Appendix F

 

Energy Conservation

 

I.          Introduction

The goal of conserving energy implies the wise and efficient use of energy.  The means of achieving this goal include:

(1)               decreasing overall per capita energy consumption,

(2)               decreasing reliance on natural gas and oil, and

(3)               increasing reliance on renewable energy resources.

In order to assure that energy implications are considered in project decisions, the California Environmental Quality Act requires that EIRs include a discussion of the potential energy impacts of proposed projects, with particular emphasis on avoiding or reducing inefficient, wasteful and unnecessary consumption of energy.

Energy conservation implies that a project’s cost effectiveness be reviewed not only in dollars, but also in terms of energy requirements.  For many projects, lifetime costs may be determined more by energy efficiency than by initial dollar costs.

II.         EIR Contents

Potentially significant energy implications of a project should be considered in an EIR.  The following list of energy impact possibilities and potential conservation measures is designed to assist in the preparation of an EIR.  In many instances, specific items may not apply or additional items may be needed.

A.                  Project Description may include the following items:

1.         Energy consuming equipment and processes which will be used during construction, operation and/or removal of the project.  If appropriate, this discussion should consider the energy intensiveness of materials and equipment required for the project.

2.         Total energy requirements of the project by fuel type and end use.

3.                  Energy conservation equipment and design features.

4.                  Initial and life-cycle energy costs or supplies.

5.                  Total estimated daily trips to be generated by the project and the additional energy consumed per trip by mode.

B.                  Environmental Setting may include existing energy supplies and energy use patterns in the region and locality.

C.                 Environmental Impacts may include:

1.                  The project’s energy requirements and its energy use efficiencies by amount and fuel type for each stage of the project’s life cycle including construction, operation, maintenance and/or removal.  If appropriate, the energy intensiveness of materials may be discussed.

2.                  The effects of the project on local and regional energy supplies and on requirements for additional capacity.

3.                  The effects of the project on peak and base period demands for electricity and other forms of energy.

4.                  The degree to which the project complies with existing energy standards.

5.                  The effects of the project on energy resources.

6.                  The project’s projected transportation energy use requirements and its overall use of efficient transportation alternatives.

D.                 Mitigation Measures may include:

1.                  Potential measures to reduce wasteful, inefficient and unnecessary consumption of energy during construction, operation, maintenance and/or removal.  The discussion should explain why certain measures were incorporated in the project and why other measures were dismissed.

2.                  The potential sitingsitting, orientation, and design to minimize energy consumption, including transportation energy.

3.                  The potential for reducing peak energy demand.

4.                  Alternate fuels (particularly renewable ones) or energy systems.

5.                  Energy conservation which could result from recycling efforts.

E.                  Alternatives should be compared in terms of overall energy consumption and in terms of reducing wasteful, inefficient and unnecessary consumption of energy.

F.                  Unavoidable Adverse Effects may include wasteful, inefficient and unnecessary consumption of energy during the project construction, operation, maintenance and/or removal that cannot be feasibly mitigated.

G.                 Irreversible Commitment of Resources may include a discussion of how the project preempts future energy development or future energy conservation.

H.                  Short-Term Gains versus Long-Term Impacts can be compared by calculating the energy costs over the lifetime of the project.

I.                     Growth Inducing Effects may include the estimated energy consumption of growth induced by the project.

 

Note:  Authority cited:  Sections 21083 and 21087, Public Resources Code.  Reference:  Sections 21000-21176, Public Resources Code.