News
AECP GLOBAL WARMING SEMINAR IS GREAT SUCCESS
AECP presented a seminar on global warming entitled “Global Warming: What is it and What can we do about it” on May 31, 2008 at the Jacksonville Center in Floyd, VA. Over 40 people attended the 10:00 – 4:00 event. The event was sponsored by Community Housing Partners and the Crater District Area Agency on Aging.
The attendees listened to several speakers discussing a wide variety of topics related to global warming. There were lively discussions, questions, and excellent dialogue. The purpose of the seminar was to present information designed to create a better understanding of a very complicated issue with the idea that the more we know about the problem then the better able we are to become part of the solutionAECP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECEIVES RADFORD UNIVERSITY CERTIFICATION
AECP Executive Director, Billy Weitzenfeld recently received the Nonprofit
Leadership and Management Development Certificate from Radford University.
To earn this certificate a participant must complete 80 hours of classes in
Board and Executive Relations, Leadership and Management Skills, Fund
Development and Marketing, and Business Management
AECP MEMBERS RECEIVE NATIONAL AWARD
AECP members John and Joanne Langford, co-owners of J&J Weatherization received a Department of Energy National Recognition award on December 12, 2007 at the National Weatherization Conference in Orlando, Florida. J&J has been weatherizing homes in Virginia since 1980. They also have built and operate a mobile home weatherization training center at their headquarters in Lynchburg, VA. John is a nationally recognized trainer and has helped train weatherization crews from all over the U.S. Check out their website at www.jjweatherization.com .
AECP HOLDS 8 TH ANNUAL GREEN LIVING AND ENERGY EXPO
AECP successfully held its 8 th annual Green Living and Energy Expo at the Roanoke Civic Center on November 2 and 3, 2007. Over 2000 people attended the event, which featured 75 exhibits that showcased a wide variety of green living topics. There were also seminars, presentations, workshops, and demonstrations that provide information on energy conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building, global warming, and sustainability.
AECP INVOLVED IN 2 ND ANNUAL STATEWIDE CONFERENCE
AECP Executive Director, Billy Weitzenfeld served on a planning committee for the 2 nd annual Commonwealth of Virginia Energy and Sustainability Conference held at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA from October 16-18, 2007. Billy also moderated a session on Green Residential Development: Costs and Benefits held on October 18 that featured AECP member Ed Tuchler, President of Shelter Alternatives as its main presenter.
AECP PRESENTS AT VIRGINIA ENVIRONMENTAL ASSEMBLY
AECP Executive Director, Billy Weitzenfeld gave a presentation and participated on a panel discussion entitled Sustainability in Action on October 6, 2007 at the Virginia Environmental Assembly held at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. The Assembly is sponsored by the Virginia Conservation Network. Billy spoke about AECP’s efforts to promote sustainability through education at their Sustainable Living Education Center in Floyd, VA.
VSBN Recognizes SLEC
The Virginia Sustainable Building Network (VSBN) recognized AECP’s Sustainable Living Education Center (SLEC) at their annual membership meeting in Williamsburg on June 28, 2007. SLEC was also nominated for the VSBN 2007 Green Innovation Award as the Most Sustainable Community Program in Virginia.
AECP Works With SCC to Reduce Electricity Consumption
AECP Executive Director, Billy Weitzenfeld is a member of the Virginia State Corporation Commission working group assigned to making recommendations to the SCC on how to reduce electricity consumption in Virginia by 10% by the year 2022.
The SCC has been mandated by the Virginia General Assembly to deliver a report by December 15, 2007 on a plan of action to accomplish this task. SCC staff will evaluate reports from five subgroups that were formed from the main working group. These reports are due to the SCC by October 1, 2007. Mr. Weitzenfeld is currently serving as co-chair of the subgroup on Information and Consumer Education.
