San Joaquin Valley Energy Leader Partnership (VIEW)
PARTNERS MEETING SUMMARY NOTES April 1, 2010 Attendees: Lou Camara, City of Hanford Barbara Marty, City of Hanford Valerie Williams, City of Lindsay Jim Perrine, City of Porterville Lew Nelson, City of Tulare Leslie Caviglia, City of Visalia Nathan Garza, City of Visalia Kim Loeb, City of Visalia
Courtney Kalashian, SJVCEO Maureen Hoff, SJVCEO Tara Becnel, SCE, Guest Speaker Bill DeLain, SCE Jesse Langley, SCE Cal Rossi, SCE Pete Zanzot, SCE, Cool Center Program Manager Paulo Morais, So Cal Gas
Location: County of Tulare RMA, RMA Main Conference Room, 5961 South Mooney Boulevard, Visalia, CA 93277 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Next Meeting: Thursday, May 6, 2010 Location: County of Tulare RMA, RMA Main Conference Room, 5961 South Mooney Boulevard, Visalia, CA 93277 Agenda Topics on April 1, 2010 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Welcome and Introductions On-Bill Financing Energy Savings Goals for 2010 – Jesse Langley Marketing and Outreach Report on CEC Clean Energy Business Financing Project SCE Cool Center program presentation – Pete Zanzot Demand Response in the Energy Leader Model - Guest Speaker, Tara Becnel Old Business Next Steps
Summary of Discussions: •
Lew Nelson called the meeting to order at 10:02am and introductions were made.
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San Joaquin Valley Energy Leader Partnership (VIEW) •
On-Bill Financing (OBF) Courtney Kalashian explained that we have been putting together a spreadsheet to keep track of programs for OBF. Right now we are in our fact-finding stage to discover which jurisdictions want to do what. It was noted that OBF does not apply to private businesses. Paulo Morais announced that the Gas Company has been given the ok to work on projects as well. He briefly explained the challenges of finding products that meet the ten year payback and explained how funding works. Courtney thought this was a good point and encouraged jurisdictions to turn in projects for SCG as well as SCE. Jesse Langley clarified that this is not a grant and there are limited funds so please hurry and get in your submissions. We want to look at it as a one-time thing just in case the funds aren’t there later. Courtney asked and received the ok from Jesse to add OBF questions to the jurisdictions assessments.
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Energy saving goals for 2010 Jesse explained that Chris did not get an updated list that tracks the kilowatts per hour and that the list only shows the projects from jurisdictions. We simply want to make sure that the projects are on the list and next month we will have a more comprehensive one. In regards to EECBG funds, Jesse asked if anybody had any timelines or updates. Lew Nelson said Tulare was moving ahead. Courtney reported that Mike Nemeth of the SJVCEO said announcements won’t come out until mid-April. She also asked Paulo if any of these include submissions for the gas company. Valerie Williams said that there is a project in process of being approved for the City of Lindsay. Several acronyms on the project tracking were clarified: SBD is ‘savings by design’ and SPC is ‘standard performance contract’. Jesse mentioned that we will have numbers associated with the project tracking list and ideally we will integrate any projects with the gas company on there as well. Kim Loeb mentioned that he received an email from Chris Coronel letting him know that the Visalia runway project will have to be resubmitted because it was originally denied.
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Marketing and Outreach Once again it was stressed that everyone is invited and encouraged to attend the early morning marketing meeting that occurs before the partners meeting. It is important to get feedback from everyone! Courtney explained that we reviewed upcoming events and looked at doing a handful of community events to get out to each jurisdiction. The next event is the City of Lindsay’s Earth Day this weekend. Valerie Williams will send pictures to Courtney. The 2nd unit MEU (booth with tent for outdoor events) is available if needed. Courtney noted that it is great to have the MEU, but it is most important to have volunteers so that the VIEW partnership doesn’t have to pay for them (Maureen Hoff and Courtney). The rest of the marketing meeting was spent reviewing the marketing plan. Our main focus is getting the message out and incorporating education. We are looking at working closely 2
San Joaquin Valley Energy Leader Partnership (VIEW) with AgTAC to incorporate education. Our plan is not overly aggressive, but it will get the word out. We also have ‘Outreach Packs’ for self staffed events; these include the VIEW banner, chip clips, magnets, and talking points. If anybody is interested in one, please contact Maureen Hoff or Courtney. Jesse volunteered Edison to put bullet items for people staffing these events by next meeting. He also added that Edison has put together a partnership newsletter and is trying to shoot for this on a quarterly basis. The next one should hopefully go out in the next week or two. Courtney will make sure everyone is signed up for Edison’s partnership newsletter. Feedback is welcomed! Report on CEC Clean Energy Business Financing Project
