HomeMy WebLinkAboutWSA - 2012-03-19_SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES1.docx
City of Santa Ana
Sustainability Accomplishments
January 2012
January 1, 2012
E
NERGY
CITY OF SANTA ANA
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Funds
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Santa Ana was allocated almost $3.3 million for energy efficient improvements to City facilities
and community park lighting and heating/air conditioning systems.
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These projects will reduce annual energy use by approximately 820,000 kWh, with a consequent
reduction in CO emissions of 565 metric tons each year.
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The projects will produce an annual energy savings of approximately $106,600.
Santa Ana Energy Leader Partnership with Southern California Edison
Small Business Direct Install Program
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Since 2008, over 2,855 businesses have participated in the Direct Install Program.
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These businesses received $3 million worth of energy efficient upgrades, saving an estimated 10.2
million kWh annually- enough to power 1,700 homes each year.
Residential Programs
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Lamp Exchange event held in 2008 helped residents exchange 7,584 inefficient lamps with
energy efficient lamps at a total value of $189,256. The annual energy savings is 596,387 kWh.
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Residents have received free Home Energy Surveys and $50 for pick-up of used refrigerators.
The annual energy savings is 173,638 kWh.
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Energy Efficiency Kits were distributed to 39,150 residents, saving 2,287,550 kWh annually.
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Over 10,300 compact fluorescent lights were given out at public events, saving 361,375 kWh
annually.
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Three Holiday Light Exchange events were held, providing a total of 4,600 strands of LED lights.
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Fifteen schools and 1,472 students participated in the Living Wise Program where students
received free energy efficiency kits for their homes. The annual energy savings is 84,000 kWh.
LED Street Lights and Traffic Signals
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The City replaced 253 street lights with energy efficient
light emitting diode (LED) technology. This is
approximately 10 percent of the total street lights.
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LED streets lights save 74 percent or 287,119 kWh
annually. This saves the City $36,755 per year with lamps
lasting over 15 years, therefore reducing maintenance
costs too.
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The City’s carbon footprint was lowered by 198 metric
tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to removing 39
passenger vehicles from the road.
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A total of 290 traffic signals at all intersections were replaced with LED technology.
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Solar Energy Program
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The City provides a two-year Permit Fee Waiver for all types of solar installations.
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The City promotes the use of solar technology by performing plan check, permitting, and
inspections on solar projects at no cost to the customer.
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The City has also streamlined the review and permitting process and can review most residential
solar installations over the counter for same day permit issuance.
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Santa Ana is one of only a handful of cities in Orange County to offer 100 percent free solar
permitting. Customers can also receive rebates from Southern California Edison and a federal
solar tax credit.
Solar Installations
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There are 103 solar systems installed in Santa
Ana. One of the largest solar systems in
California is being installed at Warwick
Square Apartments with 4,116 panels and 1
MW of renewable energy.
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The Santa Ana Unified School District
installed one of the largest solar systems in
Orange County at Saddleback High School.
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The panels producekilowatts of
electricity per year, up to 75 percent of the
school's electric needs. Funds for the project
came from the federal stimulus package.
The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
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In 2007, the City of Santa Ana signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, which
urges federal and state governments to enact policies and programs to meet the Kyoto Protocol
target of a 7 percent reduction in emissions below 1990 levels.
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Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido is Chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Energy Committee.
This is a partnership with the Department of Energy and local governments nationwide to
implement clean energy programs and projects.
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TLU
RANSPORTATION AND AND SE
CITY OF SANTA ANA
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Acquisition Policy
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Over the next five years 75 percent of the fleet will be replaced by alternative fuel vehicles
(AFVs), total cost savings will be nearly $1 million. To date, the City has over 45 AFVs.
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In 2011, AQMD awarded the City $523,000 to
purchase new AFVs.
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There are two compressed natural gas fueling
stations available to the public.
City Fleet
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All of the fleet’s used oil and antifreeze is
refined, recycled, and reused.
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The Recap Tire Program makes use of a
remanufacturing process designed to extend all
fleet vehicle tires’ useful service life. The recycled
rubber is shredded to make rubber mulch.
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A motor vehicle loan pool allows departments to share vehicles for business purposes instead of
the permanent assignment of vehicles.
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A zero waste policy has been implemented by the Facilities,
Fleet and Central Stores Management.
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The City’s fleet of over 900 vehicles was rated among the top
100 fleets in the nation by Government Fleet Magazine. Fleets
were selected based on improved operational efficiency,
significant savings, and increased fleet availability.
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center (SARTC)
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The SARTC is the focal point of transportation in Orange County and combines Amtrak,
Metrolink, Orange County Transit Authority, intercity and interstate bus transportation, and
airport and taxi services all at one location.
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Santa Ana received $3 million in grant funds for environmental work to expand the SARTC to
include additional parking, the proposed streetcar system, and to determine the feasibility of
infrastructure to support high-speed rail service. This commitment to long-range, sustainable
planning was one factor in the selection of Santa Ana as a major transportation grant recipient.
