California Center for Sustainable Energy

San Diego has come a long way in adopting renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation, but there is still a long way to go. We’ve raised the levels of awareness about energy issues and implemented much of the low-hanging fruit.  But what got us here – passion about the saving the environment, becoming oil independent and reducing greenhouse gas emissions – won’t get us where we want to go.

Passion is necessary, but long-lasting solutions require focus.

To get to a sustainable energy future requires a more directed approach in which businesses take a greater leadership role in energy efficiency. While some businesses forgo energy improvements because of investment costs, others have learned that state-of-the-art energy strategies can improve profit.

At CCSE, we recognize that we need more businesses to serve as role models by demonstrating their energy successes. That’s why we are presenting the Energy All-Star Awards (formerly the San Diego Excellence in Energy Awards) that recognize projects and activities for energy efficiency, energy conservation, renewable energy measures and carbon dioxide reduction. Last year’s recipients achieved an estimated energy savings total of 10,909,747 kilowatt-hours and 48,351 metric tons in carbon dioxide emissions. Those are impressive numbers.

Never give up on your passions about a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. I don’t think we can move forward without them. But in conjunction with our passions we also need to get the business community more involved by demonstrating the economic benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy and to be ever vigilant about guiding our lawmakers toward policies that support these efforts.

Passion and focus can make great partners.

Continue reading January's newsletter.