Largest State-Run Prison System in the US Takes Bold Initiative to Reduce Its Carbon Footprint
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), responsible for the State’s corrections, rehabilitation and parole systems, has achieved outstanding energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions, making it the first California state agency to join the Cool Planet Project. Launched by Southern California Edison and The Climate Registry, Cool Planet Project rewards the installation of large energy-saving projects and promote action on climate change.
CDCR installed energy efficiency projects that saved more than 8,640,013 kilowatt-hours, or 2,607 tons of greenhouse gases — equivalent to removing 652 cars from the road annually.
“This environmental initiative sets an example for the rest of the country. I applaud CDCR for their teamwork, alongside energy providers, that has resulted in groundbreaking action on climate change and energy efficiency,” said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“With hundreds of facilities across the state, we have a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on California’s energy grid on a daily basis,” said Matt Cate, Secretary, CDCR.
Customers of Southern California Edison who achieve energy efficiency savings of at least one million kilowatt-hours through the installation of EE projects qualify for the Cool Planet Project. Participants of the program receive first year’s membership to The Climate Registry.
“Southern California Edison is proud to be the first utility to host the Cool Planet Project. We are committed to taking action on climate change and commend the efforts of CDCR for its environmental leadership,” said Lynda Ziegler, senior vice president, Customer Service, Southern California Edison.
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT of CORRECTIONS and REHABILITATION (CDCR) operates 33 adult prisons, 13 adult community correctional facilities and 6 juvenile facilities. CDCR has embarked on a successful statewide energy-efficiency partnership with four investor-owned utilities that is expected to save more than 28 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, 650,000 therms of natural gas and 22.5 million pounds of carbon-dioxide gases — the equivalent of taking about 4,000 vehicles off the road annually.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON is the largest electric utility in California, serving a population of more than 13 million via 4.8 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.
The Climate Registry sets consistent and transparent standards for the measurement, verification, and public reporting of greenhouse gas emissions throughout North America in a single unified registry. http://www.theclimateregistry.org/
Contact: Nancy Whalen
Direct: 323.788.8400
The Climate Registry
CONTACT: Nancy Whalen, +1-323-788-8400, for The Climate Registry
Web site: http://www.theclimateregistry.org/