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Business

Businesses can save money while protecting the environment by implementing energy efficiency measures

Multi-Family

South Bay Cities Council of Governments is partnering with SoCalREN to assist multi-family owners with energy efficiency strategies

Residential

Residents can save money by implementing energy efficiency

Public Agency (SoCalREN)

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) partners with Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) to help public agencies save energy and money through customized support and resources. Participating agencies are leading their communities on the
pathway to greater sustainability.

Through this partnership public agencies can access four major programs:

Check out some of SoCalREN’s media resources below, as well as additional content on their Resources webpage:

Energy Tracking and Tools

Under the California Energy Benchmarking Program (AB802), property owners are required to submit benchmarking reports of buildings over 50,000 SqFt, as well as campuses of buildings with over 50,000 SqFt combined, by June 1st of each year. SBCCOG works with cities to satisfy these requirements by benchmarking their properties in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, an online tool used to track and assess energy, water, and waste consumption.

Financing

Whether it be through local utilities or statewide incentives, there are many opportunities for public agencies to finance energy efficiency projects.

Residential

Residents can save money by implementing energy efficiency

SoCalREN – the South Bay Cities Council of Governments partners with Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) to help public agencies save energy and money through customized support and resources.  Participating agencies are leading their communities on the pathway to greater sustainability.

Through this partnership public agencies can access four major programs:

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Get Results
with Energy
Management



Annual Savings of
the South Bay Cities
for 2010-2019
 13,671,113 kWh
 62,221 therms

 $2,938,966 in incentive cash

$1,616,497 in Direct Install value

 10,828 tons CO2

Project Delivery Program

Guides public agencies from start to finish through energy efficiency projects. Services include audit and technical services, financing support, simplified procurement, and incentive application support.

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Metered Savings Program

A new way to access SoCalREN’s Project Delivery Program support services , this program uses normalized metered energy consumption (NMEC) to measure energy savings at the meter.

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Revolving Savings Program

Provides short-term up-front construction financing for small to midsize projects at 0% interest. Can be used to bridge the delay between construction and On-Bill Financing (OBF) or other sources of funds not immediately available.

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Pathway to Zero

Offered in conjunction with the services of SoCalREN’s energy efficiency programs and provides a comprehensive view of energy opportunities for facilities in disadvantaged communities, including energy efficiency and distributed energy resources.

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Resources

On-Bill Financing

SoCalGas offers qualified local government customers zero percent loans to finance the purchase and installation of eligible energy efficiency upgrades. Repayments are made in monthly installments added to the utility bill.

SoCalGas: On-Bill Financing

SoCalREN: Revolving Savings Fund

IBank, California’s Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank

IBank finances public infrastructure projects in California. IBank established the California Lending for Energy and Environmental Needs (CLEEN) Center to help drive energy-related projects for state and local governments.

California Energy Commission Low-Interest Loans

The Energy Commission accepts loan applications on a first-come, first-served basis for projects with proven energy savings. The current rate for local government projects is 1 percent, but agencies are advised to contact the CEC before applying to learn information on the most current funding availability.

Database of State Incentives for Renewable and Efficiency (DSIRE)

DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States.  Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University and is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Take advantage of opportunities to save energy and money, from turning off lights and equipment to updating entire building systems. Here are links to energy-efficiency resources:

SoCalGas: Energy Saving Programs

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Energy Efficiency in Government Operations and Facilities

Free seminars and training are available from the utilities and other agencies, including SoCalREN, SoCalGas, and the California Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative (SEEC). 

SoCalREN: Register for Training Notifications

SoCalGas: Education and Training

SEEC: (register to view free trainings) Recorded Trainings 

City of Rancho Palos Verdes – Ordinance No. 579 Non-residential exterior lighting addressing shielding, color temperature, emissions based on lumens, and glare: Ordinance No. 579

California Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative (SEEC) offers guides to energy-efficiency best practices for local governments Energy Best Practices – note: must register to access resources

Institute for Local Government “Sustainability Best Practices Framework” draws upon practical experiences of cities and counties throughout California: Sustainability Best Practices Framework 

City of Phoenix Energy Management Program: City of Phoenix, Energy Management/Capital Reinvestment Plan

Global Warming Solutions Act

AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act, requires the state to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. AB 32 will help California reach its energy efficiency goals.

As part of its implementation of AB 32, the Air Resources Board (ARB) is working on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from multiple sectors of California’s economy. More information on the sectors regarding control measures, reduction strategies, working groups, protocols and other pertinent information can be found here: Economic Sectors Portal

Building Energy Use Benchmarking and Public Disclosure

AB 802 establishes new statewide building energy use benchmarking with public disclosure. It requires utilities to provide energy data for covered buildings to owners upon request, and it requires the state Energy Commission to establish a benchmarking and public disclosure program for specified buildings. AB 802, which replaces the current time-of-transaction building energy disclosure program, is slated to take effect in 2017.

Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act

SB 350, the California Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act, expands the state’s renewable energy and energy efficiency goals. It requires California to generate half of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 and double energy efficiency in homes and workplaces by the same year.

Existing Building Energy Efficiency Framework 

AB 758, California’s Existing Building Energy Efficiency Framework, addresses the need to improve energy performance of existing buildings. AB 758 requires the California Energy Commission (CEC), in collaboration with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and stakeholders, to develop a comprehensive program to achieve greater efficiency in existing buildings while meeting the needs of energy users and building owners.

Sustainable Communities Act

SB 375, California’s Sustainable Communities Act, was enacted to reduce emissions through regional transportation and land use planning. SB 375 will help local governments create more sustainable communities while complying with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations to reduce GHG emissions.

California’s Long-term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan

Follow this link to find answers to the top questions related to the strategic plan.

Local Government Solution Center

The Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) Solution Center is an information portal for state and local governments to learn about clean energy policies and projects. EERE is an office of the U.S. Department of Energy.

2016 California Energy Efficiency Standards

The CEC has adopted the 2016 Building Energy Efficiency Standards that go into effect Jan. 1, 2017. These new building codes are intended to reduce energy costs, save consumers money and increase comfort in new and upgraded homes and workplaces. The standards are a step closer to California’s zero net energy goals which require buildings to produce as much energy as they consume. The zero net energy target for new residential construction is 2020, and the target for new commercial buildings is 2030. The new standards encompass California Title 24 regulations and CalGreen building codes.

California Public Utilities Commission Energy Efficiency

Follow the link to learn more about the CPUC’s Energy Efficiency Programs

Utility Services Offered

The Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN), a SBCCOG partner, harnesses the collective power of residents, businesses, and the public sector to achieve an unprecedented level of energy savings across Southern California.

Intro to SoCalREN Public Agency Programs

SoCalGas, a SBCCOG partner, provides rebates, incentives, tools, and other programs to help government agencies conserve energy and save money.

We are here to help cities qualify for and obtain all eligible utility rebates. Our energy team handles the paperwork of incentive applications which saves time for city staff and can provide incentive cash to public agencies. Contact us to work with our energy engineer.

SoCalGas: Rebates and Incentives