Spring 2010

CPUC 2010-12 Energy Efficiency PGC Programs

Local governments and others are ramping up their 2010-12 energy efficiency programs. In addition to programs that result in direct energy savings (resource programs), this year the CPUC directed the utilities to fund local government activities to implement the California Long-term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan (http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Energy+Efficiency/eesp/). In February, the investor owned utilities jointly filed an advice letter detailing the activities and budgets of their local government partners for Strategic Plan implementation over the next three years.

With budgets ranging from $2,700 to over $2.2 million, cities and counties are planning to send staff to Title 24 code compliance trainings, adopt green building and other ordinances to exceed minimum state building energy codes, benchmark energy use in municipal facilities and track future energy use, develop financing programs for municipal and community energy improvements, update general plans and other planning documents, develop climate and energy action plans, and provide a lot of education to their decision makers and constituents.

ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, the Institute for Local Government and the Local Government Commission have a joint statewide partnership program with the investor-owned utilities to support the efforts of local governments to implement the Strategic Plan. The Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative: An Alliance to Support Local Government (SEEC) will provide education, networking, training and a recognition program for California local governments seeking to reduce energy use and climate impacts in their communities. Be watching for more information as the program rolls out.