Archive for the ‘California’ Category
 Our Mission: Fossil Free
Fossil Free by ’33In 2004, after more than three decades of environmental leadership, CEC drastically restructured to focus on a single mission: to move Santa Barbara County and our surrounding region away from fossil fuels in one generation. Given the urgent concerns of climate change, peak oil, and dependence on foreign oil, we strongly believe that this transition should be the top environmental and economic priorities for the region and nation. Fossil fuels have played a pivotal role in the evolution of modern society; without them, we would likely still be living in an agricultural economy, with none of the benefits that we enjoy today in terms of transportation, medical advancements, sanitation, and entertainment. But a century of burning fossil fuels has taken its toll, and the time has come to find alternatives. CEC’s mission is to make today’s generation the last to rely on gasoline for fueling its cars, and coal- and natural-gas-created electricity for heating and lighting its buildings. Why we need to replace fossil fuelsThere are a number of serious, complex problems that arise from relying on non-renewable energy sources. Here are three:
How we can do itThe two biggest energy-using sectors in our region are buildings, which account for about 37 percent of our energy needs, and transportation, which accounts for about 48 percent. In our energy plan for Santa Barbara County – A New Energy Direction – CEC focuses on solutions in which there are available, cost-effective technologies, and where we have the potential for local influence. For example, in the building sector, our communities can set stringent local building codes and educate and inspire designers and builders. However, in the transportation sector, fuel efficiency standards are set in Washington, D.C. and cars are designed and built in Detroit, Berlin or For details on how our region can move away from fossil fuels, see Our plan for getting there . How the Santa Barbara region can lead the wayCalifornia is in a unique position of influence, having recently passed the most comprehensive global warming solutions bill in the nation (AB 32). As with recycling 20 years ago, many states are now waiting to see what type of mandates and voluntary programs California will propose before they take action of their own. As the 6th largest economy in the world and one of the most influential states in the nation, what happens here matters. Santa Barbara, too, is in a unique position. Our region has access to an array of renewable energy resources – particularly the sun, wind and ocean – and our communities are defined by a level of deep environmental concern. While we may not be the largest or most influential region in the state, we are perfectly positioned to serve as a testing ground. When it comes to making political and societal changes, Santa Barbara is small enough to be able to change course with relative speed, and yet large enough to matter when those changes are made. |
In tackling the ambitious goal of weaning our county from fossil fuels, we first need to recognize the magnitude of the task. The main sources of energy we use are gasoline and diesel to run our vehicles, natural gas for heating and cooking, and electricity — which in California is generated largely by fossil fuels like natural gas and other non-renewable sources like nuclear.
In 2005 in Santa Barbara County, we consumed about 184 million gallons of gasoline, 28 million gallons of diesel, 8.4 million gallons of jet fuel, 525,000 gallons of aviation gasoline, 155 million therms of natural gas, and 2,700 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity. When we combine all of these energy sources and convert them to GWh as a common unit of energy, we find that our region used about 15,500 GWh in 2005. If our region continues with business as usual, CEC projects that regional energy demand will rise to about 21,500 GWh by 2030.With that target in mind – 21,500 GWh needed by 2030 — CEC evaluated the most sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to fossil fuels for our county. They are:
Reduce energy use in buildings
A significant portion of energy in our region is used to heat, light and cool residential and commercial buildings. Fortunately, our region has a few things going for it. First, Santa Barbara is fairly temperate, and buildings do not require a lot of heating and cooling to be comfortable. Second, when it comes to electricity and natural gas, California is already relatively energy efficient, due in large part to successful state policies. Since the early 1970s, California’s per capita electricity and natural gas use have leveled off or dropped – while U.S. per capita energy use in these areas has grown significantly.
Third – and perhaps most importantly – buildings in our region are designed and constructed almost entirely by local architects and builders, with design and energy standards set by local agencies and elected officials. With support and guidance from a CEC-led coalition, for example, the City of Santa Barbara now requires all buildings within city limits to exceed California’s Title 24 – which is already the most aggressive state energy standard in the country. As a result, Santa Barbara is now one of the most forward-thinking cities in the nation when it comes to requiring that buildings be energy efficient – although we still have some work to do to improve the efficiency of our older buildings.
Read more about this section of our regional energy blueprint.
Improve transportation
Another significant portion of energy in our region is used to fuel our cars. This sector is a little more challenging, as vehicles are not built locally, and fuel-efficiency standards are set by national and state policy. But once again, our region has a few things going for it. Being a relatively small community with a temperate climate, it is possible to design neighborhoods and transportation systems that promote walking, biking, busing and taking the train.
Second, there are progressive, creative people in our region who are exploring new ideas and business models – such as “on demand” ride sharing using internet and cell phones, and car sharing programs in which drivers rent a car by the hour from convenient locations around town.
And third, car owners in this region are willing to invest in new types of vehicles – in fact, Santa Barbara boasts the fourth highest per capita ownership of hybrid cars in the country. This enthusiasm will be important as new types of cars come on the market in the next few years, such as all-electric and plug-in electric vehicles. Plug-in hybrids – which are like today’s gas/electric hybrids but with larger batteries — can be recharged at night through a standard electrical outlet, extending the fuel efficiency up to 100 mpg.
Read more about this section of our regional energy blueprint.
Meet our needs with renewable energy
As we begin transitioning away from liquid fuels and toward electricity to power our vehicles, our region will need access to a great deal more electricity. Currently, only about 14 percent of the electricity used by Californians is generated by renewable energy such as wind or solar power. The remainder is generated by natural gas (46 percent), nuclear (15 percent), large hydro (10 percent), and some coal-fired plants in other states (15 percent).
While electrical grids are complex – electricity generated in one region may be used by another – the south and central coasts of California can play important role in the future. If properly harnessed, our abundance of wind, sun, and ocean power could generate enough electricity to offset our region’s electrical needs.
Fortunately, energy developers are starting to see the potential for building wind and solar farms in our region. CEC is working with many of them to ensure that their proposals are environmentally sound and located in appropriate areas.
Read more about this section of our regional energy blueprint .
