Click here to register: Webinar Registration - Zoom

At this time, ULSE is seeking representatives from the following interest categories to serve on STP 231:

AHJ: Those involved in the regulation or enforcement of the requirements of codes and standards at the regional (e.g. state or province) and/or local level.  The authority having jurisdiction may be a regional or local department or individual such as a fire chief; fire marshal; chief of a fire prevention bureau, state department of insurance official, labor department, or health department; building official; electrical inspector; or others having statutory authority.

Commercial/Industrial User:  Organizations that use the product, system, or service covered by STP 231 in a commercial or industrial setting.  Examples include a restaurant owner/operator serving on an STP for commercial cooking equipment, or a gas station owner/operator serving on an STP for flammable liquid storage tanks.  Representative of organizations that produce products, systems, or services covered by the standard, whose organization also use the product, systems, or services, are not eligible for STP membership under this category.

General Interest:  Consultants, members of academia, scientists, special experts, representatives of professional societies, representatives of trade associations, representatives of non-governmental organizations, representatives of companies that only private-brand label products (made by another manufacturer) covered by STP 231, and other individuals that are not covered by the other interest categories.

Supply Chain:  Component producers for an STP responsible for standards covering end products, or end-product producers for an STP responsible for standards covering components; installers, distributors, and retailers.  Manufacturers who have no manufacturing facilities for the products covered by the STP, but solely use contract manufacturers to make the products are considered part of the Supply Chain interest category.  Wholesale or retail purchase-resellers for products made by other companies are also considered as part of the Supply Chain interest category.

Testing and Standards Organization:  Organizations that test and/or certify products, services, or systems covered by STP 231, or that develop standards/codes related to the products, services, or systems covered by STP 231.

Potential candidates for STP 231 can complete an application via UL’s MyInfo Portal.

Now that we have reached this milestone, we’d like to send out a questionnaire to our collective EMPOWERED stakeholders. This is in accordance with the feedback component of the EMPOWERED grant as a whole, and will also help us improve these resources to better serve users. You can see the questionnaire here. We will be conducting two drawings to incentivize participation, one on December 22 and the other on January 5, for $50 and $25 cash gift cards, respectively. 

Please share the questionnaire widely across your networks/channels. You'll find some draft email/social language and graphics here. Let me know if you have any specific collateral needs.

Thank you for helping us get the word out about this questionnaire! We look forward to sharing the results with you and discussing next steps in early January. Note: due to our federal funding we cannot refer to this as a survey due to paperwork reduction requirements (yes, even though it's digital!).

Help Promote the Next EMPOWERED Solutions Webinar!

Next up, on November 17, 2022 we have the third webinar in our EMPOWERED Solutions Webinar Series.

Join us on Thursday, November 17, 2022, 2:30-4 PM EST for Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps—Efficacy and Building Readiness. 

We are excited to announce that registration is open for our next EMPOWERED Solutions webinar, Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps: Efficacy and Building Readiness. On November 17, join people from across the country for insights on the rapidly increasing consumer demand for heat pumps, and the implications of expanding heat pump technology.

In this EMPOWERED Solutions webinar, panelists include Jamie Kono of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Kevin Frost of Slipstream, Jackie Montesdeoca from Elevate, and Jon Harrod of Halco Energy. These experts will discuss the benefits of switching to a heat pump and how to maximize your investment through cost-effective weatherization. Topics include weatherization strategies to improve your return on investment, case studies of heat pumps performing well in multifamily/commercial buildings in cold climates, and where to go to learn about the technology and available incentives. Your questions will be answered so you are ready to take advantage of new federal investment coming soon.

You’ll find images, presentation slides, social media and email templates, and additional collateral to promote the November webinar in this folder - IAEI. Please reach out if you have questions or need something specific. 

Promote October EMPOWERED Solutions Webinar

Next up, on October 25th, 2022 we have the second webinar in our EMPOWERED Solutions Webinar Series.

