Introduction

 

PHOENIX (By Jon Garrido, The Jon Garrido News Network) ― The New Phoenix Vision "Energy and Green Jobs" will launch ecological, sustainable, and renewable solutions that produce economic benefits for the citizens of Phoenix and help protect the environment: Energy consumption ― fossil fuel dependence and current considerations:

 

Energy is fundamental to our lives. It is estimated the global demand for energy, based on projected world demographics (8 billion inhabitants by 2020 and 10 billion by the year 2050) and worldwide economic growth of 3.5% over the next two decades; should increase from 9.3 billion tons for the year 2000 to 15 billion tons in 2020.

 

According to latest oil reserve estimates and present OPEC production levels, only 50% of future world demand will be covered. The United States will continue to be dependent on imported oil and derivatives for many years to come.

 

The United States, traditionally the greatest consumer of oil derived fuels, may well be eclipsed in the future by the rapidly developing and more numerous populations of China and India, as their importance as consumers begins to grow. Therefore, there exists the need for developing and implementing technologies that produce a new generation of combustible, less contaminating and cleaner fuels than those presently in use.

 

The increased consumption of oil derived fuels has been a reality since their initial exploitation. Consumers face continual market price instability, due to economic and political factors, combined with difficulties in the extraction and localization of new deposits.

 

Furthermore, the increased awareness of resource limitations and their high contamination has produced a movement towards a search for alternative and renewable energy, particularly in the consumer countries like the United States.

 

Numerous problems are related to the use of fossil fuels for combustion. The most significant being air pollution caused by the emission of noxious gases and the natural catastrophes these provoke in the environment.

 

The New Phoenix Vision "Energy and Green Jobs" will pursue technologies which meet and exceed many of today’s industrial processes with an environment friendly approach, greatly minimizing today’s problems of market price fluctuation, increased demand for combustible fuels and the elimination of waste materials derived from other industrial or commercial activities.

 

Alternative Fuels

 

There is little doubt the permanent instability of oil prices has contributed to an increased interest in alternative fuels. We believe the market is ready for new technologies to supplement the increasing demand for energy. Furthermore, Congress is looking at an authorized tax levy and numerous other benefits on all bio fuels, making their commercialization an attractive option.

 

Congress passed energy legislation, known as the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which raises standards for vehicle fuel economy and mandate U.S. transportation fuel include 21 billion gallons of advanced bio-fuels by 2022 and 2 billion gallons as soon as 2012. The legislation further requires these advanced bio-fuels must achieve at least a 50% reduction in life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Bio Diesel derived from grown organic sources

 

This method of production is responsible for significant fluctuations in the price of the raw materials, which are usually destined for human or animal consumption, but are necessary for the production of bio diesel. This can result in the deforestation of large areas to meet the increased demand of raw material. Because of these factors, the bio diesel facilities find themselves in a difficult situation. There are the moral and ecological issues of deforestation and problems in obtaining sufficient raw material to produce their final product.

 

Advantages of new waste-to-energy technology

 

Waste-to-energy is renewable because its fuel source-garbage and is sustainable and non-depleting. According to the U.S. EPA, waste-to-energy is a “clean, reliable, renewable source of energy.” In addition, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus bill), the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Federal Power Act, the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s regulations, twenty-four states and the District of Columbia all recognize waste-to-energy power as renewable.

 

Our mission and obligation to the City of Phoenix will be to implement the production of this new source for fuels, and we have at our disposal the latest 'state of the art' technology for their fabrication. The technology exists, and is currently being utilized in several other countries, and we see urgency and the need to provide the cities’ energy market with an ecological product for present and future generations of consumers.

 

The New Phoenix Vision "Energy and Green Jobs" will promote new technologies capable of transforming useless waste into combustible fuel, regardless of the material introduced to initiate the process. These revolutionary processes are capable of transforming and refining, profitably and efficiently heavy oils as well as residues from oil refining into high quality fuels with lower contamination levels. The initial project will concentrate on the treatment and transformation of plastics, landfill waste, old tires, and other industrial residues produced by local production facilities and neighboring towns.

 

The New Phoenix Vision "Energy and Green Jobs" will be the forefront in taking steps along the road of innovative energy production and environmental protection, by initiating a project to include dangerous and toxic waste in our list of materials for the City of Phoenix to transform into these fuels, with the possibility to choose the end product; high octane gasoline, kerosene, diesel, jet-fuel and LPG. All these products have a very low content of CO2, N2O, sulfur and contaminants. Implementation of this technology for ecological and economical benefit has led the New Phoenix Vision "Energy and Green Jobs" to develop a project with a singular objective: to produce the same high quality fuels, but from organic and plastic waste.

