Ron Perez, Assistant Superintendent/Vice President, Finance and Administrative Services, second from right, is shown with other Community College officials from across the state. (photo courtesy of Ron Perez)

San Marcos, CA (November 17, 2017) –  Palomar College was named Best Overall District – Medium in the annual Excellence in Energy and Sustainability award competition sponsored by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors.

Ron Perez, Assistant Superintendent/Vice President, Finance and Administrative Services accepted the award for Palomar in Sacramento on Nov. 14 along with representatives from five other colleges that won awards. The Board of Governors granted the awards for construction projects that are “protecting the environment and saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.”

Palomar’s award was given for an exterior lighting retrofit project at the College’s San Marcos and Escondido campuses. The project involved replacing existing lighting with more efficient LEDs. The total project cost was $1.4 million which included approximately $516,000 of Proposition 39 funds, $29,000 of Investor Owned Utility rebates, and $850,000 of district funds. The project is estimated to save 463,000 kilowatt hours, resulting in energy cost savings of $74,000 annually. The construction for this project generated 857 journeyman hours and 582 hours of apprentice employment.

Palomar College Superintendent/President Dr. Joi Lin Blake said, “We are very proud of this award. Energy efficiency and sustainability are crucial considerations as we continue to move forward with providing new facilities for our students. It is gratifying to know that we are making a difference by protecting precious resources.”

The Board of Governors Energy and Sustainability Awards were established in 2012 to recognize leadership in implementing goals set forth in Proposition 39, also known as the California Clean Energy Jobs Act, to improve energy efficiency and expand clean energy generation in schools.

“California community colleges are leaders in conservation and sustainability, with smart energy solutions that enhance learning environments, save taxpayers money, create jobs and make our system a responsible steward of public and natural resources.” said California Community Colleges Board of Governors President Cecilia V. Estolano.

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Media Contacts:
Melinda Finn, Public Affairs, 760-744-1150, ext. 2365, mfinn@palomar.edu
Laura Gropen, Director, Public Affairs, 760-744-1150, ext. 2152, lgropen@palomar.edu