Kern County Gives High Marks to Proposition 39
Proposition 39 (K-12) receives a solid “A” in Kern County as the program enters its junior year helping schools become greener. Proposition 39 is a California voter approved initiative which closed a tax loophole that had rewarded businesses for moving jobs out of the state. These tax dollars are now being reallocated to invest in our children by providing an environment where students can be ready to learn.
“Proposition 39 is having a huge impact on increasing the energy efficiency in California’s schools,” said Scott Fieber, energy conservation supervisor for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS). “We have completed all of our year-one projects and are seeing reduced energy usage as a result.”
KCSOS provides support to the more than 47 school districts in the county, which serves almost 180,000 K-12 students. The educational office applied to the California Energy Commission requesting Proposition 39 (K-12) funding for $128,647 to install energy saving upgrades at five of its more than 50 school and support sites.
Year-one funds were used to replace 25-year-old heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and convert hundreds of 1950’s-era lighting fixtures to energy efficient ones. The educational office has already applied for its year two funding, requesting $119,315 for seven sites.
To make its funding go even further, KCSOS used the California Conservation Corps’ Fresno Center to conduct audits required by the Proposition 39 program to assess energy needs and the educational office uses its maintenance and operations staff and graduates of its Youth Build program for at-risk youth to install smaller scale projects.
New Leaf Biofuel Celebrates Expansion of San Diego Plant
New Leaf Biofuel, which struggled through a rough time for biofuels last year, celebrated its expansion this month to a 5-million-gallon annual production plant for very low carbon biodiesel with a grant from the California Energy Commission.
The plant produces fuel that is 90 percent less carbon per gallon than standard diesel fuel. By contrast, an electric car like the Nissan Leaf or Tesla uses electricity that is 65 percent less carbon than gasoline. This reduction in carbon dioxide is important since it is a source of greenhouse gases. Transportation accounts for 38 percent of all carbon emissions in California.
New Leaf Biofuel produced as much as 1.5 million gallons of biodiesel in 2012 and was poised to make much more. A change in public policies loomed in 2014 and production fell. Thanks to its President Jennifer Case, the company not only survived, but is ramping back up. The plant converts local waste streams, including used cooking oil from 1,500 restaurants, into biodiesel. The biodiesel can be used with existing diesel engines and blended with diesel fuel that can be used in existing truck fleets.
New Leaf Biofuel is contributing to California’s goal of reducing carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050. It is also helping reach Gov. Jerry Brown’s goal to reduce petroleum use by 50 percent by 2030. The company also created 25 jobs in Barrio Logan, an economically disadvantaged neighborhood in San Diego. The Energy Commission contributed more than $500,000 to the plant expansion. Jim McKinney, project manager for the Energy Commission’s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, assisted Case with the ribbon cutting.
State Sen. Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) and Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) also attended the ceremony celebrating the expansion.
It’s Déjà Vu All Over Again as the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Mirai is Introduced
It was enchantment under the sea this week as Toyota kicked off U.S. sales of its new hydrogen fuel cell car – the Mirai – with a splashy promotion tied to the Back to the Future film trilogy (in the second movie, Doc Brown and Marty McFly travel forward to Oct. 21, 2015).
But that’s old news to California Energy Commission staff who tried out the Mirai almost a year ago. No, they didn’t use a flux capacitor to skip ahead to the future. They test drove a model Toyota brought to last year’s opening of the West Sacramento hydrogen fueling station.
“It takes about the same amount of time to fuel a hydrogen fuel cell car as it does a gasoline powered car, and you have nearly the same range,” said Janea A. Scott, the Commission’s lead commissioner for fuels and transportation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rates the Mirai at an estimated 67 miles per gallon equivalent (combined city/highway).
There are eight retail hydrogen refueling stations open in California, and the California Fuel Cell Partnership says 47 more are in development. There are also three stations open for municipal buses.
The Energy Commission supports alternative fuel technologies because they reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To help reach its goal of 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) on the roads by 2025, California has invested more than $500 million to bolster statewide infrastructure and create a viable market for ZEVs like the Mirai and others being sold or leased in the state.
Unfortunately, there is no news on the much anticipated hoverboard, and its future remains in the air.
A Little Help From Friends
To help schools through the Proposition 39 (K-12) program application process, the California Energy Commission developed easy-to-use tools for simple energy projects and has a team of engineers and energy specialists to review and approve applications. But, as most educational leaders know, sometimes you need a little hands-on help to find solutions.
The Energy Commission provided that today with an in-house training for Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and their consultants. The focus was to help LEAs understand what is required for an energy efficiency project, what documentation is needed and the review process.
