In This Issue

From the Director's Desk: Transportation: Fueling Alternatives Rebate Program a Success

Solar Water Heating Expo

Messaging Beyond Energy Awareness

Fire Survivor Builds Green in Escondido

Awards Recognize Students Exploring Sustainability

Street Smart San Diego^SM a Smashing Success

Inside the San Diego Energy Resource Center Lending Library

Energy Policies, Regulations & Legislative Updates

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.

MASH 201: Affordable Housing Finance For Contractors And Consultants
Date: Friday, June 12, 2009

New Energy Standards For HVAC Change-outs
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2009

Enphase Micro-Inverter Systems
Date: Friday, June 19, 2009

Solar Water Heating Expo
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009

Energy Efficiency Meets Sustainability - Insulated Concrete Walls
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Voluntary Carbon Markets
Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Solar For Homeowners
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009

Other Events

Home Energy Rating Services (HERS) Existing Home Rater Certification Course - July 13-17

California Home Energy Efficiency Rating Services ( CHEERS) will be hosting a weeklong Home Energy Rating Services ( HERS) existing home rater training at CCSE. Please visit the CHEERS website for more information and to register for this course.

Green Job's Symposium - June 17

The San Diego Region is poised for an unprecedented push forward in renewable
energy, water conservation and other sustainable business practices.

The "Green Economy" revolution has begun and stimulus funding is already beginning
to move to San Diego. The questions are "Where should we focus our growth to ensure a sustainable future? How do we do it?"

Join us as we share a recently completed study that evaluates green jobs in our community. A panel of business, government and community leaders will discuss the way forward to a sustainable future and seek input from you. CCSE's Executive Director Irene M. Stillings will join the panel.

Other Comments

Help us STAND FOR LESS. So that everyone can enjoy life more.

At this very moment, San Diego is setting an example for the rest of the nation. Our utilities, corporations, residents and state agencies are coming together in an effort to use less water, consume less energy, drive less miles and create less trash by recycling.

Now we would like you to join us and STAND FOR LESS too.

By going to standforless.com and signing up, you can help this landmark movement grow, so that San Diego can take these important steps at this critical time.

We are committed to this great cause. We are united in its purpose. And we are excited about what it means for our city. Please take a few minutes today and join us at standforless.com.

Employee Spotlight

Sarah Volpe, MLIS
Associate Program Manager, ERC

Sarah Volpe is an associate program manager for CCSE’s Energy Resource Center ( ERC). Her primary focus is the Energy Resource Library, a collection of reference books, multimedia and energy-efficiency measuring tools available for short-term check out by the public.

Sarah brings to CCSE a passion to connect people to the information they need. She is continually developing the library collection, adding new titles and tools as they become available. One of her goals is to assure that the library has top-quality materials in all five of CCSE’s main planks—energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building, transportation and climate change.

Sarah’s other responsibilities include providing information about the ERC at outreach events, workshops and tours and developing workshops that focus on energy efficiency.

“The most important aspect of my job is connecting people to the information they need,” she said. “A key goal is making sure the library holdings are an up-to-date, unbiased and reliable source of information on all things green.”

Prior to joining CCSE, Sarah worked for other nonprofit organizations, including San Diego State University, where she was a graduate student advisor, and the San Diego City Library as a reference librarian.

Sarah received a B.A. degree in english from San Diego State University and a master’s degree in library and information science from San Jose State University.

Greening Your World^SM
Tip of the Month

Make a commitment to drive less by walking or biking to nearby destinations. Approximately 50% of car use is for trips within three miles of the home. You'll be saving fuel and reducing pollution, and you can also save on trips to the gym with the added exercise.

Notable & Quotable

The new standards, covering model years 2012-2016, and ultimately requiring an average fuel economy standard of 35.5 MPG in 2016, are projected to save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of the program with a fuel economy gain averaging more than 5 percent per year and a reduction of approximately 900 million metric tons in greenhouse gas emissions.

--President Barack Obama
Announcement of National
Fuel Efficiency Policy
May 19, 2009

Contact Us

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

We value your feedback. To submit comments, questions or suggestions, please click here.

Irene M. Stillings CCSE Executive Director

From the Director's Desk:
Transportation: Fueling Alternatives Rebate Program a Success

Looking for something that is the epitome of success? The California Fueling Alternatives Rebate Program, administered by CCSE, may fit that description.

In 2007, the California Air Resources Board ( ARB) funded the two-year program with $1.8 million for rebates of up to $5,000 for purchasing an alternative fuel vehicle ( AFV).

The idea behind Fueling Alternatives is that by offsetting the cost of leasing or buying a new technology car, it would push the market and gain greater public acceptance of AFVs, while encouraging manufacturers to make more vehicles.

Program Manager Mary Venables with one of the Teslas that was awarded a Fueling Alternatives rebate.

CCSE won the contract to manage the program and began taking applications in February 2008. Within 10 days, the money designated for compressed natural gas vehicles was exhausted. By the end of 2008, the $1.8 million was expended.

