Essay: Expanding energy efficiency in low-income communities (legal scenarios)

What are the legal, regulatory, and economic scenarios for expanding energy efficiency in low-income communities.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 25 §19 governs energy efficiency and other demand-side management programs. All investor-owned gas and electric utilities and energy efficiency service providers have partnered together to sponsor the Mass Save initiative. Administrators work with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to provide a wide range of services, incentives, trainings, and information promoting energy efficiency. Some municipal utilities offer energy efficiency programs. Distribution utilities administer their own energy efficiency programs with collaborative input and oversight from the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Advisory Council, a stakeholder body chaired by the state Department of Energy Resources (DOER). The Department of Public Utilities has regulatory responsibility.
Energy efficiency program funds must be allocated to customer classes, including the low-income residential subclass, in proportion to these customers’ contributions to those funds. At least 10% of the funding for electric energy efficiency programs must be spent on low-income residential demand-side management and education programs.
The Green Communities Act requires that electric and gas utilities make acquiring all cost-effective energy efficiency a higher priority than using other resources. The Act created an Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC) that works with utility program administrators to establish statewide plans for gas and electric utilities for 3 years into the future. This process is open to the public.
The energy efficiency investments in 2016-2018 are expected to save 4,118 annual GWh of electricity by 2018. The statewide totals are comprised of individual program administrator savings. Overall, the fully funded 2016-2018 electric and natural gas efficiency plans will yield net consumer benefits of nearly $7.9 billion.
California
As authorized under Cal. Pub. Util. Code § 454.55-56, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has established aggressive targets and associated funding for energy efficiency programs. Under Assembly Bill 1890 (1996) and Assembly Bill 995 (2000), California calls for pursuing all cost-effective efficiency resources before any other sources to meet new load. Investor-owned utilities administer energy efficiency programs with oversight by the CPUC, which establishes key policies and guidelines, sets program goals, and approves spending levels. Investor-owned utilities and third-party contractors implement the programs. A share of public benefits funding is designated to go to non-utility organizations to offer programs that supplement those offered by California’s publicly-owned utilities (POUs).
Beginning in fiscal year 2013-2014, California has particularly targeted energy efficiency improvements in schools. The California Clean Energy Jobs Act (Prop. 39) changed the corporate income tax code and allocates projected revenue to California’s General Fund and the Clean Energy Job Creation Fund for five fiscal years. Under the initiative, roughly $550 million annually is available for appropriation by the Legislature for eligible projects to improve energy efficiency and expand clean energy generation in schools.
California has effectively doubled its energy efficiency goals as a result of SB 350, passed in October 2015. This bill requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to establish annual targets for statewide energy efficiency savings and demand reduction that will achieve a cumulative doubling of statewide energy efficiency savings in electricity and natural gas final end uses of retail customers by January 1, 2030. Decision 15-10-028 adopted 2016 goals of 2,864 GWh/yr electricity savings.
Vermont
Vermont pioneered the model of a statewide “energy efficiency utility” (EEU) after enacting legislation in 1999 authorizing Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) to collect a volumetric (per kWh) charge on all electric utility customers’ bills to support energy efficiency programs, called the Energy Efficiency Charge (EEC). PSB created the EEU designation that Efficiency Vermont (EVT) and Burlington Electric Department (BED) currently operate under to invest in programs and services that save money and conserve energy. Vermont Gas Systems offers natural gas efficiency service within its territory. Natural gas efficiency programs are supported by legislation and regulation (30 V.S.A. Section 235(d); Docket No. 5270 VGS-1, 2) and began in 1993. The Public Service Board designated it an EEU with a 12 year Order of Appointment to deliver natural gas energy efficiency services in April 2015 (see Docket 7676).
New since 2015 is the passage of Act 56 of 2015 which creates a Renewable Energy Standard in Vermont. It creates an energy transformation obligation for electric distribution utilities, in which they must produce an increasing amount of fossil fuel use reductions attributable to their customers. They may meet the obligation through the use of more efficient heating systems (such as heat pumps) or through building weatherization, or even the use of more efficient or electric vehicles. The obligations begin in 2017 with an amount equivalent to 2% of the utility’s sales, rising to 10% by 2032.
Vermont statute (30 VSA Sec. 218c) directs all electric and natural gas utilities to prepare and implement least cost integrated plans. In addition, Vermont has a well-established regulatory process to factor the Energy Efficiency Utility’s energy savings into utility companies’ load forecasts. Vermont law requires EEU budgets to be set at a level that would realize “all reasonably available, cost-effective energy efficiency.”
