Program Area: Energy Efficiency
Program: Energy Efficiency Improvements (Existing buildings, not new
construction/green building)
Mechanisms:
1. Direct install/installation assistance
a. Contracting service? (CEA)
2. Rebate/incentive programs
a. Giveaway (e.g. Austin’s programmable thermostats)
3. Audits
4. Financing
a. Low interest loans
b. Help finding applicable rebates etc.
5. Education/information only (or perhaps these should be in the “no program”
category)
6. Building codes/ require improvements upon sales
a. Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance (RECO)
7. Bulk purchase (not sure US cities are doing this) (Martinot and Borg 1998)
Data sources:
-City level data is hard to get, look beyond city website
-Census?
Possible factors:
1. Staff resources: e.g. is there an energy manager position?
2. Collaborative approach/utility support
3. Funding
4. Social climate—are residents particularly concerned with environmental
issues?
>What can cities do regarding energy efficiency?
1. Provide services (energy audits, installation etc)
2. Provide money (rebates, funding/loans)
3. Require by code
Metrics
1. BTU per capita (total, renewable energy)—from TAC report (Judy emailed)
2. Total kWh used in city and per capita- increasing or decreasing?
Hypotheses:
1. Cities that have a long history of addressing the problem (because of public
interest, municipal utility etc) have a broader range of programs and more
successful programs
a. Public interest (e.g. Cambridge) may lead to more public-private
partnerships; desire to reflect the community’s value
2. Cities that connect to national programs (e.g. Energy Star, ICLEI) will have
more successful programs
a. Pressure from above (e.g. national mayor organizations like
http://www.usmayors.org/ focusing on climate change)
3. Relation to climate? Hotter cities might have more emphasis on energy,
particularly on demand response
4. Role of the champion
a. Particularly mayors with bigger political ambitions? (e.g. Villaragosa
getting national attention for his Green LA)
b. Structure of government, e.g. strong mayor system
Inputs:
-Financial (money for staff, advertising, rebates, loan programs etc.)
-Organizational (staff/labor, materials, website...)
-Technical resources (auditors, ee experts, tools...)
-Connections to other organizations (e.g. Energy Star, utility companies, Clinton
Foundation)
-Political climate/context
-Historical (?)
Outputs:
-Audit services
-Rebates
-Financing options (e.g. low/no interest loans)
-?
Outcomes:
Primary: Energy savings
Secondary:
-Money savings
-GHG reduction
-New policies (?)
-New regulation (in case of RECO and energy codes)
Cities
Ann Arbor, Michigan
-Clinton Climate Change Initiative, C40 cities
-Energy Fund: ongoing and self-funding (from CCI)
$500,000 allocation over five years. This came from a10-year energy efficiency bond
paid off in 1998, when the City chose not to eliminate the bond payment line item in
the annual budget but rather to reduce it by 50% to $100,000 for the next five years.
This money was then used to finance the new Municipal Energy Fund.
-1981 city energy plan called for efficiency in municipal buildings
- In July 1996, the City became a partner in the EPA’s Green Lights program,
committing it an efficiency survey all 100 buildings and facilities, and an upgrade
90% of the lighting that was identified as inefficient.
- Over the nine-year period, it has invested in:
 LED traffic and pedestrian signals
 street light improvements
 parking garage lighting
 a boiler
 two electric vehicles
 solar energy demonstration projects
 Ann Arbor has maintained an active Energy Office for over ten years, with an
ongoing mission to improve energy efficiency at City facilities. This means that many
of the best energy saving opportunities were already implemented before the
creation of the Municipal Energy Fund.
-Most projects have a payback of about 3 years > fund is quickly regenerated
LED Streetlighting
-The City of Ann Arbor paid $1.5 million to operate traffic signals and streetlights in
FY2008. The cost would have been higher had the City not begun replacing
incandescent traffic signals and pedestrian crossing signals with LEDs back in 2000.
The replacements made so far are saving the city $49,000 annually, but the bigger
savings opportunities are in street lighting, which accounts for 92 percent of that
$1.5 million annual cost. Ann Arbor is currently investigating LED street lighting in
the hopes of cutting our street lighting bill in half.
After successfully piloting LED globe lights (below right) on a full block downtown, we are going ahead
with full conversion of our over 1,000 downtown streetlights. $630,000 to fund the retrofit project is being
provided by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority.
Energy Challenge Awards Program: City recognizes businesses for ee and
renewables
-Two levels of recognition, for specific projects/reduction in energy use
From city website: “Ann Arbor has long believed that local government plays an
important role in protecting the environment.”
-Energy Plan updated in 1994 (should read more about this version)
Austin, Texas
-Municipal utility (Austin Energy):
http://www.austinenergy.com/Energy%20Efficiency/Programs/Rebates/Residenti
al/Home%20Performance%20with%20Energy%20Star/index.htm
-Power Saver Program:
A Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Rebate covers up to 20% of the cost of certain
improvements—up to $1575.