ARB appropriated another $1 million, and it was used up during first quarter 2009, mostly for pending applications. For now, application are no longer being accepted, until ARB works out details of new legislation that will authorize additional funds for AFV incentives.

Mary Venables, program manager for Fueling Alternatives, says one thing the program has proven is that Californians are ready for alternative fuel transportation.

“We’ve had a tremendous response from the beginning, but once gas hit $4 a gallon, the phone calls and e-mails really shot up,” she said.

While we wait for ARB to develop new state incentives, you can still take advantage of federal tax credits for hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles.

Let’s not forget that a third of California’s carbon dioxide emissions come from gasoline vehicles. Every alternative fuel vehicle that replaces a gas vehicle on the roadway helps clear the air for all of us.

Check out the new section of books and DVDs about transportation recently added to the Energy Resource Library. You can borrow materials for 14 days. View what's on offer by clicking here.

Solar Water Heating Expo

It’s almost summertime, and the sun is shining brightly—why let all of that energy go to waste?

Summer in San Diego is a time of high energy consumption, as the use of air conditioning, fans and other appliances that combat the heat increases. But more people are now realizing that they can lower their energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint by installing solar water heating systems.

Learn all about how you can get started on saving at CCSE’s Solar Water Heating Expo on Saturday, June 20. Energy experts will be on hand to answer questions, and manufacturers and experienced installers will be exhibiting their products and services for both residential and commercial applications. The workshop “Solar Water Heating Basics for Homeowners” will be given twice during the day. Registration for the event is requested. Click here to register.

The expo is sponsored by the Solar Water Heating Pilot Program, which provides incentives to residents and businesses who install qualifying solar water heating systems. Rebates of up to $1,500 for homes and $75,000 for businesses are available. This program ends in December 2009.

Schedule

Quick facts about solar water heating

• Heating water accounts for about 40% of a home’s total energy use.
• A solar water heating system produces up to 80% of your total hot water needs.
• A well-maintained solar system lasts up to 30 years.
• Federal tax credits of up to 30 percent of the cost of a solar system are available.
• A solar water heating system increases your home’s value, while saving you money.
  

Messaging Beyond Energy Awareness

Cal State San Marcos Professor Wesley Schultz discusses eco-marketing with CCSE Executive Director Irene Stillings.

When it comes to motivating people to be energy efficient, recycle and live green, telling them it will protect the environment, be socially responsible or even save money is generally not enough, according to psychologist Wesley Schultz, a professor at California State University, San Marcos.

Speaking at a workshop held at CCSE in May, Schultz outlined several of his research studies showing that an individual’s environmental decision-making is spurred more by what he or she thinks is normal behavior, rather than simply doing the right thing. His message is to consider employing “normative social influences” to promote conservation and change environmental behaviors.

In one study, Schultz and his students developed five different messages about residential energy conservation that were put onto door hangers distributed to 1,200 households in San Marcos. Four messages were that saving energy saves you money, shows social responsibility, is environmentally conscious and is something you can do, while the fifth message compared the household’s energy use to average use in the neighborhood. Each household received the same message over the course of several weeks, while the students monitored household electricity use.

The study showed that the greatest reductions in energy use were among the households that were told how they stacked up with their neighbors: High consumers used significantly less electricity, and while most low consumers also used less, some used more. Schultz describes this increase by some low-users as a “boomerang effect” that is well-known by social psychologists and the result of a sense of expressing individual freedom, in this case, to use more energy if one chooses.

The bottom line is that conservation messages that convey a positive social norm can produce greater positive response than messages that only inform or raise awareness. Even though we cherish our individualism, for the most part, we do not want to be that different from what we perceive as normal.

“It’s important for us to believe that our conservation efforts are not in vain, that other people value conservation and are doing things to conserve,” Schultz said. “Messaging that reinforces this belief of participating tends to be much more influential.”

Fire Survivor Builds Green in Escondido

Clay Tyler in front of his new energy-efficient home that is being built with fireproof materials, including wall panels (at left) that are put in place and filled with rebar and concrete.

Clay Tyler recalls vividly the towering flames cresting the ridge above his Escondido home during the October 2007 wildfires shortly before they burned through his neighborhood. He and his family safely escaped, but his house and several others nearby were devastated.

Although it has been nearly two years since the fires destroyed more than 1,400 San Diego county homes, only about a quarter of them have been rebuilt and occupied. Protracted insurance settlements and the financial downturn have slowed rebuilding, but some residents, like Tyler and his son Wyatt, are turning misfortune into an opportunity. Their new 2,100-square-foot home, under construction east of Lake Hodges, incorporates the latest green-building technologies with energy-efficient systems, xeriscape landscaping and recycled and reused materials.

“Wyatt and I took the solar power and water heating workshops at CCSE and attended the fire rebuild events,” Tyler said. “This has been a real education for us to learn about green building. We’re outdoor types and into nature, so living more environmentally friendly is very attractive.”

