Centering Energy Affordability in Low-Income Home Electrification Programs
Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity (R2E2) teamed up with the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program for this third workshop in the Advancing Equitable Home Upgrades with ENERGY STAR and R2E2 workshop series.
Nobody wants electrification to increase energy bills for low- and moderate-income (LMI) households. But what’s the best way to design electrification programs to deliver climate and health benefits while avoiding negative impacts to energy bills? This September 2024 workshop reviews the urgency of electrifying low- and moderate-income homes, potential positive and unintended consequences of electrification for energy-burdened households, and best practices for ensuring post-electrification bill affordability. We discuss how program administrators can assess whether it's the right time to electrify.
Speakers
Annika Brindel
Director, Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Annika Brindel leads R2E2’s work to scale up energy upgrades of both subsidized and unsubsidized affordable housing, leveraging training and technical assistance to drive policy and program innovation, especially in frontline communities. Prior to joining ACEEE, Annika led the National Housing Trust’s energy efficiency policy work in the Midwest. Annika holds a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts in American history and German from Wesleyan University.
Dan Lawlor
Environmental Policy Analyst, ENERGY STAR Products Labeling
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Dan Lawlor works with key stakeholders, including manufacturers, utilities, and efficiency organizations to develop tools and resources that raise awareness of ENERGY STAR certified HVAC equipment, with a particular focus on heat pumps and the ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade initiative. Prior to his role at ENERGY STAR, Dan worked at the Cadmus Group, where he supported ENERGY STAR initiatives in strategic marketing, stakeholder facilitation, and program analysis.
Jim Young
Associate Director, Energy, Sustainability, & Infrastructure
Guidehouse
Jim Young specializes in building energy systems, including emerging technology evaluation, market assessment, and program support for utilities, government agencies, manufacturers, and private organizations. His work provides insight into the technical performance, cost-effectiveness, and market feasibility of products and services in building energy efficiency, renewable energy, distributed energy, and advanced controls. He has a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Science in sustainable engineering from Villanova University.
Expert panelists
JahAsia Jacobs
Qualitative Research Analyst
Rewiring America
JahAsia Jacobs supports the research team as a trained anthropologist with a Master of Arts from Princeton University. At Rewiring America, she conducts interviews, focus groups, and surveys with frontline EJ communities to advance the organization’s implementation projects and broader goal to electrify everything. She is based in Northern Vermont.
Katharine Kaplan
Chief Strategy Advisor, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Buildings and Industry
U.S. Department of Energy
Katharine Kaplan is charged with accelerating the equitable decarbonization of U.S. buildings. Before joining the Department of Energy, Katharine managed EPA’s team responsible for developing ENERGY STAR® specifications for more than 75 product types. Katharine began her career at Booz, Allen & Hamilton. She holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism and a Master of Public Administration.
Andreanecia M. Morris
Executive Director
HousingNOLA
Andreanecia M. Morris has spent her career working to create affordable housing in Metro New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina, she implemented programs for 500 first-time homebuyers, secured $104.5 million soft second subsidy for Metro New Orleans, and provided supportive services for approximately 5,000 households. She was lead organizer for the Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance (GNOHA) when it started in 2007 and since 2012 has served as GNOHA’s Chair.
Rebecca Olson
Senior Director, Residential and Community Energy Center for Energy and Environment
Center for Energy and Environment
Rebecca directs residential and community-based programs and consulting work, leading a strong team that works across disciplines to bring the most effective energy efficiency solutions to residents, owners, and communities. She has worked in energy efficiency since 2006 and has had roles including energy auditor, building science educator, and program director. She has served on the boards of the Minnesota Building Performance Association, the Building Performance Institute Standards Technical Committee, the Building Performance Association, and the Minneapolis Energy Vision Advisory Committee.