The document outlines California's efforts to implement energy and water efficiency measures by 2030, including the establishment of various assembly bills aimed at reducing energy demand and promoting zero net energy buildings. It highlights the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency programs, which have been shown to produce significant net benefits for the state while creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, it discusses funding strategies to overcome barriers to energy efficiency projects and emphasizes the importance of these initiatives for both the economy and public utilities.

1. AB2679
A time line by 2030 for implementing energy and water, efficiency
and conservation, combined with onsite generation of energy for
all public buildings where as a state agency was responsible for
issuing a building permit.
The recent release of the California Energy also play a major role in increasing reliability of the
Commissions 2009 Integrated Energy Policy Report electricity system by reducing stress on existing
provides one of many power plants and the transmission system and
elements for the creation reducing the demand for new power plants and
of AB2679. transmission infrastructure. Energy efficiency and
During the first decade demand response measures are the first resources in
of the new millennium the loading order because they can contribute to
many reports, research meeting climate change goals with little or no
documents, and findings impact on the environment and with measurable
regarding energy in the benefits (for example, cost savings) to the
State of California were consumer.
created and numerous laws enacted to ensure the
research and findings concluded are implemented in Strategies to achieve all cost-
managing California’s energy needs. effective energy efficiency and
greenhouse gas emissions reduction
Assembly Bill 2021 (Levine, Chapter 734, Statutes goals include promoting the
of 2006): This bill requires the Energy Commission, development of zero net energy
in consultation with the CPUC and publicly owned buildings, increased building and appliance
utilities, to develop a statewide estimate of all standards, and better enforcement of those
potentially achievable cost-effective electricity and standards. A zero net energy building merges highly
natural gas efficiency savings and establish energy-efficient facility strategies related to the
statewide annual targets for energy efficiency building structure, the integration of state of-the-art
savings and demand reduction over 10 years. appliances and lighting systems, and high
performance windows to reduce a building’s load
Assembly Bill 758 (Skinner, Chapter 470, Statutes and peak requirements. Technical strategies for
of 2009): This bill requires the Energy Commission efficiency also can include on-site solar water
to establish a regulatory proceeding by March 1, heating and renewable energy, such as solar
2010, to develop a comprehensive program to photovoltaic, to meet remaining energy needs. The
achieve greater energy savings in existing result is a grid-connected building that draws
residential and nonresidential buildings. energy from, and feeds surplus energy to, the grid.
Energy Efficiency &
Demand Response
Energy efficiency and
conservation programs reduce
energy costs, which makes
businesses more competitive and
allows consumers to save money.
In addition, energy efficiency
reduces the cost of meeting peak
demand during periods of high
temperatures and high prices. By reducing the
demand for electricity, energy efficiency programs

2. the least-cost options to meet the state’s growing
Cost effectiveness will motivate energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
organizations to implement every dollar invested in energy efficiency produced
$1.17 in net benefits for the state.”
projects with short paybacks,
positive cash flow and projects that Energy Efficiency Groupware Application
Annual Reports, Table 4 (2006-2008 costs).
will reduce cost http://eega2006.cpuc.ca.gov
California’s efficiency programs have continued to
Energy Efficiency Financing provide more than $2 in benefits for every
Public Sector Projects $1invested
Many organizations see the lack of funds as a major
barrier to energy efficiency projects. Our research Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis is a comparative
indicates that there are many project funding method whereby all costs and savings related to a
sources. In many cases, the funding can be decision are evaluated over a common study period
structured so that the projects can be repaid from and adjusted for the time value of money. Since
energy savings, negating the need for upfront LCC incorporates the time value of money, on costs
capital and eliminating lack of capital as a project and savings over a given study period, decision
barrier. makers should consider using
the LCC methodology when
evaluating the cost
effectiveness of energy
efficient, conservation,
demand side management,
and site generations project
alternatives. This is a direct
cost analysis the indirect is
consumer spending and jobs.
Cost effectiveness will motivate organizations to
implement projects with short paybacks, positive Energy Efficiency & Jobs
cash flows and projects that would reduce operating CPUC analyses determined the state can capture
cost. High energy cost result in cost effective approximately 7,000 MW and nearly 29,000 GWh
projects with short paybacks and positive cash of additional efficiency savings through 2020
flows. Capturing these savings is important as the state
Energy efficiency projects financed by the Energy seeks to jumpstart the economy, and improve air
Commission, however, have received a special quality. Efficiency is a proven tool to create jobs
exemption from the State Attorney General’s and to enable consumers to keep more money in
Office. Under a 1984 Attorney General’s ruling, their pockets by paying less on their utility bills. A
energy efficiency projects that “pay for themselves”
from energy cost savings do not constitute debt. U.C. Berkeley analysis of the state’s overall energy
Reported to the California Public Utilities efficiency efforts 1972 to 2006 provided a
Commission in the cumulative total of about $56 billion in savings and
Investor Owned created about 1.5 million full-time equivalent jobs
Utility performance with a payroll of $45 billion
report for the Energy
Action Plan program CPUC “California Long Term Energy Efficiency
cycle of 2006-2008 Strategic Plan,” is expected to provide even more
“Investments in savings to consumers while creating more than
energy efficiency 15,000 skilled green jobs
continue to be one of