Public Agency Energy Initiatives

The Redwood Coast Energy Watch provides public agencies with specialized assistance to identify energy efficiency opportunities, develop project specifications, secure financing, apply for incentives, and coordinate retrofits. Our goals are to:

• Encourage RCEA member agencies to provide leadership by example by assisting their staff with on-going efforts to reduce municipal energy use.
• Educate and inform RCEA member agencies on current and emerging information regarding energy-related topics and opportunities.
• Provide local access to energy efficiency expertise, incentives, and project management.
• Assist member agencies with the development of effective energy-related policies, codes and standards.

Current RCEW public agency initiatives include:

• Humboldt County General Plan Energy Element: Since 2004, RCEA has been working with the County of Humboldt to develop an Energy Element as part of its 2025 General Plan Update. A Background Technical Report (PDF 1.3 MB) and Draft Energy Element (PDF 559 KB) was presented to the County in November 2005. County staff have incorporated this material into Chapter 12 of Draft General Plan Update (PDF 60 KB), which is still awaiting adoption by the Board of Supervisors.  The Energy Element provides goals, policies, standards, and implementation measures that strive for sustainable renewable energy and self-sufficiency.

• Utility Management System (UMS): RCEA has maintained a data base of municipal energy costs and use for its member agencies since 2003. With detailed energy use information down to the meter level, RCEA's Utility Manager Pro software provides both policy makers and operational staff with the data they need to make informed decisions, develop annual budgets, and track the efficacy of efficiency improvements.

• Benchmarking: The California Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan stresses the need for public agencies to reduce their energy consumption and to lead by example. A first step is to establish an energy baseline, or benchmark, for their facilities, which public agencies can use to set targets, run conservation programs, and track progress. As part of this initiative, RCEA is developing model benchmarking policies and procedures for consideration by its member agencies, and is conducting benchmarking for participating municipalities using the EnergyStar Portfolio Manager tool.

• ARRA-EECBG:  As part of the American Recovery and Rehabilitation Act passed by congress in 2009, approximately $800,000 in stimulus funds were eventually designated for energy efficiency projects for Humboldt County jurisdictions.  This funding stream, known as Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants for small cities and counties, is being administered by the California Energy Commission.  RCEA is assisting its member agencies to identify cost-effective projects, develop feasibility studies, and through RCEW, secure matching rebates and incentives.

• Greenhouse Gas Reduction:  Local government has an important role to play in helping California meet its ambitious AB32 greenhouse gas reduction goals.  RCEA is working with its member agencies to inventory their GHG emissions, reduce energy use (and thus greenhouse gases), and develop community GHG reduction plans.