LADWP Holds “Run for a Green LA”

LOS ANGELES, Nov 4, 2000 — 3,000 runners, including 2,000 high school students, are competing at Griffith Park in the Department of Water and Power’s first ever “Run for a Green LA.” Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. with the competition starting at 8 a.m. The much anticipated event includes three types of races (5K/10K, 7.8-mile trail run and 1K Kiddie Fun Run) for runners of all ages and serves as an official warm-up for the Los Angeles Marathon. “Run for a Green LA” includes the first Mt. Hollywood trail run in the 100-year history of Griffith Park. The event also features a festival for the entire family with 30 environmental displays, live entertainment, Ranger-led nature walks, a pet adoption area, food and prizes. The festival will conclude at noon. Bill Nye the Science Guy is the celebrity Master of Ceremonies and is participating in the 5K Run. Sharlene Wills, a DWP Green Power customer, who is a blind runner and a veteran of the Boston and LA Marathons, will be recognized as “Green LA Runner of the Year.” Wills will be participating in the grueling trail run. “We are excited about this event which serves to promote greater awareness, support and participation in the Green LA environmental programs. We are also pleased to recognize the success and the grit of Ms. Wills, who is an inspiration and a role model for all of us,” said DWP General Manager S. David Freeman. The Green LA Program works to enhance air quality, sponsors efforts to use resources more wisely, provides new clean renewable energy to Los Angeles, beautifies school campuses through the “Cool Schools” program and increases the use of environmentally friendly electric vehicles. Green LA includes the highly successful Green Power for a Green LA program, which gives DWP customers the opportunity to help bring new clean energy resources to Los Angeles. To date, more than 61,000 customers have signed up for green power making it the most successful effort of its kind in the nation. The green power program replaces electricity from polluting power plants with energy generated from new renewable resources, like the sun, wind and water. Customers who sign up for green power receive free energy efficiency products and services provided by DWP. These energy efficiency measures help lower usage so that the electric bill can remain about the same even though the cost for green power is $3 a month for the average residential customer. In addition to Green Power, the Green LA Programs include 14 separate energy efficiency initiatives, many with incentives to help lower costs for electricity. The Green LA program also includes the Solar Photovoltiac buy-down program of $3 to $5 per watt installed, a myriad of recycling efforts and support for electric transportation initiatives. Several of the highlighted environmental programs are incorporated today into the event. The race pace car will be an electric vehicle. An electric-powered van will shuttle volunteers. Winning runners will have trees planted in their names in the park. Solar modules will power the sound system and the Green Power neon sign. In addition to the DWP, more than 20 business, community and non-profit organizations are serving as co-sponsors of the event including Loyola Marymount University, LA World Airports, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 3M and Park La Brea. For more information about the Green LA programs, DWP customers should click on to www. GreenLA.com or call 1-800-GreenLA. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power serves more than 3.7 million people in Los Angeles and was established almost 100 years ago to provide the water and electric needs to the city’s businesses and residents. The Department is a recognized local and national leader in sponsoring programs to enhance the success of the youth of Los Angeles, especially in school education activities.CONTACT: Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Walter Zeisl, 213/367-1342 213/367-3227 after regular business hours