BBH June 2026 Newsletter

Hi there,

Welcome to the first Better Buildings Hub (BBH) newsletter. We’re excited to begin sharing updates, resources, and opportunities as this work continues to grow. The Hub is focused on connecting people, projects, and ideas, and this newsletter is one way we’ll stay connected and keep that momentum moving.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Better Buildings Hub Launch and Resource Fair. It was great to be together and kick things off with such a strong group of partners and practitioners. We’re looking forward to building on that energy.

As the Hub continues to evolve, we’ll share ways to get involved, explore new resources, and stay connected to what’s happening across the network.

Upcoming Events

BBH Coffee Chat: PECO Ways to Save For Your Business Program – Act 129

July 29 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Join the PECO commercial program team for an overview of the Ways to Save for Your Business program as it transitions into Act 129 Phase V. This session will highlight the full suite of energy efficiency solutions available to businesses of all sizes, including incentives for lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, and custom projects designed to reduce energy use and operating costs. Participants will learn about updated incentive structures and program offerings including PECO Instant Discounts, Small Business Solutions, and Prescriptive and Custom incentives. The presentation will also cover how PECO supports customers through technical expertise, energy assessments, and a network of Trade Allies to identify and implement projects. Attendees will leave with clear next steps on how to connect with the program team and maximize savings opportunities.

This will be the first of two sessions, focused on commercial customers with session two focused on residential customers. Save the date for Session two, focused on residential customers: August 26th.

Previous Events

Federal Funding at Work: IRA & Clean Energy Project Showcase 
August 20, 2025

Green Building United convened partners and practitioners for this Better Buildings Hub event highlighting the real-world impact of federal funding on clean energy projects. The session explored how programs under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and related federal initiatives are advancing building energy efficiency, job creation, and community health outcomes. 

The event featured an update on the evolving federal funding landscape, followed by a panel of industry experts who shared how they have successfully leveraged IRA incentives and other resources in practice. Panelists discussed key challenges, lessons learned, and opportunities for scaling impact, offering insights into how funding can be effectively deployed across different project types and communities. 

Home and Environment Workshop 
November 11, 2025 

Green Building United joined partners at New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) for a community workshop exploring the intersection of housing and environmental conditions. The session highlighted how challenges such as extreme weather, air quality, and flooding impact the health and resilience of our homes.

Participants shared ideas for solutions at both the household and community scale and learned practical strategies for renters and homeowners to better protect themselves. The workshop took place at NKCDC’s Kensington Engagement Center.

Community-Led Energy Resilience: Lessons from the Clean Energy Incentive Navigator 

December 11, 2025

Green Building United joined peer organizations in the Clean Energy Incentive Navigator program, led by Clean Energy Group, supporting community-led solar and storage initiatives across six U.S. cities. Navigator partners served as local knowledge hubs, conducting outreach, connecting residents to funding opportunities, and developing tailored resources to advance resilient energy solutions.

During a Clean Energy Group webinar, GBU shared key lessons and strategies for building momentum around community-driven energy resilience. Resources developed by the GBU team are now available on the Better Buildings Hub website.

Geothermal Solutions for Healthier, Cost-Efficient Buildings 
February 19, 2026

Green Building United hosted this Better Buildings Hub webinar highlighting real-world geothermal projects across the region. Representatives from Bartram’s Garden and CMTA shared diverse case studies, along with key lessons and considerations for deploying geothermal systems. The session also explored available incentives and demonstrated how geothermal can reduce emissions, lower energy costs, and support healthier buildings. A recording of the webinar is available here:  

Building the Hubs: Lessons from Place-Based Climate and Building Initiatives

May 15, 2026

At Green Building United’s Sustainability Symposium, the Better Buildings Hub joined the Building Innovation Hub from the Washington, D.C. region to explore how regional hub models can support building performance, climate goals, and stakeholder collaboration. Participants discussed lessons learned, common challenges, and opportunities for peer learning and partnership across regions, highlighting the importance of collaboration in advancing building improvements and resilience.

Geothermal Installation at the German Society

May 21, 2026

The Better Buildings Hub was pleased to co-sponsor the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers’ tour of the German Society of Philadelphia’s geothermal installation. Participants learned about geothermal technology, available incentives, and the role geothermal systems can play in improving building performance. The event also included a tour of the historic building and its geothermal installation, providing attendees with a firsthand look at clean energy technologies in practice.

Better Buildings Hub Coffee Chat: From Launch to What’s Next

June 4, 2026

The Better Buildings Hub recently hosted a Coffee Chat to reflect on progress since launch and gather feedback on future priorities. Participants learned about recent accomplishments, including events, partnerships, technical assistance activities, and resource development efforts, before engaging in discussions on regional challenges, opportunities for collaboration, and ways the Hub can continue to create value across Greater Philadelphia. Insights from the conversation will help inform future programming and partnerships.

HER/HEAR Update:

Pennsylvania is preparing to launch the Home Efficiency Rebates (HER) and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) programs, which are designed to support residential energy efficiency and electrification improvements. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently released updated guidance for the Home Energy Rebates programs. States with launched programs must align with the new guidance within three months, while states that have not yet launched their programs must incorporate the updated requirements prior to launch. Pennsylvania continues its implementation of planning efforts.

Those interested in the programs are encouraged to monitor PA DEP’s Home Energy Rebates webpage for the latest information on program development and implementation. You can find information: here

Curious about stormwater Management? Read this months blogpost by Kaetlin M here.

We Want to Hear From You

As we continue to build the Better Buildings Hub, we welcome your ideas, feedback, and suggestions. If there are topics, resources, or events you’d like to see featured, please let us know. Your input helps shape the Hub and ensure it remains responsive to the needs of the Greater Philadelphia region.

There are also several initiatives currently in development, including updates to the Better Buildings Hub website, new programs and resources, and a regranting opportunity. Additional information will be shared as these efforts move forward. Stay tuned and thank you for reading our first newsletter!

With appreciation,

The Better Buildings Hub Team