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Flex Your Power Case Study: City of Colton

An Effective Practice

Description

Colton developed an Electric Demand Reduction Program in the summer of 2001. Programs included replacing all traffic lights with LED lamps and a load curtailment program, which enabled the city to cut more than five MW, if necessary, in 15 minutes with minimal disruption of operations.

Goal / Mission

The objectives of the program were:
-assist lowincome customers,
-reduce energy use at city facilities and
-coordinate action between the city and its largest electric customers to implement emergency demand reduction/ load-shedding programs.

Results / Accomplishments

The programs were a success: low income customers reduced their energy costs by 26 percent on average; City Hall saved more than 10 percent by installing more efficient lighting and air-conditioning systems; and a load-curtailment program was developed that could cut more than 5 MW in 15 minutes.

The savings due to the Demand Reduction Program varied:
- 15 percent of customers saved 40-65 percent on their energy bill.
- 27 percent of customers saved 30-40 percent on their energy bill.
- 64 percent of customers saved 20-30 percent on their energy bill.
- City facilities saved more than 10 percent and had better lighting and air conditioning.
- Traffic signal lights used 1/15 less energy and lasted more than 10 times longer.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
City of Colton
Primary Contact
Gerald Katz
160 S. 10th Street
Colton, CA 92324
(909) 370-5099 Ext. 5561
gkatz@ci.colton.ca.us
http://www.ci.colton.ca.us/
Topics
Environmental Health / Energy & Sustainability
Organization(s)
City of Colton
Source
Flex Your Power Efficiency Partnership
Date of publication
2006
Date of implementation
2001
Location
Colton, CA
Santa Cruz