 

Some of the raw materials from which fuel can be obtained with this technology are:

 

    *      Agricultural waste

 

    *      PVC polyurethanes and all plastics

 

    *      Waste cooking oil

 

    *      Waste Vegetable oil

 

    *      Waste tires

 

The final product obtained is always the same; of high quality and completely standardized, regardless of the raw material from which the process was initiated. The system can produce the highest quality fuels which are so in demand, quite literally, on demand — from the most useless of wastes our civilization produces. The end product obtained from this technology, exceeds all the tests for quality and combustibility to which it has been subjected. On-road tests with motor vehicles using the end-product, confirm the gases they emit are less polluting and not as harmful as conventional fossil fuels.

 

Waste management and landfill considerations

 

Waste disposal is a worldwide problem with a high social cost; an economic cost for governments and an environmental cost for the planet. In the majority of cases waste is destined for municipal dumps or collected by companies in the private sector who are licensed for its disposal.

 

We should consider the figures for waste produced by human activity to get a clearer idea of the scale of the problem: The United States generates in excess of 250 million tons of solid waste per year. That’s about 4.5 lbs for each person per day. In addition US industry produces 300 million tons of hazardous waste annually. It is estimated that 40 - 45 million tons of this are classed as hazardous, or particularly dangerous.

 

In the United States 100 million tires are incinerated each year, and 27 million more are buried in landfills. In developed countries, like the United States the cost of urban waste collection is estimated to be more than 40 billion dollars a year.

 

We continue to use waste treatment methods that are unsafe, polluting and costly, and which do not resolve the problem of effective waste disposal.

 

Stronger expectations and new legislation will force the retransformation of many landfills-dumps, and in-turn promote waste prevention, as well as waste recycling and processing for re-use.

 

The City of Phoenix produces millions of tons per year In residential solid Waste and recyclables

 

Plastic waste remains in the environment for years, polluting landscapes, creating hazards to wild life & blocking sewers and drains. It is almost impossible to collect by any effective means.

 

Another more worrying characteristic of plastic is it can act as a chemical sponge with certain pollutants making it even more of a health hazard. The practiced methods for disposal of plastic waste includes; incineration, sanitary filling and recycling.

 

The task of managing the quantities of plastic waste and the lack of infrastructure to deal with them is reason enough to consider an alternative method for their disposal.

 

Refuse and plastics are often burned in incinerators. It is more expensive but a safer method of disposal than landfills. Modern incinerators are designed to destroy at least 99.9% of the organic waste material. Incinerator burning has poisoned air, soil, and water. Communities near incinerators have objected to them because of fears about possible emissions.

 

The management and disposal of waste is not efficient or clean. Even though standards are improving, waste management facilities are still significant polluters. Aside from the problem of illegal dumping, badly-run landfills still put methane into our atmosphere. Methane from landfills constitutes a substantial percentage of greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Implementation of a waste-to-fuel technology

 

The New Phoenix Vision "Energy and Green Jobs" Board will charged with changing public attitude with regards to waste, so it can be seen as a resource that generates employment and well being from an ecological perspective. At the same time, we must guarantee the supply of raw materials for production plants. Our strategy is based on these assumptions, which are fundamental for our expansion. Environmental and waste concerns are now resulting in huge expenses for local governments. The initial project will be the transformation of substances into second generation bio-fuels.

 

Oil, plastic, tires are waste products are considered a hazard to public health. Now they can become a source of income for the City of Phoenix.

 

Few companies in the private sector have had interest in developing the services and infrastructure to deal with this problem on a commercial level. Therefore the City of Phoenix will determine effective tire disposal, followed by ordinances that will address policy on packaging and waste packaging and other challenging plastic wastes.

 

Additional ordinances will be pursued concerning the disposal of industrial oils, obliging the producers to guarantee their collection and safe disposal.

 

The formulation of the decrees will be a collective effort by the City of Phoenix and in particular the The New Phoenix Vision "Energy and Green Jobs" Board, involving manufacturers, distributors, waste management specialists and representatives of the private sector. The objective-to provide a definitive answer to the problem of waste collection and disposal, and better programs to effectively handle and manage the waste of our cities, and converting such waste into a profitable product for our cities, while benefiting our citizens and the environment.

 

Summary of benefits implementing waste-to-fuel technology

 

The following features of the New Phoenix Vision "Energy and Green Jobs" address waste to fuel technology that meets the following criteria.

 

• No contaminating gases are emitting during the transformation process.

 

• These systems are a continuous process, which reduces the number of stages required for transformation of the input material making them extremely energy efficient.

 

• The ability to process the most difficult of fossil fuels allows the treatment of (until now) other useless wastes.

 

• The combustion of the product greatly reduces dangerous gas emissions into the atmosphere, in contrast to the emission levels of current fuels.

