Welcome to the California Energy Commission

Energy Partnership Program

Other Public Sector Programs

List Server

To subscribe to this program's e-mail ListServer, enter the following information completely:





Note: Your first & last name and e-mail address must be exact and complete. Incorrect or incomplete addresses will not work. You will receive a confirmation e-mail to confirm your subscription.

Energy Partnership Program

Make Your Facilities Energy Efficient - Reap Big Benefits!

Energy Partnership Program

Costs for facility operations keep going up. Typical energy costs are three to ten percent of annual operating expenses. For the largest facilities, that can exceed $1 million per year! One way to save money is by reducing your energy costs. The Energy Partnership Program offers services to help find ways for you to become more energy wise.

Do you need help identifying the most cost effective energy saving opportunities? The Energy Partnership Program can help, usually at no cost to you. Savings are proven to typically reduce annual utility costs by an average of 20 percent.

The simple reasons are that efficiency upgrades reduce annual maintenance costs, increase cost savings, conserves resources and reduces green house gas emissions.

Who is eligible?

  • Cities
  • Counties
  • Special districts
  • Public or non-profit hospitals
  • Public or non-profit public care facilities
  • Public or non-profit colleges/universities

Here's how we can assist you

  • Conduct energy audits
  • Review existing proposals and designs
  • Develop equipment performance specifications

Is there a cost to participate in the Energy Partnership Program?

For many facilities there may be no cost. The Energy Commission can provide an energy audit that identifies energy saving recommendations. To assist you, we provide technical assistance services (up to $20,000 of our consultants costs). The cost of a study depends on the facility size, type and scope of the project. We contract with experienced engineering and architectural consultants who provide the technical assistance.

How do I pay for our energy saving project?

If you need financing to implement the projects recommended by our energy audit (or from an independent analysis) you can apply for a low interest loan from the Energy Commission.

For information, go to www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/financing/

Existing Facilities

Use the Energy Partnership Program to target energy efficiency improvements of your existing facilities. We can identify energy-related projects that should be implemented immediately as part of a comprehensive energy program. The Energy Partnership Program can identify state loans and other financing mechanisms to get these projects installed. For existing facilities, the Energy Partnership Program can:

  • Conduct energy audits and prepare feasibility studies
  • Review existing proposals and designs
  • Develop equipment performance specifications
  • Review equipment bid specifications
  • Assist with contractor selection
  • Assist with commissioning

New Construction

Facilities built with energy efficient designs cost less to operate. That means continuous savings from the first day of operation! It is possible to reduce energy consumption significantly below the state's minimum building efficiency standard (Title 24), particularly if you get the Energy Partnership Program involved early in the design phase.

Here are some ways we can help with new construction

  • Provide design consultation
  • Compare different technologies
  • Review schematics and construction plans
  • Provide equipment specification consultation
  • Identify cost-effective, energy-saving measures
  • Develop computer simulation models of your planned project
  • Help select experienced professionals with energy efficiency expertise
  • Assist with commissioning

The New Energy Partnership Program Brochure is available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).

| Back to Top |

The Application Process

How do I apply for an energy audit?

  1. Complete the Technical Assistance Application. (updated: January 2, 2013)

  2. Enclose supplemental information: past energy studies, preliminary plans or proposals, latest 12 months gas and electric utility bills, and energy-using equipment inventories for the buildings or facilities that you are requesting assistance for.

  3. Complete Governing Board Resolution. The Energy Commission must have a resolution from your governing board before providing technical assistance. The Energy Partnership Program sample resolution is available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) or as an interactive Word Document.

  4. Mail your application, and supplemental information to:

    California Energy Commission
    Energy Partnership Program
    Public Programs Office
    1516 Ninth Street, MS 23
    Sacramento CA 95814-5512

How will you evaluate my application?

The application must indicate how you plan to execute and fund recommended projects. Your Governing Board Resolution must demonstrate a strong commitment to implementing the Energy Partnership Program's energy efficiency recommendations.


When is my application due?

This is a continuously open program with no final filing date. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Technical assistance funds are limited so you are encouraged to submit your application early.


What if I need funding for my energy saving projects?

If you need funds to finance and implement the projects recommended by the Energy Partnership Program or as a result of your independent analysis, you can apply for a low interest loan from the Energy Commission.

Loans are available at competitive rates for public agencies. For information, go to: www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/financing/.

| Back to Top |


Contact Us

For questions or information please contact:

Public Programs Office
California Energy Commission
Public Programs Office
1516 Ninth Street, MS 23
Sacramento CA 95814-5512
Telephone: 916-654-4550
Fax: 916-654-4368
E-mail: EPP@energy.ca.gov

Other Information

Costs for facility operations keep going up, but one way to save money is by reducing energy costs. Find out how some agencies have reduced their operating costs by exploring the various sections below or contact the Energy Commission.

Case Studies of Program Participants

Energy Partnerships - case studies of energy savings projects are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).

Cities

Counties:

Colleges:

Hospitals:

General Technical Assistance Documents

Light Emitting Diode Traffic Signal Survey Results - many local governments are replacing their incandescent traffic and pedestrian signals with those using light emitting diodes, also known as LEDs. Find out what public agencies in California are doing and read their comments about LED performance. The original survey was conducted in 1999 and a subsequent survey in 2004.

Energy Services Providers Survey Results - this survey was conducted to determine whether the changes in the electric industry in California had affected the services offered by Energy Services Companies. The original survey was conducted in 1999 and a subsequent survey in 2004. The results of the 2004 survey will be available in early 2005.

Guide to Preparing Feasibility Studies for Energy Efficiency Projects (February 2000) - This guide contains information for those preparing studies to analyze energy saving projects. The guide discusses the information needed to evaluate the feasibility of proposed energy efficiency projects.
(Acrobat PDF file, 183 pages, 560 kilobytes)