Vermont does not have traditional EERS legislation with a set schedule of energy-savings percentages for each year. Instead, Vermont law requires EEU budgets to be set at a level that would realize “all reasonably available, cost-effective energy efficiency.” Compensation and specific energy-savings levels—not “soft” goals or targets—are then negotiated with EEU contractor Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC). There is not an explicit penalty for non-performance. However, a portion of the compensation Vermont pays the administrator is contingent on meeting stated goals, subject to a monitoring and verification process. If the administrator does not meet stated goals, the state will withhold compensation, and the administrator potentially will be replaced at the end of the three-year period (DSIRE 2011).
Vermont Public Service approved a 2012-2014 budget for Efficiency Vermont, set to achieve approximately 2% annual savings (VT Public Service Board Docket EEU-2010-06). Electric efficiency quality performance indicators for 2015-2017 include a target for total electricity savings of 321,800 MWh over the three year period for Efficiency Vermont. Burlington Electric also has savings targets in place for this period, bringing statewide incremental electricity savings targets to about 2.1% per year.
The goal-setting process has changed due to Vermont’s “order of appointment” franchise-like structure. Every 3 years, a “demand resources plan” proceeding will be held. The proceeding will set budgets and goals for the next 20 years, coinciding with the long-range transmission plan to allow for integration of forecasting (EEU Structure Docket 7466).
VEIC and BED have been awarded Orders of Appointment as Energy Efficiency Utilities for a period of 12 years. Every 6 years there is a review as to if this appointment should be extended an additional 6 years.The 2015-2017 budget is set to achieve a 2.25% level of savings increasing to 2.32% by 2017 (EEU-2013-01 2013-2014 Demand Resources Plan Proceeding 7/9/2014).
Vermont Gas Systems has also been designated an EEU with a 12 year Order of Appointment to deliver natural gas energy efficiency services as of April 2015 (see Docket 7676).
Weatherization Trust Fund: The program provides long term state funding for weatherization through a one-half percent gross receipts tax on all non-transportation fuels sold in the state. This fund raises about $6M/year for low-income weatherization.
Heat Saver Loan Program: This low-interest loan is for Vermonters who want to weatherize their homes and install efficient heating systems. The loans can be used for high efficiency oil or propane furnaces, cold-climate heat pumps, central wood pellet systems, solar domestic hot water systems, or weatherization improvements.
Rhode Island
Energy efficiency programs are offered by Rhode Island’s regulated distribution utilities. The major investor-owned utility operating in the state, Narragansett Electric, is a National Grid Company and offers a comprehensive slate of programs that parallel National Grid’s offerings in Massachusetts. Hearings are held once a year before the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission to review program plans. A collaborative of stakeholders reviews these plans and makes recommendations to the RI PUC on the programs. Program costs are trued up annually each May.
The Comprehensive Energy Conservation, Efficiency and Affordability Act of 2006 greatly increased the role and requirements for acquisition of demand-side resources—requiring utilities to acquire all cost-effective energy efficiency. The act also created a statewide natural gas conservation program.
Utility programs are funded by a “conservation and load adjustment factor”—a rider assessed on all customer rates established as part of Rhode Island’s restructuring legislation. There is a minimum floor on this surcharge of 2 mills perkilowatt-hour for energy efficiency paid by customers of regulated distribution utilities as a non-bypassable public benefits fee specifically for energy efficiency programs. The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission annually reviews and authorizes utility demand-side management program plans, including budget amounts. The fee to support energy efficiency is a floor; actual spending amounts have exceeded this minimum requirement.
Approved energy efficiency charges for 2016 are $0.00124/kWh for electric programs and $0.781/dekatherm for residential customer and $0.637/dekatherm for C&I customers. A Demand Side Management program for Pascoag Utility District also exists, with a DSM charge of $0.0002/kWh. A RGGI funded pilot EE program is also being deployed by the Office of Energy Resources to Block Island Power Company ratepayers.
The most recent budgets for energy efficiency programs and electricity and natural gas savings can be found in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
Rhode Island has a legislative requirement enacted in 2007 for electric and gas utilities to acquire all cost-effective energy efficiency that costs less than new energy supply as the first priority resource, placing it first in a utility’s resource “loading order” and greatly increasing the role of energy efficiency in long-term planning. The Comprehensive Energy Conservation, Efficiency and Affordability Act of 2006 also establishes new requirements for strategic long-term planning and purchasing of least-cost supply and demand resources. Utilities in Rhode Island file plans that include specific energy savings goals. These plans are reviewed by the Public Utilities Commission.
