San Joaquin Valley Partnership Program October 2011 Focus: San Joaquin Valley kWh and peak kW reductions This Month’s Major Accomplishments: The monthly Partnership meeting was held on October 6th. Implementer discussed the addition of two code compliance strategic planning menu item selections for the partnership to pursue in 2012: 1.1.6--“Develop educational programs for local elected officials, building officials, commissioners, and stakeholders to improve adoption of energy codes, ordinances, standards, guidelines and programs.” 2.1.1—“Local government staff and contact staff attend code compliance workshops offered by the California Energy Commission, utility codes and standards staff, or other local governments with strong compliance work.” The quarterly Marketing Taskforce meeting was also held on October 6 th. Partners reviewed the updated marketing plan for 2012 which includes plans to adopt a version of the High Sierra Energy Foundation’s ‘Did You Know’ advertising campaign and more of a focus on an energy awareness campaign to encourage behavioral changes that will decrease energy use in local government facilities. Implementer attended a Peer to Peer meeting on October 19 th in Downey that was organized by the San Gabriel COG. Discussion focused primarily on challenges faced by implementers across the local government partnerships. It was decided that a smaller group will coordinate a regular peer to peer work group to share information and address and overcome any obstacles. Implementer attended the ‘State of the Utility’ meeting at the Energy Education Center Tulare on October 25th. Implementer presented the Partnership’s benchmarking best practices and ‘Benchmarking Made Easy’ guide during a SEEC webinar on October 27th. The webinar also included a discussion of AB 1103 and case studies from the Association of Bay Area Governments and the City of Santa Clarita. Key Issues or Emerging Concerns: The County of Tulare’s Assistant Administrative Officer has put a stop work order on the EECBG lighting project due to a list of issues and concerns with the installation process. Implementer, San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization project manager and staff, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, Fluoresco, and Tulare County will meet on November 1st to discuss project status, address issues and find resolutions so that the project can start work again. The implementing Partner has been working with all eight jurisdictions to gather details relating to energy accounts in order to provide a comprehensive portfolio review, and prepare the facilities for upload into the EPA Portfolio Manager system. The project was originally scheduled to be completed in June 2011. Due to staff cutbacks and lack of
time jurisdiction partners have not been able to provide necessary information in a timely manner. The implementer has revised internal projections and confirmed with the jurisdictions that the project will now not be complete until the first quarter of 2012. The City of Visalia is on the fence about participating in the Partnership efforts, or to go it alone using funds from Flight 15.6. Implementer remains in regular contact with the City to encourage them to participate so that all jurisdictions complete the work. Implementer and Utility managers are working to ensure submission of application for incentive on ARRA funded projects with all eight jurisdictions. Upcoming Milestones The Partnership will host a luncheon on November 3rd to recognize the achievements of the participating jurisdictions, as well as receive feedback from the group for the future of the Partnership. Implementer will continue drafting language to address Partnership strategic plan menu selection 4.1.3: general plan update efficiency language template for presentation to the Partners in December 2011. The Program Manager and Implementer will meet to strategize next steps in assisting the City of Tulare to pursue Gold Tier status. The last Partnership meeting of 2011 will take place on Thursday, December 1 st.