2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Produced by: San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization 4747 North First Street, Suite 140, Fresno, California 93726 Phone (877)748 (877)748-0841 0841 Fax (559)2 (559)227 27-1463 1463 www.sjvceo.org
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN Welcome to the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization’s first first--ever ever annual report. This document not only highlights our accomplishments in 2011, but also is indicative of the evolution of an organization that seeks to make the San Joaquin Valley stro stronger nger economically, a better place to live and a leader in the clean clean--energy energy movement. In 2011, the SJVCEO made progress on several initiatives, and set the stage for what will be an exciting and productive 2012. Our accomplishments have been many for such a young organization. We helped local governments reduce greenhouse gas emissions and power bills, created a model user’s manual as a resource for other agencies benchmarking energy use use;; launched a resource resource-rich rich website for teachers and students eager to get in on the ground floor of the emerging green economy; and beefed up outreach to an increasingly fragmented audience through blogs, Facebook, Twitter and other forms of social media. We will go into detail on our programs later on, but abridged version versionss follow: The Valley Innovative Energy Watch (VIEW) program lived up to its name name,, becoming one of the most successful and innovative Local Government Partnerships in the state. The energy savings have surpassed early projections, and we are confident the VIEW Partnership will be extended beyond the original sunset of 2012. We authored a “Benchmarking Made Easy” user’s manual that was showcased at the Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative conference in July and at a Local Government Commission webinar on benchmarking case studies. The easy easy-to to-navigate navigate user’s manual has become a model in the industry, and was used by the Statewide Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator as a Best Practices study. Our Clean Energy Partnership administers $4 million in energy energy--efficiency efficiency grants among 36 local government jurisdictions and $663,000 to the cities of Ceres and Delano. Both programs gained traction in 2011 and are moving forward. We look forward to completing them in 2012, hopefully with the local governmen governments ts seeing significantly reduced power bills at a time when every extra penny helps. Our Energy Adv Advisors isors to Valley Cities program received funding from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. When the program kicks into full gear in early 22012 012 it will help five small cities develop Benchmarking Indices and Energy Action Plans as they work to meet AB 32 goals. We created a website of clean clean-energy energy education/training programs, provided job links with an emphasis on clean energy and found speakers for Valley classrooms.
We utilized the talents of two former reporters on staff and enhanced our social media efforts. The SJVCEO Twitter feed ended the year with more than 1,000 followers, up from only a handful 20 months ago. The blogs are neari nearing ng 50,000 views, and our reputation and credibility are being enhanced as a result. Like many nonprofits, the SJVCEO depends upon grants and contributions for revenue. A $70,000 grant from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, $40,000 gen generously erously donated by Pacific Gas & Electric Co and $1,000 donation from a private individual allow us to continue projects into 2012. We also continue to search for other funding opportunities. Moving forward, the SJVCEO plans to increase its outreach, and to help additional local governments reduce their carbon footprints and power bills. The recession and plummeting housing values have devastated many of these communities, and through our efforts they may be able to preserve some jobs, cut costs and meet tthe he requirements of AB 32, California’s landmark climate action regulation.
