Clear Haze Exchange

Most organizations don't struggle because they lack opportunities to improve their buildings.
They struggle because they don't know how to fund, structure, and manage those improvements.

In this episode of Clear Haze Exchange, Marcus Hazelwood sits down with Chris Halpin, President of Celtic Energy and one of the nation's leading experts in Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC). 

Having supported more than $2.5 billion in energy infrastructure projects across federal, state, and institutional markets, Chris explains why performance-based delivery continues to create value decades after it was introduced.

Topics include:
• Understanding Energy Savings Performance Contracting
• Why many organizations hesitate to pursue ESPCs
• Risk allocation and financial accountability
• The value of owner's representatives
• Measurement & verification beyond compliance
• Long-term operational thinking vs. first-cost decisions
• Resilience as the next evolution of energy investments
• Why education is essential before projects ever begin

Key Takeaway
Buildings don't become high-performing simply because new equipment is installed. They become high-performing when owners understand how to operate, verify, and sustain those investments over time.

Chris mentioned several excellent organizations and resources for those interested in learning more about Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC), building performance, and public-sector energy projects:
- U.S. Department of Energy – Better Buildings Initiative
- National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO)
- National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO)
- Energy Services Coalition (ESC)

Subscribe for more conversations uncovering the hidden systems behind sustainability, energy, and building performance.

What is Clear Haze Exchange?

Clear Haze Exchange is an interview-led podcast focused on simplifying sustainability while uncovering the hidden systems, decisions, and long-term impacts shaping our built environment and energy future.

Hosted by Marcus Hazelwood, an energy engineer with 15+ years of experience in sustainability and energy efficiency consulting, the podcast has evolved across two seasons:

Season 1 focused on breaking down the fundamentals—making energy efficiency, building systems, and sustainability concepts more accessible and practical for a wide range of listeners.
Season 2 builds on that foundation, diving deeper into the systems-level thinking behind sustainability—exploring how decisions in design, operations, policy, and business strategy create long-term outcomes.

Each episode features thoughtful conversations with industry leaders, engineers, architects, researchers, and decision-makers who are actively shaping the future of sustainability. From building performance and infrastructure to sustainable chemistry and organizational mindset, Clear Haze Exchange connects ideas across disciplines to provide real-world insight.

This podcast is for professionals and curious minds alike, those who want to better understand not just what sustainability is, but how it actually works in practice.

If you're interested in smarter investments, better systems, and meaningful progress, you're in the right place.

Subscribe to Clear Haze Exchange on your favorite platform and join the conversation.

For inquiries or guest opportunities: hello@clear-haze.exchange