California Center for Sustainable Energy

Director's Desk
What are you waiting for?

Are you a fence-sitter when it comes to solar for your home? Have you just not wanted to think about the efficiency of your home's energy systems? I can't imagine a better time to address these issues. In all of my years in the energy sector, I have never seen such deep discounts and generous rebates as are available to all San Diego County residents right now.

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San Diego Home Energy Upgrade
Free improvements: low-to-moderate income residents

CCSE and the City of San Diego have launched a new citywide program that offers funding for low-to-moderate income residents to reduce their energy bills at no cost while improving the comfort, health and safety of their homes. The San Diego Home Energy Upgrade ( SDHEU) program is part of the City of San Diego's continuing efforts to encourage residents to implement energy efficiency and improve the quality of their homes and neighborhoods.

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Solar Savings for County Residents
County Water Authority installs PV at three facilities

Solar photovoltaic ( PV) systems with a combined size of 1.5 megawatts of electricity are now in operation at three San Diego County Water Authority facilities. Based on current rates, the systems are projected to save the region's ratepayers $1.7 million in energy costs over the next 20 years and will enable the agency to meet a significant portion of its power needs with renewable energy.

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Hosting an EV Charging Station
Project invites businesses to help build infrastructure

Although the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) as a principal means of daily transportation and commuting is still in the future, consumer demand for EVs is increasing in San Diego and a call is going out to local businesses to become host sites for EV charging stations.

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CCSE in the News

San Diego Magazine choose CCSE Executive Director Irene Stillings as one of its nominees for 2011 Woman of the Year for her role in implementing energy and climate policy in California and other sustainable activities. The winner will be announced at a banquet set for Sept. 14.

CCSE Residential Energy Roadshow – Visitors to the San Diego Home, Hot Tub & Landscape Show learned about products to reduce energy use, solar systems and other resources. The next showing is at the San Diego Fall Home/Garden Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Sept. 16-18. For a free ticket worth $8 and half off on additional admissions, click here.

Senator Boxer at San Diego solar project – CCSE Executive Director Irene Stillings (left) looks on as Senator Barbara Boxer speaks at the Las Serenas affordable housing development during a series of visits to highlight green energy and job development in the state. The facility's 67.5- kilowatt solar system received a California Solar Initiative rebate from CCSE's Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing program in Nov. 2009.

Inside the ERC

Energy Resource Library now has its complete catalog of books, DVDs and tools online with advanced hold for items you want to check out. Simply search by subject, author, title, manufacturer, name or type, and if what you want is available, you can put a hold on it until you come by CCSE to complete the check-out process. Go to the library website.

Policy and Planning

	Energy Efficiency This rulemaking continues the work of R.06-04-010 and serves as the forum for the California Public Utility Commission's continued implementation of the California Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan as well as the forum for initiating the next planning cycle for 2013-2015 energy efficiency program plans, funding levels and related issues. Read updates.
	Energy Efficiency Risk/Reward Incentive Mechanism (RRIM) This rulemaking will address the California Public Utility Commission's policies related to an energy efficiency risk/reward incentive mechanism (RRIM), which offers the four major California energy utilities, i.e., Pacific Gas and Electric Company ( PG&E), Southern California Edison Company ( SCE), San Diego Gas & Electric Company ( SDG&E) and Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), incentives to achieve or surpass CPUC-adopted energy efficiency goals and to extend California's commitment to making energy efficiency the highest energy resource priority. Read updates.
	California Solar Initiative, Self-Generation Incentive Program and Other Distributed Generation Issues This rulemaking continues the work of R.08-03-008, 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). Read updates.

Inside This Issue:

What are you waiting for?

San Diego Home Energy Upgrade

Solar Savings for County Residents

Hosting an EV Charging Station

Event Calendar

Did you know CCSE offers free, ongoing workshops on energy efficiency, solar energy, green building, transportation and climate change? Register now! Click on the links below or call (866) SDENERGY.

Open House - Gorskis' Energy-Efficient Home
Date: Saturday, Sept 17, 2011

Selecting LED Lighting for Residential Applications
Date: Wednesday, Sept 21, 2011

Join the CCSE Elite Volunteer Corp
Date: Wednesday, Sept 21, 2011

Solar for Homeowners 1 - Getting Started
Date: Thursday, Sept 22, 2011

Capturing Rain Water & Grey Water: Innovative Landscape Techniques - Permaculture
Date: Thursday, Sept 22, 2011

Energy Upgrade California for Homeowners
Date: Wednesday, Sept 28, 2011

Skip´s Tips - Advanced Solar Thermal Workshop
Date: Wednesday, Sept 28, 2011

Solar Water Heating Basics for Homeowners
Date: Thursday, Sept 29, 2011

Special Notice

CCSE Needs YOU – CCSE is looking for individuals interested in being part of our elite volunteer team. Our programs, including Energy Upgrade California, the California Solar Initiative and Transportation Programs, need more public ambassadors to help us carry the sustainability message to events throughout San Diego County. Next orientation will be held Wednesday, Sept. 21, at CCSE from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Register here.

Other Events

Wanted: EV Charging Stations – Local businesses can learn about hosting charging stations and reaping the benefits of new customers and revenues generated by the chargers at an EV Hosting Partners Forum from 8:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department, 9601 Ridgehaven Court in the Kearny Mesa area. For information, contact Andy Hoskinson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

See Solar in Action - Presented by the San Diego Renewable Energy Society, the 12th Annual San Diego Solar Tour showcases solar applications across San Diego County on Saturday, Oct. 1. The self-guided tour offers homeowners and others the opportunity to talk with property owners, solar installers and energy efficiency experts about the innovative solutions they are employing. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cleantech Legislative Conference – Join the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce in discussions of attracting and retaining cleantech and renewable energy companies during its Cleantech Legislative Conference 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, at Sony Electronics Inc., 16535 Via Esprillo, San Diego. Advance registration: $25.

Employee Spotlight

Rebecca Feuerlicht
Associate Program Manager
California Solar Initiative

Rebecca Feuerlicht provides administrative and technical support for the California Solar Initiative, the Pacific Power California Solar Incentive Program and the Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing program. She plays a key role in database maintenance, tracking solar installations and managing incentive applications as well as interacting extensively with solar installers and customers.

Prior to joining CCSE, Feuerlicht worked at I Love A Clean San Diego, as an education coordinator, delivering presentations to K-12 students and adults about energy efficiency, waste reduction, recycling and storm water pollution prevention. She also conducted research and marketing for the education department and contributed to curriculum development.

Feuerlicht has a bachelor's degree in environmental studies and economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Monthly Tip

Screen Savers – There is a common misconception that screen savers reduce energy use by computers. Fact is they do not. For real energy savings, set your computer to switch automatically to sleep mode and manually turn off your monitor.

CCSE Is Hiring

Current green job openings:

• BetterBuildings Associate Program Manager - Community Savings Initiative

• BetterBuildings Associate Program Manager - San Diego HERO Alliance

• Associate Program Manager – Energy Upgrade California

• Analyst

• Government Affairs Manager

• Senior Marketing Manager

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Green Job Seekers –
In addition to viewing available green jobs, you can now post your resume to CCSE's online Green Career Network. Whether you are looking to find a job or fill one, we have the resources you need.

Notable Quotable

“"We need to dispel the myth of 'range anxiety' of consumers by building electric vehicle charging infrastructure."

– Vincent Lyons, VP of Leggett & Platt

Contact Us

Energy Connection is a monthly e-newsletter of the California Center for Sustainable Energy.

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