Energy

Learn
Energy - human, chemical, electric or thermal - causes things to happen. Almost every function of personal or community life requires the consumption of energy. In the past several decades, the U.S. has become increasingly dependent on fossil fuels to power our homes, schools, offices, factories and transportation systems. These fuels - coal, petroleum and natural gas - can create air pollution, water pollution, land disfiguration and increased greenhouse gas emissions. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that U.S. electricity demand will rise nearly 26 percent by 2030. Table 1 shows our major energy sources.

Table 1. U.S. Primary Energy Consumption

Source: Energy Information Administration

Scientists and policymakers at all levels are advocating for a national energy agenda that prioritizes energy efficiency and conservation. Reducing overall energy demand can save money and protect environmental resources. The development of cleaner energy sources, including renewable energy from natural sources that are naturally replenished, is also an important strategy. Renewable energy typically reduces negative environmental effects and is produced in North America. Developing U.S. energy resources has tremendous potential to create new domestic jobs. For more information about green jobs, click here.

Regional councils of governments (COGs) and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) are key players in implementing sustainable energy policies and technologies. They play an important role in evaluating energy supply and demand issues, and adopting programs to reduce energy demand. Some regional councils are developing Regional Energy Plans for their localities as well as projects to stimulate the development of new energy resources and energy efficiency measures. Regional planning organizations can play an important role in building economies of scale for the purchase of energy technologies and services. With their regional planning responsibilities and opportunities to convene local elected officials, regional councils play an essential role in advancing energy efficiency and clean energy policies.

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Explore
The annotated links below provide information on a variety of current energy topics. Please click here for related information on climate change.

A Guide to Community Solar: Utility, Private and Non-Profit Project Development

American Planning Association: The American Planning Association has released a Policy Guide on Energy on non-transportation energy issues, published a PAS Memo on energy and developed a searchable Planners Energy and Climate Database, in collaboration with the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) The database provides examples of communities (local, regional and state) that are integrating energy and climate change into land-use and other planning.

Appalachian Regional Commission: The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) released, Energy Efficiency in Appalachia: How Much More is Available, At What Cost, and By When, describing a regional approach to reducing energy use while creating new jobs.

Clean Cities: DOE's Clean Cities program features approximately 90 local and regional public-private partnerships promoting alternative fuels, advanced vehicles, fuel blends, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles and idle reduction.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: U.S. DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) website provides research, facts, programs and incentives to strengthen U.S. energy security, environmental quality and economic vitality through public-private partnerships.

Energy Information Administration: For information on U.S. energy usage, demand trends or forecasts, see the US DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Homeowners Guide to Financing a Grid-Connected Solar Electric System

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): NREL is the federal laboratory dedicated to the research, development, commercialization, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.  NREL works to bring this information to state and local governments through technical assistance opportunities, click here for more information.  In addition, NREL has published a Wind Energy Atlas, which provides maps of wind energy potential across America, and solar resource maps, displaying solar energy resource potential across America.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory: The U.S. DOE and the NREL have published a Wind Energy Atlas, which provides maps of wind energy potential across America, click here.

North American Electric Reliability Corporation: The North American Electric Reliability Corporation released the 2009 Long-Term Reliability Assessment investigating the effects of increased use of renewables, cybersecurity, the "smart grid" and siting issues on electricity transmission over the next 10 years.

Nuclear Energy Institute: Nuclear power plants produce nearly 20 percent of U.S. electricity, making it the largest source of clean-air, carbon-free electricity, producing no greenhouse gases or air pollutants in the U.S. The Nuclear Energy Institute has information on NEI's climate change initiatives, nuclear power plants' contributions to local and state economies, and sources for emission-free electricity.

Solar America Communities: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar America Communities program is designed to increase the use and integration of solar energy in communities across the United States. Through federal-local partnerships and nationwide outreach, DOE supports local governments’ efforts to accelerate adoption of solar energy. The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC), in partnership with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and the American Planning Association (APA), will provide outreach and education to local governments as part of the Solar America Communities Outreach Partnership.

Solar America Communities News: This website includes updates from the 25 Solar America Cities, its program and links to other solar-related news sources.

Solar Energy Industries Association: The Solar Energy Industries Association includes guides on implementing solar energy technologies, industry and historical information. Solar Energy International also features information on solar and other alternative energy sources in its Technology Primers.

Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments: The U.S. Department of Energy developed this comprehensive resource to assist local governments and stakeholders in building sustainable local solar markets. This second edition of the guide was updated to include new market developments and innovations for advancing local solar markets that have emerged since the first edition was released in 2009. This updated edition also contains the most recent lessons and successes from the original 25 Solar America Cities and other communities promoting solar energy.

Solar Energy Technologies Program: This website will include news and information about the U.S. DOE's Solar Program and the U.S. solar market.

