Convention Center  Strengthens Commitment to Environmental Change

The Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, in partnership with OUC- The Reliable One, was awarded  a $2.5 million grant from the state of Florida to be used, along with other funding sources, to install a one-megawatt rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system.

The largest PV system of its kind in the southeastern United States, the solar project will be complete and celebrated on May 20, 2009, during Green Cities Florida at the Center (www.GreenCitiesFlorida.com).

The solar PV system will generate 1,300 to 1,500 megawatt hours of electricity per year, which is the equivalent to the power used by 80 to 100 typical homes, and will do so without producing any greenhouse gas emissions. The benefits of generating electricity with solar energy include energy costs, while helping to reduce global warming and dependence of foreign fuels.

This multi-purpose project also features a Climate-Change Education Center (CCEC) inside the Convention Center to promote the many environmental and economic benefits of solar and other renewable-energy technologies.

A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the CCEC will be held during an evening reception on the first day of Green Cities Florida, May 19, 2009.

For more enlightening details, read the full article at http://greencitiesmedia.com/2009/03/orange-county-convention-center-launches-solar-project/.

Check out Lori Cunniff’s sustainability podcast!

Lori Cunniff, manager of the Orange County Environmental Protection Division in Orlando, Florida, discusses Florida’s new Climate Change Center, why Florida is becoming a leader in sustainability, and Orlando as a Florida Green local government.

To listen to the podcast, visit http://greencitiesmedia.com/2009/03/podcast-lori-cunniff-interview/.

“Just by planting the educational seed, [sustainable practices] are already growing in our area.” – Lori Cunniff

Also, Lori will be a speaker at Green Cities Florida! To learn more, visit http://greencities.com/usa/florida/orlando/2009.