CaliforniaFirst - Financing Efficiency/Solar

The Santa Cruz Sentinel published an article this past week about Santa Cruz County's plan to join a financing district. Here is my letter to the reporter, Kurtis Alexander.

Hi Kurtis:

cc: Allison Endert, Board of Supervisors

From what I know about municipal financed district for solar/energy efficiency is a good idea. Certainly has worked elsewhere.

Still, I have questions that neither the Board of Supervisors nor Commission on the Environment would answer.

I posted these questions on Sentinel website (http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_14003041) and below.

But (3) is a topic I have many concerns about, as you probably know. I'm afraid it's often a bit beyond my ability to discern which hat an individual is wearing at given moment. 45.1 51

[Full disclosure: I have sent the District Attorney two complaints re: COE about Brown Act, Conflicts-of-Interest].

I hope you'll report on the the contract for managing the energy efficiency/solar program and then monitor compliance. As I think we all agree, it is very important for the public to have all the information it needs to make decisions. Likewise, public and private interests must never be confused.

FYI, as you may know, the County spent 19 months with funding to do a mobile GHG emissions study and, from what people have told me, did "nothing." Ecology Action is on that contract. I have asked the County how many other contracts are "languishing." This is another area I hope you will consider writing about.

I have gotten no answer from the Board of Supervisors.

==

All in favor of more solar, efficiency cost savings etc. but I hope to clarify some things in my mind:

(1) Market need?
Given the dropping solar panel prices, loans now on the market, the PG&E savings now, etc., how many ADDITIONAL homeowners be motivated to act? Has anyone estimated the EXTRA energy/electricity and CO2 reduction this program will achieve vs. with out it? (If so, I haven't seen.) Because I want to compare that to the cost to taxpayers.(i.e. cost/benefit)

(2) Efficiency 1st?
Before installing new hardware, how does this program ensure that homeowners do PG&E audits, "cool roofs", insulation, think efficiency - preferably, right now?

(3) Program Mgmt
Again, all in favor of jobs. But we also want to stimulate a new industry (renewables) and sustainable real job growth - not just rely on Government handouts.

I am curious about the final statement.
"Santa Cruz County-based Ecology Action is leading the statewide push for the money. Executive Director Virginia Johnson says the proposal is compelling and the chances are good."

Is private Ecology Action just being a good citizen cheerleader or have an undisclosed financial interest we should know about?

By the way, I did ask County's Commission on the Environment these questions, but never got an answer.

Letter to Supervisor Coonerty of Santa Cruz County

 Sent by email.
I will meet with him on September 30 for 1/2 hour.

 9/25/2009
 
Dear Supervisor Coonerty:

I am not a political person, but the need for swift action on climate change has drawn me closer to our government.   Unfortunately, the government actions and approaches I have seen, admittedly limited observations, are significantly unequal to the challenge.   You are correct that you can't just make rules, nor can I.   Our planet does not care about such issues. 

What this meeting is about is to find ways now to meet the challenge in Santa Cruz County.  Again, nature does not negotiate.

With 72 days until Copenhagen, this is my suggestion.  I think there can actually be many positive benefits.

1. (immediate) Full disclosure and full transparency of all data, documents, targets, deadlines, risks, open issues, etc related to energy use, transportation and eCO2 emissions in Santa Cruz county.  If you ("you" means county or local government) do not have information:  say it clearly.
2. (immediate) Appeal to all  families, community groups, churches, non-profits, schools, grocery stores, homeless, universities, even your enemies to encourage immediate vigorous debate, ideas and action  on climate change.  Give people the power to talk on street corners; to become truly informed citizens.  Intelligently, use all the resources of our talented, diverse community to plan, innovate, educate, act; we all know this much bigger than government.  (more below)  Let every child know how to calculate the CO2 emisssions from the family car and feel the work it takes to run a house for a hour (stair master isn't enough!).
   
3. (before Thanksgiving of this year) Completion, verification, full public disclosure of all Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, energy use  and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in Santa Cruz County, both for baseline year and current.  Do this as per ICLEI protocols, or the most aggressive recognized methods in the international community. 
   
4. (before Thanksgiving of this year) Adoption of immediate, aggressive eCO2 reduction targets.   Borrow ideas from other communities; we need action. 10x10 (10% reduction by 12/31/10), 12x12 etc.  Seal the Deal!
   
5. (October 24, 2009) Urge huge Santa Cruz rally (use buses), teach-ins, education, commitment on International Climate Action Day
   
6. (Thanksgiving of this year) Deliver focused, clear, accurate materials, videos, websites, outreach programs, goals to engage every organization and family in this community.  Be ready for what comes back; and keep the focus on action.
7. (UN: Climate Change Conference - Copenhagen)   Show the local results to prove Santa Cruz County is a world leader. 
8. (December 1, 2010 - on)  Measure and present the results; keep our community focused and the acting; and always do what is necessary without delay.  Never adjourn with out action.   And, apologies if pedantic, never attempt to fool nature; never.
   

In a sentence, I am calling upon you, the supervisors and the government of Santa Cruz County to lead, to govern - not merely manage, by demonstrating urgency, openness, unity, political will and utter determination to get CO2 down now and every year following.    Find a way.   There is just no more time.


Thank you.

Santa Cruz County - Commission on the Environment

Next meeting is August 26, 2009 at 5 pm in the County government building, 5F, Supervisors' Chambers.


Here's a bit of information:

• small amount of background (scroll to bottom for links, note: the Commission began in October 2007),
• February 24, 2009 agenda and study session presentations and
• 2008 Annual Report. (begins on page 4)