California Energy Efficiency Industry Council

Presents

Energy Efficiency Financing Conference

 

The Efficiency Council hosted a sold-out, one-day conference on energy efficiency financing on May 25 in San Francisco that featured new CPUC Commissioner Mark Ferron as the keynote speaker, along with the US DOE‘s Mark Sperling and many other key players in the industry and finance sector. Along with co-sponsors PG&E, the California Clean Energy Fund (CalCEF), and the Antenna Group, the Efficiency Council assembled a full day of panels with leading experts on energy efficiency project financing, investments in emerging technologies, and state and federal policies and programs that aim to expand the reach of efficiency financing opportunities. The conference successfully gathered an impressive group of speakers and participants who collectively brought considerable expertise on energy efficiency financing in California.

During a productive day, the panelists and attendees explored existing financing programs, identified opportunities and challenges, contrasted state and federal experiences, examined financing from the investor angle, and debated the future of public policy in this arena. The Efficiency Council would like to once again thank the fantastic panelists for their contributions to the conference.

The conference agenda provides details on the day's schedule, speakers, and topics.

 

Conference Report

The Efficiency Council has developed a 21-page conference report (June 2011) that focuses on the major takeaways from the conference's panel discussions on how to best support the flow of private capital to energy efficiency projects and businesses in California. The full report has been made available to conference attendees via email. As a member benefit, Efficiency Council members can access the report free of charge in the members-only section of the Efficiency Council website under the "Newsletter and Reports" tab.

If you did not attend the conference but would be interested in purchasing a copy of the report for $50, please contact Matt O'Keefe  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Speaker Presentations

Not every panelist delivered a PowerPoint presentation, but the presentations of those who did are available below.

 

Welcome and Opening Remarks

 

Industry Perspective on Financing

  • Tom Bowen, Director of Energy Services, McKinstry
  • Lauren Casentini, President, Resource Solutions Group
  • Jim Hussey, President, Marina Mechanical

 

Keynote Speaker

 

Utility, City, and State Level Financing Programs
This panel reviewed the financing options available through California public and ratepayer-funded efforts.

 

Opportunities and Challenges: Financing Energy Efficiency Projects 
This panel presented the perspectives of companies and financial institutions directly involved in funding of efficiency activities.

 

National and State Experience with Energy Efficiency Financing Programs
Presentation by researchers on promising ratepayer- and Recovery Act-funded commercial financing initiatives and relevant complementary policies that are critical to driving market penetration in the commercial sector.

 

Investments in Emerging Technologies and Energy Efficiency Companies
This panel will present the perspectives of investors and companies directly involved in funding start-ups, emerging technologies and innovation.

 

Policy Options to Promote Energy Efficiency Financing and the Flow of Private Capital
This summary session will involve experts and leaders in public policy discussing, with audience participation, what policies are available and should be available to increase the flow of private capital for efficiency.

  • Jeanne Clinton, Manager of Climate Strategies, California Public Utilities Commission
  • Paul Frankel, Managing Director, CalCEF Innovations
  • Anna Pavlova, Director, Legislative Government Relations, Johnson Controls, Inc.
  • Gil Sperling, Senior Policy Advisor , Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, United States Department of Energy

 

About the Efficiency Council

The California Energy Efficiency Industry Council, founded in 2009, is a statewide trade association of non-utility companies that provide efficiency products and services in California. Our member businesses, now numbering over 50, employ over 4,000 Californians throughout the state, and they include energy service companies, engineering and architecture firms, contractors, implementation and evaluation experts, financing experts, workforce training entities, and manufacturers of energy efficiency products and equipment. The Efficiency Council’s mission is to support appropriate energy efficiency policies, programs, and technologies that create sustainable jobs and foster long-term economic growth, stable and reasonably priced energy infrastructures, and environmental improvement.