Our Mission
GOALS AND INITIATIVES
- Identify energy and water management needs, opportunities, capacities, and priorities in the region
- Promote and provide education and resources to address regional energy and water management needs
- Facilitate sharing of information throughout the region to promote efficient energy management practices
Resources
Events And Training
ROUNDTABLE
Integrating Energy and Water Conservation into Hazard Mitigation Planning Roundtable
Date: March 7, 2024
ROUNDTABLE
Building Codes Roundtable
Date: February 27, 2024
Key findings:
12 of the 19 had building codes adopted ranging from 1991 to 2012. The remaining entities that did not have codes adopted did not see the benefit or reasoning for implementing building codes. Support from City Councils was the number one barrier in the implementation of building codes, followed by getting the funding needed to support the enforcement of the codes once they’re in place. Code enforcement officers, City Managers, or City Secretaries follow city ordinances as well as state and federal laws to maintain public safety, health, and general welfare. Several of the participants rely on their respective County Appraisal Districts to oversee building and energy code activities.
Of the 19 participants only 4 currently utilize Energy STAR portfolio Manager. Most participants had not heard of Energy STAR Portfolio Manager or do not currently utilize the resource. Several of the communities depend on the Texas Coalition for Affordable Power (TCAP) for energy data and pricing. All participating communities have a drastic difference in understanding and utilization of energy resilience best practices and implementation of building codes and would like to receive additional information and resources on Energy STAR Portfolio Manager, Benchmarking, and PACE.
WEBINAR
Incentives for Inflation Reduction Act
Date: August 15, 2023
On August 15, 2023, the West Central Texas COG partnered with the Alamo Area COG and North Central Texas COG to host a virtual workshop for all the COGs statewide as well as their membership (primarily local governments but also includes utilities, businesses, and others). The topic was energy efficiency incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act – tax credits, grants, and other programs intended to reduce harmful air pollution, promote energy efficiency and resiliency, and lower operating costs. A total of 64 people attended the workshop. The workshop started at 1pm and concluded around 3pm. Speakers from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Texas State Energy Conservation Office, and each host COG presented on the energy efficiency incentives provided by the Inflation Reduction Act from the perspectives of each respective organization.
ROUNDTABLE
Building Code Update
Date: August 29, 2023
The WCTCOG identified some of the communities in the region that either do not have building codes in place or the adopted codes are older than 2012. We invited those communities to participate in a call to discuss the capabilities and barriers they may face in adopting or updating building codes. The following questions were asked of the communities:
- Do you currently have building codes adopted and in place?
- If not, what is the reasoning?
- If you do, what is the current year?
- What do you see as barriers to adopting or updating building codes?
- What are your current policies regarding building codes?
- Do you currently utilize Energy Star Portfolio Manager Tool?
- What topics on energy resilience and/or building codes would you find beneficial?
WORKSHOP
Regional Energy Efficiency Using Building Codes Presentation by SPEER.
Date: June 28th, 2023
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: 3650 Loop 322, Abilene, TX 79602
Speakers: Shaun Auckland, Local Government Program Manager and Randy Plumlee, Code Program Manager
Summary
The West Central Texas COG partnered with the South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource (SPEER) to host a workshop for city and county employees interested in hazard mitigation, code enforcement, and energy efficiency. 14 people attended the workshop, and 2 speakers from SPEER presented. The presentation by SPEER included an explanation of who the organization is, and then an explanation of codes and their importance. Mr. Plumlee discussed relevant legislative updates on energy codes, and practical applications for integrating codes into city plans.
WORKSHOP
PACE Presentation to Texas Midwest Community Network
Date: June 14th, 2023
Presenter: Ryan D. McCormick
Program Administrator: Lone Star Pace
Summary
Lone Star PACE presents the PACE program to newly elected officials from throughout the region. Highlights of the presentation include what PACE financing can do, examples of successful projects that have used PACE financing, the benefits of communities adopting PACE, and the steps to implement it.
ROUNDTABLE
Economic Development With PACE
Date: May 8, 2023, 2023
Presenter: Glen Silva | Chief Operating Officer, Lone Star PACE
Lone Star PACE presents on the economic impacts the program can have to a group of economic development representatives from the region. The presentation highlights what the PACE program is and the economic benefits it provides communities who adopt it. A roundtable discussion followed the presentation in which event attendees discussed lessons learned from helping their community adopt PACE and best practices for getting other communities to adopt the program.
ROUNDTABLE
An Introduction to the WCTCOG Regional Energy Management Assistance Project
Date: March 2, 2023
Presenter: Jason Kelton | Homeland Security Planner, West Central Texas Council of Governments
Summary
The West Central Texas Council of Governments Homeland Security Department (WCTCOGHSD) presented an overview of the SECO program, shared objectives of the program, and provided opportunities for open discussion and questions. Discussion revealed the capability gaps in the planning and implementation process surrounding energy resiliency. Several topics were discussed regarding the approach to integrating energy resiliency into the hazard mitigation process, including building code updates and review, infrastructure improvements and what that would intel, grants and programs that could assist counties or cities in improving their energy regency posture, and integrating energy resiliency and conservation into local hazard mitigation planning. The discussion ended with explanation of the regional survey and the need for participation throughout the program objectives.
