P8-Local-Government

1. Local Government

Economic benefits will accrue as energy conservation and efficiency initiatives reduce operating costs. Strategies that support energy-saving measures for businesses and residents will reduce energy expenditures and keep more money in the local economy.

Local government strategies can also establish energy policies that bolster energy-related business opportunities for suppliers, builders and funding institutions.

1.1 Property-assessed Financing

Action
Pursue the development of county, municipal and/or special district Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs to finance renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements for local property owners as authorized with the passage in 2008 of H.B. 1350 (C.R.S. 30-20-601.5 and C.R.S. 31-25-500.2).

Implementation
Implementing a PACE program requires voter approval to issue bonds to finance clean energy improvements for property owners.

Qualifying improvements would be determined locally and could include insulation, windows and doors, automatic energy control systems, HVAC systems, caulking and weather-stripping, energy efficient lighting, passive lighting, energy-recovery systems, geothermal heat pumps solar water heating, solar thermal-electric, photovoltaic, wind, biomass, hydroelectric, geothermal-electric, bio-fuels, and/or fuel cells.

Funds for a PACE program can be generated using existing bond potential or by creating improvement districts that issue bonds. The bonds provide financing for property owners making qualifying renewable energy improvements. The borrowers then repay the loans through a special assessment on their property.

1.2 Building Codes

Action
Update existing building codes to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy for new construction and remodeling projects.

Implementation
Implementation would be at the discretion of the appropriate county and municipal authorities during code revision sessions.

Identify existing codes and principles for adoption. Examples include the International Energy Conservation Code, Built Green Colorado, Energy Star, LEED and the U.S. Department of Energy’s “Building America” program.

1.3 ENERGY STAR Partnership

Action
Continue to partner with the Governor’s Energy Office to encourage construction of ENERGY STAR certified new homes and use of ENERGY STAR appliances.

Implementation
Annually apply for program renewal with the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office to promote the benefits of ENERGY STAR certified homes. Funding is provided through a matching grant program from the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office.

1.4 Resource Development Regulations

Action
Enhance local regulations to support responsible development of renewable resources.

Implementation
Review and update special land use (1041) regulations to address potential issues associated with development of renewable energy resources.

1.5 Energy Efficiency Planning

Action
Consider energy efficiency as an important component of all future county and municipal building plans, including new construction and remodeling projects.

Implementation
Develop policies that incorporate energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy considerations as a component of all future county and municipal plans.

1.6 Climate Protection Agreements

Action
Investigate and potentially adopt climate protection agreements and initiatives.

Implementation
Consider a resolution to adopt broad-based agreements such as the Sierra Club’s Cool Cities or Mayors Climate Protection agreements as well as local and grass roots initiatives.

1.7 Community Energy Coordination

Action
Provide ongoing support for energynow efforts.

Implementation
Establish a community energy advisory board to provide guidance for the community energy coordinator and oversight of community energy initiatives.

Support the community energy coordinator hired by Chaffee County to organize and coordinate energy-related efforts among various entities and departments in Chaffee County, Buena Vista, Poncha Springs and Salida.

Initial funding for this position will be provided by the Governor’s Energy Office through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.

The energy coordinator will be responsible for implementing community outreach and education, reviewing and updating energynow on an annual basis, and positioning the county to access GEO programs and funding opportunities.

Support bi-annual assessments of greenhouse gas emissions in Chaffee County.

Enhance existing data to provide more accurate numbers for future greenhouse gas emissions assessments, including . Propane usage, . Traffic counts at county boundaries to distinguish between local and non-local traffic, and . Information on locally produced food to reflect lower emissions from food distribution.

1.8 Local Event Permits

Action
Update event applications to incorporate energy efficiency requirements, recycling and use of renewable resources.

Implementation
Update event and park use applications to incorporate conservation, energy efficiency and clean energy sources for local events such as the Chaffee County Fair, FIBArk, Gold Rush Days and holiday events.

1.9 Utility Resource Planning

Action
Increase participation in electric utility resource planning.

Implementation
Identify the fuel mix used by local electric utilities and their plans for building capacity. Identify opportunities to comment on electric utilities’ resource planning matters that affect fuel mix and, therefore, the potential to meet emissions reduction goals as outlined by energynow.