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| May 2005 | Home · Event Calendar · Getting Here · Contact Us | ||||
Upcoming EventsGreen Building 301: Managing the Costs of Green Building Intermediate Daylighting Design: Sidelighting with Windows Demand Response 101: Shedding Energy When Needed this Summer WI$E ENERGY Conservation Series Date: 5/23/2005 Time: 1:00pm Location: North County Inland Senior Center, Poway Date: 5/24/2005 View a complete calendar of upcoming events. News BitsChula Vista commends SDREO Since the program began in 2002, the City of Chula Vista has remained in the top three of all cities in San Diego County in number of trees planted. Increasing renewable energy usage in San Diego As part of its 2005 short-term resource plan, SDG&E filed a request (PDF) with the California Public Utilities Commission to place solar panels on its roofs and other properties. SDG&E estimates that they could install 1MW to 3MW of solar panels. If approved, SDG&E will ask for bids to place the panels on its buildings. Focus on San Diego's nuclear future SDREO's Policy and Planning Director Scott Anders joined KPBS’ Full Focus on April 18 in a discussion on the role of the San Onofre nuclear plant to San Diego. The program was hosted by Gloria Penner and joined by UCAN's Michael Shames, Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility's Rochelle Becker and UCSD's Center for Energy Research Farrokh Najmabadi. Tech TipWater heating is typically the third largest energy expense in your home, accounting for about 44% of gas consumption in a typical California house and 15% or more of your utility bill. Replacing your old water heater with a new efficient model will result in energy savings that continue over the lifetime of your new appliance. For additional savings: 1. Turn down the thermostat on your water heater. Set the temperature to a maximum of 120 degrees and save energy without sacrificing comfort. 2. Insulate your water heater tank and pipes (particularly if older than about 10 years), but do not cover the thermostat. On gas and oil heaters, do not cover the top, bottom, or burner compartment. 3. Use less hot water. Repair leaky faucets, use low-flow fixtures and only run the dishwasher when it is completely full. Purchase ENERGY STAR® labeled products when replacing your hot water heater: 1. Compare operating costs and price to find the best model for your needs. 2. Look for an Energy Factor of .93 or more for electric water heaters, and .62 or more for gas water heaters. Electric normally has higher annual costs than gas. 3. Properly size a unit by estimating the hot water needs of your household. The American Gas Association recommends a 30-gallon tank for a family of two with one bathroom and one clothes washing machine. Add 3.5 gallons for each additional family member and bathroom. If you use a dishwasher, increase the tank capacity by another 5 gallons. Water heaters should only be installed by a licensed plumber. Check with SDG&E for any rebates on new water heaters.
Quotables“You may be on the right track, but if you’re sitting still you will get run over.” -- Will Rogers
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 .
| Councilmember Maienschein Presents First Rebuild Solar Rebate
Photo on right: (From left to right) Homeowner Bret Fitzpatrick of Scripps Ranch, SDREO's Policy and Planning Director Scott Anders, SDG&E's Vice President of Customer Services Michelle Mueller, and City of San Diego Councilmember Brian Maienschein
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City Schools Get 
Promoting "green" practices among businesses in the region| Inside the San Diego Energy Resource Center |
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Featured Display
| Energy Policies, Regulations & Legislative Updates |
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SDG&E Rate Design Window (R.05-02-019): SDG&E filed it Rate Design Window (RDW) application on February 18, 2005. This filing seeks authority to change current rate designs effective January 1, 2006. The Commission released a Scoping Memo (MS Word doc) for the proceeding on April 27, 2005. Interested parties can serve testimony on June 24, 2005. Hearings will be held in San Diego July 18-22 at State Office Building, 1350 Front Street, Room B-107. Energy-efficiency policies, administration, and programs (R.01-08-028): The SDG&E Program Advisory Group (PAG) continues to meet to determine the portfolio of energy-efficiency programs for the region. SDG&E will submit its proposed portfolio of 2006-2008 programs with the CPUC by 6/1/05. The final PAG meeting is 5-9-05 at which SDG&E will present its near-final energy efficiency program portfolio. State Legislative Activity: There are a number of bills that are important to the San Diego region, including: SDREO has also compiled a complete list of energy legislation (PDF) in the current legislative session. Legislative Updates: SB1 (Murray): The governor's solar initiative, passed out of the Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Communications. It will be heard next in the Senate Appropriations Committee. The hearing date has not been set. This bill would establish the Million Solar Roofs Initiative with goals of placing 1 million solar energy systems on new and existing residential and commercial customer sites (or 3,000 MW equivalent), establish a self-sufficient solar industry in 10 years, and place solar energy systems on 50% of new home developments in 13 years. It also contains statewide Net Metering language. - TOP - |
First solar rebate... (cont.)
