“SEEA recognizes that energy efficiency can be an effective way to address a range of issues,” said Huiet Joseph, director of energy conservation for Cox Enterprises. “These include reducing poverty, enhancing housing quality and affordability, accelerating regional economic development, and creating new markets for advanced technologies and services. SEEA uses numerous means and is crucial in supporting stakeholders and advancing equitable energy efficiency solutions in the Southeast.”

Finding New Ways to Connect and Engage

In response to the challenges of the pandemic, we adjusted to meet the needs of the region, and found new ways to reach our members and stakeholders.

The policy team tracked how the pandemic affected the energy industry, regional and federal political impacts and regulatory updates.

The research team developed new, interactive research resources to drive conversations on key regional issues and needs.

The built environment team led conversations on building energy codes and enhancing equity in the built environment and received a federal funding award for a three-year workforce development and training project aimed at increasing the adoption of advanced technology.

The energy efficient transportation team helped launch a regional initiative to support electric transportation strategies and gathered information on how to make the most of federal funding opportunities in the Southeast.

In the absence of our annual conference, we pivoted tactics and created The Path Forward webinar series in late 2020,

which provided two days of innovative conversations, roundtables and working sessions devoted to charting a course for the future of efficient energy in the Southeast. Following the success of The Path Forward, our team produced more member-led webinars, blogs and virtual meeting options for members and stakeholders than ever before. The pandemic brought many challenges, but it also provided an opportunity for us to develop new strategies that have allowed us to engage more people across more channels.

In 2022, we were thrilled to return to in-person gatherings at the Southeast Energy Summit in Atlanta, GA. During this three-and-half-day event we brought together over 260 senior decision-makers, utility leaders, regulators, program managers, entrepreneurs, and advocates from across the energy sector. In addition to expert-led presentations, motivating speakers and joyful camaraderie, we also held our first Summit Awards Lunch where we recognized the individuals and organizations forging a more equitable, energy-efficient Southeast.

Making an Impact in the Region

Number of funded projects by state

Highlighted Projects

Researching the Roots of Energy Insecurity

In 2021, we expanded our work in the intersection of energy, health and equity. An important component of this expansion was developing a dedicated research team. This newly created team develops innovative research products that tell stories about why energy efficiency is necessary while providing nuanced and actionable data analysis. Our products help identify the most effective programs and policies, particularly for communities disproportionately affected by energy burden, climate change and pollution.

In May 2021, the research team published its first interactive ArcGIS StoryMap which explores the historical roots and current dimensions of energy insecurity in the South. This report has been presented on 24 separate occasions and viewed more than 2,000 times by utilities, federal agencies, policymakers, advocates and other energy stakeholders. In 2020, prior to publishing Energy Insecurity in the South, we began a joint project with the Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute (TEPRI). Funded by the Educational Foundation of America (EFA), we researched dimensions of energy equity in our 11-state region and Texas. This project produced a geospatial dashboard that provides data on the state of energy equity across 12 states as well as a framework to guide multiple stakeholder types in equitable decision-making. With continued funding from EFA, the project team is using these research resources to engage communities in south Texas and the Alabama Black Belt and to secure federal funding for weatherization and clean energy for the entire region. In 2021, we completed a project with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) in Florida that showed the impacts of energy insecurity and potential for clean energy jobs for residents of rural Florida.

In April 2022, SEEA assumed leadership for the Southeast Energy Insecurity Project, formerly known as the Southeast Energy Insecurity Stakeholder Initiative led by the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University. The initiative produced a report, Stakeholder Recommendations for Reducing Energy Insecurity in the Southeast United States, which includes 24 recommendations to address energy insecurity in the region. In December, we announced the inaugural winners of the Energy Insecurity Project Implementation Awards, which provide meaningful pathways to address energy insecurity and can serve as program models throughout the Southeast.

Working towards a brighter future in Virginia

The Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) is a nonprofit, member-owned electric utility headquartered in Fredericksburg, Virginia. In 2021, SEEA proudly partnered with REC to develop and implement the first tariffed on-bill program in Virginia. The Vividly Brighter Upgrades program enabled REC’s residential member-owners to finance energy efficient upgrades to their homes through their electric bill. Under the program, REC covers the upfront cost of eligible upgrades and member owners repay the cost through monthly installments added to their electric bill. The program’s goal is to significantly lower participants energy usage and overall electric bill, even with the additional charges.

SEEA worked with REC program staff to develop the community engagement process, assisted identifying and reaching out to stakeholders, designed and led meetings, and documented stakeholder conversations. REC hosted three stakeholder sessions in 2021 that covered the proposed program design, consumer protections and vendor partners. Stakeholders provided feedback to ensure the program met their needs. The Vividly Brighter Upgrades program proposal was unanimously approved by their board of directors in December 2021 and REC launched the program in August 2022.

