The University of California was named today (Jan. 14) one of three recipients of the Excellence in Sustainability Showcase Awards by the California Sustainability Alliance.

The Sustainability Showcase highlights the efforts of organizations in California who are leading the way towards the state's sustainable future. Since 2002, the University of California has worked with students, employees and campus administrators to develop a wide range of sustainability policies addressing climate change, clean energy, green building, sustainable transportation, environmental purchasing and waste reduction on its 10 campuses.

In 2003, the UC Board of Regents approved a systemwide Green Building Policy and Clean Energy Standards based on the initially student-led effort, calling for the university to adopt principles of energy efficiency and sustainability in its capital projects, purchase green power, promote energy efficiency, and invest in local renewable energy sources. Since then, UC has implemented energy efficiency projects that will now save an estimated $12 million annually, and has gained further national recognition by demonstrating the unique role that higher education can play in addressing sustainability issues.

"Thanks to the leadership of students, faculty, staff and the Regents, the University of California has embraced sustainability and continues to transform business practices to further reduce our environmental impact and fight global warming," said Michael Bocchicchio, systemwide associate vice president for facilities administration. "We are grateful for this recognition of our efforts and hope that it will help to bring more attention to sustainability efforts throughout California."

The University of California will be honored at the California Sustainability Alliance Showcase Awards luncheon to be held Feb. 10 in Sacramento. To learn more about the University of California's sustainability efforts, visit the Sustainability Showcase at www.sustainca.org/showcase/uc.

The other two award recipients are the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, for its range of sustainability projects including green building, energy-efficient operations and resource management strategies, and the Thomas Properties Group, a pioneer in California sustainable development.

About the University of California
Founded as a land grant institution in 1868, the University of California includes more than 220,000 students and more than 180,000 faculty and staff, with more than 1.5 million alumni living and working around the world. UC's 10 campuses at Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz provide exciting environments that foster world-class educational and research opportunities and generate a wide range of benefits and services that touch the lives of Californians every day. UC also is involved in managing three U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories at Berkeley, Livermore and Los Alamos. For more information about sustainability programs and practices at the University of California: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/sustainability

About the California Sustainability Alliance
The California Sustainability Alliance was designed to help meet the state of California's energy, climate, resource and environmental goals by increasing and accelerating energy efficiency in combination with complementary green measures and strategies. Founded in 2006, the California Sustainability Alliance is an innovative market transformation program funded by California utility customers and administered by the Southern California Gas Co. under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission, through a contract with Navigant Consulting. For more information about the California Sustainability Alliance: www.sustainca.org