Energy costs are typically three to ten percent of annual operating expenses. For the largest facilities, that can exceed $1 million per year! But you can control and lower energy costs without sacrificing employee comfort or compromising the quality of your operations. It is proven that implementing cost-effective energy efficiency projects reduces annual utility bills by an average of 20 percent, and the savings continue year after year. You spend less for a more comfortable facility, and you conserve increasingly finite and expensive energy resources. Everyone wins.

General Information

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

Existing Facilities

Use the Energy Partnership Program to target energy efficiency improvements of your existing facility. 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.

Here's how we can assist you

• 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).

For more information about PDF files or to download Acrobat Reader, please visit Adobe's Web site at www.adobe.com

| Back to Top |

Application Process

How do I apply?

1. Complete the Technical Assistance Application. (updated: 06/06)

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 42
Sacramento CA 95814-5512

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.

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.

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:

Virginia Lew
California Energy Commission
Public Programs Office
1516 Ninth Street, MS 42
Sacramento CA 95814-5512
Telephone: 916-654-3838
Fax: 916-654-4304
E-mail: pubprog@energy.state.ca.us

| Back to Top |

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:
Fairfield (112 kb)
Los Gatos (104 kilobytes)
Oakland (100 kb)
Redlands (144 kb)
San Bernardino (1.2 mb)
San Carlos (112 kb)
Santa Rosa (112 kb)


Counties:
Alameda (100 kb)
Contra Costa (136 kb)
Shasta County (120 kb)


Colleges:
Los Angeles Pierce (112 kb)


Canyon College (108 kb)

Hospitals:
Sierra View (100 kb)

General Technical Assistance Documents
Cities (152 kb)
Colleges (172 kb)

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)

| Back to Top |