Energy Efficiency

Glendale Adventist Medical Center is one of the city’s most power-hungry facilities, with the hum of high-energy equipment audible 24-hours a day, but change is underway. The hospital doesn’t plan to power down, but it will join other major area businesses and organizations in upgrading to energy efficient lighting, a maneuver that could save Glendale Adventist close to $250,000 annually. A nine-man crew has already begun the process of changing out more than 5,000 light bulbs across the complex, an undertaking that is expected to take three months, said Dan Brown, director of plant operations for the hospital.

CITY HALL — The city’s utility distributed nearly $4.7 million over the last fiscal year to customers for bill payment assistance and energy-efficiency programs, according to an annual report to be presented to the Glendale Water & Power Commission today. City officials are expected to stress the assistance programs amid claims on the City Council campaign trail that Glendale Water & Power rates are putting the squeeze on low-income residents in a down economy. Glendale Water & Power has among the highest electric rates in the state, but when combined with water, refuse collection and sewer charges, the city charges less than Los Angeles, Pasadena and Burbank, according to a city report.

GLENDALE — Local water and power officials are slated to publicly express their discontent in front of the City Council on Tuesday about a Nov. 4 ballot measure that opponents say will raise user rates and hurt electrical operations in the city. In publicly opposing Proposition 7, the solar and clean energy initiative, Glendale Water & Power joins utility companies, energy groups and both major political parties in saying the measure is an unnecessary and costly ruse to achieve energy-efficiency.

City utility ranks 7th in energy savings Glendale Water & Power was the seventh most effective municipal utility in the state last year when it came to influencing energy savings among its customers, according to a recent industry report. The California Municipal Utilities Assn. ranked Glendale Water & Power among the top seven utilities in the state for the third year in a row for its energy-efficiency programs, such as rebates for less energy hungry appliances and free home savings audits.

UTILITY MARKING The City Council on Tuesday authorized the city to advertise for bids on an up to $125,000 contract for underground electric utility marking services for Glendale Water & Power. The duties were previously done by an employee who retired. WHAT IT MEANS The city will request bids for the services, which are needed to adhere to a California state code that requires utility companies to locate and mark underground electrical facilities. The council must still approve the contract.

Phat Energy, a Southern California supplier of renewable energy products located on Foothill Boulevard in La Crescenta, announced that it has begun a pilot project with Sears to help homeowners go green. Under the terms of the limited-time program, Southern California homeowners who install a new, state-of-the-art Phat Energy solar power system will receive an energy and safety audit from Sears’ Blue Climate Crew (a $550 value) at no cost. The audit is designed to find areas in a home where power is being wasted, such as leaky door frames and back-drafting water heaters.

On behalf of the students, faculty and staff of Glendale Community College, I'd like to express our gratitude for the passage of Measure G March 5. This appreciation extends to the hundreds of volunteers who gave their time and energy to the campaign over the past several months and to the thousands of citizens who, recognizing the needs of GCC, voted to provide funds to maintain and improve the college over the next decades....

Several local women are among 30 who will be honored during the 13th annual Women in Business Legislative Update and Awards luncheon on Friday at the Pasadena Hilton. The women were selected by State Sen. Carol Liu (D-La Cañada-Flintridge) and Assembly members Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), and Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) for their contributions to the vitality and diversity of the 21st State Senate and 43rd and 44th Assembly districts. Those being honored are Outstanding Small Businesswoman, Emma Garabetian, Modella Uniforms, Pasadena/La Crescenta; Outstanding Junior Businesswoman Linda P. Lee, Charles Dunn Co., Glendale; Outstanding Non-Profit Employee, Ana Gomez, Kids Community Dental Clinic, Burbank; and Ramella Markarian, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Glendale; Environment/Energy Efficiency Award, Hilda Morovati Pirim, EmbroidMe, Glendale; Most Inspirational Award, Carolyn Rowley, Cayenne Wellness Center, Glendale; Woman in Law, Lt. Lola Abrahamian, Glendale Police Department; Women in Science and Technology, Linh Chen, Glendale Adventist Medical Center and Cheryl Lee Jung, Glendale Adventist Medical Center; Woman in Arts Entertainment, Taline Bessos, Taline Music, Glendale.

Lakeside Medical Organization and Lakeside Medical Organization Chief Executive Richard Merkin have been honored by the Glendale Chamber of Commerce for significant community outreach. Judee Kendall, president of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce, honored Lakeside in recognition of “outstanding contributions to the community, innovative health care, senior outreach and commitment to patients and quality care.” Lakeside Medical Organization is part of the Heritage Provider Network family of medical groups.