Join us on Tuesday, October 25 from 2:30-4 p.m. ET for What Impacts the Safe Installation of Energy Storage Systems? Webinar is free to attend.

In this EMPOWERED Solutions webinar, panelists from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the Brighton Area Fire Authority, West Coast Code Consultants, City University of New York, and New Buildings Institute will discuss the possibilities and challenges of residential energy storage system installation. You’ll hear from a variety of perspectives on the exponential growth of residential energy storage systems and what you can expect in the coming year. Join and have your questions answered in real time.

You’ll find images and additional collateral to promote the October webinar in this folder - Promotional Materials - IAEI. Please reach out if you have questions or need something specific.

Stay tuned for additional collateral coming soon. We added new resources to the CleanEnergyClearinghouse.org recently and Zack is working on outreach materials for the following:

·  Electric Vehicle Charging Safety Course

·  Vehicle-to-Home Charging: Can I Power My House With My Car?

Download the resource here.

The purpose of these recommendations is to provide guidance on code change proposals (including public comments approved at the live Public Comment Hearings in Louisville) to facilitate the deployment and use of clean, affordable, renewable energy in a safe, efficient, and sustainable manner.

ICC Group B Public Comment Hearings (PCH) were held September 11th–18th in Louisville, Kentucky. You can watch video transcripts of all testimony and voting at the PCH here.

SEAC ICC Group B Voter Recommendations have been updated for the choices Governmental Member Voting Representatives now have in their online ballots. The voting period for the online Governmental Vote is from Monday, October 17th through Tuesday, November 1st at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.

To learn more about the general ICC Code Development Process, here is a helpful overview.

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under the Solar Energy and Technologies Office Award Number DE-EE0009002.0001. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of Energy or the United States Government.

The International Code Council is represented on the SEAC Steering Committee by ICC staff. ICC staff has abstained from the development of this guide, SEAC code change proposals and SEAC comments for the ICC Code Development Process, per ICC policies like CP 28. ICC and ICC staff have not facilitated or assisted with the distribution of this guide. There is no ICC endorsement, expressed or implied, of the positions and proposals made by SEAC during the ICC Code Development Process.

Download the resource here.

Review the update: Meter Socket Specification Update

Take Survey

Building, fire, and safety officials play a critical role in enabling the safe, widespread, and rapid deployment of new technologies that make the grid more sustainable and resilient. These include energy storage systems (ESS), electric vehicles (EVs), and grid-interactive energy efficient building technologies. However, these emerging technologies have outpaced codes and existing educational resources, creating an urgent need for up-to-date guidance for this audience. 

By increasing the familiarity and confidence of these key stakeholders to permit and inspect DERs, the project will reduce barriers to widespread DER deployment. The project will tackle several unique challenges: rapid changes in emerging technology, the evolving needs of those on the front lines of DER adoption, and the ability to cost-effectively reach a nationwide audience.

“Building and safety officials—such as building and electrical inspectors and fire marshals—are critical stakeholders for enabling the safe and efficient installation of clean energy and related technologies,” said  Larry Sherwood, President and CEO of IREC. “As these technologies evolve rapidly, it will be imperative that they have access to relevant training and up-to-date resources. This project will make that a reality.” 

The project will create one of the most widely-accessed DER information clearinghouse websites to house expert information on clean energy codes, standards, permitting, and inspection. Educational content and resources will be regularly added to this  clearinghouse website designed to engage a diverse audience. Concurrently, IREC will develop modular online training  for the plan review and inspection of solar PV systems, energy storage systems, and EV charging infrastructure. 

The team members that join IREC on this project are experts in their respective areas: International Code Council (ICC); International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI); National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM); Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL); University of Central Florida – FSEC Energy Research Center (UCF-FSEC); Energy Storage Association (ESA); and UL LLC. 

Each partner brings the critical perspective of its stakeholders to inform education solutions, as well as broad networks that will allow the team to collectively drive thousands to the website to increase their knowledge of and confidence in DER technologies. This team previously collaborated on a U.S. Department of Energy-funded project to successfully train 15,000 code officials and fire service personnel on solar technologies. 

