Speaker 1: 0:00

What gives you hope for the future of Virginia and maybe specific to energy consumption?

Speaker 2: 0:04

Energy demand is expected to double. It means great things for our state, but that also means that energy efficiency is as important as it's ever been. It really comes down to those small habits, those small behavior changes that you make on a day-to-day basis. Those bigger investments are going to translate onto your energy consumption and bills.

Speaker 1: 0:28

Hey Richmond, welcome back to America's Healthiest City a 10-year community partnership to make all of Richmond the healthiest in America by 2033. I'm your host, will Melton, and this is a production of Channel RVA. Today we're going to be interviewing Rochelle Sommer, senior Communications Specialist with the Virginia State Corporation Commission. And today we're going to be interviewing Rochelle Sommer, senior Communications Specialist with the Virginia State Corporation Commission. And today we're talking about Virginia Energy Sense, an important program here in Virginia to help everyday people save energy. It seems pretty simple, but there's a lot to it, so we're going to get into this here pretty quickly. But just if you're new to this program, please visit AmericasHealthiestCitycom to learn more about our 10-year community partnership and find out how you can contribute to this program.

Speaker 1: 1:06

We need everybody's participation if we're going to make Richmond the healthiest city in America by 2033. There's ways that you can get involved, small and big, and we'll talk about some of those as this program goes on, but without further ado. Rochelle, thank you so much for joining us and I'm so excited about this conversation. Thanks for having me, will. I'm excited to be here. Well, I start the question off with everybody who comes on this show, because this is about Richmond. I know a little bit about you, but I don't know are you a native to Richmond or did you come to Richmond? And if so, what brought you?

Speaker 2: 1:33

Yeah, that's a great question and I always answer it a little differently. We were a military family growing up, so we moved around a lot. In my early years my dad was in the army, but when we decided to settle down it was in here in Virginia. So I always say that Virginia is my home and I've been here ever since.

Speaker 1: 1:54

Yeah, well, I saw that you went to Thomas Dale High School I did. I saw that you went out to JMU and I suspect a communications degree there.

Speaker 1: 2:02

I did and then you came back and went to VCU and got your MBA. I don't know what the timing of all that is, but it's an impressive background and, I think, well-suited for the work that you're doing. Thank you. I saw that you also previously worked for Columbia Gas, is that right? So you have a decent amount of understanding in the utility space. Tell me a little bit about kind of that trajectory and how did you find yourself in this role?

Speaker 2: 2:28

Yeah, thanks for asking. That's a good question. So when I was thinking about this prior to our conversation today, it really dawned on me, whether it was intentional or not, that I have had a hand in the energy space for nearly my entire career. So, starting with Columbia Gas, I did internal corporate communications and there I managed or co-managed a internal energy efficiency program called WarmWise, which helps folks understand their energy usage when it comes to natural gas. And then I shifted over into the advertising world and marketing space and, from that side of things, also worked on energy projects, from infrastructure to energy efficiency, to all of the you know, whatever you can think of and now, obviously, here at the Virginia State Corporation Commission managing Virginia Energy Sense, which is Virginia's only statewide energy efficiency education program, and so I feel very honored to do that and make an impact where it really matters, and that's people's wallets these days.

Speaker 1: 3:35

So, before we transition into Virginia Energy Sense, I want to think again about Richmond and you left. You went to JMU, but you came back. Why you could have gone anywhere. Why did you come to Richmond?

Speaker 2: 3:47

Yeah, I think that's a great question. You know, growing up, you know, in Chesterfield I really grew up in Chesterfield, kind of south of Richmond, but I'd always go into Richmond and really just fell in love with the city. You know, I think the popular thing to do, at least when I was at school, was kind of go up to DC and Northern Virginia. But something really just called me back to Richmond and I've been here ever since. You know whether it is sort of like, you know, up by the River City we have restaurants and just the culture here is something that I don't think you find many other places.

Speaker 1: 4:27

It's the vibes.

Speaker 2: 4:28

It's all the vibes.

Speaker 1: 4:30

Well, let's talk a little bit more about Virginia Energy Sense, because it's an important program, so important that the Virginia legislature decided to allocate funds and mandate that this program exists. It's run under the Virginia State Corporation Commission, so tell me a little bit about its origin, what it does for the state and kind of what your role is in executing that.

Speaker 2: 4:50

That's a great question. We are Virginia's only statewide energy efficiency education program and we are a program that is dedicated in the Virginia State Code. So what that means is we really look to serve Virginians by providing free resources, free education in ways to help them understand their energy usage, but go a step further and provide ways that they can lower their usage in free, low cost ways that will result in energy savings and lower utility bills will result in energy savings and lower utility bills.