San Diego City Councilmember Brian Maienschein presented the ceremonial check for $9,617 to Bret and Nicole Fitzpatrick at their newly rebuilt home located in Scripps Ranch. Maienschein noted, “Using the rebates from the Rebuild A Greener San Diego program, the Fitzpatrick's rebuilt their home even better than before by installing a solar power system. They generate their own green power and they’re helping the community by taking a load off the grid and improving air quality.”
Scott Anders, Director of Policy and Planning for SDREO, offered his own observations. “Speaking as someone who also lost his home during the fires of 2003, I’m very impressed by the Fitzpatrick’s accomplishments. My wife and I are still in the planning phase with our replacement house while Bret and Nicole are already living in theirs! I’m jealous! At least Abby and I will also be installing a photovoltaic system on our new house using rebates from Rebuild. If all goes as planned, they should save us almost 50% of the total cost,” said Anders.
Michelle Mueller, Vice President of Customer Services for SDG&E, added, “Rebuild is all about encouraging people to build more efficient homes that can also generate their own power. However, even if people aren’t able to take advantage of the rebates, the program also offers free educational workshops that can help homeowners through the planning process. From fire-resistant landscaping to more efficient lighting and insulation, homes can be designed that cost much less to maintain and have lower utility bills. Even a simple site change can have a dramatic impact on energy use.”
In accepting the check, Bret Fitzpatrick noted, “In a perfect world, no one would ever have to go through a fire and rebuild their home. Unfortunately we did. At least in rebuilding we were able to do something that will help the community. I strongly encourage others who are still in the process to learn about this program. The energy efficiency rebates and cost savings over a relatively short period can completely pay for the simple upgrades involved.”
Rebuild a Greener San Diego offers technical assistance and financial incentives of up to $2000 for using energy-efficient materials and installing energy-efficient equipment in a rebuilt home. The program also provides $4 per watt rebates for solar electric systems. For example, a typical 2500-watt residential system would be eligible for $10,000 in rebates.
Visit the Rebuild a Greener San Diego web site for more information.
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San Diego City Schools... (cont.)
Solar Integrated Technologies and GE Commercial Finance will shoulder the installation and 20-year maintenance costs of 1 million square feet of these solar roofs. In exchange, the district will commit to buying the energy generated from the roofs. The district expects to save more than $7 million over 20 years in electricity costs and avoided roofing material and maintenance costs.
In addition to the expected costs savings, the roofs will also be used for education. The district is developing a curriculum that will allow students in science classes to monitor their school’s solar power generation on a sophisticated, real-time computer display.
At a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event on April 25, San Diego district students were on hand to turn on the first completed and operational solar roof system. A total of 14 schools and administrative buildings will get the solar roofs over the next two years.
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San Diego Area Green Business Program (cont.)
The program has four main objectives: 1) Seek additional partners and stakeholder input, and develop a regional Green Business Action and Program Plan; 2) Provide education and outreach to priority businesses and the public; 3) Establish a voluntary self-assessment/business recognition program; and 4) Include additional small business sectors after program evaluation.
Why be “green?” Green practices reduce waste and utility costs, improve systems and equipment performance, attract environmentally-conscious customers, establish good relationships with regulators and provide a safer working environment. A “green” business meets standards in the following areas: environmental compliance, pollution prevention, energy conservation, water conservation and solid waste reduction.
To participate, businesses perform a self-assessment and fill out a Green Business Checklist (one for Automotive or Restaurants) to pledge and document their green business activities. Participants in the program receive assistance in conservation efforts and compliance issues, a program participation window sticker, a certificate of participation, and public information fact sheet.
Learn more about the program and how you can participate by visiting the program’s web site.
Program Contacts:
Automotive:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
, County of San Diego, DEH (619) 338-2324
Restaurant:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
, County of San Diego, DEH (858) 495-5799
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Copyright 2004-2005, San Diego Regional Energy Office
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