Scotts Valley gets behind energy loan plan

Scotts Valley is taking steps to help property owners use water and energy more efficiently, with hopes of stimulating the local economy.
At its Nov. 18 meeting, the Scotts Valley City Council unanimously agreed to submit a letter of commitment to the California Energy Commission in support of CaliforniaFIRST, a statewide pilot program.
CaliforniaFIRST would allow both homeowners and business owners to borrow from the state up to 100 percent of the startup costs for energy-saving projects and then repay the money through increased property tax bills over 20 years.
Property owners would choose a type of green improvement — installing solar panels or low-flow showerheads and toilets, for example, or changing light fixtures — and ultimately lower their monthly Pacific Gas and Electric Co. bills.
“The economic impacts for Santa Cruz County could be phenomenal,” Scotts Valley’s vice mayor, Jim Reed, said. “We’re talking less money going to PG&E, with local contractors doing the work and materials being purchased at local businesses. We’re a winner on so many levels.”
Council members said the energy pilot plan could create new eco-friendly jobs, make renewable-energy technologies more widespread and reduce greenhouse gas emissions — all while stimulating the local economy.
Sacramento County, which has taken the lead on CaliforniaFIRST, is trying to secure a $15 million grant from the state energy commission to pay administrative, marketing and other costs, such as city staff time.
Ecology Action, an environmental group based in Santa Cruz, is helping with the grant, which will benefit all participating counties and cities.
Virginia Johnson of Ecology Action said the $15 million to start CaliforniaFIRST has the potential to produce $150 million worth of energy efficiency-related installations statewide.
Like Scotts Valley, the cities of Capitola, Santa Cruz and Watsonville are in the process of committing to CaliforniaFIRST.
“The program is just another great energy-efficiency tool in the box,” Johnson said. “The economic stimulus to our county is tremendous.”