right, A Tour of EcoBuilding Bargains

Posted on June 5, 2013 | Leave a comment
The springfield tornado demolished more than 40 buildings and caused over $100 million in damages.

The Springfield tornado demolished more than 40 buildings and caused over $100 million in damages.

Natural disasters are here to stay and our communities need to be as prepared as possible and ready for any natural upheaval, anywhere, at any time. Preparing for natural disturbances, or even disasters, ahead of time is imperative to minimize potential damage and reduce fatality. The need for pre-planning was made especially apparent by the recent devastating Oklahoma tornadoes that stomped through the suburbs of Oklahoma City. A warning was sounded out to local communities as a tornado touched down approximately sixteen minutes later, travelling twenty long, destructive miles. Continue reading →

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Experience is the Wisest Teacher, NEEP’s Student Scholarship Program

Posted on May 24, 2013 | Leave a comment
NEEP's Student Scholarship Program serves as a great stepping stone into Energy Efficiency.

NEEP’s Student Scholarship Program serves as a great stepping stone into Energy Efficiency.

Imagine being in a dark room with nothing but a flashlight. Focus is narrowed down to the width of the hand-held beam. This narrow focus limits the options of opportunity within the room. Once the battery dies, the room goes pitch black. After a good amount of time passes, a slight memory wells up. Clap Clap! The overhead lights instantaneously power on and the room in its entirety is revealed under cool rays of light. There’s only one problem, where’s the door? Continue reading →

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Posted in Best Practices, NEEP Summit 2013

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Imitating Energy Efficiency Successes, 2013 NEEP Business Leaders

Posted on March 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

2013 NEEP Summit Student Scholarship PorgramWhat do the manufacturer of the Blackhawk helicopter, a community center and a medical school campus have in common? All of them were honored at the 2012 Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit as State Champions of the annual Business Leaders for Energy Efficiency program. Every year, NEEP invites its utility sponsors to nominate business customers throughout the region that show leadership in adopting and implementing efficiency strategies.

Regardless of budgets, business models, market placement, or provided services, energy is needed to power business across all sectors. Whether its lighting controls, combined heat and power systems or supply chain improvements, the high rates of return and significant energy savings are catching the eye of energy managers and CEOs alike. To these businesses the investment they put into efficiency measures means reduced emissions, job creation, increased productivity and for some, the ability to keep business in the U.S. in an increasingly competitive global market. The bottom line is that efficiency makes good business sense and the businesses NEEP highlights are proof of that.

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New kids on the block, younger workforce entering energy efficiency

Posted on March 13, 2013 | 4 Comments

2013 NEEP Summit Student Scholarship PorgramWith changes to the political, social, and economic undercurrents of our society, the landscape of energy efficiency is constantly shifting. The industry is now largely recognized for its demand-side solution to conserve energy, save natural and financial resources, and build career opportunities. The numbers don’t lie; energy efficiency is by far the most cost-effective energy solution out there and the region’s demand for energy is flattening out as more energy efficiency practices take hold. These positive aspects of energy efficiency have caught the eyes of recent college graduates who see the energy efficiency industry as promising, innovative, and full of opportunity.

Like many of today’s hot industries, energy efficiency companies seek young professionals with diverse backgrounds and skill sets. Degrees in engineering, marketing, political science, economics, and public policy, to name a few, are good stepping stones for breaking into the efficiency industry. NEEP, and other organizations like it, have given young professionals the opportunity to branch out and find their passion within energy efficiency. A quick search of current job opportunities reveals positions in research, marketing and product development – the list goes on but it’s clear that there’s something for everyone. Continue reading →

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The 2013 NEEP Summit is Set for Launch

Posted on March 6, 2013 | 1 Comment

2013-Summit-IconThe Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit is rapidly approaching and all of us here at NEEP could not be more excited! The Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit is NEEP’s signature event and gives policy makers, program administrators, members of the business community, and other stakeholders to efficiency an opportunity to come together to discuss challenges and successes facing the full deployment of energy efficiency across the Northeast region.

The Summit is set for the June 18-19th at the Sheraton Hotel in Springfield, MA. These two days will be packed with interactive educational opportunities, profiles of leaders in energy efficiency, efficiency workshops, and will act as a gathering spot for energy efficiency professionals from around the region.

Here is a glance into prior NEEP Northeast Energy Efficiency Summits.

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NEEP’s Coakley Presents Trends in Energy Efficiency Policy and Programs at the Restructuring Roundtable

Posted on February 21, 2013 | Leave a comment

IMG_0337NEEP was honored to participate in an important Restructuring Roundtable discussion last week on the state of energy efficiency in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Sue Coakley, NEEP’s Executive Director, presented at the event along with Massachusetts Commissioner of Energy Resources Mark Sylvia, Connecticut Energy Policy Advisor Jessie Stratton and Steve Rourke of ISO-New England. The impressive panel highlighted the tremendous progress the Northeast states have made on energy efficiency and put a spotlight on innovative policy and system planning approaches that will help the region continue to lead.

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Strong Partnerships Progress Multi-Family Project

Posted on February 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

Maine-MulitfamilyThe world of multi-family efficiency is reaching a turning point in its evolution. The multi-family sector promises substantial potential energy savings that have not yet been adequately addressed due, in part, to a number of market barriers impeding progress.

NEEP partnered with Efficiency Maine Trust (EMT) last summer to collaborate on a comprehensive multi-family efficiency project. NEEP works in an advisory capacity to Efficiency Maine in order to increase the visibility and momentum of multi-family retrofits in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions through research, analysis, and project advisory efforts.

NEEP’s multi-family-team recently attended the Regional Multi-family Quarterly Progress Update in Maine this past week. The progress of the multi-family energy efficiency project to date, along with its associated implications regarding the program’s momentum and outreach efforts are exciting to say the least.

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