Proposition 39 (K-12) program staff presented common technical and administrative issues that have the potential to delay the approval process. As part of the workshop, the 30 participants had an opportunity to engage in a question and answer period that provided information on application details. LEAs with specific issues could have a one-on –one discussion with program staff.
The Energy Commission is conducting an additional training next week for those who were unable to attend today. Interested participants should view the meeting notice for more information. For additional program resources (Program Guidelines, EEP Handbook, Utility Authorization Forms, Energy Savings Calculators, etc.) visit Proposition 39 (K-12) Program: California Clean Energy Jobs Act. Additional questions may be directed to Prop39@energy.ca.gov, or the Proposition 39 (K-12) Hotline toll-free at 855-380-8722, or for those out-of-state at 916-653-0392.
Woodland Offers Free Electric Vehicle Charging at School Sites
A small city of 60,000 people, 20 miles east of Sacramento, has installed 16 electric car charging stations at seven school sites with a grant from the California Energy Commission. What makes this project unusual? The stations are connected to photovoltaic panels, allowing the school district to offer free charging to faculty, staff and high school students.
After hours, the Level 2 chargers at the Woodland Joint Unified School District are available free to the public, including the residents who live in apartment complexes surrounding the schools and the district headquarters downtown. The arrangement is significant because residents in multi-unit dwellings usually don’t have access to chargers.
Solar panels provide 75 percent of the schools’ energy requirements, which is an achievement for such a small town. To celebrate their accomplishment, the district hosted a dedication of the chargers this month, complete with a cake, the symbolic cutting of a gas fuel line, and electric car charging demonstrations.
The response has been enthusiastic. So much so that some teachers at school sites without the new chargers are a little jealous and are asking the district to add more.
The Energy Commission funds such projects to encourage drivers to switch to zero and near-zero emission cars and trucks to reach the goal of getting 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on California roads by 2025. With the transportation sector contributing to 38 percent of the state’s greenhouse gases, it is important for Californians to transition to cleaner fuels and vehicles.
Public Input Sought on Draft Key Energy Policy Report
Capitol Television News Service interviews Commissioner Andrew McAllister about the Integrated Energy Policy Report. |
The Draft 2015 IEPR covers a broad range of topics, including energy efficiency, the impact of drought on California’s energy system, climate change, and the forecast for California’s future energy supply and demand. Many of these issues will require action for California to meet its climate, energy, air quality, and other environmental goals while maintaining reliability and controlling costs.
Commissioner Andrew McAllister, who is the lead commissioner for the IEPR, held a public workshop on the document Tuesday to receive comments, which could be presented orally or submitted in writing.
Broad stakeholder participation is an integral part of the IEPR, which provides a comprehensive integrated approach to solving the state’s energy needs and issues. All the comments are part of the public record and are considered in developing the report. The proposed final 2015 IEPR is scheduled to be released in December with adoption at the February 2016 business meeting.
The Energy Commission is responsible for preparing the IEPR every two years and the IEPR Update in the intervening year. Among the energy trends and issues included are integrated assessments, analyses and forecasts of California’s energy industry supply, production, transportation, delivery and distribution, demand, and prices. The Energy Commission uses the assessments and forecasts to develop policies that conserve resources, protect the environment, ensure energy reliability, enhance the state’s economy, and protect public health and safety.
Once adopted, the IEPR is submitted to the Governor and Legislature. Policy recommendations in the IEPR inform energy policy decisions that the Governor, Legislature and other state agencies make.
New Proposed Lighting Standards Save Energy, Improve Quality
The California Energy Commission released a final staff report proposing the first standards for small-diameter directional lamps and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Directional lamps are often used in commercial track lighting, while LEDs replace screw-based incandescent bulbs and compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) typically found in homes. Prompted by legislation requiring the Energy Commission to adopt standards to reduce energy use of lighting in homes by 50 percent and businesses by 25 percent from the 2007 levels by 2018, the proposed standards will save energy and improve the quality of the light bulbs that Californians are buying every day.
The new standards will have a financial impact. For a $4 investment in the more efficient directional lamps, the Energy Commission estimates consumers will save nearly $250 in reduced energy and lamp replacement costs over an average of 11 years. The savings with LEDs are also significant and growing as purchase prices continue to decline.
In 2029, the total estimated savings for the directional lamps and LEDs standards is more than 3,000 gigawatt hours per year, equivalent to the amount of electricity required to power all the households in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties (about 400,000 average homes) indefinitely.
