The Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) operates several programs that provide energy efficiency services to the public. These programs include the Weatherization Program, the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) and East Bay Energy Watch (EBEW). DCD also enforces sections of the California Building Standards Code that promote energy efficiency: the Energy Code and the Green Building Standards Code.
Weatherization Program
The Department of Conservation and Development has operated the County Weatherization Program for over 25 years. The Weatherization Program provides free home energy efficiency improvements to low-income residents throughout the County. Weatherization Program services focus on measures that seal a residence from outside air intrusion, resulting in reduced energy consumption, reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and improved indoor air quality.
Measures that may be performed for a residence include weather stripping, window repair or replacement, door repair or replacement, caulking exterior, installation of mechanical ventilation, ceiling fans, filter replacement in heating/cooling appliances, duct sealing or replacement, kitchen exhaust repair or replacement and other repairs to stop air infiltration and improve indoor air quality. Additional repairs may be made on a case by case basis.
Other energy savings measures that target Greenhouse Gas Emissions include refrigerator repair or replacement, LED light bulbs, LED nightlights, occupancy sensors, thermostatic shower valves, and installation of Solar Water Heaters.
The Weatherization work is performed by County staff or referred to licensed contractors that have been approved by the County.
Weatherization services also address health and safety issues such as testing all the gas appliances in the residence for carbon monoxide levels. The program also repairs or replaces heating appliances, hot water heaters and air conditioners (for clients with medically necessary conditions such as asthma or other serious illness) that have failed. Weatherization also makes sure that the residence meets local code for carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms.
The Weatherization Program receives the following funding through the California Department of Community Services and Development:
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U. S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program (DOE) (Program Year 2014-15 Allocation $128, 758);
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U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Weatherization Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (Program Year 2015-16 Allocation $1,076,832); and
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California Cap and Trade funds for the Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) (First Program Year 2015-16 Allocation $537,538).
In Program Year 2013-14, the LIHEAP served 251 units and in PY 2014-15 served 218 units. The DOE contract served 33 units in Program Year 2014-15.
The LIWP program is projected to serve 318 single family homes and install 20 Solar Water Heaters in FY 2015-16. All LIWP units served will have funding leveraged with LIHEAP to maximize the range of improvements that can be offered and will serve residents located in disadvantaged communities, as identified by California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool Version 2.0 (CALENVIROSCREEN 2.0). This is the first year of LIWP funding, and all indicators from the Cap and Trade Auctions suggest that revenues from this funding source will increase in coming years.
Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN)
In July 2012, the County entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN), a collaborative partnership among the nine (9) Bay Area counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma Counties) led by ABAG, which focuses on implementing energy efficiency programs throughout the Bay Area. DCD staff represent the County for BayREN.
On July 9, 2013, the County entered into a subcontract agreement with ABAG, which provided the County CPUC grant funding for providing marketing, education and outreach to support BayREN endeavours.
On November 24, 2014, the CPUC issued a 2015 Decision (D.14-10.046) that approved additional BayREN funding for calendar year 2015. As a result, BayREN allocated a total of $180,834 to Contra Costa County for calendar year 2015 to cover its costs to continue promoting the following four (4) existing BayREN subprograms that were previously funded under the 2013-2014 subcontract agreement with ABAG:
1. Single-Family Housing,
2. Multi-Family Housing,
3. Building Codes and Standards, and
4. Energy Efficiency Financing.
Both the Single-Family and Multi-Family subprograms offer free technical services and financial incentives (rebates) to property owners who make energy efficiency improvements to existing residential buildings. Since 2013, 432 Home Upgrade & Advanced Home Upgrade projects have been completed in Contra Costa for the Single Family program. These 432 projects have provided $642,906 dollars in rebates to property owners, accounting for 27% of the total rebates distributed throughout the Bay Area. The Multifamily program has upgraded over 1,543 units in Contra Costa through 2014 and provided $1,157,250 in rebates to property owners. This accounts for almost 19% of the total rebates provided through the Multi-family program covering the nine-county region. Data for 2015 is currently being collected and analyzed.
The Codes and Standards subprogram offers various resources (including training) to support local government officials with code compliance and enforcement. Other efforts, including educational forums, are held throughout the Bay Area, while other programs, such as Assistive Regional Plan Check, are under development. The Energy Efficiency Financing subprogram focuses on marketing various financing options to diverse commercial and residential consumer markets throughout the Bay Area.
The County’s subcontract agreement with ABAG allows the County to continue to access CPUC grant funds awarded to ABAG for the purpose of promoting BayREN subprograms offered in Contra Costa County. The cost of rebates is funded separately by CPUC.
East Bay Energy Watch (EBEW)
East Bay Energy Watch (EBEW) is a collaboration between Pacific Gas and Electric Company, local governments, non-profit and for-profit energy service providers in the East Bay. EBEW conducts local marketing of PG&E’s energy efficiency services, and provides energy efficiency solutions for residents and businesses in communities throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Since 2006, thousands of businesses and over 20,000 east bay homes have participated in the program to eliminate the unnecessary use of energy and improve the efficiency and quality of their home and work environments. DCD has represented Contra Costa County on the EBEW steering committee since 2012.
California Building Standards Code
The California Building Standards Code (CBC) is State law that establishes standards for construction in California. DCD is responsible for enforcing the CBC for most construction on private property within the unincorporated area of the County, and within six cities where DCD provides building inspection services on a contract basis. Enforcement of the CBC occurs through the County’s issuance of building permits.
Two of the eleven volumes of the CBC have a strong focus on energy efficiency. These are the Energy Code and the Green Building Standards Code.
The CBC is typically updated on a three-year cycle. The current version is the 2013 CBC, which became effective statewide on January 1, 2014.
The 2013 Energy Code contains requirements that represent a 25% increase in energy efficiency compared to the prior version of the Energy Code. The energy code contains energy efficiency requirements related to windows, roofing materials, insulation, lighting, heating, air conditioning, and other building components for both residential and commercial construction.
The Green Building Standards Code, also known as CalGreen, was first established in 2010 and is designed to promote more environmentally sustainable construction by requiring energy and water conserving practices and encouraging the use of renewable, recyclable and recycled materials in the building process. The 2013 Green Building Standards Code includes additional measures beyond the 2010 Code to promote water-efficient plumbing fixtures and landscaping practices. Recent amendments to CalGreen that become effective July 1, 2015, require the installation of electrical infrastructure to support electric vehicle charging stations in new residential and commercial construction. |