Friday, July 28, 2017

Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Update

wEEkly update

07/28/2017


Funding Wizard | Energy Standards Online Resource Center | Energy Code Ace
CAISO Today's Outlook


A great new resource for local governments has launched!

LocalEnergyCodes.com offers tools and resources to support local energy efficiency and renewable energy ordinances. The site will serve as a repository for tools and resources to support local energy efficiency and renewable energy ordinances. Key resources available on the site include cost-effectiveness studies, ordinance summaries for internal communications, model language, and document templates. More resources will be included in the future as the site continues to be updated.

Click here for information on this new valuable resource for local governments.

News and Opportunities

Energy Efficiency’s Existential Crisis Is Also an Opportunity
Matt Golden discusses the evolving role of energy efficiency as new measurement technologies are deployed and we continue to integrate. growing numbers of distributed resources.

ICLEI People's Delegation to COP23
As a follow up to the #WeAreStillIn campaign and in leadup to COP23 in Bonn November 6-17, ICLEI USA is in preparations to take a delegation of U.S. local leaders from our network joined by concerned citizens and members of the environmental justice communities.

Joint Agency Workshop on Senate Bill 350 Low-Income Barriers Study Implementation
The CEC and CPUC will jointly conduct a workshop to discuss implementation of the Low-Income Barriers Study for energy efficiency and renewables.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

UPCOMING WORKSHOP: Carbon Free Home





Carbon-Free Home
August 22nd
5:30 pm-7:00 pm    


Yes, it's possible: Carbon-Free Homes are being built in Central California. Be one of the first to see a working prototype during our next Green Building Tour.

Unique features of this home include passive house design features, a solar system covering all electric needs of the residents with charging capacity for two electric cars, and a layout flexible for multi-generational living. 

Join this cutting-edge project's developer and architect on August 22nd from 5:30-7pm for a tour of this exciting new home which is an example of Central Valley living being part of a carbon free future.

Space is limited. SIGN UP EARLY


Our members and sponsors make our work possible. Join us to become part of our continuing support base and save at events all year long. Questions? Please contact info@usgbccc.org






              








Connect With USGBC-CC
Our Partners

Gold



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Certified


Dunbar and Sons


Copyright © 2015 US Green Building Council Central California. All rights reserved.
Contact email: info@usgbccc.org



Monday, July 24, 2017

Happy METU Monday!

Why does energy efficiency make good business sense?

There are many indirect energy saving benefits according to the Small Business Administration (SBA):

Enhanced Employee Productivity - Enhanced comfort and improved lighting conditions may contribute to improvements in staff productivity.
Reduced Operations and Maintenance Costs - Many energy-efficient technologies significantly decrease your operations and maintenance requirements, saving not only money but also staff time.
Increased Customer Comfort - Building upgrades will improve your facility's appearance, present your products or services in a comfortable, well-lit environment.
Increased Asset Value - Efficient business properties have higher market values than those with higher operating costs.
Enhanced Public Image - Your contribution to environmental protection very positively differentiates your business from your competitors.

Look out for METU near you!
We are so proud to announce that we just helped the City of Avenal save over 137,000 kWh in annual savings. That is equivalent to over $21,000 in savings on their utility bills and we are just getting started!

METU is continually looking to assist our municipal partners in the San Joaquin Valley. If you are in any of the following counties and have PG&E gas or electric service, call us today!

Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare counties.


Not sure where to start? Connect with us:
T: (877) 748-0841
E: METU@SJVCEO.ORG

Check out our NEW website!
MUNICIPALTUNEUP.ORG
*Source: https://www.sba.gov/managing-business/running-business/energy-efficiency/calculate-energy-savings/indirect-energy-saving-benefits

Friday, July 21, 2017

Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Update


wEEkly update

07/21/2017


Funding Wizard | Energy Standards Online Resource Center | Energy Code Ace
CAISO Today's Outlook


A great new resource for local governments has launched!

