Community Renewable Energy Programs 

Sunshares Community Energy Efficiency Program -- Durham, North Carolina 
Describes a program in that focuses on helping people use the earth’s resources in a more sustainable, efficient manner. It provides opportunities for communities and neighborhoods to recycle, reduce waste, conserve energy and water, and use more renewable resources. Sunshare’s Energy Program has trained more than 2,000 residents to build solar collectors and weatherize their homes. More than 600 churches and non-profit buildings have been retrofitted since 1987, saving some $500,000. 

North Carolina Solar Center -- Raleigh, North Carolina
Established in 1988 as a state clearinghouse for solar energy information, education and technical assistance, this center has since developed into one of the most comprehensive solar energy institutions in the country. It offers a variety of programs and services related to solar energy.

Midwest Wind Energy Program -- Waverly, Iowa 
Describes a joint effort between Waverly Power & Light and the University of Northern Iowa to install and operate an 80-kW wind turbine. The program has reduced carbon dioxide output by some 119 tons and generated more than 325,000 kWh of electricity. 

Community Buildings Efficiency Programs  

Jordan Commons, Metro-Dade County, Florida 
A new 200-home model community is being developed for residents left homeless by Hurricane Andrew. Features of the project include energy efficiency, water efficiency, recycling, composting, and appropriate landscaping, as well as educational programs that will emphasize to the community’s residents the importance of conservation. 

Energy Resource Center -- Downey, California 
The Center serves the community by displaying the latest in energy-efficient appliances, designs, and materials. The building that houses it incorporates state-of-the-art efficiency measures into its construction and operation. 

Block-by-Block Weatherization Program -- Portland, Oregon 
Explains a program administered by the City's Energy Office that provides free basic weatherization and energy-use education to needy, low-income households in the city’s neighborhoods. 

Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow -- Portland, Oregon 
A program developed by the Portland Energy Office that encourages businesses to adopt a comprehensive energy-efficiency program by detailing the benefits available to them through participation. 

The Vail Environmental Strategic Plan -- Vail, Colorado 
Explains a plan adopted to maintain and improve the environmental quality in Vail and to ensure the prolonged economic health of the region. Outlines actions designed to achieve four goals, including improving energy efficiency in businesses, homes, and government. 

City Energy Challenge -- Portland, Oregon 
Discusses a program nicknamed "One Percent for Energy."  The program imposes a fee of one percent on all city government energy bills to finance an energy management program for city facilities.  The energy efficiency projects completed under the program will save more than $700,000 each year. 

Denver’s Environmental Program -- Denver, Colorado 
Profiles a program representing a comprehensive effort to protect the health and welfare of Denver citizens and the region's economy through protection and enhancement of environmental. Energy efficiency is part of the program, and includes participation in EPA's "Green Lights" program, a mortgage program benefiting the purchasers of energy-efficient homes, and implementation of energy-reduction measures in city facilities. 

Outdoor Lighting Standards, Chittenden County, Vermont 
As a result of concern over the visual effects of outdoor lighting on the night landscape, Chittenden County has implemented a program in which outdoor-lighting standards are being developed for three case-study communities. The program’s benefits will include reduced energy consumption and preservation of the night-time views, as well as education about lighting solutions. 

Interfaith Coalition on Energy – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
Explains a nonprofit organization that is helping some 4,200 churches and religious institutions in Pennsylvania cut their collective energy bills by more than $1 million. 

Energy Efficiency Partnership – Kansas City, Missouri 
Profiles a public- and private-sector partnership in Kansas City, Missouri, designed to reduce energy consumption in metropolitan-area government and nonprofit buildings by 25 percent. 

Wisconsin Energy Initiative – Madison, Wisconsin 
Describes a partnership between the private sector and state government in Madison, Wisconsin, developed as a result of a gubernatorial directive that energy consumption in State buildings be reduced by 15 percent. Three years after the project's inception, Wisconsin's state buildings consume 21 percent less energy than they did in 1973, even though state facilities' square footage has increased by 27 percent. 

Designing Community Energy Programs  

The Sustainable City Project -- San Jose, California 
The Sustainable City Project develops urban planning processes that identify, rank, and implement energy policies and program options for promoting urban sustainability. Through participation in this project, San Jose, California, designed and implemented an energy-management program that aims to reduce energy use by 10 percent across all sectors by 2000. 

Demand Side Management Programs  

Energy Efficiency Program -- Wahoo, Nebraska 
Describes a program offered by Wahoo Utilities, which provides incentives to all its electric customers to make energy-efficiency improvements in their homes and businesses. Also provides free energy audits and financial analyses of energy-efficiency options. 

Midwest Wind Energy Program – Waverly, Iowa 
Describes a joint effort between Waverly Power & Light and the University of Northern Iowa to install and operate an 80-kW  wind turbine. The program has reduced carbon dioxide output by some 119 tons and generated more than 325,000 kWh of electricity. 

Osage Municipal Utilities -- Osage, Iowa 
Profiles a utility program that began in 1974 and uses giveaway programs, rebates, and energy audits to promote energy efficiency among its customers. The voluntary program has achieved nearly universal participation from customers in a variety of its initiatives. 

Collections of Municipal Energy Success Stories  

Cities and Counties: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally – National 
Presents 10 case studies of innovative communities that have implemented sustainable development programs. Several of these programs include an energy component. 

 
Last updated: April 21, 2004

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