SEMINAR 6: Financing Home Electrification and Decarbonization
> Financing Home Electrification and Decarbonization
Abstract
The upfront cost of decarbonization retrofits is the most significant barrier to electrification and decarbonization of homes. Because most households do not have the required capital, it is critical to develop financial approaches that make decarbonization more affordable, especially in low-income communities. The seminar will explore the different challenges faced by homeowners and renters, focusing on innovative financing mechanisms, scalable energy retrofit strategies, and the need for equitable access to these solutions. We will examine how to balance the upfront costs of electrification with long-term savings and environmental benefits, ensuring that retrofits are both economically viable and accessible to all. By highlighting successful case studies and discussing policy implications, this seminar aims to provide actionable insights for stakeholders looking to scale energy retrofits and contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Speakers
Jeffrey Deason - Policy Researcher at LBNL
Jeff Deason is an Energy and Environmental Policy Researcher in the Energy Markets and Policy Department at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He leads research and provides technical assistance on projects related to policy, program design, implementation, and evaluation topics impacting deployment and dispatch of distributed energy resources. His work focuses on energy efficiency and electrification of buildings, but also covers demand flexibility, distributed generation, and distributed storage topics as well as utility regulatory issues. Jeff co-leads EMP's Efficiency, Electrification and Flexibiltiy team. Prior to joining Berkeley Lab, Jeff spent five years as Principal and Senior Analyst at Climate Policy Initiative, where he led CPI's U.S. energy efficiency practice. Jeff led a variety of energy efficiency projects at the state, national, and international levels, ranging from direct policymaker and philanthropic advisory to policy impact analysis. Jeff holds a Ph.D. Public Policy at UC Berkeley, where he completed fields in resource economics and behavioral economics, as well as masters degrees in Public Policy from UC Berkeley and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University and a B.S. in Earth Systems from Stanford.
James Geppner - Senior Project Manager at NYSERDA
James Geppner - Following his years in Project Finance, where he focused on energy and infrastructure projects, James advised founders of new ventures and focused on the development of new markets. At NYSERDA he has focused on the structure of the building decarbonization supply chain, barriers to financing and risk allocation. He recently joined the Financial Solutions team where he is focused on mechanisms to drive more capital into the market. He is a graduate of NYU and of SGIB’s investment banking program.
Becky Schaaf - Managing Consultant at VEIC
Becky Schaaf is a Managing Consultant based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With expertise implementing sustainability programs in the affordable housing sector, she provides strategic leadership and management to VEIC projects supporting electrification of housing for low- and moderate-income residents and disadvantaged communities, covering program and pilot design and implementation. Prior to joining VEIC in 2021, Becky served as the Senior Vice President for Energy and Sustainability at Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF), leading its Big Reach Initiative, a collaboration among SAHF members to conserve water and energy use.