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El Cajon Library among county buildings slated for solar panel installation
December 22, 2009 (San Diego)--The County of San Diego announced today that it has been awarded $5.1 million for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.
“This grant will fund projects that will help save money and the environment by conserving energy at County facilities and encouraging green building practices in the community,” said Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Dianne Jacob.
Chairwoman Jacob and Supervisor Greg Cox discussed the grant at the County Operations Center, which is undergoing a major renovation incorporating environmentally-friendly building features. View a video: http://www.youtube.com/countysandiego#p/a/u/0/1MuKXdmHb8c
The federal grant, part of President Barack Obama's economic stimulus package, will allow the County to expand its conservation efforts. The County and the Department of Energy are finalizing the agreement. Anticipated projects include:
• Installation of solar panels at selected County facilities
• Controls to monitor and adjust air conditioning levels to save energy at several County buildings, including the El Cajon library branch and the County Adoptions Center
• Technology that will report on real-time energy efficiency at the County’s largest facilities to operate at peak efficiency, reduce energy costs, and improve maintenance
• Programs coordinated by the Department of Planning and Land Use and the Air Pollution Control District to audit energy use at local businesses and reduce consumption
• Green building incentives, including an update to County codes, education of staff and local builders, and reduction of permit time and cost for renewable energy projects
For a full list of anticipated projects and additional information about how the County is using federal stimulus funds, visit http://www.RecoverySDCounty.org.
Comments
Empowered Energy Solutions
Empowered Energy Solutions of Solana Beach, California, is a prime example of the direction our country is going, energy efficiency. In my meeting today with Ted Torre-Bueno, President & VP Operations, of Empowered Energy Solutions, we discussed the types of innovations that subject Stimulus article addresses. The $5.1 million is something that Empowered Energy Solution could have taken advantage of. In information given to me by Ted Torre-Bueno, it indicates that Empowered Energy Solution's New Rapid Residential Audit Program Saves Homeowners Money On Utility Bills.
Further, "Right now in San Diego, thousands of homes are running inefficiently, wasting their owner's money, says Ted Torre-Bueno, founder and president of Empowered Energy Solutions. Dollars spent on energy efficiency have the highest return on investment, and in effect, are free money for the homeowner and for the community. If we can reduce power use, we save on utility bills and help eliminate the need for new power plants in the future."
Grants
Am I the only one who questions where all this "free" grant money is coming from? The Communist Chinese government commented there is not enough real money in the world to buy up all our new Obama debit.