Encouraging Renewable Energy and Conservation at the Local Level

1. 1 Encouraging Renewable Energy and Conservation at the Local Level

2. 2 Introduction to Gainesville City population is + 130,000 and 60 square miles � 14th largest in Florida County population is + 250,000 with more than 930 square miles

3. 3 Introduction to Gainesville Home to the University of Florida Low tax base - rely heavily on municipal utility The city�s municipally-owned utility system, Gainesville Regional Utilities, or GRU, provides electric, natural gas, water, wastewater and telecommunications services to metropolitan Gainesville. This gives the city a unique advantage in crafting a comprehensive and progressive local greenhouse gas reduction strategy. On April 12, 2006 the Gainesville City Commission directed GRU to pursue maximum energy efficiency programs and practices to help reduce the need to build new power plants. The city�s municipally-owned utility system, Gainesville Regional Utilities, or GRU, provides electric, natural gas, water, wastewater and telecommunications services to metropolitan Gainesville. This gives the city a unique advantage in crafting a comprehensive and progressive local greenhouse gas reduction strategy. On April 12, 2006 the Gainesville City Commission directed GRU to pursue maximum energy efficiency programs and practices to help reduce the need to build new power plants.

4. 4 Our Focus on Reducing Carbon Joined ICLEI & Cities for Climate Protection in 1998 Signed US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in 2005 The city�s municipally-owned utility system, Gainesville Regional Utilities, or GRU, provides electric, natural gas, water, wastewater and telecommunications services to metropolitan Gainesville. This gives the city a unique advantage in crafting a comprehensive and progressive local greenhouse gas reduction strategy. On April 12, 2006 the Gainesville City Commission directed GRU to pursue maximum energy efficiency programs and practices to help reduce the need to build new power plants. The city�s municipally-owned utility system, Gainesville Regional Utilities, or GRU, provides electric, natural gas, water, wastewater and telecommunications services to metropolitan Gainesville. This gives the city a unique advantage in crafting a comprehensive and progressive local greenhouse gas reduction strategy. On April 12, 2006 the Gainesville City Commission directed GRU to pursue maximum energy efficiency programs and practices to help reduce the need to build new power plants.

5. 5 Our Focus on Reducing Carbon Ambitious goals Four key strategies with focus on: Energy conservation Energy supply Transportation Land use planning

6. 6 Meeting Kyoto by 2013

7. 7 Energy Efficiency Incentives Rebates HVAC upgrades and maintenance Insulation Solar photovoltaic & solar thermal Duct repair LEEP whole-house program for low-income residents $19.5 million invested in our local economy by business and residential customers

8. 8 Energy Efficiency Incentives Cumulative results for FY 07 & FY 08 35,548 megawatt hours of electricity saved Enough to power over 3200 homes 6,060 kW of demand reductions

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10. 10 Rebates and Incentives

11. 11 GRU Customized Business Rebates Reduced energy consumption helped businesses weather the storm of higher fuel costs this summer Rebate offers up to $40,000 per site or up to 50% of project cost, whichever is less Sparking innovative business ideas to upgrade facilities Lighting retrofits most popular Business Incentives Are Key

12. 12 Santa Fe College Retrofit Before After

13. 13 Business Incentives Are Key Other programs include Smart Vendor, LED exit sign CRA incentives for LEED buildings 25% discount and fast-track building permits for LEED standards

14. 14 New Energy Supply Biomass Landfill Gas to Energy Solar

15. 15 Gainesville Renewable Energy Center 100-megawatt power plant fueled by woody biomass Based on Burlington, Vermont and Austin, Texas examples Carbon neutral Expected to create 525 local jobs 490 in the forestry industry 35 in the generating plant

16. 16 Landfill Gas to Energy New project at Marion County Baseline Landfill 3-megawatt facility GRU contract with Atlanta-based G2 Energy This is our second landfill gas-to-energy project

17. 17 GRU Customers Support Solar Would you support or oppose GRU�s efforts to encourage solar energy investments in your community if it would add one dollar or less per month to all customers� utility bills?* Support 75% Oppose 17% Not Sure 8%

18. 18 Between July 2006 and February 2008, GRU�s customers installed over 193 kW of solar electric Over 17% of solar electric rebated by the state GRU customers represent only 1% of the state�s population GRU Customers Support Solar

19. 19 Municipals in Germany led the way Gainesville FIT announcement has drawn international attention Newspapers, magazines, blogs and websites Long-term guaranteed power purchase price is driving investors and new local solar contractors Implementing Solar Feed-In-Tariff First checks have been cut and we have already received enough completed applications to reach our 2009 and 2010 target of 4 megawatts each. We will continue to accept and approve applications to fulfill targets for future years. First checks have been cut and we have already received enough completed applications to reach our 2009 and 2010 target of 4 megawatts each. We will continue to accept and approve applications to fulfill targets for future years.

20. 20 Implementing Solar Feed-In-Tariff Since March 1, 2009 there are 23 MW worth of projects that have submitted applications (4 MW/year) Program will bring steady work for local trades Expected to expand manufacturing industry jobs

21. 21 Transportation County-wide Traffic Management System Replace signal controllers Traffic monitoring cameras System-wide signal retiming Replaced standard traffic signals with LED lights RTS Impact on personal vehicle use = 6,150 tons of CO2 offset per year

22. 22 Land Conservation Development rights on more than 10,000 acres of land More than $20 million will be invested in Gainesville and Alachua County through �Wild Spaces and Public Places� �Alachua County Forever� passed in 2000, with $29 million in funding

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25. 25 What More Can We Do? Access to capital for building retrofits particularly for lower-income residents/renters Help bring down cost of solar technologies and energy efficiency equipment (Clinton Foundation) Help established businesses, educational institutions, hospitals and other �big players� to see themselves as part of the solution Make it FUN and get people involved

26. 26 Chomp, Chomp Gators! Kicked off a exciting contest in October 2007 13,538 Lightbulbs replaced 167.9 kW of Solar PV installed 236 Duct Repair Rebates 131 Attic Insulation Rebates 13,538 Lightbulbs replaced 167.9 kW of Solar PV installed 236 Duct Repair Rebates 131 Attic Insulation Rebates

27. 27 Results in April 2008 � Fought to a Draw!

28. 28 Questions or Comments? Pegeen Hanrahan, P.E. Mayor@cityofgainesville.org 352-665-5939 mobile