 

• The end products are oxygenated and completely sulfur, Nitrous Oxide, and Carbon Monoxide free. No additives are required in the treatment process.

 

• Safer. The refinement process can operate at lower temperatures and atmospheric pressure, for safe and cost effective oil refinement. A lower accident risk than other plant facilities.

 

• More compact, lower building costs. 

 

• Abundant source of raw materials.

 

• Provides a solution for disposal of hazardous waste as well as waste tires, plastics and car parts.

 

• A resulting eco-fuel which has not been obtained from crops or other consumable plant sources which could lower availability to the human population and raise food prices.

 

Conclusion

 

The New Phoenix Vision "Energy and Green Jobs" with innovative technologies will provide an effective solution to plastic, tires and other waste disposal, and obtain in the end a commercial benefit in the form of liquid fuel. What are now environmental problems and a health hazard, can be transformed into an alternative source of raw material to produce bio fuels, revenue and jobs for the City of Phoenix. 

 

The following initiatives are being considered and upon completion of "due diligence," Councilman Jon Garrido will propose adoption and implementation of the following as City of Phoenix ordinances, policy, programs and service: 

 

Initiative 1. Establish a Phoenix The New Phoenix Vision  Energy Board

 

The City of Phoenix will work with the State of Arizona and utilities to centralize planning for the City of Phoenix's supply and demand initiatives.

 

There is a clear need for a more comprehensive, coordinated, and aggressive planning effort, focused on the specific needs of the City of Phoenix.

 

The City of Phoenix's The New Phoenix Vision Energy Board to will be charged with establishing large-scale public consensus on a comprehensive sustainability plan through broad-based public engagement, community forums and town halls, widely disseminated multi-media visualizations of alternative futures, extensive policy analysis.

 

Ultimately, The New Phoenix Vision "Energy and Green Jobs" will create many jobs in green industries, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy usage, waste, water consumption and peak load on power grids, as well as reduce traffic congestion and increases economic productivity due to construction. Phoenix residents will experience lower utility bills, better air quality, a greener environment, and a smaller carbon footprint for the region.

 

That is why Councilman Jon Garrido will propose to the Phoenix City Council an ordinance to establish the City of Phoenix's The New Phoenix Vision Energy and Green Board (the Board).

 

Functions

 

Comprehensive planning: The Board's primary function would be to review and approve The New Phoenix Vision "Energy and Green Jobs" that include supply and demand strategies to meet the City of Phoenix's needs. This plan would be submitted to & written in conjunction with the Arizona Corporation Commission for regulatory approval.

 

To ensure these plans are revised regularly, we will urge the State of Arizona to pass legislation which will require the periodic issuance of The New Phoenix Vision "Energy and Green Jobs" that assesses capacity of the City of Phoenix needs and identified strategies to meet or manage demand. We believe the law should additionally require the development of localized plans across the state, and should take into account not only peak demand capacity of Phoenix, but also energy consumption, costs to rate payers, environmental impact, and greenhouse gas emissions.

 

In addition to overseeing the creation of Phoenix's The New Phoenix Vision "Energy and Green Jobs," the Board would recommend any necessary ratepayer charges by the public utilities for the fulfillment of its plan to the Arizona Corporation Commission. The ultimate goal being all ratepayer charges must be recouped through: savings, efficiency and/or a cleaner more efficient Phoenix for the generations that follow.

 

Reducing demand: The Board would set demand reduction targets as part of the City of Phoenix's overall The New Phoenix Vision "Energy and Green Jobs," recommend funding levels and approve strategies for reaching those goals. A new authority will also be created dedicated to the coordination and implementation of energy efficiency initiatives for the City of Phoenix.

 

This authority, a partnership among the organizations involved with energy efficiency programs in Phoenix, would be responsible for developing plans to meet the Board's targets.

 

Expanding supply: The Board would also set supply targets and recommend a budget for spending on supply initiatives. The Board would facilitate the supply of new clean power to the City of Phoenix by enabling a process to issue long-term contracts to energy supply developers. These contracts would provide a constant revenue stream to pay off investment costs. As a result of this security, power plant owners would be able to attract investors at better financing rates.

 

Board structure: To ensure a range of perspectives and technical experience, the proposed Board would include representatives from the City of Phoenix, the State, and the utilities.

 

The City of Phoenix and State representatives would ensure their respective public policy priorities are reflected in the planning process. The City of Phoenix's representatives would also articulate local community perspectives, including environmental concerns.

 

The representative from the utilities would leverage technical capabilities, understanding of grid and reliability issues and familiarity with energy efficiency programs to shape the City of Phoenix's electricity plans. Arizona Public Service and Southwest Gas would create their own plans for gas demand and supply.

 

Additional regulatory changes are needed to promote, coordinate and to increase investment. There are additional regulatory changes that will help maximize the coordination between energy efficiency and supply efforts and generate new funding sources. The City needs to enter into a partnership with the utilities.

 

Today, utilities like Arizona Public Service profit from the volume of energy consumed. In order to encourage greater participation with our energy efficiency efforts, we must separate Arizona Public Service's profits from the amount of energy used in the City of Phoenix and replace it with incentives for reducing demand. This must be done in a cooperative manner. 

 

We will also advocate for the creation of a forward capacity of the Phoenix market, which pays upfront for future capacity of Phoenix. Under this system, developers can secure prices years in advance, creating a level of financial assurance for backers since they know their initial rates of return. This guarantee can also be applied to energy efficiency strategies; programs that pledge a peak reduction can secure payment as if they were selling additional supply. The money can be invested into further efficiency efforts, providing a new revenue stream for reductions into the future.

 

Finally, we will advocate for The New Phoenix Vision Energy legislation to be implemented on a statewide level. This law would serve as a complement to the City of Phoenix The New Phoenix Vision Energy and Green Board since The New Phoenix Vision "Energy and Green Jobs" for areas adjacent to the Phoenix metropolitan area can affect the City of Phoenix. Reducing transmission congestion could reduce prices in the City of Phoenix as well as regional CO2 and other emissions. Therefore, the City of Phoenix will urge passage of a new State planning statute to accomplish these aims.

 

Initiative 2. Reduce energy consumption by City of Phoenix government

 

We will commit 10% of the City of Phoenix's annual energy bill to fund energy-saving investments in City of Phoenix operations. All energy saving projects must be measured through private sector economic standards. Payback, return on investment and positive cash flow must be reviewed. Phoenix finds itself in dire economic straights we must spend our limited funds prudently.

 

Phoenix’s city government spends millions a year on electricity, gas water and waste management. Small uncoordinated investments in lighting, HVAC and building maintenance already saved the City of Phoenix money. The opportunity exists to save large amounts of money through energy management. A City wide energy audit needs to be conducted immediately, if we do not have quantifiable data about equipment and maintenance, how can we have a plan & save money?

 

That is why we will propose requiring that City of Phoenix invest, each year, an amount equal to 10% of its energy expenses in energy-saving measures. These measures will include controls; energy audits and retrofits when financially justified.

 

We are committed to reducing the City of Phoenix government's energy consumption and CO2 emissions by 30% within 10 years.

 

Initiative 3. Strengthen energy and building codes for City of Phoenix

 

We will strengthen energy and building codes to support our energy efficiency strategies and other environmental goals.

 

The City of Phoenix has completed its first major revision to the building code in some time. This will be followed by regular reviews and updates of the code, to be conducted on a three-year cycle.

 

While the new code will include a number of green elements-including rebates for some green building features, requirements for cool (white) roofs and energy code certification, and more stringent ventilation standards, more can be done.

 

We will make "greening the code" a central focus of the next revision cycle, with an emphasis on implementing the City of Phoenix's energy efficiency strategies, streamlining the process for incorporating new, sustainable technologies into construction, and adaptation to climate change.

 

Another area of focus will be reducing the amount of Portland cement used in concrete. Creating Portland cement is an energy-intensive process that releases tons of C02 for every few tons of cement produced. We will advocate for a different form of concrete to be used by the City.

 

The next three years are also an opportunity to amend other codes influencing the City of Phoenix's energy efficiency, such as the State Energy Conservation Construction Code and Phoenix's Fire Code. While the State code is required to be amended every three years, the process is often delayed and its provisions are not adequately enforced. We will strengthen enforcement of these codes and push for higher standards, particularly regarding lighting requirements. We will also seek to integrate sustainability considerations more fully into the City of Phoenix's other codes, striking an appropriate balance between reducing implementation barriers while preserving safety standards.

 

Initiative 4. Create an energy efficiency authority for City of Phoenix

 

We will create the City of Phoenix Energy Efficiency Authority responsible for reaching the City of Phoenix's demand reduction targets.

 

There are currently a number of programs that target demand reduction and energy efficiency. These efforts have not always been coordinated, and the City of Phoenix has not had the opportunity to play a more active role in either coordination or in shaping programs of its own, beyond participating in Public Service Commission proceedings. This will have to change if the City of Phoenix is going to achieve unprecedented reductions in energy consumption. Phoenix is the 5th largest City in the United States. Phoenix needs to show leadership in the energy arena through comprehensive cost effective management.

 

To that end, we propose to create the City of Phoenix Energy Efficiency Authority which will direct all of City of Phoenix of Phoenix's efficiency and demand reduction efforts. These efforts would be funded through rate-payer based surcharges. This would enable the City of Phoenix to develop a unified effort that is well-tailored to our unique circumstances. The Authority would be charged with developing and managing programs and establishing the incentive structures necessary to reach the City of Phoenix's demand reduction targets as set by the City of Phoenix's New Phoenix Vision Energy and Green Board. The City of Phoenix, Arizona Public Service, and other groups to be named latter would serve on the Authority's board-allowing the Authority to marshal coordinated action among these entities and utilize their resources.

 

The Authority's first task would be to undertake a Phoenix-wide initiative that have the following points: targeting five key areas for energy efficiency; expanding peak load management programs; and undertaking energy awareness and training campaign. In all three of these, the City of Phoenix will begin working immediately through its existing institutions, but full implementation will require the coordination and funding the Authority would provide.

 

Initiative 5. Prioritize five key areas for targeted incentives

 

We will use a series of mandates, challenges, and incentives to reduce demand among the City of Phoenix's largest energy consumers.

 

Reining in the energy consumption in Phoenix's building sector presents a challenge of remarkable complexity and scale.

 

Our efforts will be focused around five key areas: institutional and governmental buildings, commercial and industrial buildings, residential buildings, new construction, and appliances and electronics. We have focused primarily on upgrades to existing buildings, since they will still form the overwhelming majority of our building stock by 2030.

 

We have also singled out the largest sources of consumption for reforms, such as lighting, HVAC, controls and old inefficient appliances. Replacing outdated lighting systems with more energy-efficient systems, replacing old worn out appliances with Energy star rated units, and leveraging renovations to enforce our energy code more vigorously, we can achieve enormous savings-in energy costs. 

 

For private sector change, government has three basic tools in its arsenal: challenges, requirements, and incentives. We will be able to use all three, sometimes within the same targeted area. In many cases, such as the energy upgrades for large commercial and industrial buildings, we will incent behavior to encourage early adoption and then mandate compliance by 2015. We will also challenge the City of Phoenix's leading non-profit and commercial building owners to match the City of Phoenix's commitment to cut its own energy use by 30% in 10 years. The City of Phoenix's commitment will not only set an example, but also help incubate the expertise required for the larger City of Phoenix wide transformation. This, in turn, will reduce the costs of these measures for all.

 

Every energy-saving measure included is cost-effective, with strong paybacks and excellent ROIs. All retrofit projects can usually be achieved with zero startup cost and a positive cash flow from first payment.

 

Initiative 6. Expand peak load management

 

We will seek to cut peak load by 25% through increased enrollment in peak load management programs and real time pricing.

 

Reducing our daily energy usage is critical to achieving our 30% carbon reduction goal and saving money on energy across the City of Phoenix.

 

But special measures must be taken to manage electrical power usage during the hottest days of the year, when air conditioners are running on high and our power usage is at its peak. At these times, our electric grid is strained and our oldest and least efficient plants must run to meet the City of Phoenix's demand. Some of these power plants guzzle 62% more fuel and release 140% more CO2 than newer plants. They are also more expensive to run. Our new, natural gas power plants cost $74 to produce one MWh, while our oldest plants can cost over $250 to produce the same amount of electricity.

 

Peak load management programs are one way to balance electricity of Phoenix supply with demand, reduce the strain on the grid and limit the use of the more expensive and often least efficient plants. The following initiatives could enable 25% of our peak demand to be shaved from the electric load.

 

We will seek to expand participation in peak load management programs. In peak load management programs, customers agree to reduce their electricity consumption on the hottest days-either by using less electricity, using alternative sources of generation or residential energy management programs. Participants are paid for enrollment and/or for responding during a peak event. 

 

Some consumers have installed a more sophisticated metering system that allows buildings to track their own energy use-and sometimes the energy consumption of individual tenants-in real-time. But these meters can be costly: a standard meter costs around $30, while smart meters range from $100 to $600.

 

Full utilization is not realized due to the high cost of smart meters and the fact that entrance is mostly limited to the largest electricity of Phoenix consumers, such as large commercial and industrial buildings.

 

To overcome these challenges and allow for wider enrollment in the peak load management programs, the City of Phoenix will work Arizona Public Service to find a way to install smart meters in every building by 2014 in an economically viable fashion.

 

The City of Phoenix will work with Arizona Public Service on installing smart meters in all City of Phoenix-owned buildings before 2014. This will result in a decrease in City of Phoenix government's peak energy usage, while reducing overall energy consumption by a minimum of 5%. We will also challenge all other institutional, State, and Federal agencies located in the City of Phoenix to participate in peak load programs and increase their overall impact.

