I. Current State

In 1981 local citizens, policy-makers, business people, educators and technical experts developed 'Energy Future Santa Cruz,' to explore alternative energy futures for Santa Cruz County. Of the sixteen "Priorities for Action' which were identified by the Advisory Board, over half have been implemented.1

Implemented Actions:

1. Establish curbside recycling.
2. Enforce the new State Energy Conservation Codes.
3. Establish reasonable quotas for water use similar to the energy lifeline rates.
4. Explore setting up rail service both within the county and to the Santa Clara Valley via Watsonville, as well as other routes. (See Transportation chapter]
5. Carry out energy audits of the buildings used by commercial businesses and county government buildings.
6. Assess the potential for local waste products to be made into alcohol or methane fuels.
7. Produce locally a larger portion of the food that is consumed in the county.
8. Determine the feasibility of alternative sewage treatment systems that could recover energy, nutrients, and water.
9. Set up energy improvements in local government budgets.
10. Establish the concept of 'resource base carrying capacity" as the basis for use planning and decision making.
11. Include energy improvements in local government budgets.

Actions Partially Implemented:

1. Set up a local energy financing authority to provide low cost financing for solar and energy conservation.
2. Establish ordinances requiring certain energy conservation measures to be included in homes before they can be sold.
3. Modify the utility energy audits to install low cost energy saving measures in the home rather than just making recommendations.
4. Establish an industrial energy use committee.
5. Improve energy efficiency in local agriculture through an agricultural energy efficiency specialist and a major study of local agricultural energy use.

In sixteen years Santa Cruz County has successfully implemented strategies to increase energy conservation and to develop alternative energy resources. 'Energy Future Santa Cruz" however, symbolizes only the beginning of a long path towards greater energy self-sustainability. Santa Cruz has great potential to expand its commitment to the protection of the global environment by encouraging its citizens to actively participate in energy conservation. This chapter examines many ways in which government, businesses and the public can work together towards achieving common goals.

Solar Power

Less than 10"/o of buildings in Santa Cruz County use solar energy panels for water heating or electric power. Over 50% of homes could have solar hot water. The main barrier to wider public use of solar energy is lack of public awareness, low energy prices, and the initial high cost for some types of solar technologies. The cost of installing a solar hot water heating system commercially can be as high as $3,000 compared with under $300 for installing a gas or electric water heater.2 However, it is possible to install solar hot water heating systems for a few hundred dollars by doing it yourself, and there are sources for information in our County.3

Challenges and Problems to Overcome:

1. How to increase public knowledge and concern regarding energy waste in our everyday lives.
2. How to encourage people to reduce energy consumption and increase the use of renewable forms of energy, particularly in view of the restructuring of the utility industry, which promises lower prices.
3. How to foster a creative problem-solving approach to energy consumption that will translate to every area of living.
4. How to develop renewable energy resources that are economically viable.
5. How to monitor energy generated out of state but sold for consumption in California.
6. How to develop technology which will be cheaper and replace the need to install the $80 million scrubbers at Moss Landing, which use ammonia, a toxic chemical that is difficult to dispose. [See section IV]
7. How to finance programs and new equipment.

II. Desired State

A. Renewable energy providing most of the energy for Santa Cruz County.

B. Every building renovation will exceed State Energy Efficiency Guidelines by 50%.

C. 50% reduction in industrial, commercial and transportation energy use.

D. All students at school, college and university learn about renewable energy.

III. Goals for the Year 2000

A. Decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 20% through increased energy efficiency and increased use of renewable energy sources to slow global warming.

B. Reduce home energy use by 30%, industrial and commercial energy use by 35% & transportation energy use by 40%.4

C. Increase the energy input by solar energy to 10% of total building energy consumption.

IV. What Has Been Done

A. The establishment of the Rising Sun Energy Center (RSEC) which provides educational resources to students, teachers, building professionals and the public. RSEC operates the locally successful Adopt-A-Business Energy Conservation Program (AAB). AAB has received a Special Recognition Award from the US DOE, under the 1995 National Awards Program for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

B. Community Action Board's Energy Services program provides no cost insulation and weatherization services to households on limited incomes and assists disabled, seniors, and other eligible households in receiving utility assistance payment through a program called HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program).

