Equitable Workforce Development: Ep 1

How do energy savings become part of the way a company actually operates? In this episode, we visit an industrial facility operated by STA Technologies in New Mexico to see Strategic Energy Management (SEM) in action. Energy Champions Leonard Perez and Isaac Lucero and Energy Coach Kelly Brown take us behind the scenes to discover how SEM can become embedded in daily decision-making and how coaching, collaboration, and operational insight lead to measurable results. Along the way, Izzy Ruiz, Senior Account Manager with Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), makes a visit to share how Strategic Energy Management can create value for organizations of every size.

Strategic Energy Management (SEM) is a powerful tool for organizations looking to reduce energy costs, improve efficiency and meet sustainability goals. This podcast episode is a lively discussion of how SEM has brought results for commercial and industrial facilities in the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) EnergyRight Program, which provides energy coaching, operational improvements, and incentives to achieve lasting energy efficiency at low capital cost. Experts from TVA and TRC will share lessons learned, technical recommendations, and best practices for utilities and C&I customers looking to expand their SEM footprint. Joining the discussion are Carolyn Greer, Senior Program Manager with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Ashley Bowser, Team Lead, Andrew Rogers, Lead Engineer for the TVA SEM Program, and Marti Mendenhall, Senior Energy Coach at TRC. Through real-world examples and perspectives from multiple sides of SEM, the episode explores how organizations begin to see their buildings differently — uncovering habits and opportunities to save energy, reduce costs, and improve day-to-day operations.

The skilled trades are at a crossroads: demand is rising, but the workforce isn’t keeping up. Our episode on equitable workforce development explores why, looking at labor shortages, outdated perceptions, and barriers that limit who enters the field. At the same time, it highlights how mentorship, training, and equity-driven recruitment can reshape the trades into accessible, rewarding careers. Tune in for a conversation about the challenges and the big opportunities shaping the future in the energy industry.

Program Evaluation is the process of measuring and assessing the performance of demand side energy efficiency and load management programs, with the goal of continuous improvement. In this episode, our panel of energy industry experts discusses why performance measurement matters, and how evaluations improve programs. We discuss the regional perspectives, regulatory environments, evaluation requirements, and program drivers that inform our work. Tune in to hear about the critical role of evaluation in accelerating market transformation and ensuring that demand side programs deliver real benefits and cost savings to consumers.

Carbon accounting is of growing importance as utilities focus on reducing their own emissions, as well as the emissions of their suppliers and customers. In this podcast, our guest speakers discuss the state of carbon data management, and the standards guiding consistency in carbon accounting across utility organizations. We explore how utilities can better help customers on their decarbonization journey.