Nebraskans may not have needed as much air conditioning this summer as have people in the Southwest, but so far 2023 is tied for the most 100-degree days in the past 10 years.

It means more A-C use and higher utility costs for many. As of May, nearly 20 million Americans were behind on their utility bills.

Britton Gabel, manager of advocacy solutions for Omaha Public Power, said its Energy Efficiency Assistance Program helps income-eligible homeowners qualify for up to $2,000 in home efficiency improvements. They must participate in a home energy audit, which he said often identifies five areas needing improvements.

"Insulation, LED retrofits -- meaning upgraded lighting -- rim-joist insulation and window and door sealing," Gabel outlined. "And the other things that come into play are old, inefficient appliances."

Gabel pointed out homeowners and single-home renters in their 13-county district with incomes of less than 200% of federal poverty guidelines, currently $60,000 for a family of four, are eligible.

As far as non-income-based incentives, he noted their rebates for installing heat pumps are extremely popular, as are smaller energy-saving incentives such as their Cool Smart and Smart Thermostat programs. Details about these and other incentive programs are available on the OPPD website, along with information about Inflation Reduction Act tax incentives.

The Nebraska Public Power District serves retail and wholesale customers in 84 of Nebraska's 93 counties and also gets a lot of interest in rebates for heat-pump installation.

Steve Zach, energy efficiency supervisor for the district, said they use about two-thirds of their incentive allotment. On a smaller scale, he noted their cooling system tune-up is very popular and includes a $30 credit.

"They'll check for things like filters; they'll check refrigerant levels and pressures, whether your outdoor unit is plugged by cotton, perhaps," Zach explained. "A lot of times those technicians can find things that help those units run much more efficiently in the future."

Nebraska Public Power's EnergyWise program includes incentives for homes, businesses, ag operations, lawn and garden and electric vehicles.

Zach considered the programs a "win-win-win."

"I think it lets our customers know that we are concerned about them," Zach emphasized. "That we are doing these things because it's in their best interest, and as well as in ours, and as well as in the best interest of the environment."

At EnergyWisenebraska.com, customers can explore energy conservation incentives offered by Nebraska Public Power as well as 18 other Nebraska power utilities.

One of New York State's first energy storage deadlines is fast approaching.

A roadmap established earlier this year sets a state goal of developing 6 gigawatts of energy storage but the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act calls for 1,500 megawatts of energy storage by next year. So far, the state has more than 387 megawatts.

Kyle Rabin, large-scale renewables policy analyst at the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, said attitudes about the projects prevent more from moving ahead.

"While we see communities in other states embracing energy storage, we see that some communities across New York State have opposed these projects due to the lack of information about how this technology works, or disinformation that has spread online," Rabin observed.

Some misinformation equates energy storage with fires involving e-bike batteries, though Rabin pointed out energy storage has stricter safety regulations. He added people do not always understand the benefits of energy storage, like redistributing captured renewable energy back to the grid when it is needed. It can also aid public health and increase grid stability.

This year saw the lowest energy storage capacity installed, which could be a setback for New York's many goals. However, capacity is still increasing, and Rabin emphasized bringing more of the projects online increases regional economic benefits.

"Communities across the nation are building the batteries that are powering our electric grid, and we could do the same here in New York State," Rabin contended. "That's part of the reason New York State is pursuing this technology is, it's about complementing renewables and helping to bolster renewable energy."

Earlier this year, Governor Kathy Hochul invested more than $11.5 million in the state's clean energy workforce. The state's Energy Research and Development Authority is also putting resources into developing an energy storage workforce. As of 2023, close to 3,000 people work in energy storage and grid modernization.

Minnesota's clean energy goals are among the more ambitious in the U.S. But industry experts say it can't slow down on the innovation side to see what works and what doesn't.

The future of a program for start-ups hangs in the balance. In 2023, the state Legislature approved $3 million for the Energy Alley initiative.

It's a public-private partnership that connects clean energy entrepreneurs to industry giants and research institutions looking for innovative approaches to decarbonizing the region.

Nina Axelson is the founder of Grid Catalyst, one of the key partners for this effort. She said they're seeing promising returns so far, providing this example.

"NeoCharge, which is a company out of California," said Axelson, "they have software for optimizing your electric vehicle charging, and they're doing a pilot with the University of St. Thomas."

By successfully demonstrating their technology through Minnesota's program, NeoCharge was recognized by the U.S. Energy Department in a separate prize-money pool.

However, funding for Minnesota's Energy Alley was just a one-time expense, and advocates hope for another round this coming session.

But with the state facing projected deficits in a couple years, they're expecting a cautious spending approach.

Clean Energy Economy Minnesota also helps guide Energy Alley.

The organization's Executive Director Gregg Mast said keeping this program alive means the state will continue to be a testing ground for emerging technologies to aid the transition away from fossil fuels.

"We don't want game changing energy talent and ideas leaving our state," said Mast, "and investing in Minnesota Energy Alley is an important signal to our startups that they're supported, welcomed, and encouraged to grow right here in Minnesota."

Grid Catalyst says without that state support, there's a slower process in seeing ideas come to life.

Program backers point to Minnesota's longstanding Medical Alley - and its role in putting the state on the map for healthcare innovation - as proof these investments will pay off.

Initially, some lawmakers questioned whether the energy projects will lead to local manufacturing.

One of the program's participants, Flow Environmental Systems, plans to start producing its specialized heat pumps in Minnesota in 2026.

New York lawmakers are focusing on electrifying municipal buildings.

Buildings statewide make up 32% of New York's greenhouse gas emissions and experts said electrifying them would lower heating and cooling costs, as well as reducing emissions. Inflation Reduction Act funds are available for municipalities to convert public buildings to use electricity.

Marian Brown, elected official fellow for Elected Officials to Protect America, said there is one challenge worrying elected leaders.

"One of the biggest challenges right now, and we were hearing this from folks, is uncertainty over the durability of Inflation Reduction Act funding, the IRA, with a new federal administration that's already signaling that it's not supportive of clean energy technologies," Brown explained.

President-elect Donald Trump has said he will repeal the Inflation Reduction Act but it comes with significant trade-offs. Research shows it could terminate many manufacturing jobs and cost America a chance at energy independence. Reports find conservative states are seeing the greatest benefits from Inflation Reduction Act investments.

The 2023 All-Electric Buildings Act will help get more buildings electrified by banning fossil-fuel systems in new buildings. All-electric cooking and heating will be required for new buildings under seven stories by 2026 and by 2029 for taller buildings.

Dominic Frongillo, cofounder and executive director of Elected Officials to Protect America, said the legislation comes with many benefits.

"We need to make sure we have the cleanest, most efficient, most modern technology that can protect the public health and improve indoor air quality, and make sure that we're keeping our dollars locally in our communities and our pockets," Frongillo outlined. "We need to build on that policy that New York State has passed."

The state's Building Code Council is deciding whether to include the All-Electric Buildings Act in its 2025 code update. Another bill establishing the Green Affordable Pre-Electrification Fund could help with the effort. It would allocate funds for buildings deemed unfit for weatherization and electrification, removing a major barrier to existing programs.