Palmdale partner receives EPA award for solar panel job training
Grid Alternatives honored for work with Hopland Indian band
Grid Alternatives, a partner with the city of Palmdale in an innovative low-to-no cost affordable solar power housing program, received the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pacific Southwest Region’s Environmental Award for its Solar Affordable Housing Program.
Grid Alternatives was honored for its efforts in working with the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians, working with qualifying Tribal members to install the latest solar technology on their homes.
“This organization is a role model for how business can promote solar energy while equipping Californians with the skills they need to sustain this industry,” said the EPA’s Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld.
The EPA Pacific Southwest Region’s Environmental Awards program acknowledges commitments and significant contributions to protecting the environment in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Pacific Islands and tribal lands.
“The Hopland Band of Pomo Indians has been pleased to have Grid Alternatives Work with our qualifying Tribal members to install the latest solar technology on their homes,” said Shawn Padi, chairman of the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians. “This green technology not only helps the environment but also makes our qualifying tribal members’ monthly energy bills much more affordable.”
Through the program, Grid Alternatives trains and leads teams of community volunteers and job trainees to install solar electric systems for low-income homeowners, generating financial benefits for families, and job training opportunities for local workforces.
“Palmdale is proud to have partners like Grid Alternatives,” says Public Works Director Mike Mischel. “To date, we have seven in the process of receiving assistance, allowing them to save money while also running their households on greener energy.”
To qualify for the low- to no-cost program, residents must own and live in their home, be Southern California Edison customers, and meet income eligibility/homeownership guidelines.
“If a resident believes their household meets the minimum requirements, we encourage them to go the informational meeting at the South Valley Worksource Center, located at 38510 Sierra Highway on Wednesday, March 6 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.,” said Administrative Analyst Ben Lucha.
To learn more information about the program and to see qualitications, visit www.Gridalternatives.org or call 310-735-9770.
As of February 2013, Grid Alternatives has installed more than 3,000 solar electric systems in homes, trained 11,700 community volunteers and job trainees on the theory and practice of installing solar systems, and has prevented more than 250,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions through PV installations. Beneficiaries of these systems have included seniors on fixed incomes, veterans, and homeowners struggling with unemployed and underemployment, as well as low-income residents of more than 14 tribal communities throughout California.
For more information, contact Ben Lucha at 661/267-5308.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Two Southland men pleaded guilty today to a federal conspiracy charge involving a scheme in which stolen identities were used to file phony tax returns, claiming thousands of dollars in refunds.
Michael Williams, 42, of Palmdale, and 34-year-old Mike Niko of Carson entered their pleas before U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer. They face up to 10 years each in prison at sentencing Sept. 9.
PALMDALE, Calif. — Northrop Grumman took to the skies above Palmdale today with its latest high-flying drone built for the Navy.
The 90-minute test flight, part of the Navy’s MQ-4C Triton Broad Area Maritime Surveillance program, was declared a success.
The MQ-4C Triton is designed to stay aloft for up to 24 hours at elevations of more than 52,000 feet and is fitted with sensors that enables it to detect and classify different kinds of ships up to 2,000 miles away.
Keller Williams Realty, in conjunction with Palmdale and the Antelope Valley Mall, announced the results of their recent Red Day events.
Between their food drive and Red Day Walk, the groups raised $12,645 in cash and more than 10,000 pounds of food for local charities including South Antelope Valley Emergency Services (SAVES), Grace Resources, the WAVE Foundation and the American Cancer Society.
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — Peter Sagan of Slovakia sprinted past Australian Michael Matthews to win today’s third stage of the Tour of California, the nation’s largest cycling event.
Sagan completed the 110.3-mile stage from Palmdale to Santa Clarita in four hours, 20 minutes, 31 seconds. Each of the next 99 cyclists were credited with the same time.
“The last three kilometers were crazy with all the sprinters who wanted to win,” Sagan said.
PALMDALE, Calif. — The eighth edition of the Tour of California begins two days of racing in Los Angeles County today with a 110.3-mile stage from Palmdale to Santa Clarita.
The 121 cyclists will leave from Marie Kerr Park at 11:20 a.m. for a stage that will feature racing through the hills north of Santa Clarita along San Francisquito Canyon and a 22-mile climb up Lake Hughes Road, followed by a gradual 18-mile descent down Spunky Canyon and Bouquet Road.