We offer rebates on these improvements:
 Air conditioner or heat pump (14 SEER/11.5 EER or greater)





Duct repair and sealing
Additional attic insulation
Solar screens, window film, and Low-E glass
Caulking and weather stripping
Attic radiant barrier/reflective material
-Austin Energy’s energy efficiency programs and offerings date back to 1982.
Combined, they have saved more electricity than the annual output of a 500
megawatt power plant. A 500 megawatt power plant can power 50,000 homes.
-Qualifications: The residence must be a single-family home, mobile home, or duplex
Homes with an appraised value of more than $150,000 (excluding land value)
might be ineligible
-Free programmable thermostats (As a Power Partner, you'll receive a free programmable
thermostat plus free installation and warranty. This package is a $200 to $280 value.)
-Power saver volunteers: get residential customers to sign up, they get a home kit,
then get contacted 10x per summer to reduce peak demand (use less between 3pm
and 7pm)
As a thank you for becoming a Power Saver Volunteer, we'll send you a free Home Weatherization kit,
including:
 Weather stripping
 Outlet sealers
 Two compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs)
 An energy saver nightlight
-City Energy Efficiency ordinance- houses must have audit before sale
Commercial: rebates, free programmable thermostats, load profiler (energy use monitoring), peak demand,
weatherization for multi-family
-LEDs: In December 2007, the City of Austin and Austin Energy retrofitted a floor of
the One Texas Center Parking Garage with 47-watt LED fixtures from Beta LED™.
LED fixtures have also been installed in a hallway at Austin Energy headquarters, in
streetlights on Barton Springs, in the Palmer Events Center marquee sign and in the
water fountain at the new Palmer Events Center Park. Additional test installations
are planned throughout the City, including a portion of the lights surrounding the
Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail. These installations demonstrate Austin Energy’s
significant commitment to installing high-quality, energy-efficient LED lighting
throughout the City.
From Patrick’s spreadsheet: Require disclosure of historic energy use and cost-effective energy
efficiency improvements upon the sale of all buildings
Boston, Massachusetts
-Creating the Boston Energy Alliance (mentioned in the climate action plan, but
can’t find)- Menino announced in January 2008 (I think this must have been
supplanted by Renew Boston?)
-Educational programs for residents online: Libraries have a kilowatt for rent,
educational resources (info sheet) on website
*Renew Boston
Brad Swing, Director of Energy Policy, City of Boston, MA: “Renew Boston”
- June 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — In the third of four major announcements this week to advance the
City’s green agenda, Mayor Thomas M. Menino today launched the $200,000 Renew Boston Residential
Energy Efficiency Pilot Program in partnership with Next Step Living, Inc
-Initial pilot funding will retrofit 150 Boston homes- free audits, 20% of these homes will be funded up to
$2,000 for retrofits
-$6.5 million from Federal Block Grants
- The Renew Boston Residential Energy Efficiency Pilot will serve residents between 60-120 percent of the
median income. The pilot program will coordinate closely with the City’s Department of Neighborhood
Development and Action for Boston Community Development’s (ABCD) existing residential
weatherization programs to reach residents between 0-60 percent of the median income
-The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides eligible
households with help in paying winter heating bills. The program pays benefits of
fixed amounts based on household income and size. LIHEAP operates between
November 1st and April 30th, offering financial assistance to residents who are at or
below 200% of the federal poverty level. No energy efficiency mentioned.
Brad Swing’s Presentation to NEEC:
-Emphasis on job creation
-Planning on increasing funding from 2010 to 2012
-Includes non-residential
2008 Order from Menino to green municipal operations, mostly purchasing and
recycling, sets up committee that includes “green information technology roadmap”,
but no building retrofits
-Nstar offers residential audits
April 2010-“Sparking Boston’s Climate Revolution”
March 2010- The city of Boston reports Boston Housing Authority buildings will
receive $63 million in energy efficiency improvements.
Chicago
-Residential weatherization in climate action plan
-From website: Retrofit residential buildings: Improve efficiency of 50
percent of residential buildings to achieve a 30 percent reduction in energy used =
1.44 MMTCO2e reduction*”
-Current program: Bungalow Initiative (http://www.chicagobungalow.org):
retrofitting bungalow style homes (historic presevation too)
Under the expanded Bungalow energy$avers Blocks Program, a group of homeowners can apply for
grants to cover most of their energy-efficiency needs including insulation, new heating systems, as well as
hot water heaters, the replacement of doors and windows, and installation of water-saving devices such as
low flow faucets and shower heads, and dual flush toilets.
