SR-510-001-02 (2)
EPWM: CC: CP; SM:/EPWM/EPDSTAFFRPT/FLEX
City Council Meeting: November 9, 2004 Santa Monica, California
To: Mayor and City Council
From: City Staff
Subject: Approve Resolution Supporting the Community Energy Partnership?s
Implementation of the Flex Your Power Now Alert System
Introduction
This report recommends that City Council approve a resolution supporting the
Community Energy Partnership in its implementation of the State?s Flex Your Power
Now alert system.
Background
The Community Energy Partnership, initiated in 2002, is an association of ten cities
(Santa Monica, Irvine, Palm Desert, Moreno Valley, Brea, Cathedral City, Corona,
Hermosa Beach, San Bernardino, and Santa Clarita) in partnership with Southern
California Edison and The Gas Company for the delivery of innovative energy efficiency
programs tailored to the needs of each city. The Energy Coalition, a nonprofit
organization working to promote energy efficiency, is the facilitating partner of the
Community Energy Partnership. Flex Your Power is California?s statewide energy
efficiency marketing and outreach campaign. Initiated during the energy crisis of 2001,
Flex Your Power encourages energy conservation through advertising campaigns, retail
promotions, and electronic media.
1
Discussion
The California Independent System Operator, the organization responsible for
management of California?s electrical grid, forecasts several days of historically high
demand during fall, 2004. On July 27, 2004, the Governor issued an Executive Order
establishing the Flex Your Power Now campaign. Flex Your Power Now is an alert
system designed to notify California residents and businesses of critical peak periods of
electrical demand. Upon notification, power users immediately lower their electricity
use, thus avoiding potential blackouts. The Community Energy Partnership has been
selected for a demonstration project involving the dissemination of alert information
through city government partners.
As a participant in the Flex Your Power Now campaign, the City commits to:
?
Reducing electricity use at City facilities during peak periods;
?
Placing an alert notice on the City?s website and e-mailing City staff on alert
days;
?
Broadcasting teletext announcements on CityTV.
Upon notification by the Energy Coalition that the grid is approaching a critical peak
demand period, City staff will notify designated staff Energy Advisors at City work sites
who will ensure that energy conservation protocols are implemented. The protocols
include setting thermostats to 78 degrees; turning off all non-essential electrical
appliances; turning off lights when leaving an office or conference room; turning lights
off in offices and perimeter spaces that have adequate daylight; and turning off desktop
2
computers, monitors, and copiers at the end of the day. These energy conservation
behaviors were made mandatory for City staff in 2001 and are still being followed for the
most part.
Budget/Fiscal Impact
There is no budget impact from participating in this demonstration project. Reducing
electricity use during critical peak periods may generate nominal energy cost savings for
the City.
Recommendation
It is recommended that City Council approve the attached resolution supporting the
Community Energy Partnership in its implementation of the State?s Flex Your Power
Now alert system.
Prepared by: Craig Perkins, Director, Environmental and Public Works Management
Susan Munves, Energy and Green Building Administrator
Attachments: Resolution
3
RESOLUTION NUMBER ____ (CCS)
(CITY COUNCIL SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA
MONICA AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO SUPPORT THE
COMMUNITY ENERGY PARTNERSHIP?S IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE FLEX YOUR POWER NOW ALERT SYSTEM
WHEREAS, the California Independent System Operator is
responsible for managing California?s electrical power grid;
WHEREAS, the California Energy Commission in consultation with the
California Independent System Operator has determined that high temperatures
combined with increasing local demand and localized transmission constraints
can result in localized shortages of electricity;
WHEREAS, the ability of consumers to reduce their energy usage at times
when overall energy usage is placing strains on the state?s electrical system can
improve the stability of the grid, reduce the cost of electricity, and result in
significant savings;
WHEREAS, in Executive Order No. S-12-04, the Honorable Arnold
Schwarzenegger, Governor of California, encourages local governments to
reduce energy usage during peak periods and to participate in the demand
response programs offered by California?s power utilities and other entities in the
California electric power industry;
WHEREAS, Flex Your Power Now is an electricity conservation alert
system designed to prevent Stage One Electrical Emergencies ? times when
electricity reserves are low;
1
WHEREAS, the Flex Your Power Now alert will notify California
businesses, governments and residents when they should follow specific
conservation and load-shifting measures to immediately reduce their electricity
use;
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica is a member of the Community
Energy Partnership, with the cities of Brea, Cathedral City, Corona, Hermosa
Beach, Irvine, Moreno Valley, Palm Desert, San Bernardino, Santa Clarita, and
Santa Monica, as well as Southern California Edison;
WHEREAS, the Partnership serves as a means by which city
governments, utilities, small businesses, and residents of local communities can
work together to understand their options, change attitudes and behaviors, and
ultimately take on the responsibility for a healthy and sustainable energy future;
WHEREAS, the Community Energy Partnership has been selected as the
subject of a demonstration project to verify the effectiveness of community
organizing as a means of disseminating information to local residents in the
event of critical and emergency stages as declared by the Independent System
Operator;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council that the City
of Santa Monica will join the Community Energy Partnership in this endeavor by:
1. Reducing energy usage at City facilities during critical peak periods as
defined and declared by the California Independent System Operator;
2
2. Committing the City?s available resources to the Partnership?s alert
system, to reach as many local residents and businesses as possible
with news and information in the event of a system alert;
3. Encourage local residents and businesses to fully participate in the
Community Energy Partnership, the City?s energy efficiency program,
and other demand response programs administered by investor-owned
utilities and other entities.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________
MARSHA JONES MOUTRIE
City Attorney
3