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Permits and
Energy Efficiency
 What if there was a way for public agencies to identify and track energy efficiency projects in their communities while helping those projects get utility rebates and incentives? Agencies would have a simple way to record energy savings and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction. Homeowners and business owners would have an incentive to maximize energy savings in their projects. Thanks to The Energy Network that win/win situation could soon become reality.
The Community Energy Efficiency Project Management System (CEEPMS) is one of The Energy Network's more innovative initiatives. It is aimed at a simple solution with great potential for energy savings. The basic idea is to incorporate energy and water efficiency related incentives, rebates and financing tools into an agency's online building permitting system. So when a homeowner, commercial building owner or a contractor goes to pull a permit that information is automatically generated. The results also would be tracked so agencies can report overall energy savings and GHG emission reductions in the community.
Recently, The Energy Network selected Accela through an open RFP process to create a CEEPMS application to be used by public agencies. The San Ramon-based company has a long track record of helping public agencies with civic engagement and software solutions. The company's products power millions of transactions for more than 500 public agencies worldwide.
The goal is to create a scalable solution that will become the industry standard for local governments. It is another great example of how The Energy Network is looking for ways to achieve unprecedented levels of energy savings by garnering the collective power of residences, businesses and the public sector.
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Better Streetlights,
More Savings
For many public agencies, streetlights can be big energy sappers, not to mention the countless maintenance hours spent up keeping the old high-pressure sodium or metal halide lights that are common on many Southern California roads.
The Energy Network is currently working with seven public agencies to help them replace close to 8,200 streetlights with more efficient and longer lasting LED lights. The enrolled agencies are at various stages of the process, but if all projects are approved and completed, they could save as much 4.7 million kWh collectively. The currently enrolled agencies are Huntington Beach, Covina, Pomona, San Bernardino, Arcadia, Palmdale and Santa Monica.
LED streetlights offer energy savings, lower maintenance costs and improved lighting quality. Projects also may qualify for utility rebates.
Agencies that own their streetlights, whether metered or unmetered, may quality for services from The Energy Network. To find out more, visit action.theenergynetwork.com.
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 Come visit our booth at the
Southern California Facilities Expo,
May 21 & 22 in Anaheim.
Admission is Free.
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Earth Day
and Beyond
 Earth Day was April 22, and throughout the month, The Energy Network participated in more than 15 community events to help promote energy efficiency resources to homeowners across Southern California, including events in San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
The Energy Network staff distributed information on Energy Upgrade California, Home Upgrade, energy efficiency financing and the Climate Credit and engaged in approximately 100 homeowner conversations at most events. Events included several corporate Earth Day gatherings where staff reached a highly targeted homeowner audience. Staff taught the next generation of homeowners, and their homeowner parents, about building science using the popular interactive Energy Upgrade house. Participating Contractors also attended select city events upon request.
Whether it is Earth Day or any other day, face-to-face interaction is a key component of The Energy Network's outreach to residential audiences. To check out where The Energy Network will be next, visit the Events Calendar or sign up for email alerts.
Requests for The Energy Network to attend community events
can be emailed to lahelpdesk@energyupgradeca.org.
Visit The Energy Network's Facebook page for more photos.
About The
Energy Network
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) authorized The Energy Network to serve public agencies and their constituencies throughout Southern California.
The Energy Network's mission is to harness the collective action of public agencies and their constituents and to help them save energy by providing needed resources and technical expertise. The pilot phase is funded through the end of 2014.
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This Program is administered by the County of Los Angeles and funded by California utility ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. |
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