The City of Berkeley's Financial Initiative for Renewable and Solar Technology (FIRST) is a game changing financial instrument. Berkeley officials brainstormed the idea of paying for residential solar panel installations with a City bond. Homeowners who agree to join the program pay off the bond through special assessments on their property tax. Under the program, which began on Nov. 5, 2008, the City will pay up to $37,500 per home for new solar panels. The homeowners get to choose solar panel brands and installers from a list approved by the City. The term of the bond is 20 years. After solar rebates and subsidies are applied to the installation cost, monthly payments for homeowners are around $120.
The Bay Area Green Business Program is a successful partnership between cities, counties, environmental agencies, and utility companies that assist businesses in transitioning to practices that are environmentally friendly. There is often an upfront time and dollar investment in gaining green business certification, but almost all businesses agree the savings are worth it after a short payback period. The largest cost saving efforts usually include waste reduction and recycling, lighting upgrades, water conservation, and sourcing recycled products. Local colleges and universities may have graduate level students that are willing to help with energy audits and compliance reviews. Once a business satisfies the requirements on the green business checklist, including visits by PG&E and the water agency, the Green Business Coordinator verifies the results.Bottom Line: The City of Millbrae completed a $6 million facility at its Water Pollution Control Plant that will turn grease from local restaurants into biogas and pay for itself in 17 years.
The City of Millbrae (with the help of Chevron Energy Solutions) recently completed a new $6 million facility at its Water Pollution Control Plant that will turn inedible used kitchen grease from local restaurants into biogas -- generating renewable energy to treat the city's wastewater. Their old plant was aging and too small to support the installation and use of modern cogeneration equipment that can capture and reuse biogas. Instead of wasting a valuable energy source, the City took on the challenge of building a custom system that can be replicated anywhere.
Owens Electric & Solar is leading the way in renewable energy education in San Mateo County through its Solar Our Schools Program. After completing its first official program at Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, Director Brian Quock has valuable insights to share.
The SOS program links Owens and BP Solar grants (for classroom materials, staff time, and solar panels) with a 5-week course for students to learn the basics of solar and other renewable energy sources, conservation and future technologies. During lunch and afterschool sessions, Brian educates the students on designing solar systems and involves them in the installation and monitoring process at their school. The results have been very positive, as the students have been a part of the process from education and participation to fundraising.
Bottom Line: The City/County Association of Governments' Utilities Task Force has developed a countywide strategy, involving the cities and the County, as an approach to guaranteeing sufficient utility infrastructure, to preserve natural resources and to achieve greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
San Mateo County cities have three critical reasons to develop and follow an energy strategy, 1) the ever increasing financial cost of energy and water, 2) the impact that creating additional energy related infrastructure will have on local communities, and 3) the increasing concern about climate change and its effect. As the Sate Legislature continues to develop new climate protection legislation it is imperative to implement a strategy that puts the county and local government in control of the situation rather than being controlled by it.
The San Mateo County Energy Strategy is an effective approach to guarantee sufficient utility infrastructure, preserve natural resources and achieve greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. Energy and water consumption are directly tied to greenhouse gas emissions so the strategy focuses on using less water and less and cleaner energy.
State legislation such as AB32 will impact city and county governments. AB32 calls for a return to 1990 greenhouse gas levels by the year 2020, which represents a 25% drop from today's emission rates. Long-term, the law calls for emissions to be reduced to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
Page 2 of 2
