WEST CHESTER AREA CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE (WCA-CEF)

Community Engagement

Module - Residential

Purpose: To describe the components of the Residential Module. Each component will describe the engagement campaign targeting homeowners, renters, landlords, housing developers, etc.

At A Glance - the following table summarizes this campaign module: the key stakeholders, the possible outreach tactics, any existing programs that can be leveraged, analysis that can be relied on for this sector, financing opportunities, and if there are any expected local, state or national policies or programs that could potentially “move the needle” for this sector.

Section 1 - Summary of Message

The overall message is Reduce → Electrify → Transition residential energy use from burning fossil fuels to clean renewable energy sources, for both building and vehicle uses. By reducing energy demand first, the amount of renewable energy that needs to be purchased will be less. The resulting overall costs will be less. This cannot be overstressed - reducing energy usage through efficiency and conservation measures is the most important part of the message.

There are a number of ways that people of the West Chester Area can transition to clean, renewable energy in their day-to-day activities. These involve the sources of heat and light in their homes, cook their meals, wash and dry their clothes, drive their cars or use public transit, and purchase their electricity. The following are the principal ways in which we can all reduce the amount of energy we use directly and convert our remaining energy use to renewable sources.  And this will achieve significant reductions in our emissions of greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. Although there are other actions you could take, these are the main ones and the one to start with. See this grid of all of the focused messaging for this module.

Section 2 - Key Stakeholders List

Change occurs when the WCA-CEF reaches out to the stakeholders, hears their concerns, and explores how WCA-CEF can work with them to further both of our interests.  This section identifies the major stakeholders, how to approach them, and what initiatives may be possible to undertake with them.

Home-owners: Homeowners are, of course, one of the principal stakeholders in this residential module.  They have control over what happens in the home and can directly make the choices to reduce, electrify, and   convert to renewable energy.  They also choose how to travel, whether by public transit or by automobile and whether to travel at all or telecommute.  One of the main challenges is how to get attention regarding energy efficiency and energy transition in the busy lives that they lead.

Renters: Renters are also one of the principal stakeholders in this residential module.  They have less control over what happens in their rental unit but still can make the choices to reduce, electrify, and   convert to renewable energy.  They also choose how to travel, whether by public transit or by automobile and whether to travel at all or telecommute.   One of the main challenges is how to get their attention regarding energy efficiency and energy transition in the busy lives that they lead.

Low Income Residents: Especially residents that are feeling the economic impact of the pandemic now and need help paying their winter energy bills and are in danger of having their utilities shut off. This group of residents deserves focused outreach and engagement to learn about opportunities for energy bill assistance and rate reductions.   One of the main challenges is how to connect with people that may not have internet access or subscribe to municipal newsletters and social media channels. See Outreach Plan section. 

Landlords: Landlords are a diverse group of businessmen and women, ranging from corporations administering multiple numbers of large apartment complexes to owners of a small number of individual apartments.  WCA-CEF will find out more about the apartment industry and figure out how to discuss issues such as energy efficiency and appliance replacement and how the savings might be shared with the renters.  Also, how they could advertise the low energy usage of their rental properties.

Realtors: Realtors are a highly competitive set of individuals primarily grouped into loose assemblages of companies that share services.  Increasingly these companies are looking to emphasize the savings in operation of a home primarily through its energy efficiency.   WCA-CEF will enter into a conversation with realtors on how to take advantage of the energy efficiency of their clients to market their properties.

PECO and other electricity suppliers: PECO, as the major vendor of electricity and gas to the homes in the West Chester Area, is a critical stakeholder.  WCA-CEF should enlist their help and coordination in (1) encouraging energy audits of homes, (2) supporting the Energy Star rebate program for appliances and LED lighting, (3) the electrification of homes, and (4) the simplification of connection of solar arrays to the PECO grid.  An additional issue that should be explored is the sale by PECO of solar RECs with their sale of electricity, which would give the PECO customer an alternative to the double bookkeeping by an alternative energy vendor and PECO, which leads to needless overhead, rapid turnover of accounts, and a good deal of price gouging through unanticipated rate hikes by alternative vendors when a six or twelve month term of contract has expired.  Although 35% of Pennsylvanian had switched to other suppliers of electricity in 2016, only 5.3% switched to green energy. (PECO specific information not available)

Fuel oil and propane dealers: Distributors of fuel oil and propane will be directly impacted by the electrification of the home. They will probably not be eager to enter into a conversation regarding how a reduction in their business can be accelerated.