C. In 1990 -voters passed Santa Cruz County Measure C (The Decade of the Environment Referendum) specifying actions on: global warming & renewable energy sources, protection of the ozone layer, offshore oil drilling, protection & restoration of our forests, greenbelt protection & preservation, recycling, toxic & radioactive materials, endangered species & biological diversity, development of a sustainable local economy, and managed growth & development. There is an annual review process with the Board of Supervisors, which provides the public an opportunity to give input.

D. The County of Santa Cruz has retrofitted approximately six of its buildings, the largest of which is the County Government. Center (resulting in an annual savings of 175,000 kilowatts).

E. The Californian Public Utilities Commission has mandated that PG&E purchase power generated from their customers renewable energy systems.

F. PG&E pays a cash rebate to builders and owner/builders who install state-of-the-art cooling equipment and materials. (PG&E Progress, August 1991).

G. The PG&E Showcase Home in Aptos, designed by Lindal Cedar Homes, shows how to make a home 40 - 50% more energy efficient than currently required by the state's stringent Title 24 home energy standards.5

H. In 1993 the Moss Landing power plant shifted over to using natural gas. In December 1996 it installed clean burners which reduced emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) from 15 tons to 11 tons. In the year 2000 and 2001, high-tech 'scrubbers' will be installed on smokestacks, effectively reducing emissions to 2 tons. (Clean burners were installed in the short term because they cost $20 million compared with $80 million for the 'scrubbers').6

I. Consumers can buy an energy efficient refrigerator which uses 25% to 50% less energy than 1993 federal standards allow, without using ozone-damaging cloroflourocarbons (CFCs). If Enron proceeds, consumers may be able to purchase electricity produced by a solar power plant in the southern Nevada desert .7

K. The Household EcoTeam Program helped participants to reduce energy use as one of six action areas. The program is now handled by Ecology Action and in the process of transitioning to a locally-based program called EarthTeams.

V. Suggested Actions for Further Progress

A. To increase the percentage of homes using solar energy, the government could provide incentives for landlords and homeowners to install solar heating &/or solar electric power. These incentives could take the form of lower property taxes, building assessment reduction, long-term loans with payments related to the amount saved by the installation, direct financial aid, assistance in installing equipment, long-term payment programs and an equipment subsidy.

B. Seek to pass legislation that would require new buildings to install some form of solar energy.

C. Change building code, requiring domestic & commercial buildings to use solar energy and insulation for increased efficiency.

D. Landlords could be encouraged to install solar equipment and energy conservation approaches if they are allowed to offset installation costs by raised rents of approximately the same amount as gas &/or electric bill savings.

E. Find ways to create capital for installation of solar energy equipment on every feasible home. F. Reduce the cost of installing solar energy panels for solar heating and electric power.

G. Work with the county and appropriate economic development and finance professionals to establish a coordinated public/private financing program for conservation, retrofit and sustainability-orientated businesses.

H. Use of the energy rating system to measure the efficiency of a home. At present this system exists but it is not being used. (e.g. the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) and the California Home Energy Efficiency System (CHEERS) developed by the State of California. This system would be valuable in evaluating the progress of energy conservation)

I. Investigate the feasibility of adopting an Energy Tax targeted at funding alternative modes of transportation and conservation.

J. Encourage businesses, schools and non-profit organizations to participate in the Sustainable Business Quality Awards program and the Sustainable Community Resource Directory.

K Encourage the county to do a cost analysis of how much money is spent on energy in Santa Cruz County and the savings that could be made through implementing various programs.

L. Encourage businesses and schools to join with the county in developing and carrying out Energy Audits. Support the Adopt-A-Business Energy Conservation Program to encourage conservation and to educate and train youth. [See Rising Sun Energy Center (RSEC) in Section VI]

M. Increase federal funding into research in solar, geothermal, hydropower and wind energy, energy conservation and technology to reduce emissions from power plants which use fossil fuels.

N. Encourage sponsorship of contests to develop efficient new equipment and technology to improve energy efficiency.

O. Establish an 'Energy Supermarket' in downtown Santa Cruz that would have information about energy conservation and solar energy equipment on display. Raise capital and financial support for this demonstration store and staff, that will be economically self sustaining. This could be incorporated with the RSEC.