LocalEnergyCodes.com offers tools and resources to support local energy efficiency and renewable energy ordinances. The site will serve as a repository for tools and resources to support local energy efficiency and renewable energy ordinances. Key resources available on the site include cost-effectiveness studies, ordinance summaries for internal communications, model language, and document templates. More resources will be included in the future as the site continues to be updated.

Click here for information on this new valuable resource for local governments.

News and Opportunities

Joint Agency Workshop on Senate Bill 350 Low-Income Barriers Study Implementation - Aug. 1st
The Commission and CPUC will jointly conduct a workshop to discuss the implementation of the Low-Income Barriers Study.

California Microgrid Roadmap Scoping Workshop - July 26th
Energy Commission staff will conduct a public workshop with staff from the CPUC and the California California ISO on the California Microgrid Roadmap to develop a plan to accelerate the adoption of microgrids in the state.

San Benito High School to implement energy efficiency program
The project, which includes new light fixtures, "smart" heating and cooling systems, and the installation of solar panels, is expected to save the district $13 million.

California sets the gold standard on good energy policy
"California’s example of self-sufficiency and dedication to producing sound policy can be replicated nationwide. "

Monday, July 17, 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.

Look out for METU near you!
METU is continually looking to assist municipal partners in the San Joaquin Valley. If you are in any of the following counties and have PG&E gas or electric service, call us today!

Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare counties.



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


Check out our NEW website!
MUNICIPALTUNEUP.ORG

Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Update

wEEkly update

07/14/2017


Funding Wizard | Energy Standards Online Resource Center | Energy Code Ace
CAISO Today's Outlook


LG Input Requested: Staff Engagement Information and Strategies
Request for information from local government agencies regarding staff engagement practices as they pertain to energy efficiency, sustainability, climate change, climate adaptation etc. efforts and initiatives. We’d like to hear about how you garner support for your projects/initiatives from decision makers, city council/board of supervisors, your staff, and your community. We also want to hear about what are some of the obstacles you face in moving projects forward from conception to implementation. If your organization has rolled out an engagement strategy that was successful in changing the culture in your organization to be supportive of your initiatives we’d love to hear about it.  This information will help guide the development of a staff engagement plan for a fellow local government

Please contact Rosie Kang, Willdan Energy Solutions at rkang@willdan.com or (626) 633-6218 to provide your input.

News and Opportunities

REEL Regulations Modifications Workshop: July 19, 2017
The Residential Energy Efficiency Loan (REEL) Assistance Program is the first of the California Hub for Energy Efficiency Financing (CHEEF) Pilot Programs to launch. It offers a loan loss reserve to mitigate lender risk in providing access to financing for residential energy efficiency projects in investor-owned utility territories.

California Assembly Yanks Major Storage Bill, Pushing It to 2018
Greentech Media reports on SB 700 that would have funded storage incentives over 10 years.

Corrected Link: Energy Standards Outreach & Education Schedule - July
The July schedule for the CEC Energy Standards Outreach & Education Schedule is now available. Locations of scheduled meetings include Marina, Modesto, Los Angeles, and Orange.

Thursday, July 13, 2017

UPCOMING LEARNING SESSION: CNG Listen and Learn



With funding from the California Energy Commission, CALSTART opened the San Joaquin Valley Clean Transportation Center with the goal to accelerate the use of clean vehicles and fuels and help the region more quickly meet its air quality targets. 



For those outside of the area who are unable to attend in person, a call-in conference line will be available. For more information, contact the San Joaquin Valley Clean Cities Coalition at projectcleanairprograms@gmail.com


Copyright © 2017 by CALSTART, All rights reserved.

Contact Us
Joseph Oldham, Director
San Joaquin Valley Clean Transportation Center
Address: 510 W. Kearney Blvd., Fresno, CA 93706
Phone: (559)797-6034
Email: joldham@calstart.org
Website: www.sjvcleantransportation.org

Monday, July 10, 2017

New Clean Transportation News



Welcome to the May-July 2017 San Joaquin Valley Clean Transportation Center Newsletter. With funding from the California Energy Commission, CALSTART opened the Center with the goal to accelerate the use of clean vehicles and fuels and help the region more quickly meet air quality targets.