Solar installers: Solar installers for residents and small commercial facilities increasingly consist of medium to large size companies.  WCA-CEF will enter into discussions with some of them to better understand their issues with permitting and marketing and how they can provide solar arrays cost-effectively.

HVAC companies: HVAC companies have considerable experience in the complex and often specific ways on how to heat and cool a home in a manner that provides comfort.  However, this knowledge is based on the tried and true technology of oil, gas, and propane heating.  With the development of high efficiency heat pumps, it is possible to both heat and cool the home efficiently in all weather, including the coldest winter day that we experience.  HVAC vendors are much less familiar with the economics and technology of the new efficient heat pumps.  CEF will enter into a conversation with selected HVAC vendors to consider how a rapid and smooth transition to heat pumps and hot water heat pumps can be made.

Insulation companies: Insulation companies stand to gain from any effort to weatherize the homes and other buildings within the community.  Their product is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce energy consumption.  Insulation companies tend to be small operations and sometimes lack a deeper understanding of the HVAC needs of a house.  CEF should enter into a conversation with some of the insulation companies to determine how it can assist these companies in effective insulation of homes and other buildings in the area.

Home appliance vendors: Home appliance vendors, of course, want to maximize their sales and profits.  What is not clear is how energy efficiency (now determined using the Energy Star program) can factor into this.  WCA-CEF will undertake an assessment of the models that are being sold and offered for sale and then enter into a conversation with some of the vendors to figure out how to motivate greater sales of energy efficient appliances.

Car dealerships: The typical car dealership is a mix of car sales and service.  The shift to EVs will change the balance between these two activities toward the sales end and away from the service end.  In addition, EVs are an unknown quantity to the traditional dealership and this has slowed down the transition to EVs.  WCA-CEF will undertake an assessment of these changes and determine how to enter into a conversation with the dealerships.

EACs and SACs: EACs and SACs contain many of the people who are attuned to the issues related to energy efficiency and the transition to renewable energy.  Their efforts can amplify the message in all of the municipalities.  The WCA-CEF will work with them to assist in the efforts that will be most productive at this time.  These include (1) gradual but steady conversion of the municipal vehicle fleet to EVs, (2) revision of solar ordinances and permitting procedures to make less restrictive and more user friendly, (3) benchmarking of their buildings, and (4) consideration of the purchase of renewable electricity.

Section 3 - Outreach Plan

Community dialogues - Find out how you can make changes right now in the areas of electric choice, heating options, and transportation. Whether you have time once a week, once a month, or once a year, we have impactful ideas for how you can help our community reach the goal of 100% renewable energy.

Building a following- Join our mailing list for a monthly newsletter with upcoming events and ideas for how you can transition to renewable energy.

Workshops and seminars - There are several topics that we can develop educational and interactive events around. Either online or in-person. Some examples are:

• Workshop on reducing energy bills for residents struggling during the pandemic. Partner with local and state programs.
• Workshop on home energy assessments, how tight is your home (blower door test), lighting opportunities. Partner with PECO and energywisepa.org and keealliance.org.
• Workshop on electrification opportunities and EVs.
• Workshop on energy purchasing choices: 3rd party electricity generation, rooftop solar.

Surveys- WCA-CEF is committed to nonpartisan climate action primarily through the promotion of a clean energy future.  Our intent is to build community around conservation (reduce, reuse, recycle), environmental health, and sustainability. Join the group of dedicated residents and businesses who are building partnerships and making personal changes to energy consumption to realize this goal.

• Renewable Energy Usage: Have you switched to 100% renewable energy? Great! We are eager to hear how residents have made the transition in their use of electricity, heating and transportation. Send us a message to share your story.
• Climate Action Survey: We are interested in hearing from West Chester area residents about their current energy usage and any actions they have already taken to switch to renewable energy. Please fill out our brief survey and let us know about any ideas you have. Thanks!

At a high level, the outreach plan looks like this:

Priority A - Reduce Energy, Save $ - communicate about opportunities to save money when we reduce our energy use. This is particularly important for people that are hurting from the economic impact of the pandemic. Also promote opportunities to reduce the rate being paid for energy and connect low income residents with heating assistance programs (LIHEAP).

