Solar Energy

NO RESPONSE Question 2 Total Number of Responses Population Yes No No Response Total <50,000 10 34 4 48 50,000+ 18 16 4 38 2006-2007 County of Los Angeles Civil Grand Jury 244 Some Cities Using Solar (photovoltaic) Power for Structures:

Develop recommendations for energy conservation and environmental initiatives for approval by the Board of Supervisors.

Implement and monitor the Board of Supervisors’ approved targets for reduction of energy usage Countywide.

Provide regular reports on status of energy programs to the Board of Supervisors and the public.

Join the California Climate Registry to assist the County in establishing goals for reduction of Green House gasses.

Approve the Sustainable Design Program for Countywide capital improvement and refurbishment projects. The County has over sixty million square feet of existing office and facility space. The County is the largest single customer of Southern California Edison. The County of Los Angeles is not a provider or reseller of energy. There is no individual County department responsible for all solar or other renewable alternative energy program areas. The proposed Energy and Environmental Policy provides a structure for development of energy efficiency. Solar and other renewable power will also be a key element of achieving LEED certification for certain types of new and existing buildings. The Energy and Water Efficiency Program conservation program seeks to further reduce County facilities energy and water consumption. The Environmental Stewardship Program is designed to measure the County’s “environmental footprint”, including minimization of air pollutants. The County’s Internal Services Division/Energy Management Department recognizes most other local governments and public agencies and constituents within the County have limited knowledge on energy issues. The Public Outreach program will utilize the County’s communication and outreach channels to share information with the utility industry, as well as facilitate implementation of subsidy and assistance programs. 2006-2007 County of Los Angeles Civil Grand Jury 253 The Sustainable Design Program provides for the integration of sustainable “green building” technologies into the County’s capital improvement and refurbishment projects. The Sustainable Component will encompass projects that can feasibly incorporate appropriate Design Components. In addition, some projects such as the County Data Center will be eligible for the LEED certification based on innovative design.

Certify new buildings of a certain size to LEED Silver-level eligibility;

Reduce County energy consumption by 20% by 2017;

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions the County is adjudged responsible for; and

Develop a renewable energy strategy under the Policy. The County’s plans include all new construction, as well as the refurbishment of existing facilities such as has been underway. The new designs will contain energy efficient components. The refurbishment projects will continue to require time and funding resources. 2006-2007 County of Los Angeles Civil Grand Jury 255 CONCLUSION In the future, each of us will be participating in multiple forms of recycling and alternative energy. It will become part of our routine at home and at work. The need to reduce our dependence on coal and fossil fuel will eventually affect many more parts of our lives than are now evident.