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For Immediate Release
Contact: Paul Verke / Seth Unger
(916) 445-4950

October 9, 2008

California’s Prison System Goes Green Announcing 16 Major Energy Saving Projects, and Upcoming Wasco Solar Fields

WASCO – The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) announced an ambitious retrofit, conservation, and solar energy plan today in response to Governor Schwarzenegger’s Green Initiative Executive Order. 

Construction on 16 energy efficiency retrofit projects statewide is underway, and completion of all projects is expected by the end of 2008. Ultimately, these projects will save 25 million kilowatt hours and 650,000 therms of energy each year at CDCR facilities, the equivalent of taking 3,770 cars off the road.  These projects alone are projected to result in $3.2 million in annual savings to California taxpayers.

“These energy conservation and retrofit projects are great examples of the innovative public-private partnerships that I envisioned when issuing my Green Initiative Executive Order,” said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.  “By utilizing green technology, our prison system is improving the environment and maximizing taxpayer dollars, and it is my hope that others across the state and nation will follow this example.”

CDCR also announced that Wasco State Prison is one of six prisons slated to be a site for new solar power fields, which will each produce more than one megawatt of pollution-free electricity per year.  Each solar project will provide enough energy to power 226 homes a year.  CDCR currently has solar fields operating at Ironwood and Chuckawala Valley State Prisons, providing up to 25 percent of their power at peak demand.

“Under Governor Schwarzenegger the state of California has shown a firm commitment to utilizing green technology to improve our environment.  California’s prison system is adamant about meeting the Governor’s energy reduction goals, and has an aggressive plan in place to increase efficiency statewide,” said Matthew Cate, CDCR Secretary.  “As California’s largest agency, with 67,000 dedicated employees spread across hundreds of physical locations throughout this diverse state, CDCR has a unique opportunity to make a huge impact on California’s energy grid on a daily basis.  These energy projects allow our agency to harness solar power, maximize conservation efforts, increase efficiencies, and ultimately reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”  

Retrofit projects at each prison are conducted by private contractors, and include HVAC retrofits, lighting retrofits and motor upgrades. Part of the cost is paid for by investor owned utilities (IOU’s) at no cost to the state General Fund. The IOU’s presented a symbolic $6.5 million oversized check to Secretary Cate during the ceremony representing their start-up contribution to the project.  IOU’s include Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison Company (SCE), Southern California Gas Company (SCG) and San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E).  The remaining funds for the projects were secured through low interest loans from the Department of General Services.  All projects are scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2008.

“We applaud Secretary Cate and the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for their leadership and commitment to energy efficiency,” said Anne Shen Smith, senior vice president of customer services for San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Gas Co. “Their efforts serve as a model for all other state agencies in saving energy and protecting our environment.”

The 16 projects represent CDCR’s first phase of projects to be constructed under the CDCR/IOU partnership program. The programs, authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission, are in response to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Executive Order S-20-04 which sets a goal of a twenty percent reduction in grid supplied electricity.  Energy efficiency improvements are a top priority for CDCR as a way to meet the reduction goals.

The projects complement existing energy savings projects at CDCR prisons which include solar photovoltaic systems, implementing peak load reduction programs and installing the latest in lighting technology.

Today the Climate Registry announced that CDCR is the first and largest state agency in California participating nationwide and a model example for other states to follow.  The Climate Registry sets consistent standards for the measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions throughout North America in a single unified registry.

 

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