“The Code Council recognizes the essential role energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies play in achieving community and industry level goals,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims . “Code officials are key to broad deployment of these solutions. We are pleased to join with IREC to help deliver the resources code officials need to support these technologies and practices.”

“Electrical knowledge and reliable education avenues are essential for electrical inspectors, installers, and designers engaged in today’s fast-growing renewable energy sector,” said  IAEI Director of Digital Education Joseph Wages, Jr. “Well trained inspectors and installers reduce the friction that sometimes develops during the installation and inspection of these new technologies to ensure safe, code compliant systems.”

“Ensuring Fire Marshals and other safety officials fully understand solar, storage, energy efficiency, and alternative fuels is critical to meeting our mission of protecting human life, property, and the environment from fire and related hazards,” said  Jim Narva, NASFM Executive Director. “Partnering with IREC on this cooperative agreement will foster relationships between all the stakeholders, raising the safety bar for these systems.”

“Ensuring Fire Marshals and other safety officials fully understand solar, storage, energy efficiency, and alternative fuels is critical to meeting our mission of protecting human life, property, and the environment from fire and related hazards,” said  Jim Narva, NASFM Executive Director. “Partnering with IREC on this cooperative agreement will foster relationships between all the stakeholders, raising the safety bar for these systems.”

“Providing easy access to educational tools for everything from permitting best practices to potential emergency response in a single repository will be very valuable for authorities having jurisdiction, emergency responders, and system developers,” said  Matt Paiss, Energy Storage Safety Advisor at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. “PNNL sees a great opportunity for this project to fill important knowledge gaps and ultimately accelerate safe installations of renewable energy and storage systems.” 

“The clean energy industry is rapidly evolving and requires that those responsible for code enforcement and quality control have access to the most recent technical advances. Training is a core mission of FSEC, and we’re excited to contribute our expertise in solar-plus-storage and alternative fuel vehicles as part of this essential team,” said  James Fenton, Director of FSEC Energy Research Center at the University of Central Florida.

The project team was selected as a part of the Educational Materials for Professional Organizations Working on Efficiency and Renewable Energy Developments  (EMPOWERED) funding program, a collaborative effort across EERE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office , Building Technologies Office , and Vehicle Technologies Office . 

Those interested in receiving email updates about this project can sign up here . 

About IREC: The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) builds the foundation for rapid adoption of clean energy and energy efficiency to benefit people, the economy, and our planet. Its vision is a 100% clean energy future that is reliable, resilient, and equitable. IREC develops and advances the regulatory reforms, technical standards, and workforce solutions needed to enable the streamlined integration of clean, distributed energy resources. IREC has been trusted for its independent clean energy expertise for nearly 40 years, since its founding in 1982. For more information, visit  www.irecusa.org or follow IREC on Twitter , LinkedIn , or Facebook . 

About ICC: The International Code Council  is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

About IAEI: International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI) is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit professional trade association committed to public safety from electrical hazards by providing expert, unbiased leadership in electrical code and standards development and premier education and certification for electrical professionals. IAEI was established in and has been in continuous operation since 1928. Active members and partners in the association include but are not limited to electrical inspectors, building construction inspectors, electrical installers, electrical contractors, engineers, testing agencies,  standards organizations, manufacturers and distributors. Learn more at  https://www.iaei.org.

About NASFM: The membership of National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) comprises the most senior fire officials in the United States. NASFM’s mission is two-fold: to protect human life, property and the environment from fire, and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of State Fire Marshals’ operations. State Fire Marshals’ responsibilities vary from state to state but typically include fire safety code adoption and enforcement, fire and arson investigation, fire incident data reporting and analysis, public education and advising Governors and State Legislatures on fire protection. Learn more at  https://www.firemarshals.org.