-Educational materials on website: “$800 Challenge”
-Part of Clinton Climate Change C40 Cities (http://www.c40cities.org/cities/)
-From Patrick: Improve EE at 50% of R buildings, 30% energy reduction
Cambridge
-Joined ICLEI in 1999
Cambridge Energy Alliance-Launched On March 29, 2007; city-sponsored organization- works with all sectors
Residential programs:
-Audit (Working with energy efficiency professionals, we help you replace
inefficient appliances, lighting, and heating/cooling equipment, insulate your
building, and identify other ways to save)
-They have a scale of audit options: basic free audit (through
MassSAVE, a utility program), fee for thermal imaging (through Next Step Living),
low-income weatherization
-Financing and rebates
-Contracting services (direct install?)
-Program goal: CEA’s goal is to reduce energy use in the City of Cambridge by an
average of 10% and about 15% (50 MW) of peak use, within the next few years by
promoting the adoption of energy efficiency technologies and behaviors.
Presentation: lead by example
Cambridge has won awards…
Municipal:
The City Manager has established an Energy Management Workgroup to systematically assess City owned
facilities and identify energy efficiency upgrade projects. The workgroup, chaired by the Public Works
Department, is working with the federal government’s Energy Star Benchmarking Portfolio Tool and with
NSTAR’s energy efficiency consultants. (link)
-First benchmark was in 2006
GreenSense: hired consultant to train employees (turn off lights, computers etc) tracked energy use—
reduced by about 10%
Climate Action Plan
-In 2000, 101,355 residents occupied 41,320 units, (2.45 people/unit)
-Estimated 12% reduction in energy use through cost effective efficiency
-Prioritizing retrofitting buildings
-Cambridge Housing Authority: Cambridge Housing Authority has saved 3,032,587 kwh of electricity and
113,566 therms of natural gas since 1995 through a variety of energy saving actions.
Denver
-Plan to use stimulus money for weatherization and audits/retrofits in city buildings
-Focus on money savings and environment (equally?)
-Energy Management System (EMS)- partnership with state? EPA influence?
-Denver Energy Challenge (city, Xcel, Sierra Club): customers can sign up for
renewable energy > Xcel donates to schools > ee or renewables at schools
-Denver receives $2.1 million/year from the Xcel Energy Franchise > funds
administered through DOSP support energy assistance programs and services for
low-income individuals and nonprofit agencies for the next 20 years.
-Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Program (NEEP): joint city, Xcel and DOSP venture > ee
for non-profits (e.g. homeless shelters)
Purchasing policy (doc in folder): mostly not about ee, but include energy star
products
Detroit, MI
-New mayor- Ken Cockrel- started Office of Energy and Sustainability (green collar
jobs) in early 2009 (but he’s no longer mayor, not clear if anything actually
happening)
-Plans to evaluate the ee of city buildings
-Stimulus money
-Weatherization for homes
Houston, Texas
-Part of Clinton Climate Change C40 Cities (http://www.c40cities.org/cities/)
-see spreadsheet
http://www.houstonpowertopeople.com/proven.html
http://www.eco-structure.com/energy-efficiency/houston-commits-23-million-to-energy-efficientretrofits.aspx
The city of Houston, Texas, has launched a $23 million project to improve the energy efficiency of 19 city
facilities as part of the city's participation in the Clinton Climate Initiative Energy Efficiency Building
Retrofit Program. Schneider Electric will complete the work under a performance contract with the city and
the company guarantees that Houston will save $1.8 million annually over the 15-year contract.
Kansas City, Missouri
Patrick: Expand home weatherization program
-Using stimulus money for energy efficiency
-Utility (Kansas City Power and Light, IOU) seems to have residential programs
Kansas City, Kansas
-Public utility, Kansas City Board of Public Utilities serves part of city
-Information for homeowners on website (educational only)
-State energy efficiency loan program
-Rebates- mostly AC and heat pumps
-Advertise DOE weatherization program
Los Angeles
Patrick: Increase the level and types of customer rebates for energy
efficient appliances, windows, lighting, and heating and cooling systems.
-City: no programs outside of LADWP
-Executive order July 2007 (Sustainable Buildings), which calls for reducing
municipal energy use to fullest extent possible
-Green LA program to address climate change (beyond Kyoto requirements,
focus on clean energy)
-LED green traffic lights, with Clinton Foundation
-CFL giveaway- through LADWP (2 bulbs to all 1.2 million households
-projected to save up to 240 gigawatt-hours of energy and 131,000 metric tons
of CO2 each year – the equivalent of taking 24,000 cars off the road or enough energy to
power 40,000 homes for a year.
-Part of Clinton Climate Change C40 Cities (http://www.c40cities.org/cities/)
-LA Department of Public Works, Bureau of Street Lighting has done LED street
lighting demo projects
-LADWP:
-On city website: emphasizes residential refrigerator rebate and commercial direct install and rebates
-The Consumer Rebate Program offers rebates for refrigerators, pool pumps, dual pane windows, air
conditioners, and clothes washers.
-CFL distribution program
-The REfrigerator Turn-In and REcycle (RETIRE) program offers rebates for old
qualifying refrigerators.