P. Sponsor workshops with hands-on training in energy efficiency actions.

Q. Increase media coverage on energy conservation, by starting a creative, problem-solving, listener-supported radio talk show and a newspaper column.

R. Legalize and farm hemp as a national energy resource.

S. Put continued pressure on California Public Utilities Commission to provide energy efficiency incentives for power that is generated from 'green' sources.

T. Continue to give attention to the annual review process of Santa Cruz County Measure C [See Section IV].

U. Implement 'Priorities for Action" which have not been fully implemented [See Section 11.]

VI. Useful Resources and References

Resources - Solar Power -Renewable Energy Sources

• Rising Sun Energy Center (RSEC): Michael Arenson, Dir., P.O. Box 2874 'Santa Cruz, CA 95063; Tel: (408) 423-8749 (offers educational services to teachers & students, building professionals, and the public, including presentations, workshops, and a lending library). Additional funding is needed.
• Harris Hydroelectric: Don Harris, 632 Swanton Road Davenport, CA 95017; Tel: (408) 425-7652 (manufactures and installs small-scale hydroelectric power systems worldwide).
• So-Luminaire Daylighting Systems: Paul Nevins, 107 Glenview Santa Cruz, CA 95060; Tel: (408) 426-5157 (designs and installs energy-efficient lighting systems, incorporating state-of-the-art technology and day lighting).
• Eco-Goods, 1130 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95060; Tel: (408) 429-5758; Fax: 429-5657 (sells energy conservation and solar energy products).
• Real Goods, 555 Leslie St., Ukiah, CA 95482; Tel: (800) 762-7325 (sells solar energy products).
• American Solar Energy Society, 2400 Central Ave. #Gl, Boulder, CO 80301-2843; Tel: (303) 443-3130 (This organization publishes Solar Today Magazine).
• Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC), Tel: (800)DOE-EREC (363-3732); Fax: (703) 893-0400; Email: doe..erecgnciinc-com; Web for EREN (Network): http://www.eren.doe-gov.
• PG&E Showcase Homes in Aptos designed by Lindal Cedar Homes.

Resources - Conservation

• Adopt-A-Business Energy Conservation Program: Michael Arenson, Director, Rising Sun Energy Center, P.O. Box 2874, Santa Cruz, CA 95063; Tel: (408) 423-8749 (helps schools and businesses reduce their energy use and expenses, and gives high school students hands-on experience with energy conservation).
• Community Action Board/Energy Services: Dennis Osmer, Energy Programs, 501 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062; (408) 457-1741; fax: 426-3345 (provides no-,cost or low-cost energy services for low-income families & senior citizens).
• County of Santa Cruz: Steve Bailey, Energy Manager; General Services Department, Tel: (408) 454-2210; 701 Ocean St., Rm. 330, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 (The County of Santa Cruz has implemented a variety of energy- efficiency programs, including lighting retrofits for county facilities and methane production at the county landfill).

Documentation Sources

1. Energy Future - Santa Cruz. A Citizen's Plan For Energy Self-Reliance.

2. "Scientists keeping energy flame alive," Santa Cruz Sentinel, 11 /3/96.

3. Psychophysics Lab, Buryl Payne, Ph.D., (408) 462-1588.

4. Agenda for the Green Decade: Global Environmental Action Goals, p.132, in agreement with Worldwatch Institute.

5. "An emphasis on efficiency," Santa Cruz Sentinel, 6/16/93.

6. PG&E balks at clean-air plan," San Jose Mercury 5/9/95; 'Moss Landing power plant begins cutting emissions," San Jose Mercury 8/17/95.

7. .nron invests $150 million to show solar power can compete with oil,' San Jose Mercury News, 11/20/94.

Contributors: Chairperson Buryl Payne, Michael Arenson, Helen Eidemiller, Ian Thiermann, Frank DeWinter, Steve Bailey, Rob Wheeler, Bob Schwarz, James Ogle, John Earth, Michael Hallis, & Katrina Penfold. (Compiled and edited by: Jeanne Nordland)