Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 Conservation Program Agenda Item # 12 Public Utility District J WORKSHOP To: Board of Directors From: Steven Poncelet Date: December 17, 2008 Subject: Energy and Water Conservation Program: Review of 2008 and Discussion of 2009 1. WHY THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE BOARD This workshop concerns review of the FY08 Conservation Department program performance and discussion of the proposed 2009 programs. 2. HISTORY In FY08, the Board of Directors made significant investments in the Districts conservation and renewable energy programs. The Board adopted a Renewable Portfolio Standard of 21% by the year 2010, increased spending on conservation programs by approximately 300%, worked with the Energy and Water Conservation Committee, initiated the Solar Rebate Program, and created the positions of Public Information & Conservation Manager and Conservation Customer Service Representative. 3. NEW INFORMATION As the end of FY08 approaches, it is important to review past performance as we plan for FY09 and beyond. The Conservation Department is projecting to spend 100% of our budget. We are in the process of conducting Evaluation, Measurement and Verification (EM&V) review of our FY08 programs and expect very solid results, well in excess of the goals set by the Board of Directors. We implemented the new Green Partner and Million CFL programs, made significant investments in marketing and outreach, saw a dramatic increase in our rebate program activities, expanded our LED Holiday Light program to include business accent lighting, completed major low- income and commercial projects, and have developed an EM&V plan. Some areas for improvement include the Green Tags program, the home/water heating programs, and the building envelope/mitigation programs. For FY09, the Conservation Department is proposing to continue and refine the existing 11 energy conservation programs and add as many as 6 new programs. These include new LED programs, a residential green partners program, electronics education, and a direct-install commercial refrigeration program. For water conservation programs, we are proposing up to 5 new programs including the Green Partners — Water program, a water-efficient toilet program, a direct-install `smart' water controller program, and the TDPUD Water-Wise Demonstration program and web-based resource. A brief description of each program is attached. 4. FISCAL IMPACT The Conservation Department is operating within our approved FY08 Budget and the proposed FY09 programs are also within the approved Budget. 5. RECOMMENDATION Receive hi report ar provi mments to staff. Steven Poncelet Michael D. Holley Public Information & Conservation Manager General Manager d' Y Proposed New FY09 Energy Conservation Programs: Residential Green Partners Program: The residential Green Partners program will provide free energy and water saving measures to all residential customers. This program will be a combination of customers receiving measures and education. Lighting will comprise a portion of this program but we are also investigating residential energy audits, furnace high-efficiency motors, and other residential opportunities. Home & Business Electronics Education Program: This Home and Business Electronics Education program will encourage customers to replace their existing inefficient home and business electronics equipment with new,high efficiency electronics equipment that meet Federal EPA Energy Star standards. This program is education- based, not incentive-based. "Keep Your Cool" Commercial Refrigeration Program: This `direct-install' business program involves the installation of refrigeration unit measures through a refrigeration contractor, i.e. replacement of refrigeration system gaskets. The program is primarily targeted at convenience stores, delis, restaurants and grocery stores. The Keep Your Cool program was developed by NCPA. LED MR-16 Business Lighting Pilot: This is a new business Green Partner program. TDPUD is currently researching the availability of LED lighting that can be used to replace the current MR-16 halogen lighting in Truckee businesses. Businesses will be given samples to try out for light output, color and reliability, etc. Once a business customer selects a preferred LED lamp, TDPUD will help the customer upgrade to LED's. LED Exit Sign Program: This program involves the direct-install of LED Exit Signs in businesses and local agencies and will be modeled after existing programs. Due to the 100% load-factor of exit signs, these programs can very cost-effective and also represents an opportunity to partner with the Fire District to promote implementation. Portable/Take Home Energy Metering Loan Program: TDPUD will have a dozen 110-120 volt appliance energy-use meters available to loan to customers upon request. The meters help the customer determine each electric end-uses energy use and monthly operating costs. This program supports our rebate programs, our new home & business electronics education program, and our Green Schools program. Proposed New FY09 Water Conservation Programs: `Smart' Water Controller Program: This program involves the direct install of `smart' water controllers through a qualified contractor. These meter/sensors are already being used by the large golf courses in town and continually adjust the water supply based on atmospheric conditions, moisture, etc.. The program is primarily targeted at the TDPUD's large irrigators and other Special Districts and businesses. Water Efficient Toilet Program This program will be available to all residential TDPUD water customers and will be a combination of customers receiving a free low-water use toilet, the recycling of the existing toilet, and education about other water-conserving measures. We have been approached by vendors offering direct-install programs and other variations and are evaluating these options. TDPUD Water-Wise Demonstration Garden: This program is being launched in parallel with the Water Meter project to help our customers with water inefficient landscaping to transition to a more water-efficient lawns and gardens. The District is working with a local landscape architect and has plans for the main entrance area, the portion along Donner Pass Road, and the large lawn behind the lunch room. The project will include: the replacement of our lawn with a native bunch-grass, dry stream bed, and rock; native vegetation and drought-tolerant plants; an attempt to incorporate LEED design standards for the irrigation system and project; web-based resources and plan lists; and interpretive displays and information throughout the project. The demonstration garden was started this fall and will be completed in the Summer of 2009. Web-Based Water-Wise Garden Resource: Building upon the information that we generate during the TDPUD Water-Wise Demonstration Garden, this program will make available via the web resources for our customers including plant lists, the TDPUD garden designs, irrigation information, local resources (nurseries, landscapers, contractors, etc..), LEED and other certification, and relevant information on water conservation measures. Green Partners - Water: Modeled after the Green Partners —Energy programs, the water component will be used to targeted water-efficiency programs primarily at commercial, business, and low-income customers.