Mapping the
Green Economy
in the East Bay
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Best Practices

In the East Bay

There are a number of policies within the East Bay region that are considered innovative models.
  1. Berkeley FIRST (Financing Initiative for Renewable and Solar Technology)
    2. The Berkeley FIRST program provides financial incentives to install solar photovoltaics, solar thermal, or energy efficiency upgrades on residential and commercial property. Currently the pilot program only applies to solar photovoltaics. The City of Berkeley provides low-interest loans that are tied to the property and secured by a lien on the property. The City finances the loan program by floating municipal bonds. There is no up-front cost to the property owner, and if the property is sold before the end of the repayment period, the new owner inherits both the repayment obligation and the benefits of the project.

  2. Renewable Energy Conservation Ordinance (RECO) & Commercial Energy Conservation Ordinance (CECO)
    3. RECO and CECO require property owners to comply with certain energy efficiency standards upon sale or transfer of property, renovations valued at $50,000 or more, additions to the property, or participation in the BerkeleyFIRST program. CECO standards include HVAC, hot water, lighting, refrigeration equipment, motor-driven equipment, swimming pool/spa, and building envelope measures. RECO includes low-flow toilets/showerheads/faucets, water heater insulation, piping insulation, weatherstripping, duct sealing, ceiling insulation, and energy efficiency lighting. RECO and CECO standards in general meet or exceed the state's Title 24 energy efficiency standards.

  3. Richmond solar thermal rebate
    4. The City of Richmond is piloting a solar thermal rebate program, which offers a $1,000 rebate per system for 25 properties. The rebate is contingent on using locally-trained labor to install the system. This is the first program in the country to offer a solar thermal rebate tied to a job training program and is an excellent example of partnership between city, non-profits, and industry. The job training is provided by Solar Richmond, Richmond BUILD, Grid Alternatives, and Solar Living Institute; they are working with the local solar thermal manufacturer Heliodyne.

  4. Richmond BUILD
    5. This City-sponsored program has won national and international recognition as an exemplary green job training program. Richmond BUILD provides a 10-week training program in high wage construction and renewable energy. To date, graduates have a 90% placement rate with an average hourly wage of $18.33. The Richmond BUILD program partners with other City agencies, non-profits, unions, and local community colleges.

  5. Oakland Green Building Incentives
    6. Oakland has a number of incentives for green building including: fast track permitting for projects under 50 units or 50,000 square feet of commercial space for green buildings, a mandate for all city buildings to achieve LEED Silver standard, and a requirement that all nonresidential or apartment house renovation projects with a permit valued at $50,000 or more recycle 100% of asphalt and concrete and 65% of other materials. The City also offers free green building technical assistance and grants to private developers.

Best Practices in Other Cities

The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group tracks best practices of city environmental policies. Highlights include: