Energy Efficiency Solutions

          Energy efficiency means using less energy through better technology to power buildings, light streets, and industry.  Reducing energy use is one of the most cost-effective and fastest ways to save energy and reduce global warming pollution.

          Every city can make substantial energy efficiency improvements by putting policies in place to promote efficient technologies and integrating them into planning decisions.  The policies outline below  represents some of the most effective steps currently being taken on the city and local level.

Solution # 1---Making New Buildings More Energy Efficient

          Incorporating energy efficiency requirements into municipal building codes increase the overall energy efficiency of the new city buildings.  Many cities have chosen to adopt the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards that have been created by the United States Green Building Council---www.usgbc.org.  LEDD standards provide energy efficient design guidelines for a variety of building types and developments.

Solution #2---Energy Efficiency Retrofits to Existing Buildings

          In addition to improving the energy efficiency of new buildings, cities can make substantial energy efficiency improvements to existing buildings.  Modernizing lighting, heating, cooling, and other operations can reduce the energy requirements of existing buildings in a cost-effective manner, lowering energy costs and reducing pollution.  The U.S. Green Building Council has also developed LEED standards for existing buildings at www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=221& 

          The standards provide guidance on improving the energy efficiency of building operations and other systems without making major changes to the interior and exterior of the building.  Cities around the country have made major strides in improving the energy efficiency of existing city office buildings, schools, police and fire stations.

Solution #3---Energy Efficient Street Lighting

          Street lighting and traffic signals can use a significant amount of energy, and many cities have found that by replacing traditional light fixtures with super-efficient light emitting diode or LED bulbs, they are reaping energy and cost savings.

Solution #4---Public Benefit Funds

          Cities with community-owned, local municipal utilities can integrate energy efficiency into the city's overall energy plan.  If your city has a municipal utility, it can set up a local public benefits fund (PBF), where a small surcharge on consumer energy bills is used to create a fund to finance energy efficiency projects in the utility service area, thus lowering the overall energy cost for consumers.

          Austin Energy www.austinenergy.com and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District www.smud.org are examples of municipal utilities that have used public benefit to integrate energy efficiency to lower energy use and cost.

Solution #5---Combined Heat and Power 

          Cities and businesses can also benefit from energy efficient, combined heat and power (CHP) systems.  These systems produce both electricity and steam for heating and cooling from a single power plant located near consumers.  As a result, CHP systems recover heat that is normally wasted at power plants and funnel the heat into surrounding buildings.  This reduces energy cost and lowers pollution by eliminating the need for separate fuel sources for electricity and heating.