CEE members use public funds for public benefit. Working through a committee process, members discover consensus needs and solutions that result in reliable outcomes. This process has scaled from our original seven members to the over 100 there are today.
CEE facilitates creative market solutions, efficient resource use, improved system reliability, and reduced environmental impact. Leveraging the knowledge and experience of all the members enables individual programs to benefit from US-Canadian marketing platforms. By working together at CEE, administrators amplify the effect of their funding dollars to deliver ever growing, cost-effective energy savings to the public.
Sharing a proposed initiative and, if appropriate, product specifications with affected parties is essential to the process. A thorough outreach effort is launched, and all comments receive careful consideration. A factor in initiative success is the ability of manufacturers or providers to supply the market with compliant products or services. Modifications are often made at this point, then the initiative is circulated again.
When the committee is satisfied with the completeness of their deliberations, the next step is submission to the CEE Board of Directors, who judges the appropriateness and feasibility of the initiative. Once the Board approves, the initiative is launched and available for voluntary adoption. The committee may go on to develop program support tools that meet initiative goals. Some members may sponsor supplemental projects that enhance the initiative infrastructure and are aligned with the initiative purpose.
Through the CEE Forum, teleconferencing, and in-person working sessions, members meet, discuss, and assess potential opportunities. The Board weighs in on the emphasis in current efforts and inclusion of new opportunities. Based on a large number of factors, opportunities are identified, and senior CEE staff assigns a program manager to assemble a committee of CEE members to explore the opportunity. Depending on the findings, an initiative may begin to take shape.
Working together, the CEE Committee begins to finalize the initiative based on the research gathered during the assessment phase. The Initiative may include product specifications, market analysis, opportunity scope, goals, and evaluation techniques topics that cover the opportunity as comprehensively as possible.
When members in the United States and Canada voluntarily adopt initiatives, market participants are rewarded and markets begin to accelerate. It becomes easier for manufacturers to increase supply, and for services to be provided, which results in increased market penetration and greater energy savings.