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The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI)—in partnership with the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus—held a briefing on the energy efficiency and renewable energy implications of the fiscal year (FY) 2016 budget proposal released by President Obama on February 2. The Administration's budget proposal would invest $7.4 billion in clean energy technology programs. Speakers from the Department of Energy and the Congressional Research Service (CRS) gave an overview of the EERE budget requests, explained the Office's budget priorities, and provided context on how these priorities and trends compare to prior years.

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The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing about how building science, renewable energy technology, creative community engagement and innovative partnerships are beginning to converge for the benefit of home owners and tenants in every income bracket. The goals of affordability, resiliency and sustainability are truly complementary but difficult to achieve without key elements such as trained building professionals, accurate tools to measure energy use and improved appraisals and financing. Briefing speakers discussed affordable housing in Washington, DC, and elsewhere that has achieved the coveted “passive house” (PH) certification as well as a new approach to enable low-income residents to enjoy some of the benefits of on-site solar energy. The briefing will also discuss policies that could make this housing truly resilient, more affordable and a model for other communities.

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EESI Briefing - Harriet Tregoning, Director, Office of Economic Resilience, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD); Sam Carter, Associate Director for Resilience, Rockefeller Foundation; and Matthew Dalbey, Director, Office of Sustainable Communities, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, speak about programs and partnerships to develop innovative, effective approaches that maximize economic and social resiliency when investing public funds in local recovery and development.

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