USDN-BEI Building Electrification Learning Group

BEI has collaborated with the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) since 2019 to lead a learning group for local governments focused on equitable building electrification opportunities and issues. Below is a selection of presentations that were developed by various organizations for this learning group.

 
 

Cold Climate Electrification FAQs

RMI (2022)

Answers common questions about the viability and performance of air source heat pumps in cold climates.

 
 

Gas Utility Transition

RMI (2022)

Provides an overview of the current gas utility market, a summary of state utility commission proceedings on the future of gas, and several potential long-term pathways for gas utilities.

 
 

Philadelphia Gas Works Business Diversification Study: Identifying Options for PGW to Thrive in a Lower Carbon Future

E3 (2021)

Describes potential options for transitioning Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), Philadelphia’s municipally-owned gas utility, to low-carbon sources of energy over the long term and outlines several near-term next steps for PGW and the City.

 
 

Electrifying Multifamily Buildings: Opportunities and Lessons Learned from the Field

Association for Energy Affordability (2021)

Outlines considerations and challenges for electrifying multifamily buildings and results from multiple projects implemented by the Association for Energy Affordability (AEA).

 
 

Localizing health, safety and financial messaging

Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (2020)

Provides an overview of current inequities in the energy system and how they lead to disparities in affordability, health impacts and public safety. The presentation also provides examples of how thoughtfully-designed energy programs and policies can deliver cross-cutting social, environmental and economic benefits.

 
 

HEATING OIL POLICY OVERVIEW

City of Seattle, Office of Sustainability (2020)

Highlights an innovative policy adopted in Seattle, WA to accelerate the replacement of oil heating systems with clean, efficient electric heat pumps, including support for lower income households to ensure an equitable transition to these technologies.

 
 

RENOVATING REGULATION FOR BUILDING ELECTRIFICATION

Regulatory Assistance Project (2020)

An overview of the state regulatory changes needed to support building electrification as a key part of decarbonization goals, drawing from emerging resources from RAP and other organizations to showcase policy examples and highlight opportunities for cities to influence state-level outcomes.

 
 

HEATING ELECTRIFICATION AND RATE DESIGN

Regulatory Assistance Project (2020)

A short summary of rate design principles and policy considerations to enhance the affordability of building electrification and deliver benefits for the electric grid, along with a list of additional resources on rate design for building electrification.

 
 

ENERGY, DEMAND AND DOLLARS: ONE YEAR OF TIME OF DAY PRICING FOR ALL RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS

Fort Collins Utilities (2020)

A case study on “time of day” electricity pricing in Fort Collins, CO, which includes details on the municipal utility’s rate design structure, a summary of results, and utility bill outcomes for a variety of residential customer types, including all-electric homes.

 
 

DEVELOPING A STRATEGIC BUILDING ELECTRIFICATION PLAN

City and County of Denver (2021)

Provides an overview of the key steps for development of Denver’s Renewable Heating and Cooling Plan, which the City released in June 2021. More details and a full copy of the plan are available here.