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<br />88 <br />Page 7 <br /> <br />II. GOAL: Improve Energy Efficiency in the Residential Built Environment and Stimulate <br />Household Demand for Energy Retrofits and Upgrades (energy audits, energy retrofits and renewable <br />energy systems). <br /> <br />Market: <br /> <br />Bu iI dings/Resident ial <br /> <br />Program Year: 2009 <br /> <br />Term: 09/2009-08/2012 <br /> <br />Estimated Annual C02 Emissions Reduced: <br /> <br />750 Metric Tons2 <br /> <br />Description: <br /> <br />Electricity and natural gas consumption in Redwood City homes, businesses, industries and public <br />institutions (including the City government) results in approximately 225,533 metric tons C02e <br />(MTC02e) per year emitted into the atmosphere - about 43 percent of Redwood City's total GHG <br />emissions. The energy consumed in Redwood City homes contributes about 44 % of total emissions <br />from building energy use. Natural gas consumption, mostly for space and water heating, is by far <br />the largest source of emissions related to building energy use. Given this, achieving significant <br />reductions in residential sector GHG emissions requires substantial public and private investment in <br />energy efficiency. These initial investments will result in substantial cost savings, will encourage <br />investment in the local economy and will create job opportunities over time. <br /> <br />To spur C02 reductions and stimulate job creation, Redwood City will implement a community energy <br />education campaign. The Campaign will provide residents with education and tools to empower <br />households to make informed choices that significantly reduce their energy consumption. Our <br />strategies include free home energy audits, referrals to commercial home energy retrofit providers, and <br />access to financing mechanisms for energy efficiency upgrades. <br /> <br />1. Implement Acterra's Green @ Home -free home energy audit program <br /> <br />Green@Home is a program of Acterra, a local non-profit organization. Green@Home is a proven <br />home energy efficiency program that addresses climate change by reducing residential energy use <br />and thus C02 emissions. Utilizing social marketing approaches, Green@Home not only installs <br />. specific, measurable energy-saving devices, but it educates residents about the importance of <br />conservation and creates a social motivation that encourages residents to take further action on <br />their own. <br /> <br />The Green@Home program leverages the power of individuals to create a tipping point that shifts <br />residential energy consumption habits. Volunteers are recruited from Redwood City neighborhoods <br />and other nearby communities to perform simple energy-saving retrofits and provide free home <br /> <br />2 Number based on actions taken by households participating in Green@Home audit program and related <br />workshops, does not take into account those energy reductions taken in conjunction with other Redwood City <br />sponsored programs. <br /> <br />4 <br />