For more information please see the press release and frequently asked questions on the proposed lighting standards.
Chairman Weisenmiller Recognized for Leadership in Government
California Energy Commission Chair Robert B. Weisenmiller was named a 2015 Clean Air Award winner from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) for his leadership in government.
SCAQMD hosted the 27th Annual Clean Air Awards on October 2 in Los Angeles. The awards honor individuals and businesses, public agencies and others who are making significant contributions to cleaner air in the Southland.
Weisenmiller, who has more than 30 years of public- and private-sector experience in electricity and gas markets and regulatory policy making, received the S. Roy Wilson Memorial Award for Leadership in Government.
Under his leadership, the Energy Commission has leveraged opportunities to accelerate energy efficiency and renewable energy development and to minimize adverse localized impacts. When addressing complex issues related to grid reliability and modernization, Weisenmiller has emphasized enhanced collaboration with stakeholders, including air districts and communities. The Energy Commission has also directed significant co-funding toward advanced-technology development and deployment to improve the pace of bringing clean-energy infrastructure to the general marketplace.
Weisenmiller, who was unable to attend the award ceremony, provided taped thank you remarks.
BLM Managed Lands Can Now be Used for State Conservation Efforts
California wildlife and their habitats will be better protected under a new agreement between the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) that allows the state to use BLM managed lands for conservation actions, including project-level mitigation in certain circumstances.
The Durability Agreement covers public lands in California—including those in the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) area— and includes conservation tools and an application process that the agencies can use to achieve optimal outcomes for conserving wildlife.
Under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA), CDFW requires renewable energy project developers to avoid, minimize, and/or compensate for impacts to fish, wildlife, and plants, and their habitats. Developers that cannot avoid or minimize all of the impacts can compensate for the remaining ones by acquiring or placing a conservation easement over private land to protect other habitat.
Yet, oftentimes, public lands provide better habitat for at-risk species than private lands. Given that BLM lands are critically important for sensitive species, the agreement makes BLM conservation lands available for conservation actions, including project-level mitigation in certain circumstances.
Some of the agreement tools include:
- Removing invasive plants
- Fencing of highways and roads to reduce species mortality
- Developing water sources for wildlife
- Using education and outreach efforts and increases in law enforcement to reduce human impacts
The agreement came together as part of the DRECP efforts that the Energy Commission, Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Fish & Wildlife and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service are developing. The conservation tools can be used to enhance the wildlife and habitat values of the BLM conservation lands in DRECP area and throughout the state.
Students See Brighter Futures With New Lighting
When one is asked to list a few of the numerous resources that a student needs, few recognize the significance of sufficient lighting. Luckily Willows Unified School District, located in Glenn County, recognized the importance and decided to finally do something about it.
The district applied to the California Energy Commission requesting Proposition 39 (K-12) funding for $552,070. Proposition 39 is a California voter approved initiative which closed a tax loophole that had rewarded businesses for moving jobs out of the state. These tax dollars are now being reallocated to invest in our children by providing an environment where students can be ready to learn.
The project which was completed in July 2015, replaced the majority of lighting at Willow High School and Murdock Elementary School, two of the four schools in the district. In addition, new efficient heating and cooling units were also installed. Together, the schools are estimated to save $46,000 per year in energy costs that can be used to educate students.
To see the list of approved Energy Expenditure Plans by district, visit the Energy Commission’s Proposition 39 (K-12) program webpage and click on Expenditure Plans Listing.
Keeping Kids Comfortable to Enhance Learning
One would think a school in San Diego County would rely on the ocean breeze to keep students at a comfortable temperature. However, Bonsall Unified School District lies well inland with five schools and just over 2,000 students. Unfortunately, the breeze just isn’t quite enough and the school decided it was time to replace and upgrade the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit and controls at Norman L. Sullivan Middle School.
The district applied to the California Energy Commission for over $86,000 in funding from Proposition 39, an initiative California voters approved in 2012 that closed a tax loophole and had rewarded businesses for moving jobs out of state. Now those tax dollars are being invested in our children, our schools and our environment.
As part of the project, the school also replaced their outdated thermostats with 365-day programmable Wi-Fi units. The total project, which was completed in December 2014, will reduce the amount of electricity and natural gas the school used, saving an estimated $6,000 per year.
To see the list of approved Energy Expenditure Plans by district, visit the Energy Commission’s Proposition 39 webpage and click on Energy Expenditure Plan list.
DOD Drafts Energy Commission in Climate Battle
California Energy Commission to help installations transition to renewable and alternative energy projects.