 

We will support expansion of real-time pricing across the City of Phoenix. Currently, consumers are able to make informed choices about when to use their cell phones; in peak times, they know that minutes will cost more than off-peak hours and can adjust their behavior accordingly. Although energy prices fluctuate just as much over the course of a day, this information is almost entirely unavailable to the vast majority of Phoenicians.

 

If customers were able to see the costs of electricity of Phoenix at different times, they could make more educated decisions about when and how they use electricity of Phoenix throughout the day. This is known as Real-Time Pricing (RTP).

 

The City of Phoenix will advocate for new incentives for RTP pilots in the City and strongly encourage residential participation, with the goal of enrolling 50% of small businesses and residents by 2015. In addition, the City of Phoenix will push the Arizona Corporation Commission to mandate that 100% of medium and large non-residential customers enter RTP programs over the same time frame.

 

Initiative 7. Launch an energy awareness and training campaign

 

We will increase the impact of our energy efficiency efforts through a coordinated energy education, awareness, and training campaign. The cost savings of efficiency strategies are clear. The programs and opportunities already exist. But unless the public and building professionals appreciate the urgency, are informed about the choices ahead, and understand the savings they can achieve, we will not meet our goals.

 

As a result, the City of Phoenix Energy Efficiency Authority will undertake extensive education, training, and quality control programs to promote energy efficiency. The City of Phoenix will begin to undertake these efforts through a series of partnerships until the Authority is established.

 

Education: In partnership with schools, marketing professionals, and non-profit organizations, we will develop customized awareness campaigns tailored to specific sectors of the public, including the press, schoolchildren, and those in the building trades.

 

Training: The effectiveness of each strategy will depend on its proper implementation. That's why we will also create training programs for building operators, builders, designers, retailers, and energy service providers to ensure that building practices reflect the most energy-efficient strategies.

 

Quality Control: Building owners must be confident that they will receive the expected energy savings. Local utilities and the City of Phoenix are in a position to confirm energy saving measures and results, with in predestinated parameters. These assurances or guarantees are made with information based on methodology established by, but not limited to: USGBC LEED methodology, Green Globes and/or The Association of Energy Engineers – AEE.  All audits will conducted according to established a certification process for energy auditors, commissioning agents, and contractors performing retrofits.

 

We will make energy usage in buildings more transparent by encouraging building owners to file an Environmental Protection Agency Portfolio Manager survey, a web-based energy usage breakdown for buildings. This will enable us to analyze consumption patterns, and adapt our efficiency strategies to have the maximum impact.

 

Finally, we will establish a process to measure and verify the progress of each demand reduction initiative to establish credibility, facilitate consensus about the most cost-effective procedures, and fine-tune our policies to achieve greater effectiveness over time.

 

Initiative 8. Facilitate repowering and construct power plants and dedicated transmission lines

 

We will facilitate the construction of clean and reliable supply capacity of Phoenix by repowering old plants, constructing new ones, and building dedicated transmission lines.

 

Achieving clean and reliable energy will require upgrading, expanding, and replacing much of our current energy supply. Between now and 2015, the City of Phoenix will pursue three strategies to increase supply from cleaner power plants.

 

First, we can maximize existing power plant sites, either by building additional generation facilities within the existing site or modernizing the plant's technology. This process, known as "repowering" can increase efficiency up to 40% and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Replacing old turbines will also improve local air quality. The City of Phoenix will explore opportunities to facilitate in-City of Phoenix repowering that offers significant additional capacity of Phoenix and achieves immediate local air quality improvements.

 

Our second option is to build new plants on new sites. New construction costs about the same or less than repowering, but land is limited and construction costs in City of Phoenix remain high compared to the surrounding region.

 

Our final option is to build power plants outside City of Phoenix limits that are completely dedicated to providing electricity of Phoenix to the City of Phoenix grid. By controlling the types of plants constructed and connecting those plants directly to the City of Phoenix grid, we can ensure that we do not import energy from dirtier sources such as conventional coal plants.

 

All three of these options will provide a cleaner energy supply that is also cheaper to run. Through the City of Phoenix's New Phoenix Vision Energy and Green Board described above, we will help facilitate the issuance of long-term contracts to encourage new plants that are sensitive to communities.

 

We will also work actively with a broad range of community stakeholders to advocate for a single streamlined process for reviewing all permitting and sitting issues for power plants.

 

Initiative 9. Expand Clean Distributed Generation ("Clean DG")

 

We will increase the amount of Clean DG.

 

Not all power generation has to occur at central power plants. Mini-power plants located close to or at the site of use, referred to as distributed generation (DG), currently contribute to our supply. Clean DG uses clean fuels, such as natural gas, and is a more efficient form of energy production because the energy travels a shorter distance to its destination, retaining up to 8% more energy. Clean DG can be even more efficient when it utilizes the waste heat from electrical generation to create hot water, heating, and cooling for buildings, so it is often called Combined Heat and Power (CHP). CHP can be done on a building level or developed as a "mini-grid" for multiple buildings within a small area, known as "district energy."

