Access to energy efficiency and costs savings achieved through efficiency adoption inherently excludes many consumers who are unable to afford the upfront costs associated with energy efficiency solutions. What program models and financing mechanisms should be explored to ensure energy efficiency affordability and nationwide access for everyone? What are examples of best practices currently being deployed?

As part of its original NDC, the United States committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28 per cent below its 2005 level in 2025. Achieving this goal will require strong market and policy drivers for decarbonization. In addition to targeted policies and regulations at federal, state, and local levels, broader, more transformational strategies are being discussed in the United States, from carbon pricing mechanisms to clean electricity standards and technology-neutral carbon standards. What are the opportunities and challenges presented by these different strategies, and how could they be optimized to accelerate the deployment of energy efficiency?

Active Efficiency is already moving forward in some places of the country, but the policy and regulatory framework remains grounded in a non-digitalized reality that is increasingly out-of-synch with the industry. What changes are necessary to ensure the policy and regulatory environment stimulates an effective and equitable transition to a more efficient, integrated, and dynamic energy system?

Moderator: Adam Procell, Chief Strategy Officer, Willdan; Speakers: Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT); Rick Thigpen, SVP, Corporate Citizenship, PSEG

Market trends and political interest indicate that electric vehicles (EVs) may soon be dominating U.S. roadways. As we move towards an efficient and decarbonized transportation future, it’s critical that EVs are affordable and infrastructure is readily accessible to ensure an equitable market transformation. Addressing EV infrastructure availability will require precise targeting to meet the needs of high-density urban areas and the challenges of sparsely populated rural regions. How do policymakers best address EV access? Should infrastructure development be market driven, or should development be carefully directed through an identified regulatory framework?

Energy efficiency is a critical foundation for decarbonization, yet its scale-up often requires coordinated and sustained commitment among multiple public and private stakeholders. In a time of transition in the energy sector, innovative advancement in clean energy technologies, and drastic political fluctuations, how can we accelerate energy efficiency deployment while ensuring lasting change? What policies and programs around the world have seen the greatest success, and what lessons can be learned from their experiences?

Markets for Active Efficiency are growing, but they are still fragmented and developing independently of one another. What are the main barriers to these markets, and how can they be structured, scaled-up, and incentivized effectively?

Speakers: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE); David Terry, President, NASEO*