Irene M. Stillings CCSE Executive Director

From the Director's Desk:
Relieving the Pain at the Pump: Street Smart 2008

Filling up is leading to empty wallets and consumers are ready for a change. CCSE focused on those changes at the 2nd annual Street Smart event held on July 27th. Hundreds of attendees cruised CCSE’s parking lot checking out the latest hybrid vehicles, electric cars, scooters and other alternative fuel technologies displayed throughout the green transportation fair. Some enthusiastic guests were even seen buzzing around the parking lot test driving electric scooters. Our Chairman of the Board, Bob Noble, was no exception. Perhaps the epitome of what a green future might look like, Bob cruised the CCSE parking lot donning his navy three piece suit astride the latest electric scooter.

Street Smart provided education and outreach through informative workshops on hypermiling (getting more mileage for your money) and alternate transit options. Speakers from SANDAG and UCAN offered insight on how these strategies can save money and the planet. The director of the award winning documentary “Who Killed the Electric Car,” Chris Paine, took the stage as this year’s keynote speaker. It was standing room only for both of Paine’s packed presentations, as he told the story of the rise and fall of the first electric vehicle, the EV1. The Solartaxi driver, Louis Palmer, also presented to a packed room. Palmer talked about his solar powered trip around the world. His journey brought him right here to CCSE for the annual Street Smart event and he received a standing ovation from fair goers following his presentation.

>> click here to see more photos from Street Smart 2008.

The sponsors of the event showcased green transportation alternatives under the town of white tents that filled the CCSE parking lot. Toyota, Street Smart’s main sponsor, exhibited the latest model Prius and Honda displayed their Compressed Natural Gas vehicle. As the event’s power sponsor, Akeena Solar energized the event with its solar truck. The solar truck also powered Jack FM’s music, popcorn machine and 6 foot slot machine that attendees spun for prizes. Jack FM collected more contest participants for their Honda hybrid giveaway and will be announcing the winner on September 29th.

This year’s media sponsors, CityBeat and KPBS helped drive attendance to Street Smart as did advertising on KIFM, JACK FM, AM760 and KGTV radio stations and websites. Our green hotel sponsor, Hotel Solamar, provided classy accommodation for Street Smart’s keynote speakers. Congratulations to our raffle prize winners: Bill Hammons, Craig Telleson, Michael Nieman, Rita Bauer, Donald McCraig, Claudia Sierra, Jeff and Deb Fischroat and Amanda Germann who won a Chris Paine, “Who Killed the Electric Car” DVD, a gift pack from Akeena Solar, hour-long massage coupons, MTS trolley tickets and museum passes.

CCSE would like to thank the presenters, event sponsors and participants that made Street Smart 2008 such a great success! Stay tuned for our Street Smart highlights video currently in its final phase of production. Log onto streetsmartsandiego.org to watch the video and see pictures of the 2008 event.

San Diego Turns a New Leaf with the First Annual Sustainability Fair

CCSE is joining forces with local businesses, government agencies and other non-profit organizations for a green cause!

CCSE is hosting the first annual Sustainability Fair on August 19, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at our home office, 8690 Balboa Ave. in Kearny Mesa. CCSE will partner with San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), the city of San Diego and the San Diego County Water Authority to host this premiere event to teach, learn and celebrate going green. The focus of the fair is to provide education and outreach regarding sustainability in the name of people, planet and prosperity. According to CCSE’s Director of Engineering, Robert Gilleskie, P.E.,CEM, this event will be beneficial to both the commercial sector and the community.

“Businesses will profit by learning more about the financial aspects of sustainable business practices, and we'll all benefit in our personal lives by learning about healthier, more truly productive, more satisfying ways to live," said Gilleskie.

The Sustainability Fair will feature a number of vendor displays and workshops, providing the latest technology and information on sustainable energy, water use, recycling and waste management.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their incandescent light bulbs and take part in a compact fluorescent light bulb exchange provided by SDG&E (limit 5 bulbs per calendar year per residence), check out solar water heating, learn about the latest green cleaning products and discover ways to improve energy efficiency.

Speakers will share information to assist your organization on ways to integrate sustainable and energy-efficient technologies, water conservation measures and recycling. “We’re excited about the potential for awareness the event will bring regarding issues of sustainability this year and for years to come. CCSE plans to make the Sustainability Fair a signature annual event to help meet our community outreach goals” said CCSE Marketing Communications Manager, Kim Sykes.

With this latest addition to our portfolio of annual events, CCSE continues the dedication to education and outreach for “Greening Your World”.

Bolt Rebuilding “Blu” for a Green Cause!