Speaker 1: 5:28

We all like to save money when we can, so I'm all for it, and I want to learn a little bit more about um. You know how you guys approach this work and and how you effectively change behavior behavior, because that's essentially what you're having to do correct.

Speaker 2: 5:38

Yes, so we work with a local advertising firm here in town to really run a multi-channel campaign essentially Value your power, if you're familiar with that. So we have a spokesplug. His name is Jack and what he is is an outlet who has a very snarky tone and voice and really helps people create these bite-sized information bits that are going to like sort of sink in to the everyday folks. So we have a number of free resources on our website, ranging from helpful seasonal tips to if you're looking to complete more sizable projects in your home. We have a comprehensive list of incentives and rebates that are sponsored by utility companies, federal government, state government and just a number of free, easy to do, easy to use resources that can really span all audiences.

Speaker 1: 6:43

So all about saving money at the end of the day, I want to talk a little bit more about the behavior change piece. So tell me about Jack and what Jack does for Virginia.

Speaker 2: 6:54

So Jack is our talking spokesplug for our Value your Power campaign and his role is really to create these bite-sized pieces that are going to maybe resonate with folks, and a lot of his role is to you know, obviously he's in your home, he's in your workplace, in any outlet plug, and so he is there to help remind you that you can do little things every day to change your habits and make it that make a big difference overall. So you know, maybe you're turning off your lights when you leave the room or you're turning off your ceiling fan when you leave your house, you're setting your thermostat higher. Jack's here to to really reiterate and resonate with folks that energy efficiency does not have to be complicated.

Speaker 1: 7:50

Well, I think that we're all familiar with technological evolution and there's a lot of things out there today that are helping us to save energy. Are there any particular devices or upgrades that you guys are making recommendations for Virginia consumers to implement?

Speaker 2: 8:08

Yeah well, we always like to recommend the smart thermostats just because they make a significant difference. We always like to say that they can learn your habits so that when you're at home not at home we're not expending extra energy to keep a space comfortable that you're not in, and you know. And there's also little things you can do if a smart thermostat's not necessarily in your wheelhouse. Just you can turn your ceiling fans the opposite direction in the summertime to push the cold air down. You know, just any number of small habits are really going to make a big difference overall.

Speaker 1: 8:49

So is our comfort systems. Is that the biggest energy usage of our homes?

Speaker 2: 8:55

Yeah, and you know and that's a big misconception, I think with energy efficiency as well is, you know, if I'm going to save money, then I have to be uncomfortable or it's going to cost me money to be comfortable in my home, and that's not the case in most instances. You know, there's just perhaps smarter ways that we can approach it.

Speaker 1: 9:19

Yeah Well, I'm definitely a comfort seeker, so I'm somebody who kind of has my preferences for the thermostat.

Speaker 1: 9:27

Oh, you and me both, I also enjoy the automation component of that and setting that schedule so I don't really have to think too much about it, Correct? So actually, this morning I was at an event at a local business that was introducing a new facility and the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Juan Pablo Segura, was mentioning how Virginia is seeing its biggest sort of boom these days in energy consumption. So we're expected to double our energy consumption over the next 10 years, which is kind of crazy. Lots of things are driving that. We know that. We have electric cars these days. We have lots of new corporations that are bringing economic opportunities to the state, which are all really good things. But I do wonder, you know, how is it that your program is going to help us impact and mitigate some of that energy growth as we see the next 10 years go on? How do you see Virginia Energy Sense playing a role in that? Are there any changes planned that you're aware of that will enable you guys to be more effective as we see this happen?

Speaker 2: 10:31

Yeah, well, I think this day and age, the fact that we do have so much opportunity in Virginia and that the energy demand is expected to double means great things for our state, for our economy. But that also means that energy efficiency is maybe as important as it's ever been. You know, like we were saying, you know it really comes down to those small habits, those small behavior changes that you make on a day-to-day basis that really makes a difference. So, for example, if I turn my lights off, you seal the windows in your home. The local business has an effective, energy efficient HVAC unit. You know we're all doing our part and we're all going to make a big difference together over those next 10 years to really lower the demand as it gets higher.

Speaker 1: 11:26

Yeah, so part of this is about just the consumption which is going to happen as we go about our daily lives, but some of it's about the things that we have in our home, and so earlier in the program you mentioned some tools to kind of help people with bigger upgrades. Think through those things. So, is that like maybe replacing some HVAC systems, maybe installing some solar panels? What are some of those bigger investments that people might think about that could change their future of energy consumption?

