Irene M. Stillings CCSE Executive Director

From the Director's Desk:
Embracing and Creating Change in 2009

The news around us indicates that we are entering a time of transition and frugality while a stressed economy recovers. Meanwhile our country welcomes the message of change permeating the airwaves as we await the inauguration of a new president. With the upcoming leadership transition, there’s a palpable thread of hope, particularly as it relates to sustainable energy and the environment. We expect increased support at the top levels of management for green solutions to our energy problems. Along with our communities, CCSE is eagerly awaiting an increase in the resources needed to increase energy efficiency, reduce emissions and to adopt clean energy technologies.

President-elect Barack Obama shares CCSE’s vision of making clean, efficient and renewable energy a top priority. The “Obama-Biden New Energy Plan for America” stresses the importance of sustainability. Some of the plan’s initiatives include creating five million new green jobs by strategically investing $150 billion over the next ten years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future. Another initiative lays out plans for putting one million hybrid cars on the road by 2015. CCSE’s statewide Fueling Alternatives Program (funded by the California Air Resources Board) has made it a lot easier for consumers to purchase alternative fuel vehicles like all-electric and compressed natural gas, to date granting more than 1.6 million dollars in rebates.

While we await the new presidential initiatives, jobs continue to be lost and many Americans in all sectors are out of work. Recognizing our community needs, CCSE remains at the forefront of change, providing education and outreach for energy savings and renewable energy generation practices, which help energy consumers save during lean times. Reducing energy costs is a top priority for many people in the New Year as they search for ways to stretch their budgets; CCSE is here to help.

On the plus side, the new incentives and tax credits for solar generation systems are making this more accessible for a wide range of energy users and property owners. As of the first of the year, the federal government raised its incentives by removing the existing $2,000 cap on the investment tax credit (ITC) for residential solar electric projects. Both residential and commercial projects now get the 30% ITC on the full system value. This equates to a reduction of an additional $7,000 or more off the initial system cost to the homeowner. The feds extended the solar ITC for an unprecedented eight years, and the municipal initiatives made possible by AB811 should spur the market.

With a challenging new year ahead, CCSE is looking forward to helping consumers, business and municipalities reduce their operating and lifestyle costs with conservation and energy efficiency strategies. For people to embrace change, we must understand not only how to change, but why it is important to change. With this in mind, there is more education from CCSE on the way in 2009 in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building, transportation and climate change. We are hopeful for community support in carrying out our mission and we are planning for a year of measurable impacts to this end. We look forward to working with you to promote change for a clean energy future.

CCSE Rings in New Year with Installation of PV System!

CCSE is making our gift to the environment this New Year the installation of a solar photovoltaic ( PV) system to help power our Kearny Mesa office.

Our solar PV system is made up of 44 United Solar Ovonic PVL-116 (PM) panels, 36 Kyocera Solar KC158G panels and two SMA America SB5000US inverters. The system is expected to produce 16,918 kWh annually and will save over $2,200 in electricity costs each year. It had powered our previous office and was removed when we relocated. We finally found the funds to reinstall it.

The installation process provided a great training opportunity for students from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and is expected to be complete by the end of the month. System energy production and performance parameters will be monitored, with the data on display for visitors to our Energy Resource Center.

To learn more about the CSI, click here.

The Spirit of Giving...

CCSE made the holiday season a little brighter for the kids at Rady’s Children’s hospital. Every year a local DJ hoists himself up in a crane during the holidays and vows to remain on the crane until 100,000 toys are collected… this year every CCSE employee contributed to that successful goal! Kimberly Baker, CCSE’s Human Resources assistant, organized the toy drive.

“We believe that giving to our San Diego community is an integral part of our mission,“ said Baker. “While we consistently contribute to an increased quality of life through our environmental education and outreach efforts, we were excited that we were able to have an impact in a different way and that we were able to ensure that children in need had a wonderful Christmas this year.”

Cool Communities Shade Tree Program Exceeds Expectations at the Finish Line

A triumph for trees! The Cool Communities Shade Tree (CCST) Program greatly exceeded its goal of planting 14,000 trees during the three years ending December 31st of 2008. More than 10,000 residents were trained in our classes since the CCST began in 2002. At the program’s end, huge demand outpaced the available staff resources and program funding, impeding CCSE’s ability to accommodate all those interested in receiving trees.

