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1 RiversideCA.gov1
RiversideCA.gov
ENERGY SAVINGS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ESAP)City Council May 20, 2025Customer Engagement RiversideCA.gov2
Assembly Bill (AB) 1890, adopted in 1996, requires publicly owned utilities to collect and spend Public Benefits Charge funds for low-income assistance, energy efficiency and conservation programs, renewable energy, as well as research, development, and demonstration projects.Senate Bill (SB) x 2-2, adopted in 2001, also requires POUs to streamline enrollment for low-income programs by collaborating with existing providers for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and other electric or gas providers within the same service territory.LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY1 2 5/6/2025
2 RiversideCA.gov3
1. January 2012, RPU and SoCal Gas initiated an Inter-Utility Agreement creating the Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESAP)2. The ESAP program was suspended during COVID-19, the restated Agreement was approved by the City Council on February 8, 20223. On May 17, 2022, the City Council expanded access to ESAPincreasing the income eligibility requirement from 200% to 250%,consistent with the income eligibility requirements for SoCal Gas4. On December 12, 2023, the City Council approved the ESAP inter-utility agreement renewalBACKGROUND RiversideCA.gov4
ESAP program offers the direct installation of a range of energy efficient measures including:1. Whole house fan 2500 CFM (cubic feet)2. Whole house fan 3300 CFM3. Refrigerators (and refrigerator recycling)4. LED lighting (e.g. floodlamps, porch lights)5. Duct sealing and testing6. ECM motors7. Ceiling insulation8. Occupancy sensors9. Smart thermostats10.Computer smart power strips11.NightlightsDISCUSSION 3 4
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3 RiversideCA.gov5
1. Agreement provides 2 new measures:a. Lifecycle refrigerant management (for Gas Furnace & Heat Pumps)b. Smart fan control switch (for Gas Furnace & Heat Pumps)2. These new measures will help save substantial kWh when compared to previous ‘traditional’ measures (AC tune-ups and HVAC fan control switches) 3. The chart highlights the differences these measures provide in kWh savings:DISCUSSIONkWh Savings New Measure kWh Savings Old Measure 700Smart Fan Efficient Control Switch 566 HVAC Efficient Control Switch 292-705* Lifecycle refrigerant management 74(per ton)AC Tune-up *kWh savings depend on unit RiversideCA.gov6
1. The chart below shows program participation, kWh savings and costs by fiscal year since 2021/22.2. Program participation has been steady, peaking in 2022/23.3. Numbers decreased in 2023/24, due to pricing changes and economic conditions. DISCUSSION**7/1/24-1/31/25*FY 21/22 programwas only available for 4 months due to COVID-19 restrictions and contract expiration.FY 24/25**To DateFY 23/24FY 22/23FY 21/22*Program Details262398709456Homes Served 223,320437,972884,862642,570kWh Saved $428,142.95 $455,740.57 $443,591.48 $313,941.52 Program Cost (RPU)5 6 5/6/2025
4 RiversideCA.gov7
Strategic Priority 4 – Environmental StewardshipGoal 4.4– To implement measures and educate the community toresponsibly manage goods, products and services throughout their life toachieve waste reduction.Cross-Cutting ThreadsSTRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT Community Trust
Equity
Fiscal Responsibility
Innovation
Sustainability & Resiliency
RiversideCA.gov8
That City Council:1. Approve the Energy Savings Assistance Program Master Inter-Utility Agreement with Southern California Gas Company in theamount of $750,000 for Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27 for atotal contract amount of $1,500,000; and2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute theMaster Inter-Utility Agreement with Southern California GasCompany including the ability to make any minor, non-substantiative changes without exceeding the approvedprogram budget.RECOMMENDATIONS7 8