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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem IAGENDA REPORT DATE: July 23, 2001 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council n n FROM: John B. Bahorski, City Manager 1 SUBJECT: ENERGY CONSERVATION PLEDGE SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Adopt energy pledge to implement programs in local government buildings and facilities, the goal of which is to achieve up to a 15% reduction in electricity use over the last year. The State of California, the League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties and the California Special Districts Association are writing to all California cities, counties and special districts to thank them for previous energy conservation efforts and to ask for continued cooperation in implementing energy conservation and efficiency measures in our government facilities and communities. In response to the severe energy shortage facing California in the coming months, cities have been asked to take the next steps and increase energy conservation efforts. We have been asked to pledge to implement programs in local government buildings and facilities, the goal of which is to achieve up to a 15% reduction in electricity use over last year I May- 101317CG11 Decrease existing electricity costs for City facilities. Adopt proposed energy pledge, reduce electricity use by up to 15% from last year's usage in our government buildings and facilities and encourage energy efficiency and conservation in our City, Agenda Item -= July 30, 2001 Mr. David Fleming, President League of California Cities 1400 K Street Sacramento, California 95814 Dear Mr. Fleming, Pursuant to the request dated June 22�, 2001, forwarded is the 'Energy Conservation Pledge' that was adopted by the Seal Beach City Council at their regular meeting of July 23M. very truly yours, Joanne M. Yeo, City Clerk City of Seal Beach Attach. CITY OF SEAL BEACH ENERGY CONSERVATION PLEDGE We, the City Council of the City of Seal Beach, California, are concerned about the severe economic and social impacts of rolling blackouts; and are aware of the need for immediate action by all electricity users to conserve power, especially during the difficult summer months ahead; and are mindful of the role of local government in demonstrating leadership and coordinating community involvement. We do hereby commit ourselves to the following course of action: We voluntarily pledge to implement programs in our government buildings and facilities to reduce our electricity use by up to 15% from last year's usage, and We will take action to encourage energy efficiency and conservation throughout our communities and jurisdictions. We are convinced that by taking the initiative and working together in this manner, we can make a significant contribution to helping California during this energy crisis. On behalf of my local government, I support the Energy Conservation Pledge: Mayor William Doane Attest: Clerk R ° °Sr�T 3 s xxxvr June 22, 2001 TO: Mayors and City Managers Chairs, County Boards of Supervisors and County Administrative Officers Presidents and General Managers, Special Districts RE: Energy Conservation Pledge The State of California, the League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), and the California Special Districts Association (CSDA) are writing to all California cities, counties and special districts to thank you for your previous energy conservation efforts and to ask for your continued cooperation in implementing energy conservation and efficiency measures in your government facilities and in your communities. First, we wish to thank all local governments that have already taken actions to reduce energy use, especially those who responded to the call this January to cut use by 7 %. Your efforts resulted in substantial reductions in electricity use and assisted the State in making it through the difficult winter and spring months. We applaud your efforts. In response to the severe energy shortage facing California in the coming months, we are now encouraging all local governments to take the next steps and increase energy conservation efforts. Therefore, we encourage each jurisdiction to pledge to implement programs in local government buildings and facilities, the goal of which is to achieve up to a 15% reduction in electricity use over last year. In making this request, we recognize that because of the unique nature of the services provided by cities, counties and special districts, such as 24/7 public safety operations, water and wastewater systems and recreational opportunities for their citizens, it may not be possible for all jurisdictions to reach the 15% goal. Nevertheless, we ask all cities, counties and special districts to do their best. California as a whole is currently conserving energy by 10% over last year (adjusted for weather and population), and the State government has already cut energy use by 25% in its major office buildings. Additionally, businesses and non- profits throughout California are signing a Declaration of Action to conserve energy by 20 %. We ask that each jurisdiction sign and return the attached pledge to implement programs to further reduce energy consumption. We recognize that in the last few years, cities, counties and special districts have already retrofitted government buildings with energy efficient equipment, or built new, energy efficient facilities. For local government buildings, the new energy reduction goal would take such past actions into consideration, as discussed in (2) below. In addition, we recognize that many local governments this year have already changed operating hours, dimmed or removed interior lights, shut off computers and changed outdoor lighting systems in order to achieve the previously requested 7 %. Any further reduction would include these actions and not be in addition to them. By signing the attached pledge, cities, counties and special districts would agree to implement programs to reduce electricity use in local major government buildings and facilities by up to 15% over last year, and to cooperate with the State by taking the following actions. 