HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 09-22-09 Item 09CITY OF 7V
LADE LSINOP E
DREAM EXTREMEn
REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ROBERT A. BRADY
CITY MANAGER
DATE: SEPTEMBER 22, 2009
SUBJECT: A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE WESTERN RIVERSIDE COUNCIL
OF GOVERNMENTS ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND WATER
CONSERVATION PROGRAM
Background
Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) is in the process of securing a
$300 million partnership loan with the Federal Government. The funding would be used
for loans to residential and commercial property owners to make energy efficient
improvements to their property.
Discussion
WRCOG estimates that the loan could create approximately 3,200 jobs in the region
and fund improvements to 13,500 properties. Improvements would include solar
panels, heating and cooling systems, windows, pool filtration systems, and other energy
efficient and water conserving improvements that are permanently affixed to properties.
Fiscal Impact
Approval of the loan may result in a positive fiscal impact to the City.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the Mayor to send the attached letter
of support to Robin Lowe, Chair of the WRCOG Executive Committee.
Prepared and
Approved by: Robert A. Brady~j
City Manager 11~~
Attachments: Letter of Support
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CITY OF
LADE LSIlYOIZE
DREA
REME
September 22, 2009
The Honorable Robin Lowe
Chair, Executive Committee
Western Riverside Council of Governments
4080 Lemon Street, 3rd Floor
Riverside, CA 92501
Subject: Letter of Support for the Western Riverside Council of
Governments Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation
Program
Dear Chairwoman Lowe:
ROBERT E. MAGEE
MAYOR The City of Lake Elsinore supports the Western Riverside Council of
Governments (WRCOG) efforts to implement a regional Energy Efficiency and
Water Conservation Program (Program) on behalf of participating member
MELISSAA. MELENDEZ jurisdictions, and supports your efforts in securing a $300 million partnership
MAYOR PRO TEM loan between the Federal Government and WRCOG for Program
implementation.
AMY BHUTTA California legislation allows for cities and counties to provide loans to
COUNCILMEMBER residential and commercial property owners for the purchase and installation
of energy efficient improvements to their properties. Improvements would
include, but are not limited to, solar panels, heating and air conditioning
THOMAS BUCKLEY systems, windows, pool filtration systems and other energy efficient and water
COUNCILMEMBER conserving improvements that are permanently affixed to properties. Energy
efficient investments, over time, tend to pay for themselves due to reduced
utility bills. Energy savings also delays the need for costly new energy
DARYL HICKMAN generation and transmission infrastructure to be funded and constructed in a
COUNCIEMEMBER State with limited resources.
Unfortunately, many homeowners and businesses do not have the resources
ROBERTA- BRADY to pay the up-front costs for these types of improvements. WRCOG's
CITY MANAGER Program will provide low-interest loans for the purchase and installation of
improvements, with repayment being made through annual property tax
installments over a specified number of years. This approach removes the
951.674.3124 up-front initial costs from becoming a detriment to energy efficient retrofitting,
130 S. MAIN STREET
LAKE ELSINORE, CA 92$30
W W W. LAKE-E LS I NORE.ORG
CC September 22, 2009 Item No. 9
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The Honorable Robin Lowe
September 22, 2009
Page 2
and will allow for thousands of homes and businesses in one of the fastest
growing areas in the nation to reduce energy use, improve home values, and
create jobs.
Among the reasons for the City of Lake Elsinore's support for this Program,
and loan request, are the following:
1) Creates iobs: A $300 million loan would create approximately 3,200
jobs in a region that is experiencing unemployment of nearly 15%
(among the highest levels of unemployment in the State) and retain
hundreds of jobs in the contracting and construction-related fields.
2) Maximizes existing energy infrastructure investments: The best way to
avoid or delay costly investments in new energy development and
transmission infrastructure is to reduce current energy use.
3) Regional approach could fund improvements to13,500 properties:
Condensing administrative responsibilities under one agency,
(WRCOG) will also minimize administrative costs compared to having
jurisdictions allocate limited staff resources for individual, smaller-sized
programs.
4) Helps residents make smart decisions about energy efficiency: The
Program would provide no-money-down and fixed-rate financing over a
specified number of years to residential and commercial properties for
installing energy-efficient improvements, removing the barrier that
many property owners face when deciding on whether to pursue
retrofits to their homes or businesses;
5) Positions the region a leader in addressing climate change mandates:
WRCOG's regional approach could serve as a template for addressing
greenhouse gas emission requirements of AB 32: The California
Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.
6) Program is voluntary: The Program will apply only to property owners
that desire to participate.
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The Honorable Robin Lowe
September 22, 2009
Page 3
The City of Lake Elsinore encourages you to continue California's efforts to
use energy and water efficiently on a permanent basis, lead efforts that would
allow for low-interest loans (to be fully repaid with interest to the federal
government) to residential and commercial property owners to implement
energy efficient and water conservation improvements.
Sincerely,
Robert E. Magee
Mayor, City of Lake Elsinore
c: City Council
City Manager
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