The Bottom Line: National City’s Chamber of Commerce Launches Green Business Program
The National City Chamber of Commerce has launched a program to help local businesses employ more sustainable practices and to show them that there is “green to earn, not burn.”
Created in collaboration with non-profit leaders, city
government, private companies, regional and local partners and residents, the “Green
Business Program” kicked off in July 2011. The Chamber of Commerce itself is
the first to report a 50% savings in its energy bill by going through the
program.
Through the Green Business program, the Chamber will become a one-stop resource for information, education, and marketing tools to promote “green businesses” in the city. Its short-term goal is to increase business participation in energy efficiency programs and facilitate the adoption of sustainable business practices and products that can help cut costs and improve efficiency.
In the long term, the Chamber’s Green Business Program is intended foster a culture of sustainability throughout National City that will continue to attract green or “clean” businesses to the city and ultimately result in a reduced carbon footprint for National City and a more healthy and prosperous community overall.
In partnership with SDG&E, the program offers participating businesses free services including an energy assessment as well as equipment upgrades and installations to help them reduce their energy use, carbon footprint and electric bill. Other program benefits include a free energy toolkit, free workshops and seminars, and free advertising and promotional opportunities for participating businesses.
Pasha Automotive Services, located at the Port of San Diego, is among businesses participating in the Port’s “Green Business Challenge,” with a focus on conserving energy and becoming more efficient in its day-to-day operations. These efforts include: a major light bulb retrofit in all buildings, implementing timed lighting in all restrooms and recycling all storm water on the property for use within on-site carwashes.
According to program participant John Pasha, Vice President of Pasha Automotive, “In two short months, energy consumption at our facility has decreased 30%, resulting in a significant savings in terms of energy bills. We plan to continue this trend downward in both our energy usage and energy costs.”
For more information about the Green Business Program, visit: http://www.nationalcitychamber.org/business-resources/green-business-program/ or contact Jacqueline Reynoso, President and CEO of the National City Chamber of Commerce at reynoso@nationalcitychamber.org.
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