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The Santa Ana Fixed Guideway/Street Car Project, in cooperation with the Orange County
Transportation Authority (OCTA), is developing a transportation system that would provide a
convenient connection between Metrolink commuter rail service at the SARTC and key activity
and employment centers in the cities. The Street Car Project would be electrically powered
through a single overhead wire and would transport up to 100 people per trip.
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Transit Vision and Go Local Projects
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The Transit Zoning Code, adopted in June of 2010, provided new zoning for over 400 acres in
Santa Ana’s downtown core. The new zoning supports compact development that is transit-
friendly and allows for a mix of uses that will place housing closer to transit and jobs.
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The first projects developed under the new zoning will create more than 140 units of new infill
development within a one-mile radius of the SARTC. This new housing represents a range of
high-quality, compact development from row housing to courtyard-style apartments. Many of the
new units will be marketed as affordable housing.
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The Transit Zoning Code area will also be the new home of one segment of Santa Ana’s Fixed
Guideway System. The adoption of the Transit Zoning Code demonstrates Santa Ana’s strong
commitment to the effective combination of land use and transit planning.
Alternative Transportation
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The Bikeway Master Plan links bicycle paths to major activity centers, neighboring jurisdictions,
and regional bicycle paths.
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There are nearly 20 miles of bikeways, and approximately 60 additional miles are proposed. There
are also 183 bike racks throughout the city, and additional racks are planned.
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OCTA Bus Rapid Transit is planning for three new routes that will directly serve Santa Ana.
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Santa Ana is becoming fully compliant with the Complete Streets Act. This ensures that
transportation agencies routinely design and operate the entire right of way to enable safe access
for drivers, transit users and vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Tree City USA since 1988
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Trees prevent air, soil, noise, and runoff pollution while increasing property values.
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There are 65,000 city trees that are kept healthy and attractive.
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The Mayor’s 800 New Trees Initiative for 2011 exceeded expectations with nearly 1,000 trees
planted.
New Construction Inspection
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The City provides field verification of energy-efficient HVAC units.
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City staff examines new air-conditioner units, new furnaces, and similar equipment for
compliance with Title-24 Energy Guidelines and determines efficiency levels.
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W
ATER
CITY OF SANTA ANA
Utilizing approximately 75 gallons of water per
capita per day – among the lowest in California!
SoCal Water$mart Rebates
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Since 2001, Santa Ana customers received rebates offered for high-
efficiency devices that include:
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High-efficiency clothes washers – saving 268 AF*
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Weather-based irrigation controllers, or "smart" controllers
that utilize sensors to monitor moisture levels – saving 29 AF
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Rotating sprinkler nozzles – saving 13 AF
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Ultra-low flush toilets – saving 10,982 AF
*One Acre Foot (AF) = 325,851.43 gallons of water, enough to cover one acre of land one foot deep.
Save Water – Save A Buck Program
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Since 2001, commercial customers have installed 5,240 water-saving fixtures such as: ultralow
flush toilets, cooling tower conductivity controllers, pre rinse spray heads, and pressurized
waterbrooms, saving 2,659 AF of water.
City Water Initiatives
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In 2009, the City Council adopted new Water Efficient Landscape Standards. Included in the
standards is the option to add synthetic turf as a landscape design feature.
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The City installed energy efficient motors in City water wells for well rehabilitation
improvements. The annual energy savings is 1.1 million kWh.
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The City has installed high-efficiency toilets at municipal facilities.
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Reclaimed water is provided to commercial and industrial users for irrigation and manufacturing
processing.
Santa Ana groundwater wells produce
the third-best-tasting water in the world!
According to Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting-
2011
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SW
OLID ASTE
CITY OF SANTA ANA
Eight New Solar-Powered Trash Compactor Recycling Units are
Installed
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Eight solar trash compactor recycling units are
located at the Santa Ana Regional Transportation
Center reducing the need for trash pickup by up to
80 percent.
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Solar trash compactors hold five times more than a
standard 35-gallon trash can.
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Solar trash compactors save money by reducing
trash collection cost, fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions, and collect recyclables.
A 20+ Year History of Recycling and Diversion Program
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The State requires 50 percent waste diversion from landfill. The City surpassed these
requirements by achieving 67 percent diversions in 2010.
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Last year, nearly 33,000 tons of green waste was processed into mulch or compost.
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The City has 12 Certified Used Oil Collection Centers.
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City’s procurement policy emphasizes the purchase of recycled-content goods.
Other Disposal Programs
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Residents are provided with:
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Three carts for refuse, recyclables, and green waste collection
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Curbside used oil and filter collection
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Curbside universal waste collection
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Composting workshops
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Household hazardous waste collection events
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Sharps/needles recycling
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Construction/demolition recycling
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Multifamily recycling
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