Carole Goldsmith, Chair Board of Directors San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Operations Reports Program Leadership and Partners……………………………………………………………………………………………1-2 Finance Report…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3-4 Project Reports Valley Innovative Energy Watch………………………………………………………………………………………………….5 VIEW & California’s Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan……………………………………………………………………6 Clean Energy Partnership……………………………………………………………………………………………………………7 Valley Legacy Grant…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8 Department of Energy Block Grants……………………………………………………………………………………………9 Green House Gas Emission Survey Training…………………………………………………………………………………9 Home Energy Tune-Up………………………………………………………………………………………………………………10 Our Efficient Evolution………………………………………………………………………………………………………..11-12
PROGRAM LEADERSHIP AND PARTNERS 2011 Board of Directors Carole Goldsmith, SJVCEO Chair West Hills Community College Community College Consortium Jeff Wright*, SJVCEO Vice Chair UC Merced University of California Don Pauley, SJVCEO Treasurer City of Kingsburg San Joaquin Valley Power Authority
Frank Ferral, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce
Bill Pfanner*, California Energy Commission California Energy Commission
Tim Fisher*, Great Valley Center Workgroup: Energy
Stephen Qualls*, League of California Cities
Steve Geil*, Economic Development Corporation, Fresno Workgroup: Economic Development Randy Ghan*, Fresno, Madera, Kings, Tulare Labor Council
Allen Short, Modesto Irrigation District California Municipal Utility Association Colby Wells, Southern California Gas Company Sempra Non-voting
Gary Hanson*, SJVCEO Secretary Pacific Gas & Electric Company Pacific Gas & Electric Company Daniel Abdella*, City of Madera William DeLain Southern California Edison Southern California Edison
David Howlett*, A-C Electric Tom Jordan, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
Paul Johnson*, SJVCEO Executive Director Peter Weber*, Liaison California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley
Margarita Matoian*, SunPower Corp. Workgroup: Air Quality Roger McNeil*, CSU Stanislaus California State University
Phillip Erro*, Erro Frams Workgroup: Water * indicates individual who retired in 2011 or notified the Organization that he/she will not serve their seat in 2012.
PROGRAM LEADERSHIP AND PARTNERS 2011 Staff Courtney Kalashian, Associate Director SJVCEO operations, Valley Legacy Grant, VIEW Partnership Maureen Hoff, Project Coordinator SJVCEO Operations, FRCRR, VIEW Partnership
Sanford “Sandy” Nax, Project Coordinator SJVCEO Social Media, Clean Energy Partnership, Department of Energy Block Grants, Valley Legacy Grant Mike Nemeth, Project Manager SJVCEO Social Media, Clean Energy Partnership, Department of Energy Block Grants, Valley Legacy Grant
Cathy Sibbett*, Bookkeeper Jose Torres, IT Manager Jim Starkweather*, IT Technician *indicates individual who left the Organization
Professional Exchange Service Corporation, a Fresno based association management firm provides contracted staff services to the SJVCEO, allowing the SJVCEO to maintain a light administrative footprint. SJVCEO and PESC have been in a formal relationship since 2007, when Cynthia Downing, Chairman of the Board of PESC, helped the SJVCEO file Articles of Incorporation with the State of California and to apply for 501 (c) 3 nonprofit filing status with the Internal Revenue Service. Ms. Downing also assisted the organizing founders draft bylaws and board seats that aligned with workgroups of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley (the former parent organization of the SJVCEO). In 2008, PESC hired Courtney Blore Kalashian as the primary and continuing staff member assigned to SJVCEO. Her task was to ensure consistency and continuity while the organization developed under the PESC umbrella. In 2010, Ms. Kalashian accepted a full-time interim director assignment when the nonprofit’s Executive Director, Paul Johnson, went on extended sabbatical. Ms. Kalashian was named full-time Associate Director and senior-most staff member in May 2011 when Mr. Johnson retired as Executive Director. 2011 Consultants Paul Johnson, Paul Everett Johnson & Associates Consultant, FRCRR
FINANCIAL REPORT Income summary for calendar year end 2011: SJVCEO had several project grants in process in the calendar year 2011. SJVCEO received restricted project income in the calendar year 2011 as follows: VIEW Partnership Clean Energy Partnership Valley Legacy Grant Department of Energy Block Grants Fresno Regional Comprehensive Residential Retrofit Total Restricted Income for 2011
