Commercial Buildings Guzzle 37% of California’s Energy
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| (Image: Next 10) |
A recent study identifies commercial buildings as a stealth drain on the state’s energy resources and economy. The report, “Untapped Potential of Commercial Buildings: Energy Use and Emissions,” produced by Collaborative Economics for Next 10, finds that the energy efficiency or lack thereof in commercial buildings has a significant impact on California’s economy, the state’s overall energy use, global warming pollution emissions and jobs.
Some of the highlights of the study include:
- Electricity consumed by commercial office buildings represents 37 percent of california’s total electricity consumption. Based on the U.S. average, energy efficiency improvements could cut that usage by 80 percent.
- Only 60 percent of all new commercial building construction meets California energy efficiency standards. With a minimal two percent increase in construction costs, new buildings can be designed to use one-third to one-half less energy than they use today.
- Energy efficient buildings retain higher real estate value, commanding higher rents (6-7 percent) and maintaining higher occupancy rates than less efficient buildings.
- Simple energy efficiency improvements to existing buildings, such as insulating window films, yield three dollars in savings on average for every dollar invested.
“Up to 80 percent of the energy used by commercial buildings is going up in smoke,” said F. Noel Perry, founder of Next 10. “As our state struggles to emerge from recession, relatively low-tech energy efficiency fixes could save California businesses and the state government significant money and help to generate jobs.”
Lights Out for Earth Hour This Saturday
Join individuals around the world in celebrating Earth Hour by turning off lights, appliances and other electronics for at least one hour this Saturday, March 27 at 8:30 p.m. Started by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the annual event helps to raise awareness about global warming and demonstrate the collective power of simple, energy-saving actions.
Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia in 2007, with 2.2 million homes and businesses switching off their lights for one hour. In 2008, participation rose with over 50 million people switching off their lights world-wide, and last year that number sky-rocketted to nearly 1 billion world-wide. Famous landmarks chose to go dark as well including the Golden Gate Bridge, the Empire State Building, the Las Vegas Strip, the Parthenon and Acropolis in Athens, and more.
In the past, some cities have been able to cut electricity demand by 13% during those peak hours. Help your city make an impact by powering down at 8:30 p.m. this Saturday.
Cities Suffering from Localized CO2 Domes
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Photo: Flickr
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A new study recently found that local carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions may result in localized health and pollution impacts unrelated to global climate change. It is widely known that CO2 emitted in one city will eventually mix with CO2 emitted across the globe, contributing to an overall increase in the atmospheric concentration of CO2. As such, it doesn’t much matter where CO2 is emitted in terms of its contribution climate change. In contrast, the new study finds, CO2 may have direct local impacts on health and air pollution related to where CO2 is emitted and where its concentrations are highest.
While older research has found that local “domes” of high CO2 levels often form over cities, little was known about the health impacts of these domes. The study, “Enhancement of Local Air Pollution by Urban CO2 Domes,” by Mark Jacobson of Stanford finds that local CO2 emissions may increase local ozone and particulate matter that contribute to respiratory ailments. The study also estimates that local CO2 emissions may increase premature mortality by 50-100 people per year in California and 300-1000 per year in the United States.
The study carries significant implications for cities where high amounts of CO2 and other pollutants are emitted, and bolsters the already compelling case for local action.
New Report Evaluates No-First-Cost Financing Strategies for Saving Energy
CalCEF Innovations, a branch of the California Clean Energy Fund, recently released its second white paper in its Energy Efficiency series: “Energy Efficiency Paying the Way: New Financing Solutions Remove First-Cost Hurdles.” The paper uses case studies to evaluate newly deployed no-first-cost financing options available to businesses and other entities looking to make energy-saving improvements. Intended for policy-makers, regulators, and private sector firms, the paper analyzes six programs including (among others):
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE): Government programs, such as the highlighted Palm Desert, CA initiative, offer property owners 20-year loans for Energy Efficiency that are repaid through property tax assessments.
On-bill Financing: Loans for energy efficiency can be re-paid through the customer’s regular utility bill. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) offers on-bill financing.
These programs help customers overcome the initial financial barriers to otherwise cost-efficient upgrades. Paul Frankel, managing director of CalCEF Innovations explains, “We’ve uncovered a critical gap in the energy efficiency sector, where the deployment of retrofits is not at pace with the large potential for profits—both economical and environmental—due to a perceived cost-prohibitive barrier to entry. Energy efficiency can pay back three or four times on its investment in a relatively short time frame when strategic financing and aggregated deployment strategies are implemented.”
Book Round-Up: 6 Great Reads to Help You Save Energy and Go Green
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“The Carbon-Free Home” is one of many books with tips to help you maximize your energy savings.
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As you prepare for a new, even more energy-efficient year, read over our quick list of books that can help get you there. Check out the material below and let these handy guides help you with your upgrades all year long.
- “The Carbon-Free Home” by Stephen and Rebekah Hren. A well-thought out explanation of how to make your house carbon-free from people who have done it. Includes thirty-six projects and a description of project length, cost, energy saved, and skills you need.
- “Save Energy Save Money!: 201 Do-It-Yourself Projects Tips, and Ideas” by Family Handyman. Includes images and visual aids.
- “Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings: Save Money, Save the Earth” by Jennifer Thorne Amann, Alex Wilson, Katie Ackerly. A guide to help users zero-in on the most useful improvements for their homes.
- “The Home Energy Diet: How to Save Money by Making Your House Energy-Smart” (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series) by Paul Scheckel.
- “Insulate and Weatherize: Expert Advice from Start to Finish” by Bruce Harley. Online preview available.
- “Complete Guide to Reducing Energy Costs” by Consumer Reports. Offers information and step-by-step photos to help with home improvements.
- “The Low Carbon Diet; A 30 Day Program to Lose 5,000 Pounds” by David Gershon. We wrote about this workbook in an earlier post, and it remains a great guide to saving energy and cutting carbon emissions.
Posted by Megan Toth on 01/05/10. Email story
Story link | Filed under: Climate Change, Residential
ICLEI USA Releases Sustainability Tookit for Cities and Counties
ICLEI, Local Governments for Sustainability USA, recently released a comprehensive Sustainability Planning Toolkit to provide step-by-step guidance for cities, towns and counties looking to develop a sustainability plan. The toolkit is modeled after New York City’s highly successful PlaNYC guide and contains best practice examples, checklists, templates, and guidelines.
“Our toolkit is a roadmap to guide any local government, big or small, through the process of creating a sustainability plan,” said Don Knapp of ICLEI USA.
The guide is premised on five “milestone” tasks:
- Conduct a sustainability assessment
- Establish sustainability goals
- Develop a local sustainability plan
- Implement policies and measures
- Evaluate progress and report results
“Our toolkit shows local government staff how to create a plan that won’t just sit on a shelf, but will become an integral part of government operations,” says Knapp.
The complete toolkit is available only to local governments that are ICLEI members.
Posted by Megan Toth on 12/07/09. Email story
Story link | Filed under: Climate Change, Institutional
Strategic Energy Innovations Receives Award for Energy Saving Progams
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SEI helps empower schools, businesses and other groups to save energy and promote a healthy environment. (Photo: SEI)
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Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI), a nonprofit organization centered in Marin, was recently awarded Marin Economic Commission’s 11th Annual Award of Excellence for Environmental Values and Resources for four of its K-12 programs. The programs, which number among a variety of services offered by SEI, promote energy efficiency and renewable energy while also educating students about environmental issues. Here is a brief description of the winning programs:
Awareness for Communities about the Environment (ACE): SEI’s ACE Program helps local businesses achieve long-term energy savings by providing no-cost energy consultation services and by shuttling businesses into free or reduced-cost retrofits. The program also incorporates an educational component, training local high school students to conduct energy audits, develop energy recommendations, and assist local businesses in accessing retrofits
Dixie School District’s ‘Go Solar’ Initiative: After a presentation by SEI with students to the Dixie School Board, the Dixie School District has decided to pursue their ‘Go Solar’ initiative to solarize the District’s four schools and administrative building. SEI and partners will help rollout the Go Solar effort across the District.
High-School Energy Efficiency Certificate: In conjunction with several partners, SEI has designed a high-school certificate in energy efficiency and renewable energy, giving students the tools to understand climate change and address the crisis. The goal of the program is to help interested students pursue green careers while instilling environmental values and knowledge.
Protect Your Climate (PYC) Curriculum: PYC, a 16-unit program designed for 4th and 5th graders, encourages students to inquire into why we need to protect our environment, and how to do so. The program has not only helped youth understand climate change, but has also helped Marin residences realize substantial money and energy savings through PYC’s school campaigns.
Sempra Energy Holds $1 Million Environmental Contest for Non-Profits
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Non-profits will be awarded prizes for environmental stewardship in CA including natural resource conservation (Photo: Flickr)
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The Sempra Energy Foundation is ready to give away $1 million to environmentally-focused non-profit organizations this fall, with their new Environmental Champions Awards program. Applicants must explain what they would do to ‘green’ Southern California if they were given prize money, and each winner will receive between $25,000 and $100,000.
The program was created as part of an effort to recognize the environmental efforts of Southern California organizations. “There are so many organizations doing valuable, forward-thinking work for our environment, we want to encourage those efforts that are judged to have the most far-reaching positive benefits,” explained Jessie Knight Jr., chairman of the Sempra Energy Foundation.
