Bakersfield, Calif., officials launch energy-efficiency drive

By Erin Waldner, The Bakersfield Californian -- June 23

City and county government officials joined three utilities on Wednesday to launch a new energy efficiency program designed to help local residents, businesses and government save money and energy.

Organizers say the $5.4 million program, called "Energy Watch," could save 1,800 kilowatts of electricity and 162,000 therms of natural gas annually. That represents $240 per business and $69 per household in annual energy savings, according to the program.

"We're excited about the possibilities," said Roland Risser, director of customer energy efficiency at Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

This is a ratepayer-funded program.

Energy Watch is a collaborative effort involving the city of Bakersfield, the county of Kern, Pacific Gas and Electric Co., Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Co.

The three utilities will work together to provide energy information and certain energy-efficient equipment to residents and businesses that traditionally are hard to reach because of language barriers, geographic location and income. The equipment they could receive includes indoor lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent lamps and programmable thermostats.

A thermostat that can be programmed can result in $100 in savings a year.

"Certainly, when local businesses are thriving, we have a benefit to the city of Bakersfield and the county of Kern," Kern County Supervisor Barbara Patrick said at a press conference.

In addition to small businesses, the program will strive to reach low-income and elderly residents.

Patti Wagner, director of energy efficiency programs at Southern California Gas Co., said the program's marketing campaign calls for placing advertisements on TV and in print, inserting information into utility bills, going door-to-door and mailing brochures to 50,000 households.

Another element of Energy Watch includes retrofitting several city and county buildings so they're more energy efficient. The upgrades could include installing new air-conditioning units and lighting fixtures.

Organizers said retrofits could be done at a county juvenile hall on Ridge Road, the Bakersfield Convention Center, City Ice Sports and Centennial Garden.

New air-conditioning units are already being installed at the fire station at H and 21st streets.

It's estimated the Energy Watch program will save the county and city governments $400,000 a year in energy costs and reduce energy use by 2.7 million kilowatt hours per year. That's enough electricity to serve 360 homes.

The Bakersfield City Council and Kern County Board of Supervisors have endorsed Energy Watch.

"This program is good for the city of Bakersfield," Mayor Harvey Hall said.

Under this program, local building officials will receive training on energy efficiency codes and standards. Training seminars will also be held for residential contractors, design and building firms, engineers and architects working on commercial properties.

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