Smart Energy Initiative of Southeastern PA hosts annual energy briefing

The Smart Energy Initiative of Southeastern PA hosted its 12th annual Energy Briefing Thursday for business and community leaders. The theme for this year’s event was — How Energy Impacts Your Bottom Line: Key 2024 Energy Trends.

The briefing, which is a program of the Chester County Economic Development Council, offered “insights into polices and opportunities regarding 2024 energy markets” in Pennsylvania and at the national level, according to a press release.

“Understanding energy trends and how to navigate new initiatives and incentives is critical for energy consultants, facilities managers, architects, engineers, developers and municipality managers, but it’s also valuable for companies in other industries that may benefit from these programs.” Jim Lauckner, Smart Energy Initiative project consultant, said in a statement.

Among the discussion points during the event were:

• How companies may finance their energy projects using funds and tax credits made available through the Infrastructure Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.

• Impacts of alternative energy on energy bills and how companies can use that knowledge to make strategic decisions.

• Impacts of commercial-scale deployment of low-cost, clean hydrogen with the U.S. Department of Energy’s recently announced $7-billion launch of seven Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs).

“The energy industry affects all facets of our life, and we are committed to supporting and strengthening it to help foster economic growth while preserving the quality of life in Chester County,” Michael Grigalonis, Chester County Economic Development Council president and COO, said in a statement.

Keynote speaker for the event was Jessica Shirley, interim acting Secretary of the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which includes the state energy office. Shirley spoke about the work the agency does to address legacy pollution and the future impacts of climate change in Pennsylvania, according to a press release. She also addressed DEP’s efforts to identify and leverage federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act to advance transformative projects across the Commonwealth.

Her key points included discussion of DEP’s work to plug leaking oil and gas wells across Pennsylvania using state and federal funds; working with PENNVEST to improve water quality through investments in infrastructure; and enhancements by DEP’s Bureau of Waste Management to post-consumer materials management programs, according to the release.

In another presentation, David Ferro, CEO, Optics Consulting LLC, talked about “Your Utility Bill and Solutions,” detailing how alternative energy projects can affect a company’s bottom line.

Attendees of the annual Energy Briefing included Smart Energy Initiative of Southeastern PA’s network of energy professionals spanning 13 counties, which includes Berks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery counties. The organization meets regularly to “promote the growth of the smart energy industry in the region,” the release stated.

The Smart Energy Initiative of Southeastern Pennsylvania has become a resource for the region’s diverse, competitive energy industry, providing public education programming, consulting, incumbent worker training, sector-specific working groups, project leads and financing, and a host of other business-related services.