The Rhode Island legislature unanimously passed The Comprehensive Energy Conservation, Efficiency and Affordability Act of 2006 in June 2006. This act establishes a Least Cost Procurement mandate—requiring utilities to acquire all cost-effective energy efficiency with input and review from the Energy Efficiency and Resource Management Council (EERMC). Under the Least Cost Procurement mandate, National Grid is required to participate in strategic long-term planning and invest in all energy efficiency that is cost-effective and cheaper than supply on behalf of its customers.
The act also established requirements for strategic long-term planning and purchasing of least-cost supply and demand resources. Utilities must submit 3-year and annual energy efficiency procurement plans, which offer program details, as well as spending and savings goals. Hearings are held once a year before the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission to review program plans. Yearly incremental savings goals for electricity during the 2012-2014 period began at 1.7% increasing to 2.5% in 2014 (Docket 4284, 4295). Targets for 2015-2017 range from 2.5% to 2.6% (Docket 4443).
Rhode Island’s EERS policy also includes natural gas targets. Savings goals for the 2012-2014 period ranged from 0.6% in 2012 to 1.0% in 2014 (Docket 4284, 4295). Targets for 2015-2017 range from 1% to 1.1% (Docket 4443).
Connecticut
“Electric distribution utilities, natural gas companies, and municipal electric utilities are required by Connecticut statute to provide “conservation and load management” (C&LM) programs for their customers. The Energy Efficiency Board (EEB) advises and assists the electric and natural gas utilities in the development of energy efficiency programs included in their Conservation and Load Management Plan (“Plan”). The integrated Plan is subject to review and approval by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP”). All programs included in the plans are required to pass a benefit-cost test. The DEEP and PURA oversee the fully integrated electric distribution utility and natural gas utility programs. The EEB, appointed by the Commissioner of DEEP, administers the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund (CEEF). The utilities administer the energy efficiency programs. The utilities and contractors hired by the utilities implement the programs.
The EEB and the CEEF were established in 1998 through the state’s electric utility restructuring legislation, Public Act 98–28, An Act Concerning Energy Independence, Connecticut General Statute §16-245m. The 1998 Act required electric companies to offer efficiency programs. In 2005, Public Act 05-1, An Act Concerning Energy Independence (Connecticut General Statute §16-32f and Connecticut General Statute §7-233y) required the investor-owned natural gas companies to submit energy efficiency program plans to the DPUC and required the municipal electric companies and the Connecticut Fuel Oil Conservation Board to work with the EEB to develop energy efficiency programs for their customers.
Investment and savings information is summarized at www.ctenergydashboard.com .There are low-interest loans available for commercial and industrial customers as well as 0% on-bill financing for small businesses who implement eligible energy-savings measures. More information can be found in the ACEEE report, Energy Efficiency Financing Programs.
Connecticut’s electric energy efficiency programs are funded by a monthly system benefits charge on customers’ electric bills. Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund (“CEEF”) electric programs are also funded through the revenues the electric utilities receive from the ISO-New England Forward Capacity Market (“FCM”). CEEF will also be supplemented with funds the electric utilities receive from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI”). Natural gas energy efficiency programs are funded by a monthly charge established in the companies’ Plan plus funding based on the difference between the imposed tax and the approved tax (described in PA 07-242, section 115b). Municipal electric utilities are required to create a fund to support energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. This fund is supported by a surcharge of 0.22 cents/kWh.
Additionally, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 16-245m(d), as amended by Connecticut Public Act 13-298, provides for PURA to ensure that additional revenues required to fund the approved C&LM budget are “provided through a fully reconciling conservation adjustment mechanism for each electric company of not more than three mills per kilowatt-hour of electricity sold to each end use customer of an electric distribution company during the three years of any Conservation and Load Management Plan [and] a fully reconciling conservation adjustment mechanism for each gas company of not more than the equivalent of four and six-tenth cents per hundred cubic feet during the three years of any Conservation and Load Management Plan.
