SCEP Spark ☆ July 2024

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July 19, 2024                                                                      Sign Up for SCEP Updates

Welcome to the SCEP Spark, a new channel to plug you into the latest events and news happening at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) in a lightning speed format. 

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SCEP Trivia:

We’re kicking off our first SCEP Spark edition with a bit of trivia. Scroll down for the answer and learn about the latest in SCEP along the way!

SCEP was established in 2022 in response to additional investments from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.   

                                               TRUE or FALSE

ICYMI:

• Career Skills Training Program Selectees Announced: Learn more about the selected nonprofit partnership here who will provide on-the-job training for students to obtain industry-related certification to install energy efficient building technologies.
  
  
• Twenty states have applied to DOE for full funding to launch their Home Energy Rebate programs. Interested in your state’s status? Check out the Home Energy Rebates Interactive Map.
  
  
• Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG): As of June 28^th, SCEP has awarded a total of $149,114,790 in EECBG Program formula funding to 175 communities.  Explore the exciting EECBG awarded projects here. Make sure your local government applies for its formula allocation by the October 31, 2024 deadline. For Tribes, the deadline to apply is May 31, 2025.  

SCEP EVENTS:

We are excited to share recent and upcoming events where SCEP leaders and staff engage directly with stakeholders to raise awareness about SCEP programs.

Recent Events:

SCEP’s Acting Principal Deputy Director, Keishaa Austin, engaged at the U.S. Capitol in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Infrastructure Roundtable. Watch the recorded livestream discussion on how Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has impacted Latino communities as it pertains to clean energy and reliable infrastructure access.

SCEP’s Assistant Director of External Affairs, Marjorie Fields Harris, moderated a panel discussion at the UnidosUS Conference in Las Vegas, NV. She engaged in an active discussion with Latino Leaders around the topic of career pathways and illuminating opportunities in clean energy.

SCEP's program staff Lisa Serrano, Rosie Ricketts and Haliston Lake presented alongside DOEs Office of Indian Energy colleagues Corinna Ikakoula and Mike Stevenson at the National American Indian Housing Council Annual Convention in Hollywood, FL. They actively shared information and answered questions about SCEP's Tribal Programs.

• SCEP's Acting Principal Deputy Director, Keishaa Austin, engaged in a fireside chat with CEO of Elevate, Anne Evens during the Affordable Housing Energy Shot Virtual Summit. Watch the webinar recording where Keishaa and Anne discuss the challenges and opportunities in achieving affordable home energy solutions.

Upcoming Events:

Connect with us the following upcoming virtual and in-person events

• Tune into the continued Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) Campaign training series. Register for the upcoming session dedicated to Setting the Stage for Success: Best Practices for ESPC Planning and Procurement on July 25 at 2 p.m. ET.
  
  
• Did you know SCEP has weekly virtual office hours and webinars to assist you in optimizing various SCEP programs? Explore and register today for an upcoming Office Hour Session or Webinar here.
  
  
  • Missed a recent webinar? Check out SCEP’s webinar archive here.

Would you like a SCEP Speaker for your next in-person or virtual event?

SCEP in the News:

Extra, extra read all about it! SCEP programs are covered in local and national news media, here are a few articles to catch you up to speed. 

• Home Energy Rebate Funds Can Benefit Climate, Citizens, Digitization - WSJ
• More states poised to offer Inflation Reduction Act energy rebates (cnbc.com)
• San Antonio receives grant to fund e-bike rebates, EV chargers, and airport energy plan | TPR   
• Itasca gets grant for energy planning (dailyherald.com)
• ‘Share the Pennies’ weatherization program tackles climate solutions, reduces cost - www.elizabethton.com | www.elizabethton.com
• Arapahoe County adds first electric vehicle to its fleet
• California Awarded $4.5 Million Grant to Reduce GHG Emissions from Buildings (philanthropynewsdigest.org)

SCEP Trivia Answer: The answer is TRUE. DOE’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) was established in 2022 in response to additional investments from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Learn more about SCEP’s impact in its two year anniversary blog post.  

Reference to any media outlet, organization, or company is not an endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Government or the Department of Energy. DOE is not responsible for the contents of other websites.