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When businesses locate and operate in
their community, they depend on their
local government to properly manage
essential public services in a cost
effective way. So often today local
governments are under intense pressure
to keep costs under control while still
providing the services that keep their
communities safe. If local governments
fail to plan and invest properly in
public projects, the community suffers
and the businesses serving the area are
put at a disadvantage.
On the other hand, local governments
who successfully make the investments
that anticipate future needs while also
avoiding future costs act to provide
responsible stewardship.
The area of energy costs is just one
example where local governments need to
recognize the value of proper planning.
Energy efficiency, measured and verified
properly, can be one of the smartest
investments available because those
improvements mean lower utility bills
repay the community month after month
through lower costs now and in the
future. That means more tax
dollars are available for fire and
police and other essential services.
The
Brea Chamber of Commerce, located in
Orange County, counts as one of it's
members the
City of Brea.
Here is one example of how a local
government is demonstrating responsible
stewardship that other communities may
wish to recognize and emulate. The City
of Brea is acting now to lower it's
future energy costs by 40%!
The City of Brea has started
constructing a solar and energy
efficiency project that is expected to
produce net energy savings in excess of
$13 million for the city through the
project's life time. With the
installation of this 1.8 MW capacity
project, Brea will become the largest
solar energy producer in Orange County.
It will reduce carbon emissions in
excess of 86,000 metric tons, equal to
taking away 16,000 cars off the road
over the course of the project.
Chevron Energy Solutions and the City of
Brea have started construction of the
energy efficiency and solar
project. Solar panels are to be
installed at the Community Center, Civic
and Cultural Center and Reservoir City
Pump Yard.
Chevron Energy Solutions designed the
solar systems and will build, install,
operate, maintain, measure and guarantee
the systems' performance for the city.
The company also designed and will
implement a citywide street lighting
upgrade and interior and exterior
lighting retrofits and improvements to
heating, ventilating, air conditioning
and energy management controls.
"The City of Brea is proud to work with
Chevron Energy Solutions to save
taxpayer dollars by reducing our energy
use," said Brea Mayor Ron Garcia. "This
project also helps Brea attain early
compliance with goals of the Global
Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) by
reducing our energy use."
The solar and energy efficiency
improvements generate savings to pay for
the infrastructure costs and are
expected to reduce the city's energy use
by more than 40 percent.
The solar power at the Reservoir City
Pump Yard is also expected to help
mitigate future pumping costs to the
city. Additionally, the project helps
stimulate the local economy by providing
more than 25 local opportunities for
employment and more than 125 indirect
jobs with an estimated $3 million impact
to the local economy.
"We are pleased to work with the City of
Brea to help them become the largest
municipal producer of solar energy in
Orange County and also improve their
energy efficiency," said Jim Davis,
president of Chevron Energy Solutions.
"This project demonstrates how cities
and other municipalities can learn from
Brea how to reduce their energy costs
and use clean, renewable power."
The project is expected to be completed
in 2011. Solar production data and other
project data will be available to the
community on an informational display at
the Community Center and on the city's
website.
To join the Brea
Chamber of Commerce, click
HERE! To other California
chambers: Please let us know about
your Green Members so we can publish
your story in the C of C GreenSheet! |
