COUNCILMEMBER DONNA FRYE
CITY OF SAN DIEGO
SIXTH DISTRICT

Memorandum

One of the ways for the City to pursue the Mayor's Goal #9, energy independence, and make San Diego a model city for renewable energy use, is through the installation of solar power systems and energy efficiency devices in City buildings.

The City has embarked on an aggressive program to increase efficiency and renewable energy use in the City through the leadership of Tom Blair and the City's Energy Conservation and Management Division. This program includes a new proposal to take advantage of our energy services contract with On-Site Energy to blanket Balboa Park with solar panels and efficiency systems. This project is especially noteworthy due to Balboa Park's high level of public use and exposure.

We also have the opportunity to pursue efficiency and small-scale solar projects on many of our highest energy consuming City facilities, including police stations, libraries, pools, and fire communication centers. The San Diego Regional Energy Office has completed a study on sites where solar and efficiency measures may be feasible. The study shows that a bond for $2 to $4 million will have a payback of 10 years or less, and significantly reduce the City's annual energy use. The next step in the process is for the Energy Division to meet with Financing Services to evaluate the proposal and move forward.

Additionally, the installation of solar and efficiency systems will strengthen the City's regional economy by creating local, sustainable jobs for electricians, contractors, and solar companies. San Diego has a burgeoning opportunity to develop a new local industry that will both create new high-quality jobs and increase tax revenue for the City. Success in developing a local industry is contingent on our efforts to solicit and recruit local, trained and certified businesses and labor for upcoming projects.

In order to move forward with small-scale solar and efficiency bond projects, as well as progressing with a new industry in San Diego, we ask the Rules Committee to proceed on three items:

1. Direct the City Manager to evaluate a small-scale solar municipal bond of $2-4 million to fund the installation of efficiency and solar systems on identified City buildings;

2. Direct the City Manager to ensure the City maximizes its use of local companies and skilled labor pools when proceeding with energy efficiency and solar energy projects, including projects that have been approved but have not yet been implemented (such as the Police Headquarters project); and

3. Direct the City Manager to explore implementing standards and certifications for all solar installations as proposed by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.

Given the possibility of accomplishing energy independence, building a new industry in San Diego and safeguarding public health and the environment, we urge the Rules Committee to move forward on these items without delay. Thank you for your time and attention to this issue.