When running heat or air conditioning, keep all
windows and doors closed as tight as possible so air doesn't escape from the room. It's easy to forget that a window might be open a crack, but when air is seeping out of a room, the heater or air conditioner is working harder than it needs to, which means unnecessary cash (and energy) is being spent.
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City of Chula Vista LEED Certification Projects
City of Chula Vista staff is working with contractors, financed by SDG&E, to Certify the City Hall Campus on the LEED Operations and Maintenance rating system. According to
www.usgbc.org "LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building project types, from new construction to interior fit-outs and operation and maintenance, LEED provides a framework that project teams can apply to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement.".
To earn LEED certification, a project team must demonstrate compliance with all mandatory prerequisites and select a number of optional credits to pursue. In September 2017 Building A (where Council Chambers and Council are located) was awarded 67 points and the Gold designation. City staff is now working on the certification of Buildings B and C..
Building A was awarded Gold Certification based on its energy performance and operation. In fact the achievement was based on many different components such as storm water quality and quantity control, pest and landscape management in the Sustainable Sites section; water efficiency, water efficient fixtures and sub metering were awarded on the Water Efficiency section; recycling and green purchasing in the Materials section; and HVAC maintenance and green cleaning in the Indoor Air Quality Section. Finally, most points were awarded in the Energy and Atmosphere section because of the building's energy performance. In fact in the process all buildings on campus have been Energy Star re-certified and they perform better than 94% of similar buildings in the same climate zone. For more information about Energy Star certification please visit:
www.energystar.gov
For more information about the City of Chula Vista LEED Certification project please email Barbara Locci
[email protected] or call 619-691-5134
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California Climate Credit
During the month of October, residential and small business
 customers of SDG&E will receive a credit of $29.62 on the electricity portion of their bill. The credit known as the California Climate Credit reduces your bill and is designed to help you join with California and Chula Vista to fight climate change and clean the air. The idea is to use the $29.62 (money in your pocket) to take action by investing in low cost energy efficient equipment. Energy saving equipment is available at various Chula Vista home improvement and other stores, examples include:
- LED light bulbs - these are up to 90 percent more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last significantly longer than incandescent and CFL bulbs.
- Programmable thermostats - program your home's temperature to match your energy saving goals.
- Advanced smart power strips - cell phone chargers, computers, speakers and other devices may draw electrical power when plugged in and not in use; avoid "vampire" energy loss with an advanced power strip that will eliminate this draw of electricity.
- Wi-Fi smart plug remotely controlled sockets - you can turn the plug on and off remotely with your smart phone, ideal for controlling lights.
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Chula Vista City Council Adopts 2017 Climate Action Plan
The Chula Vista City Council recently adopted the 2017 Climate Action Plan (CAP), which will help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and lower Chula Vista's vulnerability to expected climate change impacts. Created with the assistance of a year-long stakeholder engagement effort, the Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) is comprised of residents, businesses, non-profits, academia, utility representatives and community group representatives. In recognition of this innovative engagement, the San Diego chapter of the Association of Environmental Professionals awarded the CCWG an award for outstanding public involvement.
 The focus of the CAP consists of four major sectors including water conservation and reuse, waste reduction, renewable and efficient energy and smart growth and transportation. Under each sector, there are various objectives that staff will work to achieve. City staff will continue current outreach programs such as the CLEAN business, FREBE, Recreation's Empower Hour, Library's Energy Lounge and Home Energy & Water Check-Up programs that provide free information on how residents and businesses can save energy and water while reducing utility bills. It also contains a number of new actions such as requiring new homes to have solar PV panels, increasing water reuse, completing bike and pedestrian infrastructure and adopting a Zero Waste Plan, just to list a few. Another new feature is the User Guide to Action designed to translate the objectives and actions that the City will be taking at the community level to actions individuals can take.
To review the full 2017 Chula Vista Climate Action Plan, please visit
www.chulavistaca.gov/clean
. If you have any questions or would like to be added to the Climate Change Working Group email list please contact the Conservation Section at (619) 409-3893 or
[email protected]
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Gov. Brown Doubles Down On EVs
If we build them they will come, says Gov. Jerry Brown, describing the role electric vehicles (EVs) play in his ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
 Gov. Brown reaffirmed his commitment to EVs when he signed a dozen laws in October to boost the use of EVs in the Golden State. State agencies will be buying more EVs. Access to HOV lanes will be extended for single occupant EV drivers. A new pilot program will be initiated for EV charging stations at state parks and beaches.
The math is simple: the more EVs on the road, the more demand for charging stations. And most people spend more time at the office than at state parks or beaches. On-site charging stations will soon be a priority for tenants of commercial properties.
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) can help. SDG&E is installing 3,500 EV charging stations at apartments, condos and businesses in region through the Power Your Drive initiative. The City of Chula Vista is participating in this program, as well and new chargers will be available for fleet and employee vehicles. Visit sdge.com/PowerYourDrive
to join the interest list and learn how SDG&E can help you install the infrastructure you will need.
When it comes to the need for EV infrastructure, it's not a matter of if, but when. Gov. Brown, your tenants and the planet will thank you for taking steps today to support the future.
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New Seasonal And Peak Periods Launching
Every few years, SDG&E submits a forecast of future costs to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to set rates that adequately provide safe and reliable gas and electric service to its customers. The proceeding, called the General Rate Case (GRC), is subject to a rigorous review process by the CPUC and other stakeholders and interested parties. Recently, the CPUC ruled on several changes that will become effective December 1, 2017.
The decision established new time periods for Time-of-Use (TOU) rates and changed the month of May from a Summer month to a Winter month. The new seasonal periods are:
Summer: June 1 - October 31
Winter: November 1 - May 31
The previous on-peak period of 11 am to 6 pm has been in place since the 1980's. As more renewable energy is available during the day, the peak period has shifted to later in the day, resulting in the new time of use periods below. These new time periods will become effective on December 1, 2017 and will apply to most business customers but customers should check their pricing plan for their specific changes. Find out your pricing plan by visiting sdge.com/myaccount.
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Approved Time of Use Periods (Weekdays)
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TOU Period
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Summer
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Winter
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On-Peak
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4pm-9pm
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4pm-9pm
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Off-Peak
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6am-4pm
9pm-midnight
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6am-4pm
Excluding 10am-2pm in March & April
9pm-midnight
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Super Off-Peak
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Midnight-6am
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Midnight-6am
10am-2pm in March & April
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Approved Time of Use Periods (Weekends & Holidays)
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TOU Period
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Summer
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Winter
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On-Peak
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4pm-9pm
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4pm-9pm
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Off-Peak
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2pm-4pm
9pm-midnight
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2pm-4pm
9pm-midnight
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Super Off-Peak
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Midnight-2pm
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Midnight-2pm
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How To Dispose Cooking Oil
Put used cooking oil in a bottle/container with a watertight lid. Call Republic Services at (619) 421-9400 two days before your regular collection day. Then put your oil at the curb.
You can also take oil to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility* located at 1800 Maxwell Road on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 am - 1 pm.
*
The facility is closed the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the last weeks of December, and New Year's Day.
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