Low-income Refrigerator Exchange: LADWP provided 13,650 free Energy Star-rated refrigerators in
exchange for old, inefficient models in 2008-09,
-Online home audit tool—link to LBNL tool (DIY)
Five core programs accounted for 92 percent of LADWP’s energy savings during fiscal year 2008-09,
including (link):
1. Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) Distribution: LADWP delivered 2.4 million CFLs-two CFLs to each
of the 1.2 million residences in Los Angeles.
• Energy savings: 121 GWh; reduces 68,000 metric tons of GHG emissions annually.
• Utility bill savings: $16-$20 per year; approximately $100 over life of the CFLs.
2. Low-income Refrigerator Exchange: LADWP provided 13,650 free Energy Star-rated refrigerators in
exchange for old, inefficient models in 2008-09, and 45,000 since the program’s inception in 2006-07, to
qualified low-income customers. Saving energy and money, the program takes the inefficient refrigerators
off the grid, and ensures they are environmentally recycled.
• Energy savings: 11 GWh; reduces about 6,200 metric tons of GHG emissions annually.
3. Small Business Direct Install: LADWP installed free energy efficient lighting for more than 34,000 small
businesses in 2008-09. The program targets businesses using less than 30 kWh.
• Energy savings: 100 GWh; reduces 56,000 metric tons of GHG emissions annually.
• Utility bill savings: As much as $500 per year, a 25 percent bill reduction.
3. Commercial Lighting Efficiency Offer: More than 500 rebates for high efficiency lighting projects were
paid to commercial, industrial and governmental customers, totaling $4.75 million, in 2008-09.
• Energy savings: 36 GWh; reduces more than 20,000 metric tons of GHG emissions annually.
• Utility bill savings: Approximately $3.9 million for program participants collectively.
4. Custom Performance Program: LADWP paid $2.7 million in incentives to non-residential customers for
77 energy efficiency projects in 2008-09. The program provides incentives for energy efficiency measures
not covered by other energy efficiency programs.
• Energy savings: 26.5 GWh; reducing almost 15,000 metric tons of GHG emissions annually.
• Utility bill savings: Approximately $2.9 million for program participants collectively.
5. Consumer Rebate Program: LADWP residential customers received rebate payments totaling $1.1
million in 2008-09 for energy saving refrigerators, pool pumps and motors, dual pane windows, and air
conditioner equipment. An additional $364,000 was paid to customers through the refrigerator "RETIRE"
program, which offers a $35 cash incentive to customers resulting in LADWP picking up customers’ older,
inefficient refrigerators and recycling them in an environmentally responsible manner.
• Energy savings: 10 GWh; reducing 5,600 metric tons of GHG emissions annually.
• Utility bill savings: Approximately $1.2 million for program participants collectively.
Milwaukee, MI
-Private investment capital for energy efficiency, Milwaukee Energy Efficiency
estimates that planning and implementation costs for a third party efficiency
investment program to be $500,000.
-Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (ME2): project of Center on Wisconsin Strategy
(COWS) started in fall 2007
-Project with city?
-Goal to improve efficiency of building stock; funding mechanism: building
owner pays back cost of efficiency through municipal services or utility bill on
schedule that yields immediate savings (emphasis on cost savings and green jobs)
-Using stimulus money for building retrofits
-LED traffic lights cause more traffic in winter (snow doesn’t melt)?
-Milwaukee Office of Sustainability created by Mayor Barrett in 2004
-Mayor Barrett signed US Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement
New York, NY
-PlaNYC: mayor’s environmental initiative
-Plan for building efficiency codes- all buildings over a certain size will
require audits (taking effect in 2013, funding to get business started earlier) every
decade and implement cost-effective measures (payback <5 years) >> canceled…
-Established a New York City Energy Policy Board
-Wants to commit 10% of the city budget to energy efficiency (should start to
break even by 2013)
-GreeNYC: public awareness campaign (unplug, use CFLs etc)
-Part of Clinton Climate Change C40 Cities (http://www.c40cities.org/cities/);
which includes funding sources (banks part of coalition)
-Oct. 2007-Executive Order 109: city agencies responsible for energy efficiency
measures, set up a steering committee
NY Housing Authority: energy efficiency in city-owned housing facilities
Philadelphia
-Part of Clinton Climate Change C40 Cities (http://www.c40cities.org/cities/)
-Almost all action is around stimulus?
Pittsburg
-Stimulus for municipal audits and retrofits
-Nothing until stimulus
Portland
http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/index.cfm?a=116779&c=41462
http://www.cleanenergyworksportland.org/
-Clean Energy Works: http://www.cleanenergyworksportland.org/
-Home retrofits (partnership with utilities and other organizations)- audits
followed by help with retrofits (“energy advocate”) and financing (no upfront cost,
money is taken out of future utility bills)
-Pilot of 500 homes, 30 homes have been selected to participate in the early
phase of this pilot, which began in June and concludes at the end of August 2009.
