Green Project Marketing Blog

The California Energy Commission votes to tighten regulations that govern lighting controls, hot-water pipes, windows, insulation and other systems in new buildings and building additions.

A worker builds a home in San Diego. California's tighter energy efficiency rules for new and newly remodeled buildings take effect in 2014. (Sam Hodgson, Bloomberg / April 19, 2012)

By Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times

June 1, 2012

SACRAMENTO — Construction costs may go up, but new and remodeled homes and buildings will consume much less conventional power starting in a year and a half when the state's newest energy efficiency standards take effect.

The California Energy Commission voted 4 to 0 on Thursday to tighten regulations that govern lighting controls, hot-water pipes, windows, insulation and other systems in new buildings and building additions.

Southern California Gas is testing an unusual solar energy system that produces electricity for its building and hot water for air-conditioning of its Energy Resource Center in Downey. (Southern California Gas Co. / May 25, 2012)

By Nancy Rivera Brooks

May 28, 2012

Southern California Gas Company is trying out an unusual new technology that uses the sun’s rays to provide air conditioning as well as power.

The solar photovoltaic system installed on the roof of the SoCalGas Energy Resource Center in Downey combines mirrors and a computerized tracking system to capture sunlight and focus that energy onto an array of collectors.