Electric power generated by the combustion of fossil-fuels is a significant source of California’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. California local governments are uniquely positioned to reduce GHG emissions in their communities by increasing renewable energy generation and purchasing green power. Local governments that own and operate municipal utilities can replace fossil-intensive power generation with renewable energy and zero emission generation. Cities and counties can encourage local residents to purchase renewable energy to stimulate increased production of renewable power in the community. Lastly, local governments can increase the amount of on-site power generated in government owned facilities and encourage community members to do the same.
##Green Power Purchasing and Generation##
* ####Purchase Green Power##
Green power is electricity produced from renewable resources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and hydro. Local governments are encouraged to inquire with your utility or electric service provider to see if there is an option to purchase green/renewable power for municipally owned buildings. Buying green power can be an easy and effective way to improve environmental performance. Example programs include PG&E's [ClimateSmart Program](http://www.joinclimatesmart.com/) and the Sacramento Municipal Utility Districy (SMUD) [Greenergy Program](http://www.smud.org/en/community-environment/greenergy/Pages/index.aspx).
* ####Join the US EPA Green Power Partnership##
The US EPA [Green Power Partnership](http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/) provides assistance to local governments that are buying or planning to purchase green power. The US EPA offers credible benchmarks for green power purchases, market information, and opportunities for recognition and promotion of leading purchasers.
* ####Become a Community Choice Aggregator##
As defined by State law (AB 117, Migden, Statutes of 2002, chapter 838), Community [Choice Aggregation (CCA)](http://www.communitychoice.info/) permits any city, county or city and county to aggregate the electric loads of residents, businesses and municipal facilities to facilitate the purchase and sale of electrical energy from a non-utility provider. CCA promotes economic development and greater energy reliability by purchasing power from new power generation projects in the region. CCA can also provide a mechanism to purchase wholesale green power. At a minimum, CCA would be required to meet the requirements of the Renewable Portfolio Standard to purchase a minimum of 20% renewable energy by 2010 and 33% renewable energy by 2020. Check out the [Local Government Commission](http://www.lgc.org/cca/docs/cca_energy_factsheet.pdf) website for more information.
* ####Increase Renewable Electricity Generation at Municipal Utilities##
California’s Climate Change Scoping Plan encourages publicly-owned utilities (POUs) to achieve a 33% renewable portfolio standard (RPS) by 2020. Local governments can adopt policies to ensure that at least 33% of the electricity generated by your POU is generated by renewable energy sources.
##Renewable Energy Retrofits to Existing Buildings##
* ####Install On-site Renewable Energy Generation at Government Facilities##
Cities/counties can retrofit existing buildings by installing solar photovoltaic (PV) and/or solar hot water panels. However, on-site renewable energy generation should only be installed after [energy efficiency upgrades](http://www.coolcalifornia.org/article/gov-save-energy) are completed to existing facilities. Once existing facilities are upgraded to achieve optimal energy performance, the installation of on-site renewable energy generating technologies provides an opportunity to reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions in buildings.
##Renewable Energy for New Construction##
* ####Design and Build Zero Net Energy Municipal Facilities##
A zero net energy building is a building that includes energy efficiency design features and on-site clean distributed generation, which on an annual basis, results in no net purchases from the electricity or gas grid.
##Offer Incentives to Encourage Renewable Energy Installations##
* ####Implement a Financing Incentives for a Renewable Technology Program##
State law (AB 811, Levine, Statutes of 2008, chapter 159) allows local governments to provide loans for energy efficiency and solar installations that may be repaid through tax assessment. Local governments can partner with lending institutions to offer this type of creative financing, which will save homeowners energy costs over time. The City of Berkeley is piloting a program, [Berkeley FIRST](http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=15538), which offers this type of financing to homeowners. The firm [Renewable Funding](http://www.renewfund.com/) that is supporting Berkeley FIRST is also working with other municipalities such as [Sonoma County](http://www.coolcalifornia.org/case-study/climate-action-plan-encourages-...) and Palm Desert on a variety of funding mechanisms. Please see the section on [Financial Resources](www.coolcalifornia.org/funding-wizard-home) and [Case Studies](http://www.coolcalifornia.org/local-government/local-government-case-stu...) for more information.
* ####Offer Streamlined Permitting for Installations##
One of the main barriers for residential and commercial installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic’s (PV) may include local permitting costs and delays or restrictions associated with city and county permitting offices. However, California has several [solar access laws](http://www.solardepot.com/pdf/CASolarAccessLaws.pdf) that prevent restrictions on solar energy systems. Local governments are encouraged to provide training to building inspectors and establish a policy to offer streamlined permitting to increase solar PV installations.
##Education and Outreach##
* ####Appoint an Energy Team##
Energy teams can provide technical assistance to encourage homeowners and businesses to purchase green power and/or install onsite renewable energy generation using a set of standardized designs.
##Policy for Community Action##
* ####Tap into the Clean Energy-Environment Municipal Network##
Local governments can learn about clean energy strategies to reduce GHG emissions, lower energy costs, improve energy reliability, meet sustainability goals, and improve public health and quality of life. The US EPA [Clean Energy Environment Municipal Network](http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-local/local.html) provides access to tools to inform policy decisions and examples of policies that other local governments are using to support clean energy.
Image Credit
Author: Kansas Sebastian
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kansas_sebastian/3498784101/
CC License: Attribution-Non-commerical-No Derivative Works 2.0 Generic