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LA's SUSTAINABLE
ARCHITECTURE CELEBRATED
LABC's 40th Annual Architecture Awards Luncheon Dazzles at the JW Marriott Downtown
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LABC commemorated a milestone 40-year anniversary with the Los Angeles Architectural Awards June 29th. Before an audience of over 600 guests, we paid homage to four decades of excellence in local architecture while celebrating the best of current design and construction. A total of 36 architectural teams won awards for building design and construction completed in 2008 and 2009. See the full list of winners here.
Leading the list of winning projects was L.A. LIVE, which received the prestigious Community Impact Award. The entertainment complex, built according to advanced sustainability principles, completes a 20-year redevelopment project that began with the expansion of the LA Convention Center and included the construction of Staples Center.
Clockwise from upper left: Tim Leiweke, President and CEO of AEG receiving the Community Impact Award for LA LIVE; Ron Frantz, Haworth; Lori Tierney, Unisource Solutions; Andy Cohen, Gensler; Pouria Abbassi, LA Convention Center; Nadine Watt, Watt Companies; Brad Cox, LABC Chairman/Trammell Crow Company; Antonio Villaraigosa, LA City Mayor; Mary Leslie, LABC President.
Clockwise from upper left: Mia Lehrer Architects at the LA Architectural Awards Exhibition; Councilman Paul Koretz, City of LA; Controller Wendy Greuel,
City of LA; Antonio Manning, JP Morgan Chase & Co.
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SOLAR POLICY SHINES
LABC Clean Energy Plan Moves In Council
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From left: LA City Councilwoman Jan Perry, Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee; and LA City Councilman Paul Krekorian hear testimony from LABC and the LA Solar FiT Coalition.
LA City Councilwoman Jan Perry, chair of Energy and Environment Committee, filed a motion last month asking the Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA) to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the LABC Coalition's proposed solar Feed-in Tariff (FiT) program within 45 days. This is the first major step toward the implementation of a solar policy that the LABC has been working on for over a year. We recently completed two studies in partnership with UCLA that illustrate how a 600-megawatt solar FiT program would benefit the City. This program would allow businesses, nonprofits and homeowners to install solar panels on their roofs and get paid by the LADWP for the power those panels generate. It would be a ratepayer-neutral way to create over 11,000 clean tech jobs in the city of LA. A broad group of business, environmental, and labor leaders have come out in favor of the proposal, forming the LA 600 MW Solar FiT Coalition.
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Solar Integrator Talks Membership and the Many Benefits of a FiT
Michael Kahn having a conversation before the recent LABC Solar Forum, July 8 at the Convention Center. (Photo by Todd Cheney, UCLA)
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Michael Kahn is the president of Kahn Solar, a solar power integrator and installer in Los Angeles. He has been very active in our Solar Working Group, a monthly meeting of stakeholders and experts that have been convening to work on the development of our 2 groundbreaking Solar Studies. Kahn has been integral in our work to get a viable solar policy for the city of LA, and his on-the-roof perspective has greatly aided our community outreach efforts, and has garnered him some media attention, including this recent piece in the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.
Tell us about your business.
I design, build and have crews that install solar power systems ranging from custom, high-end residential to commercial rooftops—everything up to a megawatt. I’ve been in the solar business proper for about 10 years though I’ve really been in the energy business for about 35 years since I started as a teenager working in heating and air conditioning. I’ve always been asking myself, “How can we make this house more efficient?” Moving into solar was a natural progression.
How long have you been a member of the LABC?
It’s been 2 years. I’ve really liked having an involvement in policymaking and governance, and interactions with government. And I like the networking aspect and meeting interesting people in related fields.
What LABC initiatives have you been involved with?
The Solar Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Program has been the first thing that I’ve been really involved in with the LABC. It’s been a blast. I feel strongly about our nation’s need to develop renewable energy sources and I think that solar energy is important for the environment, avoiding foreign oil and for the future of our kids. My customers have always asked me about selling excess power generated from their solar panels. Customers want to be an electricity supplier to the utility.
