SAN MATEO COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT HONORED WITH CALIFORNIA’S PRESTIGIOUS 2005 FLEX YOUR POWER AWARD

Just as California is preparing to switch to daylight savings time, Flex Your Power, California's statewide energy efficiency campaign, has recognized the San Mateo County Community College District as a leader in energy efficiency with a 2005 Flex Your Power Award.  The College District, by implementing a variety of energy efficiency projects over the past several years, has reduced energy consumption at its three college campuses by 56%, saving more than $1 million in energy costs annually. 

The energy efficiency projects implemented range from new lighting to installation of advanced cogeneration units that reuse waste heat from onsite electricity generation to heat the campuses.   New construction at the colleges is designed to standards that beat California’s energy efficiency requirements—some are as much as 42% more energy-efficient than the state standards require.  The District’s energy efficiency measures saved more than 7.2 million kilowatt hours (enough to power 1,116 homes) and helped the state avoid 3,200 tons of CO2 emissions annually.

Chancellor Ron Galatolo commented that the District is proud of the work that has been accomplished and noted that another benefit of the energy efficiency initiatives is an improved teaching and learning environment.  “Because of the improved light distribution, we have increased safety on our campuses and reduced eyestrain; we have also improved indoor air quality—all of which contributes to an improved academic environment,” he said

The Flex Your Power Awards originated in 2001 to acknowledge outstanding leadership in energy efficiency that helped California through the energy crisis  A total of 35 businesses, local governments and institutions were selected from a highly competitive pool of more than 260 applications for the award. The combined energy savings of the 35 award winners totals $71 million dollars and 275 million kWh -- enough to power more than 45,000 homes.

"Pacific Gas and Electric company applauds the 35 winners statewide who exemplify a commitment to reducing energy-whether a large company, school, library, city or high tech business-to save money and the environment," said Beverly Alexander, PG&E's vice president of customer satisfaction "We will continue to work with customers to offer the tools, incentives and information they need to reduce energy usage."

In addition to the Public Utilities Commission, winners were selected by experts from the California Business Roundtable, the California Energy Commission, the California Urban Water Conservation Council, the California Farm Bureau Federation, the Energy Foundation, the League of California Cities, the National Resources Defense Council, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, the Building Owners and Managers Association and Southern California Edison.

For more information on the 2005 Flex Your Power Awards, log on to www.fypower.org.