Up to $100,000 Per Truck Available Through SJV Prop 1B; Apply by July 28 

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is accepting Prop 1B applications through July 28, 2017. Funding of up to $100,000 per truck is available to replace 2009 or older diesel trucks with new compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks. Funding amounts are listed below:
     
Vehicle Class
Electric-equivalent
CNG 0.02 NOx Engine
CNG 0.2 NOx Engine
8
$100,000
$65,000
7
$100,000
$65,000
6
$50,000
$40,000
5
$40,000
$25,000

With these incentives, the cost of a new CNG truck can be less than a new diesel truck. In addition, CNG fuel costs historically are less than diesel. Unlike diesel trucks, CNG engines enjoy maintenance-free aftertreatment, requiring no Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) or Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), and no diesel emission fluid. From an environmental standpoint, the 0.02 NOx CNG engine’s emissions are electric equivalent.

The application includes two parts:
1) Owner Information: http://www.valleyair.org/grants/documents/prop1b/2017/A1.pdf
2) Truck(s) Information: http://www.valleyair.org/grants/documents/prop1b/2017/A2.pdf

SoCalGas is offering help to qualified customers to complete their application. For assistance, contact them at (213) 244-5681 or ngvinfo@SempraUtilities.com.




Top: GreenPower CEO/Director Phillip Oldridge, ARB and SJVAPCD Board Member Alexander Sherriffs, M.D., GreenPower Executive Chairman/Director Fraser Atkinson, SJVAPCD APCO Seyed Sadredin and GreenPower President Brendan Riley (left to right) break ground in Porterville for GreenPower's new electric bus manufacturing plant. Bottom: The EV550, a 100-passenger double-decker bus, is one of the all-electric buses to be built at the plant. 

GreenPower Breaks Ground in Porterville for New Electric Bus Manufacturing Plant 

The site may have been covered with brown dirt, but there was no doubt among more than 200 people attending GreenPower Motor Company’s ground-breaking ceremony June 2 that Porterville is going “green” in a big way. Canadian-based GreenPower considered numerous locations nationwide before choosing Porterville, and perhaps it was more than chance that this site on Hope Drive near the municipal airport will be the company's first U.S. manufacturing plant for its all-electric buses.

In addition to a 145,000-square-foot manufacturing plant, the company will construct a two-story, 6,000-square-foot office building. The company expects to employ 100 to 200 employees in its first year and produce about 150 buses, said GreenPower President Brendan Riley. One of GreenPower's first customers will be the City of Porterville. When the 10 EV350 40-foot electric buses are put in service, Porterville Transit expects to become the first all-electric city transit system in the nation. The buses are being purchased with a $9.5 million grant from the Air Resources Board (ARB).

"Porterville is the best choice for GreenPower," said Riley. "We want to build these buses in an area where they are needed."

Alexander Sherriffs, M.D., a board member for both the ARB and San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD), said that practicing family medicine in Fowler since 1983 has shown him how important air quality is to health. "By placing zero-emission electric buses in Porterville, we all benefit," he said.

Seyed Sadredin, Air Pollution Control Officer for the SJVAPCD, which also worked to help bring GreenPower to the Valley, emphasized the importance of the new facility. "This will serve as an example of what we can do in the San Joaquin Valley...to become a green manufacturing center for the state and the rest of the nation," said Sadredin.

To learn more, read these articles from the Porterville Recorder and EV Galaxy website. For video of GreenPower's buses, watch this interview with company President Brendan Riley on Fresno's KMPH Fox 26.

In addition to transit and shuttle buses, GreenPower's Synapse 72 all-electric school bus is eligible for funding through the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). Read about a demonstration tour and how a number of school districts and charter schools in the state will be purchasing electric buses. To learn more about HVIP, see the article below.