The deadline to apply is September 4 and non-profits can submit their applications online. Winners will be announced on October 1 and will be chosen in each of three categories: natural resource protection and conservation, environmental education and environmental health.
In addition, from now until September 4, all Sempra Energy employees will have an opportunity to donate funds to a select list of non-profit environmental organizations in Southern California, and the Sempra Energy Foundation will match the contribution dollar-for-dollar, up to $500 each.
Study Asserts Power Plant Pollution Kills Nearly 24,000 Annually
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(Image: Clear the Air)
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Fine particle pollution from U.S. power plants cuts short the lives of nearly 24,000 people each year, by an average of 14 years, according to a study commissioned by Clear the Air. The study maintains that this pollution is also responsible for increased asthma attacks, respiratory disease and heart attacks, including 38,200 non-fatal heart attacks per year, with total monetized health costs amounting to $167.3 billion annually.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) website explains that the most harmful pollutants in California’s ambient air are particulate matter (PM) and ozone (O3), both of which result from burning fossil fuels for electricity. According to CARB, health effects from elevated concentrations of PM include increased respiratory disease, lung damage, cancer and increased mortality, while elevated O3 concentrations can result in breathing problems, lung tissue damage and premature mortality.
Power plants are not the only sources of PM, O3 and other harmful pollutants. Both on and off-road vehicles are significant contributors, as well as industrial and other processes. However a detailed data sheet from CARB reveals that gas and electric production does contribute significant amounts of fine particulate matter, while residential fuel combustion from wood stoves or fireplaces produces more PM than all on-road motor vehicles combined (another reason to consider sealing and insulating your home).
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| (Image: Clear the Air) |
Within the production sector, coal leads the way in harmful emissions. While California is ahead of many states in taking steps to find alternative sources of energy, some of our electricity still comes from coal. Here is the breakdown:
In an average year, a typical coal plant generates:
- 10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide, a fine particulate that causes acid rain
- 500 tons of small airborne particles which can cause chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma and premature death
- 10,200 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) – as much as would be emitted by half a million late-model cars. NOx leads to the formation of O3.
- 720 tons of carbon monoxide
- 170 pounds of mercury
- 225 pounds of arsenic, which will cause cancer in 1 out of 100 people who drink water containing 50 parts per billion.
Even if we disregard the dangerous impacts of global warming, it is clear that energy production from non-renewable sources can have serious consequences. While developing renewable alternatives is critical, it is equally critical that we maximize resource efficiency in our homes and businesses. The average home can cut its electricity use by 50%. Learn more, tell a friend, and take action today.
Posted by Megan Toth on 08/16/09. Email story
Story link | Filed under: Climate Change
U.S. Could Save $1.2 Trillion with Energy Efficiency
A new report by the consulting firm McKinsey & Co. shows that with $520 billion invested in efficiency the U.S. could cut our collective national energy bill by $1.2 trillion, a $700 billion return on investment. The firm also called energy efficiency the most compelling way to fight climate change and reported that 40% of U.S. emissions reduction potential comes from energy efficiency. This means that we can dramatically reduce our carbon emissions while also saving money and creating jobs.
The investment would cut U.S. energy consumption by approximately 23 percent, a savings “greater than the total energy consumption of Canada” said Ken Ostrowski, a senior partner at McKinsey. These gains could be made across the board in all sectors, although the report did not look at transportation. The residential sector accounts for about 35 percent of the possible efficiency savings, the industrial sector accounts for about 40 percent and the commercial sector about 25 percent.
The report did not factor in a price that could be imposed on greenhouse gasses. If carbon emissions were priced at $30 per ton it would lead to an additional 8 percent savings.
The McKinsey study outlines recommendations in four main categories:
- Increasing awareness and education: Increasing knowledge about energy saving methods and opportunities will motivate action and allow end-users to act more effectively to save money.
- Increasing incentives and financing: Monetary incentives such as rebates, tax credits, grants and tiered pricing will spur action, as will increased access to financing for capital expenses.
- Changing codes and standards: To capture all of the efficiency potential it may be necessary to mandate upgrades. This could include stricter building codes and efficiency standards for appliances and equipment.
- Third-party involvement: A private company, utility, government agency or NGO could purchase and install energy efficiency improvements directly for the end-user.
The study also identified a number of barriers to achieving the full $1.2 trillion in energy savings. The first would be cost, as this would represent many times the energy spending of the stimulus package, and would have to be maintained for a decade. Many consumers would not have the money for upgrades, even if they would eventually see full payback. There are also issues around who makes investments and who reaps the benefits. In many situations landlords, both commercial and residential, would have to make capital improvements, but it is their tenants who save on the bills.
Despite these obstacles, the report makes it clear that investing in energy efficiency has the potential to save America billions on our energy bills and is the fastest and cheapest way to cut our carbon emissions.
