Community Achievements Honored at Energy All-Star Awards
Winners of the California Center for Sustainable Energy’s 2011 Energy All-Star Awards were selected for their accomplishments in energy efficiency, energy conservation, renewable energy measures and greenhouse gas reduction.
Eight awards were presented in categories ranging from commercial and residential building projects to community leadership and sustainable transportation. A special award was given to honor Irene Stillings, who retired as CCSE executive director March 2 and will serve as the center’s first executive director emeritus.
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Outstanding Innovation: San Diego Building Project
County of San Diego, Department of General Services
In keeping with its long-term strategic energy plan, the County of San Diego has created a greener campus at the San Pasqual Academy, which was partially destroyed by wildfire in 2007. Thirty residential units in 17 new building at the foster youth facility were outfitted this past year with energy-efficient and water-saving systems. The campus also earned LEED for Homes Platinum and ENERGY STAR certifications.
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Outstanding Innovation: California Building Project
Maplewood Homes, Housing Authority of San Bernardino County
Maplewood Homes is a 65-year-old multifamily affordable housing complex in San Bernardino that completed extensive energy upgrades and the installation of solar energy systems in 2011. The project resulted in resident utility cost savings of approximately 30 percent. The solar photovoltaic system received a $1.84 million California Solar Initiative rebate, the largest to date for multifamily affordable housing.
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Outstanding Sustainable Organization
University of San Diego
The University of San Diego is a leader in sustainable facilities and programs through the integration of green transportation, progressive energy management and community leadership in waste reduction. In 2011, the campus became host to the one of largest rooftop solar installation in the region with 1.23 megawatts, opened a community electronic waste center and encouraged alternative transportation through carpooling, bike-sharing and car-sharing programs.
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San Diego Sustainable Community Leadership
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography offers sustainable energy education to the public through its exhibits and programs. During 2011, Birch Aquarium opened “Boundless Energy,” an outdoor exhibit featuring interactive learning about solar, wind and ocean wave power. Other exhibits and classes explore renewable technologies and greenhouse warming.
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California Sustainable Community Leadership
City of Palm Springs, Office of Sustainability
The City of Palm Springs aggressively pursues policies and programs that support sustainability by cutting water and energy use and though reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to municipal measures, the city’s Office of Sustainability provides residents with education, grants and incentives for energy and water savings.
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Outstanding Homeowner
Soheil Nakhshab, San Diego
Soheil Nakhshab has designed and built a 5,600-square-foot, canyon-side home for his family in Mission Hills with high standards of energy efficiency and sustainability. The two-story home incorporates natural ventilation, high-efficiency building materials, xeriscape landscaping and a solar energy system. The home is certified as LEED for Home Gold.
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Sustainable Transportation
car2go
The company car2go has made San Diego the nation’s first city with a large-scale, all-electric vehicle car-share fleet. With more than 300 Daimler “smart for two” electric vehicles in downtown, car2go is providing a transportation alternative that helps to reduce petroleum use and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
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Ultimate Energy All-Star
Irene Stillings, San Diego
For a decade, Irene Stillings has been tirelessly dedicated to pursuing a clean energy future as executive director of CCSE. She led the organization through massive expansion in size and influence and oversaw the establishment of major sustainability efforts and programs. Her leadership shaped CCSE into a significant force for change in the San Diego region and throughout California.
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