Speaker 2: 11:53

Yeah, that's a great question. So you know, we talk about the HVAC and making sure that we are going for energy efficient models. Energy Star is always a good label to aim for. Insulation is a big one in your home, making sure you have adequate insulation and correct insulation Appliances. We always want to encourage folks to go for energy efficient, energy star appliances. You know, just those windows, again, the double, you know, pained insulated windows are going to make a huge difference, you know, and it really comes down to what's accessible to you. But at the end of the day, those bigger investments are going to translate onto your energy consumption and bills and I imagine for anybody who's thinking about selling their home, it's probably going to increase the value as well I would think so so, um, I want to think a little bit about richmond's future and, um, and I think about, you know, hope.

Speaker 1: 12:55

I mean, part of our program is about instilling hope, helping people see that there there are folks out there who are doing good work and making sure that we can move the needle. But for yourself, you know, what gives you hope for the future of Virginia? And maybe specific to energy consumption, are there any innovations that you're seeing happen or anything that's kind of on the horizon that we might think about? That could be a driver kind of on the horizon that we might think about? That could be a driver.

Speaker 2: 13:18

Yeah, well, we always look at innovation and in fact I want to reference so.

Speaker 2: 13:28

Every year we host a survey that goes out to the public, all of Virginia, that really gauges sentiments, motivations around energy efficiency, so that we can sort of figure out you know where are we approaching, you know and who are we meeting in the public with our program.

Speaker 2: 13:45

This past year we found that almost 78% of people realized that their bill had gone up over the last year, their energy bill.

Speaker 2: 13:55

But on the flip side of that, almost half of us in central Virginia mentioned that we would be willing to make changes in our behavior if it meant that it would be visible or have an impact on our energy bills. And so for me, that gives me a lot of hope in that there's, you know, there's interest in it, that there is awareness of it and that we have the opportunity to make an impact on everyday behaviors and the overall consumption of energy in our state. And so when you talk about innovation, I think, just going back to the equipment, that you know, I think industry in general is moving toward energy efficiency. But again, I also don't want to create the I don't know sentiment that energy efficiency has to be the crazy fancy smoke and mirrors and whistles. Bells and whistles is what I mean. It really just comes down to you and me every day in our homes and being conscious of what we're doing and how we're using our energy.

Speaker 1: 15:15

Well, I have a question for you. Maybe you guys don't ask in your survey, but it seems like what motivates a lot of people is the bottom line. You know, our pocketbooks, but I'd like to think that there are some folks out there that are concerned about emissions and you know, our energy is you know derived from multiple different sources, and some of those have CO2 emissions. Are you asking questions about that? Is that something that you find are motivating people to make changes in their behavior?

Speaker 2: 15:39

Yeah. So over the last 16 years of our program it's been 16 years this year the motivations for folks have waxed and waned and varied, but overwhelmingly by far. The motivations for folks wanting to make a change in their energy consumption comes from wanting to protect the environment and wanting to save money. And so when you can do both, just by making these small, simple changes, it feels empowering.

Speaker 1: 16:09

You know, obviously we're all relying on some sort of indicator or metrics to indicate that we're making progress. Yeah, so what sort of things do you guys look at at Virginia Energy Cents to know whether or not what you're doing is having the intended impact?

Speaker 2: 16:26

Yeah, so I think the survey that we run every year is a great way for us to gauge our impact, whether that is seeing the amount of folks who have reported changing their behaviors or the amount of interest we're seeing in learning more about energy efficiency, or even just talking to people straight on one-on-one. We do try to do a lot of outreach throughout the state, where we're really connecting with our friends and neighbors in our communities throughout virginia to really educate them and hear what they have to say and what they think and what questions they have.

Speaker 1: 17:02

Just like trade shows and fairs and festivals.

Speaker 2: 17:05

Yeah, so we. Most recently we were at the Ashland Strawberry Fair. We have gone around to different farmers markets throughout the state. You know really just these. You know small, I wouldn't say small, but these opportunities to just connect with our neighbors and our audiences and our fellow Virginians.

Speaker 1: 17:29

I feel like we're all scrolling social media these days, so it's important to get multiple methods of communication. So I want wanna transition here a little bit super proud of everything you guys are doing.

Speaker 1: 17:42

I think you're doing great work. I wanna think a little bit about just Richmond in general. We have the potential to become the healthiest city in America. We all have to contribute to that. As I said earlier, Certainly saving energy is one of those things that's gonna contribute. But I'm curious as you think about Richmond over the next 10 years, what are some things that maybe you would like to see, or some things that you think might help us move in that direction?