AECP Invited to Present at National DOE Conference
AECP Executive Director, Billy Weitzenfeld, has been invited to participate in two different presentations at the Department of Energy (DOE) National Weatherization Conference to be held in Orlando, Florida Dec. 9-13, 2007. One of the presentations will be a five hour tutorial on Green Building. AECP members Bill Beachy and Colin Arnold will help with this presentation. The other presentation will be a one- hour workshop on how Weatherization Programs can more effectively use green building materials in their work.
AECP Becomes Energy Star Partner 
In August of 2007 AECP became an official Energy Star Partner. AECP has promoted Energy Star products for several years. Energy Star is a label provided by the Dept. of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency to appliances and products that exceed federal energy efficiency standards. But Energy Star is more than just a label awarded for energy efficiency. It is a partnership among government, business, and consumers, united in the pursuit of a common goal – to protect our environment for future generations. Check out their website at www.energystar.gov for more information.
AECP Executive Director Takes Home Energy Rater Training
AECP Executive Director, Billy Weitzenfeld took the week-long training to be certified as a Home Energy Rater (HERS) on August 13-17, 2007. The training was administered by Performance Systems Development, Inc. from Ithaca, NY. He successfully passed the National Rater Exam given on the last day of the class and now must submit five ratings to an Accredited HERS Provider in order to receive the national certification. A certified Home Energy Rater helps builders and homeowners gain access to Energy Star labeled homes, Energy Efficient Mortgages, and 2006/07 Federal tax credits.
AECP Participates in Area V Envirothon
AECP Executive Director, Billy Weitzenfeld served as a judge in the Oral Presentation competition at the Area V Envirothon held at Ferrum College on April 19, 2007. The Envirothon is a competition between High School teams from around the state and is sponsored by the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The competition consisted of four main topics – soil, aquatics, forestry and wildlife. There is also one special topic each year and this year it was “Alternative Renewable Energy”, which is the topic that the oral presentations were based on.
AECP Presents at School Earth Day Celebration
AECP Executive Director, Billy Weitzenfeld gave presentations to three different school assemblies at Floyd Elementary School on April 23, 2007 as part of their Earth Day Celebration. Mr. Weitzenfeld spoke to over 500 students about Earth Day, Global Warming, and how we can all save energy in our homes. The students ranged from pre-schoolers to 7 th grade.
AECP Conducts Workshop in West Virginia
AECP has been invited to conduct a workshop at the West Virginia Community Action Program Educational Conference on May 1, 2007. The workshop will be “Weatherization Production: Tips and Techniques for Efficient and Successful Management and Operations”.
AECP Sets Date For Annual Membership Meeting
AECP will hold its annual membership meeting from 1:00 - 4:00 on Monday, June 11, 2007 at the Sheraton Oceanfront Hotel in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The membership meeting will be preceded by a Board of Directors meeting from 10:00 – 12:00.
New River Valley Green Home Tour and Seminar
AECP is working with several other organizations to sponsor, develop, and implement a Green Home Tour and Seminar in the New River Valley. The event takes place on April 28, 9am – 5pm. The tour will begin with a seminar from 9am – 12pm at the YMCA at 1000 North Main Street in Blacksburg. The tour will run from 1pm – 5pm. Registration is $15 per person or $25 per couple. People can register by calling the YMCA Open University at 540-961-9622 or by registering online at www.vtymca.org . For more information about the event please visit www.NRVgreenMOB.blogspot.com.
AECP SPONSORS HEAT PUMP TRAINING
AECP is sponsoring a two-day training at Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg, VA on April 18 and 19, 2007. The training will focus on heat pump basics, diagnostics, efficiency, and installations and repairs as well as electrical safety, and wiring schematics. Mike Alderman, Professor of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning will teach the course.
AECP HOLDS 7TH ANNUAL GREEN LIVING AND ENERGY EXPO
AECP conducted its 7th annual Green Living and Energy Expo at the Roanoke Civic Center on December 1 and 2, 2006. Attendance was our best ever with almost 1500 people attending the two-day event. We had 50 exhibits, which was our most ever, and several workshops and presentations on both days.
