FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2004
LACCD Receives Green Cross Millennium Award for Environmental Leadership
Global Green USA Recognizes LACCD for Leading the Largest Public Sector Green Design Program in the Nation
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) last night received the prestigious Green Cross Millennium Award from Global Green USA in recognition of its leadership in launching an extensive program to transform the nine Los Angeles community colleges into energy-efficient, sustainable campuses.
“LACCD is extremely honored to be recognized by Global Green for our sustainable design program,” said LACCD Board of Trustees Vice President Georgia Mercer, who accepted the award on behalf of the District. “I applaud my fellow Trustees for their commitment to creating a better future for Los Angeles by improving college campuses and reducing our impact on the Earth. I also would like to thank Global Green for supporting LACCD in our efforts to improve the environment on our campuses.”
LACCD is the 2004 recipient of the Green Cross Millennium Award in the “California/Local Environmental Leadership” category. Global Green USA and its international parent organization, Green Cross International, created the award in 1994 to celebrate the success and courage of extraordinary individuals, companies and organizations who recognize the connections between humankind and nature. LACCD was selected to receive the award for its leadership in energy and environmental design.
Under the guidance of a nationally recognized policy set by the LACCD Board of Trustees in March 2002, LACCD is incorporating sustainable design principles into all new buildings constructed as part of its Districtwide building program to make much-needed campus improvements with funding from Propositions A and AA, two voter-approved facilities bond measures. LACCD was the first community college district in the nation to adopt such a far-reaching policy.
The District is planning to construct more than 40 new buildings that will be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The LEED-certified buildings will be equipped with energy-efficient features such as insulated roofs with high thermal insulation values, operable windows with sensing devices that automatically turn off air conditioning systems when opened, ultra-low wattage lighting and energy-saving mechanical equipment. The green design program is the largest public sector project in the nation.
In addition, existing infrastructure is being improved to make use of renewable energy sources and conserve resources. For instance, on-site solar and microturbine generation systems are being installed and drought-resistent landscaping is being added. These improvements will save public dollars for decades.
“Global Green is honored to recognize LACCD and its Board of Trustees for demonstrating visionary leadership in embracing green building principles for all Los Angeles community colleges,” said Matt Petersen, President and CEO of Global Green USA. “We were proud to be part of the campaign to support this groundbreaking policy, and LACCD is to be commended for leading by example on how we can live, work AND learn in greater harmony with the environment.”
Global Green recognized LACCD at its 10th anniversary awards program, which also featured a tribute to former Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev, founder of Green Cross.
About LACCD
The Los Angeles Community College District is one of the largest community college districts in the world. It educates more than 130,000 students at nine campuses, spread throughout 36 cities in the greater Los Angeles area. The District is transforming the Los Angeles community colleges into 21st century gateways to opportunity through new construction, modernization and renovation projects funded by Propositions A and AA, two facilities bond measures totaling more than $2 billion that were overwhelmingly approved by voters in April 2001 and May 2003. Information about the bond building program is available at www.propositiona.org.
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