What's That? The Origin Story of LGPs and Regional Partners
What are Local Government Partnerships and Regional Partners and why do they matter? In this episode of What's That, SJVCEO Executive Director Courtney Blore traces the origin story of both models, from the early days of the Valley Innovative Energy Watch to the Regional Partner structure operating today. She unpacks how LGPs became "the essence of a local program" in the eyes of the California Public Utilities Commission, and what's lost when that local layer disappears. From block walks in Kings County to toothbrushes printed with energy-saving tips, this episode is about the trust, relationships, and community knowledge that no statewide program can replicate and what's at stake when we let that infrastructure erode.
19 Feb 2026
Stakeholder Spotlight: Darren Hanway
In this episode of Stakeholder Spotlight, host Courtney Blore sits down with Darren Hanway, a leader at Southern California Gas Company with over two decades of experience shaping California's energy efficiency landscape.
Darren's career started unexpectedly in 2001, opening rebate applications during California's energy crisis. That summer job turned into twenty years of learning from the people who built Edison's customer-first approach to efficiency. Now leading a team of over 100 at SoCalGas, Darren has helped make the utility one of only three in the country to win the Energy Star Partner of the Year award—all while achieving over 130% of their goals and becoming the most cost-effective utility in the state.
But what really drives Darren? His belief that energy efficiency is a customer service business first—not a math problem, not a regulatory exercise, but something built for people. He's an eternal optimist who thinks we've overcomplicated this work and that getting back to basics matters more than playing it safe.
This conversation explores leadership, innovation, and what it really takes to keep customers at the center of energy efficiency work.
Guest: Darren Hanway, Southern California Gas Company
Host: Courtney Blore, SJVCEO
28 Jan 2026
What's That? | From Sister Cities to Fresno's No-Drama Playbook
What does a sister city program have to do with energy efficiency? Host Courtney Blore set out to answer that question after attending an event connecting the City of Fresno with its sister city, Münster, Germany. But when she sat down with Ann Kloose, Sustainability Division Manager for Fresno, the conversation took an unexpected turn.
Yes, they talk about Münster,but what really emerges is a behind-the-scenes look at how Fresno's sustainability team actually operates. With just two people managing millions of projects, Ann shares the playbook for getting things done without the drama. It's a conversation about partnerships, pragmatism, and making real progress in local government.
https://www.fresno.gov/publicworks/sustainability/
https://spurr.org/2025/11/20/how-fresno-turned-ambition-into-action-key-insights-from-the-citys-journey-to-zero-net-energy/
https://www.sjvceo.com/blogee/technology-tuesdays-cityoffresno
7 Mar 2025
Stakeholder Spotlight: Dave Bruder
Dave Bruder discusses his work with Cal Poly, Diablo Canyon Power Plant, and Parsons Corporation in this interview.
17 Feb 2025
Stakeholder Spotlight: Jenny Berg
Jenny Berg highlights BayREN's initiatives, including multifamily building enhancements and home energy scoring, alongside collaborative efforts with organizations like CAEECC and LGSEC, in this interview.
7 Feb 2025
Stakeholder Spotlight: A Sneak Peek
The podcast offers listeners a preview of the new podcast series from SJVCEO, giving them an early look at upcoming content.
20 Sept 2023
What's That? | Heat Pump Water Heater
Patrick Burgess from Willdan explains heat pump water heaters to Courtney, covering their function, ideal applications, costs, and advantages, in this informative interview.
1 Jun 2023
HappEE Hour: Living in Dystopia?
Industry experts explore the barriers to building electrification and renewable energy, discussing policies and community messaging to ensure equitable access to resources and prevent a dystopian future.
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