TEPRI'S FEBRUARY 2025
NEWSLETTER
Executive Director Update
TEPRI's 10th Anniversary: Our Genesis
I believe in energy – not just in a physical sense, but in a metaphysical one. Do the energies we put into the world have a ripple effect? Do they draw us towards others with similar intentions?
A decade ago, I sat in my screened porch with a friend, having a spirited conversation about my strong desire to address some of the most pressing energy issues. Admittedly, energy was not related to my expertise in community development finance, and I couldn’t figure out how I would plug in. But, not long after that conversation, the universe seemed to respond through a phone call from Becky Klein.
Becky wanted to meet to discuss ways to alleviate energy burdens for Texans who struggle. I didn’t know Becky, but I admired her deep understanding of how energy is central to people’s well-being and her desire to use energy as a means to improve lives. Together, we spent months exploring energy challenges for those who contend with low incomes.
In thinking about solutions, we realized that energy systems are dynamic, with complex and multifaceted challenges requiring diverse approaches. Ten years ago, we created TEPRI to provide a sustained focus on the energy needs of our vulnerable neighbors and advance various solutions for an affordable, reliable, and clean energy future for all.
I am so proud of what our team and partners have accomplished. Today, TEPRI is hitting it’s stride! Our Community Voices in Energy Survey has deepened our understanding of our neighbors’ priorities, and we are piloting new strategies and energy technologies throughout the State, as detailed in our TEPRI 2025 Outlook.
I believe in the power of energy – the practical and metaphysical energy of getting big work done together! We aim to ensure that all our neighbors meet their basic energy needs as we usher in a more resilient, sustainable, and robust energy future.
I hope you will join us in celebrating our 10th anniversary! Thank you to our partners in this vital work!
Warmly, Margo
NEWS FROM TEPRI
TEPRI Receives $1 Million From Google To Create Resiliency Hubs To Serve Over 500 Families
TEPRI is excited to announce our partnership with Google and Foundation Communities to advance our goal of develop resilient local communities where people live. Google has provided $1 Million to support our effort to build energy resilience hubs at two affordable multi-tenant facilities, operated by Foundation Communities, in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
The hubs will use on-site solar with battery storage to provide backup power to the common areas during extreme weather events, ensuring over 500 families continue to have a safe space to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer – even when the grid is offline. The solar and battery storage will reduce monthly electricity costs and the savings will be used to expand services for residents, such as free after school and child care and nutrition programs.
Effective collaborations like this will be the lynchpin to providing solutions for reduced electricity costs, power outage support, and needed services to our neighbors.
We are also grateful for the generous support of the Mitchell Foundation and the Meadows Foundation who support our work to build neighborhood-based Resiliency Hubs in Houston and Galveston.
EVENTS X TEPRI
Community Voices Speaker Series: Creative Financing for Energy Efficiency and Solar Projects
Access to energy efficiency and solar power is critical for reducing energy burdens and increasing affordability, yet financing remains a major challenge—particularly for underrepresented communities. How can we unlock funding solutions that work for everyone?
Join TEPRI on March 5, 2025, at 1:00 PM CT for “Creative Financing for Energy Efficiency and Solar Projects.” This expert-led discussion will explore real-world financial barriers and emerging solutions that are helping communities access clean energy and energy-efficient technologies.
What We’ll Cover:
- Key differences between debt & equity financing for energy projects
- How to overcome lender risk aversion for community-based projects
- Innovative tools, policy incentives, and financing models that work
- Strategies to build trust and demonstrate project viability without long credit histories
Meet the Experts:
- Jason Pittman – Co-founder & President, Big Sun Solar
- Samir Pendse – Co-founder & CEO, Coral
- Cory Baitz, AIA – VP of Design and Product, Brightwell Capital Partners
Moderated by Margo Weisz – Executive Director, TEPRI
These industry leaders bring deep expertise in solar deployment, fintech, and impact investing, offering practical insights into making energy improvements more affordable and accessible.
Planet 2050 Symposium
Join Margo Weisz and a panel of UT faculty, alumni, and industry experts, who will discuss the roles Texas and the University of Texas play in the simultaneous clean energy and AI revolutions.
Affordable Energy Summit
Veronique will present our Community Voices in Energy survey on Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 as part of a panel to assess energy burden at the federal, state and local levels at Austin Energy’s Affordable Energy Summit.
Retrofit USA Conference
Join Margo at the Retrofit USA Conference on Wednesday, April 23rd. She will join a panel of Energy Justice experts to discuss integrating equity principles into retrofit projects to improve living conditions in historically marginalized communities.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
TEPRI Welcomes New Executive Committee Members for 2025
Building Tools for Improved Access
Oncor has championed TEPRI’s efforts to improve access to utility energy programs for those who contend with low-incomes. Oncor has provided both funding and support for the development work on Version 2.0 of TEPRI’s Easier Energy Efficiency Eligibility (E4-TX.com) geo-eligibility tool now underway! Aiming to reduce barriers to enrolling low-income households in energy efficiency programs, the tool allows utility program contractors to verify participant addresses against two qualifying HUD data sets. With support from Garry Jones, Energy Efficiency Director at Oncor, we are grateful to be expanding the tool to other AEP, CenterPoint, and TNMP this year.
TEPRI ACROSS TEXAS
Four Pilot DreamBuild Solar Homes Completed in South Texas
TEPRI and non-profit housing developer come dream.come build (cdcb) are partnering to address long-lasting housing and clean energy access and affordability challenges in South Texas.
Through a generous grant from the J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation, TEPRI, and cdcb are developing a standard affordable solar option for cdcb’s efficient modular DreamBuild homes. The goal is to streamline the process and maximize customer savings. TEPRI will analyze system performance and customer experience to support a scalable model. This month we added solar to the first four pilot homes.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Community Voices Speaker Series: Thriving Community Engagement
December 2024 – TEPRI hosted our “Thriving Community Engagement” virtual webinar as part of our Community Voices Speaker Series.
Moderated by TEPRI’s Project Coordinator, Veronique Placke, our expert panel included Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), South Union Community Development Corporation, and Proyecto Azteca.
The discussion reinforced that effective community engagement is a continuous, iterative process relying on relational engagement, transparency, resilience, and resourcefulness.
Texas Energy Summit
October 2024 – TEPRI staff participated in several panels during the Texas Energy Summit to discuss the role of civil society and Virtual Power Plants.
SPEER Policy + Industry
September 2024 – TEPRI participated in SPEER’s Policy + Industry Workshop to discuss navigating DERs, VPP expansion, and policy implementation
IN THE NEWS
Margo Weisz was quoted in the Dallas Morning News for a story that features Google’s investment in D-FW resiliency hubs.
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