A Truly emPowering Program
by Deborah Brasket, SB CAN Executive Director
Some of the biggest barriers many people face when exploring whether to make their homes and businesses more energy efficient — such as adding insulation, improved furnaces and air conditioners or adding a solar hot water system — are the high costs.
While all these home investments pay back over time, the upfront costs can be intimidating for many.
Last December, through AB 811, California paved the way for individual cities and counties to help their residents get over those hurdles by enacting a new enabling law, allowing local governments to voluntarily develop programs that essentially loan money to property owners to make energy-efficiency improvements to their homes.
Santa Barbara County is ready to do just that. On Tuesday, at a hearing in Santa Maria, the Board of Supervisors will vote to consider adoption of a new program called emPowerSBC — Elective Municipal Program to Optimize Water, Energy and Renewables.
This program is expected to create as many as 900 local jobs, representing 40 percent of those lost in construction trades during the recession. In addition, the program will induce $131 million in local investment and $346 million in economic output over the next 10 years.
All eight cities in the county unanimously approved formal participation in the program. Eligible projects include basic energy- and water-efficiency retrofits, such as the installation of low-flow toilets and faucets or attic insulation, as well as more high-tech installations, such as solar photovoltaic panels, solar hot-water systems, and smart irrigation systems.
Financing is completely voluntary, with no upfront investment. The loan is repaid through property taxes, with pay-back periods between five and 20 years. If the owner moves, the loan stays with the property, and the new owners take over the payments.
One of the biggest benefits of emPowerSBC is the number of new jobs and economic growth expected for the county. With unemployment up to 9 percent and construction jobs down 22 percent since 2007, the new program will provide significant opportunities for local trades people.
To help prepare them for the new jobs, both Hancock College and Santa Barbara City College have put curriculum in place to ensure training in the latest green technologies, materials, and techniques.
According to the county’s feasibility study, this program aligns well with the recently adopted Climate Change Guiding Principles. It constitutes a significant early implementation measure in the county’s Climate Action Strategy, now under way.
How fitting that, once approved, the emPowerSBC program will be launched on April 22 — the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.
But don’t wait until the then to start celebrating. You can get a jump start this Sunday by visiting the Santa Maria Green Car Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
See the latest hybrid, clean diesel, and fuel efficient vehicles all in one place. Some of the models qualify for tax credits. The show takes place at the Santa Maria Fairpark. Admission and parking are free.
And don’t forget to let your elected county supervisor know that a program bringing green technology, hundreds of new jobs, and millions of dollars in local investments is something well worth supporting.
Posted in Editorial on Friday, April 9, 2010 12:00 am in the Santa Maria Times
Date:
9 Apr 2010 - 10:27pm