AECP Holds 11^th Peer Exchange

AECP held its first Peer Exchange in 2009 at the Hotel Roanoke. On November 9 and 10, 2015, AECP held its 11^th Peer Exchange at the Hotel Roanoke. The event is held twice a year and the the purpose is to bring statewide Weatherization Program (WAP) staff, crew and state administrative professionals together for a day or two of networking, problem solving, presentations and small group conversation.

This past event featured presentations from VA Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) staff and Zach Bacon, Appalachian Power's Coordinator of Energy Efficiency programs. Other highlights were the Technical Assistance Group (TAG) meeting and the Finance and Administration small group activity. Important issues that were discussed included the increase in job deferrals due to high cost and the concern among programs when they have to walk away from a client/family that needs help; the need for additional Health and Safety funds above and beyond the current 10% that is allowed; the new OSHA ruling and requirements related to confined spaces and how this will impact the program; The status of HEAT; QCI and SWS updates; and updates on the two utility programs - Dominion Power and Appalachian Power (APCO) - that the Virginia WAP is involved in.

NO GREEN LIVING AND ENERGY EXPO THIS YEAR

AECP planned and managed 15 annual Green Living and Energy Expos beginning in 2000. They were always held in the fall of the year. Last year's event on November 7 and 8 at the Roanoke Civic Center was AECP's last Expo due to downsizing in the organization and some new strategic directions. Over the 15 year run over 25,000 people attended, hundreds of thousands of dollars in goods and services were exchanged, hundreds of organizations and businesses networked and at least a hundred different presentations on a wide variety of topics were given. AECP is proud of the impact we made in the region and hope that the seeds we planted will continue to grow for many years to come.

AECP HOLDS PEER EXCHANGE AT HOTEL ROANOKE

AECP held a Peer Exchange on April 28, 2015 at the Hotel Roanoke. The one day event brought over 80 people from all over the state to discuss issues related to the Virginia Weatherization Assistance Program (VWAP). Attendees included VWAP staff and crew and staff and administrators form the VA Dept. of Housing and Community Development who administer the program on the state level.

AECP DEVELOPS A NEW NEWSLETTER

In March of 2015 AECP began to distribute a new monthly online newsletter devoted to the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The focus of the newsletter will be information, events and stories pertinent to the WAP especially the program in Virginia. These newsletters may also be viewed on the AECP website at www.aecpes.org.

CITY OF ROANOKE PROCLAIMS "AECP DAY"

The City of Roanoke announced that March 16, 2015 would be proclaimed as "AECP Day" in recognition of the work the organization has done to promote energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy throughout the Roanoke region. AECP Executive Director, Billy Weitzenfeld received the proclamation From Mayor David Bowers during a Roanoke City Council meeting.

AECP RE-LOCATES ITS OFFICE AND CLOSES DOWN THE SUSTAINABLE LIVING EDUCATION CENTER (SLEC)

In January of 2015 AECP moved its office from the Jacksonville Center in Floyd, VA to the home of the Executive Director, which is also located in Floyd. In the process the Sustainable Living and Education Center (SLEC) was shut down. SLEC was an effort to educate the general public through props, exhibits and working systems on a variety of energy related topics. Most of the props, exhibit and hand-out material were given to other non-profits in the region. The solar PV system and small wind turbine used to educate people about renewable energy and also used to produce electricity in the office space were donated to the Jacksonville Center (TJC). TJC will continue to use and maintain these systems to provide clean and renewable energy to the building.