The Program's legacy will be a long-lasting group of measurable benefits for our region’s economy and environment. As far as the direct energy benefits, the program provided 17,398 shade trees since 2006, which will result in an electric demand reduction of 2,957.66 kW and a total energy savings of 2,714,088 kWh per year on average over the next 20 years. Since its inception in 2002, CCST has provided hands-on education and more than 35,000 trees to thousands of residents in San Diego County. Trees improve our quality of life in other very concrete ways, including water conservation and runoff control; erosion control; ecosystem benefits such as wildlife habitat preservation; sequestration of a variety of air pollutants; and tremendous aesthetic value. Ample evidence links tree-lined communities to improved public health, reduced crime rates and a reduction in atmospheric carbon emissions.

Customer feedback consistently indicates that our training classes are as valuable as our free trees. “The educational component ensures that our trees start with healthy planting techniques, a goal to put the ‘right tree, in the right place’ and less chance that the trees will end up poorly pruned or topped,” said Arborist and CCST Associate Program Manager, Robin Rivet. “Our training method helps promote a longer and healthier lifespan, and this alone becomes a vital reason to continue publicly supported urban tree plantings. There is a tremendous need to reverse net tree loss in our cities.”

As we write the final reports for the CCST program, we are searching for funding for a similar tree planting program, since evidence shows trees are essential to infrastructure and a truly sustainable urban environment. The tremendous success of the CCST attests to an ongoing need for this energy saving, environmentally beneficial program.

Green New Year’s Resolution

I will relinquish my title of "Most Likely to Acquire Useless Stuff I Don’t Wear or Need."
Admit it — your closet is full of had-to-have items that have been punished to a life of hanging unworn. You have enough notepads, pens, books, magnets and collectible gadgets to fill a mini storage unit. Yes, our purchases keep the economy going, but most of us buy far more than we need. (There are entire TV shows dedicated to demonstrating ways to unclutter!) Remember that packaging, waste and pollution are created in order to make these items available to you. If you trash those once-new goodies when you’re no longer interested in them, they will live in a landfill for years and years. It’s time to clean out, and stop the excessive collecting.

I will avenge my phantom load.
Phantom load has nothing to do with the pounds that mysteriously appeared on your midsection over the holidays. The term refers to the energy wasted by electronics and power chargers when they are plugged in but not in use. That’s right — your computer cord, cell phone charger and time-telling DVD player are all sucking energy from the outlet even when there isn’t anything attached or being watched (hence the spooky phantom-ness). To save energy, cut the power to your electronics by plugging them in to a power strip and flipping the switch to off when you’re not watching or listening.

I will be smarter than bottled water companies and drink for free what they are trying to sell me.
Kicking the plastic water bottle habit might sound like an impossible feat if you’re as addicted as the average thirsty American; last year we consumed the water in about 50 billion plastic water bottles. If the fact that plastic is bad for the environment doesn’t get you to quit, just think: Several bottled water brands use the same H20 that’s available from your faucet. So buy an eco-chic reusable stainless steel bottle, and refill it throughout the day — for free. If you’re parched at the mere thought of quitting cold turkey, ease into a plastic-bottle–free life by bringing one less bottle a week to the gym, or by giving them up at the office.

If I can remember to TiVo “Dancing with the Stars,” I can remember to bring my own bags to the grocery store.
It’s as if plastic shopping bags are required to exit a store—the disposable sacks are forced on customers even when the purchase is just a can of soda. But plastic bags are made from petroleum and only about 1 percent of the estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags consumed worldwide are recycled each year. Most end up in landfills (where they take perhaps 1000 years to decompose) or in the sea. If you start bringing your own bags now, you’ll be ahead of the curve when plastic ones are outlawed in your community.

I will switch to recycled paper products at home (but not if they make me chafe).
We know there are some folks out there who must have two-ply, but even you can commit to changing just one thing. If you have a Larry David-like aversion to recycled toilet paper, try the paper towels. If brown won’t match your kitchen colors, look for recycled paper towels that are whitened without chlorine or stick with washable dishcloths. By purchasing recycled paper products, you’re preventing trees from being chopped down and paper waste from ending up in landfills. In addition, less energy and water is required to produce a recycled paper product.