AECP SERVES ON STATE ADVISORY BOARD
AECP Executive Director, Billy Weitzenfeld was appointed to serve on a state advisory board, which will help develop a 10-year Virginia Energy Plan. The Board is comprised of 40 public and private stakeholders, businesses, and organizations. AECP presented at the final meeting of the group on November 2, 2006 and submitted the following recommendations:
RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROPOSALS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE VIRGINIA ENERGY PLAN ADVISORY GROUP:
Submitted by:
Billy Weitzenfeld, Executive Director
The Association of Energy Conservation Professionals (AECP)
- In Mr. Spellman’s overview presented on Nov. 2 it was noted that there is a 0% investment by utilities in Virginia in the areas of energy conservation and efficiency. With due respect to the utilities in Virginia this was a disappointing revelation. We must work together to identify the barriers and disincentives that may exist that prevent a more appropriate investment by Virginia utilities in areas that are so beneficial to the general public. If we agree that energy conservation and efficiency are important and necessary then we must have greater leadership and participation from our utilities.
- According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) the total of energy savings resulting from utility Demand Side Management (DSM) programs nationwide in 2005 was 59,000 Megawatt Hours. These programs work and we need to encourage the design and implementation of DSM programs in Virginia. These programs must be properly designed and implemented and based on a long- term dedication to success.
- As we develop the Virginia Energy Plan there is a reality that must be faced. Programs and services recommended by the Plan must be adequately funded. 22 other states have some type of Public Benefit Fund in place that provides an annual funding mechanism for consumer programs that promote energy conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building, and programs for low-income families. The Public Benefit Funds are normally funded thru a small wires charge or tax on rate- payers bills. A couple of years ago AECP had a bill in the general Assembly – HB 2317 – that would have added a monthly tax of three cents a month - $.36 - to every rate payers electric bill. This would have generated about 1.5 million dollars annually to be used for consumer programs. This is not enough but our effort represented a fair and equitable tax, paid equally by everyone, with a benefit to all and a financial burden on nobody. Even 10 cents a month - $1.20 a year – would not hurt anybody and generate from 4-5 million annually. These are examples of simple but fair mechanisms that would help fund activities in the Virginia Energy Plan. The truth is this – a Virginia Energy Plan with no built in funding mechanisms will just be a plan that sits on a shelf. I do not believe that any of us want this to be the case.
- We need to embark on a massive public outreach campaign to educate consumers on the importance and benefits to saving energy – to include water conservation - and show them how they can do this in there home and/or business. The first step would be to design a structured curriculum so our message is consistent and effective. We then could use the following methods of delivery:
- The Virginia Department of Education should develop a k-12 energy education curriculum that is offered in all public schools and that carries the same weight as reading, writing, and math. The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Program has an excellent k-12 energy curriculum that could serve as a model. Our young people need to learn the impact of energy production and use and the importance of saving energy and using our resources more efficiently. This really represents the long term solution.
- Virginia has an excellent net metering law. We need to take advantage of it and provide interested homeowners with the necessary incentives to employ renewable energy systems in their homes. This clean, renewable energy is then pumped back into the existing transmission grid. Imagine the impact on our stressed supply systems and our environment if every home and/or business in Virginia was an independent, clean energy producer capable of contributing to the grid by way of our existing net metering law. Imagine solar panels on every roof in Virginia!
- We need to work with the VA Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) to develop and properly regulate a professional home energy audit industry. A criteria and set of standards need to be developed that individuals can be trained and tested on. There is a right way to perform an energy audit and many ways that are insufficient and incorrect. Homeowners and businesses must be able to employ the services of a trained and licensed home energy auditor and be comfortable that they will receive a professional service that will help them be more efficient in their homes and/or business. We also need to do the same in the areas of solar and small wind installers.
- We need to revise, modify, and update our building codes to encourage the building of energy efficient homes that utilize green building principles whenever possible.
