FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                

MEDIA CONTACT:    

Coby King:  MWW Group (213) 486-6560                                      

LACCD RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY WITH 2005 FLEX YOUR POWER AWARD

Los Angeles Community College District lauded by California’s statewide energy outreach campaign for its commitment to energy efficiency, conservation, and education

Nov. 10, 2005 (LOS ANGELES) –  The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) today announced that it has been recognized as one of seven recipients of the 2005 Flex Your Power Award in Education and Leadership for its efforts in adopting energy efficiency measures at its nine college campuses.  The 2005 Flex Your Power awards recognized 35 organizations for their efforts and achievements in energy efficiency.  Initiated in 2001, Flex Your Power is California’s statewide energy efficiency marketing and outreach campaign that targets organizations, governmental agencies, businesses and individuals operating in California.

“The Los Angeles Community Colleges are deeply committed to environmentally-sensitive building practices,” said Darroch “Rocky” Young, chancellor of the nine-campus system.  “This prestigious award is gratifying because it recognizes our commitment to the future of our students.  We are not only transforming our campuses to meet the needs of our students, we are also doing it in a way that minimizes impacts on our environment.”

LACCD was chosen as one of the 35 winners selected for Flex Your Power’s outstanding achievements in energy savings out of more than 250 applicants.  The panel of judges for this year’s awards included senior representatives from the California Business Roundtable, California Energy Commission, California Urban Water Conservation Council, Energy Foundation, National Resources Defense Council, California Public Utilities Commission, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Building Owners and Managers Association and Southern California Edison.

LACCD is currently undertaking the largest sustainable building program in the United States.  Utilizing $2.2 billion in voter-approved funds, the District is executing an extensive building program to address much-needed campus improvements and transform its nine community colleges into state-of-the-art educational resources for students and the community.

LACCD is committed to energy education and will integrate learning stations into its new college campus buildings. The District will also co-sponsor the fourth annual Sustainability Conference, Get Real, Be Sustainable on Dec. 2, 2005 with the U.S. Green Building Council at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Community College District is funded by Propositions A and AA, which provide $2.2 billion in voter-approved funds.  The District has shown strong leadership in its adoption of sustainable energy principles.  LACCD has set the goal to self produce 25 percent of its energy needs with 10 percent utilizing photovoltaic cells.  For more information, visit the website at www.PropositionA.org.

Flex Your Power is California's statewide energy efficiency marketing and outreach campaign.  The campaign's primary funding comes from the Public Goods Charge as approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), as well as contributing Munis and Partner organizations and companies.  For more information, visit the website at www.fypower.org.

# # #

Los Angeles Community Colleges

770 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90017