GVC News

SMUD lands $36M in federal grants to improve customers' energy efficiency

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:12:06 -0600

Staff Reports, Sacramento Business Journal

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District on Thursday was awarded $36 million in federal stimulus grants to help its customers improve their energy efficiency, which in turn will help the utility reduce demand on its system.

Efficiency already paying dividends for new Mercy Medical Center campus

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:07:35 -0600

Carol Ritter, Merced Sun Star

An effort to make sure their new hospital is energy-efficient paid off Wednesday for Mercy Medical Center.

The Merced Irrigation District, which is providing power to the new hospital on North G Street, presented a check for $119,700 to the hospital for exceeding energy requirements on the new facility.

‘Smart’ Electric Utility Meters, Intended to Create Savings, Instead Prompt Revolt

Lindsay Buckley — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:20:14 -0600

Matthew L. Wald, New York Times

Millions of households across America are taking a first step into the world of the “smart grid,” as their power companies install meters that can tell them how much electricity they are using hour by hour — and sometimes, appliance by appliance. But not everyone is happy about it.

Report on Energy Star Lays Out Flaws, Highlighting Compact Fluorescents

Jenni Nelson — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:38:01 -0500

Matthew L. Wald, New York Times

The Energy Star program, run by the government, is supposed to bestow a seal of approval on consumer products that use less energy than competing models. But it has a number of flaws, as laid out in a new report released by the inspector general of the Energy Department, which administers the program with the Environmental Protection Agency.

California No. 1 for energy-efficiency measures

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:59:23 -0500

Sacramento Business Journal

California took the top spot among states implementing energy-efficiency measures, according to a report released Wednesday.

Judged on six policy areas, California led Massachusetts, Connecticut and Oregon in the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's 2009 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard. Washington placed seventh in the 50-state rankings.

Weatherization gets $1.8M stimulus

Lindsay Buckley — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:03:15 -0500

Staff Reports, Stockton Record Net

STOCKTON - Anticipated federal stimulus dollars to keep the chill at bay while protecting jobs are on the way, including $1.8 million for San Joaquin County's weatherization program.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Office on Tuesday announced more than $68 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act had been awarded. The county money was expected; it's part of a $4.2 million contract approved by the county Board of Supervisors in June.

California appears poised to be first to ban power-guzzling big-screen TVs

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:56:24 -0500

Marc Lifscher, Los Angeles Times

PUC approves $3.1B for energy-efficiency programs

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:01:54 -0500

Melanie Turner, Sacramento Business Journal

The California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday approved a three-year $3.1 billion energy efficiency budget for the state's four major investor-owned utilities. The PUC said it is the largest-ever commitment made by a state to energy efficiency.

The $3.1 billion will pay for energy efficiency programs for Pacific Gas and Electric Co., San Diego Gas and Electric Co., Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Co.

VUSD saves $129,000 in utility costs with 4-day workweek over summer

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:52:58 -0500

Victor Garcia, Visalia Times-Delta

The Visalia Unified School District's four-day summer work schedule helped lower its utility costs by $129,000, Superintendent Stan Carrizosa said.
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In the district, office staff, custodians and maintenance crews work 12 months of the year.

Summer district staff worked 10 hours per day, four days per week.

Based on the program's success, the district is planning to continue it next summer, Carrizosa said.

$39.95 for an energy-efficient light bulb? It's a deal, says maker Lemnis Lighting

admin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:43:09 -0500

Todd Woody, Los Angeles Times

Would you pay $39.95 for a light bulb?

Didn't think so. But what if it used 90% less electricity than a standard incandescent bulb, cut greenhouse gas emissions and saved you about $280 over its 25-year life span?

That's the challenge facing Dutch start-up Lemnis Lighting, which on Friday began selling the American version of what apparently is the world's first dimmable LED bulb compatible with home light fixtures.

Meters or rate hike? PG&E explains soaring energy bills

admin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:40:46 -0500

John Cox, Bakersfield.com

Agueda Serrano still doesn't buy it.

The 71-year-old Bakersfield resident showed up early to the "answer centers" that Pacific Gas and Electric Co. set up at a downtown hotel Friday to help people understand why their electricity bills shot up this summer.