In a unanimous decision, the Carson City Council set in motion the energy independence and environmental sustainability vision originally outlined by Mayor Pro Tem Elito Santarina and Council Member Albert Robles. Their vision was to transform the city into a nationally recognized municipal leader in implementing comprehensive programs that increase energy efficiency, generate clean renewable energy, and stimulate the local economy.
The council’s decision last month confirms the engagement of OpTerra Energy Services to conduct a comprehensive, city-wide assessment of energy usage and opportunities for upgrading current infrastructure, improving energy efficiency, reducing water consumption, and adding renewable energy generation such as solar power.
OpTerra will work with city staff to determine a portfolio of potential projects and upgrades that will result in lower gas and electric bills, reduced energy usage and green house gas emissions, and potential ways to create new “green collar” jobs for Carson residents. Once completed, OpTerra will bring the assessment results back to the city council in the form of a complete implementation plan that outlines potential projects, projected savings, rebates and financing options, and opportunities for community partnerships.
“The city of Carson is a regional leader on many issues, and we should add comprehensive energy programs to our list. I look forward to OpTerra’s evaluation and proposal for making Carson greener and more sustainable,“ said Mayor Jim Dear.
OpTerra is one of the nation’s largest independent and privately held efficiency and renewable energy companies that, for more than 40 years, has partnered with numerous public and private-sector customers to improve the performance, reliability and energy efficiency of their facilities. Through its innovative approaches to engineering, project management and financing of energy projects, OpTerra has achieved close to $2 billion in savings-to date-for its customers while helping them to become better stewards of the environment and its natural resources. OpTerra also uses energy as a foundation for advancing community engagement, economic opportunity and education for the many communities throughout the country in which it conducts its work. For more information about OpTerra, visit www.opterraenergy.com.
