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Energy efficiency expert Craig Perkins
keynotes June 13 workshop,
“Advancing the Clean Energy Economy”
Date: Friday, June 13, 2008
Time: 8:30 a.m. to noon
Place: Glenwood Springs Community Center, 100 Wulfsohn Road
 Craig Perkins used his position as the director of public works in Santa Monica, Calif., to cut 2005 energy use in the city of 90,000 back down to 1990 levels.
He now runs The Energy Coalition, a coalition of business, local government, environmental and school groups working together on aggressive energy programs in cities throughout Southern California.
Perkins is coming to Glenwood Springs on Friday to share his expertise and help this region advance aggressive, comprehensive programs to reduce energy use, save money and build a clean energy economy.
“We will be getting advice from an expert who has achieved significant energy savings and has already started and managed several successful community energy programs,” said Jacque Whitsitt of Basalt, chair of CLEER. “This workshop is aimed at building a clean energy economy in our region, with aggressive energy saving and climate protection programs and services from Parachute to Aspen."
Workshop speakers also include Seth Portner and Joani Matranga from the Governor’s Energy Office, Dan Richardson of Schmueser Gordon Meyer, Auden Schendler of the Aspen Skiing Co., and energy expert Randy Udall.
Communities lead with innovative policies
“In the United States, about 40 percent of our energy use is in buildings and houses, and about 40 percent is in transportation. Together, that’s 80 percent of our energy use, and communities have control over much of that use,” Perkins said.
“That’s a good thing, because when you look around the United States and the world over the last decade, you see that most innovative policies and programs emanated from local government,” he said.
In 1994, Perkins said, Santa Monica leaders adopted targets for energy reductions for city government operations and for the community at large.
“We wanted to promote water efficiency, waste reduction, green building standards, demolition and construction waste restrictions, solar installs and energy efficiency. It was the launch pad for a top-to-bottom review of how we do business. It also became an entry point for us to talk to the business community and residents, because you have to walk the talk,” Perkins recalled.
The Energy Coalition promotes regional partnerships
Santa Monica also started working with The Energy Coalition in regional partnerships with other communities, such as Irvine, Calif., that were working to take greater control of their energy future.
“Santa Monica can be utopia on Earth, but it won’t amount to a drop in the bucket if that’s the only place this happens,” Perkins said.
Santa Monica was interested because of the environmental benefits; Irvine was attracted by the economic pay-offs.
“Energy efficiency is a good thing, no matter what the reason,” said Perkins, who took over as The Energy Coalition’s executive director in March 2008.
Santa Monica cuts energy use to below 1990 levels
The energy programs paid off. By 2005, energy use in the community of Santa Monica was down to 1 percent below 1990 levels, and the city government’s energy use was at 20 percent below 1990 levels.
The city’s new goal is to install 100 megawatts of rooftop solar power through its Solar Santa Monica program — about 700,000 panels and enough power for about 25,000 people.
Energy demonstration projects spread to 10 California cities
The Energy Coalition’s work has spread to 10 cities, with a lead demonstration project in the city of Palm Desert. Its Set To Save program aims for a 30 percent reduction in energy use within five years.
Palm Desert had already run a successful solid waste program, achieving a city-wide rate of recycling 70 percent of its total volume of waste. Set To Save is aimed at lowering electrical demand by educating residents and offering rebates for energy-efficient appliances, lighting and air conditioning.
“We are now about 18 months into the program, and we’ve learned a tremendous amount about how difficult this is, and what it needs to be successful,” Perkins said. “We’ve concluded that the current tools aren’t going to get Palm Desert to its 30 percent goal.”
California legislation offers long-term financing for energy improvements
Legislation now before the California State Legislature, Assembly Bill 811, is expected to provide a new, affordable means for commercial and residential property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements.
City or county governments will be able to issue bonds, which will finance energy improvements on homes and commercial properties. The bonds will be paid off by a long-term property tax assessment that continues even when the property changes hands.
The new financing tool will give property owners an incentive to make energy improvements that may have a longer payback, even if they don’t expect to own the property that long.
Perkins said this type of legislation could be passed in other states too.
Neighboring cities collaborate on energy projects
Meanwhile, Perkins is working with six local governments in Los Angeles to launch energy projects with measurable results.
“We are aiming toward a commitment that within three to six months, we will come up with one or two collaborative projects related to energy efficiency. All the cities will work together and invest in a project, such as a jointly funded solar array on a parking structure.
“We’re looking for something they can all point toward, that shows the power of working together,” Perkins said.
He is also working with the governments to offer a consistent permitting process for building projects that use energy efficiency and renewable energy.
“There are lots of opportunities. Now we need to sit down and define the actions, the commitments and the follow-up steps,” Perkins said.
On Friday, Perkins will be giving Roaring Fork and Colorado River valley community and business leaders advice on how to launch similar projects here.
Download press release in Word | Download the workshop agenda |
