TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all necessary documents and any amendments to Contract No. 32368 with Southern California Edison Company (SCE) to extend the term and continue the Energy Efficiency Partnership Program. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Energy Efficiency Partnership Program (Partnership) is a program provided to municipalities by Southern California Edison Company (SCE).
On November 10, 2009, the City Council authorized participation in the Partnership, which provides financial incentives to the City to encourage municipal energy efficiency retrofits, and leverage the City's community outreach capacity to encourage community-wide energy efficiency retrofits and behavior. The amended Partnership agreement continues the Partnership through 2015, as part of the next program cycle.
The Partnership includes the following components:
§ Municipal energy efficiency retrofit projects: Identify retrofit opportunities, provide technical assistance and incentives to help implement energy efficiency projects.
§ Marketing: Partner with SCE to improve energy efficiency throughout the community through communications or events, identify channels to promote awareness and generate a call-to-action.
§ Outreach: Partner with SCE to support community events by providing energy efficiency informational materials and tips that will help the community save energy, money and the environment.
§ Education and Training: Partner with SCE to conduct workshops and training designed to meet the specific needs of the Partnership city.
As a participant in the Partnership, the City of Long Beach is responsible for establishing an energy-savings goal, conducting energy efficiency projects in City facilities, adopting an Energy Action Plan for immediate and long-term strategies, dedicating necessary resources to perform Partnership activities, and educating the community about energy savings. Since the program start, the City's estimated energy savings total 4,142,400 kilowatt-hours (kWh) saved. Examples of energy efficiency projects in City facilities include lighting upgrades with LED lighting, motion sensor technology, heating and cooling improvements, and cool roofing projects.
SCE's role in the Partnership includes assisting in the development and implementation of the Partnership, providing technical assistance and energy efficiency support for City retrofit projects, assisting in public communication, co-branded messaging, and providing California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulatory guidance.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Vu on December 30, 2014 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on December 31, 2014.
SUSTAINABILITY
The Office of Sustainability has worked with SCE on establishing the Partnership program for the City of Long Beach and has taken a comprehensive approach to ensure all citywide energy efficiency projects are incorporated, including those from the Port of Long Beach, the Long Beach Airport, and the Long Beach Water Department.
By continuing the Partnership with SCE, the City will continue to support energy efficiency and will take advantage of energy savings and demand reduction, thereby saving the City and residents money while supporting the City's sustainability goals.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on February 10, 2015 in order to ensure the timely partnership agreement with SCE.
FISCAL IMPACT
Participation in the Partnership is free, however, the City will use existing staff resources to identify energy efficiency retrofit projects in order to be eligible for the incentives provided through the Partnership. The financial incentives received through the Partnership will be used to augment future energy efficiency projects citywide. There is no local job impact associated with the recommended action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER