Green Urbanism
Newest Green Affordable Housing Project Drastically Reduces Electricity Bills; Demonstrates Viability of Climate-friendly, Zero Energy Housing
Global Green Calls on Sacramento to Pass First in the Nation Energy Measure (AB 212) That Would Dramatically Improve Energy-Efficiency and Reduce Carbon Emissions from California Homes
Chula Vista, CA - May 12, 2009 – Los Vecinos, California’s newest Zero Energy Housing project, celebrated its Grand Opening today. The housing development will provide nearly 100 percent of its own electricity from solar power and residents will save 75% or more on their electricity bills.
“The project is a perfect example of the kinds of design strategies and technologies that will need to be deployed in order to meet California’s long-term policy goal of making all new residential housing net zero by 2020,” said Ted Bardacke, Global Green’s Senior Program Associate.
Global Green USA is sponsoring AB 212, the Residential Buildings Zero Net Energy Bill authored by Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D- San Diego), which will turn this policy goal into reality.
“This project demonstrates what is already possible with Zero Net Energy construction,” Saldaña said. “We can reduce overall energy use – and thus utility bills - by using energy efficiency construction methods like those used at Los Vecinos. We can also make each home largely self-sufficient in terms of its energy consumption by having onsite renewable power generation that can even contribute to the energy needs of the community when the home generates a surplus.”
“The promise of AB 212, which would require expansion of Net Zero Energy construction statewide, is significantly lower energy use, smaller to non-existent utility bills, increased reliability, decreased emissions from fossil fuel power generation, and an attractive investment for housing consumers.”
“Energy use in buildings is the largest single global warming pollution source in the United States - accounting for 48% of all greenhouse gas emissions nationally,” said Global Green policy director Mary Luevano. “Urgent action is needed to address the climate crisis and AB 212 is a huge step in the right direction.”
AB 212’s next test will be in the Assembly Appropriations Committee where it will likely be heard later this month. The inspiration for this legislation is the Solara project in Poway, California; the first apartment community in California fully powered by the sun. Global Green USA was the primary green technical advisor on both the Solara and Los Vecinos projects.
Los Vecinos, developed by Wakeland Housing and Development Corp., is the latest of nearly a dozen Zero Energy Home Projects throughout the state including Clarum Homes in Borrego Springs, Watsonville, and East Palo Alto, Grupe Homes in Sacramento, Shea Homes in San Diego, Centex Homes in San Ramon/Pleasanton, Premier Homes in Sacramento and Meritage Homes in Vacaville.
Los Vecinos consists of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units on three floors as well as a 1,500-square-foot community center, where residents will have access to programs on health and wellness, finance and computer literacy and “going green.” Families earning between $16,600 and $58,800 will reside there. The solar array covering the entire roof was installed by Solar Power Inc. and is a 94 kW system. Each apartment gets a certain number of solar panels hard-wired directly so it and gets whatever credit the system produces; the bigger the apartment, the more panels.
Los Vecinos developer Wakeland Housing and Development Corp. was established in 1999 as a nonprofit corporation to develop quality affordable housing projects with resident-education programs for low-income families. The organization has developed, acquired and rehabilitated over 5,000 units and is an affordable housing leader in San Diego and throughout California.
Wakeland’s development partners included Wermer’s Construction Company (general contractor), Rodriguez Associates Architects & Planners, Inc. and green technical advisor Global Green USA. SDG&E underwrote key analyses of energy-efficiency strategies for the project.
About Global Green USA
Global Green USA, the U.S. affiliate of Green Cross International founded by Mikhail Gorbachev in 1993, is the only national environmental group headquartered in greater Los Angeles, and has offices in Washington D.C., New Orleans & New York. Global Green is pioneering smart solutions to fight global warming with an emphasis on creating green homes, schools and sustainable cities. For more than a decade, Global Green's LEED-accredited green building staff has spearheaded applying green technology in affordable housing projects throughout California and the nation. Global Green and President Gorbachev recently released its first annual Global Solar Report Card, which gives an evaluation of progress towards solar energy use within 16 countries around the world.
