FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
District receives Savings By Design award for its adoption of energy efficiency principles at The Gas Company's first-ever Energy Efficiency Expo
March 16, 2006 (LOS ANGELES) - The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), one of the largest community college districts in the country, announced today that it was honored with a Savings By Design award for adopting and implementing sustainable energy principles at its nine colleges by the Southern California Gas Company. The award was presented to LACCD at the first-ever Energy Efficiency Expo, sponsored by The Gas Company. LACCD Trustee Nancy Pearlman accepted the award on behalf of the District on March 14.
"Savings By Design has allowed us to pursue our commitment to sustainable building practices and energy efficiency by transforming our campuses and strengthening our commitment to students," said Larry Eisenberg, executive director of facilities planning and development for LACCD. "Our energy savings will help make dollars available for education."
Since the Savings By Design Program began, LACCD has called on The Gas Company and taken advantage of the program for more than 14 building projects. LACCD received not only design assistance but incentives for achieving high levels of energy-efficiency: up to $150,000 per building for owners and up to $50,000 per building for design teams. LACCD's projects have received more than $870,000 in total incentives, and the District will save far more than that each year through reduced usage of natural gas and electricity. In 2005, LACCD was recognized by Flex Your Power, California's statewide energy efficiency marketing and outreach campaign, as one of seven recipients of the award in Education and Leadership for its efforts in adopting energy efficiency measures at its nine colleges.
"LACCD is deeply committed to adopting energy efficiency technologies and principles to the greatest extent possible," said District Trustee Nancy Pearlman. "We also recognize that there are plenty of other benefits from energy efficiency, such as protecting the environment and saving our natural resources. We're also finding that energy-efficient buildings offer greater comfort, which provides a better learning environment for students."
Savings By Design offers services and incentives to help these decision makers raise energy performance to a top priority. This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Diego Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison Company and the Southern California Gas Company. For more information, visit the website at http://www.SavingsByDesign.com .
The Los Angeles Community College District is one of the largest community college districts in the country, educating more than 110,000 students at its nine colleges each year. LACCD is currently undertaking the largest public sector sustainable building program in the United States as part of its $2.2 billion bond construction program, funded by Propositions A and AA. LACCD has also shown strong leadership in its adoption of sustainable energy principles and 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 .
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Los Angeles Community Colleges
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