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August 2006 | Home · Event Calendar · Getting Here · Contact Us | ||||
Upcoming EventsGreen Building/LEED 201 Green Building/LEED 301 Federal & State Tax Incentives for Energy Projects Building Commissioning View a complete calendar of upcoming events. News BitsTrees Program Extended! The CPUC voted to extend SDREO’s Cool Communities Shade Tree Program (CCSTP) at their July 20 Commission meeting. SDREO requested an extension of the CCSTP using $1.5 million in unspent energy efficiency program funding from the 2004-2005 funding cycle. The SDREO staff would like to extend their sincere thanks to parties who supported the CCSTP by providing comments to the CPUC. To read the decision, visit the CPUC Web site. Statewide Self-Genergation Incentive Program Updated data is now available on the SDREO Data & Reports Web site. Former President, global mayors form alliance on climate change Tax Credits Will Shrink for Some Hybrid Cars this Fall Tax incentives for Toyota and Lexus hybrids will be cut in half for drivers who purchase hybrid vehicles beginning in October 2006. Toyota Motor Corporation hit its production limit of 60,000 vehicles eligible for a special tax credit designed to encourage buyers to purchase gas-electric hybrids. The tax credits, part of an energy plan enacted last summer by the Federal government, were designed to promote cleaner energy and conservation by letting buyers claim a credit of up to $3,400 for purchasing new hybrids. The law limited the tax credit to the first 60,000 vehicles produced by a manufacturer. For example, the $3,150 tax credit for the Toyota Prius, the largest hybrid tax credit, will be $1,575 in October. And in April 2007 that credit will be cut in half again and then disappear completely in October 2007. Buyers of hybrid cars made by Honda, Ford, and General Motors can continue to claim the full tax credit until those manufacturers trigger the credit limits or the tax break expires in 2011. Tax credits for hybrids range from $250 to $2,600, depending on the make and model of the vehicle. Tech TipThermal Energy Storage As California's electrical loads reach all time highs, San Diegans must seek opportunities to reduce peak electrical consumption. One option is thermal energy storage (TES). TES systems make it possible to run central plant equipment (chillers, pumps, and cooling towers) at night when energy is cheaper and the equipment can run more efficiently. The chilled water (or ice) is stored in the TES tank for use in air conditioning during the day. Thermal storage tank systems reduce peak electrical demand on the electrical grid, allowing utilities to produce more electricity at increased efficiencies and avoid costly expansion. In numerous studies, it has been shown that electricity is produced and delivered much more efficiently during off-peak hours than during on-peak periods. For every Kilowatt-hour of energy shifted from on-peak usage to off-peak usage, there is a reduction in the source fuel needed to generate it. While the exact amount of savings varies, studies show 20 percent to 43 percent for California. The reduction in source fuel results in a reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions produced by power plants.
Quotables“(Post Occupancy Evaluations) had been very hot in the 1970s and early ’80s…suddenly it’s on an uptick again…. It has taken a while for that general set of values to infuse the building industry, but now building owners rather than building professionals are driving POEs. (Federal and state) agencies have cradle-to-grave responsibilities for buildings—it is clear to them how up-front decisions can link to life-cycle costing and organizational effectiveness. We can say that if we make a particular design move, energy costs will be reduced, or air quality will go up, or user satisfaction will increase. The evidence moves us away from arguing to do these things because they are the right thing to do, towards investing in things that the client really cares about.”
-- Craig Zimring, Ph.D., College of Architecture, Georgia Institute of Technology
Speak OutEnergy Connection is a monthly publication of the San Diego Regional Energy Office. We welcome your feedback and would like to hear from you. To submit comments, questions or suggestions, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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Newbies and Gurus Welcome at SDREO's Solar Energy ConferenceJoin us for Important Workshops and Solar Powered Wine
The conference is part of SDREO’s 2nd Annual Solar Energy Week. This year’s conference features Key Note speaker CPUC Commissioner Dian M. Grueneich and a cocktail party featuring wine from solar powered wineries. Guidelines for Disposing of Compact Fluorescent Lights and Fluorescent Tubes | ||||
| Inside the San Diego Energy Resource Center |
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Featured BookIndoor Air Quality Engineering, published by CRC Press and written by Yuanhui Zhang, covers a wide range of indoor air quality engineering principals and applications, providing guidelines for identifying and analyzing indoor air quality problems as well as designing a system to mitigate these problems. This book uses real life examples , design problems, and solutions to illustrate engineering principals and function as a practical tool for individual study. Featured PeriodicalHome Energy is published bi-monthly by Energy Auditor & Retrofitter, Inc. and provides objective and practical information on residential energy efficiency, performance, comfort, and affordability. Editorial content comes from people directly involved researching and employing innovative design, building and remodeling practices and products. NOTE: Books, periodicals and videos can also be checked out free of charge. Please call toll-free: 1-866-SDENERGY for more information.
