AgdaPkt 2010-03-22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7A Page 35 DRAFT-Wili be updated and provided in color for March 22"d Council meeting ��i. �x��r.��t��€��h:,��€�i�,��y��6�� ,��i�i ��iE��€wfir��tt�;�E:��«�;';�� tar��s.x�� ��$�� :c��r�.��€�vi��t��e��:a�€� ��'ss�.r��;:�,_.�.��:�-�� Electricity and natural gas eonsumptian in Redwaod City homes,businesses,industries and public institu�ions(including City government)results in approximately 317,496 metric tons COze(MTCOze)per year emitted into the atmosphere—about�47 percent of Redwood City's total GHG emissions.The energy cansumed in Redwood City homes contributes about 31%of tota!em�ssians from building energy.Natural gas cansumptaon, mostly far space and water heating,is by far the iargest source of emissions related ta building energy use.Given this, achieving significant reductions in residential sector GHG emissions requires substantial public and private investment in energy efficiency.These initial investments wilE result in significant cost savings,will encourage investment in the local economy and will create job oppor�unities over time. To spur COz reductions and stimulate jab creation,the City of Redwood City will implement a community energy educatio�campaign.The Campaign wilf of#er residents with information and programs to empower households to mafce informed choices that significantly reduce their energy consumption.Program s�rategies include free home energy audits, referrals to commercial home energy retrofit providers,and access to financing mechanisms for energy efficiency upgrades. For these efForts to be effective residents must make use of these opportunities to bring about behavior change in the community. lmplemerti Acterr�'s Green @ Wame—residentia�l�nergy efficienc�prvgram Green@Home is a program of Acterra,a local non-profit organization.Green@Home is a prove� home energy efficiency program that addresses climate change by reducing residential energy use and thus COZ emissions.Utilizing social marketing approaches,Green@Home feverages the power of individ�aals to create a tipping point that shifts residential energy consumption habits. The pragr�m uses trained volunteers recruited from Redwaod City neighborhaocfs and other nearby communi�fes to perfarm simple energy-saving retrofits and provide free hame energy audits to Redwood City residents.The program offers its services to renters and homeowners free of charge.During scheduled household visits,known as HouseCalls,volunteers look far ways that residents can save on their utility bills and install energy saving devices. Residents work with the volunteers to create a personafized Energy Savings Plan that lists the upgrades that have been made and makes specific energy-saving suggestions that the residents agree to implement on their own.To further encourage follow through,Green@�lorr►e�olunteers follaw- up with residents two months after the HouseCall to check on their progress. Green@Home is also a community awareness program,Social scientists have found that peopie are more likeky to adopt environmentally positive behaviors when ifiey perceive that o�ers are doing so,too.To achieve this,Green@Home distributes colorful yard signs that say,"We're savi�g energy—and maney,tvo!"to all HouseCall recipients.The sign invites others to participate and,is designed�a create an"energy-saving bandwagon"effect among residents. Green@Home staff will also ofFer do-it-yourself(DIY)workshops for the Redwood City community.DIY workshaps present the basic infarmation provided to Green@Nome trainees, and aiso provide training on weather-stripping and a�pliance maintenante techniques that improve efficiency.