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                      NEWS RELEASE FROM THE

                  CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
April 13, 1995                        Rob Schlichting 916-654-5159


                 SACRAMENTO COUNTY SAVES POWER, 
                 GETS ENERGY COMMISSION AWARD

The County of Sacramento will receive a California Energy 
Commission award for installing energy efficient lighting in most 
County buildings and facilities. The lighting project will not only 
cut energy waste but will save taxpayers almost $500,000 a year in 
energy costs.

The award for "Outstanding Energy Achievement in Local Government" 
will be presented to the County Board of Supervisors at its 
regular meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 18.  Energy Commissioner 
Warren D. Noteware and Scott Matthews, the Commission's Deputy 
Division Chief for Energy Efficiency, will present the award.

The framed resolution states that Sacramento County is being 
honored "for reducing energy use...saving revenue for public 
services and setting an example for all businesses and residents 
in the community."

"I want to compliment Sacramento County for so conscientiously 
implementing energy efficiency in its buildings," said Energy 
Commission Chairman Charles R. Imbrecht. "In these times of tight 
government budgets, half a million dollars is a substantial 
savings of taxpayer money."

In conjunction with the Commission's Energy Partnership Program 
and Sacramento Municipal Utility District, the County's Department 
of General Services put together a three-phased energy upgrade 
project that started last year. All told, the project converted 
approximately 23,000 outdated lights to brighter energy-efficient 
fluorescent lamps in 27 County-owned buildings.  In many locations, 
motion sensors were also installed to turn off lights when rooms 
were unoccupied.

"The teamwork demonstrated by the Commission, Sacramento County and 
SMUD reflects the highest level of community service," said John 
Palmer, County Energy Program Manager. "We now have better-lit 
buildings and we have achieved electric savings in the process."

SMUD furnished energy rebates totalling $647,000 that paid almost 
half the cost of the project.  Money saved on utility bills each 
month will return the County's investment in 14 months.


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For more information, contact:
John Palmer, County Energy Program Manager (916) 366-4506

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


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File Name: 95-04-13_Sacramento_County_Wins_Energy_Awar