Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Contents

• Introduction
• Energy Code Information
• Energy Conservation Programs and Consumer Information
• Local Government Programs
• Energy Planning Tools
• Sample Policy Directives on Energy Supply Shortage
• Energy Supply Market Rate Information
• Long Term Policies
• MRSC Related Pages
  • Climate Change
  • Energy Resources
  • Green Building Design

Introduction

Energy conservation  programs can help local governments and citizens manage energy costs and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.   This page includes energy conservation resources as well as illustrations of emergency measures taken during recent supply shortages. 

The 2001 energy crisis brought about by the California power shortage, increases energy prices, and the lack of precipitation in the Northwest was weathered, but the need for conserving energy is ever present.   In response to the  2001 energy shortage, the Governor announced an energy supply alert to ensure Washington residents and businesses had enough electricity.  Three orders were signed, one of which required state and local governments to cut electricity and natural gas use by 10 percent for at least 90 days.

The links to actions of local governments related to the temporary energy supply shortage of 2001 have been retained for reference should another energy crisis occur in the future.  Other information on this page relates to other on going energy conservation programs.  Jurisdictions are encouraged to provide us with additional links or documents on energy conservation. Contact the Page Editor

Energy Code Information

• Washington State Energy Code, Ch. 51-11 WAC
• Seattle Energy Code
• U.S. Department of Energy Building Energy Codes Program

Energy Conservation Programs and Consumer Information

• Association of Washington Cities Energy Program
• DSIRE: Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency -  An ongoing project of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and managed by the North Carolina Solar Center, North Carolina State University - A comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and selected federal incentives
• Energy Efficiency -  U.S. Department of Energy
• Energy Efficiency  - Bonneville Power
• Energy Ideas Clearinghouse - Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and Washington State University
• Energy Services - Washington State Department of General Administration
• Energy Star - Joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy
  • Energy  Star – The Power to Protect the Environment through Energy Efficiency ( 272 KB)
• Powering Down:  Governments Cut Computers' Electricity Demands to Further Green Initiatives, by Lynn Peisner,  American City and County, January 2008
• WSU Cooperative Extension Programs
  • Energy Information
  • Energy Program
• Washington State University - Facility Operations - Individual Energy Conservation Actions
• Alliance to Save Energy

Local Government Programs to Conserve Energy

• Seattle
  • Electric Power 
  • Conservation
    • Seattle City Light Conservation Acceleration Fall 2001
    • Seattle City Light Energy  Conservation Links
  • SeaGreen Affordable Housing Guide - Seattle Housing Office
• Chelan County PUD - Conservation
• Clark County PUD - Energy Conservation Tips 
• Issaquah - Zero Energy Demonstration Project - Residential green building demonstration project
• Grant County PUD - Conservation
• Snohomish County PUD - Energy Conservation Programs

Energy Planning Tools

• Applied Building Science Program - WSU Cooperative Extension
• A Blueprint for Urban Sustainability, Sustainable Energy Planning Office, Gas Technology Institute, 2004  - a resource designed to help cities develop sustainable energy plans that will enable communities to meet their present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.  It includes case study examples, technological information, and contacts.
• CALeep Workbook  - California Local Energy Efficiency Program -   The workbook provides a tool to be used by local officials and community activists to initiate, plan, organize, implement, and assess energy efficiency activities at the local and regional levelCompact Fluorescent Lighting Programs
• • Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs - Energy Star -  According to the Energy Star Program, if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.
  • Australia Department of Environment and Water Resources, Greenhouse Office - Phase-out of Inefficient Light Bulbs
  • Natural Resources Canada - Lighting the Way to a Greener Future: Canada's New Government to Ban Inefficient Light Bulbs, News Release 4-25-07 Includes links to Backgrounders
    
• Creating Energy Efficient Communities, "Community Energy," National Center for Appropriate Technology Smart Communities Network
• D. E. E. R. Database for Energy Efficient Resources  - California Energy Commission and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) - Designed to provide well-documented estimates of energy and peak demand savings values, measure costs, and effective useful life (EUL) all with one data source
• Green House Challenge Fact Sheets (Scroll) - Australia Department of Environment and Water Resources,  Green House Office, - Covers #1 - Lighting, #2 - Heating,Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) , #3 - Office Equipment,  #4 - Transport,  #5 - Waste,  #6 - Water Efficiency,  #7 - Air Compressors,  #8 - Hot Water, #9 - Motors,  #10 - Maintenance,  #11 - Workplace Design and Layout,  #12 - Implementing Energy Management in Business, #13 - Energy Performance Contracting, #14 - An Introduction to Independent Verification
• Sustainable Building Sourcebook, Energy Chapter - Austin Energy - Provides service within the City of Austin, Travis County, and a small portion of Williamson County, Texas
• Toolkit for Community Energy Planning - Community Energy Association (British Columbia)

Sample Policy Directives on Energy Supply Shortage

• Washington Governor Directives
  • Energy Alert Order No. 01-03 - to state and local governments, dated 1-26-01
  • Energy Directive 01-01 - State Agency Energy Curtailment Procedures
• California Governor, Executive Order D-19-01 relating to unnecessary outdoor lighting by retail establishments after business hours, January 17, 2001
• King County Letter to Employees, dated 1-26-01
• Pierce County Resolution No. R2001-24 calling for conservation goal, dated 2-01
• Seattle City Light Conservation Initiative, dated 1-8-01
• Snohomish County Memo to All Employees, sent 2-7-01
• Tacoma Resolution No. 35012 ( 309 KB), passed 12-00
• Tacoma Resolution No. 35122 Declares an Energy Alert ( 435 KB), passed 4-3-01
• Tacoma Ordinance No. 26796 Emergency curtailment of Electric Energy ( 309 KB), passed 4-3-01
• Thurston County Energy Conservation Information Provided to Employees
• Whatcom County Executive Memorandum ( 208 KB), dated 2-9-01
• Whitman County Energy Press Release, dated 2-7-01

Energy Supply Market Rate Information

• BPA Power Business Line
  • Current Power Rates

Long Term Policies

• King County Policy Establishing a County Energy Policy and Task Force for Energy Efficiency, Conservation, and Cost Savings
• Seattle City Green Building - Department of Planning and Development
• State Offices
  • Washington Energy Site Evaluation Council
  • Washington State Energy Policy Division - Office of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (CTED)
  • Washington State General Administration, Facilities Engineering Services Resource Efficiency Management