Their residence includes fireproof walls of recycled polystyrene and cement, a metal roof, solar power and water systems, soybean foam insulation, energy-efficient appliances and many other energy-saving upgrades. The builder is Todd Timmons of TPT Cal, Inc.

“Learning what we have, going from tragedy to an environmentally friendly home, I feel is building a legacy for my son,” Tyler said. “What we are doing may be somewhat exceptional today, but by doing this, I hope we are part of the movement to make this type of construction the standard.”

The Tyler’s new home is slated for completion in August. Tyler estimates that it will cost him only about 10% more than standard, wood-frame construction. Photos of the construction can be viewed online.

Awards Recognize Students Exploring Sustainability

Elementary school students shared their ideas about sustainability at the second annual Young Scientist Innovation Fair hosted at CCSE on May 30.

San Diego County students in grades 4-6 had an opportunity to present exhibits on ways to increase the use of energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy. Entries included a two-flush water system toilet that conserves water and a solar-powered bag that charges small electronics.

The fair was sponsored jointly by high school students Ankur Rathee and Vasu Prathipati from The Bishop’s School and CCSE.

Young Scientist Innovation Fair winners:

Street Smart San Diego^SM a Smashing Success

Street Smart crowd says, "Drive green, California!"

An estimated 600 San Diegans packed into CCSE’s Street Smart to get a glimpse at green vehicles, test drive electric bikes and scooters and learn about alternative transportation options on Sunday, June 7.

A fun-packed family day, Street Smart attendees vied for a chance to speak with author and filmmaker Josh Tickell about his new documentary “Fuel,” a film about America’s dependence on fossil fuels, while others walked around the expo checking out factory model hybrids, electric conversion cars and neighborhood electric vehicles. The electric Tesla sports car and the electric Mini Cooper drew large crowds of spectators eager to have representatives answer their questions. Visitors also toured exhibits in the Energy Resource Center, which featured a display of books and DVDs on transportation that are available for loan to local residents, businesses and schools. Special thanks go to the major sponsors of Street Smart: Union Bank of California, Enterprise Rideshare, Sanyo, Mossy Toyota and San Diego Regional Clean Fuels Coalition.

Street Smart attracted tremendous attention from TV news, with extensive coverage by KUSI and stories on KFMB, KGTV, KSWB, XETV and KTLA in Los Angeles. KFMB 760 AM’s Car Talk radio show featuring Gerald Levy and friends did a live remote broadcast from Street Smart that can be downloaded as a podcast.

Street Smart was terrific fun for all. You can view video clips of the presentations and a slide show by visiting the Street Smart website.

Click here to view the Street Smart 2009 photo slide show

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? In related news, in R.09-01-019, the new rulemaking to consider risk/reward mechanisms, parties filed their reply comments on May 11 regarding the California Public Utilities Commission ( CPUC) Energy Division’s white paper regarding Energy Efficiency Risk/Reward Incentive Mechanism and (Evaluation, Measurement, and Verification) EM&V Activities. The white paper is intended to introduce a framework of possible approaches for modifying the energy efficiency incentive mechanism and the EM&V activities that are currently used to determine incentive awards or penalties. California Solar Initiative, Self-Generation Incentive Program and Other Distributed Generation Issues (R.08-03-008) What’s this? This rulemaking continues 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 April 28, the CSI Program Administrators (PAs) responded to the Division of Ratepayer Advocates’ (DRAs’) protest to SCE Advice Letter 2327-E-A / PG&E Advice Letter 3429-E-A / CCSE Advice Letter 6-A, a supplemental filing for proposing changes to the CSI Program Handbook to implement all requirements in Chapters 3 through 6 of the revised California Energy Commission Guidelines for California’s Solar Electric Incentive Program Pursuant to SB 1 ( CEC SB 1 Guidelines). DRA protested the supplemental advice letter on the basis that while language from the CEC Guidelines was incorporated in accordance with its recommendations, the PAs did not add DRAs’ other recommendations consistent with the CEC SB 1 Guidelines and California’s Energy Action Plan (EAP). In their response, the PAs contended that the Energy Division should reject DRA’s Supplemental Protest and expedite implementation of the CSI Program Handbook changes because the changes to the Handbook are required to be in place by July 1, 2009, the CEC SB 1 Guidelines do not require potential CSI customers to implement all possible energy efficiency measures before installing solar energy systems, and the CPUC is currently considering comments filed by parties on potential additional energy efficiency requirements for future adoption into the CSI program as the program matures. The advice letter was suspended by the Energy Division on April 15 to allow Energy Division staff to have an opportunity to seek additional information. If Energy Division staff does not act on the advice letter within 60 days, a second suspension for 180 days will commence automatically. 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 to San Diego. What’s new? On May 4, the CPUC issued a Proposed Decision for comment. If approved, the decision would grant the joint motion, as amended, by Consumer Protection and Safety Division (CPSD) and SDG&E for approval of their settlement of Phase 3 of this proceeding. Opening comments on the Proposed Decision are due May 26, and reply comments are due June 1. For a complete list of energy-related, state and federal legislation, please visit our Web site at www.energycenter.org.