Readying the Clean Energy Workforce

The Viridiant Virginia Energy Code Training project identified opportunities to make a significant change in residential energy savings within two to three years in Virginia through workforce education, outreach and training.

Funds provided by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) allowed for the education and training of two key audiences in the building industry, building energy code implementers and enforcers. Training and resources were developed for each audience. The project work ultimately encompassed the Virginia Residential Energy Circuit Rider Program.

• Established a key partnership with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
• Targeted outreach to state building departments to secure locations and sponsors for energy code trainings and to gathering interest in the circuit rider program.
• Delivered training and resources through in two and four hour modules, online courses and conferences.
• Measured training efficacy through surveys after each in-person and live webinar training.

More than 6,000 building code officials, home builders, and HVAC contractors across Virginia attended the Viridiant Virginia Energy Code Trainings.

The impact of these trainings can reach up to 33,000 newly constructed single and multifamily units annually, greatly expanding the availability of more healthy and efficient homes. At the state level, Virginia is revising its state energy plan where building codes are a significant contributor to meeting compliance goals. The training modules and resources continue to be hosted on the Commonwealth of Virginia Learning Center and other stakeholder sites.

In August 2021, SEEA, alongside partners Viridiant in Virginia and AZS Consulting in Florida, announced a three-year $500,000 cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to fund the development and delivery of workforce training to better support the increase of advanced energy technology adoption such as electric air source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, electric vehicle charging systems, and battery storage systems.

Driving Electric Vehicle Adoption Forward

The Southeast leads in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing investment and job creation, however EV sales and charging station deployment lag. A coalition of businesses created the Southeast Electric Transportation Regional Initiative (SETRI) to accelerate the growth of transportation electrification in the region through policies and actions that advance the EV market and associated infrastructure in the region. SEEA is a founding member of SETRI alongside nearly sixty additional signatories.

SETRI is a voluntary, nonpartisan independent electric transportation market development collaboration that includes vehicle manufacturers, charging station providers, supply chain companies, electric utilities, fleet manager, universities, Clean Cities coalitions, governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations. By focusing on efficient energy in the Southeast, SETRI is working to increase electric vehicle infrastructure and reduce emissions from internal combustion vehicles.

SETRI has four major goals:

• Promote regional EV market development.
  
• Conduct education and outreach to consumers and decision-makers.
  
• Coordinate state electrification efforts and university research.
  
• Collaborate with transportation electrification efforts outside the Southeast.
  

At a time when the federal government is increasing investment in electric vehicle infrastructure, state and local collaborations on electric transportation initiatives are growing, and economic growth investment from automotive, charging infrastructure, and electric utility are surging across the Southeast. In late 2021, SETRI submitted comments to the Federal Highway Administration and is poised to aid the energy transformation across the region.

Our Financials

Our Members

Member Highlight

SEEA member, Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF), is on a mission to help rebuild and empower underserved communities by financing affordable, energy­-efficient property improvements in low- and moderate-income (LMI) neighborhoods. They believe their work creates a positive impact by improving people’s health and safety while reducing energy costs and emissions.

When the pandemic hit, they weren’t sure what the impact would be on their business. Since 2020, demand has increased, even in LMI neighborhoods, and they experienced all-time lending records.

SELF’s unique model relies on building relationships with existing contractors in LMI communities to support local businesses and establish trust. They reduce barriers for both local contractors and homeowners by eliminating fees for contractors and providing unsecured loans based the loan on the homeowners financial background and ability to pay, not their assets alone.

SELF is based in Florida and have recently opened offices in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina and Tennessee and are working to build a strong contractor network throughout the Southeast.

Support Our Work

For 15 years, SEEA has brought together key stakeholders from across the energy sector to build connections, explore innovative program solutions and plan for a more prosperous region. Your support enables us to continue to build a brighter future for people living in the Southeast.

BECOME A MEMBER

Your membership supports our mission to optimize the use and impact of energy in the Southeast. Learn more about member benefits.

EVENT SPONSORSHIP

Sponsorship helps us deliver meaningful event experiences for our members and stakeholders while also meeting your business development goals. Learn more about sponsor opportunities.

SUMMIT SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The Summit Scholarship Fund supports a more diverse workforce and allows students, young

professionals or community-based partners to learn more about the industry and gain professional development experience.

Jamie Fitzsimons

Director of Membership &

Corporate Development

GENERAL SUPPORT/SPECIAL PROJECTS

Your contribution to generally support SEEA allows us to designate funds to special projects or initiatives that arise throughout the year.

Want to learn more? Contact Jamie Fitzsimons, director of membership and corporate development.

Our Team