SLEC HAS SEMI-OPENING
AECP’s Sustainable Living Education Center (SLEC) had a semi-opening on October 24, 2006 as it hosted a USGBC local chapter meeting. On display were the wind and solar systems, the rainwater collection system, the straw bale structure, and several educational exhibits on fuel cells, water conservation, energy efficient lighting, green products, recycling, renewable energy, global warming, and much more.
AECP MANAGES WEATHERIZATION INTERCHANGE
AECP planned and implemented a week-long weatherization event, held at Virginia Tech September 18-21, 2006. The event involved all of the weatherization assistance programs in Virginia and consisted of workshops, crew competitions, social activities, and awards. D&R International provided technical and logistical support for the event.
AECP PARTNERS WITH TOWN OF BLACKSBURG
AECP has partnered with the Town of Blacksburg, VA to plan and develop the town’s first annual Environmental Awareness Week, held in August, 2006. AECP will also help the town implement a grant received from the U.S. EPA, which will provide consumer education and outreach on a variety of projects.
AECP RECEIVES STATE AWARD
AECP received an award from the Virginia Sustainable Building Network on June 15, 2005. AECP was the recipient of the first annual Virginia Green Innovation Award under the category of Green Business and Organizations. AECP was recognized for its long history of energy legislation advocacy and energy education.
AECP PROVIDES EMERGENCY HOME REPAIR SERVICES
AECP is subcontracting with Community Housing Partners to provide initial assessments for emergency home repair services for low-income individuals and families. AECP will also line up contractors to make repairs and do final inspections.
AECP INSTALLS WIND AND SOLAR SYSTEMS AT OFFICE
On August 6 and 7, 2005 Chesapeake Renewable Energy, AECP, and students from James Madison University installed a 42-ft. tall, 1000 watt wind generator, a 102-watt solar panel and a small rainwater collection system at AECP’s Sustainable Living Education Center (SLEC). These working systems will be part of SLEC”s interactive educational demonstrations.
AECP UNSUCCESSFUL IN EFFORTS TO OBTAIN REGULATORY CHANGE
AECP made its case for a home energy performance specialty contractor’s classification before the Virginia Board for Contractors on November 16, 2005. AECP was advocating for a competency level in the industry to not only protect consumers but to also establish a benchmark within the industry that would promote growth and professionalism. The Board decided not to act upon our recommendations.
AECP CONDUCTS BLOWER DOOR TEST FOR VIRGINIA TECH SOLAR HOUSE
AECP conducted a multi-point blower door test on the Virginia Tech Solar House before it traveled to Washington, D.C. for the national Solar Decathlon. AECP member Anthony Cox supervised the test and also did a presentation on blower door diagnostics for the Southwest Virginia Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council who met at the solar house during the test. This test helped the students and faculty identify air-leakage issues and determine the proper settings for their heat recovery system. The test also gave them points in the indoor air quality segment of the decathlon competition. The Virginia Tech solar house placed fourth out of eighteen entries in this international event.
AECP HOLDS 6TH ANNUAL GREEN LIVING AND ENERGY EXPO
AECP conducted its 6th annual Green Living and Energy Expo at the Roanoke Civic Center on October 21 and 22, 2005. The event was a great success with more exhibits and better attendance then ever before.
STRAW BALE STRUCTURE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT SLEC
AECP will provide oversight to a 400 square foot straw bale structure being built as part of AECP’s Sustainable Living Education Center (SLEC). Leon Davis, an architecture student form Virginia Tech has designed the building and will lead the construction team. The building will be used by the Jacksonville Center as a functioning space and will also be a demonstration of green and alternative building construction and design.
AECP SPONSORS AND CONDUCTS CONTRACTOR LICENSE CLASSES
AECP will conduct several classes on how to obtain and successfully complete the exam for a Virginia Contractor’s License A and B and a Virginia Tradesman Master Card in HVAC.
AECP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPOINTED TO POLICY COUNCIL
AECP Executive Director, Billy Weitzenfeld has been appointed to the Virginia Weatherization Policy Advisory Council. This group will provide oversight to state weatherization staff in areas of weatherization policy.