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| Energy Policies, Regulations & Legislative Updates |
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California Solar Initiative ( CSI) and Self-Generation Incentive Program ( SGIP) (R.06-03-004) On July 24, the CPUC release a draft decision on Phase 1 issues for the California Solar Initiative, including adopting performance-based incentives, administrative structure, metering requirements, and funding levels. Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Project (A.05-12-014) On July 24, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) answered questions from the public at a forum at SDREO about their staff report recommending support of the Sunrise Powerlink application. They based support on the grounds of economic feasibility and reliability issues. The CAISO Board of Governors will vote on the staff report on August 3, 2006 in Folsom, California. The meeting agenda is available on the CAISO Web site. SDG&E will submit their revised application to the CPUC on the Powerlink on August 4. For more information on the proceeding, visit the CPUC Web site. Public Advisory Group (PAG) Meeting SDG&E will host an energy efficiency PAG meeting on August 1, 2006 at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel located at 8110 Aero Drive, San Diego, and is scheduled to begin at 10:00 am. The PAG was formed by a CPUC mandate to allow input into SDG&E’s energy efficiency program proposals. Legislative Update: The legislature is currently on recess until August 7. The following bills were passed out of the Assembly Utilities and Commerce committee in late June. (For a list of bills passed out of the Senate E.U. & C. committee, you may reference our July 2006 newsletter.) SB 423 authorizes an electric service provider to provide a nonprofit charitable organization, as defined, with free electrical service or service at a reduced rate. SB 1169 extends the Municipal Utility District Act, which generally requires the purchase of supplies and materials by a municipal utility district to be let by contract to the lowest responsible bidder when the expenditure is in excess of $25,000, or, in any district with a population of 250,000 or more, in excess of $50,000, with annual adjustments to those dollar limits. SB 1059 authorizes the commission to designate a transmission corridor zone on its own motion or by application of a person who plans to construct a high-voltage electric transmission line within the state. SB 1368 prohibits any load serving entity from entering into a long-term financial commitment unless any baseload generation complies with a greenhouse gases emission performance standard established by the California Energy Commission ( CEC). SB 1506 waives provisions of state contracting requirements for the Department of Water Resources ( DWR) to buy and sell electricity and natural gas, and engage in other financial instruments for the operation of the State Water Project (SWP). SB 1554 prohibits the CPUC from imposing a cost responsibility surcharge on a customer of a local publicly owned electric utility if the customer's service location has not previously received service from an electrical corporation. SB 1669 requires the CPUC to require all load-serving entities to provide public disclosure comparable to that required of an electrical corporation submitting equivalent information in any filing necessary to demonstrate compliance with any procurement activities regulated by the CPUC. SB 1753 Requires the CPUC to report to the Legislature by July 1, 2007, on how the 2005 Energy Act's repeal of the federal Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA) could adversely impact California consumers. The PUHCA was enacted to prevent the abuses of the electric and natural gas cartels that occurred in the 1920s. SB 1794 makes a refinery corporation a public utility for purposes of the act. The bill also states that the CPUC will not have the authority to establish rates for refinery products. Proposition 87 In November, Californians will be asked to vote on the “Clean Energy Initiative”, which states that $4 billion in tax revenues collected from oil company drilling fees will be used to fund alternative sources of transportation fuels and alternative fuel vehicles. For more information, visit the California Secretary of State Web site. - TOP - |
Solar Conference (cont.)
The Solar Conference is an all-day event with three tracks of workshops, including: Technology, Markets and Financing, and Policy and Legislation. Everything from new solar technologies to updates on the California Solar Initiative ( CSI) will be covered. The event will be held at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, in San Diego. Admission is free and breakfast and lunch are included. Space is limited so REGISTER ONLINE or call 1-866-SDENERGY.
Commissioner Grueneich will speak about the future of solar energy in California and how the CPUC is helping to promoting it. She is a national expert in energy and environmental issues, is an environmentalist who realizes the importance of forging broad-based agreements that will endure. She was appointed to the California Public Utilities Commission by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and was sworn in on January 18, 2005. Commissioner Grueneich was unanimously confirmed by the State Senate in May, 2005.
After getting up to speed on solar energy, don’t go home until you’ve had an opportunity to drink some solar powered wine and mingle with your friends and colleagues!
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... Guidelines for Disposing of Your Compact Fluorescent Lights and Fluorescent Tubes (cont.)
In California, on February 9, 2006, a law took effect classifying all discarded fluorescent lamps and tubes as hazardous waste. This law includes even low mercury lamps and tubes marketed as “TCLP passing” or “TTLC passing”.
Households, most businesses, institutions, and agencies are now prohibited from disposing of any type of fluorescent lamps and tubes in the trash. All fluorescent lamps and tubes now must be recycled, or taken to a household hazardous waste disposal facility, a universal waste handler or an authorized recycling facility.
And, of course, until you have time to dispose of your fluorescent bulbs properly at a household hazardous waste disposal center, store them in a safe place. For more information on where to dispose CFL’s and fluorescent tubes contact: www.earth911.org, www.zerowaste.ca.gov, or call 1-877-R-1-EARTH.
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California Solar Initiative (cont.)
Highlights of the draft decision include:
- Solar incentives will shift from a capacity basis to a performance basis. A large-scale solar facility (100 kW and above) will receive the PBI, a performance incentive rate for its actual output over a five-year payment period. Solar systems >30 kW will receive the EPBB, an incentive based on the expected performance, but will also shift to a PBI after 2009. Systems <30kW will receive the EPBB with incentive structure to be revisited in 2009.
- Creation of a statewide online application process and program database.
- Creation of a CSI Program Forum, to be held quarterly beginning in 2007, to provide the opportunity for CSI stakeholders to discuss proposed revisions to the CSI Handbook.
- In Phase II of this proceeding, the Commission will consider statewide marketing and outreach for CSI and whether it should direct one entity to handle statewide administration of residential retrofit solar programs.
The CPUC will accept opening comments on this Draft Decision until August 14, 2006, with a final decision likely occurring in September. The CPUC will then address Phase II issues relating to CSI, including a research and development component, a low-income/affordable housing component, and marketing. SDREO will have information on the changes to the existing solar programs at our Solar Energy Week events, scheduled from Sept. 24 – 30, 2006. For more information from the CPUC, visit its California Solar Initiative Web site.
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Copyright 2006 San Diego Regional Energy Office
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