San Joaquin Valley Partnership Program December, 2009 Focus: San Joaquin Valley kWh and peak kW reductions
This Month’s Major Accomplishments: Seven of the eight Partner jurisdictions held Holiday Light Exchanges for their residents. The City of Visalia issued a press release on behalf of all Partners and received local media attention in the forms of TV, website, radio, and print media. Jurisdictions reported mixed outcomes for the exchange. Four jurisdictions gave out all lights, for a total exchange of just over 800 strands. Jurisdictions worked with the local Community Services Employment Training (CSET) office to recycle the copper wire in the incandescent strands, to create recycling program for the event. City of Porterville received notice that they have cleared obstacles blocking receipt of their EECBG funds. When these funds are received the city will be able to complete projects to lower energy consumption. Professional Exchange continued work with Jurisdictions to wrap up web site development. Web site pages will be sent to the utilities for review and comment after the first of the year. The City of Visalia submitted an application for the State Energy Program Comprehensive Residential Building Retrofit Grant as the lead jurisdiction, representing the VIEW partner jurisdictions. Key Issues or Emerging Concerns: All partner jurisdictions continue to be concerned about losing marketing and outreach dollars. The group consensus remains that locally based outreach efforts are more effective because of regional diversity, and local understanding of the market. Concern arose regarding AB811 funding, and the home equity levels that are required. The high poverty, and depth of economic devastation to the region precludes a large number of residents from being eligible. Partners asked the utilities to provide more information on the bill and requirements. Upcoming Milestones Applications for EECBG funding will be submitted, bringing outside funding sources into the Partnership. Marketing and Outreach committee will begin budget planning for community outreach events.