Report on the Renewal of the Efficiency Smart Program in Bowling Green

Executive Summary

The City of Bowling Green’s Board of Public Utilities has approved a three-year contract renewal for the Efficiency Smart program, extending a 14-year partnership aimed at enhancing energy efficiency for residents and businesses. This decision reaffirms the city’s commitment to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The program provides cost-effective energy-saving solutions, contributing to significant financial savings for customers and substantial reductions in energy consumption, thereby supporting local economic development and environmental sustainability objectives.

Program Overview and Contribution to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

Efficiency Smart, a program offered by American Municipal Power, has been instrumental in Bowling Green since 2011. Its primary objective is to promote the efficient use of energy, directly aligning with the targets of SDG 7. The program empowers energy consumers by providing tools and knowledge to reduce electricity usage and lower utility costs.

Key Services Promoting Affordable and Clean Energy

• Low-Cost/No-Cost Solutions: The program focuses on providing cost-effective recommendations rather than selling products, ensuring accessibility for all community members.
• Residential Support: Services for households include guidance on energy-efficient lighting and appliances, home energy assessments, and rebates, making homes more comfortable and energy bills more affordable.
• Business and Industrial Assistance: For commercial customers, the program offers technical support and financial incentives to facilitate the adoption of energy-efficient technologies, helping them manage operational costs and meet corporate sustainability goals.

Impact Analysis and Alignment with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

The program’s long-term impact demonstrates a significant contribution to creating a more sustainable and resilient urban environment, a core objective of SDG 11. By reducing overall energy demand and providing tangible benefits to its citizens, the program strengthens the community’s infrastructure and economic base.

Program Participation and Reach (Since 2011)

• Households Served: 1,118 households have directly benefited from rebates, discounts, and recycling programs.
• Businesses Served: 169 local businesses have received technical and financial assistance.
• Community-Wide Initiatives: Over 60,000 efficient lighting products have been installed through partnerships and community events, fostering a culture of responsible consumption (SDG 12).

Quantifiable Community Savings

The cumulative results underscore the program’s effectiveness in achieving energy and cost reductions:

1. Total Electric Utility Savings: $38,866,680
2. Lifetime Customer Savings: $58,487,927
3. Annual Energy Savings: 49,278 MWh
4. Lifetime Energy Savings: 682,280 MWh
5. Summer Peak Demand Savings: 7,530 KW

Economic Development and Support for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

The Efficiency Smart program serves as a critical component of Bowling Green’s economic development strategy. By helping businesses reduce operational expenditures, it fosters an environment conducive to sustainable economic growth, as outlined in SDG 8.

Economic Benefits

• Business Retention and Competitiveness: Lowering energy costs helps existing businesses remain competitive and financially stable.
• Investment and Growth: Reduced operational expenses can be redirected toward facility expansions, new production lines, and job creation.
• Attraction of New Business: A commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability makes the community more attractive to new enterprises, particularly those with corporate sustainability mandates.

Financial Justification and Future Outlook

The decision to renew the program was supported by a clear financial benefit analysis. The program’s cost, approximately 1.3% of the city’s annual power supply cost, is significantly outweighed by the savings it generates. A 2013 analysis by Sawvel and Associates confirmed that the program reduces the city’s power supply expenses more than the program’s own cost. The new three-year contract will maintain the current rate of $1.40/MWh, ensuring continued progress toward the city’s sustainability and economic development goals through December 31, 2027.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. The article’s central theme is the “Efficiency Smart” program, which is explicitly designed to help residents and businesses use less energy through efficiency measures.
• Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The city’s decision to renew its contract and continue paying for the Efficiency Smart program represents a direct investment in energy efficiency infrastructure and services.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.4: Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation. The article highlights how the program helps businesses lower operating costs, making them more competitive and enabling investment in growth, which is a direct example of improving resource (energy) efficiency in production.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. Reducing energy consumption through efficiency directly lowers the city’s per capita environmental impact.
• Target 11.b: By 2030, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and disaster risk resilience. The “Efficiency Smart” program is a clear example of a city-level policy and plan aimed at resource efficiency and sustainability. The article notes it “plays a role in community’s sustainability efforts.”

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The program’s focus on helping residents and businesses “use less energy” is a direct contribution to the efficient use of energy resources.
• Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles. The program provides “advice,” “guidance,” “online home energy assessments,” and “tips on appliances and insulation,” directly empowering residents with information for a more sustainable lifestyle.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. While the article doesn’t explicitly mention climate change, energy efficiency is a fundamental strategy for climate change mitigation. A city-level program like Efficiency Smart represents the integration of such measures into local planning and policy.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for Target 7.3 (Energy Efficiency)

• Annual energy savings: 49,278 MWh.
• Lifetime energy savings: 682,280 MWh.
• Summer peak demand savings: 7,530 KW.
• Number of efficient lighting products installed: Over 60,000.

Indicators for Target 11.b (Implementation of Sustainability Policies)

• Number of households served: 1,118 households redeemed rebates, received discounts, and got cash back.
• Number of businesses served: 169 businesses were served.
• Policy continuity: The city’s contract for the program was renewed for another three years.

Indicators for Targets 8.4 & 12.2 (Resource Efficiency & Savings)

• Total utility savings: $38,866,680.
• Lifetime customer savings: $58,487,927.
• Program cost relative to power supply cost: About 1.3% of the city’s annual power supply cost, with analysis showing the program reduces power supply expenses more than its own cost.

Indicators for Target 12.8 (Information and Awareness)

• Program services offered: The article mentions the provision of advice, guidance, online home energy assessments, and tips on appliances and insulation as core services. The number of households and businesses participating (1,118 and 169, respectively) serves as a proxy indicator for the reach of this information.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bgindependentmedia.org