Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant

In August 2009, the City received a $157,900 allocation from the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program (a formula funded grant based on the city's population). The EECBG program was funded initially through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. The City has three years from the date of allocation to use the funds.

The purpose of the EECBG program is to assist eligible entities in creating and implementing strategies to:

• Reduce fossil fuel emissions in a manner that is environmentally sustainable and, to the maximum extent practicable, maximizes benefits for local and regional communities;
• Reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities;
• Improve energy efficiency in the building sector, the transportation sector, and other appropriate sectors; and
• Create or retain jobs.

Based on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy prepared as a requirement of the grant program, in early 2010 final approval was granted to the City to use EECBG funds to implement the following projects:

• Establish an Energy and Emissions Management System for City Facilities. For more information about this project, click here. One product of this project includes an updated greenhouse gas emissions inventory for City operations for 2008, which can be found here. To better track and manage energy use in City facilities, two primary tools are now being used:

Portfolio Manager to track and analyze monthly electricity, natural gas, and water use and cost. Portfolio Manager is a free online building benchmarking tool developed by the Energy Star program of the US EPA; and

Energy Expert through Portland General Electric which provides real-time electricity data for six City buildings. At City Hall, an Energy Expert kiosk has been set up to share this information with City staff and the public. The display cycles through four screens.

• Conduct Education and Outreach. A large component of the City's education and outreach project is Sustainability Action Month, a month of community events each May to share information and inspire change. Sustainability Action Month 2011 focused on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation.

• Retrofit Outdoor Lighting at City Facilities. Several City facilities were identified for outdoor lighting retrofits to increase energy efficiency, better visibility and safety, and to comply with the City's dark sky ordinance for public facilities. Sites include the Adult Community Center, the Library, and the City Hall lower parking lot. The Adult Community Center retrofit is underway and is anticipated for completion winter 2012, with the other retrofits to be completed by summer 2012.

• Conduct a Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. A Request for Proposals from interested consultants was released on March 17, 2011 and a consultant team led by the Good Company was hired. The RFP can be found here. The inventory was completed in February 2012. Results and resources for climate action are available here.

• Fund an Energy Management Pilot for the Lake Oswego School District.

• Participate in Clackamas County Energy Efficiency on Main Street Program. The Clackamas County Energy Efficiency on Main Street (EEMS) program is working with Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) to make energy efficiency upgrades a viable and attainable option for commercial businesses in Main Street districts. In Lake Oswego, there are two main street districts: Lake Grove and Downtown. The City, in partnership with the Clackamas County EEMS program, is offering rebates up to $1,500 for eligible energy efficiency upgrades. Note, as of April 2, 2012, the incentive has been reduced to $1,000 per project. Services also include resource information and free energy walkthroughs conducted by ETO field engineers.  Visit Clackamas County EEMS to learn more.

• Participate in Clean Energy Works of Oregon. Clean Energy Works Oregon, an on-bill financing mechanism for energy efficiency retrofits to single-family homes, is now available to Lake Oswego residents. Using EECBG funds, the City provided an additional $500 incentive to the first 40 eligible Lake Oswego applicants. As of April 1, 2012, the Lake Oswego incentive is no longer available. Visit Clean Energy Works Oregon to learn more and apply.

Energy efficiency resources for Lake Oswego residents and businesses, including rebates and tax credits, are available from the Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) and the Oregon Department of Energy-Conservation Division. The ETO incentive table provides an overview of residential incentives and applicable state and federal tax credits. Additionally, the ETO's new Savings Within Reach program provides additional incentives for moderate income residents (owners and renters).

For more information contact Susan Millhauser, Sustainability Coordinator or call 503-635-0291.  

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