California has more military installations and operational areas than any other state in the nation. Each branch has its own energy plan developed based on their unique mission requirements.
"It is a natural fit for the Energy Commission and the Department of Defense (DOD) to work together," said Energy Commissioner David Hochschild. "Not only from a policy standpoint, but because many of the installations are located in areas with quality wind, solar and geothermal energy resources, which is a great asset in helping DOD meet its goals and which also contributes to California's Renewables Portfolio Standard."
DOD is the largest single consumer of energy in the country, and like California, it recognizes the strategic, economic and environmental threat posed by the continued dependence on fossil fuels alone and has embraced innovative renewable energy solutions and efficiency strategies. DOD's goal is to have 25 percent of its energy come from renewable sources by 2025.
In addition to sharing ideas and technologies with installations, the Energy Commission coordinates with renewable energy developers so that proposed projects do not interfere with space owned, leased or used for military for training or testing; and helps funds innovative energy research demonstration projects like the vehicle-to-grid program at Los Angeles AFB, which features the largest fleet of non-tactical plug-in vehicles in the federal government.
Check out more stories like this in the latest edition of the Energy Commission’s newsletter, the Spark.
California has more military installations and operational areas than any other state in the nation. Each branch has its own energy plan developed based on their unique mission requirements.
"It is a natural fit for the Energy Commission and the Department of Defense (DOD) to work together," said Energy Commissioner David Hochschild. "Not only from a policy standpoint, but because many of the installations are located in areas with quality wind, solar and geothermal energy resources, which is a great asset in helping DOD meet its goals and which also contributes to California's Renewables Portfolio Standard."
DOD is the largest single consumer of energy in the country, and like California, it recognizes the strategic, economic and environmental threat posed by the continued dependence on fossil fuels alone and has embraced innovative renewable energy solutions and efficiency strategies. DOD's goal is to have 25 percent of its energy come from renewable sources by 2025.
In addition to sharing ideas and technologies with installations, the Energy Commission coordinates with renewable energy developers so that proposed projects do not interfere with space owned, leased or used for military for training or testing; and helps funds innovative energy research demonstration projects like the vehicle-to-grid program at Los Angeles AFB, which features the largest fleet of non-tactical plug-in vehicles in the federal government.
Check out more stories like this in the latest edition of the Energy Commission’s newsletter, the Spark.
California’s Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is helping California meet its electricity needs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and grow the state’s economy.
In its latest tracking progress report on renewable energy, the California Energy Commission estimates that nearly 25 percent of electricity retail sales in 2014 came from renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and small hydroelectric. California is on track to meet the Renewables Portfolio Standard goal requiring all utilities to procure 33 percent of retail sales from renewable resources by 2020.
Learn more about California’s pursuit of its nation-leading energy goals and how renewable energy is changing the landscape for California in this video interview with Energy Commissioner David Hochschild.
In its latest tracking progress report on renewable energy, the California Energy Commission estimates that nearly 25 percent of electricity retail sales in 2014 came from renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and small hydroelectric. California is on track to meet the Renewables Portfolio Standard goal requiring all utilities to procure 33 percent of retail sales from renewable resources by 2020.
Learn more about California’s pursuit of its nation-leading energy goals and how renewable energy is changing the landscape for California in this video interview with Energy Commissioner David Hochschild.
Landmark Exchange of Desert Lands Would Advance California’s Conservation and Clean Energy Goals
The California State Lands Commission (SLC) and the Federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are pursuing an exchange of state and federal lands in the California desert that will protect conservation lands and facilitate renewable energy development.
At a Lands Commission meeting today, the agencies signed a memorandum of intent for a proposed land exchange of approximately 61,000 acres of non-revenue generating lands in federal wilderness and other conservation areas for approximately 5,600 acres of federal lands with the potential for, or previously developed with, renewable energy facilities.
The lands are in San Bernardino, Inyo and Riverside counties and within the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) area. The California Energy Commission is part of a four-agency team that issued the draft DRECP in September 2014. The BLM is expected to release the DRECP Land Use Plan Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement later this year. The land exchange supports the DRECP goals to help protect and conserve desert ecosystems while facilitating appropriate renewable energy development.
“We are pleased to be standing with the State Lands Commission and Bureau of Land Management as they move forward with this important agreement,” said Energy Commissioner Karen Douglas. “These landmark exchanges will help the state and our federal partners advance our renewable energy and conservation goals in the California desert.”
The exchange has the added benefit of providing revenue for California’s retired teachers. Some of the lands were granted by Congress to California in 1853 and any revenue from the lands goes to support the California State Teachers’ Retirement System.