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State-owned buildings to be upgraded for energy efficiency
Associated Press
August 29, 2006
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - State and private utility company officials announced Tuesday they will spend $17 million to make state-owned buildings more energy efficient.
In what officials are calling the largest effort of its kind in California history, 250 buildings ranging from California Department of Transportation offices to prisons are under consideration for the funding. Examples of changes that could be made include replacing pumps in heating and cooling systems and replacing lighting.
"It's like taking a car down and tuning it up," said Roy McBrayer, the program manager for the so-called Green Building Initiative.
Representatives from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office as well as investor-owned utilities such as PG&E, which is contributing $7.7 million, were on hand for a signing ceremony in San Bernardino.
The initiative stems from 1996 and 2000 legislation authorizing utilities regulated by the state Public Utilities Commission to fund conservation programs. Money for the programs comes from a surcharge on utility bills.
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