08 Mar South Central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource Forms

Exciting new development for energy efficiency and distributed resources in our region! Good Company Associates has joined with a group of committed industry advocates to form a regional efficiency organization, the purpose of which is to accelerate the adoption of energy efficient products and services in Texas and Oklahoma. They plan to do that by supporting and facilitating the collaboration of private and public initiatives and enhancing communication across the region.

The new organization, SPEER, stands for the South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource. As you can see from the map below, it is part of a constellation of accomplished regional groups.

Please consider joining in this effort to take energy efficiency to the next level—by working together. Their first board meeting was held just before Christmas, and they have a stellar set of founding members.

This all started about a year ago when Good Company Associates decided to poll the many folks they work with on exciting initiatives like green homes, LEED for commercial buildings, energy retrofits and performance contracting, PACE and financing initiatives, codes and utility incentive programs, demand response and smart grid innovations, workforce training and education. Many separate conversations led to a meeting of about 50 people, representing builders and contractors, appraisers and realtors, cities and utilities, universities and major manufacturers, and local, state, and federal government. The conversation lasted all day. Sure, we spent a lot of time talking about the barriers to more widespread adoption, or greater market penetration of efficiency, especially for existing buildings. But, there was also a palpable sense among all those attending that the separate efforts might indeed be significantly enhanced through closer collaboration with others in the room, and in the industry generally.

SPEER was the result. SPEER was created as a 501(c)(3), purpose-driven non-profit organization. Membership dues vary by the size of the company or organization but were kept modest to encourage participation. They have already applied to several foundations for funding assistance and are in conversation with both the Texas and Oklahoma state energy offices. Doug Lewin, who is serving as the executive director, and Robert King, president of Good Company Associates, are headed to Washington to step up their efforts to coordinate and collaborate with national groups and federal agencies as well. Go to the website at www.EEPartnership.org to learn more or contact the staff about becoming more involved.