About PNNL: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory  draws on its distinguishing strengths in chemistry, Earth sciences, biology and data science to advance scientific knowledge and address challenges in sustainable energy and national security. Founded in 1965, PNNL is operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, which is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. DOE’s Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit PNNL’s News Center . Follow us on Twitter ,Facebook , LinkedIn  and Instagram.

About ESA: The U.S. Energy Storage Association (ESA) is the national trade association dedicated to energy storage, working toward a more resilient, efficient, sustainable and affordable electricity grid – as is uniquely enabled by energy storage. With more than 200 members, ESA represents a diverse group of companies, including independent power producers, electric utilities, energy service companies, financiers, insurers, law firms, installers, manufacturers, component suppliers and integrators involved in deploying energy storage systems around the globe. Learn more at  www.energystorage.org.

About FSEC: FSEC Energy Research Center (FSEC ERC), also known as the Florida Solar  Energy Center (FSEC), was created by the Florida Legislature in 1975 to serve as the statewide energy research institute and advance the use of solar energy. Administered by the University of  Central Florida, FSEC ERC has grown beyond its initial scope and conducts training and research on all aspects of renewable energy, including alternative fuels, fuel cells, energy  storage, electric vehicles, building science, energy efficiency technologies, education and training, and policy analysis. Learn more at  https://energyresearch.ucf.edu/.

About UL: UL helps create a better world by applying science to solve safety, security and sustainability challenges. We empower trust by enabling the safe adoption of innovative new products and technologies. Everyone at UL shares a passion to make the world a safer place. All of our work, from independent research and standards development, to testing and certification, to providing analytical and digital solutions, helps improve global well-being. Businesses, industries, governments, regulatory authorities and the public put their trust in us so they can make smarter decisions. To learn more, visit UL.com. To learn more about UL’s nonprofit activities, visit UL.org.

About the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: The mission of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is to create and sustain American leadership in the transition to a global clean energy economy. Its vision is a strong and prosperous America powered by clean, affordable, and secure energy. Learn more at  energy.gov/eere.

April 14, 2021 – The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is celebrating its 125^th anniversary this year and plans to commemorate the momentous milestone through a series of events and initiatives that reflect the steadfast commitment to fire, electrical, and life safety by the Association. Key to the celebration is the launch of a virtual 125^th Anniversary Conference Series that replaces the traditional in-person 2021 NFPA Conference & Expo. The online conference series runs from May 2021 through March 2022.

“This is a year of celebration and education,” said NFPA President & CEO Jim Pauley. “We created a year-long virtual conference series to be able to offer a more tailored and personalized experience for participants. From comprehensive workshops to discussions on the latest advancements in fire technology, what participants learn in these sessions will improve safety around the globe.”

The conference series features 10 one-day programs for building, electrical, and life safety professionals and practitioners that collectively offer more than 100 informative education sessions, engaging content, industry roundtable discussions, networking opportunities, live chat sessions, and exhibitor demonstrations. Led by leading industry experts, program sessions cover a broad range of topic areas from the impact of new technology on codes and standards and the use of data to drive safety, to community risk reduction and public education strategies aimed at protecting people and property. The sessions are designed to help professionals adjust to changing industry needs and more effectively and efficiently perform their daily work.

Since 1896, NFPA has furthered safety by facilitating the development of codes and standards, research, and education for fire and related safety issues. The Association has seen success through the tireless work and support of its more than 250 technical committees comprised of approximately 9,000 volunteers from 42 countries, its more than 40,000 global members, and countless professionals who use NFPA resources to fulfill the mission of reducing loss.

“Just about anywhere people go, the impact NFPA has on their safety is ever-present in their daily lives,” said Pauley. “From cultural icons and industrial and energy storage plants to entertainment venues, libraries, marinas, homes, and businesses, NFPA codes and standards provide critical safety benchmarks to ensure people and property are protected from harm.”

The 125^th Conference Series will kick off on May 18 with an “Empowering Electrical Design, Installation, and Safety” one-day program. Participants can take advantage of two learning tracks and nine sessions that focus on issues related to design and installation, new and emerging technology, and workplace safety in the electrical landscape.