 

As a result, Clean DG can produce twice as much energy for the same amount of fuel used by older conventional power plants. This can result in substantial cost savings; new projects that integrate Clean DG can earn back their investment in three to five years, while existing buildings can cover costs in approximately five to eight years.

 

But this technology is not always compatible with our existing grid. As a result, Arizona Public Service sometimes limits the amount of DG that can be connected. applications that meet the reliability requirements established by the Arizona Corporation Commission must still undergo a lengthy 11-step connection process that can take months to complete. Lastly, permit applications to the City of Phoenix have also caused delays for Clean DG projects.

 

The City of Phoenix will work with Arizona Public Service and relevant agencies to reduce the financial, technical, and procedural barriers related to interconnection in order to achieve, at minimum, 800 MW of Clean DG by 2030.

 

We will work with Arizona Public Service to expand the amount of Clean DG that can be safely connected to the grid.

 

Arizona Public Service files with the Arizona Corporation Commission for changes rates that they charge customers. The City of Phoenix will use this opportunity to advocate that Arizona Public Service study the capacity of Phoenix of individual networks to handle more DG without impacting network reliability and power quality. During the same rate case, the City of Phoenix will also ask Arizona Public Service to study new technologies that would increase the amount of Clean DG that can be safely connected to the grid.

 

In addition, to improve communications between Arizona Public Service and prospective developers of Clean DG, the City of Phoenix will work with Arizona Public Service to develop an on-line interconnection application tracker that clearly shows what stage interconnection applications are in and sends automatic alerts when delays occur.

 

We will promote opportunities to develop district energy at appropriate sites in City of Phoenix. In addition, we will require through the building code new developments larger than 350,000 square feet across the City of Phoenix complete an analysis on the technical and economic feasibility of installing CHP. This analysis will help building owners understand the benefits of CHP and help accelerate transformation of the CHP market.

 

Initiative 10. Support expansion of natural gas infrastructure

 

We will support critical expansions to the City of Phoenix's natural gas infrastructure. New power plants and expanded Clean DG will both require the use of natural gas, the cleanest-burning fossil fuel. Natural gas fuels and more than a quarter of all energy used in buildings-and in the coming decade its use will continue to rise.

 

There are challenges to reliable, affordable supply of natural gas in Phoenix.

 

As the demand for power grows, these problems will only get worse-unless we take action to expand our natural gas supply. That's why we will support applications to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other relevant regulatory authorities for additions to our natural gas infrastructure.

 

Given how critical new natural gas infrastructure is to our long-term energy security, the City of Phoenix will support the development of new infrastructure projects designed to be sensitive to environmental and community needs.

 

Initiative 11. Foster the market for renewable energy

 

We will provide incentives and reduce barriers to renewable energy and pilot emerging technologies. Renewable energy is derived from emission-free and seemingly unlimited sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. Over the long-term, renewable energy has the potential to play a significant role in our energy supply.

 

If we expand our reliance on renewable energy, we could help secure our energy supply, reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.

 

Solar energy

 

Of all the renewable energy sources, solar currently has the greatest potential to generate electricity of Phoenix within the eight districts. The technology is commercially available, our abundant roofs offer ample space for panels, and solar energy is most available when the City of Phoenix needs it most-during hot, sunny days.

 

To ensure solar meets its long-term potential to contribute more significantly to our supply, we must employ a range of strategies to develop a more competitive market.

 

We will create a property tax abatement for solar panel installations.

 

In order to spur the market in the private sector and help achieve needed economies of scale to bring down prices, the City of Phoenix will offer a property tax abatement for solar installations. The incentive will cover 35% of installation costs for the first three years of the program, with the incentive scaling back to 20% in years four and five. The graduated structure of this incentive will grant early adopters greater benefits, ensuring that a market is established.

 

In addition, the City of Phoenix will study the cost-effectiveness of solar electricity of Phoenix when evaluated under a Real Time Pricing scenario. The City of Phoenix will also support the construction of the City of Phoenix's first carbon neutral building.

 

We will increase use of solar energy in City of Phoenix buildings through creative financing, the economics for public solar projects are even more difficult than in the private sector. In order to facilitate solar projects on City of Phoenix buildings, we will release an RFP to attract private solar developers to build, own, operate, and maintain the panels on City of Phoenix buildings. The City of Phoenix will enter into a long-term contract with the developer to purchase the solar energy generated by these panels.

 

We will work with the State to eliminate barriers to increasing the use of solar energy in the City of Phoenix to further promote solar energy, the City of Phoenix will work with the Arizona Legislature and the Arizona Corporation Commission to reduce existing barriers.

