Energy efficiency makes sense for your wallet and the environment - it's a win-win choice
Last year, the Mayor began publishing a monthly message to reach out to the community, highlight important issues and share upcoming community events. As your new Mayor, it’s a new tradition I look forward to continuing throughout 2012!
February’s focus is on energy efficiency, a timely topic for this time of year when cold weather can lead to higher energy bills. In Fiscal Year 2010-11, the cost to meet the City of Palo Alto’s (City) energy demand by helping customers achieve improved efficiency was on average 5.5¢ per kilowatt hour (kWh), compared to the cost of purchasing future electric supply on average 11¢ per kWh. It’s a win-win for the City to help our customers meet their energy efficiency goals.
For Residents - Most households receive monthly home energy reports that provide personalized energy usage information. There are easy no cost or low cost tips on cutting down on energy use, like adjusting your thermostat before leaving home. You may be eligible toapply for rebates ofup to $300 for new qualifying appliances ranging from dishwashers and refrigerators toclothes washers, water heaters and power strips. Rebates of up to $1,500 are available if you install a solar water heating system in your home. Residents may also be eligible for rebates on a large-scale project like installing a solar photovoltaic system (PV) on your roof through the City’s PV Partners Program.
For Businesses - The City partners with businesses through the Right Lights+ program, which provides free energy surveys, recommendations for tailored strategies to reduce electric and natural gas usage, and connections to rebates and local, trusted contractors. Annual rebates of up to $100,000 are available to help businesses save money for installing energy efficient attic/roof insulation, window films, commercial dishwashers, laundry systems, heat pump water heaters, water boilers, commercial pool heaters, HVAC systems, refrigeration and lighting. Rebates are also available for specific and customized energy uses, so it pays to check it out.
Next up for Energy Efficiency - Two new initiatives in 2012 will expand energy efficiency opportunities for the City’s utilities customers. First, for electric vehicle (EV) owners, the City has established EV charging stations in several locations, and in the coming months, the Council will consider whether to roll out Time of Use rates so people can charge their vehicles when overall community energy use is down (like in the middle of the night) and rates may be lower. These rates can encourage EV purchasers to shift their extra electric demand to off-peak times. Second, the City is tapping innovation here in Palo Alto through a partnership to test cloud-based energy management software focused on energy efficiency with People Power so residents will be able to access that information easily through mobile apps.
Take the first step toward an energy efficient 2012 by calling the City’s Utility Marketing Services staff at (650) 329-2241 for assistance.
Mayor Yiaway Yeh
Thursday, February 2 "Tell Me Everything" Parenting Program: 7 PM This free program is for parents who want to learn communication strategies to bridge the information gap between themselves and their child. Join us at the Downtown Library, 270 Forest Avenue, for this event. Dinner is provided. Registration is required so click here to register on the library event calendar.
Friday, February 3 See "Go Dog Go" at the Children's Theatre: 2 & 7 PM This show thrills audiences with its chaotic carnival of music and physical comedy about the joys and challenges of life and friendship. Big dogs, little dogs, yellow dogs, blue dogs. Dogs at work, dogs at play, dogs in hats, dogs in cars! It's an all out dog party in this colorful, hilarious adaption of P.D. Eastman's beloved book. Come unleash your inner dog. Final shows are Saturday, February 4 at 2 and 7 PM at the Palo Alto Children's Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road. Purchase tickets over the phone at (650) 463-4970 or in person at the Children's Theatre Box Office, $10 for children and $12 for adults. Recommended for ages 3 and older.
Saturday, February 4 FREE Household Hazardous Waste Dropoff: 9 AM - Noon This event is for Palo Alto residents only so bring your items (and proof of residency) to the Water Quality Control Plant at 2501 Embarcadero Way in Palo Alto. Bring your unwanted or unused toxic household products to this free City of Palo Alto Event. Our Household Hazardous Waste Management program provides Palo Alto residents with an environmentally safe, convenient way to dispose of unwanted hazardous household products such as used or expired medication, paints, solvents, fuels, cleaners, pesticides, etc., which contain hazardous substances. This event happens, rain or shine. To learn more about this monthly program and the City’s special-appointment service, click here.
