Maddie Emerson
TRC Companies, Inc. | Associate Director - Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
Speaker
Track A: Mastering Energy Management
Session A2: Utility Rebates
March 12, 2026 | 10:00 am - 10:30 am
Sustainability Centered Energy Efficiency Driving Adoption
Measurement and Verification (M&V) required for utility rebate programs is perceived as challenging from companies offering emerging technologies for energy saving products – M&V is viewed as complicated and time-consuming. Utilities offering commercial and industrial rebates are increasingly frustrated with “business as usual” energy efficiency measures and are seeking deeper energy savings that go beyond basic lighting retrofits. The hard part to demystify the M&V process is finding the right strategy to take the first step. This interactive session will unlock strategies to smooth the rebate participation process in a “choose your own adventure” format exploring facility types and energy efficiency measures that relate to conference attendees. This approach will help guide the audience to participate in learning that it is practical and fun to find the right path for the M&V plan to determine the energy savings and ensure the end user receives a rebate. This session brings together seasoned utility rebate program and M&V experts in a lively interactive way to lead participants through an energetic learning experience to avoid the common traps, overcome misconceptions, and confidently pursue significate energy savings and rebate approvals.
Speaker Bio
Maddie Emerson is an accomplished energy efficiency and sustainability professional with over eight years of experience driving impactful programs and research initiatives. She currently serves as Associate Director at TRC Companies, Inc., where she leads strategic efforts to design and implement innovative energy efficiency programs that deliver measurable results for clients and communities.
Since joining TRC in 2019, Maddie has progressed through key leadership roles, including Manager and Lead Research Associate, demonstrating expertise in program development, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven decision-making. Her work focuses on advancing clean energy solutions and integrating human-centered approaches into resource management.
Prior to TRC, Maddie contributed to energy efficiency initiatives at Lockheed Martin as a Program Implementation Specialist and gained analytical experience through roles at Rebate Bus, Sitton Energy Solutions, and Saint Louis University, where she supported sustainability projects and rebate program optimization.
Maddie holds a Master of Science in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Saint Louis University. Her academic background and professional experience position her as a trusted leader in promoting sustainable practices and energy innovation.