Evening Program: Inflation Reduction Act – An Enabler for Aggressive Action on Climate Change

See a list of March 16, 2023 Attendees

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In August 2022, U.S. Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act. This is the most aggressive action on tackling the climate crisis in American history. The Act is designed to:

• Build American clean energy supply chains, by incentivizing domestic production in clean energy technologies like solar, wind, carbon capture, and clean hydrogen
• Strengthen America’s manufacturing base with targeted tax incentives aimed at domestically manufacturing products such as batteries, solar, and offshore wind components, and technologies for carbon capture systems.
• Create good-paying union jobs in “energy communities” by providing additional clean energy tax credits for projects established in communities that have previously relied upon the extraction, processing, transport, or storage of coal, oil, or natural gas as a significant source of employment, and offer incentives to pay prevailing wages.

This presentation will summarize provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act related to climate change, offering specific details related to solar and energy efficiency. New and renewed incentives are included to expand clean energy production for residential, commercial, industrial and utility scale solar through 2034, enabling a predictable set of financial incentives to exponentially increase our domestic clean energy supply, dramatically reducing our carbon emissions.

SPEAKERS

Steve O’Rourke, Account Manager at Greentech Renewables
After 25 years consulting in marketing and information technologies, Steve transitioned into the renewable energy industry in 2009, working with a variety of commercial, industrial and nonprofit organizations to better manage their energy use, and offset reduced demand with clean, renewable energy. He subsequently focused on O&M to help “deliver on the promise of solar,” and continues to maintain a relationship with a few key commercial clients to monitor and manage their energy use in his consulting business, EnerGuidance. His business, industry, sales and leadership experience have been a welcome addition to Greentech. Steve is a NABCEP-certified PV Technical Sales professional and taught about the business case for solar at St. Louis Community College’s Center for Workforce Innovation. He was elected to the board of the Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association (MOSEIA) in 2015, serving as treasurer through 2018. Steve has been a member of Missouri Gateway Green Building Council since 2010, and served as chair of the marketing committee before being elected to the board in 2015. He served on the finance committee and was then elected to serve another term as treasurer, and currently serves as the past chair of the board.

Eric Schneider, Director of Business Development at StraightUp Solar
Eric joined the StraightUp Solar team in 2019. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association. With an Economics degree from Grinnell College and a Master’s of Planning Degree from the University of Minnesota, he has been interested in the triple-bottom line of people, planet and profit throughout his professional career. For sixteen years Eric held positions at the St. Louis Regional Chamber in sustainability, public policy and economic development, where he led the St. Louis Green Business Challenge which assisted 175 businesses to improve sustainable businesses and reduce their environmental impact. He also directed the Chamber’s green economy focus, producing the St. Louis Green Jobs Report and convening the Green Confluence Summit. Previous to his roles at the Chamber, Eric did planning and marketing for hospitals, city planning, and sports reporting.

Deko Devins, Vice President of Operations at Azimuth Energy
Deko joined the Azimuth team in 2016 as an Engineering Intern. Since then, he has advanced his expertise through senior engineer, project manager and lead estimator. Deko provides a keen focus on engineering quality assurance, electrical system design, process and construction efficiency, and contractor management. He is a NABCEP-certified Solar Installation Professional and has worked on the engineering design for over 30 MW of solar projects, large utility-scale battery plants, and microgrids. Deko has led the engineering and commissioning of dozens of Azimuth projects, including commercial rooftop PV arrays, utility PV farms with grid batteries, and PV carport projects. He has designed and managed solar, energy storage and microgrid projects in the US and the Caribbean. Prior to joining the Azimuth Energy team, Deko worked for the Washington University Office of Sustainability on its renewable energy expansion, assisting in the management of building energy efficiencies and multiple distributed generation PV projects across the campus portfolio.

Teri Samples, Partner at WIPFLI
During the last 32 years, Teri has built a solid reputation as a trusted advisor and consultant to leaders in the real estate and home-building industries. She often presents educational seminars on tax and cost segregation strategies to provide agents, brokers and owners with the information they need to best serve their clients. In addition, Teri has extensive knowledge of federal agency energy incentives including tax deductions and credits. Her experience with tax incentives for energy efficiency improvements to commercial buildings and determination of whether ASHRAE standards are met has distinguished her as a sought-after speaker and consultant in the field.

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Thanks to our program sponsor: 

ADMISSION
Free – Missouri Gateway Green Building Council – Members
Free – Students
$25.00 – NON-Members

CONTINUING EDUCATION
Approved for 1.5 AIA / CES LU

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Examine how implementing energy efficiency and shifting to clean energy production can reduce our nation’s carbon emissions.
• Define the potential for residential solar and battery storage as well as financial incentives for both small and large commercial & industrial systems, including new Production Tax Credits and direct-pay options for tax-exempt organizations.
• Analyze opportunities to lower the carbon emissions of buildings through tax deductions and incentives for the implementation of energy efficient systems and equipment in residential and commercial buildings.
• Recognize how energy utilities can leverage new incentives to more quickly transition from fossil-fuel generation to clean energy, battery storage and carbon capture technology.

CONSENT TO USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES
This event will be recorded and shared on our website. Registration/attendance at, or participation in Missouri Gateway Green Building Council programs and activities constitutes an agreement by the registrants to allow the organization to use and distribute (both now and in the future) the attendee’s image, in photographs, video, and electronic reproductions of such events and activities.

AIA CES PROVIDER STATEMENT
Missouri Gateway Green Building Council is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number R341. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3). This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.