Equitable Workforce Development: Ep 1

Equitable Workforce Development: Ep 1

The skilled trades are at a crossroads: demand is rising, but the workforce isn’t keeping up. Our episode on equitable workforce development explores why, looking at labor shortages, outdated perceptions, and barriers that limit who enters the field. At the same time, it highlights how mentorship, training, and equity-driven recruitment can reshape the trades into accessible, rewarding careers. Tune in for a conversation about the challenges and the big opportunities shaping the future in the energy industry. Speakers: Josh Williams - Founder and President of BW Research; James Metoyer - Founder and Executive Director of EnerCity Collaborative; Tina Pham - Principal and Owner of Pham Construction Group and Iconic Tile; Cameron Starr - Customer Experience Operations Lead, Energy Trust of Oregon; Nicole Wroblewski - Director, TRC

Program Evaluation: the Key to Continuous Improvement

Program Evaluation is the process of measuring and assessing the performance of demand side energy efficiency and load management programs, with the goal of continuous improvement. In this episode, our panel of energy industry experts discusses why performance measurement matters, and how evaluations improve programs. We discuss the regional perspectives, regulatory environments, evaluation requirements, and program drivers that inform our work. Tune in to hear about the critical role of evaluation in accelerating market transformation and ensuring that demand side programs deliver real benefits and cost savings to consumers. Speakers: -Dr. Meghan Bean, Senior Market Research Evaluation Scientist, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) -Matt Rife, C.E.M., Senior Analyst, Product Research & Evaluation, Consumers Energy -Angel Moreno, Associate Director, Advanced Energy, TRC

Utility Carbon Data Management

Carbon accounting is of growing importance as utilities focus on reducing their own emissions, as well as the emissions of their suppliers and customers. In this podcast, our guest speakers discuss the state of carbon data management, and the standards guiding consistency in carbon accounting across utility organizations. We explore how utilities can better help customers on their decarbonization journey. Eli Gerson – Manager of Innovation, Ameren. Eli oversees Ameren Innovation's project portfolio, managing Ameren's sustainable growth efforts related to: Affordability, Economic Development, Efficient Electrification, Integrated Grid, and New Product & Service Development. Eli has an MBA from Washington University in St Louis and a B.A. in secondary education and teaching from the University of Michigan. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gersoneli/ Karl Breustedt – Senior Director of Business Development, Singularity Energy. Singularity’s platform provides an end-to-end carbon data management solution for electric utilities. Prior to joining Singularity, Karl worked at Bain & Company, where he consulted on strategy, operations, and commercial excellence for industrial and financial services clients. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Finance. https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-breustedt-6b219b105/ McGee Young – Founder, WattCarbon. McGee developed a platform that’s scaling the transition by making high impact clean energy accessible to any organization. The WattCarbon Energy Attribute Tracking System is the first ever registry designed specifically for distributed energy resources, enabling buying for any hour, from any clean energy resource. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcgeeyoung/ Patrick Hosty – Sr. Business Development Manager, Constellation Navigator. Patrick was on the founding team of Dynamhex, a carbon accounting software as a service start-up acquired by Constellation in 2022. Mr. Hosty guides Constellation Navigator’s Carbon Accounting channel partnerships. For more information, visit constellationnavigator.com/carbon-accounting. https://www.linkedin.com/in/hosty/ Maddie Emerson – Strategy & Regulatory Manager, TRC. Maddie leads initiatives within TRC’s Advanced Energy practice to drive decarbonization and energy efficiency in the commercial, industrial and residential sectors for our utility client partners. Based out of St. Louis, MO, Maddie is the host of the TRC Energy Talks Podcast, an open discussion forum for “all things energy.” https://www.linkedin.com/in/maddie-emerson-r/

Monetizing Environmental Attributes of Building Decarbonization Programs

How are utilities and states that are administering building decarbonization programs currently valuing the environmental attributes generated by their programs? Join industry experts with experience in wholesale energy and environmental commodity markets as we discuss energy attribute certificates (EACs), including RECs, as a key mechanism for enabling a more rapid and inclusive transition to a decarbonized built environment. Speakers Lisa Barrett – Director, Advanced Energy United. Lisa’s work focuses on removing barriers and expanding opportunities for advanced energy technologies to participate in wholesale energy markets, focusing on the Midcontinent ISO and Southwest Power Pool. She has over 15 years of experience in the energy industry, including representing distributed generation projects in renewable energy certificate, forward capacity, and real-time energy markets in New England. https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-barrett-28794a10/ McGee Young – Founder, WattCarbon. MattcGee developed an energy procurement platform that’s scaling the transition by making high impact clean energy accessible to any organization. The WattCarbon Energy Attribute Tracking System is the first ever registry designed specifically for distributed energy resources, enabling buying for any hour, from any clean energy resource. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcgeeyoung/ Maddie Emerson – Strategy & Regulatory Manager, TRC. Maddie leads initiatives within TRC’s Advanced Energy practice to drive decarbonization and energy efficiency in the commercial, industrial and residential sectors for our utility client partners. Based out of St. Louis, MO, Maddie is founder and host of the TRC Energy Talks Podcast, an open discussion forum for “all things energy.” https://linkedin.com/in/maddie-emerson-r/

What’s Next for the Clean Energy Transition?

What is the Clean Energy Transition, and where is it headed next? We posed this question to three energy industry veterans, all of whom launched their careers in the 1990s at the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), and who’ve remained friends in the decades since. Join this engaging conversation to hear how our industry’s priorities have evolved over the last 30 years, and some predictions on what’s coming next. Speakers: William M. Flynn – Harris Beach, PLLC. Bill leads the Harris Beach Energy Industry Team and advises clients on local, state and federal governmental affairs. Previously, Bill served as Chairman of the New York State Public Service Commission (NYS PSC), and was President of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). https://www.linkedin.com/in/billflynn/ Michael Colgrove – Executive Director, Energy Trust of Oregon. Previously, Mike spent 15 years with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) where he was director of the New York City office and multifamily programs. In that role, he led a national working group that developed ENERGY STAR® standards for multifamily high-rise buildings. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-colgrove-04763b12/ Mark Coleman – Director, Advisory & Innovation, TRC. Mark works with agencies and utilities to transform energy usage. Mark launched his career at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA. thttps://www.linkedin.com/in/markcolemannow/ Maddie Emerson (Moderator) – Strategy & Regulatory Manager within TRC’s Advanced Energy practice. Maddie leads initiatives to drive decarbonization in the commercial, industrial and residential sectors. https://www.linkedin.com/in/maddie-emerson-r/