The Solarize Guidebook: A Community Guide to Collective Purchasing of Residential PV Systems

SunShot Initiative - The U.S. Department of Energy's initiative to reduce the total costs of solar energy systems by about 75% before the end of the decade.

U.S. EPA's State and Local Climate and Energy Program provides technical assistance, analytical tools, and outreach support to state, local, and tribal governments on issues related to energy.

World Resources Institute: For information about carbon capture and sequestration (e.g. advanced coal technologies), see the World Resources Institute (WRI)'s papers.

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Share
Many regional planning organizations are involved in projects to increase energy efficiency and develop clean energy sources in their regions. The information below highlights some of these organizations. Please share your experiences through our survey by clicking here!

Project Title: Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments Regional Energy Inventory and Plan
Project Type: Energy Plan
Project Location: Monterey, California
Contact: AMBAG Energy Program
Project Information: The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) developed an energy inventory as part of its regional plan to reduce greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by 2020. The inventory includes local building capacities, energy conservation and efficiencies, clean renewable energy sources and distribution, and the impacts of transportation. This effort has resulted in reconnecting planning and implementation for positive environmental results throughout the region, reducing annual energy consumption by 26,000,000 kWh and implementing Green Building policies and programs. For more information, click here.

Project Title: New Berlin Energy Independence (NBEI) Project
Project Location: New Berlin, Pennsylvania
Contact: Megan Epler, Energy Specialist, 570.524.4491
SEDA-Council of Governments Energy Resource Center
Project Information: The Borough of New Berlin is home to 838 residents, located within the SEDA-Council of Governments’ (SEDA-COG) 11-county region in central Pennsylvania. In July 2009 the NBEI Committee contracted SEDA-COG’s Energy Resource Center (ERC) to provide project management and technical assistance in delivering this 3-year community-wide NBEI project. Several barriersprevent many small communities like New Berlin from engaging in similar renewable energy or energy efficiency projects, such as: lack of understanding of how and how much energy is currently used, how and how much greenhouse gas emissions being produced, paybacks associated with energy conservation measures, access to technical experts, and financial resources to invest in efficient energy equipment and energy retrofits.  The NBEI project will address all of these challenges.

The NBEI project goals are to 1.) achieve greater energy independence through energy reduction undertaken by all sectors of the community and 2.) identify cost-effective opportunities for the community to further reduce its reliance on fossil fuel-based energy through the use of locally-derived, community-scaled alternative energy sources.  In addition to mitigating climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gases, the project will provide significant short and long term economic benefits through on-going energy cost avoidance and local ownership of renewable energy for the residents, businesses, schools and other members of the New Berlin community. For more information on the project and New Berlin’s progress, please visit the NBEI Project website.

Project Title:Pioneer Valley Clean Energy Plan of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Project Type: Energy Plan
Project Location: Pioneer Valley, Springfield, Massachusetts
Contact: Catherine Miller, 413.781.6045, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Project Information: Since 1962, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) has been the designated regional planning body for the Pioneer Valley region, which encompasses 43 cities and towns in the Hampden and Hampshire county areas. The Pioneer Valley Clean Energy Plan was initiated in 2003 by analyzing local barriers to the siting of clean energy projects in the Pioneer Valley and inventorying clean energy efforts underway. In 2005, the PVPC and the Franklin Regional Council of Governments secured funding from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to develop a clean energy plan for the region. The Clean Energy Plan is part of a larger effort in the Pioneer Valley to create an ecologically sustainable region. This plan offers a path to a clean energy future, which will need to be implemented by communities, businesses, institutions and even individuals, in their homes, backyards, businesses and municipalities. The Plan establishes four goals:

1. Reduce the region's energy consumption to 2000 levels by the end of 2009 and reduce that by 15 percent between 2010-2020.
2. Site sufficient new capacity to generate 214 million kilowatt hours of clean energy annually in the Pioneer Valley by the end of 2009 and another 440 million kilowatt hours by 2020.
3. Reduce the region's greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent below year 2000 levels by 2050.
4. Create local jobs in the clean energy sector.

Based on research, expert opinions and results of a very dynamic public planning process, the plan endorses specific action items for immediate implementation by key target audiences, including: municipalities, energy committees, regional planning agencies, businesses, nonprofits/advocacy groups, educational institutions, individuals and Massachusetts legislators and policy makers.

For a PDF of the complete plan and appendices, click HERE.

Project Title: SANDAG Regional Energy Strategy
Project Type: Energy Plan
Project Location: San Diego, California
Contact: Susan Freedman, Senior Regional Energy Planner, 619-699-7387
Project Information: The San Diego Association of Government's Regional Energy Strategy (RES) established goals for the region to be more energy efficient, increase use of renewable energy sources and enhance the region's energy infrastructure to meet the region's growing energy demand. A 5-year RES Update, scheduled to be completed in late 2009, will:

• assess performance measures
• address regional transportation energy issues
• integrate land use/transportation planning with energy planning
• address climate change

The 2009 Regional Energy Strategy (RES) will include energy assessments for the region's electricity, natural gas and transportation sectors and provide policy recommendations to reduce energy consumption and reduce the region's reliance on fossil fuels.

