Currents

An Energy Newsletter for Local Governments

Regional Energy Authorities Update

The Local Government Commission (LGC) helped Humboldt and Ventura County communities establish regional energy authorities in 2003. The project costs were covered by public goods charge funds (PGC), under a contract with PG&E and under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Both authorities were chosen for continuing funding for 2004-05 by the CPUC.

The Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) was established in April 2003 and consists of Humboldt County and the seven cities within it: Arcata, Blue Lake, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, Rio Dell, and Trinidad. RCEA is coordinating projects to help its jurisdictions apply for California Energy Commission Energy Partnership funds to pay for facility audits, and to increase the efficiency of water district pumping.

RCEA has become a Million Solar Roofs Initiative partner, and is applying to become a Rebuild America partner. Plans for 2004-05 include establishing an energy resource center, developing technical and training resources in partnership with PG&E, developing and encouraging adoption of energy efficiency policies by member jurisdictions, and a public outreach campaign.

The Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (VCREA) was established in July 2003 and includes Ventura County and its largest cities: Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, and San Buenaventura. VCREA is working with its member cities to identify facility efficiencies, and investigating the use of Utility Management Systems software to monitor the impacts of any facility upgrades and to continue to look for future efficiency upgrades.

For 2004-05 VCREA plans to develop an energy efficiency center for the county with a hotline and trainings similar to RCEA, and to provide education and technical support to its members to increase the efficiency of their buildings. VCREA will also partner with another PGC-funded program to work with local housing authorities to improve the efficiency of low-income housing. VCREA's 2004-05 proposal was a partnership with Southern California Edison.

In addition to the LGC, other consultants on this project include Alternative Energy Systems Consulting, HMW International, and John Nimmons & Associates. The REAs have also benefited from assistance from John Deakin Energy Consulting Services, and K. J. Kammerer & Associates.

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