$162,578.05 $77,987.88 $63,107.28 $25,422.71 $15,689.36 $344,785.28
SJVCEO received unrestricted contributions during the calendar year which helps the Organization cover operational costs. SJVCEO received unrestricted contributions in the calendar year 2011 as follows: Pacific Gas & Electric Company Charitable Contributions Pacific Gas & Electric Company Fresno Office Total Unrestricted Contributions for 2011 Total Income received in 2011
$20,000.00 $20,000.00 $40,000.00 $384,785.28
Expense summary for calendar year end 2011: General Operating costs for the year were
$29,190.51
The following items are related to the grant income items listed above and there are the expenses incurred for those grants. VIEW Partnership Clean Energy Partnership Valley Legacy Grant Department of Energy Block Grants Fresno Regional Comprehensive Residential Retrofit
$162,578.04 $77,217.88 $58,243.87 $20,911.12 $15,209.36
Total Grant Related Expenses
$334,160.27
Total Expenses 2011
$363,350.78
Net Income for Calendar Year 2011
$21,434.50
The SJVCEO depends upon restricted funding from project grants and unrestricted contributions. In 2011, there was much more of the former and not enough of the latter. Therefore, we are making a concerted effort in 2012 to reach out to foundations to find sources of unrestricted funding, which will allow us to continue to pursue our mission. Staff is committed to submitting four requests per quarter for capacity building funding from foundations in 2012. In 2012 the Valley Legacy Project, Clean Energy Partnership and Department of Energy Block Grants will sunset, requiring the Organization to secure project work of at least $175,000 to maintain current staff levels (unrestricted capacity funds could lessen that number). Already in queue is a $70,000 project grant from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to prepare benchmarking indices and write energy action plans for five Valley local governments, scheduled to begin in early 2012. Staff, with Paul Everett Johnson & Associates have put in application for project funding from the following sources: the Walmart Foundation for $50,000 to develop energy efficiency outreach for low income neighborhoods; $64,000 under a joint Regional Council of Governments proposal for Sustainable Communities Planning Grant; $36,000 to convene industry and education stakeholders under a subcontract to West Hills Community College and the Department of Labor redesign of education delivery grant; and a funded outreach role with the City of San Joaquin in preparing a model climate action plan for rural communities. Pending final decision from the California Public Utilities Commission, the VIEW Partnership will begin a new funding cycle for 2013-2014 at the same, if not expanded levels of funding. For the Organization to grow we must be vigilant in our efforts to create a funding reserve. At the bare minimum, the Organization must be able to sustain our own true costs, which when viewed without the generosity of Professional Exchange average $220,000 per year. We must secure unrestricted contributions each year that not only cover our current true costs, but also set aside for growth. The SJVCEO must maintain project work, but cannot continue to operate without unrestricted contributions from foundations.
VALLEY INNOVATIVE ENERGY WATCH Like many of our programs, this one focused on energy efficiency. In 2011, SJVCEO hosted outreach booths at 20 community events, held two education courses and ran a popular LED light exchange program to boost awareness of energy-reduction measures. The results were impressive, and we achieved most of our objectives a year early. The goal is for our partners to reduce energy consumption by a combined 4,476,469 kWh, 1,018 KW and 85,000 Therms by the end of 2012. At the end of 2011, the kWh reductions totaled more than 7,185,695 kWh and kW savings neared the 1,018 figure. There has been less focus on Therm reduction, but 2012 will bring a strong effort in that part of the program. The SJVCEO partnership is considered one of the best performing in the state, and we anticipate the VIEW program to be extended beyond 2012. Partners: Southern California Edison; Southern California Gas Company; counties of Kings and Tulare; cities of Hanford, Lindsay, Porterville, Tulare, Visalia and Woodlake. Industry Support: Visalia Rawhide; Boys and Girls Clubs of Tulare County; CSET; City of Fresno Home Tune-Up; various Chambers of Commerce; Kern Energy Watch; and Kern Council of Governments.
