Goal 4 Energy Resources and Efficiency

Goal NR-4: Reduce energy consumption through increased production and use of renewable energy, sustainable energy purchasing, and improved energy efficiency.

Electrical energy resources are critical to sustaining Hayward’s economic base, infrastructure capabilities, and quality of life for residents. To avoid the need to construct new, carbon-based electricity generation facilities, both the State and regional energy purveyors have focused over the past decade on reducing growth in energy demand through energy conservation and efficiency. As such, there has been an increasing investment in a range of energy efficiency and conservation programs.

The Planning Area currently (2013) uses energy from power generating facilities located throughout Alameda County, including: 21 wind, five waste-to-energy, one hydroelectric, and one solar. There is also one existing renewable energy production facility within the city: the Hayward Wastewater Solar Facility. As traditional sources of energy become depleted, there is a need to both conserve energy and develop alternate methods of power generation. The goal and policies in this section identify ways to conserve energy consumption in Hayward, expand renewable energy production facilities, and promote businesses that help the City meet greenhouse gas and energy reduction targets.  

The City shall promote the efficient use of energy in the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of public and private facilities, infrastructure, and equipment.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)

The City shall collaborate with partner agencies, utility providers, and the business community to support a range of energy efficiency, conservation, and waste reduction measures, including the development of green buildings and infrastructure, weatherization programs, installation of energy-efficient appliances and equipment in homes and offices, promotion of energy efficiency retrofit programs, use of green power options, and heightened awareness of the benefits of energy efficiency and conservation issues.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)Joint Partnerships with the Private Sector (JP)Public Information (PI)

The City shall encourage construction and building development practices that maximize the use of renewable resources and minimize the use of non-renewable resources throughout the life-cycle of a structure.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)

The City shall continue to require all public facilities and services to incorporate energy and resource conservation standards and practices.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)

When soliciting and awarding public contracts, professional service agreements, or grants to businesses or non-profit agencies, the City shall require, as appropriate, proposals or applications to include information about the sustainability practices of the organization.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)

The City shall encourage and support the generation, transmission, use, and storage of locally-distributed renewable energy in order to promote energy independence, efficiency, and sustainability.  The City shall consider various incentives to encourage the installation of renewable energy projects (i.e. reduced permit fees and permit streamlining). 

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)Joint Partnerships with the Private Sector (JP)

The City shall strive to increase the renewable portion of utility electricity generation by advocating for increased state-wide renewable portfolio standards.

Inter-governmental Coordination (IGC)

The City shall assess and, if appropriate, pursue participation in community choice aggregation, or other similar programs. The City shall seek partnerships with other jurisdictions to minimize start up and administration costs.

City Services and Operations (CSO)

The City shall collaborate with regional agencies and organizations to promote financing programs for renewable energy systems.

Inter-governmental Coordination (IGC)

The City shall ensure that all new City-owned facilities are built with renewable energy, as appropriate to their functions, and shall install renewable energy systems at existing City facilities where feasible.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)

The City shall require newly constructed or renovated public and private buildings and structures to meet energy efficiency design and operations standards with the intent of meeting or exceeding the State’s zero net energy goals by 2020.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)

The City shall encourage the planting of native and diverse tree species to reduce heat island effect, reduce energy consumption, and contribute to carbon mitigation.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)

The City shall consider requiring disclosure of energy use and/or an energy rating for single family homes, multifamily properties, and commercial buildings at certain points or thresholds. The City shall encourage residents to voluntarily share their energy use data and/or ratings with the City as part of collaborative efficiency efforts.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)

The City shall collaborate with regional entities and others to promote incentive programs for energy efficiency retrofits such as the Energy Upgrade California program for residential properties.

Inter-governmental Coordination (IGC)Joint Partnerships with the Private Sector (JP)

The City shall promote the use of the Energy Star Portfolio Manager program and energy benchmarking training programs for nonresidential building owners.

Public Information (PI)