The most recent budgets for energy efficiency programs and electricity and natural gas savings can be found in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
Last Updated: June 2016
” “Prior to passage of the 2007 Electric and Energy Efficiency Act, utilities were not required to submit integrated resource plans in Connecticut’s restructured utility markets. With passage of this act (View authorizing legislation), however, this changed. The act requires electric distribution companies to review the state’s energy and capacity resource assessment and develop a comprehensive plan for procurement of energy resources, considering a full array of supply and demand resources. The act requires resource selection and procurement to be done so as to minimize the costs and to maximize consumer benefits consistent with the state’s environmental goals. The distribution companies must submit annual assessments of energy and capacity requirements for the next three, five and ten years, as well as plans to “eliminate growth in electric demand” and to achieve other demand-side and environmental objectives. Resource needs are first to be met through “all available energy efficiency resources that are cost-effective, reliable and feasible.”
The Energy Future Act of 2011 (PA 11-80) requires that Connecticut’s energy needs “shall be met first through all available energy efficiency and demand reduction resources that are cost-effective, reliable, and feasible.
Last Updated: June 2016
” “Summary: Requirement for acquisition of all cost-effective efficiency resources, equivalent to yearly incremental electricity savings targets of ~1.51%, natural gas savings of 0.61% through 2018.
The state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS), established in 1998 and revised thereafter, requires that electricity providers and wholesale suppliers obtain 27% of their retail load from renewable energy and energy efficiency by 2020. Beginning in 2006, energy efficiency and combined heat and power measures were considered “Class III sources” and required to meet a certain percentage of load. However, Public Act 13-303 revised the RPS to preclude certain conservation and load management programs from qualifying as a Class III source beginning January 2014.
The 2007 Electricity and Energy Efficiency Act (Public Act 07-242) took an important step in recognizing the value of energy efficiency by requiring utilities to achieve resource needs through “all available energy efficiency resources that are cost-effective, reliable and feasible.” The Department of Public Utility Control interpreted this mandate overly restrictively, however, focusing only on capacity needs, and did not approve funding increases to achieve all cost-effective energy efficiency (Docket 10-02-07) until recently.
Public Act 11-80 (2011) created the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), into which was integrated the DPUC, renamed the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). DEEP has several goals related to energy: to reduce the cost electricity in the state; to ensure the reliability and safety of the state’s energy supply; to increase the use of clean energy; and to develop the state’s energy economy. The Act requires DEEP to review the state’s energy and capacity resource assessment every two years and to develop an integrated resources plan that identifies how best to meet projected demand for electricity and to lower the cost of electricity through a mixture of supply and demand side measures, including energy efficiency, load management, demand response, combined heat and power facilities, distributed generation and other emerging energy technologies.
In 2013, the state passed Public Act 13-298, An Act Concerning Implementation of Connecticut’s Comprehensive Energy Strategy. The Act contained provisions requiring gas and electric distribution companies to create triennial energy conservation plans and increased funding levels to the point where the state’s all cost-effective mandate is achievable. In December 2013, PURA approved rate adjustments requested by utilities for implementation of their efficiency plans.
Provide overview of top 5 cities for policy
Boston
“Building Energy Savings Goals
Boston is a US DOE Better Buildings Challenge Community Partner, committing to a 20% reduction in energy intensity in a portfolio of public and private buildings. The 2011 update to the city’s Climate Action Plan, notes that 67% of planned reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are to be achieved through measures related to buildings and energy sources, with the majority coming from building efficiency.
Green Building Requirements
Article 37 of Boston’s municipal zoning code requires that all new commercial projects over 50,000 sq ft. meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification standards. Article 37 also applies to all residential multi-family buildings over 50,000 sq ft. These residential multi-family buildings must also achieve a minimum LEED score of 65.
Energy Audit and Retrofit Requirements
As stipulated in Section 7-2.2 (f) of the 2013 Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance, buildings that are not ENERGY STAR certified or showing documented improvement in energy use reductions must take an “energy action“ including either an energy assessment (audit) or retro-commissioning every five years. This requirement covers both residential and commercial buildings.
Incentives and Financing for Efficient Buildings
The city, through the Renew Boston program, provides no-cost energy assessments for 1-4 unit residential buildings and additional financial incentives for select energy upgrade measures beyond those provided by the city’s utilities and Mass Save. For businesses, and large condo associations and co-ops (with greater than 4 units), Renew Boston in partnership with NStar, National Grid and RISE Engineering provide Boston businesses with technical assistance and financial incentives to lower the impacts of high energy costs. Renew Boston also provides a Small Business Direct Install program that provides assessments and financial incentives to improve lighting and mechanical systems. Development Review Guidelines for commercial buildings in the Stuart Street area have a standard maximum height of 155 feet, but if a project is certified as LEED Gold it is eligible for a height bonus up to a maximum height of 400 feet.