Speaker 2: 18:08

Yeah, you know we have a beautiful city and we are blessed to be able to see beautiful architecture and you know just really historic structures. But you know one thing, as it relates to energy efficiency, that I'd like to see is just kind of in you know a thoughtful way to update that infrastructure to ways that you know, because back when those were built, energy efficiency wasn't really top of mind, it was kind of more just shelter, and so you know, I think you know finding ways to update those structures so that, you know our neighbors and friends who are living there can reap the benefits of those things with cleaner air quality, you know, more efficiency, more comfort in their homes. I'd love to see just our city boom with that innovation, but keeping the same integrity city boom with that innovation, but keeping the same integrity.

Speaker 1: 19:06

You know, you drive me to think about something else that's related to all this, and we go back to that comfort piece. Um, there, there's some elderly people out there that you know. When it gets to the peaks in the summertime, it can be pretty hot, so there's an absolute necessity in this climate to be able to run our air conditioners and to turn those fans on upside down. So I think that it's it's. You take it for granted, you know, you turn that light on and you don't think about it anymore.

Speaker 2: 19:31

It's giving you that illumination that you need, but yeah, there's a, there's a study, and I would like and I'll I'll give you the name of it, but essentially, there is a research firm that focuses on the science and technology space and back in 2022, they did a full evaluation of energy generation at every state, looked at every state in the United States states, and when we look at Virginia, we see that almost one-third, or a little over one-third of all of the energy generated for the residential space is unused or rejected or goes literally out the window, and we're paying for that.

Speaker 2: 20:17

And so when we think about making these innovations and making these updates on our older structures here in Richmond, it's just a very tangible way to think about the impact that those things can make for our more vulnerable populations, like you know, poverty, elderly, just you and me in general and when we're thinking about our comfort and our quality of life here in Richmond, and so when we think about a third of energy being wasted, what can we do about that and what could you do with, you know, those impacts on your bill?

Speaker 1: 20:55

Well, I know that maybe you aren't the right expert to ask this question of, but I guess we're doing more on the power storage piece and big battery farms and I don't know much about that, so maybe that'll be another interview. Well, tell me, you're all over the state, but here in this region, who's somebody that you've encountered that you admire, or an organization you feel like is doing good work, that we ought to bring in and talk to so that we can get that side of the story that we ought to bring in and talk to so that we can get that side?

Speaker 2: 21:23

of the story. Yeah well, staying on the energy efficiency track, we have a partner. The Virginia Energy Efficiency Council does a lot of great work with local businesses statewide energy efficiency education. We recently attended I recently attended their. They have two big events per year their spring forum, where like-minded individuals, individuals and businesses looking to learn more about energy efficiency can gather and talk about the landscape of energy efficiency Kind of what the future looks like from a, you know, state perspective, community perspective, federal perspective even and kind of learn helps folks learn about that in digestible ways. You know, one thing I've learned, just kind of being in the energy space, is that oftentimes the language surrounding it can be a little hard to take in, and so the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council helps to make that a lot more accessible to folks and helps them identify ways that they can think about energy efficiency in their own organizations and in their own communities. Most recently, they are starting a blog, a blog series on their website that talks about accessibility in energy efficiency messaging.

Speaker 1: 22:54

And so that's something, if you're interested, to definitely look out for I'd be delighted to have them on yeah. So I want to make sure that everybody who's listening has the opportunity to find out about your great programs. How can folks find out more about Virginia Energy Sense?

Speaker 2: 23:04

So if you're interested in learning about energy how you can lower your energy in your home I would encourage you to visit virginiaenergysenseorg. We are on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn, and we would love to have you.

Speaker 1: 23:21

Well, I really appreciate this opportunity to learn more about energy efficiency in Virginia, and especially as it pertains to the things that we're doing on a daily basis to be able to impact that great work that you're doing at Virginia Energy Sense, and I'd love to hear an update in the future as things change, because we know things are changing all the time.

Speaker 2: 23:39

All the time and we'd love to connect back with you Will. Thank you.

Speaker 1: 23:44

Thank you so much for tuning in to America's Healthiest City. We're going to catch you next time. But before I sign off, please visit americashealthiestcitycom to leave your own ideas on our ideas board. We have a place where you can do that. And if you represent a nonprofit, a business, a government agency or an academic institution and you want to get involved in this initiative, find out what it takes to become an ambassador. There's a link on our website that shows off all of our partners there and what it takes to get involved. But, signing off, Will Melton, America's Healthiest City, Channel RVA, We'll catch you next time.