-ARRA funding
-Part of Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA)
-City Energy Policy- 1979, updated 1990
-“ The 1990 Energy Policy included 89 objectives in goal areas including City operations, energy
efficiency in residential, commercial and industrial facilities, transportation, telecommunications,
energy supply, waste reduction and recycling.” – from city website
By 2000, more than 90 percent of the objectives in the plan have been achieved, including such
highlights as:
 City energy bills were reduced by $1.1 million annually for a total reduction of more than $7
million.
 Technical and financial assistance programs and awards offered by the state, city and utilities for
businesses and property owners resulting in energy efficiency improvements in more than 40 million
square feet of commercial and institutional space.
 More than 22,000 apartment units weatherized through joint efforts among the City and local
utilities.
 A nine percent reduction in per capita household energy use.
 New commercial and residential state energy codes.
(http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/index.cfm?a=116779&c=41462)
-LED Traffic Lights
The Office of Transportation has replaced all red and green traffic signal incandescent light bulbs
with energy saving light emitting diode modules (LEDs). The LED modules reduce energy use about 85
percent over standard light bulbs and greatly reduce yearly maintenance. By installing 14,000 LED
lamps, the City saves approximately 5.25 million kWh each year – enough to power over 400 homes.
San Francisco, CA
Patrick: Increase incentives, direct installation and technical assistance (w
specific goals)
-All activities seems to be through SF Department of the Environment (SFE) or
SFPUC
-SF Energy Watch: multi-family and commercial (audits and rebates)
-Save Energy at Home: information with links to resources (PG&E, SFPUC,
Energy Star)
Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance (RECO):



Time of sale spending cap of $1,300 is invested in energy efficiency improvement at every
property transfer
RECO-compliant homes are 10 percent more efficient than an average San Francisco home
life cycle of energy efficiency improvements is 10 years
-Established 1989, requires owners to do an energy audit and install certain
measures, then file an inspection report with the Department of Building Inspection
-Only for homes built before 1978 and only need to do once
LEDs: partnership with SFPUC and PG&E
Municipal Retrofits:
-City Hall: daylighting, HVAC and solar
-Recent retrofit projects include the Moscone Convention Center Energy Project (lighting and controls 800 kW peak savings), SF General Hospital Lighting project (700 kW peak savings), and current projects
at powerhouses and cottages at Moccasin as well as SF General Hospital central plant. A typical project
cycle is approximately three years for planning, development, construction and activation. The investment
in efficiency projects can be recovered quickly, often in less than five years.
Seattle
Climate action goal: increasing the efficiency of Seattle buildings by at least 20
percent by 2020
Seattle City Light = muni
Residential:
-Twist and Safe- CFL distribution
-Reduced cost audits
-Rebates
Commercial:
-Programs for small, large and industrial
-Includes rebates and assistance
Office of Housing: http://www.seattle.gov/housing/HomeWise/
-Low income weatherization program, includes 3% interest loan
-Climate Action Now: distributed home energy kits (can’t find info on this)
http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsdetail.asp?ID=10497&dept=48
-The Energy Disclosure Ordinance: large commercial and multi-family property
owners must annually measure, or benchmark, their energy use and provide city
with ratings
-Building owners also required to show energy usage data with prospective buyers,
tenants and lenders
-This alone will not save energy, but City Councel Chair Richard Conline thinks this
is the first step “you can’t manage what you don’t measure”
Babylon, NY
-Long Island Green Homes Program: residential retrofits financed at zero upfront
costs, money is taken out of their utility bills (plus a 3% admin cost)
-Funding from city’s solid waste fund
-Part of Climate Protection and Sustainability Plan
-Financing goes with house, even if occupant moves (cost recovered through city
taxes)
Chattanooga, TN
Climate Action Plan:
-Lights out at night
-Lighting (reduce amount of time that streetlights are on, change to more
efficient lights, lighting retrofits and occupancy sensors for government and for
community)
Chattanooga Green Lodging (http://www.chattanoogagreenlodging.com/)
-Includes energy efficiency: CFLs, LED exit signs, lighting sensors, efficient heating
and cooling, Energy Star office equipment
Housing Authority partnered with Honeywell to do energy and water retrofits in 18
public housing sites (http://www.allbusiness.com/environment-naturalresources/pollution-environmental/5127892-1.html) -2005
-Electricity saved: 11 million kilowatt-hours, The amount of
electricity saved could power more than 1,000 homes on average per
year.
-$10million performance contract
Boulder, CO
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100014240527487043201045750159209928453
34.html#project%3DGREENER1209%26articleTabs%3Darticle
-Started in 2006 to make Boulder a role model in reducing GHG, but have found it
more difficult than thought
-In 2010 will be replacing incandescents with CFLs
-“But Boulder has found that financial incentives and an intense publicity campaign
aren't enough to spur most homeowners to action, even in a city so environmentally
conscious that the college football stadium won't sell potato chips because the
packaging isn't recyclable.”