Last Updated: March 2015
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“Through MOUs with the City of Boston, NStar and National Grid provide the city with funds for marketing and community outreach, agree to participate in strategic planning for Renew Boston, as well as provide a full-time utility staff member (NStar) to be based in City Hall to coordinate energy efficiency promotion to large users. An additional MOA between the city and National Grid established a goal of 300,000therms in savings from 2012-2015. To meet those goals National Grid will provide technical assistance and strategic energy planning in addition to its existing financial incentives.
Last Updated: February 2015
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New York City
“Building Energy Savings Goals
New York City has not yet published an energy-intensity reduction target for its private buildings.
Green Building Requirements
LL 86, New York City’s Green Building Law, establishes a set of standards for public design and construction projects. Buildings using city funding are subject to these standards and requirements. The School Construction Authority (SCA), which is responsible for building and renovating public schools, developed the NYC Green Schools Guide and Rating System to guide the sustainable design, construction and operation of new schools, modernization projects and school renovations, and to achieve compliance with Local Law 86.
The New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) requires new construction and substantial rehabilitation projects receiving HPD funding to achieve certification under the national Enterprise Green Communities green building program, which is specifically designed for the affordable housing sector and strongly aligns with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) for Homes rating system.
Energy Audit and Retrofit Requirements
Local Law 87 mandates that buildings 50,000 gross square feet or larger undergo periodic energy audit and retro-commissioning measures. Commercial buildings are also subject to NYC Local Law 88 requiring lighting retrofits to meet current NYCECC standards, and to install electric sub-meters for each tenant space.
Incentives and Financing for Efficient Buildings
There are a series of federal, state, and local incentives and financing products available to New York City’s building owners for retro-commissioning. New York City provides one-year tax abatement of $4.50 per square foot for Green roofs on residences.
Last Updated: December 2014
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“There are no local energy efficiency targets in place for New York City. Instead, utilities must meet the state standards. To power city operations, New York City has several ongoing energy efficiency programs in agreements with the New York Power Authority. An outline of recent and planned projects can be found here. The city has consistently advocated for more streamlined spending of state energy efficiency funds through regulatory proceedings.
Last Updated: December 2014
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Washington DC
“Building Energy Savings Goals
Washington is a DOE Better Buildings Challenge Community Partner. Through this program, Washington has adopted the goal to reduce community-wide energy intensity by 20% by 2020. This commitment covers 90 million square feet of private building stock.
“The district reports progress on each of the 143 actions included in Sustainable DC, the district’s long-term sustainability plan, on an annual basis. The first progress report was published in 2014. An independent firm is retained for EM&V services to verify the energy savings claimed by the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU). The DCSEU’s programs include both local government and district-wide programs and initiatives. There are ten staff members dedicated to implementing energy efficiency strategies in low-income communities, three staff members focused on community outreach in energy efficiency and energy conservation, and three staff members focused on clean energy issues. The Sustainable Energy Trust Fund (SETF) is a public benefit surcharge, derived from an assessment on the electric and natural gas utility companies. The SETF funds the operation of the DCSEU.
Last updated: February 2015
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Green Building Requirements
Washington’s above-code building requirements apply to new construction and major renovation of privately-owned, non-residential buildings. The Green Construction Code applies to all commercial projects 10,000 square feet and larger, and all residential projects 4 stories and higher and 10,000 square feet or larger. A commercial building over 50,000 square feet must achieve LEED at the Certified level. If a residential buildings has received at least 15% of its funding from public sources (broadly defined to include ground leases, TIF districts, etc.) in a project >10,000 SF, they must achieve Green Communities Certification or LEED.
Energy Audit and Retrofit Requirements
Washington does not yet require commercial or residential buildings to take energy efficiency actions such as energy audits or retro-commissioning.
Incentives and Financing for Efficient Buildings
Washington provides PACE financing for large commercial construction. Rebates are available for residential and commercial efficiency projects, as well as a free residential energy audit program and weatherization assistance program.
Last Updated: December 2014
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“There are no mandatory energy efficiency targets set in place for the Washington, D.C. utilities. Customers of PEPCO and Washington Gas fund the energy efficiency programs run by DC SEU through the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund. The DC SEU, through its contract with DDOE is required to reduce citywide energy use by 1% each year.
The performance of the DC SEU is monitored on a regular basis and the DC SEU’s savings targets for electric and natural gas are reviewed annually.
