Gov. Schwarzenegger Helps Launch Energy Efficiency CenterApril 13, 2006
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger came to the University of California, Davis campus yesterday to celebrate a $1 million grant from the California Clean Energy Fund to establish a center of excellence in energy efficiency. The new center is dedicated to speeding the transfer of new energy-saving products and services. |
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Schwarzenegger joined officials of CalCEF and UC Davis, with other
government, industry and environmental leaders, in a new campus building
featuring state-of-the-art, energy-efficient design and construction. The
new UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center will bring together leaders in
academia, industry and the investment community to advance innovation in
energy efficiency.
CalCEF awarded the grant to UC Davis because of its commitment to developing and bringing energy efficient technology to the marketplace. UC Davis will match CalCEF’s grant with $1.3 million in operating and research funds, faculty time, and office and laboratory space. "Increasing energy efficiency is our state’s best hope to minimize the impacts of climate change, improve our energy security and reduce the cost of reliable energy services," said Michael R. Peevey, president of the California Public Utilities Commission and chairman of CalCEF. "Establishing this center could be a transformative step in meeting the state’s clean energy goals, by drawing together the wealth of expertise at UC Davis in a framework that emphasizes bringing innovative technologies to market quickly." PG&E Corp. also pledged significant funding support for the new center -- $500,000 over five years for critical start-up needs such as funding for fellowships to attract and educate outstanding students, and for a major conference that will convene worldwide energy efficiency experts. Ralph Cavanagh, director of the energy program at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and member of the CalCEF Board of Directors, noted that "CalCEF is greatly impressed by UC Davis’ position as an emerging global leader in energy studies, and with the university’s innovative and entrepreneurial approach to designing the Energy Efficiency Center. The center’s multidisciplinary approach and its emphasis on key sectors of the California economy place it at the forefront in meeting the energy challenge today: moving clean technologies out of the laboratory rapidly, accelerating their acceptance, and meeting California’s aggressive clean energy goals. We look forward to supporting UC Davis in this vital leadership role for America’s cheapest, cleanest and fastest source of energy solutions."
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