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The ultimate goal of these groups is to make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on the best methods and means to ensure the future safety, security and sustainability of Lake County.
In January of this year, the Lake County Energy Policy Council conducted its first meeting. The council is comprised of a group of people concerned with energy conservation including local government representatives, trade organizations, businesses, non-profit groups and individuals.
The council provides a forum for discussing ways to improve energy efficiency savings while maintaining a healthy economy and environment.
Our local businesses – including Lake County's chambers of commerce – are playing an active role, both by participating in the council discussions and promoting green practices and recycling throughout the county.
One of the council’s primary objectives is to obtain energy program funds including California Energy Commission (CEC) and PG&E Energy Watch partnership funding (block grants, low interest bonds, etc.).
These monies would be used for a range of purposes from county building (energy) upgrades to funding an energy coordinator position in the county to spearhead efforts to manage the implementation including commercial and residential retrofits, low interest financing opportunities, a green county Web site, training and education, carbon emission tracking, etc.
Recent council activities include the following:
– Pacific Gas & Electricity Energy Watch Partnership: The working subcommittee has prepared all the information necessary to apply for this funding. As soon as the California Public Utilities Commission publishes the specific requirements, the application will be submitted. The terms of the contract with PG&E must still be negotiated and approved by the Board of Supervisors prior to implementation.
– California Energy Commission (CEC) Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program: This application which is the funding that is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Lake County is awaiting response from the CEC. This Board of Supervisors request for funds to conduct energy audits on some county-owned buildings has already been submitted. County staff is working to answer remaining CEC questions and await their final approval.
– AB 811 Bonds: Sonoma County and the city of Palm Springs have launched energy efficiency programs under California Assembly Bill (AB) 811, which permits local governments to offer loans to residents and businesses for building upgrades and retrofits. These loans would be secured and financed by adding a tax lien to the property, enabling businesses and homeowners to make (renewable) energy investments and pay them off over the loan period as a recurring semi-annual tax assessment that remains attached to the property upon its sale to another party. Local government can then sell the government-backed, low-interest energy efficiency bonds to raise the money necessary to pay for the program in a financially sustainable way. Qualifying energy efficiency improvements include: windows, insulation, solar electric and hot water, wind power and water conservation measures.A regional group coordinated through a Mendocino-based non-profit agency is researching grant and funding opportunities with “pooled” cooperation from neighboring counties that may increase the chance of bringing the program to Lake County residents and businesses.
– Green Web site development: The nearly-designed space is intended to be a local county resource guide including energy related events and announcements, public information, media releases, news articles, local green job postings, group recognition and achievement awards, volunteer opportunities, advertisements, school energy projects, career training venues, various links, blogs, etc. This Web site is still under construction and continues to seek design input from all community sectors.
