The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG), funded with $3.2 billion under the Recovery Act, marked the first time federal dollars have targeted municipal energy efficiency jobs and programs.
The money is allocated to municipalities across the country, as well as indirectly through states and a competitive application process, allowing eligible cities and counties to support vital energy efficiency programs intended to create green jobs, save energy, and improve the economy.
Energy efficiency projects range from far-reaching city-planning and financial strategies, to retrofits and energy audit programs for existing buildings, to recycling and job-creation initiatives. It encourages cities to establish a baseline of energy use by which to measure future energy savings and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
The money is expected to start flowing in early 2010.
Many cities have had well-developed energy efficiency programs for many years. ACEEE's report, Energy Efficiency Program Options for Local Governments under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, includes synopses of over 40 municipal programs, all of which were instituted prior to the passage of the stimulus bill. The report provides effective models for cities implementing stimulus-funded energy efficiency programs.
Case Studies: Proven Programs
St. Paul, Minnesota
In the 1990s, St. Paul joined the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), and developed a 20-year municipal energy efficiency action plan.
The plan includes improvements to city-owned buildings, equipment and vehicles, public transportation systems, and targeted programs for the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
By partnering with its local utility, Xcel Energy, St. Paul's Conservation Improvement Program offers retrofits and conservation measures for a number of municipal buildings. The program has saved over 80,000 tons of CO2 and more than $7 million in energy costs to the city per year.
Prior to joining ICLEI, the city launched a pilot program known as District Energy St. Paul. Originally developed to combat the energy crises of the 1970s, today District Energy is the largest biomass-fueled hot water district heating system in North America, providing heat to over 180 buildings and 300 single-family homes, which is about 80% of commercial, residential and industrial buildings in downtown St. Paul.
District Cooling St. Paul, the affiliate founded a decade later, serves more than half of downtown buildings. Most of the hot water for District Energy comes from a biomass-fueled combined heat and power (CHP) power plant, using 100% wood waste from the Twin Cities metro area, reducing coal consumption by an impressive 70%.
Austin, Texas
The City of Austin is another example of a successful municipal-utility partnership. Working with municipally-owned utility Austin Energy, the City implements Energy Star and other programs to help businesses and individuals save energy.
Austin Energy's programs save enough energy to power 50,000 homes a year. The Commercial Power SaverTM Program, for example, offers utility customers rebates and incentive packages covering appliances, lighting systems, and envelope improvements for commercial buildings, multi-family properties, small businesses, and others.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle City Light, the city's public power generator since the early 1900s,
provides a comprehensive suite of options for residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
Businesses, manufacturers, institutions, and government facilities receive incentives for up to 70% of the installed cost of improvements. Seattle City Light's residential compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) program also provides an innovative and successful model. By working directly with participating retailers to offer CFLs at deeply discounted prices, Seattle avoids potential complications with coupon or rebate programs. The "Twist & Save" program began in June of 2007 with 3 retail partners, growing to 15 retail partners and close to one-half million in sales by the end of the year. Overall, Seattle City Light programs have saved 10 million megawatt hours of electricity.
