Monday, March 27, 2017

Happy METU Monday!

For this weeks METU Monday, we want to share some questions we commonly hear from our partners:

Why should I install LEDs if I get rebates on CFLs?
CFLs are a great cost-saving measure especially when replacing incandescent lamps.  However, manufacturers and building codes are increasingly moving toward LED technology.  If feasible, implementing LED technology now will save you from potentially having to upgrade again in the near future.

We have upgraded all of the lighting so there's no more savings to be achieved, right?
WRONG! This is a great start.  However, did you know the highest utility expense for most local governments is not generated in buildings but in water and waste management infrastructure?  This means pump efficiency is crucial.

We can help!
Before starting your energy project, call us! We will ensure you can take advantage of any available opportunities to save money.

What is METU?
METU is our nickname for the Municipal Energy Tune Up Program which helps your local government identify and implement energy efficiency projects.  Let's face it, project management can be as difficult as herding cats.  Why not lean on us to provide technical assistance to see your projects through from "cradle to grave".

Look out for METU near you!
We are excited to be working with so many of our local government partners.  We have begin coordinating projects for the City of Avenal and benchmarking with the City of Arvin and Kern County. Finding solutions for our local government partners is our primary focus.

Connect with us:
T: (877)748-0841
E: METU@SJVCEO.ORG

Check out our NEW website!
MUNICIPALTUNEUP.ORG

Friday, March 24, 2017

Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Update

wEEkly update

3/24/2017


Funding Wizard | Energy Standards Online Resource Center | Energy Code Ace



8th Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum June 14-15
Mark your calendars for June 14th-15th. The annual SEEC Forum will be in Fresno with two pre-forum workshops on June 13th focusing on Energy Efficiency 101 and Zero Net Energy for Local Governments. Click here to find more information and register for the forum.

News and Opportunities

BART's New Sustainability Effort
Holly Gordon, BART's Sustainability Group Manager discusses the latest effort to make BART more sustainable.

Low-Income Renters Face Barriers to Clean Energy
Maria Stamas of NRDC reviews the SB 350 Barriers Study from the California Energy Commission.

2017 Linda Latham Scholarship
ACEEE has announced that they are accepting applications for the Linda Latham Scholarships to attend their 2017 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Industry in Denver, Colorado from August 15 -18, 2017.

There’s Vast Untapped Potential for Solar Rooftops in the US, Says Google
Greentech Media reviews Google's Project Sunroof since it's launch two years ago. The website now includes 60 million rooftops across the country.

Monday, March 20, 2017

Happy METU Monday!

Are your municipal utility accounts benchmarked?
If you answered "no", then it is time to take the first step toward saving money!

Why benchmark?
Because you can't manage what you don't measure. 

Benchmarking:
  • Consolidates utility billing data
  • Tracks changes over time
  • Identifies where the money-saving opportunities are
Who has the time and/or staff to dedicate to benchmarking?
We do!  Let METU do the legwork for you.

What is METU?  This fun acronym stands for Municipal Energy Tune Up.  The program helps your local government identify and implement energy efficiency projects.  By providing technical assistance and project management from "cradle to grave", local governments no longer must worry about being too short-staffed to save energy, and save money.

METU in Action: We are continuing to steamroll ahead!  In addition to working with the cities of Firebaugh and Taft, the METU program has also started a benchmarking and account clean-up project for Kern county.  We are also excite to announce that the City of Arvin has taken the first step toward saving money by letting METU benchmark their infrastructure.  We are here to help find solutions for our local government partners by finding existing PG&E program that fit their needs or by overseeing the execution of original energy efficiency projects.

We are excited to share our progress and hope the savings bug is contagious!

Connect with us:
T: (877)748-0841
E: METU@SJVCEO.ORG

Check out our NEW website!
MUNICIPALTUNEUP.ORG

Friday, March 17, 2017

Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Update

wEEkly update

3/17/2017


Funding Wizard | Energy Standards Online Resource Center | Energy Code Ace


8th Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum June 14-15
Mark your calendars for June 14th-15th. The annual SEEC Forum will be in Fresno with two pre-forum workshops on June 13th focusing on Energy Efficiency 101 and Zero Net Energy for Local Governments. Click here to find more information and register for the forum.

News and Opportunities

Wet Winter Leads to Potential CAISO Spring Curtailment
The California ISO expects to curtail up to 8,000MW this Spring due to the overabundance of hydro generation.

Apply for a Public Fleet Rebate
The Public Fleet Pilot Project offers up to $15,000 in rebates for the purchase of new, eligible zero-emissions and plug-in hybrid light-duty vehicles by public agencies operating in California's most vulnerable and pollution-burdened areas.

