May 21 2008
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a leading research center managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology, has reduced its energy usage by installing energy efficiency projects that save more than four million kilowatt hours annually. This environmental leadership has qualified JPL to participate in the Cool Planet Project.
The Cool Planet Project combines the Southern California Edison's successful energy efficiency programs with the California Climate Action Registry to create an incentive for large business customers to install energy efficiency projects and measure the resulting greenhouse gas reductions. It is the first program of its kind in the utility sector.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory is achieving complex and ambitious energy efficiency initiatives. It has installed over 4.2 million kilowatt hours of annual savings, which is equivalent to removing over 350 cars from the road for one year. "We are creating innovative engineering achievements in space and then applying them right here on earth too," said Matthew Berbee, Jet Propulsion Laboratory Facilities Engineer. Berbee recently received the Legend in Energy designation from the Association of Energy Engineers for his outstanding innovation in this area.
"Southern California Edison is very pleased to collaborate with Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the California Climate Action Registry to find and apply innovative new ways to tackle the challenge of climate change through energy efficiency," said Gene Rodrigues, Director of Energy Efficiency for Southern California Edison.
"The innovation of Jet Propulsion Laboratory's energy efficiency projects are remarkable," said Gary Gero, President of the California Climate Action Registry."
Southern California Edison is the largest electricity utility in California, serving a population of more than 13 million via 4.8 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central and Coastal California.