 

Methane and organic waste

 

Our garbage and sewage offer both potential and perils. If used productively, organic waste or biomass can provide a plentiful source of energy. Handled improperly, it can add significantly to our greenhouse gas emissions through the production of methane-which is 21 times as potent a greenhouse gas as CO2.

 

City of Phoenix of Phoenix's three main sources of methane includes its current solid waste, landfills and former landfills and its sewage treatment plants. Currently, some of this methane is captured and either flared-burned and converted into less potent CO2 or used to create energy. But much of it still escapes into the atmosphere.

 

That is why the City of Phoenix will work to maximize the safe, cost-effective extraction of useful energy from its organic waste streams and recovered land fills can be returned to productive use by using former landfills for golf courses and other uses as part of the proposed La Playa del Sol along the Rio Salado in south Phoenix.

 

We will pilot one or more technologies for producing energy from solid waste.

 

The City of Phoenix's recently approved Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) called for the evaluation of alternative waste technologies for converting organic waste into usable energy. Out of 43 technologies studied, two offered superior environmental performance and cost-effectiveness-anaerobic digestion and thermal processing. We will launch pilot projects to test both of these technologies for broader application.

 

We will end methane emissions from sewage treatment plants and expand the use of digester gas.

 

When wastewater is processed in a sewage treatment plant, it produces digester gas, which contains methane and CO2. Currently, roughly 60% of City of Phoenix of Phoenix's digester gas is collected and used to create energy via fuel cells, most of which is used to power the sewage treatment plant itself, another 25% is flared, and the remaining 15%-the equivalent of 165,000 tons of CO2-escapes. Over the next three years, the City of Phoenix will end all methane emissions from sewage processing, and will work to expand the use of digester gas for energy production.

 

We will study the expansion of gas capture and energy production from existing landfills.

 

Beginning in the 1970s methane has been processed and marketed as natural gas. Since the original gas collection system was installed, new technologies have emerged, the cost of natural gas has skyrocketed, and the City of Phoenix has committed to greenhouse gas reduction. Given these changes, the City of Phoenix will initiate a study to explore the feasibility of generating more energy from its landfill gas, and it will review the standards regarding methane capture and flaring at the City of Phoenix's existing landfills every five years to see whether they should be amended to support the City of Phoenix's greenhouse gas reduction goal.

 

Initiative 12. Accelerate reliability improvements to the City of Phoenix’s grid

 

We will advocate before the Arizona Corporation Commission and through the upcoming Arizona Public Service electric rate case for the implementation of sensible recommendations.

 

These recommendations include:

 

    *      Expanding the installation of advanced meters, which will improve Arizona Public Service's ability to instantly identify the number of customers affected by a power outage

 

    *      Accelerating repairs to failure-prone components of the grid and strengthening oversight of contractors

 

Initiative 13. Facilitate grid repairs through improved coordination and joint bidding

 

We will pursue the passage of joint bidding legislation.

 

When the City of Phoenix undertakes a construction project that involves tearing up the street, each affected utility is responsible for protecting its own cables and other infrastructure. Improved coordination between City of Phoenix contractors and the utilities will result in fewer delays and lower costs.

 

Joint bidding enables a single contract to cover all the work associated with a project. The City of Phoenix will support joint bidding Legislation City wide to allow for fair competitive bidding and more seamless project planning, resulting in fewer street openings and lower costs to the public.

 

In addition, the City of Phoenix will review its policies governing the utilities' ability to open up the street for regular maintenance and repairs. This analysis will identify any unnecessary delays that prevent utilities from undertaking essential improvements such as installing new cables and transformers in a timely manner. We will also look to pilot new models to improve coordination among developers of underground infrastructure, such as the use of a multi-utility tunnel which allocates space for each utility with designated access points.

 

For this reason, the City of Phoenix will work with Arizona Public Service to identify specific critical sites and maintain open access for delivery of essential equipment.

 

Initiative 14. Support Arizona Public Service’s efforts to modernize the grid

 

We support the 3G System of the Future: Advanced Distribution Operation with DER Intergration.

 

Our current grid was designed during the 1920s. Today, parts of that original system are still in use-and the way it functions remains fundamentally unchanged. But grid technologies are evolving around the world and new models have emerged in Tokyo, Paris, and London.

 

ConEdison initiated a state-of-the-art research and development project called the 3G System of the Future to study how to transform a network into a 21st century grid. This will include how to integrate advances in communications, computing and electronics to respond faster and more effectively to localized network problems and demand fluctuations.

 

This research and development will require a significant investment. The City of Phoenix will support funding requests by Arizona Public Service to advance this research and improve reliability and service for Phoenicians.