City May Offer Green Energy Incentive Program

Little by little, Agoura Hills is going green. Old irrigation equipment at local parks has been replaced for better water conservation. Paper memos and meeting agendas from City Hall now come in electronic form. 

"Any community can be more sustainable by simply making certain choices in how we live day to day. You have the normal efforts most people do, such as recycling, purchasing more items that are more environmentally friendly, reducing our waste generated, etc. It is all connected," said Louis A. Celaya, assistant to the city manager. "It can be challenging, because it requires a change of how we do things, but it can be done. Agoura residents and businesses are pretty good at this."

The City Council established the Environmental Responsibility Committee in December 2008 to begin moving Agoura Hills down the path of becoming a sustainable community. Its efforts taken since will be presented in a brief report at a meeting Wednesday. 

Additionally, staff will present the Energy Efficiency Incentive program for City Council consideration. Under the one-year pilot program, residential and business owners would be offered a reduced fixed rate for permits issued for electric solar panels and energy efficient windows.

"It is meant to serve as an additional incentive for residents and businesses to consider in the hope that it will generate more energy efficient technology installation and to complement current programs being developed by the County of Los Angeles," Celaya said.

If the City Council decides to adopt the proposed reduced fixed fee, the community could benefit from a large savings, according to Celaya.

A $50,000 residential solar system permit, which would have cost $1,634 under the existing fee structure, would now cost $320. A commercial project installing a $500,000 solar system, which would have cost $8,051, would now be $540 under the new incentive program.

"The sustainable living concept ('going green') is such a large and challenging arena," Celaya said. "We must proceed cautiously to ensure we bring the right programs and policies that best fit the Agoura Hills community."