Campus Green Builder

Educational

• This $9 million renewable energy project at the East Los Angeles College in LACCD is programmed to harvest nearly enough energy to meet the college’s daytime electricity needs. The ambitious solar energy project at East Los Angeles College is the first milestone for the Los Angeles Community College District as it moves toward taking all nine of its colleges off the grid.
• The LACCD is the first community college system in the nation with plans to become entirely energy independent. “This renewable energy project is another example that illustrates our district’s strong commitment to move expeditiously toward building climate neutral campuses that will positively impact the environment,” said Dr. Marshall E. Drummond, chancellor of the LACCD. “Not only will our energy independent campuses save money for other educational resources, but they will also act as a living model to teach students how to lead sustainable, environmentally responsible lives.”¹

Financial

• The college and the district saw the implementation of an energy producing system as an effective way to reduce consumption and cost. This project also paved way for further planning in terms of energy generation and eventual energy independence for the Los Angeles Community College District in the future.
• The project was funded through the Power Purchase Agreements, tax rebates and incentives. This also proved that there are financial mechanisms available to assist higher education institutions in their efforts to pursue climate neutrality, energy independence and holistic institutional sustainability.

Social

• In 2008, ELAC celebrated Earth Day in style as hundreds of students, faculty, and community members were on hand at East Los Angeles College (ELAC) to join officials as they “powered up” the campus' new solar project. Attendees showed their support by donning organic green T-shirts and sunglasses at the official “Flip the Switch” ceremony. Other festivities included showcasing an eco-house designed by ELAC students and awareness materials promoting sun power and environmental stewardship to East Los Angeles' underserved community.²
• At the “Flip the Switch” ceremony, many in attendance praised ELAC’s work. “ELAC's solar farm is a tremendous reminder that the Board's decision to move forward with our Energy plan was a great decision,” said Sylvia Scott-Hayes, president, Board of Trustees, Los Angeles Community College District. “With ELAC's solar project and other projects across the District, we are building a new generation of highly-skilled, trained workers and are having a dramatic impact on the lives of so many young people who count on the resources provided by LACCD.” Jim Davis, president of Chevron Energy Solutions stated that the project “is a great example of how sustainable energy development can yield benefits for the environment and education.” According to Matt Cheney, CEO of MMA Renewable Ventures, “ELAC is helping lead a nationwide movement to bring new levels of environmental sustainability to our college campuses. From the advanced solar technology to the innovative finance approach used to employ it, this system embodies the forward-looking spirit and youthful energy of the ELAC community.”³
• Through the solar project and numerous other curriculum initiatives, the LACCD is training Los Angeles' students to fill the “Green Collar” jobs in the 21st century economy. This demonstrates how such an initiative could impact the community at large and prepare the new generation of leaders for the challenging times.⁴

Technical

• For this solar energy project, the general and installation contractors were selected through a competitive selection process. Chevron responded to the RFP. Following a thorough review process, Chevron was selected as a partner for this project. Eventually, the sub-consultants were also selected by Chevron. This certainly reflects the importance of collaborating with industrial experts and companies that could help the institution further its sustainability mission. The ELAC solar project, a partnership with Chevron Energy Solutions (CES), MMA Renewable Ventures and Southern California Edison, is a successful example and an irrefutable proof of how public and private agencies can work together to meet sustainability goals of the institution and the community.

¹ Presidents Corner. "ELAC First to Generate its Own Electricity Through New $9 Million Solar Energy Project."  Retrieved October 22, 2009.
² and ³ Los Angeles Community College District. (April 22, 2008) "Reuters Press Release". Retrieved September 2, 2009.