Find more information about the NFPA 125^th Anniversary, Conference Series, and the electrical program at nfpa.org/conferenceseries.

For this release and other announcements about NFPA initiatives, research, and resources, please visit the NFPA press room.

NFPA®: 125 Years of Protecting People and Property

The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) is a global self-funded nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. The association began its work to solve the fire problem in a young, industrialized nation in 1896 and is recognized around the globe as a leader in advocating for safety. NFPA delivers information and knowledge through more than 325 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach, and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. In celebration of its 125^th Anniversary, NFPA will be hosting a Conference Series and other initiatives that reflect the steadfast commitment to advancing fire and life safety by the Association for the next 125 years and beyond. For more information or to view NFPA codes and standards for free, visit www.nfpa.org.

With an increasing focus on the environment, power production capability from Direct Current (DC) power sources, such as photovoltaic (PV) panels and battery storage, has become more prevalent. CSA Group has published a new research report that summarizes the tools, opportunities, barriers and standardization requirements of this changing industry. This is the second publication in a series of DC microgrid investigations:

1. March 2019 – “DC Microgrids in Buildings” authors AES Engineering Ltd. and published by CSA Group
2. October 2020 – “DC Microgrids in Buildings: Planning Today for Tomorrow’s Needs” author Andrew Pride Consulting, workshop hosted by Cisco Canada and published by CSA Group

Expanding on the initial work of DC Microgrids in Buildings, this second report presents the workshop findings of 40 industry stakeholders including presentations and interviews with experts.

The National Fire Protection Association  (NFPA) launched NFPA LiNK™ , a new digital platform, with the four most recent editions of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code® (NEC®) . NFPA LiNK™ provides up-to-date code information and situational context that professionals and practitioners need to better understand problems and develop solutions in real time while on the job. NFPA LiNK is designed for those responsible for building, electrical, and life safety, and can be accessed via mobile devices, tablets, laptops, or other preferred device.

The NEC is the most widely used code in the United States and used around the globe.

Electrical professionals and practitioners have turned to NFPA codes and standards to perform their work more efficiently and effectively for more than a century. Over time, however, the ways they have approached their jobs have shifted; work now demands employees have the most current, relevant information and resources available at their fingertips to help solve problems quickly and at any given location. To help address these growing needs, NFPA LiNK will become a “living library” for users that offers:

• The ability to work alongside the NEC by adding personal notes, assigning colors, and saving to custom collections for quick and easy reference
• A broader understanding of code requirements through access to expert commentary, visual aids, and helpful resources
• Collaboration features to share code sections, work across teams, and ensure everyone knows what is required

“Electrical professionals tell us they not only want important code information, but they also need context and insights to help them better understand problems and develop solutions in real time,” said Jim Pauley, NFPA president and CEO. “NFPA LiNK is a revolutionary platform that will allow them to collaborate and stay connected easily while in the field. This means more lives are saved and more property protected from electrical hazards.”

NFPA LiNK subscribers will get access to continuous updates, features and functions, and new editions of NFPA codes and standards as they are released. NFPA will expand the collection of codes and standards within the application to include the more than 300 that NFPA offers.

More information about the platform, a timeline of additional codes and standards that will be coming to NFPA LiNK, and a product introduction video can be found at  nfpa.org/LiNK .

Sign up for a free trial and subscribe to NFPA LiNK by visiting the website.

The project builds upon and will significantly expand the work of the Sustainable Energy Action Committee (SEAC), an organization founded in California in 2015 as a forum for collaboration on guidelines for implementation of codes and standards for permitting and inspection practices of renewable energy systems. SEAC brings together authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs)—such as local building and fire departments, contractors,  manufacturers, suppliers, utilities, testing labs and other clean energy stakeholders for collaboration and problem solving related to solar PV installation and energy storage projects.

