Unpack the dynamic policy shifts reshaping New Jersey and Pennsylvania’s clean energy futures and learn from panel experts as they offer critical insights into the current regulatory and economic landscape. From New Jersey’s bold Zero Energy Code initiative driving revolutionary building standards, to Pennsylvania’s ambitious RISE PA program and evolving greenhouse gas strategies, industry leaders will dissect the real-world implementation of groundbreaking energy policies that are turning legislative blueprints into tangible economic and environmental action.

Attendees will gain an insider’s perspective on how economic development teams, utility executives, and policymakers are collaboratively navigating the complex landscape of portfolio standards, tax credits, and resilience funding to accelerate the region’s energy transition.

Electricity rates in New Jersey and Pennslvania are projected to rise 10 to 30%—or more—this year alone, with little relief in sight. From the national and regional regulatory factors like FERC Order 2222 and PJM capacity auctions impacting our states, to data center load growth and resource capacity challenges, to state calls for reforms and integrated planning, rapid changes affecting electricity pricing have captivated the industry.

Is the time right for utility rate structure reform? And what might that even look like? How can low-income customers be protected from harmful impacts of these scenarios? Join us for a closer look at what actions are being taken and considered.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Order 2222 completed a revolution that allows smart buildings and behind-the-meter electric generation to participate in wholesale electricity markets. Smart buildings can adjust hour-to-hour electricity usage through distributed energy resources, battery and thermal storage, smart appliances and thermostats, and EV battery management—all using AI-enabled building controls. Adjusting load shape to reduce grid stress generates market revenues, which can augment direct energy savings when financing building upgrades.

This panel explores how we could more fully capture these benefits at the customer level through virtual power plants, distribution company tariffs, and other emerging innovations.

Building decarbonization has become synonymous with electrification, and elimination of natural gas is increasingly the focus of policy objectives for many states and advocates. As we contemplate strategies and timelines, we need to acknowledge the realties of buildings that have been dependent on natural gas systems for as much as 150 years, as well as an electric grid and local distribution systems that are challenged with keeping up with the accelerating shift in demand—not to mention the climate!

This session will explore emerging solutions to a managed transition, including networked geothermal, hybrid HVAC systems, and the programs being proposed to support them.

Building on the popularity of this panel last year, we’ve added fresh questions and perspectives. Contractors are extremely critical to the success of any energy efficiency policy or program, but we rarely listen to the needs and barriers that contractors face when crafting policies and designing programs. In this panel, we’ll host an interview-style discussion with the installation contractors—whether HVAC, home performance, or ESCO—who are critical to the energy efficiency work being done in PA and NJ. Learn about the barriers they face  in energy efficiency programs and the evolving needs of their organizations as they aim to meet increased demand stemming from energy efficiency policies

The measures that can be incentivized by EE programs are limited by the requirement that programs be cost-effective. But energy efficiency and distributed energy resources produce benefits that are not captured in conventional program cost tests, such as the TRC. Panelists will discuss the limitations of our current cost-effectiveness tests and options for better aligning them with Pennsylvania and New Jersey’s policy goals, as well as innovative programs that meet justification standards due to their impact on the grid, ability to reduce congestion and delay, or avoidance of expensive infrastructure buildout.

PechaKucha is a short presentation format designed to stimulate conversation, spark ideas, and entertain audiences. You can learn more at www.PechaKucha.com. Think of it as a short TED Talk with images—and a great opportunity to show off energy efficiency innovation in front of your peers!

PechaKucha presenters deliver 20 slides, spending 20 seconds on each slide. That gives them 400 seconds—almost seven minutes—to give a fast-paced, engrossing, and highly visual presentation on the theme topic. There will be a brief time for audience questions.