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                    NEWS RELEASE FROM THE

                 CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION



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For immediate release: March 29, 1995



               SACRAMENTO COUNTY PRESENTS AWARD
           TO ENERGY COMMISSION FOR $500,000 SAVINGS

In appreciation of assistance with energy efficiency projects 
that will save taxpayers $500,000 a year in energy costs, 
Sacramento County today presented an award to Daryl Mills and 
the Energy Management Program Team of the California Energy 
Commission. 

The County Board of Supervisors' 1994 Quality Recognition Award 
was announced by John Palmer, County Energy Program Manager, at 
the Energy Commission's Business Meeting Wednesday morning in 
Sacramento. 

"Outdated lights in most County-owned buildings are being 
converted to brighter, energy efficient lighting, thanks to 
the help of the Energy Commission," said Palmer.  "The teamwork 
demonstrated by the Commission, working with the County's 
Department of General Services, reflects the partnership 
necessary to achieve the highest level of community service." 

Twenty-seven county buildings were retrofitted with new 
fluorescent lamps in the extensive energy upgrade that began 
last year.  In many locations, motion sensors were also 
installed to turn off lights when rooms are unoccupied.

"All told, 23,000 lights were upgraded in a cooperative effort 
that included the local utility, Sacramento Municipal Utility 
District," said Daryl Mills, Manager of Public Sector Programs 
for the Energy Commission.  SMUD furnished energy rebates that 
paid almost half of the cost of the project, and money saved on 
utility bills will return the County's investment in 14 months.  

"Long after these energy projects have paid for themselves, 
Sacramento County will continue to accumulate energy savings of 
$500,000 a year," said Mills.  "That represents a significant 
amount of money in this time of tight governmental budgets."

Charles R. Imbrecht, Energy Commission Chairman, agreed.  
"Half a million dollars is a substantial savings of taxpayer 
money.  I imagine that represents the equivalent of adding 
seven or eight sheriff's deputies to our streets.  I want to 
complement the County for so consciously implementing energy 
efficiency in its buildings," said Imbrecht. 

In accepting the County's award, Mills acknowledged work of team 
members Don Kazama, Maziar Shirakh and Mignon Marks.



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For more information, contact:

John Palmer
Sacramento County Energy Program Manager, (916) 366-4506

Rob Schlichting, California Energy Commission, (916) 654-5159


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