San Jose in California has a Green Vision of the future

The City of San Jose in California boasts impressive green credentials. Currently, 12% of its power is supplied by renewable sources. The City is also home to a bevy of solar power companies. But the local administration wants to achieve more than that and in order to hurl itself towards a greener future, San Jose has devised a plan called Green Vision whereby it sets out its strategy for a sustainable future. The City is aiming high: the creation of 25,000 clean tech jobs; reducing per capita energy use by 50 per cent while getting it from 100% renewable sources; recycle or beneficially reuse 100% of its waste water. And the list goes on. Energy Refuge spoke to Steven Brewster, San Jose’s Economic Development Officer, to learn more about Green Vision and its implementation.

ER: A migration to renewable energy is one of the key components of the Green Vision plan to reduce San Jose’s carbon footprint. Could you tell me more about this specific aspect of the plan?

SB: Eliminating dependence on electricity generated from fossil fuels is the third Green Vision Goal, applying to both City government and the entire San Jose community. The liabilities of fossil fuel usage are increasingly plain: future scarcity or restrictions in supply may cause them to be too expensive or unreliable; combustion of fossil fuels creates air pollutants that can harm public health; and resulting carbon dioxide emissions are likely to increase future operating costs through a tax or other financial liability. In contrast, pursuing electrical power from clean, renewable sources is projected to reduce harmful air pollutants, long-term operating costs, and carbon emissions for the entire community. This goal builds upon the leadership demonstrated by the State of California. The State has adopted the most aggressive renewable portfolio standard in the nation, with the recent Executive Order from the Governor Schwarzenegger that raises California’s renewable energy goals to 33 percent by 2020. Obtaining 100% of San Jose’s electrical power from clean, renewable sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, landfill gas, municipal solid waste and small hydroelectric facilities will require the formation of strong partnerships; development and piloting of new, clean technologies; and inspiring widespread adoption. Measuring the achievement of this goal will entail a variety of methods to account for the existing renewables generated within the City limits, recognizing the contribution of PG&E’s renewable portfolio, and the potential for additional generation outside of the city limits.

ER:San Jose currently has a 12% rate of renewable energy usage. Where is this type of energy mainly coming from?

SB:To achieve the Green Vision goal of “Receiving 100% of Our Electrical Power from Clean, Renewable Sources,” near-term actions include encouraging more deployment of solar energy within the City and piloting waste to energy programs. Longer-horizon actions will be based on pilot project results and emerging technologies. In the past year, there have been significant investments in solar throughout San Jose including the installation of 185 kW of solar on Tech Museum and at Macy’s (307 kW), eBay (650 kW), San Jose Unified School District (5 Megawatts (MW) on many facilities throughout San Jose), Star Quality Concrete facility (410 kW), and the Target Store (380 kW). A recent report from the Northern California Solar Energy Association ranks San Jose 1st for total solar projects (723) since 1998 for large cities with populations over 100,000.

ER:I understand solar power is key to Green Vision’s renewable energy plans. Can you tell us more about it?

SB:Two key pieces of signed legislation likely to significantly spur solar investment are a)Assembly Bill (AB) 2466: City staff worked closely with Assemblyman Laird to co-sponsor AB 2466 which allows local governments to receive a financial credit on their overall energy bills for up to 1 MW of excess energy produced per municipal solar installation. AB 2466 was signed into law in September 2008 and took effect January 1, 2009; b)Renewal of Solar Investment Tax Credit: The solar investment tax credit was approved as part of the financial bailout package. One key provision increased the residential credit to 30% of the cost of installation, eliminating the $2000 cap for another eight years. In addition, San Jose is preparing the City’s Strategic Energy Plan in collaboration with the community that addresses the installation of solar on city facilities; finalizing RFPs for installation of solar electric and hot water systems at City facilities and providing trainings, seminars and demonstration sites to ensure that San Jose residents and business are aware of opportunities for solar installation.

ER: What is the main role that a city administration can play when it comes to paradigm shifts in terms of energy usage? What are the main challenges?