What would a viable FiT policy do for your business and clients?
It would be great for business. We would probably experience about 50% growth. I have 2 clients right now that are just waiting. One is in an enterprise zone and another who uses very little electricity and is waiting. The moment there is a FiT program he’s going to put a system in. For us, a FiT would equate to probably a 40% increase in employees.
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August
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LABC Board Meeting
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Dodger Stadium
Sales Conference Room
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Featuring: Chris Essel, CEO,
CRA/LA
Joint Solar Working Group/ Legislative Meeting
Friday, August 27, 2010
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Century Plaza Towers
Featuring:
Osama Younan, Chief of Green Building and Mechanical Engineering Section, LADBS discussing LADBS consolidation of the City Green Building Ordinance and California Green Building Code and updating Solar codes.
Executive Committee Meeting
Monday, September 13, 2010
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Trammell Crow Company
Legislative Meeting
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Latham and Watkins
2nd 2010 Housing Committee Meeting
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
9:00-10:30a.m.
Los Angeles Housing Department
2010 Architectural Awards Committee Reception and Planning Meeting
September 21, 2010
Early Evening
Host:
Brooke Lauter, Arden Realty
2010/11 LABC Member Event: Solar Briefing and Reception for California State Senators
Monday, September 27, 2010
5:00-7:00p.m.
The California Club
Host:
Senator Alex Padilla
Featuring:
Briefing and Members Only Reception
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October
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Sustainability Series:
Solar Leadership Roundtable
October 5, 2010
4:00-7:00p.m.
Downtown
Moderator:
Council President Eric Garcetti
Clean Tech Consortium:
Solar Power International Reception
October 13, 2010
Los Angeles Convention Center
LABC to host special Reception at the Tom Bradley Room, City Hall
Co-host: CALSEIA
Legislative Meeting
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Latham and Watkins
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Wilshire Grand TOD
LABC's Legislative Committee voted to support the Wilshire Grand Redevelopment Project , a project that will bring housing, office space, a hotel, retail and restaurants to Central City Los Angeles. The Transit Oriented Development (TOD) project -- bounded by 7th Street, Wilshire Blvd., Figueroa Blvd., and Francisco Street -- will create thousands of temporary and permanent jobs, housing and amenities, and will be served by the Red and Blue Lines. To read the Draft EIR, click here.
30/10
LABC has sent out a letter of support for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s “30/10 Initiative” to California Congressman Xavier Beccera and California Congresswoman Linda Sanchez. The 30/10 Initiative was announced by the Mayor at last year's LABC Mayoral Housing, Transportation, and Jobs Summit. 30/10 aims to complete 12 new public transportation projects Los Angeles in 10 years instead of 30 by leveraging Measure R funds to help create thousands of temporary and permanent jobs, and to help create sustainable and livable communities. By expanding the Transportation Infrastructure and Innovation Act (TIFIA) the federal government can also provide low interest loans for transit projects. For more information on TIFIA, click here.
MASH
In July of 2010, the ban freezing the California Solar Initiative’s (CSI) Multi-family Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) Program, a program administered by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and CCSE in San Diego Gas and Electric territory (SDG&E), was lifted and the program will continue. According to the “Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing Semi-Annual Progress Report,” MASH provides incentives for the installation of PV generating systems for low-income, multi-family residences. It offers two tracks, the first providing a fixed rate at $3.30 per watt of solar PV energy generated that balances the common area electrical load, or $4.00 per watt of solar PV energy generated that balances the tenant common area electrical load. Track 2 provides rebates of up to 100% to cover system and continuous maintenance costs to those applicants who can show direct tenant benefits. Both of the Track incentives are offered through an application process. This becomes a great opportunity for developers and investors to create affordable, green housing. To read the full report, click here.
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Upcoming LABC
Marquee Events
November 2010
UCLA, Korn Auditorium
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Spring 2010
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