The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments is hoping that
Hollister and San Benito County will be receptive to a new plan
aimed at reducing energy use by both government and private
citizens.
Hollister – The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments is hoping that Hollister and San Benito County will be receptive to a new plan aimed at reducing energy use by both government and private citizens.
“We’re hoping to look at what we can do to reduce energy use. In doing that we can have a little more energy independence and energy security,” said Carrie Mann, an AMBAG program manager who worked on the plan.
Hollister City Council members were presented with a draft of the plan Monday, and have until early next year to offer comments before a final plan is adopted early next year.
The likelihood of continued higher energy prices due to growing demand, inadequate infrastructure, and uncertainty in the energy markets are all identified in the draft as reasons why local governments need to work at efficient energy use.
The draft, which is being paid for with a $15,000 California Energy Commission grant, also includes a list of steps local governments can take to achieve energy efficiency.
Though the information may be new to some local jurisdictions, the draft is essentially a compilation of established ideas and strategies that have been successful for other governments, Mann said.
At the top of the list is a recommendation that local government make greater us of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar energy. The plan also encourages the use of “distributed energy,” which is onsite power sources, like generators.
“That gives you independence,” Mann said. “It saves money and keeps dollars in the local economy.”
Conservation is also stressed. Such measures include making sure equipment, such as air conditioners, is well maintained and running properly, and replacing older lighting fixtures with newer, more energy-efficient ones.
The draft calls for local government to encourage citizens to take similar steps to conserve.
“The plan is aimed both at city and county governments taking measures in their facilities and spreading it to the community,” Mann said, adding that local governments can sponsor education programs to teach citizens about energy conservation and provide incentives to those who take measures to conserve.
The recommendations in the draft are just that – AMBAG cannot force its members to adopt specific policies or programs.
“It is up to each local jurisdiction if they adopt it as actual policy, use it as guidelines or don’t use it at all,” Mann said.
