About this episode

This episode discusses the innovative approach to ENERGY STAR Multifamily housing in the Southwest, highlighting collaboration between utilities and developers.

QUOTES from the episode: "Utilities are no longer just incentive providers. They are becoming design partners." "High performance is not a luxury in affordable housing. It is a necessity for predictable living costs." "If you want this to scale, it starts with early coordination and shared goals." In this episode of RESTalk, we head to Tempe, Arizona, where extreme heat, rising energy costs, and housing needs are converging, and where a standout project is redefining what ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction can look like in a hot, dry climate. Bill is joined by Rebecca Smout of Salt River Project (SRP), Joe Keeper of Copa Health, and Jacob Alvarez of Desert Skies Energy to unpack the story behind La Victoria Commons, an ENERGY STAR–certified multifamily development designed with both performance and people in mind. At the center of the conversation is a powerful idea: utilities are no longer just incentive providers; they are becoming design partners. Through early collaboration, flexible program design, and deep involvement from HERS® raters, this project demonstrates how technical rigor and cost awareness can coexist. The team walks through how early modeling, integrated…

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