The article below points out how the utilities are fighting the solar industry by increasing their demand charges to compensate for customers generating their own power from solar. As some states and utilities define the rules of the game other states will follow suit. It also mentions how the regulations being in a state of…
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A cleaner South?
Relatively recently, Sierra Club published an article in their magazine titled “A Cleaner South” that highlights some of the challenges and opportunities that the southern region of the USA has regarding meeting new EPA mandates to generate cleaner energy. Many UMA members live in or do business in the South. After you read the article,…
Making your (Bench)Mark
In case you missed it, a few months ago Multi Housing News published an article on benchmarking that featured Chris Dorando, who is a member of UMA and on staff with NWP. The article starts: “Most operational tasks at multifamily communities strive to maximize efficiency in order to increase the bottom line. The web-based revolution…
EV Charge Stations…what happens in California, will not stay in California
Ok, I know most of you are tired of hearing what is going on in California, but I am going to talk about California and EV charging in Multifamily. Recently legislation has been passed (AB 2565) which states that if a resident wants to install an EV Charge station, at their cost on YOUR property,…
U.S. Teeters at Turning Point for Energy
Cost of energy from solar and oil is dropping. Cost of coal-related electricity generation is headed up. 2015 should be an interesting ride. Here is an interesting article from Scientific American: “Road tripping used to feel like it broke the bank, with gasoline prices in many places hovering above $3.50 per gallon or higher. Today,…
Webinar: Central Water Heating Systems for Multifamily
The US Dept of Energy will present a webinar on January 21, 2015 from 3:00PM to 4:30PM Eastern Time. “This free webinar will focus on the effective use of central heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) and control systems to reduce the energy use in hot water distribution.” Elizabeth Weitzel from Alliance for Residential Building Innovation…
New York bans hydraulic fracturing for natural gas
A recent brief from Utility Dive reported: “New York will ban hydraulic fracturing following the release of a report by the state Department of Health which found significant health risks associated with the process. Environmental activists hailed New York Gov…” Read More By the way, if you have been hearing a lot of fracking, but aren’t…
New Portland policy would require commercial buildings to track and report energy use
Portland is considering a new benchmarking regulation, but it is not expected to impact multi-family housing at this time. Here is an article on the topic from the Portland Business Journal: “Owners of commercial buildings in Portland over 20,000 square feet would be required to track and report their building’s energy use under a proposed…
How will the new Congress handle energy issues?
The 114th Congress convenes January 6, 2015 at noon Eastern. A recent posting from Utility Dive offers some predictions on how they will handle energy issues: “Crucial energy-related decisions with 2016 deadlines will face the new Republican-dominated Congress beginning in January.” Read More
Webinar: Success Stories and Tools for Water Use Reduction in Your Portfolio
“The Energy Department will present a live webinar titled “Water World: Success Stories and Tools for Water Use Reduction in Your Building Portfolio” on Tuesday, January 6, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Did you know the Better Buildings Challenge is diving into the world of water reduction? Turns out saving water…