Under the recent U.S. Energy Department award, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) will lead the administration of SEAC and facilitate its expansion into a national forum. Other key partners in the project include the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI), International Code Council (ICC), UL LLC, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM), Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), U.S. Energy Storage Association (ESA) and California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA).

The project will facilitate improvements in the permitting and inspection of solar and solar-plus-storage projects by developing consensus-based solutions to high-priority codes and standards needs. An analysis will be conducted to determine the gaps in understanding and implementation that complicate code enforcement and can deter clean energy deployment. A consensus process will then be used to develop solutions. The project will also develop a website hosting information on clean energy code and permitting best practices and include extensive outreach to facilitate uptake of these practices.

Clear and comprehensive procedures defining permitting, inspection and other requirements for solar and solar-plus-storage projects are essential to ensure the safety and quality of installed systems. By identifying and addressing unmet needs in this area the project will advance public safety objectives. Additionally, by facilitating awareness and adoption of codes and standards best practices, the project will help reduce the non-hardware “soft costs” of solar and energy storage, thus supporting greater adoption.

“With over 20,000 local jurisdictions in the U.S. that issue permits and inspect PV systems, a
consensus-based process to enhance related codes and standards is a powerful  opportunity to facilitate greater deployment of solar and energy storage,” said IREC President and CEO, Larry Sherwood . “This initiative is unique in providing an open forum for all stakeholders to collaborate on these issues and IREC is honored to act as the program administrator.”

“The National Association of State Fire Marshals is pleased to partner with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, the Sustainable Energy Action Committee and others on this important project to help provide information on enforcement and permitting solutions for solar and solar-plus-storage projects,” said Philip Oakes, NASFM National Program Director . “This project will help address a critical need for State Fire Marshals, AHJs, fire and emergency services, industry and many others in this rapidly growing field.”

"As a founding member of the Sustainable Energy Action Committee (SEAC), to me, there is nothing more exciting than uniting AHJs in one common cause," said R. Steven Jones, Assistant Building Official for the City of Oceanside, California . "I am proud to be part of SEAC's work with industry stakeholders and AHJs to promote safe solar photovoltaic installations and regional consistency."

“The City of Bakersfield is excited to be a partner in this project as it launches,” said Pete Jackson, Chief Electrical Inspector, Building Department of the City of Bakersfield and SEAC Steering Committee Member. “As one of the busiest jurisdictions in the nation for installation of renewable energy systems and a founding member of SEAC, Bakersfield looks forward to using its experience to develop consensus-based recommendations to benefit the safe and efficient installation of sustainable energy systems.”

“The adoption and implementation of building codes and standards plays a major role in supporting community resilience,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims . “The International Code Council is proud to collaborate on this important project that reinforces critical code compliance efforts across the U.S.”

“In order for solar to supply 20% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030, we’re going to need to work through longstanding code and enforcement challenges,” said Evelyn Butler, Senior Director of Codes and Standards at the Solar Energy Industries Association . “This network will provide a space for the solar industry to proactively work together, resulting in market-friendly and efficient standards for the companies that will ultimately follow this guidance. We’re excited to see the SEAC project expand and look forward to working with our members to participate in this important forum.”

"We are looking forward to this collaboration," said Benjamin Davis, Policy Associate with the California Solar & Storage Association . "Streamlining permitting can go a long way to safely lower soft costs, allowing more customers to go solar and reap the benefits of generating energy from their own rooftops."

“The IAEI looks forward to another partnership opportunity with IREC and these great industry partners," said Joseph Wages, Jr., Technical Advisor, Education, Codes and Standards at the International Association of Electrical Inspectors . "We appreciate the opportunity to provide training and safety - related information regarding solar energy storage to the electrical professional s tasked with installing and inspecting these systems. This information is desperately needed as energy storage becomes more and more the norm.”

To learn more about this initiative and how to get involved, visit the Sustainable Energy Action Committee website at: https://www.seacgroup.org or sign up for updates at
https://cutt.ly/seac-signup .