1. Appoint an energy coordinator to communicate with the State and to coordinate energy efficiency and conservation actions in your facilities. If you have not already done so, we ask each local government to immediately appoint an energy coordinator to serve as the primary point person for communication with the State, the League, CSAC, and the CSDA on energy matters and to coordinate energy saving actions within the local government and in the community. The attached Energy Coordinator form includes details on how to register the coordinator via email or fax so that they can receive further information. This will include details on how to use the ENERGY STAR® tools and resources for buildings described below, how to obtain historic consumption data from investor owned utilities, a template of energy efficiency and conservation programs, and policy options that may be implemented at the local level. 2. Evaluate the energy performance of local government office buildings using the ENERGY STAR performance rating system and encourage local businesses to do the same. ENERGY STAR provides an online rating tool that will calculate energy use in a building or a group of buildings, providing a baseline against which to measure the effects of additional energy efficiency improvements. It will enable you to compare the energy use in local government office buildings and therefore determine which ones should be targeted for energy efficiency upgrades. The rating will also identify buildings already performing at a high efficiency level due to recent upgrades or energy efficient construction. Local governments can then develop an action plan to implement short- and long -term energy efficiency improvements that can then be documented with the rating tool. There are significant financial savings and financial assistance available for government and commercial building energy efficiency measures. More information on ENERGY STAR tools and resources and instructional materials on the performance rating system will be sent directly to the local energy coordinator once he or she is registered. While the ENERGY STAR rating tool only targets office buildings, we recognize that many local governments can and have reduced energy use in facilities other than office buildings, such as street and park lights, traffic signals, and water and wastewater systems. Obviously, such reductions should be included in calculating your jurisdiction's progress towards achieving the 15% goal. 3. Undertake conservation measures in local government buildings and encourage energy conservation in the commercial sector. The State has developed an energy conservation package for office buildings which has been adopted by the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and the janitor and operating engineer unions that service, with BOMA, over 600,000,000 square feet of office space. The program outlines energy conservation measures that can be taken in buildings by changing operations and behavior. To build upon existing conservation activities in local government buildings, we encourage local governments to adopt these measures and also ask that you encourage commercial office buildings in your jurisdictions to do the same. More information on this package will be sent directly to the local energy coordinator. 4. Support outreach by community -based organizations and non - profit groups. We ask that local governments work with community -based organizations (CBOs) WPthat have committed to educate their members and the general public on ways to conserve energy. CBOs across the state, including the League of Women Voters, the Council of Churches, the AARP, and the full range of environmental and community groups are asking people to pledge to save energy. Many groups are working with the California and local Conservation Corps, utilities, and others to walk neighborhoods with home energy conservation materials and free compact fluorescent light bulbs. Other groups are working with small businesses to assist them in cutting energy use. Information about these programs will be made available to energy coordinators. 5. Conduct a public education campaign by utilizing the "Watt's" Going on California? Energy Information Toolkit and other materials. We ask that local governments distribute energy conservation and efficiency messages and information to government employees and to the public in mailers, newsletters, and other materials, as appropriate. The "Watt's" Going On California? Toolkit that has been sent to cities and counties by the League of Cities, CSAC, the California Park and Recreation Society and the Local Government Commission contains valuable public education suggestions. This Toolkit can be downloaded from the both the League of California Cities and CSAC websites (www.caclties.org and www. counties, org) for those who wish additional copies. 6. Develop and implement a community assistance plan. We ask that local governments work with the State, community -based organizations, and each other to coordinate their response to the possibility of blackouts this summer. This response should target the elderly, at -risk residents, and businesses that are adversely affected by power outages. Information about the State's new blackout notification system and resources available to develop and implement these plans will be available from the State. Attached to this letter are: (1) an Energy Conservation Pledge form for your jurisdiction to complete and return; and (2) an Energy Conservation and Efficiency Coordinator identification form to complete and retum. This letter and forms are also available on the League, CSAC and CSDA websites. For more information about the overall program or the information requested, please contact the Flex Your Power office at.916- 651 -9121. Other information may be obtained from the League, CSAC or CSDA staff. We urge your jurisdiction to complete and return these forms as soon as possible so that we may all continue our efforts to reduce California's energy consumption. On behalf of the citizens of California, we thank you for your past efforts and hope that you will join with your State and local government colleagues and participate in this crucial undertaking. Sincerely, Gray�1� State of California lAva �� Gary F eeman, Supervisor Glenn County; President, California State Association of Counties Dav�F emi�yor, Vacaville President, League of California Citi CN es Bedy, Ph.D, Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District; President, California Special Districts Association CityCountyS,mcDislriaLeder.doc