Goal 1: Develop a comprehensive regional plan and implementation structure for efficient energy use and clean renewable technologies.
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Objective B: Develop a comprehensive regional clean energy plan for the San Joaquin Valley. The SJVCEO completed the ten energy actions plans eight cities and two counties in the Valley. The template used provides regional similarity for jurisdictions to pursue energy efficiency policy and projects, but allows for jurisdictional individuality where necessary. In 2013 the Organization will continue the work for four more cities in Kings county through funding from PG&E. Through work on the C6 project the Organization is building an interactive web based map that will indicate clean energy projects throughout the eight counties, allowing future planning to be based on geographic, employment, and economic considerations. Staff from several organizations (including the Regional Policy Council, the National Association of Regional Councils and others) continued their efforts to support regional energy planning efforts in the Valley after we learned that our February 2012 proposal to the Strategic Growth Council had not been funded. (We were the seventh ranked proposal in our funding category and six proposals were funded in our category). Congressman Jim Costa hosted a meeting on August 15th to discuss regional energy planning and energy opportunities in the Valley. At that meeting this planning team was urged by the California Energy Commission to pursue AB-118 regional planning funding from the CEC.
Completion of the regional clean energy plan. While funding is sought for the collaborative proposal, the Organization is moving forward with cohesive work plans through various funding sources that will provide much of the research and on the ground reporting needed for future planning efforts. We expect to continue our efforts to obtain funding to conduct our regional energy planning efforts through state, federal, and foundation sources. We will continue to coordinate this effort with the economic sector analysis work being undertaken by the CA Partnership staff and the Southwest Solar Transformation Initiative solar planning effort lead by Optony.
Objective C: Seek an “increased share of “public goods charges revenue” for funding energy efficiency programs from CPUC in portion to regional population.
The SJVCEO has retained contract with Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Company for the VIEW Partnership in 2013-14 for $2 million. Additionally, the SJVCEO has secured a contract with PG&E to expand the VIEW Partnership for ab additional $750,000 of utility funding in the Valley. In addition to the existing and continuing partnerships through the Fresno EDC, the City of Fresno, the City of San Joaquin, the County of Madera, the County of San Joaquin and the Kern Energy Watch, the VIEW Partnership will bring much needed utility dollars and services to the Valley. The SJVCEO remains actively involved with the Local Government Commission and the related workgroups to improve the visibility and funding to Central California.
Complete assessment of public goods funding returning to the Valley.
Implement strategies to increase public benefit funding. The SJVCEO worked with PG&E, SCE and SCG
throughout Q2 and Q3 to retain and increase funding through local government partnerships. The SJVCEO provided comment and recommendation on fellow Valley based partnerships, and is pleased that all six Valley programs have been retained and in many cases expanded to meet the energy needs of municipalities, businesses and residents.
Goal 2: Increase efficient energy use in all sectors. The Organization's social media efforts have grown,
with a monthly blog viewership of 4500 per month, a 1000 views more per month than six months prior. Other social network activity and following has increased as well. While the remodel of the SJVCEO website is on hold, the Organization has maintained activity at community events in Kings and Tulare County, including information booths at farmers markets, home shows, schools, and working with the City of Hanford to sponsor one block of Main Street with LED holiday lights in the next quarter.
Objective B: Increase efficient energy use in rural communities.
Conduct pilots. Staff support to the Home Energy Tune Up Program
ended during Q2. While the program (which will be funded by PG&E in 2013-14) remains active, yet reduced, the SJVCEO has continued to support the program with the City of Fresno through the SJVCEO blog.
Expand to additional locations. The SJVCEO has been in discussion with PG&E to expand the VIEW partnership to include the cities of Avenal, Corcoran, Dinuba and Lemoore. The
Organization plans to pursue opportunities to replicate the Clean Energy Partnership consortium to secure Valley based dollars and projects through Cap and Trade state funds as well as potential money through the proposed Prop 39.
Objective E: Support project based learning in schools to demonstrate the positive role that clean energy can play in improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Pursue and secure grant funding to develop school programs. Staff has monitored the CEC Bright Schools program. Through the VIEW partnership, the SJVCEO will assist schools in Tulare and Kings county enroll in these programs which will fund energy efficiency improvements.
Goal 3: Advance energy self sufficiency and grow the economy through development of clean, renewable technologies.
Objective A: Work with state agencies to explore and demonstrate innovative approaches to increase use of renewable energy, including trading of net metering credits, streamlining the requirement for
interconnection to the grid, and structuring incentives for renewable energy production.
Work continued under the Southwest Solar
Transformation Initiative (SSTI), headed by Optony. This project is being conducted in the Valley and three states (Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. The goal of this effort is to work with jurisdictions and seek ways to streamline and standardize the processes through which solar energy is approved and supported by states, utilities and jurisdictions. A total of 14 Valley jurisdictions are participating in the Valley. During the quarter the SSTI Team assessed current practices in each participating jurisdiction, identified solar potential that could be realized, identified best practices to achieve this potential, and prepared a roadmap for each of the 14 jurisdictions recommending actions they could take to help achieve their solar potential. Work on the SSTI will continue until early 2013. The SSTI team is exploring opportunities to continue this work after current funding expires. Additionally, Staff will work with the Local Government Commission and the IOUs to pursue funding from the state's cap and trade program.
Assess and rank opportunities.
Develop and introduce new approaches.
Objective E: Implement community choice energy aggregation projects.
Provide technical assistance to KCRD and participating government entities on clean energy as needed.
Goal 5: Promote the region as an international leader for clean energy research, development, and use. The SJVCEO was nominated as an inductee into the International Green Industry Hall of Fame. Results will be announced in March 2013 at the REXPO in Stockton, CA.
Objective A: Work with economic development agencies at local, state, and federal levels to incubate, grow and attract clean energy companies.
The SJVCEO Director joined the Fresno EDC Clean Energy Cluster board of advisors.
Work with economic development organizations to develop a database of clean energy companies in the Valley.
www.wiasjvceo.com
Serve as a clearinghouse of information on clean energy companies. www.wiasjvceo.com
Objective B: Work with community colleges, trade unions and Workforce Investment Boards to ensure that there is an adequately trained workforce for the clean energy industry.
SJVCEO is participating as an industry convener for the Community College Consortium's C6 DOL grant. The organization built on relationships and brought educators and industry employers together to redesign education and clean energy curriculum. West Hills Coalinga, as a result, will offer Introduction to Energy Industry Fundamentals as an experimental course in Spring 2013.
Begin an inventory of clean energy training programs offered around the country. SJVCEO maintains this information on the
www.wiasjvceo.com website. Staff will continue to keep content up to date despite the conclusion on the grant.
Advocate for the development of additional training capacity for clean energy jobs. The Tulare County WIB participates in all VIEW partnership meetings to identify opportunities for new synergies. SJVCEO board member Bill DeLain currently serves as the Chair of the Tulare County WIB and maintains dialogue between the two organizations.
Objective D: Develop and implement innovative cutting-edge clean energy demonstration projects. Conduct outreach to universities, labs, CEC, DOE and research facilities.
Convene meetings with universities, labs, CEC, DOE and research facilities to develop research partnerships and funding.
Challenges/Problems/Bottlenecks/Feedback encountered during the quarter New funds leveraged during the quarter.
