Making the Most of Energy Making the Most of Energy EfficiencyEfficiency

Yael GichonYael GichonCity of Boulder, COCity of Boulder, CO

Southwest Renewable Energy Southwest Renewable Energy ConferenceConference

ContextContext

Smart policy decisions = solid foundation

Financial resources, community support, and political will to be an innovator and leader

History of preserving the environment

2002: Kyoto Protocol

Climate Action Plan Climate Action Plan (CAP)(CAP) & Carbon Tax & Carbon Tax

CAP outlines actions, CAP outlines actions, strategies and estimated strategies and estimated results from 2007-2012 results from 2007-2012

Tax on November 2006 Tax on November 2006 Ballot to fund the CAPBallot to fund the CAP

Passed by > 60% of votesPassed by > 60% of votes Tax collected through IOU Tax collected through IOU

(Xcel Energy) per kwh(Xcel Energy) per kwh Generates ~ $1.6M/yearGenerates ~ $1.6M/year

What we’ve been up to…What we’ve been up to…

Energy Audits to Residential Energy Action Energy Audits to Residential Energy Action Program (REAP)Program (REAP)

Neighborhood Sweeps, Direct InstallNeighborhood Sweeps, Direct Install HPwESHPwES RebatesRebates

Barriers to ImplementationBarriers to Implementation

TimeTime Knowing who to callKnowing who to call Various rebate and incentive sourcesVarious rebate and incentive sources FinancingFinancing

ChallengesChallenges

Need to combine technology (implementation) Need to combine technology (implementation) with behavior change initiativeswith behavior change initiatives

Data acquisition/ownership, tracking resultsData acquisition/ownership, tracking results Meeting the goal, voluntary programs are slow to Meeting the goal, voluntary programs are slow to

penetratepenetrate Supporting market transformationSupporting market transformation Tenant/landlord split incentiveTenant/landlord split incentive Financial investment a perceived barrier (ROI, Financial investment a perceived barrier (ROI,

simple payback)simple payback)

StrategizingStrategizing for Actionfor Action

Reduce Reduce UseUse

Build Better

Ramp UpRenewables

DriveLess

WasteNot

GrowGreen

Solution: Two TechsSolution: Two Techs

The Two Techs program seeks to generate The Two Techs program seeks to generate significant GHG reductions and…significant GHG reductions and…– Overcome barriers to residential investment in Overcome barriers to residential investment in

energy efficiency energy efficiency – Provide a simple, one stop shopProvide a simple, one stop shop– Offer solutions for all building typesOffer solutions for all building types– Leverage available financial incentivesLeverage available financial incentives

Key ComponentsKey Components

Program FeaturesProgram Features Social mobilizationSocial mobilization Customer intakeCustomer intake

– PrescreeningPrescreening– SchedulingScheduling

AuditsAudits– Walkthrough by ConciergeWalkthrough by Concierge– Comprehensive w/ ConciergeComprehensive w/ Concierge– Energy conciergeEnergy concierge

Direct installationDirect installation Education & facilitationEducation & facilitation

Direct Install Measures:

• CFLs • Low-flow showerhead• Smart strips w/ $15 co-pay• Faucet aerators• Water heater insulation blanket• Water heater pipe insulation • Programmable thermostats w/ $10 co-pay• Air sealing up to 30 minutes

Program Features (cont)Program Features (cont)

Measure InstallationMeasure Installation– Insulation and air sealingInsulation and air sealing– Equipment and retrofitsEquipment and retrofits

Ongoing engagementOngoing engagement Financial supportFinancial support

– Rebates, subsidies & tax creditsRebates, subsidies & tax credits– Financing (PACE update and Micro-loans)Financing (PACE update and Micro-loans)

Quality Assurance/Quality ControlQuality Assurance/Quality Control FlexibilityFlexibility

SmartRegsSmartRegs Update to city’s housing codeUpdate to city’s housing code Requirement for energy efficiency in rental Requirement for energy efficiency in rental

housinghousing Target energy performance level through:Target energy performance level through:

– Performance (HERS 120)Performance (HERS 120)– PrescriptivePrescriptive

All rental properties must meet standard by All rental properties must meet standard by January 2, 2019January 2, 2019

Two Techs – SmartRegs compliance Two Techs – SmartRegs compliance pathwaypathway

PartnershipsPartnerships

FundingFunding

City of Boulder Carbon TaxCity of Boulder Carbon Tax Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block

Grant – AllocatedGrant – Allocated Xcel EnergyXcel Energy Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block

Grant – CompetitiveGrant – Competitive– Boulder County fiscal agentBoulder County fiscal agent– $25M to regional programs, ~$4M for Two $25M to regional programs, ~$4M for Two

TechsTechs

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Collaboration is KEYCollaboration is KEY Leverage existing resourcesLeverage existing resources Minimize redundancyMinimize redundancy Branding and naming is harder than it Branding and naming is harder than it

seemsseems Involve stakeholders early on and oftenInvolve stakeholders early on and often

Thank you!Thank you!

Yael GichonYael Gichon

City of BoulderCity of Boulder

Local Environmental Action DivisionLocal Environmental Action Division

Community Planning and SustainabilityCommunity Planning and Sustainability

303-441-3878303-441-3878

gichony@bouldercolorado.govgichony@bouldercolorado.gov