I will consider whether my meal came from the farm or the factory.
Big agriculture isn’t all bad. Everyone has a guilty culinary pleasure that comes from a big factory (e.g. Oreos, and Cap’n Crunch). But while you’re worrying about your own carbon footprint, remember that your food has one too. Think of how many miles your food has traveled (do you really need berries from Chile?), how many chemicals are used, and how much pollution and waste have been generated in the production of your foodstuffs. Support local agriculture by shopping for food at a local farmers’ market. The goods will be fresh, and you might enjoy meeting some of the people who grew your dinner. You can at least ask questions about local farming practices and find out if the food is both environmentally conscious and wholesome.

I will take a day off from road rage and take mass transit or car-pool one day a week.
If you have public transportation options available to you, try switching to the train or bus one day a week. According to the American Public Transportation Association, public transportation saves 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline each year, and can reduce household expenses by $6,200. Plus you’ll get a day off from road rage. If you don’t live near public transportation, try organizing a once-a-week carpool with your neighbors or coworkers. You’ll save on fuel, tolls and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by removing cars from the road. As a bonus, you’ll gain access to that exclusive carpool lane.

Source: Annie Bell Muzaurieta / For The Daily Green / www.thedailygreen.com

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: Tubular Skylight Display Description: Tubular skylights allow natural sunlight to be directed from the rooftop down through a highly reflective tube, capturing direct and ambient light providing exceptional illumination. They fit in between the rafters and ceiling joists of your home with no structural modification. Tubular skylighting can be used in both residential and commercial applications, and average cost is around $500-600 per skylight. ERC Featured Instrument Name: Fluke #1587 Insulation Multimeter - Tool #52.1 The Fluke 1587 Insulation Multimeter combines both a digital insulation tester with a true RMS digital multimeter in a single, compact, handheld unit. This tool is best suited for both troubleshooting and preventative maintenance on motors, generators, cables or switch gear. Measures: Voltage ( AC or DC up to 1000V); Current ( AC or DC up to 400mA); Resistance (up to 50 ohm); Capacitance (up to 9,999 uF); Frequency (up to 100 kHz); Temperature (-40F – 998F); Diode Test (6V range) and Insulation Testing.   Availability: Loaned free of charge for up to five business days. Remember: Safety first! ERC Featured Book Name: 365 Important Questions to Ask About Green Buildings - Book Code: GB2 Author: Daniel D. Chiras Description:Finally, here's the information that you've been searching for on how to design, build and operate a green building - and it's all in one handy, three-ring binder! It's over two pounds of strategies, critical questions and resources. This is a perfect complement for those seeking LEED certification for their projects. Why? Because it addresses the key question: "How do I design and build a sustainable building?" "365 Important Questions To Ask About Green Buildings" is organized into four parts. Part I shows you the strategies, tools and techniques that disprove the myth that green building costs too much. Part II is a set of 365 questions laid out in the sequence of your project's timeline. Each question is cross-referenced to project type and the categories of Site, Water, Energy, Materials, Human Factors and Process. Every question was designed to apply to any building project with sustainable goals. Part III is a resource listing of organizations, books, publications and web sites to help you quickly find valuable sources of green building information. Part IV is for you - a section to keep your notes and ideas for green building projects together in one handy spot. It's an ideal place to keep your project's preliminary LEED scorecard. 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 December 18, the CPUC issued its final Decision, granting in part and denying in part Pacific Gas and Electric’s (PG&E’s), Southern California Edison’s ( SCE’s), San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E’s), and Southern California Gas’ (SoCalGas’) jointly filed Petition for Modification of Decisions 07-09-043 and D.08-01-042, seeking changes to the Energy Efficiency Risk Reward Incentive Mechanism. With respect to the request to allow interim payments to be based on the Investor-Owned Utilities’ (IOUs’) quarterly savings reports, in light of the delays encountered in the completion of Energy Division’s verification reports and ongoing concerns with respect to the process by which these reports and the underlying assumptions are developed, the CPUC will authorize payments. The CPUC denied the request to eliminate the existing requirement under which the ex ante values used to calculate interim claims are updated and granted the request regarding CPUC review of earnings-related issues by requiring the verification and final true-up reports developed by Energy Division to be issued by resolution, including the current draft verification report that was issued on November 18. 