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: Insulation Display
Description: This display shows three different types of insulation and how well they work to keep warm air in and cold air out. Proper Insulation, along with proper air sealing, moisture control and ventilation, can significantly reduce a home’s heating and cooling costs as well as increase occupancy comfort.
Systems Addressed: Insulation

ERC Featured Instrument

Name: Residential Solar Gain Low-E Detector

Description: The digital Solar Gain Low E Detector simultaneously identifies the location of Low E coatings on residential windows, and also identifies the solar gain performance category of the coating.

Required equipment: Detector
Specifications:

• The three solar gain performance categories (High, Medium, and Low Solar Gain) are based on the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient or SHGC value for the window.
• The three ranges approximate the designations of the Energy Star Rating Program developed by the Department of Energy ( DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA).

Availability: Loaned free of charge for up to 5 business days.
Remember: Safety first!

ERC Featured Periodical

Name: Straw Bale Buildings: The State of the Art by Bruce King

Description: For the first time, a design manual for practicing professionals and teachers, drawing on the collective experience of the most senior and respected figures in the rapidly emerging field of straw bale construction. This book provides truly useful information to architects, engineers, building officials, and builders who want to design intelligently with plastered straw bales.

NOTE: Books, Periodicals and Videos can also be checked out free of charge. 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.

A Summary of Recent California Public Utilities Commission regulatory activity, and what it mean to 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? The 2009-2020 Energy Efficiency Strategic Planning Work Groups, representing the commercial, residential, industrial, and agricultural sectors, continued to meet throughout December. The year ended with multiple stakeholder subcommittees’ presentations to California Public Utilities Commission ( CPUC) staff and consultants, who, in turn, will work with the Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) to create each IOU’s Long Term Strategic Plan (Plan). Next steps are for the IOUs to develop their draft Plans, submit them to the CPUC, and receive comments through the public vetting process prior to approval. IOUs are expected to follow these approved Plans when planning their EE portfolios.

California Solar Initiative (R.06-03-004)

What’s this? This will develop rules and procedures for the California Solar Initiative ( CSI), designed to give $2.16 billion in incentives over 10 years to install solar PV to help offset peak demand.
What’s new? At its December 19 Business Meeting, the California Energy Commission ( CEC) approved the Guidelines for California's Solar Electric Incentive Programs Pursuant to Senate Bill 1. This report establishes eligibility criteria, conditions for incentives, and equipment rating standards for all ratepayer-funded solar energy system programs in California, including the CSI. The CEC Renewables Committee intends to convene stakeholders in early 2008 to form working groups/committees to make any necessary revisions to the Guidelines.

Also on December 19, the CPUC issued its Proposed Decision to modify Decision 06-08-028 regarding independent performance monitoring and reporting requirements. The Proposed Decision would remove the requirement that performance data collection and reporting be provided by an independent entity. Opening comments on the Proposed Decision are due January 8, and reply comments are due January 14.

At its December 20 meeting, the CPUC approved Resolution E-4131, which approves the proposed revisions to the CSI Program Handbook that address non- PV technologies. These revisions allow qualifying non- PV technologies to participate in the CSI program.

Self-Generation Incentive Program (R.06-03-004)

What’s this? This will develop rules and procedures for the Self-Generation Incentive Program ( SGIP), designed to give incentives for the installation of certain renewable and clean generation technologies, excluding solar technologies, which are funded through the CSI.
What’s new? On December 19, the CPUC issued its Proposed Decision regarding the SGIP budget for 2008. Assembly Bill ( AB) 2778 amended the law relating to the SGIP, and program eligibility for SGIP incentives is now limited to qualifying wind and fuel cell distributed generation ( DG) technologies, beginning January 1, 2008, through January 1, 2012. Internal combustion engines and microturbines will no longer be eligible for incentives. The Proposed Decision maintains the total SGIP annual budget for 2008 and beyond at $83 million per year and provides that 2008 incentive levels will remain at the same levels as in 2007. Opening comments on the Proposed Decision are due January 8, and reply comments are due January 14.

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 January 4, the CPUC and the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released for public review the Draft Environmental Impact Report / Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Land Use Plan Amendment for the Proposed Sunrise Powerlink Project. The Draft EIR / EIS evaluates and describes the potential environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of the proposed project, identifying those impacts that could be significant, and presents mitigation measures that could avoid or minimize these impacts. Nine public Informational Workshops on the Draft EIR / EIS will be held at various locations during the week of January 28 and will provide an opportunity for the public to talk to CPUC and BLM staff and EIR / EIS preparers and ask questions. Public Participation Hearings will then be held February 25-26 to provide the public an opportunity to make oral comments on the Draft EIR / EIS and submit written comments. Written comments on the Draft EIR / EIS are due no later than April 11. For dates and locations of the Informational Workshops and Public Participation Hearings, please visit the CPUC Web site for the California Environmental Quality Act ( CEQA) review of the proposed Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Line Project.