The California Energy Commission agreed to fund software that could help land-use planners and developers determine a new community's solar energy potential. In conjunction with the Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the $450,000 contract is aimed at new homes. "These tools are valuable to achieving the state's climate goals," said commissioner John Geesman during a January 31 CEC meeting. The technology fits into the commission's goal to integrate energy and land use (Circuit, Sept. 29, 2006). A $1.4 million contract with the Heschong Mahone Group to research hot water distribution in residences was also approved by the commission. Looking on it as a possible way to save energy through more efficient water use, the research is aimed at how hot water is distributed in real-life settings. On the pollution front, the commission approved a plan to destroy old school buses from 21 districts. For each pre-1997 school bus demolished, districts will receive a cleaner-burning 2007 bus. The commission estimates the cost of each new bus at $130,000. The end-of-January meeting is the last for commissioner Jim Boyd - unless he is reappointed. Boyd said that he appreciated sitting on the commission "to make a difference in this world." He added, though, that he recognized the political realities of continuing in the post. - J.A. Savage