SDG&E’s 14th Annual Energy Showcase spotlights leaders in energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean transportation 

SAN DIEGO, April 30, 2019 – Eight public and private-sector organizations in the San Diego region were honored today for their leadership in advancing an energy efficient and environmentally sustainable future. As part of its 14th annual Energy Showcase, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) recognized entities ranging from a TV station and irrigation manufacturer to a high school district and water agency because they positively impact the community every day through their sustainability efforts.

“As business leaders continue to invest in energy efficient and clean energy technologies, not only are they helping to create new cleantech industries and jobs, they are helping to build a more sustainable and healthier future, “said Caroline Winn, chief operating officer for SDG&E. “They are showing the world that economic prosperity and environmental stewardship do go hand in hand.”

SDG&E offers its business customers a variety of smart solutions to save energy and save money, including free onsite energy efficiency analysis and zero-interest financing for energy efficiency upgrades. 

This year’s winners, profiled in individual videos (sdge.com/es2019), are as follows:

Agricultural / Industrial
Hunter Industries: This San Marcos manufacturer of water-efficient landscaping irrigation products has five buildings that are certified to have met Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria. Among other initiatives, Hunter has increased the use of recyclable materials by a whopping 312 percent by repurposing them in production.

Residential  
Community HousingWorks, North Park Seniors: This North Park apartment building incorporates numerous energy-saving features, including LED lighting, high-efficiency mechanical systems, low-flow fixtures, solar hot water, solar panels, and Energy Star appliances.   

Commercial
NBC 7/Telemundo 20: Located in Kearny Mesa, this broadcast facility is one of the most technologically advanced and environmentally friendly news centers in America. Generators, a solar rooftop system with battery storage, smart irrigation systems, recycled carpet, solar light tubes all contribute to an outstanding facility. 

Ocean Discovery Institute, San Diego Unified School District’s Living Lab: This state-of-the-art science education facility in City Heights features a “Living Lab” where students can get hands-on conservation learning experiences. The Institute participated in SDG&E’s Savings By Design incentive program and incorporated energy-efficient building design and construction practices, such as drought-tolerant landscaping.

Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Viejas Casino & Resort: Through SDG&E’s On-Bill Financing program, rebates and incentives, Viejas implemented various energy- efficient technologies on a large scale, including lighting controls, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, EV charging stations and an advanced water filtration system.

Public 
San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG):  SANDAG provides innovative energy assessments to local governments through its Energy Roadmap program. It has also created a Regional Climate Action Planning Framework (ReCap) in collaboration with nineteen local governments.

Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD): Pioneers in energy conservation and sustainability, GUHSD has installed solar rooftop and carports in twelve sites producing a total 20,000 MW of solar energy. The district has reduced its annual electric bill by $2 million and forecasts savings of $70 million over the next 25 years.

Helix Water District:  The district has made a host of upgrades, which has reduced energy use by 25 percent in the past 10 years. Helix also partnered with SDG&E to install 20 EV chargers at its facilities and upgraded its fleet with six electric vehicles.

SDG&E is an innovative San Diego-based energy company that provides clean, safe and reliable energy to better the lives of the people it serves in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The company is committed to creating a sustainable future by providing around 45 percent of its electricity from renewable sources; modernizing natural gas pipelines; accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles; supporting numerous non-profit partners; and, investing in innovative technologies to ensure the reliable operation of the region’s infrastructure for generations to come. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE). For more information, visit SDGEnews.com or connect with SDG&E on Twitter (@SDGE), Instagram (@SDGE) and Facebook.