SB:As a global leader in innovative technologies and policies, the state of California and the City of San Jose, in particular, have the opportunity to demonstrate to the world that communities and their economies can thrive while significantly reducing energy consumption. In the past three decades, electricity consumption per capita grew 60 percent in the rest of the nation, while it stayed flat in high-tech, fast-growing California. Both the state Compact Florescent Light Bulbs and the City have taken leadership roles in addressing climate change impacts through the adoption of aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals. San Jose’s goal to reduce per capita energy use opens the door to exciting new technologies, new efficiencies, early adoption of best practices and a heightened public awareness.In September 2008, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), with support from the Governor’s Office, the California Energy Commission, the California Air Resource Board, the state’s utilities, local government, and others, adopted the California Long-Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan. This Plan sets forth a statewide roadmap to maximize achievement of cost effective energy efficiency in California’s electricity and natural gas sectors between 2009 and 2020, and beyond. The City of San Jose’s energy efficiency goals are aligned with the larger statewide goals and with the efforts of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). In order to guide the actions for achieving these goals and envision our long-term goals, the City is developing a Strategic Energy Plan that will address the driving forces that currently challenge our ability to meet these goals, understand existing trends and opportunities, and provide the perspective and participation of key stakeholders throughout our community. Developing the City’s overall energy vision and strategic action plan will go hand-in-hand with other City goals and objectives, such as economic development, job creation, and cultural values. The long-term framework of this Strategic Energy Plan will enable the San Jose community to use resources efficiently, create energy efficient infrastructures, and protect and enhance quality of life.

ER:What are your expectations in terms of civilian and business collaboration to make Green Vision happen?

SB:The following collaborative projects will help engage and businesses and build a strong “green” region.

Green Cities California Resolution

San Jose staff, along with representatives from 10 other major California cites, met in May 2006 to discuss leveraging their combined experience, influence, and sustainability goals to advocate for collective, urban, environmental action. In June 2008, the City formally adopted the Green Cities California Resolution, pledging to collaborate with local governments throughout the nation to adopt sustainable policies and practices. One outcome was Council’s adoption of a ban on using City funds to purchase bottled water. Reducing the use of single serve containers will help to reduce litter and the disposal of these items.

Cities Keep It Clean Partnership

In September 2008, San Jose was the first city in the Bay Area to join the Cities Keep It Clean Partnership. San Jose committed to protect the San Francisco Bay from: trash, mercury, e-waste, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, vehicle pollution, and runoff.

Bay Friendly Gardening Coalition

San Jose is a charter member of this coalition and is spearheading efforts to bring the program to Santa Clara County. The Bay Friendly Gardening Program promotes sustainable gardening and landscaping practices that help reduce waste, conserve energy, save water, prevent pollution, and protect local habitat. Waste is reduced by planting and watering for the least amount of green waste production, as well as onsite compost production. Replacing fertilizers and chemicals with compost preserves the environment and promotes marketing of the compost produced from green waste collected.

Environmentally Preferable Procurement Policy

In 2001, the City adopted the Environmentally Preferable Procurement Policy (EP3) to use environmentally preferable goods and services where possible to demonstrate leadership and help move the market toward more environmentally sound commerce. The purchase of these goods helps to drive markets for materials like recycled paper and other products that could otherwise go to a landfill. In 2007, the City joined the Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN), an international network of buyers dedicated to socially responsible and environmentally sustainable purchasing. This organization offers information and training in Environmentally Preferable Procurement (EPP).

Private Sector Green Building Policy

San Jose continues to show leadership in the area of green building with its adoption of the first phase of a green building policy for new private sector construction in October 2008. This policy mandates levels of LEED or Green Point Rated certification for certain sizes and types of construction and requires submittal of a green building checklist for all other new construction to increase public awareness of green building practices. Staff is currently drafting a corresponding ordinance to bring forward to Council in early 2009.

ER:Will the plan be financially rewarding as well?
SB:Yes. Currently San Jose spends $50 million a year on electricity. If the City can cut that by 40 percent, it automatically sees a structural saving.

To read the full Green Vision text, please go here.

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