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U.S. EPA Honors San Diego Organizations With Climate Leadership Awards (CA)Feb 28, 2013 (Environmental Protection Agency Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- Release Date: 02/28/2013 Contact Information: Nahal Mogharabi, 213-244-1815, [email protected] LOS ANGELES -- Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Center for Corporate Climate Leadership hosted the second annual Climate Leadership Awards, with the Association of Climate Change Officers, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and The Climate Registry. Twenty three winners will be given awards for their leadership in reducing carbon pollution and addressing climate change including the San Diego Unified Port District and the San Diego Gas and Electric Company. "The Climate Leadership Award winners are taking extra steps with their outstanding actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that harm the environment and threaten public health," said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA's Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. "We are proud to recognize this company and local organization for serving as models for their peers." The national awards program honors corporate, organizational, and individual leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in internal operations and throughout the supply chain. The organizations recognized represent a wide array of industries, including construction, finance, defense, transportation, retail, energy and technology. The San Diego winners were recognized for the following categories: Organizational Leadership Award: San Diego Unified Port District The Port of San Diego is the fourth largest of the 11 ports in California. The port adopted a sustainability policy and established the Green Port Program in 2008. By 2011, it had achieved a 15 percent reduction in GHG emissions through the completion of energy efficiency audits of port facilities, the installation of 170 kW of solar panels, adding hybrid vehicles to its fleet, establishing a commuter assistance program for employees, and conducting LED pilot projects amongst other things. These efforts resulted in over $176,000 in utility savings. The Port is also chairing and leading the effort to form the Climate Collaborative - San Diego Region to raise awareness and understanding of the climate change adaptation and mitigation activities taking place in the San Diego region and promote community and decision-maker engagement. Supply Chain Leadership Award: San Diego Gas & Electric San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (SDG&E) is a regulated public utility that provides energy service to 3.4 million people through 1.4 million electric meters and 855,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties in California. SDG&E has collaborated with suppliers to use more responsible products including the increased use of waste fly ash in concrete, environmentally friendly utility poles, and right-sized lengths of electrical cable. Internally, SDG&E has engaged employees through measures that include the establishment of green goals for all supply management staff as well as the implementation of a minimum order requirement to reduce packaging and transportation. SDG&E has also created a GHG reduction goal, aiming for a 20 percent intensity reduction by 2016 from a 2010 baseline by continuing to invest in renewable energy and end its only remaining contract with a coal-fired power plant. SDG&E has shown commitment to low-carbon energy sources beyond state mandates, growing its contracts for renewable energy from 550 GWh in 2003 to 3,380 GWh in 2011. The awards will be presented at the Climate Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. More about the recognition categories and the Climate Leadership Award winners: www.epa.gov/climateleadership/awards/ |