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W A T E R E N E R G Y L I F 'c RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES E3W& Board Memorandum PUBLIC UTILITIE5 BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DATE: November 16, 2012 ITEM NO: 13 SUBJECT: RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES' ENERGY STAR PROGRAM ISSUE: That the Board of Public Utilities consider approving the addition of Energy Star rated televisions to the Riverside Public Utilities' (RPU) Energy Star Program's list of acceptable rebate items. RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Public Utilities approve adding Energy Star rated televisions to the Riverside Public Utilities' Energy Star Program as an accepted energy efficiency appliance in the amount of$545,000 through June 30, 2014. BACKGROUND: Energy Star is ajoint program formed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that helps people save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. Through its partnerships with more than 20,000 private and public sector organizations, Energy Star delivers the technical information and tools that organizations and consumers need to choose energy- efficient solutions and best management practices. RPU has participated as an Energy Star partner since 1999. Since the year 2000, RPU has provided almost 50,000 Energy Star rebates to Riverside customers resulting in energy savings of over 11 million kilowatt (kWh) hours. The RPU Energy Star Program offers rebates for items including refrigerators, dishwashers, room air conditioners,clothes washers and ceiling fans. In recent years, manufacturers of LCD, LED and Plasma flat screens have dramatically increased the energy efficiency of these televisions.Staff is recommending that the Board approve the addition of Energy Star rated televisions to its list of qualifying appliances to capture these increased energy savings. The rebate will be initially set at$100 per purchase. The kWh savings associated with the use of these energy efficient televisions can benefit the utility in meeting its kWh savings goals and when reporting these annual kWh savings to the California Energy Commission, pursuant to SB1037 requirements. To capitalize on the market transformation for energy efficient televisions, staff is developing a marketing plan to promote the purchase of Energy Star rated televisions. This program will offer the rebate until June 30, 2014, and release promotional advertising when retail sales volumes of electronics are at their highest peak. The new Energy Star Rated Television Rebate Program will tie in with the Shop Riverside Campaign by coordinating marketing and promotion with local retailers. FISCAL IMPACT: Total funds for the Energy Star rated televisions in the amount of$545,000 are available in the Fiscal Year 2012113 Energy Star Rebate Program Account No. 6020100-456045. Any remaining funds will be carried forward to Fiscal Year 2013114 through the Program rebate deadline of June 30, 2014. Program funding is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.