Our first priority is the health and safety of our communities.
The energy efficiency industry endorses guidance regarding social distancing, travel restrictions, and work from home policies. While we understand that the challenges facing our industry right now are all too widespread, many energy efficiency businesses and trade allies are facing severe layoffs, the effects of which will ripple outward long after the crisis ends.
Right now, skilled energy efficiency workers can offer critical assistance.
We’re eager to help our region through this crisis and see opportunities to restore economic activity while observing health recommendations: empty schools, campuses, and government buildings can be safely retrofitted, and building engineers can assist in converting buildings to medical facilities.
Energy efficiency will be the core of the recovery.
In Pennsylvania, energy efficiency accounts for 71,000 jobs; with nearly 38,000 jobs, New Jersey is rising again in the rankings. These are local jobs that cannot be outsourced – they just need an infusion of investment and permission to work.
Clear guidance and regulatory flexibility will safeguard this industry.
EEA educates policymakers on the benefits of extending flexibility to our industry so that we can continue providing services in accordance with the latest public health recommendations. If released, utility energy efficiency program dollars could support the work of our industry’s vendors during the shut-down, including virtual trainings and activity categorized as essential business.
We look forward to collaborating with regulators, utilities, and other key stakeholders to develop a sensible path forward—in the short term, to ensure that workers and supply chains are available when on-site work resumes; and over the medium term, to provide regulatory flexibility to utilities and program implementers to account for the disruption. Our member companies stand ready to comply with the evolving guidance and best practices from state authorities and health experts.