VIEW & CALIFORNIA’S ENERGY EFFICIENCY STRATEGIC PLAN VIEW has supported the California Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan through development and adoption of a benchmarking policy to meet the requirements of AB 1103, designing and coordinating a regional Energy Action Plan, drafting energy efficiency language for inclusion in General Plan updates, and educating local elected officials and government employees to ensure the acceptance, adoption and long term application of these forward planning documents. VIEW developed “Benchmarking Made Easy” Easy”, a user’s guide to benchmarking facilities and adopting supportive policies at the local level. To date the Partnership has completed the upload and registry with Automated Benchmarking Services for the City of Hanford, and portions of Tulare County and tthe he City of Lindsay. The remaining five local governments are in the process of assessing their energy portfolios and cleaning the records with the Partnership implementer. The original goal of the project of 20% of municipal building benchmarked by the end nd of 2012 will be far exceeded, as all electric and gas accounts are being uploaded into the system for portfolio management ease. The projected completion of the project is the end of Q2 2012. This program has been a huge success. The “Benchmarking Mad Madee Easy,” user’s manual was showcased at the Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative conference in July 2011 and at a Local Government Commission w webinar ebinar on benchmarking case studies in October 2011 2011.
CLEAN ENERGY PARTNERSHIP “This project will help us, as a City, lower greenhouse gas emissions, lower our electricity bills, and turn back on some of the street lights that have been dark for years now.” --Anthony Smith, Administrative Analyst, City of Oakdale In 2011 the Organization was all about energy efficiency, and that shows in this ambitious project.
$4,000,000 funding 8,400,000 kWh saved 126 buildings retrofit “We are pleased to have the opportunity to receive grant funding for this project. Without the funding for purchase and installation of the lighting, we would not have the chance to do this replacement project.” --George Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Selma The Partnership, with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, began in 2010 and carried through 2011, with expectations of wrapping up in the second quarter of 2012. The Organization administers the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants for and provides technical assistance to the 36 partner local governments. Overall, the project was much more than anyone anticipated, but has been a proving ground for our technical expertise, ability to collaborate, and determination to see projects through. We have heard, time and time again that without the SJVCEO our cities and counties could not have participated in the funding. “Without the SJVCEO, Kingsburg would not have pursued this funding. We would have left it on the table. We appreciate the support and partnership the City of Kingsburg and SJVCEO have had with PG&E on efforts to secure and implement EECBG funding, and look forward to future partnerships…” ---Don Pauley, City Manager, City of Kingsburg Partners: San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, Strategic Energy Innovations, 33 cities (including three school districts), three counties, Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, Kern Council of Governments, Valley Innovative Energy Watch, Flouresco, State Historic Preservation Office and California Energy Commission.
WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT, “VALLEY LEGACY GRANT” The role of the SJVCEO in the Valley Legacy Grant has been to ensure that the green economy and green workforce are part of a new regional occupational development in the San Joaquin Valley, consistent with the needs of agribusiness, the goals of AB 32, the air quality goals of the Partnership and the “energy independence” goals of the Organization. The SJVCEO launched a web site, www.wiasjvceo.com, in early 2011, which provides useful resources for students, teachers and job seekers. The online repository provides lesson plans, studies, white papers as well as links to career sites and green employers—it even is home to a clean energy video vault. Should you ever want to experience the view from atop a 25-story wind turbine without climbing one, the video vault can make it happen! "It looks to me like you have done an invaluable service for the clean energy education community (really). I was particularly interested in your work because it is so fresh, making it particularly valuable as I am sure you appreciate how dynamic the web environment is on this subject." --James Sulzen, PhD., Wesleyan University Our efforts on this project included coordinating classroom visits by clean energy industry professionals. Experts in wind and solar power were among those who visited schools in Corcoran, Pixley and Delano. The funding provided the Organization a much needed opportunity to conduct strategic planning and board development and recruitment to support a legacy of leadership for energy and the green workforce in the San Joaquin Valley. Partners: International Center for Water Technology; The Maddy Institute; Central Valley Higher Education Consortium; Great Valley Center; CA Employment Development Department; Central CA Workforce Collaborative; Central Valley Educational Leadership Institute at CSUF; West Hills Community College District; Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY BLOCK GRANTS SJVCEO serves as program administrator and provides technical assistance to the cities of Ceres (Stanislaus County) and Delano (Kern County) through their energy block grants from the US Department of Energy. The projects combined represent
$663,000 funding 850,000 kWh saved 480 tons of removed GHG emissions When completed, the two communities should be models for other cities. Ceres is spending roughly $173, $173,000 00 to install new lighting, install cool roofs, synchronize streetlights and make other energy energyefficiency upgrades. Delano officials envision cool roofs on two fire stations, as well as pump retrofits and new windows. Partners: Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, Strategic Energy Innovations and Kern Council of Governments.
