GOLETA, CA-Beginning with the 230,000-square-foot Castilian Technical Center here, the commercial properties division of the Towbes Group, on behalf of multiple property owners, has launched a significant energy conservation project with Southern California Edison to replace existing lighting with energy efficient fixtures throughout its commercial portfolio.
The replacements will be at no cost to the property owners or to the tenants, says commercial property manager Kate Villar. “High-efficiency equipment is key to lowering energy costs and reducing usage, and we are working closely with the experts at SCE to create a solid energy action plan throughout our portfolio,” Villar says. “We are partnering with SCE to implement their free environmental programs to immediately lower electrical bills and realize significant savings.”
Castilian Technical Center is a class-A research and development facility located in Goleta's business district. Multiple buildings accommodate tenants ranging in size from 5,000 square feet up to 86,000 square feet. The property is adjacent to Tecolote Creek and offers a variety of amenities, easy access to Highway 101 and prominent signage on each building.
SCE's no-cost conservation program provides owners with up to $10,000 in energy efficient light bulbs and fixtures per meter at approved commercial properties, according to a prepared statement. In addition to lower annual energy costs, Towbes, which has 31 meter contracts with SCE, can save as much as $310,000 in installation costs across its portfolio.
According to Southern California Edison, energy action plans typically can save property owners up to 15% of annual energy costs, reduce operating expenses while providing quicker returns on investment. Most importantly, there is no payback period because the implementation is completely free. The program also assists property owners with savings in air conditioning, food service equipment, refrigeration, agricultural equipment and premium efficiency motors.
“Our work at Castilian Technical Center is the just the first step towards our goal of implementing similar conservation programs throughout all of our properties under our management,” Villar says. “We have already begun this process at several other commercial properties in our portfolio. We are excited about both the long-term financial benefits as well as the opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint in the environment.”
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Natalie Dolce
Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com and GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.