-Since 2006, Boulder has subsidized about 750 home energy audits. Even after the subsidy, the audits cost
each homeowner up to $200, so only the most committed signed up. Still, follow-up surveys found half
didn't implement even the simplest recommendations, despite incentives such as discounts on energyefficient bulbs and rebates for attic insulation.
-~75 businesses got free audits—made so few of the recommended changes on 1/5
of the estimated wasted energy was actually saved
-In 2006, Boulder voters approved the nation's first "carbon tax," now $21 a year
per household, to fund energy-conservation programs. But Boulder's carbon
emissions edged down less than 1% from 2006 through 2008, the most recent data
available.
-Boulder plans to spend about $1.5 million in city funds and $370,000 in federal
stimulus money to hire contractors to do basic upgrades for residents.
-"Two Techs in a Truck," as many as 15 energy-efficiency teams will go door-todoor. They'll ask home and business owners for permission to caulk windows,
change bulbs and install low-flow showerheads and programmable thermostats—
all at taxpayer expense.
-The city aims to overcome public inertia with a fresh advertising approach. Instead
of talking about environmental benefits, new promotions will focus on financial
benefits: Save energy, save money.
In 2006, the city organization used over 26 million kilowatt hours of electricity and
700,000 therms of natural gas, emitting almost 20,000 mtCO2.
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=arti
cle&id=7715&Itemid=2851
Boulder has handed out over 3,000 CFLs since January 2004. (Climate Action Plan)
http://www.conservationcenter.org/Energy_Audit_Program.htm
Boulder’s ClimateSmart Residential Energy Action Program
-Subsidized audits ($90)- customers receive audit with blower door, utility bill review,
assistance with rebate forms, information about loan programs
The Facilities and Asset Management (FAM) Division
It is FAM's general policy to complete energy-saving projects that have a five year or
less payback and purchase
Since 2000, FAM has completed over $2 million worth of energy efficiency
improvements in city facilities. These improvements included replacement of old
HVAC units with newer more efficient units, additional insulation, and window
replacement. FAM is actively pursuing methods to reduce energy costs as many
departments are struggling meeting the increasing costs of energy.
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view
&id=9988&Itemid=2092
Climate Action Plan
-The city has handed out over 3,000 CFLs since January 2004.
-Goals to Retrofit existing buildings and replace appliances to improve energy efficiency
and promote energy-conserving behavior. (CAP Guide p 8)
-2006-2008 accomplishments (CAP Guide p 14):
• Encouraged the community to take voluntary action to conserve and improve energy
efficiency by communicating the potential cost savings and environmental benefits.
• Provided financial incentives for selected efficiency improvements.
• Leveraged
incentive programs provided by other entities.
Reduced community emissions by approximately 6,700 tons CO2e
in 2008 through CAP energy efficiency programs.
Energy Audits: 750 single family homes
30 multi-family residential buildings
75 businesses
Insulation Rebates: 106 households
Conservation Kits: 550 households
CFL & LED Bulbs: 34,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL)
distributed or discounted
3,700 incandescent holiday lights exchanged for LED
light coupons
10 for Change: 45 businesses committed to reducing their
energy use by 10 percent
Other: 10 neighborhood climate action groups received
CAP assistance
http://beclimatesmart.com/about/
Climate Smart:
-City and County joint program
-“education, financial incentives and services not available elsewhere to help people
make energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to their homes and
commercial buildings.”
-Homes: about 17% of city’s energy use, energy audits and weatherization, rebates from
Xcel, loan program
-Businesses: most through Xcel, plus loan program and competition (10 for change)
http://www.10forchange.net/
10 for Change
-Volunteer program—challenge to businesses to reduce energy use by 10%
-Cosponsored: Hogan & Hartson, Cleantech Solutions and the city of Boulder
-Register, establish baseline, then program helps you measure your energy use
-Has recommendations, 5 energy end use for different sectors
-Success story: 19% reduction in energy use (more efficient HVAC unit and controls,
lighting controls- motion sensors and timers)
-Over 50 business participating
-Also includes monthly breakfast meetings to exchange information/ network
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id
=11637&Itemid=4180
Also considering a Commercial Energy Conservation Ordinance (CECO) in 2010
Jacksonville, Florida
Office of Sustainability Initiatives
-Sept. 2008
-Received $250,000 from ARRA block grants, plan to do stuff, but not clear what
-Municipal retrofits:
Godbold City Hall Annex: LEED-ED, included efficient lighting, cool roof
City staff established "set points" for heating and air conditioning in city-owned
facilities to what is believed to be a “standard”; that is 68 and 78 degrees, with a one
or two degree deviation allowable
Sustainable Building Program- standards for public buildings and incentives for
private green building (like fast tracking)
CFLs- coupons at retail locations
Other rebates: http://www.jea.com/community/stories/productrebates.asp
Minneapolis, MN
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/recovery/c-cat_Energy_and_Environment.asp
-Planned with stimulus: financing programs for business and residential, municipal
building energy audits
http://www.huduser.org/periodicals/fieldworks/0600/fworks3.html
Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) updated HVAC, water and sewer
systems in 40 high rise developments ($3.2 million bond)
-18 months saved $214,000 in electricity costs in 5,000 units
Living Well Report 2009
The City tested energy-saving, light-emitting-diode (LED) streetlights for use citywide, installed energyefficient lighting at the Hilton Parking Ramp and installed a high-efficiency boiler at Parking Ramp A.
