Energy Efficiency – What’s in it for You?

Our Climate Business Plan virtual meeting ─ Energy Efficiency: What’s in it For You? ─ was held on January 26, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. We thank all of those who registered and/or attended to learn more about this core component of our Climate Business Plan from company representatives and guest panelists. We were also pleased to provide an update of our progress supporting the District of Columbia in reaching its climate goals of becoming carbon neutral.

On this site, you’ll find a replay recording of the meeting, the presentations from the panelists, our online polling results based on questions asked of the audience during the event, as well as bio information about the presenters, and other materials for your convenience.

We look forward to our next public meeting where we will share further updates and developments about our Plan. These events are part of our ongoing commitment to work closely with the District to reach its climate goals in ways that are cost-effective, innovative and community driven.

View the meeting presentation

Presentations

Melissa Adams

Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer
Washington Gas

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Ms. Adams’ role includes formulating ESG strategy, policy, and programs that drive sustainable business practices for the benefit of WGL and the communities it serves. Ms. Adams works to minimize the effects the business has on the environment through both internal operations and the development of innovative new business models; promotes social objectives through corporate giving and volunteerism; and advances good governance and social equity through procurement practices as well as other programming. Prior to leading this new function, Ms. Adams was Division Head for Utility Sales, Economic Development and Corporate Sustainability. Ms. Adams began her career at WGL as Chief Investor Relations Officer.

Ms. Adams has served and continues to serve on many appointed national and regional commissions, associations, and task forces devoted to addressing climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. She is a current board member of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and Silver Bay YMCA. She is a member of Leadership Greater Washington and Lead Virginia and a graduate of The George Washington University.

Overview of the Climate Business Plan and Progress to Date
Updates in the three core steps of achieving carbon neutrality in DC: Energy Efficiency, Infrastructure and Sourcing & Supply.
Ted Trabue

Director
DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU)

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Mr. Trabue serves as the Director of the District of Columbia Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU). Prior to his current position, he was the Vice President for District of Columbia Affairs at PEPCO, worked at the Greater Washington Board of Trade as Staff Director for Critical Issues for the District of Columbia and Maryland, and served as Chief of Staff for Council Chairman Linda Cropp.

He served on the District of Columbia State Board of Education for over five years, including as President of the Board for two years between 2010 and 2012 and Vice President of the Board in 2009. Mr. Trabue is a fourth generation Washingtonian and like his mother and grandmother, he attended District of Columbia Public Schools. He received a degree in Economics from Dartmouth College and a law degree from Howard University School of Law.

Helping District Residents & Businesses Save Money & Energy
DC Sustainable Energy Utility cost and emissions savings achieved and opportunities for District customers
Josh McClelland

Manager, Energy Efficiency Programs at Washington Gas

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Josh McClelland manages Washington Gas’ energy efficiency initiatives across all three of the company’s service territories. As manager of energy efficiency, Josh oversees the performance of 28 unique energy efficiency programs designed to promote and incentivize the efficient use of natural gas and reduce energy burdens for residential, commercial, and income-qualified customers.

Josh has been with Washington Gas for six years and was involved in managing both electric utility-led and state government energy efficiency programs prior to his time at the company. Going further back in time, Josh also served his country through 13 years of honorable service in the US Navy. Josh received his undergraduate degree in Environmental Management at the University of Maryland-University College and has graduate degree in Energy Policy and Climate at Johns Hopkins University.

Energy Efficiency Programs from Washington Gas
Cost savings and emissions reductions achieved – and new opportunities to save – in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC
Richard Sweetser

President at Exergy Partners Corporation

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Richard Sweetser has spent 49-years commercializing advanced energy, power, refrigeration and HVAC technologies. Mr. Sweetser founded EXERGY Partners Corporation in January 1998 as a consulting firm designed to capitalize on opportunities arising out of utility restructuring and climate change in the energy and construction industry.

EXERGY Partners has developed an extensive commercial, institutional and industrial network focusing on the integration of onsite power generation, energy recovery and thermal energy management. EXERGY Partners has provided strategic support for the Federal initiative on combined heat and power (CHP), EPA’s Combined Heat and Power Partnership and the U.S. Department of State’s Asia Pacific Partnership.

Mr. Sweetser is a Senior Advisor to the U.S. DOE’s CHP Deployment Program and the U.S. DOE’s Mid-Atlantic CHP Technology Assistance Partnership, as well as, the U.S. DOE Packaged CHP Systems eCatalog Coordinator. Mr. Sweetser has published numerous technical, and policy articles, technical manuals, a book titled, “THE FUNDAMENTALS OF GAS COOLING” and was the lead author on ASHRAE’s CHP Design Guide.

Combined Heat and Power: Part of DC’s High Efficiency Future
CHP provides efficient, clean, reliable, affordable energy – today and for the future.

Community Poll Results

During the Climate Business Plan live event, we polled the audience throughout with questions to get a sense of how they would rate various energy efficiency-related topics and scenarios. Here are the results.