Executive Order B-18-12 Enacted by Governor Jerry Brown, Requiring State Agencies to Recuce Energy Consumption

Executive Order B-18-12 was implemented by Governor Jerry Brown on April 25th, 2012, with a main goal to allow state agencies to reduce their energy use on lighting, heating, air conditioning, and water. 

Highlights of the order are as follows:

1. To reduce energy use by at least 10 percent by 2015 and 20 percent by 2020.
2. The continuation of state agencies to reduce their energy purchases by at least 20 percent by 2018.
3. New or major renovations to state buildings that are larger than 10,000 square feet must use clean power generators, like wind power, solar photovoltaic, or solar thermal power.
4. State buildings that are 10,000 square feet or larger must be certified "silver" or higher by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
5. State agencies must provide electric vehicle charging stations in new and existing buildings.
6. The Department of General Services must work with other state agencies to develop policies for water conservation and further efficiency improvements. These must be implemented by July 1st, 2013, and should be continually updated in the State Administration Manual.
7. State agencies must reduce water use by 10 percent by 2015 and 20 percent by 2020.
8. State agencies must use environmentally friendly products that have less of an impact on human health.
9. State agencies must report the progress of these measures.
10. Executive Order S-20-04 must also be rescinded immediately.

Executive Order S-20-04 was implemented by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on July 27th, 2004. This order also aimed to reduce energy use in state owned buildings by 20 percent by 2015. It also encouraged private sectors to achieve the same goal.

To read more about this order - check out a recent presentation given by the Sustainability Manager for the California Department of General Services, Dan Burgoyne. 

Installation of Energy Monitor at Citadel Corporate Office Helps Reduce Energy Costs by 25%

Citadel recently partnered with Soladyne Capital to gain a better understanding of the energy usage at our Corporate Office in Glendale California - a LEED Platinum facility.

Soladyne Capital installed an Energy Monitor on the electrical panel, which is also connected to the WiFi network.  Information on energy consumption was therefore able to be retrieved on-line to analyze on-going energy use.

Using this tool and the reports and analysis provided by Soladyne, Citadel was able to identify several energy-wasters.  We learned that our AC units were running at night and on weekends, our parking lights were on during daylight hours, and our servers were 24/7 energy hogs.

Click below to see the full image of the analysis:
By reprogramming our AC thermostats, light timer, and by upgrading our old servers to an efficient new one, Citadel was able to cut our energy consumption by 25%. 
 

Soladyne offers three levels of Energy Analysis Reports to match their client needs.  Reports include include analysis and recommendations, such as the measures described above.  If you would like to learn more about how we can reduce your energy costs for your facility - contact Nic Serieys at the Citadel Office 818-246-2707, or via email or Robert Ciani at Soladyne Office 818-692-6838 today!

Citadel Saves 50,000 Wild Honey Bees!

Citadel’s beliefs and ethics were called into action when they suddenly became the home to over 50,000 wild honey bees. Just like any other company, Citadel was alarmed at the idea of wild bees being so close in proximity to its employees and pedestrians and their safety possibly being threatened. As an environmental company, Citadel not only works with many companies to bring safety and sustainability to the forefront, but they practice it as well.

Citadel was aware of the option to bring in an exterminator and have them removed and killed, but then that would be going against their company ethics, so they pursued other alternatives. They found help from a bee specialist, Chris Carr who works at Shangri-La (Citadel’s client) who was more than willing to help in this quest to save the wild honey bees. The process took more than 9 hours and after a few stings, Mr. Carr was able to get the bees to their new home at C & C’z Beez where they are continuing to make wild honey.

Citadel is more than proud to say that they did not contribute to the current honey bee hive shortage by only relying on one option. With a little time, research and in Citadel’s circumstances, luck, they were able to stick to their ethics and beliefs and remain a positive example.

Registration Opens For Bay Area Clean Air Competition

What an amazing way for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to get people from the Bay Area to participate in helping their environment and be rewarded for doing so. San Franciscans, help your community by finding an alternative way to commute and make sure to enter in the challenge. If you win or even if you are just a participant, we would love to hear about your story (you can contact Kristin Velez here on LinkedIn) Good Luck!! Registration Opens for Bay Area Clean Air Competition

California Proposes Amendments to Cap-and-trade Regulations for Linkage With Quebec

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) proposed amendments to the state’s cap-and-trade regulations to effectuate linkage between the state’s program and a cap-and-trade program established by Quebec. Among other things, the proposed regulations provide for a joint auction of allowances in November. CARB also proposed amendments relating to trading mechanics and market oversight. The proposed amendments are subject to a 45-day comment period, and then will be on the agenda for a meeting of the board on June 28. The proposed amendments and related materials are available at http://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/2012/capandtrade12/capandtrade12.htm.