GREEN HOUSE GAS EMISSIONS SURVEY TRAINING SJVCEO SJVCEO,, in partnership with ICLEI hosted a full full-day day training session on how to conduct community training community-scale and municipal gr greenhous eenhous eenhousee gas emissions inventories, le led d by Brian Holland, ICLEI Climate Program Director Director.. Mr. Holland leads leads the development of ICLEI's climate mitigation and climate adaptation p programs rograms and consulting projects. The training covered aan n overview of the SStatewide tatewide Energy nergy Efficiency fficiency C Collaborative ollaborative project and ICLEI; how ow to perform a government operations inventory; h how ow to conduct an inventory at the community scale; d defined efined the scope of study, boundaries and protocols; overview verview of the Local Government Operations Protocol and framework of the Community Scale Protocol; timelines, imelines, staff and resources needed tto o complete an inventory; gathering, athering, organizing and working with data; overview verview of recommended and alternative methods, and discussion of data sources; discussion iscussion of data data--gathering gathering tools and ways to perform a successful inventory; and rreporting eporting eporting. Partners: ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA; USA Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative (SEEC), which is an alliance that includes ICLEI, The Institute for Local Government, Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison aand nd Southern California Gas Co.
HOME ENERGY TUNE-UP
“For most people, the energy bill is the second largest expense of owning a home…second only to the mortgage payment. With a little knowledge, you have the power to lower your energy costs and create a better home in the process.” --City of Fresno website
In May the City of Fresno awarded Strategic Energy Innovations with a contract to support outreach efforts and implement the Home Energy Tune-Up program. SEI, being based in the Bay Area, subcontracted the SJVCEO for Paul Johnson’s services to provide a “local” face to the outreach to our local governments. The role of the SJVCEO, through Paul, in this effort is to conduct local government outreach and support the project team in promotion of the program. The program role was expanded to include outreach to school districts and chambers of commerce. The program offers residents of Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera and Tulare counties an assessment of their energy usage. The public service initiative is funded by a federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant and offered collaboration with the California Energy Commission’s Energy Upgrade California Program. Energy efficient choices can save you up to a third on your home’s energy bill while improving air quality--indoors and out--and adding to your comfort year-round. The more you do, the more you save. And informed consumers save the most. The free home energy survey shows homeowners where to save energy. More important, it recommends the energy efficiency home improvements that are most cost-effective and have the best payback. While the regular staff have had little hands on involvement in the project implementation we have all participated in the program and had energy audits conducted on our homes!
