East Bay Energy Watch News

East Bay Energy Watch Regional Greenhouse Gas Inventory

January 9, 2019

In 2018, StopWaste (acting as the administrator for the East Bay Energy Watch, or EBEW) hired PlaceWorks to prepare an Excel-based tool that assesses the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the 2017 calendar year from major emission sources for all 35 communities in the East Bay region (33 incorporated cities and towns, along with the unincorporated areas of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties). This document is a detailed summary of the methods that PlaceWorks and StopWaste staff used to prepare these inventories. It includes information about what types of data are included, where the data comes from, how the tool processes the data, and how the tool uses these data to generate GHG emissions totals.


High Efficiency Heat Pump Water Heaters in East Bay Single Family Homes

Final Report, December 2018

The Electric Heat Pump Water Heater Program (Program) was a one year program in 2018 funded through the East Bay Energy Watch (EBEW), a local government partnership between Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), StopWaste, and the cities within and counties of Alameda and Contra Costa. EBEW conducted this pilot program to promote and gather feedback on high-efficiency Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWHs), and to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Program supports increased use of electric home appliances to move toward California’s strategic goals of Zero Net Energy buildings, and use of electricity rather than natural gas, as electricity is increasingly GHG-free.

The Program’s goal was to encourage installation of 10 energy efficient electric HPWHs in single family homes, replacing conventional gas water heaters. Through these installations, this program sought to understand more about opportunities for gas to electric ‘fuel substitution,’ the technology available, implications for customers, and how to encourage more contractors to install this technology.


"Navigating the Changing Landscape of Energy Efficiency Programs in the East Bay," a discussion paper from the EBEW Policy and Regulatory Subcommittee

"Navigating the Changing Landscape of Energy Efficiency Programs in the East Bay" is a discussion paper created by the Policy & Regulatory Subcommittee of Strategic Advisory Committee of the East Bay Energy Watch (EBEW). The subcommittee is made up of a group of city staff and partners from Contra Costa and Alameda Counties who participate in this Local Government Partnership with PG&E. The group created this document to spur discussion about the current offerings of energy efficiency programs, the entities that administer and implement those programs, and what the future might bring in terms of energy efficiency programs, particularly as new entities like East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) enter the scene.

Through the creation of this paper, many stakeholders were engaged, including representatives of local utilities, municipalities, local government partnerships and community choice aggregators. Their opinions and perspectives are reflected in the paper, and may not be agreed with by all of the partners engaged. We hope that you will read the paper and share it with others who might be interested in these topics. We fully anticipate that the programs will be changing over the next year and beyond as new CCAs form and programs are created, updated or ended. This paper explains perspectives at one snapshot in time.

If you have questions about the paper, please contact the chair of the subcommittee, Rachel DiFranco, Sustainability Manager for the City of Fremont. If you have questions about the Strategic Advisory Committee (SAC) of EBEW, please contact Jennifer West, Program Manager at StopWaste.

Rachel A. DiFranco, LEED AP O+M
Sustainability Manager
City of Fremont
[email protected]
(510) 494-4451

Jennifer West
Program Manager
StopWaste
[email protected]
(510) 891-6555


Fremont to Require Solar Panels, EV Chargers in New Homes

The Fremont City Councilis now requiring new housing developments to install solar panels as well as wiring for electric vehicle stations.  Read more about the new ordinance here ...


Piedmont: City Cuts greenhouse gas emissions

The city exceeded its GHG emissions reduction goals by 18.4 percent, and CivicSPARK fellow Matt Anderson was recognized for his 11 months of service work. Read more here...


Bay Area SunShares Launches Group Purchasing for Bay Area Residents

Bay Area SunShares, a group purchasing program that provides discounts on solar and zero emission vehicles is now available for residents of the greater Bay Area.  Sign up ends on November 4, 2016.

Contra Costa Climate Leaders' (4CL) EBEW News

Monthly newsletter for environmental updates, pertinent local information, and interest upcoming events.

East Bay Jurisdiction Highlights

December 2014, Vol 1, Issue 3

November 2014, Vol 1, Issue 2

October 2014, Vol. 1, Issue 1