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Local Government Commission

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Currents

An Energy Newsletter for Local Governments

RCEA & VCREA Updates

In 2002 and 2003 the LGC helped communities in Humboldt and Ventura counties develop regional energy offices. The funding came from the Public Goods Charge Energy Efficiency program overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission. Since 2003, the two entities have been very busy.

The Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) has had an active year providing comprehensive energy efficiency education and information to the Hard-to-Reach government, commercial and residential markets in Humboldt County. Since January RCEA has:

  • Moved into the new Redwood Coast Energy Resource Center in Eureka (517 5th Street, Eureka, 95501), providing greater public access to energy displays, an energy book and video library, an energy tool bank, and a training room.
  • Revised and significantly expanded its web site, http://www.redwoodenergy.org, which now includes an on-line calendar with a workshop registration feature, a local energy vendor database, newsletter subscriptions, e-mail Blast campaigns, an energy forum, and an ever-expanding compendium of information and resources helpful to local energy efficiency activities.
  • Fully implemented an aggressive marketing and outreach program that has included paid print, radio and movie theater advertising promoting RCEA and energy efficiency.
  • Presented Building Operators Certification (BOC) training for public agency facility managers and others in Humboldt County (seven class modules, eight training days).
  • Presented or has scheduled 19 workshops in a variety of topics including basic residential and commercial energy efficiency, new Title 24 standards, LEED building certification, restaurant energy efficiency, tankless water heating, commercial lighting, residential mold control, and energy efficient motors/adjustable speed drives.
  • Performed outreach and presented information at an RCEA booth at community events throughout Humboldt County, with 30 "event-days" since January.
  • Provided on-going assistance to RCEA member agencies' energy efficiency efforts, including coordinating and maintaining their Utility Management Software database, training member agency staff on accessing and using UMS reports, and helping them apply for CEC Technical Assistance.
  • Coordinated the development of an Energy Element as part of Humboldt County's 2025 General Plan Update, which included hosting 7 public meetings where Humboldt residents had an opportunity to provide input into the plan.
  • Provided door-to-door outreach to most small businesses in Humboldt County, assisting in the promotion of PG&E's offer of free CFL's and exit signs to small commercial customers.
  • Taken a lead in co-sponsoring the Humboldt Solar Neighbors Tour in October, which featured over 50 local homes and businesses in six communities.
  • Successfully concluded a US DOE Phase I Million Solar Roofs grant, which included the development of a comprehensive "Humboldt Solar Strategic Plan", and the development of a new "Humboldt Solar Services Guide."

The Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (VCREA) is a consortium of public agencies within Ventura County. Technical assistance, training and “customized” incentives are provided to member agencies. Successful energy efficiency projects have been completed or are underway by a number of the members. For example:

  • The City of Ventura is completing a number of lighting and HVAC upgrades at a variety of city facilities. These projects will save the City over 1.3 million kWh annual, reduce demand by 183 KW and lower costs by more than $163,000 each year.
  • Another 500,000 kWh will saved by the City of Thousand Oaks with lighting projects at the Civic Arts Plaza, Municipal Service Center and wastewater treatment plant. The projects will reduce energy costs by $70,000 per year and reduce demand by over 100 KW.
  • Lighting projects are also a focus for the City of Oxnard. A complete lighting replacement with controls was installed at the Del Norte Regional Recycling Center. This project cut lighting energy in half and will save the City over 225,000 kWh and $30,000 per year.
  • The County of Ventura is in its 15th year of energy efficiency programs. This year, the County installed premium efficiency motors, a host of variable frequency drives, and upgrade a number of buildings with “3rd generation” T-8 fluorescent lighting. These projects produced 1.2 million kWh in savings, reduced demand by 181 KW, and lower County utility costs by $127,000.

Like RCEA, VCREA has provided a series of training workshops on various energy efficiency topics for residents, businesses and institutions in the county, and has co-sponsored events that have brought CEC and CPUC commissioners to the county. It houses the Ventura County Energy Resource Center.

With anticipated funded through 2008, the VCREA is looking forward to continuing and expanding its programs throughout the Ventura County.

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