Priority B - Spread the Word about WCA-CEF Campaign - make more people aware of the CEF project and opportunities to Reduce, Electrify and Transition to renewable energy sources. Partner with EAC/SAC teams to help with engagement, public meetings and workshops. Also participate in Clean Energy Expos, Solar Tours and Drive Electric Week.

Priority C - Connect with more Groups/Orgs in the Residential Sector - engage with community groups (HOA cmtes, gated communities, senior living, etc) and organizations (CC Housing Authority, faith centers, Melton Center, etc) where we can attend their meetings. Get feedback. Listened to concerns.

Priority D - Solicit Ambassadors - recruit volunteers to share materials about CEF and work to get their apartment building, carpool, friends and family to set goals and take action to Reduce, Electrify and Transition. Take this opportunity to recruit for future ambassador opportunities in the upcoming Education, Corporate and Small Business modules.

Section 4 - Existing Programs

WCA-CEF will keep our eyes open for more financing for clean energy opportunities for residential projects. Existing programs that we can leverage for engaging with residents about reducing, electrifying and transitioning to renewable energy sources include:

PECO Home Energy Assessment - including an income-qualified free assessment program.

We have been in touch with program representatives from ClearResult which handles in-home and video phone home “walk-through” sessions about promoting the program on our website and in communications. We would also like PECO/ClearResult to promote WCA CEF when they do outreach in the West Chester Area. Discussions are ongoing.

The Standard Offer Program - purchase electricity at 7% below the PECO price-to-compare for 1 year. The intent of this program is to encourage electric customers to choose 3rd party electricity suppliers - instead of the default generation from PECO. The first year the supplier is assigned to you, but after that contract expires, prices will likely go up, so we should encourage customers to shop at PAPowerSwitch to find a new deal. This is not buying renewable energy - it is reducing electricity costs.

Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is another program for low-income customers that offers grants to help with heating bills. Applications close on Apr 9, so we should promote this early in our outreach.

Consultations with Liz Robinson from the Philadelphia Energy Association suggested the idea of “neighborhood energy centers”. In Philadelphia, there is a program to train social help center employees about opportunities for low income families to improve building efficiency and how to get assistance evaluating and implementing these steps. The CEF team will follow up on investigating these opportunities.

Solarize Southeast PA - a consumer advocate organization that educates, evaluates sites and offers assistance in resolving issues all along the residential solar installation process.

The CEF team is evaluating forming a sub-committee of SolarizeSoutheastPA to focus on the West Chester area. Provide volunteer resources to track WCA contacts and projects. There is precedent for this in Haverford, Delaware County. This would not be a group-purchasing program (like other Solarize projects). Only an advice and advocate mission. Volunteers needed.

Drive Electric Week - this nationwide promotional event in September helps promote all aspects of transitioning to electric vehicles: charging stations, EV availability, economics of owning an EV and the general experience of driving an EV. CEF will pursue participating in Drive Electric Week in our area. Perhaps collaborating with other organizations to host an EV Expo. Possibly coordinate with the Drive Electric Pennsylvania Coalition.

Clean Energy Credit Union - a non-profit “bank” that exists to improve the sustainability of our community by making low-interest loans for solar, insulation and electric vehicles. Watch this 2 min introductory video.

Demystifying Buying Renewable Electricity - program by Haverford Twp EAC, guides residents through the process or shopping for renewable sources for electricity and avoiding the less-than-honest energy contracts in PAPowerSwitch.

Section 5 - Partner Organizations

Utility Partners PECO - possible partnership to assure high level participation in PECO Energy Assessments for homeowners and renters, more information and outreach for low income households for weatherization, insulation, bill payment support, etc., residential accounts with their comparison reports, participation in rebates for new heaters.

Community-based organizations - who has a broad outreach in our area? Nonprofit organizations,philanthropic organizations and foundations, coalitions or associations of nonprofits - who are the actors in supporting low income households - with affordable housing programs or fuel heat support programs? Who funds these organizations?

Faith-based organizations - denominational, regional and national programs on earthcare we could tie in to or build on, outreach through congregations, youth  ministries, and community mission work. In the West Chester Area, there is a West Chester Religious Council. Specific congregations have begun some work in this area who might be hosts.

