State and Local Climate and Energy Program
The Whatcom Energy Challenge
Bellingham, Washington
Federal Funding: $349,384
Project Timeline: February 2010 – December 2012
Latest Update
The Bellingham Community Energy Challenge (CEC) continues to spread the word about energy retrofits to homeowners and businesses by exhibiting at community events and using door hangers, window clingers, and referral postcards. The CEC also developed “save-o-meter” banners that tracked annual energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions to maintain community awareness of CEC.
Bellingham continues implementing the Cool Schools Challenge (CSC) in partnership with RE Sources, a non-profit environmental education organization. Twelve schools in four Whatcom County school districts have implemented the CSC, in which staff use climate and energy efficiency presentations to educate students, and distribute energy efficiency pledges to families. More Whatcom County teachers have been trained and will receive support in implementing the CSC in Fall 2012. RE Sources has started reaching out to potential partners and schools in preparation for the Fall 2012 CSC summit. Future work includes continuing to analyze energy data and provide services to participants of the CEC.
Photos and Video
Project Summary
A Public-Private Partnership to Implement Energy Efficiency Retrofits and Outreach
To promote energy conservation and lower GHG emissions, the City of Bellingham developed a comprehensive energy efficiency outreach project. The City worked in partnership with the non-profit Sustainable Connections, the non-profit RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, and the utility Puget Sound Energy. The project, called the Whatcom Energy Challenge, developed an education and outreach campaign and distributed publicity materials throughout the community, including banners, mailings, and a website. The Challenge also holds community events and hosts energy efficiency presentations at the neighborhood level. In addition, the Challenge selected 125 workplaces in which to promote conservation strategies to employees. Furthermore, Puget Sound Energy will mail home energy reports to half of the county's single-family households, providing information on their relative energy use. The Whatcom Energy Challenge is also implementing a Cool School Challenge to train teachers, engage students, and provide take-home materials on energy efficiency in up to 58 schools.
The project will result in energy savings, GHG emissions reductions, improved air quality, and extensive cost savings for local businesses and residents. In addition, the project is designed to be easily replicable for use in other communities.
Community Characteristics
| Population: | 76,000 |
|---|---|
| Area: | 32 square miles |
| Government Type: | City |
| Community Type: | Mid-sized Urban |
| Median Household Income: | $38,500 |
Program Results/Estimated Results
| Expected GHG Emissions Reductions: | 7,200 metric tons CO2e annually |
|---|---|
| Actual GHG Savings (as of June 2012): | 1,702 metric tons CO2e annually |
| Expected Electricity Savings: | 12,300,000 kWh annually |
| Actual Electricity Savings (as of June 2012): | 3,802,894 kWh annually |
| Expected Gas Savings: | 338,000 Therms annually |
| Actual Gas Savings (as of June 2012): | 54,501 Therms annually |
| Homes Audited (as of June 2012): | 785 |
| Homes Retrofitted (as of June 2012): | 489 projects in 372 different homes |
| Participating Businesses (as of June 2012): | 174 |
| Job Training (as of June 2012): | 8 general contractors |
Project Websites
- Community Energy Challenge website
- Community Energy Challenge blog
- Community Energy Challenge Facebook page
- Community Energy Challenge Twitter page
Media Coverage
- Energy Challenge Creates Jobs, Saves Energy in Whatcom County, May 12, 2012
- Historic Bellingham Building Adds Modern Touch: Solar panels, April 12, 2012
- The Leopold Adds Solar Panels to Roof of Historic Building, Bellingham Business Journal, April 1, 2012
- Community Energy Challenge, Samuel’s Furniture Blog Entry, March 22, 2012
- Interview on the Joe Show, Interview of Alex Ramel by Joe Teehan on KBAI, February 29, 2012
- Let there Be (New) Light!, Boundary Bay Brewery Blog post, February 14, 2012
- Program Encourages Energy Efficient Home Improvements, Northern Light, January 25, 2012
- Nonprofit Energy Savers Thrive in Washington State, Home Energy Magazine, January/February 2012
-
Energy Program Can Help Reduce Your Bills, The Northern Light, September 7, 2011
- Green Jobs Backlash: A Reality Check from Bellingham, Sightline Daily, August 31, 2011
- Community Energy Challenge Interview, KGMI Morning News, August 9, 2011
- Community Energy Challenge celebrates 500 energy audits, Bellingham Business Journal, August 9, 2011
- Community Energy Challenge: Helping Small Businesses Trim Energy Costs, Northwest Business Monthly, June 2011
- Conserving Energy Becomes a Community Effort, Ferndale Record Journal, May 18, 2011
- Community Energy Challenge Statistics, Cascadia Weekly Index, April 20, 2011
- Energy audit program huge hit in Washington, Builder News, March 24, 2011
- Whatcom County businesses seeing economic benefits of solar, Bellingham Business Journal, March 4, 2011
- Energy program could help local residents save, The Northern Light, January 19, 2011