Regional Dashboard
Energy
ENERGY-RESIDENTIAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION
WHAT IS THE MEASURE?
Total per capita per day residential energy consumption comprised of electricity and natural gas usage, as measured in kilowatt hours and therms (for natural gas).
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
- Adequate and affordable energy drives our economy and communities. It is critical to every aspect of our residential life: heating and lighting our homes, preparing food, and running household appliances.
- 36% of greenhouse gas emissions from electricity in San Diego County come from the residential sector.
- Current projections show that as our population grows, we will need more power, which means building new power plants and transmission lines that can be difficult to site and expensive to build.
- Energy efficiency and conservation efforts can help meet energy needs and address climate change goals with little or no environmental impact and produce cost savings for consumers.
- Experts in our region have identified energy efficiency occupations in the San Diego-Imperial region as high growth sectors that could bring significant economic benefits and improved quality of life to the region.
- The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has called for a 20% per capita energy reduction in its Regional Energy Strategy Update for San Diego County.
HOW ARE WE DOING? 
San Diego’s per capita electricity consumption has remained fairly flat since 1990 (with the exception of the energy crisis in 1999-2001 when it dropped). At 6.27 KWh per person per day, 2008 data show a slight increase from 2007. Residential natural gas consumption has declined historically and continues to do so, most likely due to more energy efficient technologies. If we want to keep our total consumption relatively flat and meet our greenhouse gas emissions targets, we will need to consider options to reduce per capita emissions by 20% as called for by SANDAG.
LINKS TO ACTION
Tips and resources for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and agricultural sectors on energy-reducing techniques. Here you will find news and information on rebates, programs, and incentives.
http://www.fypower.org/res/summersavings/
Easy tips that you can take around the house to reduce energy consumption and electric bills.
http://www.dawn.com/2008/04/07/ebr8.htm
Low-cost and no-cost ways for businesses and residents to save energy. Here you can find tools and resources to help you save.
http://www.sdge.com/news/energySavingTips.shtml
California Center for Sustainable Energy: Center for promoting green living through smart energy use and green building. Here you will find news and information on incentives and energy advisory consulting, legislation information, and a resource center with links to workshops and an online library.
Policy
Retrofit residential and commercial buildings
http://www.sandiego.edu/epic/ghgpolicy/documents/ES_GHG_Policy_Buildings_FINAL_000.pdf
Rebates and tax credits for windows, doors, and skylights
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=windows_doors.pr_taxcredits
Implementing a Smart Grid
http://www.sandiego.edu/epic/publications/documents/061017_SDSGStudyES_FINAL.pdf
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ENERGY-RENEWABLES
WHAT IS THE MEASURE?
Percent of total electricity supply generated from renewable resources for SDG&E’s service area.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
- More than half of San Diego County’s electricity is currently sourced from fossil fuels—primarily natural gas.
- Natural gas prices have been volatile in recent years and steep increases and fluctuations in price make it difficult for our local businesses and residents to plan and budget resources.
- Although much cleaner than other fossil fuels, burning natural gas produces greenhouse gas emissions, especially in older, less efficient plants.
- Two of our gas fired plants use significant amounts of water to cool their equipment. To conserve water, the State Water Resources Control Board has called for replacing plants that use this technology.
- The State of California's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires electric utilities to increase procurement from eligible renewable energy resources to 20% of their retail sales by 2010.
- Although it is not yet codified in law, Governor Schwarzenegger issued an Executive Order with a target of 33% renewables by 2020, and SANDAG aims for a 45% renewable target for San Diego County by 2030.
HOW ARE WE DOING? (UPDATED MAY 2010)
The percentage of energy that comes from renewable sources is on the rise. The most recent data available from March 2009 show a significant increase from 6.1% in 2008 to 10% in 2009, yet the numbers remain below the RPS target of 20% by the end of 2010. Utilities have faced challenges with permitting, siting and financing new facilities and transmission lines which is partly the cause for the shortfall. However, SDG&E believes it will meet the state requirement by the end of 2010. Another interesting update is related to the mix of renewable energy sources supplying the region. 2009 figures indicate a large jump in wind energy--from 47% in 2008 to 68% in 2009--with a corresponding decrease in biomass sources. Solar PV remains a very small source for SDG&E, about .1% of the total renewable energy supply.
.jpg)
LINKS TO ACTION
Policy
SANDAG's Regional Energy Strategy Update focuses on the multiple opportunities and authorities that SANDAG and its member agencies could take advantage of to address issues and achieve both local and regional goals related to energy and climate change. Although the RES Update does not make recommendations for specific energy projects (e.g., power plants or transmission projects), it does assess regional need for energy resources and infrastructure.
http://www.sandag.org/uploads/meetingid/meetingid_2427_10388.pdf
A system of tradable Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to promote the Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) and the California Solar Initiative (CSI)
http://www.sandiego.edu/epic/publications/documents/070625_RECs_SB107_FINAL_000.pdf