Energy Prize: San Juan County Advances to Quarterfinals

52 Communities Competing for Energy Efficiency

— from Lynda Lyshall, San Juan Conservation District Manager —

San Juan County was just selected to advance to the quarterfinalist round of the Georgetown University Energy Prize, a $5 million incentive competition to reduce energy consumption. “The enthusiasm in these communities is contagious,” said Dr. Francis Slakey, Executive Director of the Prize. “This is the first time so many governments, utilities, and community groups will be working together to reduce energy consumption.” San Juan County is among a very select group of only 52 small- and medium-sized cities and counties from across the country that have advanced to the Quarterfinalist round of the competition.

“We are truly off to an excellent start” said Bob Jarman, San Juan County Council Member, upon hearing the news. Jarman is a member of the newly established Energy Leadership Team that includes leaders from the County, Town of Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands Conservation District, OPALCO, school districts, ports, industry, and community organizations.

The San Juan County Energy Plan, a key component of the competition, is being developed in collaboration with the Energy Leadership Team and Islands Energy. The plan will be a comprehensive, county-wide plan that encompasses municipal buildings and operations, school facilities, and residential energy use. The goal is to significantly reduce energy use, promote renewable energy, and keep electricity costs low for islanders. This effort is facilitated by the San Juan Islands Conservation District and sponsored by OPALCO.

Randy J. Cornelius, the current General Manager of OPALCO, commented early in the planning process – “If this collaborative effort demonstrates success by matching – or better – the kWh savings of the last rate period, BPA has assured us a zero load growth forecast on our 2015-2016 rate case – which would remove the prospect of Tier II (market rate) power purchases for that period. We have great expectations for what we can achieve by working together. The whole co-op membership benefits as our homes become more efficient and our habits shift with greater awareness and education.”

In total, over the two years of the GUEP competition, San Juan County and our fellow participants have the potential to save more than $1 billion in total energy costs and cut millions of tons of CO2 emissions. Dr. Slakey remarked that, “the communities we selected are leaders in energy efficiency who will develop innovative approaches that will inspire and enable others to follow in their footsteps.”

Over the next few months, San Juan County residents will have opportunities to provide input on the energy efficiency plans, and to get involved in the Islands Energy Challenge. To learn more about the Georgetown University Energy Prize and to track the competition’s progress, visit www.guep.org, or follow the Prize on Twitter (@GUEnergyPrize).

About Georgetown University Energy Prize
The Georgetown University Energy Prize aims to rethink America’s energy use by harnessing the ingenuity and community spirit of towns and cities all across America. Over the course of a two-year period, the Prize will challenge small- to medium-size towns, cities, and counties to rethink their energy use, and implement creative strategies to increase efficiency. To compete for the Prize, local governments, residents, utilities, and others will need to work together to demonstrate success in sustainably reducing energy consumption. For more information, visit www.guep.org.