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Courtney advised everyone in attendance to see the attachment for details of the CEC Clean Energy Business Financing Project. In short, we are looking at $30 million in low interest loans. It is limited to businesses in California and must create California jobs. Applications are coming up on April 7th. The information is available on the CEC website and Courtney will make sure to alert everyone when the applications are available. Lew explained to Jesse that he had heard about the opportunity through a consultant but thought it sounded like it was for existing businesses. Kim thought it sounded like it could be for businesses looking to locate in your community, so not necessarily jut for existing businesses. Courtney felt that even though applications come up soon, the application process is a fairly generous amount of time. Using the SJVCEO, we can put the message out to all the EDC’s. Bill DeLain proposed to link saving water to saving energy if energy efficiency drip irrigation applies to this financing project. Jesse asked the jurisdictions what role they see themselves in and how they would make sure local businesses are aware of this opportunity. Valerie’s first thought was a mailed pamphlet, but she also felt that mailings aren’t always an ideal way of reaching out since people tend to throw them out. She also suggested holding an informational meeting. Kim noted there are a number of companies in Visalia that could get the message to the EDC. SCE also has incentives for businesses that want to improve products based on energy savings so there could be a bit of a tie to the program. It was expressed that these loans could be combined with SCE Core Programs to leverage available funds. This could be a promotion that VIEW jurisdictions use to reach out to their businesses. Courtney will put out an email tomorrow (Friday 4/2/2010) with more details and resources on the Clean Energy Business Financing Project •
Cool Center Program, Pete Zanzot Pete Zanzot presented SCE’s Cool Center Program and explained he was here to ask for help promoting the program in the San Joaquin Valley because there is a huge demand for it, but only a minimal presence. The idea is that Cool Centers provide low income seniors and disabled residents a place to go when it is really hot so they do not have to run their own air conditioning. The program can prevent health problems that occur in the warmer months. The centers also provide an opportunity for people to become more aware of energy efficiency, conservation practices, and available low income programs. 3
San Joaquin Valley Energy Leader Partnership (VIEW) Pete expressed that SCE is looking to expand beyond the facilities typically used for Cool Centers. The best places are those that already function to bring people together, like community centers. Facilities must be able to accommodate a large number of people and already have air conditioning, comfortable seating, and be wheelchair accessible. A facility does not have to allocate all of its space for the cooling center. There must be at least one on-site staff person and transportation has to be provided in one way or another (distribute bus tokens, provide a van, etc). Refreshments and activities are also provided at the Cool Centers in order to draw people in and keep them entertained. Educational workshops about energy efficiency are supposed to be provided and this year there will be more in-depth training. Thirty percent of all people that come to the centers are return visitors. There are usually newspaper advertisements, flyers, and radio station announcements to promote the centers. Centers are also provided with standardized banners and templates with SCE information so that there is some consistency across the locations. This April, SCE is going to go out and solicit participation for those who have already used the Cool Center program. Centers do receive payment for time, materials, labor (1.5 fulltime employees), mileage ($0.50 per mile), refreshments, and activities. Kim was curious if cooling costs for the facility were covered and Pete explained that the idea is to cover incremental costs. These will probably be added in to the labor rate. Past sites and new sites will be evaluated and selected by next month and Cool Centers are scheduled to open by June 1st. Pete provided contact information on the provided fact sheet and encouraged partners to forward the information to potential facilities. Bill DeLain wanted clarification as to who these centers accommodate. Pete explained that they are open to anyone in the community and that they do not discriminate. Pete also explained that an evaluation of the cool center program was conducted through phone interviews and on-site interviews. It was found that about 20 percent surveyed on phone can not afford to run their AC, or at least not all the time. Of those people, 29 percent would seek relief in other locations (malls, etc), but the reason they can’t go there is because they can’t afford it, can’t get to it, or there is not a conducive environment. The Cool Center program is trying to create alternatives. The centers draw in, on average, 25,000 people during the season and the goal for this year is to increase the number of centers to about 22. Jesse added that this is an opportunity for jurisdictions to reach out. Courtney asked for feedback for places that would be a natural fit for a Cool Center location. Lew said Tulare already has cooling centers that are health based and asked if the Cool Center Program could help the city find and pay for these and expand their operations. The Hanford Center also has dedicated a room and did solicitation on the sidewalks; SCE is going to speak with them and see what they would like to do this year. Bill asked as to whether locations could include faith based organizations and a discussion ensued about types of centers. There is no ‘one size fits all’ and faith based organizations are allowed. The idea is to get different types of locations and have them spread out over the community. 4
San Joaquin Valley Energy Leader Partnership (VIEW) There was also discussion about the hours of Cool Center operation. Centers need to be open Monday through Friday from 10am until 5pm. Courtney suggested that if jurisdictions implemented a seven day a week program, the Cool Center program could help relieve the costs of additional hours. It was agreed that in the Valley it is hottest from about 1pm until 8pm and that extending the hours would be ideal. Jesse asked if there was additional funding available and Pete said there is usually flexibility in the program and we could possibly expand the hours of operation. Courtney also noted that there is a lot of opportunity for recognition for SCE with the Cool Center through advertisements. Courtney will help to manage a list and outreach for the Cool Center. •
Demand Response in the Energy Leader Model - Guest Speaker, Tara Becnel Tara explained that demand response can help businesses in the community and city to reduce energy in peak times primarily through enrollment in certain programs where one would get incentives by participation. By reducing energy consumption you can help meet state requirements. SCE customers are asked to participate at certain times (usually summer months from about 12noon until 6pm when hottest) when electricity usage is greatest. To avoid the perception that SCE is ‘pulling the plug’ on their customers, new tech savvy programs will be introduced to help people make smarter choices about energy usage. The energy leader model provides different incentives depending on tier level. Jesse said that he can help determine tiers for each jurisdiction. At the base level you would be alerted on flex days via email. You would be asked to create demand response awareness with minor, unsophisticated actions and to implement an internal awareness campaign. Tara did note that she included an email template for implementation. The silver level requires action to be taken. For example, if a jurisdiction is at the silver level, it must enroll in at least one eligible facility program and develop a demand reduction action plan. Tara provided a checklist in her packets to the jurisdictions to help with this implementation. SCE will also be getting materials to share at outreach events and Tara will work with Jesse to provide us with different brochures. Chris Coronel can help bring this to the partnership level so that a community goal, as well as a demand response goal, can be determined. Kim clarified with Jesse that in order to maintain their tier level status they need to accomplish what is on the demand response checklist. Kim also asked if there was a template to accomplish these goals and Tara noted that there are incentives and programs to help with project costs and SCE can help. Courtney inquired if this is something the partnership can help spread out to the communities. Jesse thought that we would first provide it to the cities and then outreach into the communities. Kim agreed that this is an opportunity for jurisdictions to make changes, implement programs and then try to quantify the savings so that we can move the program out and show people how they can save.
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San Joaquin Valley Energy Leader Partnership (VIEW) In wrapping up Tara’s presentation, it was discussed what types of demand response programs exist. Tara noted that these are outlined in her handouts. There was also some discussion about sensory ballast lighting that could turn off when there is no activity. Something else to put together is a list to identity parking structures for bi-level lighting. •
Old Business Courtney asked if we wanted to discuss the Strategic Plan for embedded funds and Jesse suggested we hold off until the next meeting. Jesse mentioned the email he had sent out about an informational workshop April 13th to be held in Monrovia. Everyone is invited to attend in person or via the web. Courtney and Jesse discussed the assessment survey that has been created for the jurisdictions to evaluate the partnership. We want to make sure we are addressing the right topics and that the right people from each jurisdiction are here. The assessments will be followed up by a one on one meeting. Courtney explained that Gail Henry has been the volunteer guinea pig and then we will proceed with other jurisdictions. We should be able to set up meetings in the next four to six weeks. Pacific Housing and California First programs were also compared. Lew Nelson discussed Tulare’s revolving low income (as defined by the state) solar initiative. There would be no out of pocket cost to put solar panels on homes and a third party would make the loans for installation. Jesse estimated the cost per home to be about $15,000 on average. Theoretically the payments would be made through energy savings. Kim suggested that the best way would probably be to find the ‘low hanging fruit’ energy saving solutions and then implement solar. Pacific Housing is not doing validation and the idea is to just get it out there and figure it out as we go. The California First program, which Kim prefers, has the opposite approach to roll it out first and then go forward. Pacific Housing is more of a get ‘er done program, whereas California First is probably more of a get ‘er done right program! Both programs do reimbursement assessments. Paulo said that SCG would like to collaborate. It was noted that there would be out of pocket costs for the consumer, but that they would be very reasonable and bundled into a comprehensive retrofit program. SCG is working on training for this program.
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Next Steps It was decided that Cruz Dominguez would be next meeting’s facilitator. If he does not show, Valerie offered to do it. The meeting was adjourned at 12:01pm.
Action Items: 1. Courtney will add On Bill Financing to assessments 2. Jesse assured there will be numbers associated with the project tracking list. 6
San Joaquin Valley Energy Leader Partnership (VIEW) 3. Valerie will send pictures from the City of Lindsay’s Earth Day celebration. 4. Courtney will make sure everyone is signed up for Edison’s partnership newsletter. 5. Courtney will email the partners on Friday, April 2nd with details on the Clean Energy Business Financing Project. 6. Courtney will help manage a list and outreach SCE’s Cool Center Program. 7. Tara Becnel will provide Courtney with SCE demand response literature materials to share at outreach events. 8. Jurisdictions are to identify parking structures for bi-level lighting. 9. Paulo will provide Courtney with on bill financing information so that we have equal representation from SCE and SCG.
PARTNERSHIP 2010 MEETING SCHEDULE: Thursday, May 6, 2010 Thursday, June 3, 2010 Thursday, July 1, 2010 Thursday, August 5, 2010 Thursday, September 2, 2010 Thursday, October 7, 2010 Thursday, November 4, 2010 Thursday, December 2, 2010
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