Climate Protection
Chicago Climate Exchange
In March 2005, the Council unanimously adopted Chicago Climate Exchange Resolution No. 79135 C.M.S. (PDF), making the City of Oakland the second city (after Chicago) in the country to join the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX). CCX is the nation’s first voluntary but legally binding system to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, also known as greenhouse gases (GHG), which are responsible for climate disruption. Members agree to reduce their emissions 1% per year from 2003-2006 below their baseline average. If the 1% reduction is not met, the City will have to purchase GHG allowances from others in the Exchange; if the City exceeds this reduction, the additional earned GHG emission allowances can then be sold on the Exchange.
The Public Works Agency Department of Infrastructure and Operations, Electrical Division, Energy Section and the Equipment Services Division, provided data to the CCX about Oakland's municipal greenhouse gas emissions from 1998 to the present. NASD, the CCX's Auditors are reviewing the data Oakland submitted for 1998 to 2001 (the baseline period used to measure future performance) to assess its accuracy. The City is working with CCX and NASD to refine the data to create more accurate results based on lessons learned during the current audit.
For the years 2003 and 2004 the City met its CCX greenhouse gas reduction targets. However, in 2005 its emissions increased, underscoring the need to redouble and expand its energy efficiency upgrades and conservation efforts throughout its facilities.
Climate Protection Law Suit
Friends of the Earth et al. v. Watson et al. (U.S.D.C. N.D. Cal. no. 3:02-cv-04106-JW)
In August 2002, the City of Oakland joined Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace, and Cities of Arcata, Santa Monica, and Boulder (CO), to file a complaint in U.S. District Court (N.D. Cal.), alleging that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and Export-Import Bank (ExIm), had failed to comply with their respective obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (NEPA), in providing federal funding to energy projects abroad that contribute to global warming. Staff from the Mayor’s office and the City Attorney’s office attended mediation sessions seeking to settle out of court. No out of court settlement was reached. The City’s standing to bring this suit was challenged in 2005, but upheld.
In August 2005, the Court denied the defendants’ motion for summary judgment on standing and other jurisdictional issues. This is the first time that any federal court has recognized standing to pursue claims challenging federal actions that may contribute to global warming.
Oakland filed its merits briefs on December 23, 2005. The case’s merits include whether the Overseas Private Investments Corporation (OPIC) and the Export-Import (ExIm) Bank of the United States violated NEPA by not applying at all. The plaintiffs claim that their projects are directly (power plants) or indirectly (oil fields) responsible for over 7% of world-wide emissions which contributes to domestic environmental and environmental health impacts caused by global warming.
The parties cross-moved for summary judgment on the merits in March 2006. The case is now submitted for decision on the merits.
Community Choice Aggregation (CCA)
Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) refers to the opportunity of local governments to purchase electricity on behalf of their residential and commercial constituents. Potential benefits of becoming an aggregator include increased use of renewable energy sources to meet Oakland’s energy needs and a reduction in electricity costs. Sustainability staff in the Mayor’s office have been leading the effort in Oakland to pursue this opportunity, working in collaboration with staff from Emeryville and Berkeley.
In July 2004, City Council adopted Resolution No. 78708 C.M.S. (PDF), which authorized Navigant Consulting, Inc. (NCI) to develop a Base Case Feasibility Analysis (Phase I) to assess the feasibility, opportunities and risks to Oakland of becoming an energy aggregator. In May 2005, sustainability staff in the Mayor’s Office summarized that analysis in a staff report to Council. Funds to contract with NCI to prepare a CCA Implementation Plan for Oakland (Phase II) were allocated by Council in Resolution No. 79207 C.M.S. While the feasibility analyses were being developed, representatives from the cities of Oakland, Berkeley, and Emeryville began working together to investigate the feasibility of forming a Joint Powers Authority (JPA), comprised of representatives of their respective cities, to bring CCA to the East Bay. Joining together as aggregators could mean that we could access the competitive electricity market with more purchasing authority. During 2005, the cities also examined bond, financing and other legal issues, and sponsored an independent review of the Navigant Feasibility Study. The independent review validated Navigant’s findings and highlighted critical issues for the next level of analysis.
The three cities are now proceeding with Phase II, which involves the development of an Implementation Plan that will look at items like demand for electricity by customer types, governance plans, power supply options, financing options and regulatory issues.
