ALACHUA COUNTY ENERGY CONSERVATION STRATEGIES COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING: FINANCING ENERGY CONSERVATION AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY November 13, 2008

Alachua County Commission “…wants to do its part to reduce or mitigate the effects of Global Climate Change and promote the long-term economic security of its citizens through the implementation of policies that enhance energy efficiency…” Resolution 07-18,March 27, 2007

Energy Conservation Strategies Commission Mission “To draft a comprehensive report on energy use, its relationship to climate change and local socio-economic impacts, including actions that can be implemented by the Board of County Commissioners and the community at large.” 100-year timeframe

United States Oil Imports This chart depicts the sources of American oil imports. While the United States gets about 45% of its oil from the Middle East and North Africa, these regions hold over two thirds of the oil reserves worldwide.” Driving the Future of Energy Security ov/energy/graphs/o ilimport.html

Ripple effects-escalating energy costs  Cost of oil (gasoline) Apr 2001: $22.86/barrel Feb 2001 $1.54/gallon gas Apr 2008: $101.22/barrel Feb 2001 $3.08/gallon gas  Monthly Cost of Food for a Family of 4 Feb 2001: $599 Feb 2008: $771  Average residential retail price of electricity 2001: 8.63 cents/kWh 2007: cents/kWh 100% 29% 23%

Community Opportunities Create an resource efficient and resilient community Guiding Principles for Energy Use  First, practice conservation (reduce consumption).  Second, weatherize building envelopes and upgrade mechanical equipment & appliances.  Third, invest in renewable power generation (GO SOLAR).

Community Opportunities Create an resource efficient and resilient community  Implement a county-wide weatherization & energy efficiency upgrade program.  Create community employment opportunities & grow new local businesses (“relocalization”). Develop local economy based on low-energy consumption.

Community Opportunities Create an resource efficient and resilient community  Develop sustainable mobility infrastructure (focus on public transportation.)  Maximize local food production.  Maximize local, non-fossil fuel based energy production (GO SOLAR).

Community Opportunities McKinsey & Company Report, December 2007 ECONOMIC SECURITY & COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT  “Reducing US Greenhouse Gas Emissions: How Much at What Cost? US Greenhouse Gas Abatement Mapping Initiative.”  The Conference Board & 7 leading global institutions (DTE Energy; Environmental Defense; Honeywell; NationalGrid; Natural Resources Defense Council; Pacific Gas & Electric; Shell)

Community Opportunities McKinsey & Company Report, December 2007 #1 Low-cost option to reduce greenhouse gases “Improving energy efficiency in the buildings and appliances and industrial sectors could offset some 85% of projected incremental demand for electricity in 2030, largely negating the need for new coal-fired electric power plants.” (p. xiv)

Community Opportunities McKinsey & Company Report, December 2007 #1 Low-cost option to reduce greenhouse gases Building efficiencies include:  lighting retrofits;  improved HVAC systems, building envelopes and building control systems; and  higher performance for consumer office electronics and appliances.

Community Opportunities Weatherization & energy efficiency upgrade program  90% of structures in Alachua County built prior to  Minimum energy standards for new construction 1st adopted.  Expect significant energy efficiencies from upgrades to all building envelopes, mechanical systems and appliances.

Community Opportunities Weatherization & energy efficiency upgrade program  Create community weatherization/efficiency upgrade ‘bank’.  Financing mechanism similar to County road special assessment. Immediate source could be unused S.H.I.P. funds.  Property owners could access this ‘bank’ for loans for efficiency upgrades after specific requirements have been met. Loan would attach as lien to property, up to years.

Community Opportunities Weatherization & energy efficiency upgrade program Some Typical Examples: Add insulation where needed. Replace single-pane windows with energy efficient windows. Replace old refrigerators with new Energy Star appliances. Replace inefficient water heaters. Upgrade HVAC systems with smaller, more efficient units.

Community Opportunities Weatherization & energy efficiency upgrade program Some Typical Examples: Upgrade duct system. Florida Energy Office states that duct leaks in Florida can increase total energy use (cooling and heating) by about 33%. Weatherize low-income homes (owner-occupied). Add solar water heaters to homes and businesses. Add Photovoltaic (PV) systems to homes and businesses.

Community Opportunities Weatherization & energy efficiency upgrade program  To “weatherize” all substandard housing in the county, nearly 1500 houses need to be upgraded each year for the next ten years. Current combined efforts reach approximately 100 houses per year.  Partner with local nonprofit groups that provide energy conservation, renewable energy systems and/or weatherization activities.  Use County purchasing power to help provide materials to be used by groups for “weatherization” activities in low-income areas. Combine this effort with an education program to prevent reworking same houses every five years.

Community Opportunities Maximize local, renewable energy production (GO SOLAR)  Reduce dependence on imported energy and fossil fuels, provide opportunities for economic and community development, and benefit the quality of the environment.  Guarantee solar access to as many parcels of land as practical (for solar thermal & solar PV).  Integrate solar panels in streetscapes & buildings.  Ground-source heat pumps.

Contact the ECSC   Phone: Sean McLendon,  Address: ECSC, 201 SE 2 nd St., Suite 201, Gainesville, FL  ECSC meetings: 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 5:30 PM - County Administration Building, Second Floor, Grace Knight Conference Room.  ECSC subcommittee meetings: Weekly on Tuesday & Wednesday (call for details.)