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# SM goes on power trip
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/sm-goes-on-power-trip/
- Published: 2006-08-15T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T21:11:39.000Z
- Author: Kevin Herrera
- Tags: Business, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*City Hall seeks complete energy independence in coming decades*

CITYWIDE — With its high concentration of high-performing, sustainable buildings and a ride-share program that has trimmed the number of rush hour trips by 4,000 a day, Santa Monica was recognized Monday as a leader in the fight to end America’s dependence on foreign oil.

“Santa Monica has done a great job promoting clean energy,” said Carla Din, western regional field director of the Apollo Alliance, a nonprofit organization representing more than 17 million Americans from labor, environmental business and community groups seeking energy independence and quality jobs created by alternative fuel sources.

City Hall’s Green Building and ride-share programs, part of Santa Monica’s Sustainable City Program adopted in 1994, were highlighted in “New Energy for Cities,” a report prepared by the alliance. The alliance is pressuring the Bush administration to invest in clean energy sources. By doing so, the alliance says the U.S. economy can rebound after decades of layoffs in the manufacturing sector.

The alliance, formed three years ago, is pursuing a cash program for clean energy that will capitalize on American innovation and ingenuity, rebuild cities and create good jobs for working families, said Satya Rhodes- Conway, a spokesperson for the alliance, which is looking for presidential hopefuls in 2008 to adopt its energy policy. “These cities recognized in the report are really leading the way in terms of energy policy, doing the things that the federal government doesn’t see fit to do at this point,” Rhodes-Conway said.

City Hall’s Green Building Program has been recognized in the past by international sustainability groups as one of the more comprehensive local government programs in place, with more LEED — or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design — buildings per capita in the country, said Susan Munves, City Hall’s energy and green programs administrator.

Those structures include the new Main Library and Public Safety facility, Virginia Avenue Park, the Rand Corp. headquarters, Colorado Court and a handful of buildings under construction at Santa Monica College. Each structure is energy efficient, with many generating their own power on site through solar panels. The buildings have also been constructed out of non-toxic, renewable materials. Recycling of old material during construction is also a feature of green building, as are amenities such as on-site recycling, car pooling and bicycle storage. Most structures use natural ventilation.

“Not only do these buildings cut down on operating costs, but the people who live and work there are healthier and more productive,” Munves said. “Green building is starting to become mainstream. People are really starting to see the benefits, and with that we are starting to see construction costs drop.”

City staff members are currently working on a program to make Santa Monica energy independent, and perhaps someday, a supplier of energy to nearby cities, Munves said. The program, known now as the Community Energy Independence Initiative, is looking for 50 homeowners and businesses to invest in solar panels or other environmentally friendly technology to generate clean energy. Those who do so would reap significant cost savings on their utility bills. If successful, this two-year pilot program could be expanded, so much so that in 15 to 20 years, the city could generate enough power to cover the needs of all those living or doing business within Santa Monica.

“That’s a long way off, but if we could generate a percentage of the power we consume, that would be a tremendous step forward,” Munves said. “We are hoping that by the end of this year, we’ll have something underway.”

As for car-pooling, city transportation officials reached their goal of 1.5 employees per car during rush hour. That translates into 4,000 fewer trips per day during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., said Jacquilyne Brooks, City Hall’s transportation management coordinator.

Employers with 50 or more workers are required by local law to reduce the number of drive-alone trips generated by their business. Employers can offer incentives, such as subsidized bus passes, allowing employees to work from home or cash bonuses for taking alternative transportation. Those with less than 50 workers are required annually to disseminate ride-share and public transportation information to employees.

“Cities are setting a leadership standard that we hope Washington (D.C.) will one day follow,” said Mayor Bob Holbrook. “Santa Monica is encouraging the development of green buildings without burdening developers. We’re working on solutions that will protect our environment, create good jobs and reduce our country’s dependence on foreign energy… It’s an honor for Santa Monica to be recognized for our work on green building.”

For a copy of the Apollo Alliance report, visit www.apolloalliance.org.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 15, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/081506.pdf?ref=smdp.com)