11 Aug Maxing out on Energy Efficiency

Austin city council is about to take a vote on a very important resolution that relates to all of us since we are all paying utility bills and we are all part owners of our own utility. We are about to launch a process that will make investments in energy efficiency and conservation a priority in our community. The city council' agenda for Thursday the 23rd of August features a vote on starting this journey where Austin can become part of  the leading cities on energy policy,  you will see lower and lower bills and we all will rely on less and less fossil fuels for our electricity. 

Why is energy efficiency so important?

Did you know that:

– the best  way to reduce your energy bill is to use less?

– the payback time for most energy efficiency and conservation actions you can take is just a couple of years or less?

– that most of your utility bills comes from cooling and heating?

– that building codes for new homes are great instruments to making your home more energy efficient?

– that retrofitting existing homes is a far more important and challenging project, since there are so many more existing buildings?

– that other cities have aggressive policies that aim to reduce energy use by 10 to up to 30%?

– that national studies indicate a savings potential of about 30% for the entire US economy?

– that the pacific north west has used energy efficiency as a tool to prevent having to build new generation capacity for over 30 years now?

– that this is based on the fact that energy efficiency measures are cheaper than creating ever more generation capacity?

– that energy efficiency policies and strategies create local jobs, save water, leave air clean and help fight climate change?

– that energy efficiency is the tool to bridge us to a new energy economy that is local, affordable, abundant and clean?

Even more exciting is that more and more investors are seeing energy efficiency projects as a low risk investment. The main beneficiaries of these projects are usually renters and low income folks that have the least incentive or means to invest in energy efficiency. We want to see many many projects in our community that are based on creative ways of financing so we are all better off.

Highlights

Climate Buddies Bob Murray and Joep Meijer have worked with city council members and members from several stakeholder groups such as the Energy Action Team of the Interfaith Environmental Network to craft a resolution that is up for a vote this coming Thursday. You can read the draft resolution in the attached file to this post and it is part of the agenda for the August 16th meeting (but the vote has been postponed till next week).

Hear are some of the intended highlights:

– as much energy efficiency as soon as possible

– for all user classes, not just residents, but also small business, non-profits, and big business

– no more investments in new generation capacity based on fossil fuels until energy efficiency measure that are cheaper are exhausted

– a system of accountability so we can actually measure progress and achievements

Your role

The resolution calls for a study period of about a year to come up with a good plan for city council to adopt and to instruct Austin Energy to implement. Your input and voice are important. Talk to your representatives and tell them why this resolution is important to you. Join the climate buddies blog to stay up to date about next steps and what you can do as an individual, business owner or engaged citizen. We can all reduce our energy bills by paying more attention to our use, when we switch things one, when we buy new equipment, when we insulate our homes etc.etc. Be ready for more action and fun. We would love to see your contribution to this important effort!