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? CSI:On December 4, the CPUC issued its final Decision, granting, in part, the petition for modification of Decision 06-01-024 filed jointly by SDG&E and SCE. The Decision allows SDG&E and SCE to temporarily suspend collections from their ratepayers to fund the CSI in 2009 due to a current surplus of funds in each utility’s CSI balancing account, but denies SDG&E and SCE’s request for an advice letter process for further modification of the schedule for collection of CSI funds from ratepayers. On December 4, opening comments were filed, and on December 15, reply comments were filed in response to the October 31 Ruling, seeking comments on whether the CPUC should consider modifying CSI incentives adopted in Decision 06-08-028 given recent changes in federal tax law in H.R. 1424. Also on December 15, responses were due regarding the California Department of Community Services’ (CSD’s) Petition for Modification, requesting, among other things, that third party ownership of solar energy systems be permitted in the Single-Family Low-Income (SFLI) program, as well as assignment of SFLI program incentives to such third party system owners. CSD filed its Reply (http://docs. CPUC.ca.gov/efile/REP/95858.pdf) to responses on December 23. Additionally on December 15, responses were due regarding Pacific Gas and Electric’s (PG&E’s) Petition for Modification, seeking to modify Decision 07-11-045 to allow the Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs) to seek rate recovery for utility expenses associated with the SFLI Program in a manner similar to that accorded the IOUs in the CSI Research, Development and Design (RD&D) program. PG&E filed its Reply to responses on December 23. Also on December 15, CCSE filed, on behalf of the CSI Program Administrators (PAs), CCSE Advice Letter 2 / SCE Advice Letter 2297-E / PG&E Advice Letter 3378-E, proposing amendments to the CSI Program Handbook to incorporate the Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing ( MASH) Program and to implement Track 1 incentives in accordance with Decision 08-10-036. Protests to this Advice Letter were to be filed by January 5. On December 19, CCSE, on behalf of PG&E, filed CCSE Advice Letter 3 / PG&E Advice Letter 3382-E, proposing amendments to the CSI Program Handbook to revise metering requirements and Performance Based Incentive ( PBI) payment terms and to incorporate Performance Data Provider (PDP) requirements. Protests to this Advice Letter were to be filed by January 8. Subsequently on December 26, SCE filed its Advice Letter 2305-E, also proposing amendments to the CSI Program Handbook to revise metering requirements and Performance Based Incentive ( PBI) payment terms and to incorporate Performance Data Provider (PDP) requirements. Protests to this Advice Letter are to be filed by January 15. SWHPP:On December 18, CCSE filed a request to transfer Solar Water Heating Pilot Program ( SWHPP) funds from its incentive budget to its administration budget, in accordance with Decision 08-06-029.     SGIP: On December 17, the proposed Decision Adopting Self-Generation Incentive Program Budget for 2009 and other Operation Details for 2009 through 2011 was issued for comment. If signed, the Decision would adopt a budget of $83 million for SGIP for 2009, require the utilities to submit information to the CPUC before a decision is made regarding the proper budget level for 2010 and 2011, as well as direct SDG&E to extend its contract with CCSE for SGIP administration through 2011, among other things. Opening comments were due January 6, and reply comments were due January 12. 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 through the Imperial Valley to San Diego. What’s new? On December 18, the CPUC issued its final Decision, granting SDG&E’s application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to construct the Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Project (Sunrise) using the Final Environmentally Superior Southern Route. The Decision contends that the Commission currently has sufficient methods to monitor, evaluate, influence and enforce SDG&E’s compliance with its policies and no additional compliance requirements are needed in order to guarantee that renewable generation is delivered via Sunrise. At the December 18 CPUC Meeting where the Decision was signed, Commissioner Grueneich indicated that she will file a dissent, and Commissioners Chong, Bohn and Simon each reserved their rights to file concurrences. For a complete list of energy-related State and Federal legislation, please visit our Web site at www.energycenter.org.