Key Resources for Renewable Energy and Low-Carbon Fuels

Renewable energy and low-carbon fuels includes a wide range of strategies and actions. Here are some key resources that can help you explore the range of opportunities and determine what fits well for your city or county.

Renewable Energy

• ILG Whitepaper on Financing Sustainability Efforts
• Overview of Utility Energy Efficiency Support and Financing Programs
  California utilities and state agencies offer a variety of programs to support and finance local government energy efficiency efforts. This page provides a starting point for understanding what programs and resources are available to help.
• California Energy Commission Energy Partnership Program
  For communities seeking financial help with greening public buildings, the California Energy Commission offers low-interest loans up to $3 million per project for incorporation of energy-saving components in planned buildings or retrofits to existing facilities. Free technical assistance is also available to cities and counties for energy efficiency planning for public facilities.
• California Energy Commission Energy New Solar Homes Partnership Municipal Toolkit
  The New Solar Homes Partnership Municipal Tool Kit provides California cities with resources to encourage local home builders to install solar electric photovoltaic (PV) systems on new energy efficient homes. Suggested strategies include streamlining the permit process, incentivizing energy efficiency measures and solar installations, and educating home builders about current solar incentives.
• The Customer’s Guide to Solar Power Purchase Agreements
  The Customer’s Guide to Solar Power Purchase Agreements: Solar Power Without the Upfront Costs for Organizations and Businesses, Rahus Institute, October 2008
• Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments
  The U.S. Department of Energy developed this comprehensive resource to assist local governments and stakeholders in building sustainable local solar markets. The guide introduces a range of policy and program options that have been successfully field tested in cities around the country.
• California Solar Initiative (CSI) Program Handbook June 2010
  The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)'s CSI Program Handbook provides the most comprehensive information on program eligibility, installation requirements, and other incentive details.

Greening Your Fleet

• Moving Toward Fuel-Efficient and Alternative-Fuel Fleets: 10 Questions Local Officials Should Ask
  Here are key questions that can help local agencies avoid the pitfalls -- and take advantage of these new technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money.
• Cleaner Car Buyer’s Guide (Air Resources Board)
  This site was developed as a resource for car buyers to find clean technology vehicles.
• EPA Green Vehicle Guide
  This tool from EPA provides information that can help you choose the cleanest and most fuel-efficient vehicles.
• Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center (U.S. Department of Energy)
  Interested in learning more about lower carbon fuel vehicles? The Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center operated by the U.S. Department of Energy offers a wealth of information.

The Renewable Energy & Low-Carbon Fuels section of this Web site has other resources that can help, along with examples from a variety of cities and counties throughout California.