Skip to main content Skip to site navigation

Institute for Local Government

Menu Menu

Energy Efficiency & Conservation Resources

Post

These resources will help inform your energy efficiency and conservation activities. Resources include links to organizations, state and federal agencies, tools, guides and tip sheets to support your work. You’ll also find examples of programs and materials from cities and counties.

 

Related Links

General

Alliance to Save Energy

The Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit coalition of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders. It undertakes research, educational programs, and policy advocacy, designs and implements energy-efficiency projects, promotes technology development and deployment, and builds public-private partnerships, in the U.S. and other countries.

General

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency. 

2020 Community Resilience Planning and Clean Energy Initiatives: A Review of City-Led Efforts for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Post

Benchmarking Made Easy
A users guide to benchmarking facilities through the EPA Energy Star Portfolio Manager

Developed by the San Joaquin Valley Energy Leader Partnership, aka Valley Innovative Energy Watch (VIEW).

General

California Energy Commission Energy Efficiency Financing

The California Energy Commission’s Energy Efficiency Financing Program provides financing for schools, hospitals and local governments through low-interest loans for feasibility studies and the installation of energy-saving measures.

General

California Energy Commission Energy Partnership Program

For communities seeking financial help with greening public buildings, the California Energy Commission offers low-interest loans up to $3 million per project for incorporation of energy-saving components in planned buildings or retrofits to existing facilities. Free technical assistance is also available to cities and counties for energy efficiency planning for public facilities.

General

California Municipal Utility Association

The California Municipal Utility Association features links to individual municipal utilities in California.

Post

City of Antioch’s Lighting Retrofit Project

The City of Antioch is implementing a city-wide $4.65 million lighting retrofit project that is expected to reduce energy costs by $500,000 annually.

Post

Climate Change: Increasing City Buildings’ Energy Efficiency – Nine Questions City Officials Should Ask

As energy costs rise and widespread concern about climate change increases, cities can limit their greenhouse gas emissions and save money by reducing energy use in municipal buildings and investing in energy efficiency. This article explores questions city officials should ask about energy use and efficiency so they can make informed decisions about city buildings.

General

Cool California Climate Action Resource Guide

CoolCalifornia.org is the one-stop-shop for all Californians filled with quick, easy-to-use and reliable tools that Californians need to save money and reduce their impact on the climate, including tools and resources for conducting a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and developing a climate action related plan.

General

DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency)

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Post

Energy Aware Facility Siting and Permitting Guide (2011 Edition)

The Energy Aware Facility Siting and Permitting Guide is an update of an earlier guide developed by the Energy Commission in the 1990s. This most recent guide assists local governments with developing general plan energy and transmission elements and provides guidance on utility-scale electricity generation and transmission planning and permitting.

Post

Energy Aware Planning Guide (2011 Edition)

The Energy Aware Planning Guide, developed by the California Energy Commission in 1993 and updated in 2011, is a comprehensive resource for local governments seeking to reduce energy use, improve energy efficiency, and increase usage of renewable energy across all sectors.

Post

Energy Efficiency Award for Chula Vista New Affordable Rental Housing Project

The Los Vecinos Affordable Rental Housing development in Chula Vista is an example of promoting energy efficiency in new developments.

Pod

Financing Sustainability Resource Center

ILG’s financing sustainability resource center includes resources to help local agencies finance and support sustainability activities, including links to utility and state agency programs, white papers and tip sheets.

General

Flex Your Power

Flex Your Power offers a information about energy efficiency, climate change, and a database of energy conservation rebates, incentives and services searchable by California zip code.

Post

Local Government Retrocommissioning Toolkit

The California Sustainability Alliance’s Local Government Retrocommissioning (RCx) Toolkit was created to help local government staff develop and implement a municipal facility retrocommissioning program.

Post

Multifamily Building Energy Efficiency Solutions

The Building Energy Efficiency Solutions (BEES) Project was a joint project between the Cities of Berkeley, Oakland and Emeryville aimed at developing innovative strategies to increase energy efficiency, improve occupant comfort and safety, and lower utility bills in our communities’ apartment buildings, cooperatives and condos. BEES was a 2-year project that wrapped up in December 2012.

General

Pacific Gas and Electric Company – Rebates, Programs and Services for Commercial Customers

Learn about Pacific Gas and Company’s energy rebates, programs and services for commercial customers.

General

Pasadena Water and Power Green Links

Quick links to the City of Pasadena’s water & power green programs.

Post

Redwood City’s Local Ordinance Exceeds the 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards

The City of Redwood City has adopted local ordinances that are more stringent than the 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards. These ordinances were approved by the California Energy Commission on May 5, 2010.

General

San Jose Municipal Energy Program

The Energy Group, housed in the Sustainability and Compliance Division of the Environmental Services Department, is working to help the City reduce energy usage in city departments and the community.

Post

San Jose’s LED Street Light Project
As reported in the Wall Street Journal

“The Old Streetlamp of the Past Gets Updated for a Green Future,” by Rebecca Smith, Wall Street Journal, April 22, 2009.

General

Santa Monica’s SRO Green Building — Colorado Court

The plan is for this 44-unit single-resident occupancy housing project to be 100% energy self-sufficient using a mix of green building and energy efficiency techniques and solar photovoltaic generation. Visit the website to learn more.

Post

SDG&E Summary of Efficiency Support and Financing Programs

This guide provides information about rebates, bill credits and incentives to upgrade equipment and reduce energy use.

Resource

Spotlighting Energy Efficiency in California Communities

As California’s communities seek ways to maximize resources in economically challenging times, energy efficiency offers a number of money-saving advantages. Cities and counties are making great strides in reducing energy use at agency facilities through traditional building audits and retrofits. At the same time, they are advancing community energy efficiency through collaboration and outreach activities.

Post

Southern California Gas Company Summary of Efficiency Support and Financing Programs

This guide provides information about rebates and incentives for energy-efficient equipment and business practices, zero-percent financing for qualifying energy projects, and tools to monitor energy usage.

General

Southern California Edison – Rebates and Savings

Learn about Southern California Edison’s energy efficiency programs for local agencies.

Post

South San Francisco Energy Efficiency Home Remodel

A typical small family house was transformed into a warm, dry, comfortable, healthier home.

Post

The Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition

The Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition unites California cities and counties to shape regulatory policy and utility programs by speaking with one strong voice; stay informed and effective on energy issues; learn best practices from the experts and each other; reduce their own energy costs; and develop long-term energy strategies.

Post
Image of SEEC Logo

The Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative

The Beacon Award program is part of the Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative (SEEC). SEEC provides support to cities and counties to help them reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy. SEEC is an alliance between three statewide non-profit organizations and California’s four Investor-Owned Utilities. It builds upon the unique resources, expertise and local agency relationships of each partner.

General

Ventura County Build It Smart

An information & news web site designed to encourage energy and resource-efficient building practices & land use decision, with a focus on Ventura County.

General

Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance

Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance is a joint powers agency composed of public agencies working in collaboration to approach the availability, reliability, conservation and innovative use of energy resources in the Ventura County region.

Share this page

This item also appears in

Post

Log in

Commands