SANDAG Regional Energy Planning documents:

• Regional Energy Infrastructure Study, 2002
• Regional Energy Plan, 1994
• Developing a Regional Energy Plan: Models and Considerations, November 2007
• Background Report on General Plan Energy Elements, October 2007
• RES: Analysis of the Existing Plan and Update Opportunities, October 2007
• Background Report on Regional Energy Plans, October 2007

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Act

Lead by Example: Government, at all levels, has the chance to lead by example by increasing the efficiency of its own buildings and operations and purchasing renewable energy.

EPA Energy Star Program: To learn about ways to implement energy efficiency on the government level from the EPA's Energy Star program, click here. The program also provides calculators and tools to assist residential customers reduce their energy costs and consumption through EnergySavers.gov, information on Home Energy Audits, and much more.

Green Power Partnership: Click here for information from the Green Power Partnership, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program to facilitate local government purchase of renewable energy.

Promote Community-Wide Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: Through regional planning, programs, and policies, regional councils can help spur energy efficiency and clean energy activities throughout their regions.

Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency: The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) is a searchable, user-friendly tool for finding state and local incentives for pursuing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

Solar America Cities: U.S. DOE's Solar America Cities program developed a comprehensive resource for local governments and stakeholders, Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments, with information on benefits, implementation tips, examples and additional resources for solar energy policies and programs.

Technical Assistance Project: U.S. DOE's Technical Assistance Project (TAP) for Local and State Officials provides access to experts at DOE laboratories for assistance with state and local renewable energy or energy efficiency policies and programs.

Implement a Green Building Program: Regional planning organizations can play a key role in encouraging local governments to implement green building policies.

Playbook for Green Buildings and + Neighborhoods: To learn about green building options for local governments check out the Playbook for Green Buildings + Neighborhoods, developed by a consortium of more than 20 local governments, non-profit organizations, government agencies and utilities.

Establish Innovative Financing: Energy investments made today may not reap financial savings till months or years down the road. To secure up-front capital funding to support energy improvements, regions may way to utilize innovative financing strategies, such as the techniques listed below.

Energy Performance Contracting - information from the U.S. EPA

Energy Service Company (ESCO) - information from NAESCO

Public Private Partnerships - examples from the U.S. and abroad from the Climate Group

Revolving Energy Loan Funds - information from a DOE webcast; a legislative initiative from Montgomery County, MD (Washington, DC region) to establish a home energy loan program

Regional Examples

Denver Regional Council of Governments has developed a Regional Sustainability section on its website, featuring programs, policies and suggestions for local governments. Their Regional Sustainability Resources listing includes over 100 publications, organized by subject.

Susquehanna Economic Development Association Council of Governments' (SEDA-COG) Energy Resource Center provides information on energy conservation for residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other regional stakeholders. Click here to see a list of upcoming workshops and seminars.

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News

U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy EERE News:
DOE Launches Online Resource to Help Local Governments Expand Use of Solar Energy
October 15, 2009 -- The U.S. Department of Energy today announced the availability of a new online resource for local governments that assists community leaders and local stakeholders in building sustainable local solar markets. The online publication, Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments, provides local governments with proven best practices enabling them to drive economic development, support clean energy jobs, and reduce carbon emissions by building a robust local solar market.

"The Guide is based on successful projects in cities across the United States, bringing together information, best practices, and step-by-step instructions into a single resource that can help local governments accelerate the adoption of solar technologies," said Solar Energy Technologies Program Manager John Lushetsky. "The recommendations in the Guide have been successfully field tested in cities around the country, making it a valuable resource for any community that wants to reap the environmental and economic benefits of solar energy."

The publication outlines best practices and lessons learned from 25 Solar America Cities and other local governments across the nation that have successfully increased solar energy use in their communities. It also describes the country's most innovative solar programs and policies, explains the benefits, provides implementation tips, and includes brief case studies.

The best practices outlined in the Guide have been designed to meet the needs of local governments from small municipalities to large counties and metropolitan centers in diverse geographic areas. Topics included in the Guide include: strategies for solar initiatives, incentives, updating and enforcing local rules and regulations, engaging utilities, creating solar jobs and supporting economic development, outreach and education, and leading by example by installing solar on government buildings.

Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments is available on the Solar America Cities Web site.

For more information about the Solar America Cities visit the Solar America Cities Web site.

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Call For Projects
Share Your Regional Council's Energy Plan Projects and Experiences:
We invite you to share your experiences with others interested in energy plan projects. Click HERE to submit your best practices to NARC through our brief online survey.

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© 2008 National Association of Regional Councils.