CCSE’s Kara Holman investigates "Bluwood" Technology

San Diego Charger Shawn Merriman

San Diego Charger Shawn Merriman is encouraging local fire victims to team up and go “Blu!” But this isn’t a cheer for the Bolts… it’s for “Bluwood” technology, a safe and fire-resistant way to rebuild. Merriman, who owns Lights Out Development Construction Company, and Steve Conboy, CEO of SC Bluwood, are doing just that, teaming up to rebuild San Diego. They will be donating AF21 Fire Inhibitor Bluwood treatment to new construction projects for fire victims, who are rebuilding from the 2007 San Diego wildfires. The AF21 Bluwood not only protects against mold and termites, but also it’s fire-resistant.

“I have lost two homes to fire,” said Merriman. “It can happen twice and I don’t want the fire victims in San Diego to lose their homes again.”

Ken Baker, of Rancho Bernardo is the first fire victim in San Diego rebuilding with Bluwood. “When I saw the ashes after the fire I felt numb,” said Baker. “I didn’t even want to sift through the dirt.”

Baker said his goal was to make something good from something bad.
“Building green, energy-efficient and fire-resistant is very important to me, and with Bluwood I know my home will be protected.”

Merriman said he wants San Diego to see the Baker home as a rebuilding example. “This is how San Diego should rebuild,” said Merriman. “Lights Out Development is taking care of the extra cost, so why not build to protect your home?”
Steve Conboy, CEO of Bluwood, said this concept needs to go beyond San Diego.

“We need to change the way the world builds, said Conboy.” “Bluwood demonstrates that transition and we are proud to team up with Lights Out Development to help the families here in San Diego.”

Trip Chaining

Four-thousand miles of freeways spread across California separating commuters from their destinations, and with the increasing price of gas, trip chaining is becoming a prevalent ideology.

In 1995 this term was used in a study done by the U.S. Department of Transportation to study the declination of personal trips carried out by public transit. Every stop was considered a chain along the entire trip, from the moment you left the house until you returned.

The term is now used to describe the ideology of combining all of your errands into a planned out route that will save you time and money, something familiar to most all of us in our busy and increasingly expensive lives.

UPS has taken this method and implemented into its daily operations. Truck routes are now preplanned utilizing only right turns to avoid waiting at left turn signals. They estimate they are saving around three million gallons of fuel per year with this plan.

So, the next time you wait to drop off the dry cleaning until you need to go to the grocery store, pick up the kids from soccer practice and get gas, realize you are practicing trip chaining that not only has a name, but also is a customary practice of a mega million dollar business. Also realize, not only are you saving yourself time and money, but also you are saving energy and contributing to a sustainable future for our world.

Inside the San Diego Energy Resource Center Lending Library

The Energy Resource Center ( ERC) has a vast array of books, periodicals, DVDs and tools to assist businesses and home owners with energy efficiency products, services and practices. Books, periodicals and DVDs can be checked out free of charge. Please call toll-free: 1-866-SDENERGY for more information. For a look at tools and resources available in the lending library, click here. ERC Featured Display Name: Solar Water Heating Description: Solar water heaters ( SWH) use the sun’s energy to heat either water or a heat-transfer fluid in collectors, which are normally mounted on a south facing roof. The collected heat is used to preheat incoming water to your existing water heater. SWH systems are therefore different from photovoltaic ( PV) systems that convert the sun’s energy into electricity. SWHs are made up of collectors, storage tanks, and depending on the system, electric pumps. The ERC displays two examples of solar water heating technology; solar wand and evacuated tube. Systems Addressed: Renewable ERC Featured Instrument Name: SDT Ultra wave 170 Model: FS170SUS Description: Ultrasonic Waves (leak detection) Ultrasound detector for leaks, friction and electrical discharge. For use with compressed air, steam, vacuum, process gasses and refrigeration gasses. Earphones, power transducer and case included. Extruded aluminum outer shell is protected by “anti-shock” insulation and the NMHD rechargeable batter block uses latest battery technology allowing more than eight hours of use and unrestricted charging practices. Availability: Loaned free of charge for up to 5 business days. Remember: Safety first! ERC Featured Book Name: Residential Landscape Architecture: Design Process for the Private Residence Author: Norman K. Booth, James E. Hiss Description: Residential Landscape Architecture, fourth edition explores the functional and artistic elements of residential site design, with a focus on appreciation of quality and updates standards for site development, maintenance techniques and training. It clearly illustrates and discusses the actual procedures and underlying principles utilized by experience residential site designers.   NOTE: Books, periodicals and videos can also be checked out free of charge at CCSE. Please call Toll Free: 1-866-SDENERGY for more information. To find prior editions of "Inside the San Diego Energy Resource Center Lending Library" information, including DVD reviews, click here.

