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                           NEWS RELEASE

                        FROM THE OFFICE OF

                      SENATOR DAN BOATWRIGHT

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For Immediate Release: June 16, 1995

From the office of 
Senator Dan Boatwright
1001 Galaxy Way, Suite 210
Concord, CA 94520
Phone (510) 689-1973


        STATE LOAN PROVIDES WALNUT CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT
                  WITH ENERGY EFFICIENCY SAVINGS


Senator Daniel Boatwright (D-Concord) announced that the Walnut 
Creek Elementary School District will install energy efficient 
lighting in all six of its schools and its district headquarters, 
thanks to the California Energy Commission's recommendation of a 
$123,000 low-interest state loan.

When the work is completed, the 3,000-student district will save 
nearly $19,000 a year on its energy bill.

"The Walnut Creek District offers numerous opportunities to 
reduce energy use, since most of its schools were built in the 
1950s," explained Senator Boatwright.  "Thanks to the latest 
lighting technology, it is now possible to make classrooms 
brighter and more comfortable while using much less energy.  
I commend the efforts of district administrators and staff, 
who are working to make each of their schools as energy 
efficient and economical as possible."  

Outdated incandescent lights will be replaced with energy 
efficient fluorescents at Buena Vista, Indian Valley, Murwood, 
Parkmead and Walnut Heights Elementary Schools, as well as 
Walnut Creek Intermediate School and the district's offices.  
In some locations, occupancy sensors will be added to turn off 
lights when rooms are not in use, and exit signs will be 
converted to more efficient models. 

Total cost of the energy upgrade will be $124,500.  The energy 
savings generated should enable the Walnut Creek School 
District to pay back the loan in six-and-a-half years.  

The California Energy Commission administers the state's 
low-interest loan program, which was created by the Energy 
Conservation Assistance Act to encourage energy efficiency 
in public and non-profit schools, hospitals, and public care 
institutions.  Funds come from negotiated settlements and 
court judgements against petroleum companies for consumer 
overcharges between 1973 and 1981.


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For additional information, contact:

Michael De Sa, Superintendent, 
Walnut Creek School District (510) 944-6850 extension 6

Claudia Chandler, Assistant Executive Director, 
California Energy Commission (916) 654-4989


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FILE NAME: 
95-06-16_Senator_Boatwright_Release_ Walnut_Creek_School