OUR EFFICIENT EVOLUTION Clean energy is future energy, and an ideal source for the San Joaquin Valley. Given that our incomes are low and our power bills are high, why not utilize the region’s most abundant natural resources to bring down those costs and put more money in people people’s ’s wallets? The 250 250--mile mile resource resource-rich rich San Joaquin Valley is brimming with potential and could become a hub of energy innovation innovation.. It has the opportunity to become energy independent and a leader in energy efficiency. Consider this this: O Our Valley contains some of the largest swaths of privately owned undeveloped property in the western United States. Windmills dot the northern and southern tips. The service territories of Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison intersect here, giving power dev developers elopers more choice. Thousands of acres of farmland have gone out of production, creating an ideal platform for the emerging solar and biofuel industries. This sun sun-kissed kissed region sits dead center in the most dynamic state in the nation, is adjacent to three major energy energyguzzling metropolitan areas and continues to be among the fastest fastest-growing growing regions in the state. Meanwhile, businesses, local governme governments nts and Governor Brown are putting a stronger focus on clean energy and energy efficiency. The state’s ambit ambitious ious 33 percent renewables mandate, the growing sustainability movement, strict new energy benchmarking requirements and the effects of climate change create opportunities for new businesses, new careers – and a bigger role for SJVCEO. More than 60 solar applications are proposed in Fresno and Kern counties alone. Officials at UC Merced informally refer to this region as “Solar Valley” while editorial writers author missives about the great “solar land rush.” Meanwhile, schools and training programs are trying hard to prepare a workforce to capitalize on this emerging new industry. Energy, agriculture and water are closely aligned, and the SSan an Joaquin Valley is the nexus of all three. Efficiency will be the name of the game as pressures on all of them increase, creating opportunity for SJVCEO. Top-notch Top notch educational facilities ring the Valley, and all bring something special to the table – from rom the agriculture research of UC Davis to UC Merced’s innovative solar solar-energy energy studies to Fresno State’s world world-renowned renowned water technology center to the engineering minds that populate Cal Poly’s campus in San Luis Obispo to the crusading efforts at West Hi Hills lls Community College District in Coalinga, which wants to be only the second community college in California to go “grid positive.” Farmers here are among the most productive and entrepreneurial in the nation. They produce $25 billion worth of food and ffiber iber each year. Renewable energy represents a new cash crop. Why can’t some of the non non--prime prime agriculture land become test beds for biofuel and solar? The
Valley alley is one big Petri dish, ish, and the SJVCEO is ideally suited to help with outreach and other efforts efforts. But that is not all. Not by a long shot. Renewable energy is cool and can be a new industry in the Valley, but the most immediate impact on its residents comes from energy efficiency. Electrical consumption in the San Joaquin Valley fell 11 percent be between tween our formation in 2007 and 2009, compared with a 4.5 percent reduction statewide during the same period. Our efforts in energy efficiency have ramped up since then – most of our work in 2011 was in that arena arena---and and we expect those numbers to improve in 2012 and beyond. Relatively minimal investments in energy upgrades yield maximum results when incomes are low and power bills are high, as they are in the San Joaquin Valley. Reduced utility bills leave businesses with more money to invest in their compa companies nies and families with more cash in their pocketbooks. They can buy more goods, thus stimulating the economy. And local governments shave thousands of dollars off their power bills, possibly preserving jobs when their budgets are in disarray and staff cuts are unfortunately too common. Energy efficiency is often called the “low “low--hanging hanging fruit” of the clean clean-energy energy movement, so that makes our mission critical. Here’s an example why: The City of Fresno, crunching data supplied by Pacific Gas & Electric Co. Co.,, d determined etermined that a 30 percent across across-the the--board board reduction in energy use would pump $260 million into the local economy. Now that is an economic stimulus! Our unique VIEW energy energy-efficiency efficiency partnership is one of the most successful in the state, and SJVCEO pla plans ns to build on that. This year will bring a strong focus on benchmarking and energy planning documents documents.. We have a contract to benchmark and write energy action plans for five jurisdictions and will expand our efforts in that arena as more governments and bbusinesses usinesses comply with a new law that requires property owners to benchmark their energy use before they sell or refinance their buildings, or sign new tenants. The SJVCEO will continue to support residents, small business and local governments in innovati innovative ve efforts to save money, save power and improve our local economies! We will continue to support our community colleges as they train the green workforce and our academic institutions as they discover the next wave of energy innovations that will lead our region toward energy independence. Our Valley may not be the money center or the source of venture capital, but it is the intersection of energy, water and agriculture – themes that become increasingly important as California’s 37 million residents and the planet’s 7 billion people compete for dwindling resources. And the SJVCEO has center stage.