3rd Annual Flex Your Power Awards
Award Winners
- Advanced Environmental Building Construction
- Bank of America
- California Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters/Thomas Properties LLC
- City of Berkeley
- City of San Jose
- City of Santa Cruz Water Department
- Clarum Homes
- Douglas Emmett
- DPR Construction Inc.
- Kaiser Permanente
- Lights of America
- Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
- Orange County Water District
- PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.
- Sears
- Sonoma State University
- Soquel Creek Water District
- Toyota Motor Sales
- Western Appliance
- Whole Foods Market
City of Berkeley
During California's energy crisis in 2001, the City of Berkeley and Community Energy Services Corporation, a community-based nonprofit association, developed the "Smart Lights" energy efficiency program, which sought to save energy and money in Berkeley's small business community. The program enlisted business and neighborhood associations to canvass local businesses and built relationships with local contractors.
In 2002-2003, the Smart Lights program showed astounding results. The city increased energy efficiency in 884 businesses. Program highlights include:
- 1,516 peak kWs saved
- 4.8 million kWhs saved annually
- $817,000 saved for the businesses
- $700,000 given out as incentives for the energy-efficient upgrades
In 2004, Smart Lights became a part of the East Bay Energy Partnership Project, implemented by Pacific Gas & Electric. Now all East Bay small businesses, small institutional facilities and common areas of multi-family buildings are eligible to participate in Smart Lights. The first step is a free, no-obligation assessment of a business' lighting needs. Smart Lights then presents a comprehensive report to the business, and asks for a cost share. In 2005, it is expected that 1,000 businesses will participate in the program.
More information: City of Berkeley
Black Oak Books in Berkeley was the one of the first participants in the Smart Lights Program in early 2002.