Did Y'all Know? | Celebrating EE in February 2024

Did Y’all Know…

SCG has a program for you capture rebates! The Energy Efficiency Rebates for Business (EERB) program offers rebates on qualifying energy-efficient natural gas equipment that could help your business save money and energy. Any commercial, public, industrial, or agricultural customer with an active, valid, and non-delinquent SoCalGas account can apply for a rebate under the EERB program.

• Qualified Equipment Includes:

• Boilers, Water Heaters & Water Heating Products

• Heat Recovery Products

• Insulation Products

• Laundry Products

• Food Service Equipment

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit socalgas.com/BusinessRebates

Did Y’all Know…

that it is the month of love and what a better way to celebrate than with a love letter to our tried and true, Energy Efficiency.

Dear Energy Efficiency,

We love you. For 15, 10, eight, and five years we have committed ourselves to you. And we don’t see an end in sight.  You have been not just a foundation, but deeply rooted in all we do.  So, on this Valentines Day, we felt it necessary to say it boldly, to all who will listen we love you!

You’ve been consistent, not just for us, but for those we serve.  You make it easier to help people, businesses, and our local governments save money on their monthly costs.

And as we look ahead to the push for a more integrated approach—a look back and ahead to IDSM—we’re so glad we’re with you.  You’re not flashy like solar and storage.  You’re not just about the instant gratification of demand response.  You don’t fluctuate like rates. You are a constant.

Check February’s monthly playlist “Energy Efficiency”

Did Y’all Know…

It is one of my favorite times of the year! It is the time of year when we get to celebrate Black History Month. It is only February, and it has been a very busy year already. Just this month we have seen Usher’s electrifying Superbowl halftime show performance, Beyoncé releasing a country album, and The Lakers unveiling a bronze statue at Star Plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena in honor of Kobe Bryant. I absolutely adore Usher as well as his music and have had the pleasure of seeing him perform live. I can connect with Beyoncé’s because she is undeniably talented at telling her story through music. Although I haven’t been a Laker’s fan since Shaquille O’Neal retired, I must acknowledge Kobe Bryant’s contributions to the game of basketball and the impact of his career on an entire generation of people.

These are all exciting events and have certainly found their way into the headlines of many news publications. It is easy to celebrate the achievements of those already in the limelight; those that would be making news, it seems, no matter what they do. I feel that we do not take nearly enough time to celebrate the notable academic and entrepreneurial achievements of African American folks. This year, for Black History Month, instead of celebrating the folks that entertain us, I would like to take a moment to celebrate the achievements of folks that have made contributions in areas that make our lives better each day.

Did Y’all Know…

one important question we could all be asking ourselves is, how do we do energy efficiency better? Energy efficiency opportunities come in many different shapes and sizes. For example, energy efficiency can be built into our capital improvement plans, it can be part of our deferred maintenance, or it could be something we are directed to do by building code or regulation. One thing that ties all these opportunities together is that we must find the funding to make them happen!

There has never been a simple singular answer on funding and many projects have been postponed, sometimes indefinitely, simply because they could not be funded. We don’t want to see that happen and our utility partners don’t either. Which is why our dear old friend, On-bill Financing (OBF) is back in a BIG way, and we want to talk about it.

Did Y’all Know…

The SJVCEO is no stranger to Energy Efficiency.. in fact, it has been one of our favorite topics to discuss with y’all. We know that EE is not dead, and as we lean into more integrated approaches, we must never forget the foundation that EE has created for us. Check out some of SJVCEO’s FAVORITE articles and videos on all things related to Energy Efficiency.

Celebrating Black History Month in the EE World: February 2021
In light of this celebration, there are two things I feel compelled to talk about. The first is the importance of Black History Month, and the second, which more closely aligns with the goals of our organization, is the inequity in environmental and climate justice.

Energizing the Workforce: Agriculture and EE: March 2021
In 2018, Energy Central reported that “the agriculture industry is facing complex challenges as demand for food grows along with the population, and a changing climate threatens the environment farming depends on. Increased energy efficiency may be key to meeting these challenges.” The Valley (as seen above) includes some of the highest-producing counties in the nation, which means we will be greatly affected by the challenges ahead. Prioritizing energy efficiency will not only lead to increased monetary savings and decreased GHG emissions, but it will enhance the collaboration between farmers and energy experts

Technology Tuesdays: Energy Efficiency in the Age of Intel: November 2021
We have been talking about big data, intelligence, and energy efficiency for quite a long time. These industries have been dancing around each other for much of the last couple decades; however, in recent years, they have really converged in a meaningful way. This convergence is called intelligent efficiency, which is the idea that energy efficiency can occur without much human interaction. Some examples include smart thermostats’ ability to adjust the temperature within an indoor space in response to changes in temperature, occupancy, and time of day without the occupant having to think about it. Another example is our vehicle’s ability to recharge its battery when the cost of electricity is at its lowest and overall demand is low.

All-Time Classic EE Measures | August Spotify 2023
The point is, in a time where too many claim energy efficiency is dead we continue to have specific measures that stand the test of time. Not because they’re currently available in a rebate catalog, but because we know they make a significant impact. And that’s because energy efficiency is still the most cost-effective form of energy and remains king in the California loading order. Even as we move to focus on decarbonization and electrification I return to what was so eloquently hammered home on our PODEE inaugural HappEE Hour, “Electrification is energy efficiency!” We can expand our reach but never let go of energy efficiency.