The Local Clean Energy Alliance is mainly focused on local and regional policy but we also take stands on state energy policy as appropriate.
NEW: Proposition 16 - the PG&E Power Grab.
Our three main policy priorities for 2009 are:
- Realistic and responsible clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals to do our fair share
- Meet 50% of City-wide Electricity Needs with Clean Energy and “Negawatts” by 2017: relative to current (2009) electricity use, meet 50% of the East Bay’s needs through a combination of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and conservation by 2017; ramp up to 100% by 2033.
- Reduce Carbon Emissions 40% Below 1990 Levels by 2020 by slashing greenhouse gases (GHGs) 6% annually, targeting overall cuts of at least 80% by 2050.
We are actively engaged in the Oakland Climate Action Coalition.
- A Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Retrofit and Solar Program - Enable homeowners to pay for the up-front costs of energy efficiency retrofits, solar water heaters, and solar PV systems over 20 years through a special assessment on their property tax bill. Other key aspects would include: incentives to enroll renters and low-to-moderate income earners, an ordinance to ensure that energy efficiency improvements occur upon sale or major remodeling (RECO), a strategy for scaling up the local workforce through labor/community-based partnerships, and extensive public outreach.
- A Labor and Community Driven Energy Purchasing Program - In collaboration with community organizations, green businesses, and labor, the city should tailor the local grid to maximize local clean energy development, green jobs, and GHG reductions. Working with community organizations, green businesses, and labor, Oakland should utilize California’s Community Choice law to aggregate the electrical load of its residents, businesses, and government agencies and buy clean energy in bulk through a licensed energy provider, while investing in its own local renewable generation.
Many options are available to East Bay cities for developing a clean energy system, with some already underway. The Local Clean Energy Alliance has identified the following portfolio of tools as holding the greatest promise for increasing local clean energy generation and energy efficiency in our region:
Community Choice Energy could be the mechanism to implement all of these highly effective and mutually reinforcing programs in the most cost-efficient manner. Full details on each of these tools are found in our policy platform document: The 21st Century Energy Greenprint for the East Bay.
