 Celebrating 30 years, The Interstate Renewable Energy Council's, Inc. work with industry, government, educators and others has resulted in easier, more affordable connection to the utility grid, fair credit for renewable energy produced, best practices for states, municipalities, utilities and industry, and quality assessment for the growing clean energy workforce through the credentialing of trainers and training programs. If you like what you read, support us by becoming a member.
from the editor... Jane Pulaski
Last month, IREC's Executive Director, Jane Weissman, was honored by Renewable Energy World with its Leadership in Renewable Energy Policy Award for 2012 at the REW Conference and Expo in Long Beach, CA. A recognition much deserved, with much admiration from the industry to whom Jane has dedicated most of her professional life. Here are a few more details, including Jane's interview with REW's Meg Cichon.
If you're going to SolarTech's Leadership Summit in San Jose next week, look for IREC's Jane Weissman, Joe Sarubbi, Kevin Fox and Sky Stanfield who are on the agenda, talking about the workforce and policy rules and issues. Jane and Laure-Jeanne Davignon will speak about accreditation and credentialing at ACI's National Home Performance Conference, also in March, in Baltimore. IREC will be at the American Association of Community Colleges' Annual Convention in April. And in May, we'll be at the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals in Las Vegas and expect to see a few IRECians at the World Renewable Energy Forum in Denver, including Joe Sarubbi and Jerry Ventre talking about the solar workforce and jobs.
It's an IREC double header in September: our 30th birthday celebration on Sunday, September 9th, in Orlando, and our 2012 Annual Meeting on Monday, September 10, also in Orlando, just ahead of Solar Power International. We're planning the agenda for the meeting, lining up keynoters and presenters. Please join us for both events.
We next head into November for the 5th national Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference in Albany. Alexis Madrigal, author of 'Powering the Dream,' and senior writer for The Atlantic, will give the opening keynote. Other national leaders and visionaries will be speaking.
Hard to believe it's only March and we've got events booked through November. Until we see each other again, here's to your continually inspiring work.
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 Connecting to the Grid
How are baking and building the clean energy economy similar? According to Laurel Varnado, the best results for both happen when you use the right ingredients, and in the right proportion. "Ideally," she writes in the February issue of Connecting to the Grid Newsletter, "they would all follow a predetermined best-practices approach, more or less, to maximize their effectiveness."
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From our friends at DSIRE, some recent top headlines from the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, these from the week of 2/17/12:
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 IREC ISPQ Credentialing Program: updates to Candidate Handbook
A number of changes to the IREC ISPQ Credentialing Program's Candidate Handbook have taken place recently, among them:
- An updated Code of Ethics
- Addition of an Ethics Representations and Agreement and Release Authorization
- Replacement of the IREC ISPQ Program Compliance and Complaint Procedure with two distinct procedures: the IREC ISPQ Ethics Case Procedure, and IREC ISPQ Procedures to Resolve Challenges and Complaints Related to Credentialing Eligibility and Irregularities.
- New language indicating that basic information about applicants, including name, organization name and website, will be published on the IREC website.
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2012 Seminar Series begins; leads off with Solar ABCs
The 2012 Seminar Series of relevant, timely topics for the Regional Training Providers and their instructor trainees, kicked off in January, with Solar ABCs Project Administrator, Larry Sherwood, who talked about current codes and standards issues including preventing fires, ensuring firefighter safety, labeling power rating, and creating good permitting and inspection practices. In March, DSIRE's Brian Lips will describe the database and its functionality, including DSIRE SOLAR which provides solar-specific policy information for both PV and solar thermal. Brian will also discuss solar policies and markets, and explain why some states have solar markets and why some don't. Visit the SITN site to catch the replays and find out what's in the queue.
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 Small Wind News
The recent edition of the Small Wind Newsletter is now available. In addition to the SWCC issuing its first two certifications (see 'from the editor'), a number of stories are making headlines, including a small wind bulk buy program in Minnesota, wind energy topics for middle and high school students in Illinois, and a wind-powered hydrogen car fueling station in New York. Read the winter issue of The Small Wind News. |
Sunday, September 9, 2012 6:30-8:30 pm Orlando, FL 2012 marks IREC's 30th year, and we can't imagine celebrating this remarkable event without you. Put us on your calendar, OK? You really don't want to miss this.
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Orlando, FL
Details very soon
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of note...
Jane Weissman, Executive Director of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC), received the 2012 Policy Leadership Award from Renewable Energy World at the REW Conference and Expo/North America in Long Beach, CA. Jane was recognized for her long-standing, innovative, and visionary work in the field of renewable energy policy.
New Solar ABCs report assesses rate impact on net energy metering
The report, A Generalized Approach to Assessing the Rate Impacts of Net Energy Metering, presents a comprehensive analysis of the impact of net metered solar facilities on non-participating customers' utility rates. The report proposes a methodology to value net energy metering (NEM) based on best practices. The report was prepared by Jason B. Keyes and Joseph F. Wiedman on behalf of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc.
NREL is accepting applications for its Energy Execs, a leadership program focused on educating business, community and government leaders about clean energy solutions through energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. The two Energy Execs Programs, the
Leadership Program and the Leadership Institute, are designed to provide executive decision-makers with information and tools to guide their organizations and communities in energy-related planning. Representatives from industry, government, and non-profit organizations have completed the program since 2007. Participants are selected from a national pool of candidates. Apply online for either program, or via fax or mail. Deadline to apply is March 30th.
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Call for Presentations
Deadline: April 2, 2012
The
November 13-15, 2012
Albany, NY
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Developed by Dr. Sarah White and IREC for the Solar Instructor Training Network, explores the many job opportunities available in the solar industry.
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Assuring Quality for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Training
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Read IREC's Newsletters
The IREC Report
Connecting to the Grid
Small Wind News
The ISPQ Insider
The SITN Quarterly |
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Workshops, seminars, speaking engagements, 30-year birthday celebrations...you'll find them all here in .
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IREC thanks these very generous sponsors for our Annual Meeting. Want to see your name here? Contact Jane Pulaski for sponsorship details.
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ABOUT IREC
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) is a non-profit organization accelerating the use of renewable energy since 1982. IREC's programs and policies lead to easier, more affordable connection to the utility grid; fair credit for renewable energy produced; best practices for states, municipalities, utilities and industry; and quality assessment for the growing green workforce through the credentialing of trainers and training programs. Visit us at www.irecusa.org.
Disclaimer The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) does not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product or process that is referred to or linked to in this newsletter. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply IREC's endorsement or recommendation.
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