Spring 2010

Energy Solutions Wins State Energy Program (SEP) Competition

Energy Solutions, an Oakland, California-based energy consulting firm, was the top-ranked winner of the California Energy Commissions’ (CEC) recent solicitation for municipal and commercial energy efficiency programs. In its February 10, 2010 release of the Notice of Proposed Awards, the CEC awarded three programs and gave the proposal from the Energy Solutions team the highest score out of 70 submitted proposals. The CEC will fund the Energy Technology Assistance Program (ETAP) with approximately $6 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) that were awarded to California as part of the State Energy Program (SEP). Energy Solutions expects to begin program implementation in June 2010.

Energy Solutions will design, implement, and manage ETAP. ETAP’s goals include specifying and implementing advanced energy efficiency technologies in local government facilities statewide and developing project case studies. The targeted technologies include wireless lighting controls, wireless HVAC controls, and occupancy-sensor controlled bi-level lighting in parking garages and parking lots. Twenty-one local government agencies participated in the ETAP proposal and limited funding is available to include additional local government agencies. Participating agencies include the following:

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit)           
Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART)           
City of Berkeley           
City of Davis           
City of Irvine           
City of Milpitas           
City of Oakland           
City of Pleasanton           
City of Richmond           
City of Sacramento           
City of San Francisco
City of Salinas
City of Santa Cruz
City of Visalia
City of Walnut Creek
County of Alameda
County of Contra Costa
County of Sacramento
County of San Mateo
Sacramento County Airport System
Sacramento Municipal Utility District

Energy Solutions’ team includes the following key local government organizations: the Local Government Commission (LGC), the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG).

Workforce development is another focus of ETAP. The program will sponsor trainings for electricians and other contractors to properly design and install these advanced technologies, as well as provide on-the-job energy auditing training. The Energy Solutions team includes the following organizations that will help implement the workforce development activities: the California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC), the California Labor Management Cooperation Committee/IBEW-NECA, Laney College, the Workforce Institute at the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District, and the Los Rios Community College District.

ETAP also involves manufacturer partners including Adura Technologies and Federspiel Controls that will provide technical assistance on the wireless controls technologies and support technical trainings.

“This is a unique opportunity for Energy Solutions to marry our extensive local government experience with our strong emerging technology practice,” stated Sam Cohen, the president of Energy Solutions. “We are excited to bring these advanced energy efficiency technologies to local government agencies that would otherwise not benefit from these cost-saving strategies. Equally important is the potential to increase the positive impact of these technologies due to the role that local governments play in leading by example for businesses and others in their communities.”

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) appropriated funding for the Department of Energy (DOE) to award grants to state governments under the State Energy Program (SEP). ARRA’s overall goal is to stimulate the economy and create jobs, and the SEP’s goals are to help states address their energy priorities and fund emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

About Energy Solutions:

Cohen Ventures, Inc., dba Energy Solutions was founded in 1995. Its mission is to create large-scale environmental benefits by developing and imple­menting innovative, market-based approaches to increase sustainability through energy efficiency, water efficiency, and renewable energy initiatives. The company’s clients include state and federal regulatory agencies, investor-owned utilities, public utilities, local government agencies, commercial entities, institutional organizations, and non-profit organizations.

ETAP Contact:
Ann Guy, Director
510/482.4420 x233
aguy@energy-solution.com