2005 Sustainability Plan: talks about CO2 reduction and renewables but nothing (nothing!) on efficiency
2007 Living Well: city buildings must be LEED, tested use of LED stringlights for holiday decorations
2008 Living Well: hired an energy manager, The Minnesota Energy Challenge now has more than 2,500 Minneapolis businesses and
residents pledging to reduce carbon dioxide emissions compared to 700 in 2006.
State: Minnesota Energy Challenge (http://www.mnenergychallenge.org/)
Salt Lake City, UT
-Emphasis on new construction (reduce footprint by 50%), high performance
building codes
http://www.slcgov.com/slcgreen/energy/slcBlueprint.htm
Energy Blueprint: framework for sustainable energy
-Energy demand is growing—between 2002 and 2007 total consumption grew 5%,
household use up 7%, total customers only up 2%
-Utility rebate programs (Rocky Mountain Power and Questar)
-Goals: to reduce city government building energy use by 20% from 2007 baseline
by 2020, and 50% street lighting from 2005 to 2010
-EMS planned
-Update energy efficiency ordinances by end of 2010
-Goal to reduce residential and business energy use by 10% through education
-City purchasing plan
http://www.slcgov.com/slcgreen/energy/eecbg.htm
-Block grants: $2.165 million dollars
-Loan fund ($479k)—e2-RLF for businesses planning for 2010, low interest
loan, payback terms to match energy savings
-Energy code ($172k)
-Outdoor lighting (street and traffic) to LEDs ($213k)
http://www.slcgov.com/slcgreen/code/
Code—planning revisions
http://www.slcgov.com/slcgreen/energy/energySaving.htm
Municipal Retrofits:
-Updates to lighting and building systems since 2001 > 840,000 kWh/ year savings
-Airport: efficiency upgrades (5,200 lights, 800 occupancy sensors) > 1.5million
kWh, $70,000/year
-Cool roof on parks department building
-Traffic signals—all green and red to LED (1,700,000 kwh and $100,000 per year),
will start yellow in 2010 and start street lights (long term project)
-Working with an ESCO
San Diego, CA
-Energy Conservation & Management Division- formed in response to 2001 energy
crisis
http://www.sandiego.gov/environmentalservices/energy/programsprojects/saving/retrofits.shtml
-90 percent of the City's 1,486 signaled intersections to energy-efficient light
emitting diode (LED) lamps
-Each year, these LEDs reduce energy use by 13,212 megawatt-hours, eliminate
7,437 tons of greenhouse gases, and save the City $1.3 million (funded by utility)
The City avoids more than $250,000 in energy costs each year after the Central Library, World Trade
Center, Pump Station #2 and the Crabtree Building received retrofits of energy-efficient equipment,
including:
 A lighting retrofit at the Crabtree Building and Metropolitan Wastewater Department's Pump
Station #2.
 A large ventilation fan and filter installed in Pump Station #2.
 Variable speed drives on pumps and motors and high-efficiency water chillers for the air
conditioners installed in the Central Library and World Trade Center.
Lighting upgrades to install T-8 lamps in 75 libraries and Park and Recreation
facilities save 50% of the energy used by the old T-12 lamps.
-Annual energy savings to fund energy-efficiency updates to the Police
Headquarters
-Efficiency upgrades funded by the state
Need to add…
Santa Monica, CA
-Leave all residential and commercial rebates to utility
City has sustainability plan, updates and report cards
http://www.smgov.net/Departments/OSE/Categories/Sustainability/Sustainable_C
ity_Progress_Report/Resource_Conservation/Energy_Use.aspx
-
Energy conservation measures have been successful and energy use in the
city remains stable, despite expected increases in resource usage associated
with Santa Monica’s strong economy and growth in construction activity.
http://www01.smgov.net/cityclerk/council/agendas/2006/20060314/s20060314
08-B.htm
Report cards (see documents folder): have a “Resource Conservation” category, but
not much emphasis on ee
1999 Progress Report
-100% renewable power for city facilities, all facilities retrofitted to improve
efficiency
-Lease-purchase agreement ($1.6 million) with SCE’s ENVEST program- retrofit
(lighting, HVAC, energy control systems) > 12 year payback
-Phase 1 = 6 buildings and 6 parking structures completed in 1996
-Phase 2 = 9 buildings and public beach bathrooms completed in 1998
-Traffic signals- planned for 1999-2000
Procurement Policy
Administrative Instruction for the Purchase of Energy-Efficient Office Equipment
In September 1998 staff in the Environmental Programs, Purchasing and Information
Systems divisions completed an administrative instruction that applies to all City
employees who purchase, lease or use office equipment. The policy instructs these
employees to purchase energy-efficient office equipment and identifies ways to use
the equipment in the most energy-efficient manner possible. The policy requires that
all computer processing units, monitors, printers, scanners, fax machines, copiers, and
multi-function devices purchased or leased by the City shall, at a minimum, meet the
energy efficiency standards established by the U.S. EPA’s Energy Star program.
