Congressman Blake Moore to Join the Department of Energy for a Press Call on $65 Million Investment in Building Energy Efficiency
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Blake Moore will join Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Kelly Speakes-Backman for a virtual press call to discuss the Department of Energy’s new, $65 million investment in grid-interactive, efficient buildings in Utah’s First District and other regions. As part of this initiative, ten projects throughout the United States will equip more than 7,000 homes and workplaces with the capability to interact with the electrical grid and optimize their energy consumption, substantially decreasing their carbon emissions.
Tuesday’s press call will highlight one of the ten projects announced last week. Rocky Mountain Power will oversee the development of a “Connected Community” in Utah, featuring an apartment complex, an affordable housing development, a transit center, a manufacturing and office facility, and a university research center—all of which will receive upgrades to enhance their energy efficiency and grid-interactivity.
Connected Communities of grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs) use smart controls, sensors, and analytics to communicate with the electrical grid, reducing the amount of energy they require during periods of peak demand. This capability optimizes the comfort of building occupants, lowers utility bills, and reduces grid system costs.
A recent DOE study estimated that by 2030, GEBs could save up to $18 billion per year in power system costs and cut 80 million tons of carbon emissions each year. That is more than the annual emissions of 50 medium-sized coal plants or 17 million cars. DOE’s first two connected communities in Alabama and Georgia have already demonstrated this potential by using approximately 42-44% less energy than today’s average all-electric home.
WHO:
- Kelly Speakes-Backman, Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- Rep. Blake Moore (UT-01)
- James Campbell, Director, Innovation and Sustainability Policy, Rocky Mountain Power/PacifiCorp
WHEN: Tuesday, October 19, 2021, 4:00 p.m. ET/2:00pm MT
WHERE: Register for the live event here and RSVP to Caroline Tucker at Caroline.Tucker@mail.house.gov. For questions about the event and follow-up interview opportunities, please email ee.media@ee.doe.gov.
RESOURCES: Building Technologies Office website
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