2022 Energy Efficiency Finance Forum

Sonesta White Plains
White Plains, NY

Over 150 individuals met in person to learn about financing the clean energy transformation needed to tackle the climate crisis and strengthen the economy as well as how to finance a rapid scaling of deep building retrofits and other energy-saving initiatives. Financing will play a vital role in dramatically reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions over the next 30 years. 

Attendees explored creative and innovative ways to finance projects that are essential for reducing energy waste, saving money, creating jobs, and meeting climate goals. They collaborated and networked with other industry leaders and learned about successful projects that are emerging across the United States that cover energy efficiency as a service and other pay-for-performance finance structures. 

Welcome — David Davenport, NY Green Bank

David Davenport, conference chair and managing director at NY Green Bank on the Investment & Portfolio Management Team, welcomed attendees to the forum at the opening session. He is responsible for leading NY Green Bank’s disadvantaged community lending activities, including financing high-performance affordable housing and beneficial building electrification that serves historically marginalized New Yorkers. Mr. Davenport has over 30 years’ experience in real estate, finance, and government.

Opening Keynote — David Nemtzow, U.S. Department of Energy

David is senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office, where among other responsibilities he coordinates LPO’s Virtual Power Plant Initiative, which provides financing to innovate, large, interconnected efficiency, demand flexibility, renewables, storage, and other clean DER projects. Previously he was director of DOE’s Building Technologies Office.

Opening Plenary: Ithaca’s Plan to Electrify Everything to Help Reach Goal of Carbon-Neutrality by 2030

Vanessa Fajans-Turner BankFWD	Megan Campbell Opinion Dynamics	Cullen Kasunic BlocPower	James McIntyre Inclusive Prosperity Capital

This plenary included stakeholders working to ensure that Ithaca, N.Y., achieves its goal of electrifying all its buildings by 2030. In November 2021, Ithaca became the first U.S. city to announce a plan reach this goal.

Wednesday Keynote Address and Panel Discussion
Bridging the Gap: Ensuring Access to Energy Efficiency for All

Tony G. Reames, the senior advisor in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, discussed energy justice and the need for creative, alternative financial solutions to expand access to energy efficiency. He highlighted efforts of DOE and the “all of government” Justice 40 initiative to achieve equity. The presentation was followed by a discussion on fiscally sustainable and scalable solutions to accelerate investment on inclusive terms. The discussion was moderated by Holmes Hummel, founder and executive director of Clean Energy Works, and the panelists included Tammy Agard, Chief Executive Officer at EEtility and Greg Hale, Senior Advisor for Energy Efficiency Markets & Finance at NYSERDA.

Holmes Hummel Clean Energy Works	Tammy Agard EEtility	Greg Hale NYSERDA

Pre-conference Workshop

Tuesday, May 24&nbsp

This workshop provided an introduction to the world of energy efficiency finance. Instructors discussed key components of efficiency  financing, the most popular financing models, and the latest trends. The workshop covered the three major market sectors—residential, commercial, and government facilities—with a discussion of pros, cons, and applicability of different finance mechanisms. Matthew Brown of the National Energy Improvement Fund was the workshop presenter.