CHAPTER EIGHT: ENERGY NOTE: None of this chapter has been adopted by Thurston County as the joint plan with Olympia for the unincorporated part of the Olympia Growth Area. INTRODUCTION industrial and institutions. A look at the energy uses of each sector provides a picture of where to target energy conservation measures. Each Why have an energy chapter? Society spends a sector presents various degrees of possibilities lot of money on energy. Most of these dollars for local government influence on energy leave town--some even leave the country. This conservation. Understanding the various sectors has contributed to balance-of-payments and their use of energy is key to energy problems, increasing concerns about conservation policies. The transportation and dependence on foreign sources, and economic residential sectors account for 29 percent of the instability. Much of our energy use generates energy consumption in Washington State. pollution and/or relies on nonrenewable sources. Some decrease in energy use in the This is not sustainable. transportation sector can be achieved through local action. However, a reduction in the Though much is beyond our local influence, residential sector energy use seems more within some things can be done. Households (families) our scope of action. And, while commercial, spend a lot on energy. The community is better industrial and institutional uses are considerably off if these dollars can stay in the local economy smaller than transportation or residential uses, and be spent on other goods and services. local efforts can be taken in these sectors to aid Conserving energy conserves money which can the overall picture of energy conservation. then be spent elsewhere in the local economy. (Ord. 6389, 01/24/06) Besides, the energy we waste is the cheapest energy we can buy--new sources of energy cost more than conservation. Transportation In 1979, state legislation added energy The transportation sector is the largest user of energy in Thurston County and the most conservation and solar access protection to the difficult to affect at the local level. Efforts in list of permitted optional elements in local reducing transportation related uses are best comprehensive plans. This chapter will look at suited for long term measures. The two major what Olympia can and should do in this regard. factors affecting transportation energy First we analyze the sectors of energy demand, efficiency are (1) fuel efficiency of the vehicles, and the types of uses in each sector. Then we and (2) density of land use. set out goals and policies on the wise use of energy. Local government does not have the authority to regulate fuel efficiency of vehicles. Federal PATTERNS OF ENERGY USE standards and market pressures have helped reduce the fuel consumption per mile. Federal regulations require lower emissions for diesel The Big Picture engines and incentives for energy efficient vehicles. Considerable potential remains for We start by analyzing the energy demand fuel efficiency improvements. (Ord. 6389, sectors: transportation, residential, commercial, 01/24/06) ________________________________ENERGY – PAGE 1 _________________________________ January 24, 2006 Figures 8-1 through 8-4 are repealed and replaced with Figures 8-1 through 8-6 (Ord. 6389, 01/24/06) FIGURE 8-1 Energy Use by Sector Washington State 2001 Percent and BTUs WA State Total Energy Consumption by Sector 2001 (Trillion Btu) Residential, 471.2, 23% Transportation, 599.9, 29% Commercial, 376.8, 19% Industrial, 586, 29% Source: US Department of Energy’s Information Administration 2001 FIGURE 8-2 Washington State Electricity Imports and Exports Trend Net WA State Electricty Gains and Losses (Millions of kilowatts) 60,000 40,000 d te r 20,000 o p Im 0 4 4 0 0 0 60 6 66 68 70 7 76 78 8 82 84 86 9 92 94 0 9 962 9 9 972 9 9 988 9 996 998 1 1 19 19 1 1 1 19 19 1 19 19 19 1 1 19 19 1 1 1 20 h -20,000 W k n llio i -40,000 M -60,000 d te r o p -80,000 x E -100,000 -120,000 Source: US Department of Energy: Energy Information Administration ________________________________ENERGY – PAGE 2 _________________________________ January 24, 2006 FIGURE 8-3 Pacific Northwest Household Energy Use by Function Pacific NorthWest Household Energy Use (Quadrillion Btu) Appliances & lighting 21% Space heating 35% Refrigeration 5% Water supply 21% Air conditioning 18% Source: US Department of Energy’s Information Administration 2001 FIGURE 8-4 Pacific Northwest Household Space Heating Energy Source Space-Heating By Major Fuel Dependency (Quadrillion Btu) Natural Gas 74% Fuel Oil 3% Electricity Kerosene 15% 3% Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) 5% Source: US Department of Energy’s Information Administration 2001 ________________________________ENERGY – PAGE 3 _________________________________ January 24, 2006 FIGURE 8-5 Means of Transportation to Work Olympia 1990 FIGURE 8-6 Means of Transportation to Work Olympia 2000 Van/Carpooled; 12.3% Walked; 5.6% Worked at Home; 3.4% Bus; 5.2% Other; 2.5% Drove alone; 71.1% Source: 2000 US Census ________________________________ENERGY – PAGE 4 _________________________________ January 24, 2006 Local government's biggest influence can come energy consumption. Therefore it was a through its policies on land use patterns. significant positive step when the Northwest Careful blending of residential units with work Energy Code was incorporated into the City of places promotes energy efficiency. Higher Olympia's Building Code. New homes built to densities contribute to the success of bus these newer building code standards are 25 systems. Higher densities close to offices and percent more energy efficient compared to those commercial districts help reduce fuel built under the 1986 Energy Code. consumption by reducing overall commuter and shopper mileage. Suburban sprawl makes When combined with appropriate insulation people spend a lot of time and energy on levels, solar energy can easily meet half the transportation. With a more compact heating needs of a home in Olympia. Many development pattern (double our current newer homes in our community now meet this residential and mixed-use density), and other level of performance. transportation improvements, Thurston County's percentage of drive-alone commuters could be Effective layout of subdivisions can also cut from 85 to 60 percent. But it would take at increase energy efficiency by allowing for solar least 20 years to evolve to such a pattern. access and protection from winter winds. It is often no more difficult to design a subdivision Group transportation mechanisms also can assist so up to 80 percent of the lots can take in lower density areas of the city and region. advantage of the sun. Park-and- ride lots, vanpooling, ridesharing and flexible work schedules help reduce the number Public education on energy conservation of vehicle miles and congestion. Both the promotes further reduction in consumption. public and private sectors can encourage transit Tips to the consumer can be given through a use by offering employees bus passes and other variety of means, including notes on utility incentives. Over a decade or two we could billings, school presentations, brochures, fair accomplish a 10-15 percent energy savings from displays, etc. For several years Olympia has more use of transit and other types of group been supporting energy education services transportation. through the Energy Outreach Center. In addition, our local utilities offer conservation A well-laid-out transportation system will also programs for the homes they serve. aid in conserving energy. Smoother traffic flows can increase vehicle efficiency by up to Industrial/Commercial five percent. Proper provisions for pedestrian and bicycle traffic can promote use of these The industrial and commercial sectors together energy saving means of commuting. do not use as much energy as either the transportation or residential sector. The Residential competitive environment of industry and commerce stimulates energy efficiency as a In the residential sector, heating the home is the sound business practice to reduce production primary use of energy at 35 percent. Water costs and thus increase profit margins. heaters are next at 21 percent (Figure 8.4). In 2001, natural gas was the predominant source of On the local level, governments have few energy, with 74 percent of energy demand alternatives for influencing industrial and (Figure 8.5). (Ord. 6389, 01/24/06) commercial energy uses. Education and some incentives are the only practical means to Strengthening building code requirements for influence existing business. The commercial energy efficiency is an effective way to reduce and industrial sectors use energy in very diverse ________________________________ENERGY – PAGE 5 _________________________________ January 24, 2006 ways: heating, cooling, refrigeration, a electricity, then the use of "waste heat" from multitude of industrial processes, lighting, LOTT could potentially give customers electronics, etc. significant savings on their energy costs. Building codes applied to new construction Institutions provide some influence, but even here the diversity of business operations limits the City's Although the institutions sector is a small ability to influence energy use. To a varying percentage of the energy consumption picture in extent, existing buildings can be improved in Thurston County, it is a very visible part of that energy efficiency. Utility programs are picture because of the public's interest in its tax available in some cases. The City may also be dollar. As the price of energy rises, citizens able to develop incentive programs for become more attentive to their own use of conservation in existing buildings. In one energy as well as to the energy use efficiencies incentive program, the Washington State Energy of their institutional structures. Office gave an "Energy Edge" award to a new restaurant built on Percival Landing. As a promoter of energy conservation, local government should set the example for efficient Commercial lighting appears to be a particularly and conscientious energy use.