Introduction

* Current Energy Situation *

The impacts of acquiring and using energy go beyond the boundaries of our community. While oil resources are abundant worldwide, increased oil imports from potentially precarious sources (now exceeding 50% of U. S. oil consumption) weaken our national security (through dependence and needs for protecting supplies).

• National and global trends affect Tucson's situation. Domestic supplies of fossil fuels are limited (particularly oil). The bulk of the known oil reserves are located in politically vulnerable areas. Such sources are becoming more costly in environmental, social, economic and geo-political terms. Nuclear power has proven to be far more costly and controversial than expected.
  
  

• The energy mix and role of energy efficiency will change. Looking to the future, reducing energy waste and enhancing renewable energy will be increasingly preferred alternatives to today's oil based energy uses.
  
  

• New products continue to be more energy efficient. New automobiles, buildings, and appliances all have improved energy ratings. As these new additions to the existing stock occur, overall energy efficiencies will increase. For example, if improvements were made in all Tucson new housing units, and the number of these units grew at only 2% annually, at the end of 35 years half the housing units would include the new improvements.
  
  

• There is much to be gained from choosing a new course soon. By changing our energy mix and improving energy efficiency, we would have not only a healthier environment, but also a healthier and stronger economy.

• Tucson uses 127 trillion BTU of energy per year. Tucson's principal energy sources (for 1992 year) are petroleum (57%) , natural gas (23%), electricity (18%), and coal (2%). These come to us over distances ranging from hundreds of miles to the other side of the world.
  
  

• The bulk of Tucson's energy use is for transportation. Our transportation accounts for 52%, with industry at 28%, residential at 15%, and commercial/government at 11% (for 1992 year). Almost half of the transportation is for personal use.
  
  

• Tucson's single major energy resource, solar energy, is enormous but still far under utilized. Passive solar design (e.g., building orientation, shading), photovoltaic cells for electricity, and industrial process heat are easy targets for greater use. Solar energy allows electricity to be produced without connection to the electricity grid.
  
  

• Arizonans spend over $6 billion per year on energy (1991). This is 1/10 th of our Gross State Product. Tucson's share was around $1.2 billion; over 70% of that money leaves the community in the form of payment for energy supplies.
  
  

• Better energy use can stimulate the local economy. If there were only a 10% improvement in energy efficiency, feasible within the capabilities of current technology and knowledge, we would add at least $100 million annually to the local economy. If we did this, we could then have the funding to employ more people improving energy efficiency or developing alternative sources. This would then allow even more gains in moving money from paying for energy to using it for community economic growth.

Some sectors have done better than others. Industry has been most successful an reducing its portion through serious energy efficiency efforts. The commercial and residential sectors could make substantial gains by addressing the building envelope and selected appliances. While individual vehicle efficiency standards are established nationally, improvements in traffic flow and ride sharing are still possible.

• Energy is a complex issue in Tucson/Pima County. There are numerous constituencies; some favor strong local governmental policies and ordinances while others seek minimal governmental intervention.
  
  

• There are conflicting views regarding solar and renewable technologies. Essentially all participants felt these technologies had a role in the future but there were mixed feelings as to whether they could "replace" traditional sources at present. Virtually all agreed the renewable technologies would become more important as the costs of traditional energy sources rise.
  
  

• Education and information are important. Most participants believed community education was one of the most important energy issues, including strong support for governmental efforts. Providing demonstrations and publicizing positive solutions was also favored.
  
  

• There is a need for an information clearing house. There needs to be a centralized local resource for interested organizations to find out about energy related programs.
  
  

• Local government needs to be action-oriented. Many participants felt the city and county should play a facilitating role in supporting demonstration projects or private-public partnerships (such as solar energy projects, energy and water efficient landscaping, and alternative building designs). The proposed Civano (Solar Village) development was cited as a positive example that would incorporate all these factors. Government was also seen as needing to remove barriers and focus on incentives rather than develop regulations.
  
  

• There are inconsistencies in local governmental energy policy. These inconsistencies need to be resolved if the city and county governments are to foster a successful energy policy. There was a perception that the government view was one of "do as I say and not as I do." A frequently expressed view was that someone (and government was implied) ought to be looking at the whole context of energy consumption, for integrated solutions to community energy use. This approach should replace our current lack of incentives and existence of barriers to change.