Community Colleges Make History With the Cleanest Energy Policy Set by an Academic Institution in the U.S.

In addition to exceeding Title 24, the mandated energy efficiency standard in the California Building Codes, by 20 percent, the 40 to 50 new Proposition A buildings will use 15-25 percent clean energy. At least 10 percent of the new buildings energy needs will be generated on-site with solar power. The additional 5-15 percent of the renewable commitment will be met by long-term contracts with utility green power purchasing programs.

The new solar installations at the LACCD alone will prevent over 137 million tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere, or the equivalent of removing at least 2.2 million cars from the road for one year over the lifetime of the panels.

"This is a historic moment for the greening of colleges in the U.S.," says Kristin Casper, campaigner for Greenpeace's Clean Energy Now! Campaign. "LACCD is setting the standard for all new University and College building projects."

This decision was the latest in a series of pushes by the LACCD to make its campuses green. In the spring of 2001, Los Angeles voters allocated over $1.2 billion to the LACCD for renovations and new building construction on its nine campuses. Greenpeace along with students and other organizations - Coalition for Clean Air, Sierra Club, and Global Greens - worked with the Board of Trustees to devise the most innovative Sustainable Building Standard and Renewable Energy Standard in the U.S. by any academic institution. Last March the board voted in favor of all 40 to 50 new buildings meeting the LEED Certified or Silver standard.

"Colleges and Universities in the U.S. have a responsibility to address climate change," says Kristin Casper. "The LACCD is taking on the climate challenge and is teaching the students today how to become the future leaders of California's booming clean energy economy."