HomeMy WebLinkAbout14 Conservation Programs Agenda Item # 14
DONNER
F Public Utility DistriCt
WORKSHOP
To: Board of Directors
From: Steven Poncelet
Date: August 04, 2010
Subject: Review of the 2010 Conservation Programs
1. WHY THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE BOARD
This workshop item is before the Board to provide a mid-year update and projection
on the FY10 Conservation Deptartment programs and to discuss continuing the
Energy Savings Program (ESP) and launching a new Residential Energy Survey
Program (RES).
2. HISTORY
The District has been investing in new conservation programs and capacity while
continuing to deliver our robust stable of energy and water saving programs. The
most recent conservation brochure listing our energy and water programs is included
as Attachment 1. As verified and reported through our Evaluation, Measurement, &
Verification (EM&V) efforts, the District has a successful track-record of very cost-
effective programs. The District has expanded beyond traditional rebate programs and
now also offers give-a-way and direct-install programs. The primary goal of the
District's conservation programs remains to maximize return on equity for our
customers and to ensure that all of our customer segments have the opportunity to
participate in our programs.
At the February 3, 2010 Board meeting, the FY10 Conservation Department program
plan was presented to the Board. Staff has been working to deliver, and optimize,
existing programs and to develop and bring to our customers new water and energy
savings programs.
3. NEW INFORMATION
FY10 year-to-date performance of the Conservation Department programs is largely
on schedule and budget. Staff is projecting a small budget surplus (-5%) for program
spending based on current results and using these run-rates to project year-end
numbers. The largest contributor to the budget surplus has been a decline in
commercial lighting rebates/programs. This decline has been, in part, due to the
economic crisis and the challenges businesses are facing in making capital
investments and/or focusing on non-core business issues such as energy and water
usage. Residential programs/rebates have been very robust. Opportunities do exist
to accelerate other cost-effective programs while staying within the approved FY10
budget.
In terms of new program development for energy conservation, the Green Schools
Program/Trashion Show effort was extremely successful from a cost-effective point of
view. The educational component and the visibility within the community of this new
program were even more impressive. Staff continues to hand out free compact
fluorescent light bulbs (CFL's) and, as we have started to saturate the 12-pack spiral
market, staff is moving towards other types of CFL's. New LED lighting programs are
beginning to take shape but the technology is still developing across all applications.
Staff is working to bring back the commercial refrigeration program (Keep Your Cool)
which was very successful in FY09. Staff has also reviewed the results of the ESP and
are recommending that the District continue ESP this fall as budgeted. In addition,
staff is considering the launch of a new program which would be the same as ESP but
without the income qualification and participation incentive.
In terms of new program development for water conservation, the launch of the
conservation garden - including the interpretive signage and web-based resource -
went very well and staff will continue to promote and develop this resource. The
Customer Water Leak Repair Rebate program is on-going but customer response has
been sluggish. Staff has launched the new Water Efficient Toilet Rebate Program and
are working on a new toilet exchange program. The commercial Smart Water
Controller Program, that was started in FY09, is on-going and staff is waiting to review
the water-savings data to determine if the program should be continued. Given the
late winter and short construction season, additional installations would like not occur
until FY11.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
The FY10 budget includes funding for the District's energy and water conservation
programs. There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this workshop item.
5. RECOMMENDATION
Receive this report and provide feedback and direction to staff.
Steven Poncelet Michael D. Holley
Public Information & Conservation Manager General Manager