North Bay Business Journal

NORTH BAY – PG&E and two other California utilities have been granted $3.1 billion by the California Public Utilities Commission to continue energy-efficiency programs from 2010 through 2012.

According to Randy De Caminada, PG&E’s manager of service and sales for the North Bay and North Coast, PG&E will get nearly $1.4 billion.

“All of our programs, for industrial, agriculture and residential sectors will continue and be improved,” he said.

Randy DeCaminada

They include the Savings by Design for developers; SmartAC for businesses and residences; the Schools, Colleges and University program; and Energy Partners Program for weatherizing buildings.

In addition to energy audits, the utility offers rebates and in many cases replacements of energy-inefficient equipment and material.

“We help people calculate the carbon footprint of a home or business and then reduce it by changing lighting, heating and air conditioning systems and replacing high-energy appliances. Commercial buildings especially can make significant reductions,” he said.

Marin County won $144,415 in PG&E rebates by making energy upgrades at its new Health and Wellness Center through the Savings by Design program, which offers up to $500,000 in awards to builders of non-residential buildings.

In Sonoma County, the utility has been compiling statistics related to its energy-efficiency programs since 2006. For the two and a half year period, the programs are calculated to have reduced CO2 emissions by 120,388 tons a year.

“That’s the equivalent of taking 16,812 cars off the road,” said Mr. De Caminada. The total electric and gas savings also is equal to supplying enough energy to 32,000 homes annually.

“Our efficiency programs are paying off in a big way, and we’re very pleased that the PUC is continuing to enable them. Since we began them in 1976 they’ve helped customers save $22 billion in energy costs and kept 135 million tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere,” he said.

For a list and explanation of PG&E programs, visit www.pge.com/myhome or www.pge.com.mybusiness.