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2016 Centre County Planning Opportunities Energy Conservation Centre County Comprehensive Plan — Phase II Implementation Strategies Introduction County-wide In 2003, the Centre County Board of Commissioners Planning adopted a County-wide Comprehensive Plan which included Goals background studies, inventories of existing conditions, goals and recommendations. These recommendations, revised Adopted 2003 and updated, continue to serve as a vision and a general direction for policy and community improvement. Those specific to energy conservation will be discussed here along with implementation strategies to achieve the recom- #1 — Identify, pre- mendations. For more detailed background information serve, enhance and monitor agricultural please refer to the 2003 Comprehensive Plan available on resources. the Centre County Planning and Community Development webpage: #2 — Identify, pre- serve, and monitor http://centrecountypa.gov/index.aspx?nid=212. environmental and Centre County seeks to balance growth, protection of natural resources. resources, investment in compatible new building Small wind turbines like erected #3 — Preserve his- development, and incentives for sustainable development. at the DEP Moshannon Office, toric and cultural Much of this effort includes stewardship, community can help offset electricity costs resources. outreach and expert professional service. to the property. #4 — Ensure decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing in suitable living surroundings, com- patible with the en- vironment for all The Keystone Principles individuals. In 2005, Pennsylvania adopt- Redevelop first #5 — Appropriately ed the “Keystone Principles Provide efficient infrastructure locate and maintain for Growth, Investment and existing and pro- Resource Conservation”, a Concentrate development posed community set of principles that have Increase job opportunities facilities, utilities, focused Pennsylvania on and services for all Foster sustainable businesses reinvestment and reuse of its residents. Restore and enhance the environment assets. #6 — Identify and Enhance recreational and heritage resources promote economic Initially intended for state Expand housing opportunities development initia- agencies, these principles are tives to maintain becoming embraced by local Plan regionally and implement locally and grow a diverse governments as a tool to Be fair economic base in guide local decisions and each of the Coun- have become adopted into This plan update recommends county-wide adoption of ty’s planning re- county comprehensive plans. these principles. gions. Adopted by the Centre County Board of Commissioners, August 30, 2016 by Resolution No. 14 of 2016. Page 2 Energy Conservation TABLE OF CONTENTS Current Trends and Considerations 3 & 4 Land Use Energy Conservation 13 Energy Conservation Issues by Planning Region 5 Growth boundaries Issue #1. Energy conservation should be embraced Development design at the community-level by local government, businesses, and residents to collectively reduce Greenway planning energy consumption. 6 - 13 Agricultural land preservation Background 6 Issue #2. Renewable energy sources, facilities and Data 7 technologies should be proactively explored and encouraged where best suited for utilization. 14—23 Objective, Goals & Strategies 8 Background 14 Tools 9 - 13 Data 15—22 Home Energy Conservation 9 Wind energy 15 Home energy audits Solar energy 17 Energy retrofitting Biomass energy 19 Low-income usage reduction Ground-source energy 21 Appliance rebates Objective, Goals & Strategies 23 Business/Government Energy Conservation 10 Issue #3. Communities should be encouraged to explore energy independence projects through a Utility bill analysis combination of energy reduction and renewable Green construction energy sources. 24—25 Adaptive reuse Background 24 LED street lights Data 24 Leadership in energy/ Objective, Goals & Strategies 25 environmental design Interrelationships 26 Industry Energy Conservation 11 Resources 27 Partnerships for technology Leveraging renewable energy project financing 28 Combined heat and power Recycling Transportation Energy Conservation 12 Mass transportation Walkable communities Transit oriented development Energy Conservation Page 3 Current Trends and Considerations The Pathway to Energy Independence Energy Independence is a powerful verbal icon originally conceived and defined during the 1970s oil embargos and shortages in the United States. The term resurfaced Energy Conservation vs. Energy Efficiency and gained new meaning during the 2008 Great Energy conservation refers to reducing conservation. Driving the same amount Recession as national energy consumption through using less of with a higher gas per mileage vehicle is an political leaders called for a an energy source. Energy conservation example of energy efficiency. Energy return to economic balance differs from efficient energy use, which conservation and energy efficiency are and protection from our refers to using less energy but not both energy reduction techniques. vulnerability created by changing behaviors or routines that over-dependence on foreign consume energy. For example, driving Image from http://www.heliosenergy.org. petroleum to fuel our cars, less is an example of energy trucks and airplanes as the price per gallon of gasoline reached historic price ceilings. Energy independence can seem unachievable, a lofty goal that is a worthy concept in blueprint but difficult to implement. If we consider energy independence as a process implementable at the community-level, when global global socio-political barriers are removed and local examples are explored, energy independence is within grasp. The steps to energy independence first start with reducing energy consumption (conservation) and next employing more energy efficient technologies. Page 4 Centre County Comprehensive Plan — Phase II Implementation Strategies Current Trends and Considerations continued Attitudes towards energy consumption Between 2007 and 2008 (Great Recession), Americans’ were more in favor of energy conservation practices and less emphasis was placed on increasing America’s energy supply. During this time, the price per gallon of gasoline was near $4 in some U.S. cities (Energy Information Administration, 2009). Post- recession as the economy improved and natural gas production revved up in the Marcellus Shale Basin, the gap between Americans’ preferences towards energy conservation and increasing energy production has narrowed (2012 Gallup Poll, graph at right). The price of gasoline has decreased and, natural gas prices continue to decouple from other petroleum products (U.S. Department of Energy, 2014). This closing gap trend between attitudes should be considered as we encourage energy reduction. Human behavior and energy consumption A 2011 study conducted at the Earth high-energy behaviors. For example, behavior of driving an automobile less Institute and Center for Research on respondents assumed that their laptop often or using public transportation, Environmental Decisions at Columbia computers were using twice the energy 31.8% of respondents felt that was University (Understanding decisions necessary to power them but, perceived others’ responsibility (or society’s about energy, Attari et al) surveyed 500 that dishwashers were 800-times more responsibility); 19.3% of those surveyed participants in metropolitan areas to gain energy efficient than they are. felt that they could drive a car less often insight into energy consumption or take public transportation. In general, perceptions, effective energy reduction Not surprising was survey respondents’ adopting easy behaviors applied to behaviors, and energy consumption willingness to adopt energy reduction oneself but making difficult behavior attitudes that reflect one’s self- behaviors that are easy and immediately changes applied to others. responsibility or society’s responsibility. save money on energy costs. For example, participants ranked turning off The study found that most participants lights and appliances in the top ten have small overestimates for low-energy behaviors they would be willing to behaviors and large underestimates for change. However, when posed with the Renewable energy sources Energy conservation practices and motor fuels, and rural (off-grid) energy development. energy efficiency technologies lay the services. foundation towards incorporating in- Renewable energy technologies are whole or in-part renewable energy Renewable energy resources exist over getting cheaper, through technological sources. Renewable energy is generally wide geographical areas, in contrast to change and through the benefits of mass defined as energy that comes from other energy sources, which are production and market competition resources which are naturally concentrated in a limited number of (International Energy Agency, 2011). replenished such as sunlight, wind, rain, countries. While many renewable energy First, individual behavior to reduce tides, waves and geothermal heat. projects are large-scale, renewable energy consumption must change. Next, Renewable energy replaces conventional technologies are also suited to rural and renewable energy sources can be fuels in four distinct areas: electricity remote areas and developing countries, explored. Last, communities can move generation, hot water/space heating, where energy is often crucial in human towards local energy sources. Page 5 Centre County Comprehensive Plan — Phase II Implementation
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