WEST COVINA, Calif., April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The City of West Covina was recognized in front of 300 West Covina community leaders, residents, and businesses for being the first local government out of an eligible 111 in Southern California Edison's (SCE) service territory to advance to "Platinum level status," the highest award a city can receive from SCE for its accomplishments in energy reduction and long-term energy planning.  The City's achievements have resulted in more than 92 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy savings in the community and its municipal facilities, and the City has avoided $235,148 in energy costs in its municipal facilities.  The City was hailed for its forward thinking approach to energy efficiency, investing precious dollars into energy efficiency projects that will reap short- and long-term cost savings even during these challenging economic times.

"West Covina's commitment to investing in energy efficiency projects and programs is a great example of how local government can reduce the City's costs of doing business while also decreasing the City's energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions that are generated in the community.  By improving our energy efficiency, those dollars not spent on energy bills are now going towards new investments (public safety, park improvements, street rehabilitation, etc.) in our community that our residents rely on," stated West Covina Mayor Mike Touhey.

West Covina has set an example for other local governments with achievements in three areas:

1. Energy Savings– Achieved energy savings of approximately 22.15% in municipal facilities (1.5 million kWh) and 20% in community-wide consumption (91 million kWh) since 2005.
2. Energy Planning – Strategized for long-term energy management needs and developed a road map for achieving energy reduction goals.
3. Demand Side Management – Enrolled city facilities in programs to reduce power when statewide energy supplies are low, or when energy prices rise, to earn incentives or save on energy costs.

The SCE Local Government Energy Leader Partnership Program encourages municipalities to "lead by example" and offers incentives for energy efficiency projects completed in municipal facilities.  Since 2008, the city has received nearly $139,278 through SCE for its energy efficiency projects.  However, the City of West Covina has not stopped there!  They also recently completed a major outdoor lighting project estimated to save another 637,412 kWh, which would translate to an estimated $92,700 in annual energy savings.  When city budgets are tight, these savings prove critical to balancing the bottom line.

"When cities like West Covina take a leadership role in making their own facilities more energy efficient, they're saving money on their utility bills and playing an important role in leading by example with their communities," stated SCE Partnership Programs Manager Nancy Jenkins.

The celebration was hosted by the San Gabriel Valley Energy Wise Partnership, a joint effort between SCE, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, and 29 cities in the San Gabriel Valley to bring energy savings to the region through innovative public education and energy efficiency projects.  The program featured energy activities in which attendees could participate, information about how people can save energy, and honored the City of West Covina for leading the way in energy efficiency. 

For more information about the San Gabriel Valley Energy Wise Partnership, please contact Nicholas Conway of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments at (626) 457-1800 or visit www.sgvenergywise.org.

SOURCE San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments