Thousand Oaks Honored for its Solar Achievements
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Environment California Research & Policy Center
Thousand Oaks – Environment California Research & Policy Center awarded Mayor Andy Fox and the Conejo Park and Recreation District with a “2014 Solar Champion” award at this evening’s City Council meeting.
“Way to go Thousand Oaks!,” said Michelle Kinman, clean energy advocate for Environment California. “The city is setting a great example by investing in solar power to bring clean air, local green jobs, and a brighter future for all in Thousand Oaks.”
Environment California designates the “Solar Champion” awards to cities that have made groundbreaking and innovative efforts to promote local solar power, such as streamlining permitting procedures, installing solar on municipal buildings, creating training programs, and offering incentives for going solar.
Between two solar arrays on city buildings and three arrays via the Conejo Park and Recreation District, the City of Thousand Oaks boasts 1.136 megawatts of installed solar power.
“For fifty years, the City of Thousand Oaks has realized environmental and economic sustainability are inseparable,” said Mayor Andy Fox. “In 2014, we power 16 of our largest City electrical accounts with renewable energy purchased through the Direct Access Program. Our City’s environmental programs are excellent and ever improving. Our City is ringed with open space that we cherish and will protect for the enjoyment of generations to come. We also realize that our greatest natural asset is the intelligence and ingenuity of our employees, our City Management, our elected leaders, and most importantly, our Citizens. We are a great City today, and our future is bright.”
“I want to commend Mayor Fox and the Conejo Park and Recreation District for their leadership on solar energy,” stated Congresswoman Julia Brownley. “Thousand Oaks is a great example of cities and towns in Ventura County and around the country that are creating green jobs and moving to clean, renewable energy.”
“Congratulations to Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Park and Recreation District for making smart investments that will cut electricity costs and help clean up our air,” said Senator Fran Pavley.
“I want to applaud the city council and their staff for making the adoption of clean solar energy a priority for Thousand Oaks,” stated Assemblyman Jeff Gorell. “The city has been a leader in clean energy and cogeneration, and the people of the Conejo Valley should be proud of the progress that is happening here.”
In addition to the city’s investment in solar on its facilities, increasing numbers of Thousand Oaks residents and businesses are investing in California’s abundant sunshine to save money, create green jobs and solve problems like global warming.
“The sky’s the limit when it comes to putting Thousand Oaks’ clean and abundant sunshine to work,” said Kinman.
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Environment California Research & Policy Center is a statewide nonprofit environmental advocacy organization working to protect California’s air, water and open spaces.
www.environmentcalifornia.org/center
