City of San José Flexes Its Power

In March 2001, the City of San José adopted a Smart Energy Plan and committed to cutting energy consumption by 10%. Since then, citywide-owned facilities, leased facilities and non-profit organizations have aggressively implemented conservation measures on an on-going basis to meet the 10% goal. 

2007 Sustainable Energy Policy Annual Report
2004 Flex Your Power Award Winner
City Exceeds Energy Reduction Goal
Employees Save Energy and Dollars
Water Pollution Control Plant Savings

Other City programs for Energy Conservation and Efficiency:
FREE Energy Efficiency Classes in San José
Low Income Energy Assistance
Cool Communities
Renewable Energy Technologies
Clean Cities

2007 Sustainable Energy Policy Annual Report

The 2007 Sustainable Energy Policy Annual Report provides a summary of the energy activities completed by the City in the past year, including partnerships, grant programs, and energy efficiency projects at municipal facilities.

City of San José Receives 2004 Flex Your Power Award

Flex Your Power is a partnership of California's utilities, residents, businesses, institutions, government agencies and nonprofit organizations working to save energy.

Flex Your Power award winners have become role models for other organizations around the state, the nation and the world by leading the way in implementing successful energy efficiency measures.

Learn more about how the City of San José earned this award with its energy efficiency and conservation programs.

City Exceeds Energy Reduction Goal

The City exceeded the 10% energy reduction goal set by Mayor Ron Gonzales in 2001. From April to November 2001, the major City-owned facilities have saved approximately 13.7 million kilowatt-hours, or 11.83%, compared to the baseline. Using the average July 2001 rate of $0.1255 per kilowatt-hour, the major facilities reduced expenditures by $1.72 million since April 2001. From April to October 2001, the small facilities have saved over 800,000 kilowatt-hours, resulting in $105,000 in reduced expenditures by using the Citywide average July 2001 rate of $0.1313 per kilowatt-hour.

The savings were achieved by turning off unnecessary lights, adjusting heating and air conditioning, shutting down equipment when not in use, and upgrading certain equipment to energy-efficient models.

Since California continues to experience high electricity prices and uncertain supply, all employees are encouraged to continue energy-conserving measures. With fewer daylight hours during the winter, exterior safety and parking lot lighting are closely monitored so as not to compromise the safety of our employees.

Employees Save Energy and Dollars

Certain City facilities did an outstanding job reducing energy use by 20 percent or more and qualifying for the state's 20/20 rebate program, which offered a 20 percent rebate on electricity invoices to those achieving this level of reduction. Together, City of San José employees garnered some $76,700 in rebates.

Water Pollution Control Plant Savings

The Water Pollution Control Plant is the City's largest energy user. Energy reduction programs at the Plant have resulted in a 13% savings compared to 1999 energy use. The plant measures both, electricity purchased from PG&E and the electrical equivalent of the natural gas and digester gas used at the plant.

Also for the Plant ...The Environmental Services Department applied for a grant from the California Energy Commission and was approved for the grant on August 8, 2001. The grant provides funds in the amount of $250 per kilowatt of energy reduced as a result of the project. The project expects to reduce energy in the Water Pollution Control Plant aeration system by replacing existing air diffusers with high efficient fine bubble diffusers. This project is ahead of schedule by two months.; The equipment has been installed and started up the week of November 24-30, 2001.

Results are very favorable and all energy reduction objectives have been reached. We expect to close out this grant in January/February 2002 and receive full reimbursements for outside costs. The energy savings of this pilot are 400 kilowatts. An expansion of this pilot may be programmed in early spring with financial assistance from CEC Peak Load Reduction funding. The pilot energy savings are over $100,000 /year. The expanded program may save 1,000 to 2,000 kilowatts and $500,000/yr. The grant may cover the entire cost of new equipment.

Low Income Energy Assistance

In June of 2001, Council approved a $1 million, one-year contract with Economic and Social Opportunities (ESO), a local non-profit organization. The contract was to provide:

1. Financial assistance for energy bill payments to eligible residents of San José as defined by the California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program guidelines;

2. Energy efficiency education, audits and improvements to eligible San José residents as defined by the City of San José Community Development Block Grant guidelines.

City funding of ESO's low income energy assistance programs will become even more important in 2002 because of the anticipated loss of additional funding from the state-funded California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (CAL-LIHEAP) because of the State's budget deficit.

Cool Communities

In December 2000, the Transportation and Environment Committee recommended that the City of San José move forward with a Cool Communities Program. Cool Communities policies are designed to mitigate the Urban Heat Island effect- when urban areas are 6-10 degrees warmer than the surrounding country side due to the heat storing properties of urban surfaces (pavements, roofs, etc).  By mitigating the urban heat island effect Cool Communities (CC) policies reduce energy use and reduce air pollution that results from extreme summer temperatures. In addition, some CC policies, such as tree planting and green roofs can increase both quality of life and property values while reducing urban runoff.

In January 2001, Council approved a grant agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company to conduct a Cool Roofs Incentive Program (which concluded in December 2001). Since the beginning of the program, the following services were provided:

• Training of 55 local roof contractors and over 150 additional stakeholders.
• 21 businesses representing over 30 buildings receiving rebates exceeding a total of $120,000, covering over 613,000 sqft of roof area.
• Estimated over 184kW Peak Demand Reduction.

Rebates were given to businesses and agencies as diverse as the following:

• Westfield Shopping-Valley Fair Mall, $16,000
• Metropolitan Education District, $10,000
• JDS Uniphase, $16,000
• Catholic Charities, $5,477
• Santa Clara County Office of Education, $3,660

In addition, the City was recently chosen by the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) as one of five municipalities nationwide to participate in an Urban Heat Island Reduction Initiative.  This nine-month project starting in December 2001 will provide technical and policy expertise to staff working on the Cool Communities Program.

Lastly, the City of San José is participating in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign which engages local governments in developing and implementing policies and programs to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. These activities also save money, improve local air quality, and increase the livability of communities.

Renewable Energy Technologies

The City of San Jose is an active member of the Bay Area Solar Consortium (BASC), promoting installation of solar technologies throughout the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas.

Clean Cities

The Clean Cities Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, supports public-private partnerships that promote the use of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and the supporting infrastructure. By encouraging AFV use, the Clean Cities Program helps enhance energy security and environmental quality at both the national and local levels. There are more than 80 coalitions nationwide with twelve coalitions in California alone. The Silicon Valley Clean Cities Coalition is coordinated by the Environmental Services Department (ESD) in the City of San Jose and works to advance the use of alternative vehicles and the infrastructure of alternative fuels. For more information, please visit the new website Silicon Valley Clean Cities Coalition.

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