Last Updated: December 2014
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In 2013, according to PEPCO, they spent $12,901,000 on electric efficiency programs, representing 1.98% of its annual revenue. Due to these programs, DC SEU reported a net incremental electricity savings of 50,371MWh, representing 0.45% of PEPCO’s retail sales across its entire jurisdiction, not just Washington specifically, though the programs are provided to DC customers only. In the same year, Washington Gas provided DC SEU with $2,900,000 to run natural gas efficiency programs according to DC SEU. The expenditures normalize to $19.77 per residential customer. Due to these programs, DC SEU reported a net incremental savings of .54MMTherms, representing .40% of Washington Gas’ retail sales. The figures represented here cover all of Washington, D.C. DC SEU offers electric and natural gas efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and business customers.
The District partners with DC SEU, PEPCO, and Washington Gas to promote participation in the energy efficiency programs.
The District’s Department of the Environment (DDOE) conducts outreach on all of its sustainability programs on a regular basis. DDOE also works closely with the DC SEU to refer low-income customers who come in through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or the Weatherization ion Assistance Program to the DC SEU for additional energy efficiency services.
In addition, DDOE shares benchmarking data with the DC SEU. The DC SEU uses this raw data to highlight trends and identify customer segments with the greatest potential for cost-effective and significant energy savings. The DC SEU can then use the benchmarking data to target its services and incentives to customers with the greatest need. The DC SEU has been able to utilize the benchmarking data to improve the design of its Commercial & Institutional programs.
In 2014, the District Government submitted testimony to the DC Public Service Commission to intervene in the proposed merger between Exelon and Pepco (the local electric distribution utility) in order to ensure that the merger helps to forward the District’s energy efficiency and renewable energy goals.
Last Updated: December 2014
San Francisco
“San Francisco reported a budget of $78,592,000 for the building code department in 2013. This level of spending normalizes to $54 per $1,000 of residential construction spending for the city.
San Francisco uses city employees for compliance with State and local building code. Third party performance testing is mandatory for various aspects of California code compliance including HERS testing, lighting controls acceptance testing, HVAC functional testing, and commissioning requirements. San Francisco provides upfront support to developers or owners for energy code compliance. All building designs must pass energy plan checks before building permits can be issued.
Last Updated: March 2015
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“There are no local energy efficiency targets in place for San Francisco. Instead, utilities must meet the state standards. San Francisco regularly and frequently participates in regulatory proceedings to advocate for additional spending requirements, and higher efficiency targets. Since 2007, the city has been a member of the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition and party to LGSEC submittals in several proceedings including: Data Access, Evaluation, the 2015 Energy Efficiency program cycle, Distributed Resource Planning, Integrated Demand Side Management, etc. On some occasions, the city will submit its own comments to provide additional support.
Last Updated: December 2014
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Seattle
“Building Energy Savings Goals
Seattle is a DOE Better Buildings Community Challenge Partner, and has adopted the goal to reduce energy intensity 20% district-wide by 2020. This commitment covers 23 million square feet of private building stock.
Green Building Requirements
Seattle’s Sustainable Building Policy calls for new city-funded projects and major renovations with over 5,000 square feet of occupied space to achieve a LEED Gold Rating. Minor renovation and tenant improvement projects that impact 5,000 square feet or more must also meet LEED Gold standards. Projects under 5,000 square feet or not eligible for LEED must complete the Capital Green checklist. Privately-funded commercial and residential buildings are not subject to green building requirements.
Energy Audit and Retrofit Requirements
Seattle does not yet require commercial or residential buildings to take energy efficiency actions such as energy audits or retro-commissioning.
Incentives and Financing for Efficient Buildings
Seattle offers expedited permitting to green building projects. The city has an incentive zoning program that requires developers to provide public benefits to achieve greater height/density on their building site. Seattle also has the Deep Green and Living Building Program which allows land use departures for both residential and commercial construction that achieve green standards.
Last Updated: March 2015
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“The City of Seattle has established an annual 0.90% (equivalent to 122,640 MWh) energy savings target for its municipal utility. The City of Seattle advocates to increase the energy efficiency of all buildings across all sectors within the city limits. Most advocacy is done in partnership between the Department of Planning & Development, Office of Sustainability, the Office of Housing and the city’s electric utility, Seattle City Light.
Last Updated: February 2015
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Rely heavily on Pollin’s work to make the economic case for expanding energy efficiency in low-income communities.
Perhaps use an example at the state level. I know MA has done a great job at this, though not sure if it’s targeted for low income.
Retrofitting is highly labor intensive. Rely on Pollins estimates and talk about job creation, return on investment, etc