Large employers - potential partner for HEAL programs  and here

Large multi-family owners and managers or association - Example: Mandy Bishop, the city’s manager for the program, said Smart Columbus is continuing to offer grants to condominium and apartment builders to install charging stations. So far, $251,000 in grants for 17 properties have been awarded. Developers believe charging stations will help attract tenants.

Realtors and realtor associations? - realtors that are aware of the impact of energy efficiency in a home can lead to a more discerning buyer that asks questions about energy performance and actions taken by sellers to disclose and improve energy use in the years leading up to listing a home for sale. Blog post written by a local realtor on this topic. 

Community development finance institutions -which, if any local financial institutions would help with funding low interest projects for energy related improvements?

Local Climate and Energy Program Model De Focus Area: Services m27 Resources: Services U.S. EPA’s Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series describes strategies and services local governments can use to achieve economic, environmental, social, and human health benefits. It covers energy efficiency, transportation, community planning and design, solid waste and materials management, and renewable energy: www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/resources/strategy-guides.html

Climate Showcase Communities Effective Practices Tip Sheets

(www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/local/showcase/csc-learn.html#tipsheets) provide succinct advice from local climate and clean energy program leaders on several types of program strategies and services, including the following:

• Action Checklists
• Green Teams
•  Incentive Techniques
• Award/Certificate Programs

U.S. DOE’s Residential Energy Program Design Guide provides comprehensive information about residential energy efficiency program services and design: https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2014/01/f6/residential_retrofit_program_design_guide_508.pdf

Section 6 - Analysis

A tremendous amount of information on all aspects of energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy is available on the internet.  The following are the best sources of information that we could find:

Home weatherizing: Here are two good tutorials on how to fill the gaps in your walls, windows doorways, basements and attics: HERE and HERE

Home insulation: Good information on insulation for walls: HERE.  Good information on insulation in the ceiling: HERE.

Appliances: Check out the Energy Star rebates by PECO: HERE.  Here is the Energy Star website: https://www.energystar.gov/.

LEDs: These two youtube segments help you choose the right LEDs for every area of your HEREhour: HERE and HERE.  Here is how LEDs work: HERE.

Heat pumps: Want to know how a heat pump works?: HERE.  The Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership, Inc. lists all types, sizes, and makes of truly efficient home heat pumps: HERE.  And if you really want to delve into the topic, download the Economics of Electrifying Buildings – How Electric Space and Water Heating Supports Decarbonization of Residential Buildings by the Rocky Mountain Institute: HERE.

Hot water heater heat pumps: Here is a description of a heat pump water heater: HERE.

Telecommuting: Benefits of telecommuting: HERE.

Public transit:

Electric vehicles: The University of California Davis maintains an informative webpage on plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles HERE.

Solar on your property: a case study presentation and short video has been developed about a resident in East Bradford’s experience with rooftop solar

EV charger installation: Prior to buying an EV, it is necessary to determine how and where you can charge it.    The following is advice on what to consider at that time.  Good charging advice: HERE.  More good advice: HERE.

Purchasing renewable electricity: Good balanced information about buying renewable electricity: HERE.

Section 7 - Financing Opportunities

Various levels of government have established programs to assist homeowners and residential customers to increase the energy efficiency in their homes and to encourage the development of residential solar construction and purchase of renewable electricity.  This section provides a listing of the forms of assistance that are available both for all residents and for low and moderate income (LMI) residents.

Reduce (Energy Efficiency) Energy Star Appliances: PECO will reimburse you for purchasing efficient appliances through the Energy Star program.  Look HERE for the rebates for various appliances.  This includes medium to large purchases of LEDs.  AND it includes electric heat pumps, geothermal systems, and electric hot water heat pumps.

Residential energy efficiency tax credits: The federal government provides a tax credit of up to $500 for energy efficiency improvements in the building envelope of existing homes and for the purchase of high-efficiency heating, cooling and water-heating equipment through the end of 2021.

Neighborhood Energy Centers (NECs): Sixteen centers are located throughout the Philadelphia area, which assist in bill payment assistance, providing information on how to conserve water, gas, and electricity, and provide energy counseling.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): While not an energy efficiency measure, LIHEAP is a critical program for heating assistance to households at or below 150% of the Federal poverty income level.

