September 3, 2003—The San Francisco Board of Supervisors recently approved a $16.3-million joint energy efficiency pilot project with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and San Francisco’s Environment Department. The San Francisco Peak Energy Pilot Program is designed to increase electric reliability by reducing peak energy demand for both residential and business customers.
Implementation of the project will include nine energy efficient program elements aimed at reducing usage in San Francisco by 16 megawatts in January 2005. Through a portfolio of energy efficiency programs, PG&E and the Environment Department will work with hotel/motel, restaurant, and apartment owners.
Some of the programs for businesses include:
- Cash rebates for business customers who replace old equipment with new energy efficient technologies. Equipment includes lighting, air conditioning, refrigeration, motors, and food service. Reservations are required.
- Standard performance contracts based on verified energy savings and demand reductions resulting from custom-designed projects. Any small, medium, large commercial, and industrial customer in San Francisco can apply to the program individually or have a project sponsor apply on the customer’ s behalf.
- Targeted system energy audits to large commercial customers who have a high potential for peak demand reduction.
- Commercial turnkey services to help small and medium businesses identify potential energy-saving opportunities.
- Energy efficiency review and recommendations on building projects that come to the planning department, promote incentive programs applicable to such projects, and analyze and draft potential energy efficiency ordinances to be considered for adoption for both existing and new buildings.
- Emerging technologies for peak load reduction at customer sites in the city.
This program is funded by California utility customers and administered under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.
For more information, business customers can call 800/468-4743 or visit the PG&E Web site.
