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Local Government Commission

Currents - A Quarterly Energy Newsletter For Local Governments


Spring 2010

Statewide Local Government Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator

The September 2009 CPUC Decision on 2010-12 Energy Efficiency Public Goods Charge Programs (http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/FINAL_DECISION/107829.htm) included a new position to facilitate a statewide focus both in gathering exemplary policies and practices, and tracking progress on a statewide level on government facility energy use, retrofits, and strategic plan implementation. The decision called for the position, funded by the investor owned utilities, to be embedded in and reporting to ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, the Institute for Local Government, and/or the Local Government Commission. On February 19th, the three non-profits chose Patrick Stoner for the position.

The Statewide Coordinator will be helping cities and counties implement California’s Long-term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan (http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Energy+Efficiency/eesp/) that includes local government strategies to:

  • adopt local codes that exceed state building standards for energy efficiency;
  • ensure higher compliance rates for meeting state building standards;
  • lead by example with their own facilities and operations;
  • lead their communities with innovative programs for energy efficiency, sustainability and climate change; and
  • increase local government energy efficiency expertise.

The Statewide Coordinator will be working closely with the Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative, a joint program of ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, Institute for Local Government, and Local Government Commission, and with the investor owned utilities, to track the efforts of cities and counties, evaluate progress toward reaching Strategic Plan goals, and share best practices.

Your help and input will be greatly appreciated. Please keep Pat informed of what is going on in your community, and feel free to contact him with questions or suggestions (pstoner@lgc.org or 916-448-1198, ext 309). There are a number of activities in the works for local governments (see the article on CPUC 2010-12 Energy Efficiency PGC Programs) that should result in more efficient use of resources in California and greater capacity within local government to implement energy saving programs for municipal operations and beyond.