Can California Go 100% Green?
Anne C. Mulkern digs into the details of latest push to use 100% renewable energy in the California grid.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

SAVE THE DATE : Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative



8th Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum

Call for Proposals and Registration
NOW OPEN

Join us for the 8th Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum in Fresno from June 14th to June 15th, with pre-forum activities taking place June 13th! This forum is offered at no-cost to California local governments and features updates from key state agencies, highlights innovative local energy and sustainability projects, offers capacity-building trainings, and provides multiple networking opportunities.

DoubleTree by Hilton 
Downtown Fresno
2233 Ventura Street
Fresno, CA 93721

With optional pre-forum activities
taking place June 13th



CALL FOR PROPOSALS
The forum is an opportunity to showcase best practices, local projects, and innovative strategies for energy efficiency and sustainability. If you have innovative projects or replicable strategies to share, we encourage you to submit a session proposal!


We hope you can join us! If you have any questions about the forum, please contact Khrystyna Platte at kplatte@lgc.org.

For more information about the forum, please visit lgc.org/2017-seec-forum.

  

This forum is being organized by the Local Government Commission through the Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative (SEEC). SEEC is an alliance to help cities and counties reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy. SEEC is a collaboration between three statewide non-profit organizations and California's four Investor Owned Utilities. This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by Southern California Gas Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Southern California Edison, under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

Monday, March 13, 2017

Happy METU Monday!

Although we have been experiencing an abundance of rainfall, if you are native of the central valley you know summer is on its way! So right now is a great time to start thinking about your HVAC cooling systems and ensuring they are functioning efficiently. It is essential to implement cost-saving measures such as economizers and programmable thermostats. It is also important to service your units each season and replace them when necessary. If you are thinking of starting an energy saving project, make sure you contact us first!

What is METU? This fun acronym stands for Municipal Energy Tune Up. The program helps your local government identify and implement energy efficiency projects. By providing technical assistance and project management from “cradle to grave”, local governments no longer must worry about being too short-staffed to save energy, and save money.

METU in Action: We are very excited to announce the City of Firebaugh has completed benchmarking and is in the planning stage for starting some energy efficiency projects. There were promising opportunities identified in their METU Readiness Report for water pumping efficiency and now METU is working with the APEP program which is a PG&E third party program to see those projects through. The City of Taft is poised to get going as well. Once all automated benchmarking services are back up, Taft will be ready to hit the ground running toward energy savings.

We are excited to share our progress and hope the savings bug is contagious!


Connect with us:

T (877)748-0841
E METU@SJVCEO.ORG



Check out our NEW website!

MUNICPALTUNEUP.ORG

Friday, March 10, 2017

Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Update

wEEkly Update

3/10/2017


Funding Wizard | Energy Standards Online Resource Center | Energy Code Ace



SEEC Local Government Roundtable
You can find more information and join a Local Government Roundtable using the link above. The current street lighting roundtable is scheduled for March 27th. The next roundtable for Codes and Standards will be scheduled soon.

News and Opportunities

PG&E Resilient Communities Grant Program
PG&E is currently requesting grant proposals that will build healthy and resilient forests and watersheds to help communities prevent and prepare for increasing wildfire risk. Eligible projects include research, planning or demonstration projects that support local climate resilience initiatives.

BayREN Forum: Household Electrification as a Pathway to On-Site ZNE
The BayREN Codes & Standards (C&S) team invites you to register for their upcoming regional forum on March 30th. The focus of this workshop is to help local governments address misconceptions and questions about 2016 Title 24 Energy Codes when designing new, or applying deep energy retrofits for, all-electric low-rise residential buildings.

New Solar Homes Partnership Guidebook
The California Energy Commission adopted the New Solar Homes Partnership Guidebook, Tenth Edition (NSHP Guidebook) at its March 8, 2017, Business Meeting.

Friday, March 3, 2017

Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Update


wEEkly update

3/3/2017


Funding Wizard | Energy Standards Online Resource Center | Energy Code Ace


SEEC Local Government Roundtable
You can find more information and join a Local Government Roundtable using the link above. The current streetlighting roundtable is scheduled for March 27th. The next roundtable for Codes and Standards will scheduled soon.

News and Opportunities

Santa Monica and Marin County Local Ordinances
The City of Santa Monica and Marin County local ordinances that exceeded 2016 Building Energy Efficiency Standards are up for approval at the California Energy Commission's March 8th Business Meeting.

Urban Green Grant Program
The California Natural Resources Agency is providing funding to projects that reduce greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon, decreasing energy consumption and reducing vehicle miles traveled, while also transforming the built environment into places that are more sustainable, enjoyable, and effective in creating healthy and vibrant communities.

LG Input Requested: Draft Solicitation for EPIC Projects
California Energy Commission staff is developing a competitive Grant Funding Opportunity (GFO) through the Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) to increase the adoption of emerging clean energy technologies in large-scale procurement processes. Comments are due 5 p.m. on Monday, March 13, 2017.