Energy Office Initiative FAQs

What is the ICLEI USA Energy Office Initiative?

The ICLEI USA Energy Office Initiative is a new program aimed specifically at helping local governments open an energy office.  The ideal goal is to create a minimum of one full-time position housed within the local government that concentrates on improving energy efficiency of the local government’s buildings and operations, establishing long-term, sustainable energy goals for these operations and pursuing grant funds to assist in implementation of programs to achieve the long-term goals as a self-financing entity. Implementing a successful and self-financing energy program is the single, best way for a local government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and has proven to reduce energy costs.

Our city/county is struggling with tight and often shrinking budgets.  How can we afford to add a new, full-time energy office position?

Energy savings through the implementation of energy efficiency and conservation measures and the acquisition of grant funds and incentives has been proven to pay for the cost of operating a local government energy office many times over (up to  three full-time employees).

Local governments are being challenged to fund ever increasing energy costs for electricity, natural gas and transportation fuels to provide critical services for their citizens. Energy for public safety, building comfort, communications, computers and office equipment, outdoor lighting, water and wastewater processing, transportation and road maintenance must be purchased to maintain critical services. As energy costs continue to increase, additional cuts in municipal services must be identified to cover the increased energy cost. By establishing a full-time energy office, focused on local government operations, significant new programs can be implemented to control these energy costs and reduce future energy costs through energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. 

Also, a significant increase in federal and state funding for local energy programs was included as part of the massive economic stimulus legislation enacted in February 2009. Local governments will find it necessary to assign staff and initiate new programs to take advantage of these new funding opportunities.  For many local governments, an Energy Office is the ideal place to house these programs and guarantee that the local community gets its fair share, or more, of these federal funds.

We just opened a new sustainability office. Can we add energy office duties to this position and avoid the cost of a new full-time position?

Many communities have recently opened sustainability offices to coordinate and pursue local environmental goals. Energy plays a significant role in local sustainability plans and thus there is a good fit. However, a sustainability coordinator cannot be expected to have the time or expertise necessary to perform the duties of an energy coordinator. A local government needs at least one person focused solely on energy programs as a full time job. This “energy coordinator” can be housed in the environmental office and often the savings and grants generated can help pay for the entire sustainability office. 

How can ICLEI help us get started?

While most of the larger U.S. cities already have some form of municipal energy office, the concept is new to most medium to small cities and counties. As a first step, local government leaders need to understand just what an energy office is and how it can benefit local operations and goals. To this end, ICLEI’s energy office consultant is available to visit your community and meet with local government leaders to discuss the concept of an energy office and how it could be implemented in your community. Local governments will also be able to participate in trainings via webinar.

Assuming this meeting leads to a decision to move forward to creating a local government energy office, how can ICLEI help?

ICLEI is currently developing a toolkit which will include job description, position advertisements and necessary qualifications for job applicants. Financial data from other successful energy offices will be available to demonstrate typical annual income and expenses. ICLEI will provide support in identifying possible grants or incentives to help fund an energy office and guidelines to help define energy office goals and prioritize startup duties. All of these resources will be available on the website to local governments who take advantage of ICLEI’s energy office services.  

Are these services included in our ICLEI membership fees?

ICLEI members will receive reduced rates on all energy office services.