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7A Page 37 DRA�T-Wi�l be updated and provided in color for March 22nd Council meeting Implementation of the City's Community Climate Actian Pian will include providing education to the community on the use of renewable energy and identification of opportunities where feasible ta develop small-scale,distrib�ted energy(e.g.so[ar power,wind,cogeneration, biomass)ta red�ce the amount of electri�ity drawn from the regional power gricf.A focus an renewable energy wffl help reduce greenhouse gas emissions whiie providing Redwood City with a greater degree of energy self-suffciency. Recognize Hous�holds for Their Energy Saving Accarr�plishments Recognitian for a job well done inspires individuals and groups to take balder steps to reduce their energy consumption. Recognition is afso an effective marketing tool that builds momentum and community wide involvement.Redwoad City will recognize residents with awards presented at City Council meetings,periodic newslet�er and/or newspaper articles highlighting � accomplishments and with prize awards. Offer E`nergy-Saving Resources and Financing Mechanisms Consumer education and recog�itior�are critical to invoiving a broad cross-section of the community in making sound energy conservation decisions.Another identi�ied barrier ta ac�on is access to financing,particularly for large scafe home energy retrofits and instalEation af renewabEe energy and photovoltaic systems.As part of our community wide energy conservation efforts,the City will identify and offer,a suite of energy-saving resources and financing mechanisms to assist praperty owners to implement their hausehold energy conservation ptans, These include: • Suppart collaboration among providers of home energy efficiency programs in the community,Identify and articulate a continuum of services based on income eligibility • Suppart joint marketing efforts of existir�g energy conservation and weatherization services current[y ofFered to low income community members as part of the Ciry's community wide energy education cam�aign . Partner with Pacific Gas and Electric(PG&E)ancf San Mateo County Energy Watch to inform residents about rate payer rebates and energy conservation programs . Partner with local businesses to o�fer coupons ta Green@Wome participants to purchase energy efficiency appliances,weafiherization materials,rain catchment systems,etc. Until recently,there were iwo main hurdies to solar and energy efficiency instafiation that State and federa!subsidies did not address: high up-front casts,and t.�e passibility that those cQSts would not be recovered if t�e property were sold.The passage of AB 811 in July 2008 eliminated these barriers by utilizing the same energy financing mechanism used in Berkeley, Caiifarina in which t�e City serves as the fnancing agent through a low-interest loan program. Individual property owners(residential and small businesses)contract directly with qualified private installers and contractors for energy efficiency and salar projects.The City provides funding for the project by partnering with a utility or from a bond ar Ioan fund that it repays thraugh assessments on participating property owners`annual property tax bill over a 20-year period.Under this plan,there is little or no up-front cost to the property owner,and if the property owner sells the property prior ta the end of the repayment period,the new owner takes over the assessment payments which continue on the property's annual tax bill.