Washington DC
- Washington, D.C., went further in 2008 by requiring phased-in public disclosure of
energy use starting this year
The Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008 (CAEA) requires the Mayor, through
DDOE, to contract with a private entity to conduct sustainable energy programs on
behalf of the District of Columbia.
Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU)—one stop resource for efficiency and renewables
-Have PEPCO as distribution utility
District Department of the Environment—Energy
http://ddoe.dc.gov/ddoe/cwp/view,a,1209,q,493706,ddoeNav_GID,1478,ddoeNav,|
31424|.asp
Energy Assistance:
-Funded by US Department of Health and Human Services, the District Government,
and the Reliable Energy Trust Fund.
http://ddoe.dc.gov/ddoe/cwp/view,a,1209,q,492761.asp
-Free audits for single family homes
-Replace window AC and refrigerators (only low income)
-Weatherization (weather stripping, insulation, bulbs, HVAC repair) for low income
Green Building Act of 2006
http://energydisclosure.com/index.php/mandatory-energy-disclosure-washingtond-c/
-2010 building ratings for 200,000 sq ft or more, decreasing 50,000 each year until
floor of 50,000 sq ft
-Must disclose independent of transaction, available to public
Other Information
Who Should Run Programs?
-US electricity restructuring > EPAct ’92 encouraged utilities to conduct Integrated
Resource Planning- consider costs and benefits to society, including using efficiency
as way to meet supply needs
-Typically resource acquisition programs: customers provided with technical
assistance and/or financial incentives to invest in energy-efficient building
materials or products
-EPACT also contained provisions for restructuring, generally with restructuring,
less incentive to pursue resource acquisition programs
-New strategy: Market transformation; goal is to transform market for energy
efficiency products, not immediate savings
-Restructuring also calls into question method
-Pre-restructuring: utilities are vertical monopolies, regulators can just order
them to have programs and include program costs in utilities’ rates
-After: separate charge (e.g. public benefit fund) on the bill from the
monopoly distribution utility
-State and regional differences in utility structure and regulation
Administrative options:
-Before restructuring- utilities were responsible, overseen by state
regulators
-Some restructured states have alternative approaches, program
administration by state agencies or by non-profits
-Utilities are multi-purpose organization (have incentive to sell electricity), but have
economies of scale, right scope
-State agencies are also multi-purpose, may have difficulty focusing on new mission,
political pressures
-Non-profit: single purpose, but new organization
-There can also be partnerships or private companies as consultants
Criteria for selecting an administrator:
1. Compatibility with public policy goals (usually set at the state level)
2. Effectiveness of incentive structure (typical structure includes shareholder
benefit for efficiency programs, market transformation programs are more
difficult)
3. Economies of scale and scope (no huge economies of scale for resource
acquisition programs, but market transformation needs to have large impact)
4. Contribution to EE infrastructure (initial view that government intervention
could be temporary; alternative view is that ee programs address
externalities, should program administrator actually have staff to carry out
programs or should they just be a funding source)
(Blumstein, Charles et al. 2005)
Barriers to Energy Efficiency
-Belief in barriers justified continued government intervention
-“Efficiency gap” between consumer’s actual investments and those that appear to
be in their best interest
-Market failures vs. market barriers (failures do not necessarily require govt
intervention)
-No single market for energy services, actually many end uses and intermediaries
-Government intervention is not perfect, must be based on pragmatic assessment of
limits of institution
-Things change, policies need to be reviewed
-Need to be specific about barriers and have sound understanding
[Exec summary only, more info in paper, recounts specific market barriers]
(Golove and Eto 1996)
Bibliography
Blumstein, C., G. Charles, et al. (2005). "Who should administer energy-efficiency
programs?" Energy Policy 33(8): 1053-1067
Golove, W. H. and J. H. Eto (1996). "Market Barriers to Energy Efficiency: A Critical
Reappraisal of the Rationale for Public Policies to Promote Energy
Efficiency." LBL-38059.
Martinot, E. and N. Borg (1998). "Energy-Efficient Lighting Programs: Experience
and Lessons from Eight Countries." Energy Policy 26(14): 1071-1081.
PlanNYC (2007). Inventory of New York City Greenhouse Gas Emissions New York,
NY, Mayor’s Office of Operations, Office of Long-Term Planning and
Sustainability