What problem is being addressed?
Energy Consumption
What is their innovative solution?
- Action: Chula Vista ‘entered into a local government partnership with SDG&E (San Diego Gas & Electric) to support California’s long-term energy efficiency strategic plan’ (Center for Sustainable Energy, 2018) in 2006. This partnership included the Sustainable Communities Program, which allowed Chula Vista to ‘upgrade city facilities with more efficient HVAC systems, replace street lights with high-efficiency LED fixtures and promote water and energy saving opportunities in businesses and homes’.
- People: Chula Vista local government and SDG&E
- Resources: San Diego’s approach to alternative energy was interesting to me because it comes via local government partnership- Chula Vista ‘entered into a local government partnership with SDG&E (San Diego Gas & Electric) to support California’s long-term energy efficiency strategic plan’ (Center for Sustainable Energy, 2018) in 2006. This partnership included the Sustainable Communities Program, which allowed Chula Vista to ‘upgrade city facilities with more efficient HVAC systems, replace street lights with high-efficiency LED fixtures and promote water and energy saving opportunities in businesses and homes’.
How can this be applied to Meadville?
Solar Holler, a solar company owned by an Allegheny alum, is focused on bringing jobs in renewable energy to areas that were hit hard by the decline in jobs of the coal industry. Solar Holler was able to install a ‘$55,000 rooftop system at Shepherdstown Presbyterian. Solar Holler helped arrange for a bank loan and lined up 100 members in the community who were willing to help pay off the loan by having an energy control device on their water heaters.’, If Meadville could have a company like Solar Holler in the community, many jobs would be saved in accordance with sustainable practice.