Realtor.com: At current mortgage Interest rates in the Philadelphia region, (30 year fixed rate loans are less than 3%; 15 year fixed rate loans are less than 2.5%),  it makes sense if you are purchasing a house, or refinancing, to incorporate energy efficiency improvements in the refinance.  Many of these improvements could provide a return equal or higher than your lending rate.  

Electrify: Energy Star Heat pumps: In addition to achieving much greater efficiency in heating homes and hot water, heat pumps are the path to electrification of home heating (in addition to air conditioning).  The Energy Star rebates and the tax credits for these upgrades are presented above in the energy efficiency section.

Renewable Energy: For solar PV installation: Federal Income Tax Credit (FITC) – Residential solar projects are eligible for a 26% FITC if construction begins in 2021 or 2022 and a 22% FITC if construction begins in 2023.  After 2023, the FITC is scheduled to disappear.  This provides a strong incentive to build solar on your property soon.

Renewable Energy Credits (RECs): Your solar facility will earn one REC for every 1,000 kilowatt-hours that it generates.

Net Metering: You are paid the full price of electricity (including the PECO distribution cost) for every kilowatt-hour of electricity that you export to the grid.  This reduces your cost of electricity. You have the option of buying your electricity from a third-party supplier rather than from PECO.  This allows you to shop for inexpensive electricity AND buy it from a renewable source if you purchase RECs with the electricity.

Section 8 - On The Horizon

Things that are not available to West Chester residents at this time, but will likely become available in some form in the next few years. Ten states currently participate in RGGI including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and soon, Virginia. Pennsylvania should be next!

Community Solar - With community solar, you can purchase or lease a “share” in a community solar project or start a project with your neighbors. Every month, you receive a credit on your electricity bill for the energy produced by your share. Community solar “gardens” larger than a single user would want, but smaller than utility-scale (less than 5 MW). Programs in other states have resulted in competitive rates at or below the utilities price-to-compare. Community Solar legislation is expected to be introduced and passed in PA in 2021.

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) - RGGI provides the framework for how funds can be reinvested in clean energy and energy efficiency programs to reduce costs and create green jobs with family-sustaining wages, all while tackling the climate crisis by cutting carbon pollution.

PA Clean Transportation Infrastructure - is a proposal to expand Pennsylvania’s EV charging infrastructure. The senate bill did not pass in 2020, but it is expected to be reintroduced in 2021 and has significant bipartisan backing.

PA Joins CA Zero Emission Vehicles Sales Requirement - PA will require car manufacturers to sell at least 8% of their sales come from ZEVs. Specific rulemaking will follow a process similar to RGGI later in 2021.

Chester County’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) - the county level plan sets goals for both municipal operations and community-wide GHG reduction. And suggests a prioritized list of actions to accomplish these goals. The rest of the county can look to the West Chester area for good examples of community engagement and enabling legislation that can be emulated across the region. The CAP is currently in draft form. Expect it to be completed and approved by the Chester County Commissioners mid-2021.

Section 9 - Municipal Initiatives 

• All participating municipalities took part in the Cadmus Renewable Energy Study.

• West Chester Borough: has appointed a full-time sustainability coordinator, who has already saved $22,000 (?) per year in HVAC costs.  

• West Goshen Township: The township is in the process of revising its solar ordinance to make it more solar friendly and will be purchasing two hybrid electric vehicles in 2021 as police interceptors.

• East Bradford, West Chester Borough, West Whiteland: have adopted a resolution to achieve 100% clean electricityby 2035 and 100% clean energy by 2050.
• The West Chester Borough also has a West Chester Sustainable! Green building certification process.

Section 10 - Review Team

The Review Team is a group of about 10 volunteers that have offered to review and give feedback to the materials developed by the Steering Committee. Find the latest list of Review Team members in this spreadsheet. The Review Team will get an early look at the Residential Module materials (new web pages, this doc, base presentation, etc) and take about 10 days to submit suggestions for improvements so we can update before submitting to the WCA COG for final approval to make the materials available to the public in general.

Section 11 - Outreach Team

The Outreach Team is a group of volunteers that have offered to be ambassadors into their community, apartments building, gated community, carpool and share the materials developed by the Steering Committee. Find the latest list of Outreach Team members in this spreadsheet.