Last week, our Queen Bee, Maria Onesto Moran, had the opportunity to travel to Minneapolis to attend the AESP Midwest Chapter Meeting, hosted by CenterPoint Energy. The event brought together utility leaders, program administrators, implementation contractors, and energy efficiency professionals from across the region to discuss the future of our industry and the programs that serve customers throughout the region.
The meeting kicked off with a presentation from Clara Stein, Associate of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs at MEEA (Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance), who provided valuable updates on policy and regulatory developments impacting energy efficiency and electrification programs throughout the Midwest. As our industry continues to evolve, understanding these policy changes is critical for organizations like Power Path Logistics that support energy efficiency programs through product distribution, fulfillment, and implementation services.
Following lunch, Ethan Warner of CenterPoint Energy and Karl Shlanta of Xcel Energy shared an overview of their upcoming 2027-2029 Triennial Plans. Their presentation highlighted emerging priorities, anticipated challenges, and innovative approaches both utilities are considering as they work to achieve energy savings goals while adapting to changing customer needs and market conditions.
Several themes stood out during the discussions:
- Continued investment in energy efficiency as a cost-effective resource for utilities and customers.
- Growing emphasis on electrification strategies and supporting customers through the transition to new technologies.
- Increased focus on program accessibility, affordability and customer engagement.
- The importance of strong partnerships between utilities, implementation contractors, suppliers, and service providers to successfully deliver programs at scale.
- The need for flexibility and innovation as programs adapt to evolving regulatory and market environments.
The event concluded with a tour of CenterPoint Energy’s facility, providing attendees with a firsthand look at the operations and infrastructure that support utility programs and customer service initiatives.
Staying informed about industry trends and future program direction is essential to our commitment to delivering exceptional service to our clients and partners. Events like the AESP Midwest Chapter Meeting provide valuable opportunities to learn from industry leaders, exchange ideas with peers, and gain insights that help us better support energy efficiency and electrification programs throughout the Midwest.
Thank you to AESP Midwest, MEEA, CenterPoint Energy, Xcel Energy, and all of the presenters for an informative and engaging event. We look forward to continuing the conversations and supporting the programs that help customers save energy, reduce costs, and build a more sustainable future.