Local Government Energy Reporting Outreach

71% of the population of Texas lives in 41 counties currently in non-attainment or near non-attainment with the Clean Air Act. In order to curb air pollution associated with electricity consumption, Health and Safety Code §388.005 requires energy efficiency programs in political subdivisions, institutions of higher education and state agency facilities located in these affected counties in Texas.

Each political subdivision, institution of higher education or state agency in the affected counties is required by state law to:

    • establish a goal to reduce the entity’s electricity consumption by at least 5 percent annually for 7 years, beginning Sept. 1, 2019; and
    • submit a report annually to SECO regarding the entity’s progress and efforts to meet the 5 percent annual reduction goal.

Local governments throughout Texas are setting ambitious and measurable energy management goals to ensure responsible use of government funds, avoid wasted resources, strengthen voter confidence, and improve transparency.

Yet few are meeting mandated reduction and reporting requirements.

In January 2019, SPEER launch an outreach effort to cities across the state to encourage the development of energy efficiency plans and increase reporting to SECO. We work to engage stakeholders across city departments, develop tools, and breakdown barriers to encourage energy management beyond the State’s minimum reporting requirements. We support local governments in development and implementation of energy management plans with the following resources:

Training and Educational Outreach:
Online and in person training on statute requirements, developing an energy plan, data collection and analysis, and energy management best practices.

One-on-One Support:
SPEER’s local government program staff is available to meet with city staff and elected officials to facilitate energy efficiency planning and reporting.

Portfolio Baselining and Benchmarking:
On-site assistance with utility data organization, benchmarking, and portfolio energy management tools such as ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.

City Efficiency Leadership Council:
Collaborative of energy managers, facility staff, financial departments, and other public sector staff working on energy management available to share energy management resources and insight.

Collaborative of energy managers, facility staff, financial departments, and other public sector staff working on energy management available to share energy management resources and insight.

SPEER’s Local Government Energy Reporting resources are available at no cost to public entities.

Learn more about how SPEER works with local governments:
Cities@EEpartnership.org