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SR-6-A (18) . - . 6A GS:CP:aspen2 Santa Monica, californiaAPR 1 9 199't council Meeting: April 19, 1994 To: Mayor and City Council From: city staff Subject: Recommendation to Adopt Resolution, the "Aspen Accord", supporting the Development and Implementation of Regional Energy Efficiency Initiatives INTRODUCTION This report recommends council adoption of a resolution supporting the development and implementation of regional energy efficiency initiatives which will be presented for signature by the Mayor on April 24, 1994 at a conference sponsored by the Aspen Institute. BACKGROUND Over the past two and one-half years, City Council members, city staff and the Task Force on the Environment have been focusing on the development of a comprehensive city Energy Policy. For the past year and one-half, Santa Monica has been a member of the California Energy Coalition (CEC), a non-profit organization based in Laguna Beach, and has been working with the CEC to formulate an energy efficiency strategy for the city. The CEC is currently finalizing an agreement between the City of Irvine, Southern California Gas Co., and Southern California 1 APR f 9 199't 6A Edison whereby the utilities will finance the initial cost and on-going maintenance of various energy efficiency projects in selected City facilities. The cost of these efficiency upgrades will be paid back by Irvine over a multi-year period in the form of costs savings on their regular gas and electric bills from the utilities. The energy efficiency projects financed by the utilities will then be expanded to include commercial and residential buildings in Irvine. This agreement, known as the Irvine Initiative, is increasingly seen as a model for similar agreements between the utilities and other cities in the region, and is the type of energy efficiency initiative which Santa Monica wishes to pursue as well. The CEC has also been working on similar energy efficiency initiatives with two municipalities in Sweden. DISCUSSION This partnership approach between municipalities and their serving utilities in pursuit of energy efficiency and its corollary environmental benefits is so innovative that it has gained the attention of the Aspen Institute as a part of their continuing focus on energy and resource policy-making. As a result, the Mayor, city Manager, and Director of General Services have been invited to attend a conference on "Energy Efficiency in the 21st Century" on April 21 to 24 which is hosted by the Institute. 2 The purpose of the conference is to enable a select group of municipal governments and the energy utilities which serve them to discuss the long term energy and environmental policy issues which can be addressed through regional energy efficiency initiatives. The five cities which have been invited to the conference in Aspen, Colorado are Santa Monica; Irvine; Aspen; Gothenberg, Sweden; and Nacka, Sweden. The utilities which have been invited are Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas, Gothenberg Energy, and Nacka Energy. A representative from the u.S. Department of Energy and two members of the California Public utilities commission will also attend. The conference will seek consensus among the invited groups over how communities and their energy providers can form interactive partnerships toward more efficient energy use. Municipalities in the United states, Sweden and elsewhere are coming to understand that a more productive and economical approach to achieving energy efficiency lies in developing market-driven strategies based on municipal/utility agreements. The conference will provide an excellent opportunity for highlighting Santa Monica'S efforts to create a sustainable energy future and will result in many valuable insights for our future program planning efforts. The conference will end on April 24th with the signing of "The Aspen Accord" by the mayors of the participating cities. 3 . BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT There are no budget or fiscal impacts associated with Council approval of the attached resolution. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that Council adopt the attached resolution, the "Aspen Accord", supporting the development and implementation of regional energy efficiency initiatives. prepared by: Craig Perkins, Director of General Services Attachment 4 - - ~ RESOLUTION No. (CCS) A Resolution of the city Council of the City of Santa Monica Supporting the Development and Implementation of Regional Energy Efficiency Initiatives and Approving the. "Aspen Accord" WHEREAS, the cities of Irvine, Gothenberg, Nacka, and Santa Monica are involve.d with implementing Energy Efficiency Initiatives as an integral part of their respective long-range planning; and, WHEREAS, the Cities recognize the need to encourage the efficient use of energy resources in order to reduce the cost of government and provide better service at a lower cost to their customers, the citizens; and, WHEREAS, the cities realize that establishment of an Energy Efficiency Initiative as a permanent part of their long term policies will be more environmentally sensitive and provide for more optimal use of energy; and, WHEREAS, regional Energy Efficiency Initiatives will focus on providing new and efficient energy services through the creative development of new types of local infra-structure; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Cities of Irv~ne, Gothenberg, Nacka, and Santa Monica enter into: 1 THE ASPEN ACCORD The efficient use of energy is vital to the long term prosperity of our communities, our respective nations and the world. In order to assure that energy efficiency is integrated into our energy future, and to set an example for others, we agree to form this covenant dedicated to the creation of Regional Energy Efficiency Initiatives. The Cities pledge their mutual support and encouragement in the development, implementation, and promotion of the Regional Energy Efficiency Initiatives that they have embarked upon; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Regional Energy Efficiency Initiatives embarked upon by the cities and their respective utilities will set an example for other cities, regions, and states in structuring local energy solutions to global energy problems. NOW THEREFORE, the Mayors of Irvine, Gothenberg, Nacka, and Santa Monica do hereby resolve to affix their signatures to the Aspen Accord in representation of their mutual covenant to initiate regional energy efficiency initiatives. THESE ACTIONS TAKEN on this 24th day of April, 1994 in Aspen, Colorado, United states of America. APPROVED AS TO FORM: MARSHA JONES MOUTRIE city Attorney aspen 2 - ~- - - . f}jcl61l--- CA:f:\atty\muni\laws\mtt\aspen.res Santa Monica, California City council Meeting 4/19/94 RESOLUTION NO. _ (CCS) (City council Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF REGIONAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY INITIATIVES AND APPROVING THE "ASPEN ACCORD" WHEREAS, the cities of Irvine, Gothenberg, Nacka, and Santa Monica are involved with implementing Energy Efficiency Initiatives as an integral part of their respective long-range planning; and, WHEREAS, the cities recognize the need to encourage the efficient use of energy resources in order to reduce the cost of government and provide better service at a lower cost to their customers, the citizens; and, WHEREAS, the cities realize that establishment of an Energy Efficiency Initiative as a permanent part of their long term policies will be more environmentally sensitive and provide for more optimal use of energy; and, WHEREAS, regional Energy Efficiency Initiatives will focus on providing new and efficient energy services through the creative development of new types of local infra-structure; 1 . . . . NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the city of Santa Monica enter into: THE ASPEN ACCORD The efficient use of energy is vital to the long term prosperity of our communities, our respective nations and the world. In order to assure that energy efficiency is integrated into our energy future, and to set an example for others, we agree to form this covenant dedicated to the creation of Regional Energy Efficiency Initiatives. The City pledges support and encouragement in the development, implementation, and promotion of the Regional Energy Efficiency Initiatives that they have embarked upon; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Regional Energy Efficiency Initiatives embarked upon by the cities and their respective utilities will set an example for other cities, regions, and states in structuring local energy solutions to global energy problems. NOW THEREFORE, the Mayor of Santa Monica does hereby resolve to affix her signature to the Aspen Accord in representation of the City'S covenant to initiate regional energy efficiency initiatives. 2 - .- .. ~ lor I" The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect. APPROVED AS TO FORM: -~~~~~ MARSHA JO~ S MOUTRIE City Atto ey 3