Consider authorizing a letter of participation in the South Bay Communities and Affiliates Energy Efficiency Program.

The California Public Utilities Commission has developed a new program of funding innovative energy efficiency programs for the State’s residents, businesses and public buildings. The South Bay Cities Standing Committee on Energy, consultant Rita Norton & Associates, and the City of Redondo Beach developed a proposal that would benefit the residents of South Bay Cities. The South Bay Communities and Affiliates Energy Efficiency Program (SBCA) was awarded a grant of approximately $1.9 million to provide energy efficiency education, outreach and financial incentives in order to achieve energy efficiency in approximately 15,000 households in the South Bay area.

All members of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments are eligible to participate in the South Bay Communities and Affiliates Energy Efficiency Program (SBCA). The program will set up an office and hire staff to provide marketing and technical resources to assist residents in reducing energy use and taking advantage of the rebates available through the CPUC. Interested cities are asked to commit to supporting the program through activities such as, providing an online link on the City’s website, distributing promotional materials, assisting with outreach to local retailers, serving on program advisory committees and facilitating workshops in the community. In return, cities will have access to resources and incentives to Energy Usage Education and Energy Star products under the SBCA Program through the end of 2003. Preference will be given to the communities that provide "in-kind" assistance in terms of promotion, staffing fairs and community events and other assistance.

In order to participate in the planning and implementation phases of the SBCA Program, interested cities are asked to send a letter of commitment to support the Program and to designate a staff member as a contact person for the City’s participation in the SBCA Program.

Attached is an executive summary of the SBCA Program highlighting the program benefits, budget and implementation time frame.

Other than "in-kind" staff support, no financial commitments from the City are required to participate in the SBCA program.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED
Gina A. Park
Senior Administrative Analyst

REVIEWED
Les Evans
City Manager

1. Correspondence from Redondo Beach Mayor announcing SBCA Program.
2. Executive Summary of the SBCA Program.
3. Draft Letter for Mayor’s Signature.

August 7, 2002
Mayor Greg Hill
City of Redondo Beach
415 Diamond Street
Redondo Beach Ca 90277

RE: South Bay Communities and Affiliates Energy Efficiency Program

Dear Mayor Hill:

This letter confirms the interest of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes in participating in the South Bay Communities and Affiliates Energy Efficiency Program and designates the following staff person as the contact for our City for all information concerning this program:

Gina Park, Senior Administrative Analyst
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
30940 Hawthorne Boulevard
Rancho Palos Verdes CA 90275
310-544-5206

F) 310-544-5291

My understanding is that your program will provide residential outreach, education and financial incentives (in the form of rebate coupons) to encourage the selection of energy-efficient appliances.

The program, which will be administered by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) and Rita Norton & Associates, Program Manager, will encompass single family and multi-family residential occupancies. The program will provide marketing and technical resources to assist residents in reducing energy use and taking advantage of the rebates available through the CPUC.

I understand that as a participating city, our city makes the commitment to support the program through activities such as, providing links to the program on City web pages, distributing promotional material, assisting with outreach to local retailers, serving on program advisory committees, facilitating workshops at community centers, etc., as needed and as appropriate for our City.

I am authorized by my City, and I am pleased to forward this letter of interest.

Sincerely,
John McTaggart
Mayor