The EESCC is currently collecting information about energy efficiency standards, codes, guidelines and conformance programs available or under development within the built environment.

March 21, 2013

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) is participating in a new collaborative effort organized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ANSI has formed the Energy Efficiency Standardization Coordination Collaborative (EESCC) to help advance a coordinated approach to energy efficiency in the United States.

The EESCC is currently collecting information about energy efficiency standards, codes, guidelines and conformance programs available or under development within the built environment. It is seeking the public's input into this collection of energy- efficiency workforce conformance programs, with a deadline of April 1 for comments.

EESCC will identify any gaps that may exist and then produce a roadmap to bring greater clarity to the overall energy efficiency standardization landscape. The roadmap is intended to augment and raise awareness of individual activities being advanced by many organizations, with the objective of moving energy efficiency forward. It is not intended to displace or duplicate other work.

IREC President and CEO Jane Weissman and Christine Niero, a national expert in credentialing, are co-chairing the EESCC's Workforce Credentialing Working Group. They are in the initial stages of identifying energy efficiency credentials.

The group is looking for information on the following energy efficiency credentials:

*Personnel certifications accredited by a third party

*Personnel certifications not accredited by a third party, but have an assessment that is valid and renewal requirements

*Certificate programs accredited by a third party

*Certificate programs that may not be accredited by a third party but uses a job task analysis, skill or competency standard, learning objectives, assessment and evaluation

*Professional degree programs resulting in a license (e.g. engineer or architect)

*Certificates or qualifications of inspectors

*Other credentials that demonstrate formal evaluation based on defined criteria

Submissions should consider these questions:

*What conformance programs related to the EE built environment currently exist and what are on the horizon?

*What is the goal of the conformance program?

*Who is the conformance program intended to serve, and how is it being used in the market?

*Is the conformance program being implemented at the state or federal level?

*What occupations or training types does the conformance program apply to?

In addition to conformance programs, there are other working groups gathering information on standards, codes, and guidelines. More information on the collaborative and how to submit comments is available here.

About IREC

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) is a non-profit organization accelerating the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency since 1982. Its programs and policies lead to easier, more affordable connection to the utility grid; fair credit for renewable energy produced; best practices for states, municipalities, utilities and industries. IREC is a respected resource and national leader in quality assessment, workforce development, consumer protection and stakeholder coordination. Since 2005, IREC has provided a foundation for the growing clean energy workforce through the credentialing of trainers and training programs and through the development of quality standards. For more information, visit http://www.irecusa.org.