Lawn Bowls Opening Reception & Celebration: 2 - 4 PM Attend the reception, check out the cool art created from recycled plastic bags, and try your hand with art activities for the whole family. Assembled by approximately 100 community members with thousands of recycled plastic bags, Lawn Bowls is the Art Center’s newest On the Road art installation. At the reception, participate in hands-on art activities for the whole family, learn more about the environmental impact of plastic, hear about the artist’s inspirations, and learn more about the sport of lawn bowling. Co-presented by the Palo Alto Lawn Bowls Club, 474 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto. For more information, call 650-329-2366.
Tuesday, February 7 Public Meeting on Pardee Park Renovations: 6:30 PM Attend this meeting at the Lucie Stern Center Community Room, 1305 Middlefield Road, to review the proposed park renovations and provide your input. For more information, call (650) 617-3183 or email pwecips@cityofpaloalto.org.
Friday, February 10 Drop by the Mayor's Office Hours: 2 - 4 PM Come by during office hours in the Mayor's office on the 7th floor of City Hall at 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto. If you prefer a more informal setting, drop by for a chat during office hours. At these times, the Mayor will be available to community members and have a chance to meet you and listen to your concerns or opinions on important issues. Check the City's online calendar for the schedule of the Mayor's office hours.
Wednesday, February 15 Teen Volunteer Book Buddy Training: 4:15 - 5:15 PM Teens! Learn the art of reading to young children. Take part in a new program at Mitchell Park Library, 4050 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Registration is required so click here to register.
Wednesday, February 22 Lytton Gateway Planned Community Discussion: 6 PM The project would allow a new mixed use, five story building on the 21,713 square foot former Shell station location. This important Lytton Gateway at 335 and 355 Alma Street will be discussed at the Planning and Transportation Commission, City Hall, Council Conference Room on 1st floor, 250 Hamilton Avenue. For more information, click here.
Monday, February 27 State of the City Address: 7 PM Join the Mayor, City Council, City staff and community at this annual event to learn more about what the year ahead will bring. This year’s event will be held at the Albert L. Schultz Jewish Community Center, Schultz Cultural Arts Hall, 3911 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. For more information, call the City Clerk's Office at (650) 329-2571.
Tuesday, February 28 eBooks for iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch & Android: 5:30 - 7 PM Learn how to get free eBooks from the library on your favorite mobile device. This event is at the Downtown Library, 270 Forest Avenue, Palo Alto. Registration is required so click here to register.
Wednesday, February 29 Edgewood Plaza Shopping Center Discussion: 6 PM Plans for this site include renovating the center’s three existing Eichler retail structures, relocating one retail structure, constructing 10 new single-family homes and creating a 0.22 acre park.This Planned Community (PC) project at 2080 Channing Avenue will be discussed at the Planning and Transportation Commission meeting, City Hall, Council Conference Room on 1st floor, 250 Hamilton Avenue. For more information, click here.
FEBRUARY 2012
Connect with us!
Get inspired to make a few energy efficiency changes, then click here for rebate information.
New Mayor and Vice Mayor Selected At a special City Council meeting on Tuesday, January 3, outgoing Mayor Sid Espinosa was publicly recognized for his leadership and collaboration as well as for active participation in community events during his tenure as Mayor in 2011. Council also selected Yiaway Yeh as Mayor and Greg Scharff as Vice Mayor for 2012.
City's Top Five Priorities for 2012 To kick off the year, the City Council held its annual retreat on Saturday, January 21, to determine this year's priorities. After some discussion, the Council decided to carry over the five major priorities for the 2012 priorities: City Finances, Land Use and Transportation, Emergency Preparedness, Environmental Sustainability and Community Collaboration for Youth Well Being. The Council, City staff and the public also kicked off an upcoming series of more in-depth discussions about the Infrastructure Blue Ribbon Task Force's detailed report about the City's long term infrastructure needs and ways to fund those needs. As a result, 2012 will be the "Year of Infrastructure" as the Council, City staff, and the community tackle these complicated issues.
February's Asset of the Month is Youth as Resources People of all ages want to feel that that they make a contribution and play a meaningful role in their community, whether at home, at school, or in the neighborhood. Research shows that youth who feel valued and useful have higher self-esteem, a greater sense of personal control, reduced delinquency, greater social and personal responsibility, reduced substance abuse, and better social skills. It’s important that young people’s efforts be recognized and celebrated! Be sure to create opportunities to show that you value each individual’s unique contributions.
To learn more, click here. To get involved in the Palo Alto Developmental Assets Initiative of Project Safety Net, contact us at devassetspaloalto@gmail.com.
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