Santa Monica First City in the World to be powered by 100% Green Energy
City officially flips the switch June 1
SANTA MONICA, CA — June 1, 1999 — Santa Monica today became the first city in the world to be powered entirely by renewable energy.
Taking advantage of California's competitive electricity market, Santa Monica's decision moves the city away from current system power, which relies on air polluting generation from fossil fuel sources and toxic creating nuclear power. Instead, the beach city will now be powered exclusively by clean geothermal sources.
'We've flipped the switch on dirty power,' said Santa Monica Mayor Pamela O'Connor. 'By going green, Santa Monica is reducing smog-producing air pollution that degrades public health and moving forward with our Sustainable City plan.'
'This is a new era for energy policy,' Santa Monica City Councilman Michael Feinstein noted. 'Since deregulation every one of us now has the ability to take responsibility for the environmental impact of our energy use. This is our chance to change our global energy policy from the ground up.'
A City Powered by Steam
Renewable or green power is electricity generated by using the sun, wind, or other natural forces and is more environmentally friendly than traditional electric generation.
With today's switch, Santa Monica becomes the first city to be powered by 100% geothermal sources, a method of utilizing steam from geysers, molten rock and steam spouts to generate electricity. Geothermal plants emit little air pollution and have minimal effects on the environment.
Commonwealth Energy Corporation located in Tustin, California will supply the City's energy.
'By this action, Santa Monica is providing the leadership for creating a sustainable future,' said Matt Petersen, Executive Director of Global Green USA — a Santa Monica based environmental organization working on green energy issues. 'Global Green has been working with the city on this issue since last June. We are pleased to see the City turn off dirty power and go green.
The city's switch is the first success of GGUSA's Go Green Power campaign. The effort is focused on educating residents, businesses, and local governments on their ability to help the environment by purchasing green power from certified electric marketers.
Global Green USA works in cooperation with individuals, industry, and governments to create a global value shift toward sustainable development. The organization is active in promoting and accelerating the cleanup and sustainable reuse of military facilities, promoting safe and environmentally responsible destruction of chemical weapons, the "greening" of affordable housing, and the prevention of international water conflicts.
Global Green USA Contact: Joe Costello (310) 394-7700
City of Santa Monica Contact: Susan Munves (310) 458-8229
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