The Implementation Plan is scheduled for completion around the end of 2006, at which time the respective City Councils will have to decide if they wish to become Aggregators. If so, the Implementation Plan must be submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). If the CPUC approves the implementation plan(s), each City must then decide whether to implement the CPUC approved plan under Phase III.
In addition to the Oakland-specific documentation listed below, all related content pertaining to CCA progress may be found on the CCA section of the City of Berkeley’s web site.
Energy Efficiency
California Youth Energy Services (CYES)
Working in collaboration with sustainability staff in the Mayor’s office and the Workforce Investment Board in CEDA and with funding from the Duke Energy settlement, Rising Sun Energy Center established a California Youth Energy Services (CYES) site in the Fruitvale District in summer 2005 to offer East Oakland residents free energy conservation services and hardware. CYES hires and trains local youth to provide free in-home energy audits, education, and hardware installation to low income homeowners and renters.
Through this program, CYES students conducted personalized energy audits and offered recommendations for obtaining energy savings and installed the following materials in Oakland residences at no cost:
The program demonstrated outstanding success in their premiere season in Oakland with the following notable results:
- Provided 514 Oakland households with energy saving hardware and information, surpassing their goal of 400 homes.
- Cumulative energy savings of 117,452 annual kilowatt hours (kwh).
- Served over 300 non-English speaking households in Cantonese, Mandarin, and Spanish; over 55% of total clients served.
- Saved Oakland residents approximately $146,530 in energy dollars showing a 3:1 return rate on the City’s initial investment of $45,000.
- Hired and trained thirteen (13) Oakland youth in residential energy efficiency, auditing, and installations, including three job readiness workshops to build and strengthen general employment skills.
For a full summary of the program’s progress, please see the CYES Summary of Results (PDF).
Based on their success in 2005, and the clients’ overwhelming requests for and support of future services, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability wrote a Resolution for a Grant of $45K to California Youth Energy Services (PDF) ensuring another summer of energy efficiency job training and implementation in Oakland.
CA-Leadership in Energy Efficiency Program (CA-LEEP)
In August 2004, Oakland was selected as one of six Pilot Projects in California to participate in the California Local Energy Efficiency Program (CA-LEEP). Technical and financial assistance accompanies pilot project status.
CA-LEEP is a program of Navigant Consulting, Inc’s (NCI) Energy Practice and is funded by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Through the Program, assistance from NCI will help Oakland develop the energy efficiency component of the City’s overall Sustainability Plan, containing policies, programs and projects that position the City for significant implementation funding from state and federal sources.
LED Christmas Light Project
In August 2005, the Mayor’s Office decided to build on the previous year’s success and collaborate with PG&E and the Public Works Agency (PWA) on another holiday light exchange, thereby promoting energy efficiency and public outreach. PG&E furnished 2,500 boxes of new LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights which, combined with existing stock, provided a total of 3,120 boxes of white, red, blue and multi-color LED lights.
Through this program, each PG&E household is allowed to exchange up to five strings of incandescent (high energy use) lights for new high efficiency LED strings. The Oaklanders’ Assistance Center was instrumental in exchanging the lights. Over 30 Oakland merchants participated in the event by placing fliers in their storefronts, highlighting the benefits of LED lights, in exchange for which they were given up to 10 strings of lights.
Savings by Design Lead Incentive Pilot
In October 2005, the City of Oakland became the first city in California to serve as one of six pilot communities in the Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) “Savings by Design Lead Incentive Pilot” (SBDLIP) program. Through a collaborative relationship between PG&E, the Mayor’s Office and the Planning Department in CEDA, this program fosters energy efficient building designs in new commercial and mixed use construction and major renovation projects.
Based on referrals by Oakland’s Planning department, PG&E works with project owners and developers early in the design process and provides no-cost design analysis and information to foster the design of energy efficient buildings that reduce energy and water use and save on monthly utility bills for owners and occupants. Cash incentives of up to $150,000 to facility owners and/or design team are offered if certain energy efficiency standards are met. Because the City is serving as a pilot to this program, PG&E will reward Oakland with a $1,000 cash incentive each time the City refers a project to Savings by Design that commits to incorporating energy efficiency measures identified through the program.
Renewable Energy
A centerpiece of Oakland's Sustainability Program is the promotion of renewable energy with a particular emphasis on solar. Aggressive renewable energy goals have been established, including:
- 50% of the city’s entire electricity use from renewable sources by 2017
- 100% of the city’s entire electricity use from renewable sources by 2030