April 1, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

UCLA Officials Announce $15 Million “Self-Replenishing Fund” For Energy Projects:

UCLA officials announced today the creation of a $15 million “self-replenishing fund” to support energy efficiency projects, such as the installation of motion-sensor light switches to water-saving plumbing fixtures.

The announcement makes UCLA the 46th institution in the nation to join the Billion Dollar Green Challenge, which was created by the Sustainable Endowments Institute to encourage universities to pursue energy-efficiency projects.

UCLA officials said the university has already invested $20 million in such projects.

“UCLA has a long history of energy efficiency projects, and we’ve seen that it’s a good investment with a good return, with some of our projects earning back their costs in less than a year,” according to Nurit Katz, UCLA’s chief sustainability officer. “Committing to energy efficiency is a big part of our strategy to combat climate change and meet the University of California’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2025.”

The fund will be created with bond financing and not involve any student tuition or fee money.

UCLA’s previous sustainability projects include the installation of occupancy sensors that turn off lights in empty rooms and hallways; retrofits of heating, ventilation and cooling systems; and replacements of old light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs.

The new fund will be self-replenishing, with savings realized by the energy-efficient upgrades injected back into the fund for future projects.

“Let’s say we did a project that cost $1 million, resulting in $250,000 in annual savings, which is pretty normal,” Katz said. “Half of the savings — $125,000 — would go back into the revolving loan fund until that million is paid back. People realize these projects aren’t just an expense, they’re an investment.”

The university will be conducting an annual energy audit of campus buildings to identify future projects to fund.

in News
<>Related Posts

(Video) Spending an Afternoon at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Go To Pacpark.com For Tickets and More Information. Go To https://t.co/PUWlOc89JQ For Tickets and More Information.#amusementpark #rides #rollercoaster #summer #spring...

Matū Kai to Debut in Brentwood With Grass Fed Wagyu and Global Flair This Week

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Farm-To-Fork Beef, Wood-Fired Flavors, and Sustainability Meet on San Vicente The team behind Beverly Hills’ acclaimed steakhouse Matū has expanded...

USC Launches Free Soil Testing to Assess Post-Fire Contamination

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Residents Can Submit Samples to Check for Lead and Other Toxins A new program led by researchers at the University...

Los Angeles County’s Measure A Raises Sales Tax On April 1, And It’s No Joke

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Culver City, and Malibu Will See Higher Increases Starting April 1, Los Angeles County residents will...

Malibu Schedules Two Key Public Meetings for Wildfire Recovery and Insurance Guidance

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

City Officials to Provide Technical Support and Insurance Market Updates at Two Meetings Malibu residents affected by recent wildfires are...

Santa Monica Launches Public Search for New City Manager

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Nationwide Job Posting Seeks Leader to Guide City’s Future The City of Santa Monica has officially launched a nationwide search...

Palisades Youth Soccer Team Fundraises to Compete in Sweden Tournament

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

The team is raising funds through GoFundMe, with donations aimed at covering travel costs, accommodations, and fees A youth soccer...

Seven-Bedroom Venice Pad on Shell Ave. Hits Market at Under $7M

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

The home sits on a 5,740-square-foot lot and includes a two-car garage A newly listed property in Venice, featuring modern...

School of Rock Students Shine in Winter Performance Despite Widespread Fires

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Summer Camp Registration Opens Now By Susan Payne Wildfire devastation wreaked havoc in areas of Los Angeles this January with...

City Approves Redevelopment Deal for Civic Auditorium

March 30, 2025

March 30, 2025

Officials said the next phase of the process includes site analyses to assess redevelopment viability The Santa Monica City Council...

SM.a.r.t. Column: Smart Home Systems and IoT Sensors: The New Frontline Against Wildfires

March 30, 2025

March 30, 2025

In a world where wildfire threats grow more ominous each year, a technological revolution is quietly unfolding at the intersection...

Former Married… With Children Actress Found Dead in Malibu Mansion

March 30, 2025

March 30, 2025

Homicide Detectives Review Death of CSI Miami and ER Actress Authorities are investigating the death of 58-year-old actress Cindyana Santangelo,...

New Deadline, More Access: LA County Debris Program Expands Scope, Extends Signup

March 30, 2025

March 30, 2025

Officials Broaden Scope to Help More Residents, Encourage Early Submission Los Angeles County officials have announced that FEMA has agreed...

Judge to L.A. Leaders: ‘I Am Your Worst Nightmare’ in Scathing Homeless Spending Rebuke

March 28, 2025

March 28, 2025

Carter Warns of Court Intervention if City and County Fail to Fix Broken Systems U.S. District Judge David O. Carter,...

Mayor Karen Bass Texts Sent During the Palisades Fire Have Been Released

March 28, 2025

March 28, 2025

Newly Recovered Texts Were Recovered After Sharp Criticism Over Deletions As wildfires swept through Los Angeles in early January, Mayor...