Energy Policies, Regulations & Legislative Updates

A Summary of Recent California Public Utilities Commission regulatory activity, and what it means to the average consumer, business and/or public agency: Energy Efficiency (R.06-04-010)   What’s this? This is the forum for initiating the next planning cycle for 2009-2011 energy efficiency ( EE) program plans, funding levels and related issues. What’s new? On July 1, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issued a proposed decision adopting interim EE savings goals for 2012 through 2020, and defining EE savings goals for 2009 through 2011. Comments were due July 21, and reply comments were due July 28. Additionally, on July 21, the Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) filed their 2009-2011 EE portfolio applications. In related news, on July 10, the California Public Utilities Commission ( CPUC or Commission) initiated a new Order Instituting Rulemaking (OIR), R.08-07-011, to develop the Commission’s Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan. This new rulemaking was consolidated with Application 08-06-004, the joint utilities’ proposed California Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan (CEESP). On July 14, the assigned Commissioner and ALJ issued a ruling seeking comments on the Draft Commission California Strategic Plan for Energy Efficiency (Draft Strategic Plan) and setting a schedule for the new rulemaking. Opening comments on the Draft Strategic Plan were due July 31, and reply comments are due August 7. In addition, on July 18, the CPUC hosted a prehearing conference and public workshop to discuss the differences between the CEESP and the Draft Strategic Plan. . California Solar Initiative, Self-Generation Incentive Program and Other Distributed Generation Issues (R.08-03-008) What’s this? This rulemaking will continue the work of R.06-03-004, developing and refining policies, rules and programs for the California Solar Initiative ( CSI) and the Self-Generation Incentive Program ( SGIP), and considering policies for the development of cost-effective, clean and reliable distributed generation ( DG). What’s new? On May 15, the CPUC released the Scoping Memo and Ruling of Assigned Commissioner and Administrative Law Judges, which defined the scope of the proceeding and set forth the procedural schedule. SWHPP: On August 26, the CPUC will host a public workshop to discuss issues related to the evaluation of the Solar Water Heating Pilot Program ( SWHPP).   CSI: On June 30, the Performance Data Provider Workshop Report, prepared by the CPUC Energy Division, was released. An Advice Letter must be submitted on behalf of the CSI Program Administrators within thirty days of the Report’s release with CSI Program Handbook changes as directed by the report. On July 8, Grid Alternatives submitted a Petition for Modification, seeking to modify Decision 07-11-045 regarding the CSI Single-Family Low-Income (SFLI) incentive program to allow homeowners to assign their SFLI incentive payments to third parties that provide the solar equipment or installation or purchase money financing for the equipment or installation costs. Responses to the Petition for Modification must be filed no later than August 7. On July 14, the CPUC hosted a workshop to discuss issues raised by parties relating to the CSI budget, potential unspent program funds and incentive applications that drop out. The discussion included potential options for program modifications. Parties have until August 4 to submit post-workshop comments to address the issues raised in the workshop presentation. After reviewing the comments, CPUC staff will decide whether any steps need to be taken. SGIP: On July 1, the ALJ issued a ruling permitting parties to submit comments regarding new information. VRB Power Systems Inc. (VRB) presented comments in reply in response to an April 4 ruling. In the April 4 ruling, the assigned Commissioner requested parties to comment on the recommendations of the SGIP Working Group and the CPUC Energy Division to add several eligible technologies under the SGIP. VRB’s reply comments contained new information explaining its recommendation for a $3/watt incentive level for advanced energy storage (AES) technologies. Parties’ comments regarding this new information were due July 11. Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Project (A.06-08-010)   What’s this? San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) seeks authority from the CPUC to construct a 500 kV transmission line in conjunction with several 230 kV transmission lines, expected to run 150 miles between the Imperial Valley and San Diego. What’s new? On July 8, a revised Draft Environmental Impact Report/Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Recirculated Draft EIR/Supplemental Draft EIS or RDEIR/SDEIS) (www.cpuc.ca.gov/Environment/info/aspen/sunrise/sunrise.htm) was released for comment. On August 4, an informational workshop was held to answer questions about the RDEIR/SDEIS and to explain how to participate in the decision-making process. After the 45-day public comment period ends August 25, the CPUC and the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will prepare a Final EIR/EIS, which will present responses to all comments received on the Draft EIR/EIS, as well as on the RDEIR/SDEIS. The Final EIR/EIS will be published by mid-October 2008. A proposed decision on the project will be issued in November 2008, and a final decision is expected before the end of the year. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap (R.06-04-009)   What’s this? Initiated out of Assembly Bill ( AB) 32, this will design and implement a greenhouse gas ( GHG) cap for the regulated electric utilities, including consideration of a GHG performance standard. What’s new? In related news, public and stakeholder comments were due August 1, on the Climate Change Draft Scoping Plan released by the California Air Resources Board ( ARB). Comments on the Appendices to the draft scoping plan were due August 11, and after this deadline, ARB will continue to accept comments on the AB 32 Scoping Plan process until October 2. In addition, on August 15, a Regional Scoping Plan Workshop will be held in San Diego. The draft scoping plan will be revised based on the public and stakeholder comments and finalized as the Proposed Scoping Plan, which will be released in early October and considered by ARB at its November Board meeting. For a complete list of energy-related State and Federal legislation, please visit our Web site at www.energycenter.org.