|
|
|
|
COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
|
Department of Public Works
|
|
|
DATE:
|
January 23, 2009
|
BOARD MEETING DATE:
|
February 3, 2009
|
SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
|
None
|
VOTE REQUIRED:
|
No
|
|
|
TO:
|
Honorable Board of Supervisors
|
FROM:
|
James C. Porter, Director of Public Works
|
SUBJECT:
|
Association of Bay Area Governments and Pacific Gas and Electric Energy Watch Program and the Flex Your Power Award
|
|
|
RECOMMENDATION:
|
Accept a 2008 Flex Your Power Award and an Association of Bay Area Governments Energy Watch rebate check for $418,344.97.
|
|
|
VISION ALIGNMENT:
|
Commitment: Responsive, Effective and Collaborative Government.
|
Goal 20: Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain.
|
|
|
These commitments have been furthered by staff taking collaborative, long-term actions on energy efficiency.
|
|
|
BACKGROUND:
|
In 2005, the San Mateo County Public Works Facilities and RecycleWorks staff began working with the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Energy Watch program to reduce energy use in County facilities. The program makes energy conservation work cost-effective by offering rebates and technical assistance. The County has been a very active participant in the ABAG Energy Watch program, and in December of 2008, we received a Flex Your Power Award from the State of California for our energy conservation work. The County was one of 46 recipients selected from several hundred applicants. After being presented to your Board, the award will be displayed in the award case in 455 County Center.
|
|
|
The Flex Your Power award recognized the energy efficiency projects the County has completed through the Energy Watch program in 17 County facilities. The projects included retro-commissioning HVAC systems at the County medical and detention centers and installation of a computer power management program for over 5,000 PCs. Lighting retrofits were carried out at many of the County’s facilities including the East Palo Alto government building, 455 County Center, San Mateo Medical Center, Weights and Measures building, Agricultural building, and the Coyote Point Ranger Station.
|
|
|
These 17 projects are reducing the County’s energy use by approximately 3 million kWh and 100,000 Therms annually, which is 8% of the County’s overall 2005 energy use. The projects also save the County an estimated $450,000 in utility bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1,400 tons annually. The energy savings equal the electricity used to power approximately 2,500 homes in California for one year.
By the Spring of 2009, Public Works staff will complete 12 more projects, resulting in an additional 1 million kWh saved and 300 tons of greenhouse gas emissions reduced annually through the ABAG Energy Watch program.
|
|
|
Many people have contributed to the ABAG Energy Watch program, but these staff members have been key to our success: Public Works staff members Gary Behrens, Noel Manuel, Narsimha Irrinki; Garrett Dunwoody with ISD, Dave Moore with the Parks Department, and Steve Alms with Real Property Services.
|
|
|
The 29 projects the County will soon complete will receive
$418,344.97 in rebates from ABAG and PG&E. A check for that amount will be presented to your Board by our Energy Watch program partners, Ann Guy and Jerry Lahr with Energy Solutions and the ABAG Energy Watch Program and Kathy Lavezzo with PG&E.
|
|
|
FISCAL IMPACT:
|
The total cost of all the Energy Watch projects was approximately $ 1.3 Million. With the rebate check of $418,344.97 that was authorized in previous resolutions, and expected annual savings on utility costs of $500,000, the overall payback for these projects is less than two years.
|