Jacob works in the RMI Buildings Practice with a focus on transforming the residential energy upgrade market through the Residential Energy+ program. He also works in the Carbon-Free Cities and States program, including support for the City Renewables Accelerator. Jacob led the creation of The Carbon-Free City Handbook and The Carbon-Free Regions Handbook. He has worked in sustainable community development for 20 years with a focus on sustainability innovation, equity, program design, community-based solutions, and collaboration building.
Jacob was previously the Executive Director of EcoWorks, a nonprofit in Detroit that creates opportunities to learn and practice the sustainable use of energy and other natural resources through education, consulting, social business, job training and advocacy. While energy was our main focus, we also worked on water conservation, deconstruction of homes, an amazing youth program and a broad set of sustainable efforts. While EcoWorks provides thought leadership, it has a hard focus on implementing projects on the ground at the home, business, city and state level. Jacob’s work at EcoWorks included many innovations from low-income behavioral changes to launching Eco-D, a national model for ecodistrict development.
Jacob was also the Co-Founder and President of the Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office, an innovative collaboration of 26 local governments tackling energy improvements in their communities. Jacob was also a co-founder and regional manager of the BetterBuildings for Michigan program, one of the largest and most successful of the DOE’s BetterBuildings programs.
Jacob was also a pioneer in the ecovillage movement, actually enjoys public speaking, was an adjunct professor teaching sustainable design at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture, and does work in facilitation and conflict resolution.
University of Michigan, Environmental Mediation Seminar
Dispute Resolution Center, State of Michigan Mediation Training
B.A., Kalamazoo College, Sociology and Anthropology, with unofficial concentrations in Mathematics, Art and Women’s Studies
Washington, D.C.
This RMI/Under2 report details transformative actions regional governments can take to address climate change while delivering many societal benefits.
Kristin Dupre’s energy programs at Energy New England had ground to a halt. They had a full season scheduled ahead, but due to the coronavirus, all that work went on hold. However, they found a way to adapt and the results look very promising. Other companies are rolling out variations…
Much of the world is now focused on “sheltering in place.” This phrase was once lingo used almost exclusively by the people whose job it is to prepare for emergencies. Now, we all have that job. Yet most shelter-in-place conversations have very little to say about a critical part of…
As we embark on a new decade, we are reflecting on the many exciting advancements in the building industry. One highlight from last year was the Getting to Zero Forum held in October in Oakland California. This event brought together over 600 leading policymakers, building owners, architects, designers, system manufacturers,…
In October, 2019, Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and New Buildings Institute (NBI) organized an inaugural zLab to bring together industry leaders to brainstorm solutions and develop action plans around three topics: building electrification for decarbonization, advanced decarbonization policies for existing buildings, and unlocking new value through grid-interactive buildings. RMI has…
One year ago this week, the Midwest was under siege from the “polar vortex” that caused subzero temperatures and power outages across Illinois, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and New Jersey. In light of the fact that climate change is projected to increase the frequency and severity of these events,…
Winter storms are increasing in severity because of climate change. When winter storms are in full blast, millions of people take refuge inside to stay warm. But what happens to indoor temperatures if there is a power outage or if a furnace stops working? Homes vary widely in…
How many people in your community are at risk during extreme weather events? The heat waves wracking the nation right now can cause heat exhaustion, heatstroke, dehydration, and even death. Last year over 90 people died in Quebec (over 50 in Montreal) due to a heat wave. And during…
The 2019 polar vortex has passed, leaving behind many harrowing stories in its wake. The new Cold Climates Addendum of Rocky Mountain Institute’s Economics of Zero Energy Homes report illuminates how our homes can be better prepared for weather extremes cost-effectively, even in some of the coldest climates in…
NEW: Cold Climates Addendum offers additional guidance for ZE and ZER homes built in climate zones 6 and 7. This report demonstrates that the cost increase to build a zero-energy or zero-energy ready home is modest—far less than consumers, builders, and policymakers realize—and highlights methods builders and policymakers can use…
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