|
 Here is a summary of some basic strategies that local governments can employ to improve their local community energy picture. This summary was adapted from Rocky Mountain Institute's Community Energy Workbook (www.rmi.org/bookstore).
Lead by Example
- Perform energy efficiency retrofits on city buildings, and use them as demonstration sites.
- Draw on state-of-the-art renewable resources and energy efficient design for new buildings.
- Use energy-efficient practices in all aspects of city operations
- Apply cost-effective energy efficiency measures in public buildings.
- Install renewable energy and cogeneration systems where practical
- Implement procurement practices that fully consider operating and life-cycle costs.
- Require all new public buildings to be constructed using sustainable building design principles.
- Track resource costs in government operations and give staff incentives to find ways to reduce them.
Help Remove Barriers to Energy-Wise Practices
- Put energy efficiency at the top of the community agenda.
- Demonstrate how energy efficiency benefits the local economy
- Analyze what specific barriers exist in your town. Decide what can be done to overcome these barriers, and publicize findings.
- Offer citizens the information needed to make more informed decisions.
- Develop and/or promote standardized ways for assessing homes' energy efficiency
- Hold homeowner workshops on energy efficiency and renewable energy
- Distribute consumer guides on energy efficiency such as "Where to Get It" guide to efficient goods and services.
- Develop financing partnerships between lending institutions, businesses, and other funding sources.
- Promote existing financing opportunities, such as energy-efficient mortgages
- Provide technical and financing assistance to residents for home and commercial energy improvements
- Increase awareness of energy alternatives among lenders, builders, contractors, and developers.
- Offer technical assistance to builders, vendors, and contractors.
Serve as a Catalyst for Change
- Initiate ongoing, community-wide, energy efficiency campaigns.
- If utilities or other energy organizations are not promoting a sustainable energy future, create an energy office to lead the effort.
- Encourage demand-side management programs at local gas and electric utilities.
- Create energy codes that require efficiency measures in new buildings and homes, as well as those offered for sale
- Enact energy-smart land use codes
- Create incentives or requirements for passive solar and super-efficient home construction.
- Create incentives for exemplary energy practices and recognize efforts.
- Establish hook-up feebates that require builders to pay a fee for inefficient buildings while giving rebates to those who are efficient.
|
|
