Alachua County Commission

ALACHUA COUNTY ENERGY CONSERVATION STRATEGIES COMMISSION

RECOMMENDATION – APRIL 21, 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 http://lugar.senate.gov/energy/graphs/oilimport.html

Ripple effects-escalating energy costs

Cost of oil (gasoline)Apr 2001: $22.86/barrel Feb 2001 $1.54/gallon gasApr 2008: $101.22/barrel Feb 2001 $3.08/gallon gas Monthly Cost of Food for a Family of 4Feb 2001: $599Feb 2008: $771 Average residential retail price of electricity2001: 8.63 cents/kWh2007: 10.61 cents/kWh

100%

29%

23%

Community OpportunitiesCreate 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).


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.


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)


#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)

http://www.mckinsey.com/clientservice/ccsi/pdf/US_ghg_final_report.pdf


#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 OpportunitiesWeatherization & energy efficiency upgrade program

90% of structures in Alachua County built prior to 1999.

1993 - Minimum energy standards for new construction 1st adopted.

Expect significant energy efficiencies from upgrades to all building envelopes, mechanical systems and appliances.


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 20-30 years.


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.


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.

Energy Conservation Strategies CommissionRecommendation: Energy & Economic Security

Direct the Manager and his Finance Team to meet with the ECSC and/or relevant ECSC subcommittees to develop, for Commission consideration, potential financing mechanisms to implement energy efficiencies on a massive scale. The ECSC also requests that Alachua County Clerk of Court Buddy Irby participate in development of this financing mechanism.

Contact the ECSC

Email: [email protected] Phone: Sean McLendon, 352-264-6800 Address: ECSC, 201 SE 2nd St., Suite 201,

Gainesville, FL 32601 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.)

Documents

Alachua County Commission