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KQED Teams with SolarCity to Reduce Carbon Footprint

SolarCity to install solar power system at KQED's San Francisco headquarters

Just in time for Earth Day 2008, KQED was proud to announce a new step in its ongoing efforts to offset its carbon footprint — the station has teamed with local company SolarCity to install solar panels at the broadcasting center and to bring solar power to KQED members across the Bay Area. SolarCity will donate one million dollar's worth of equipment, support and monitoring to KQED, and offered KQED members incentives to go solar themselves during KQED's second annual "green" pledge day on April 19.

During green pledge, new members were able to opt in to lease or buy solar power at a discount for their homes. SolarCity recently announced its unique leasing program, which offers homeowners an affordable way to go solar without significant upfront costs. SolarCity also made a donation to KQED each time a member signs up. KQED will track the amount of energy generated by solar power for the station and its members using SolarCity's services as they work together to reduce their collective carbon footprint.

Last year, KQED made environmental history as the first public broadcaster in the country to become carbon neutral. KQED continues to work with the local non-profit organization LiveNeutral to measure its greenhouse emissions and reduce its carbon footprint. LiveNeutral is a community enterprise of the San Francisco-based Presidio School of Management that works with both individuals and organizations to take action on climate change. LiveNeutral is a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange, North America's only, and the world's first, greenhouse gas emissions registry, reduction and trading system.

In addition to going carbon neutral, KQED has implemented responsible environmental practices for several years. With a daily shuttle for employees that runs between KQED and the nearest BART station, KQED encourages the use of public transportation. A charter member of the Business Energy Coalition since 2005, KQED was recognized by PG&E and The Energy Coalition as a leader in demand response for San Francisco and California. Since 1991, the organization's direct mail notices have been printed on recycled paper — a standard practice for KQED's mailings whenever possible. KQED's internal Green Team has led the way, partnering with Friends of the Urban Forest to plant trees around the building to provide shade in 1994, encouraging recycling throughout the KQED facility, as well as working with vendors to decrease the amount of paper being used in the building. KQED's newest generation of copiers, for instance, allows users to scan and email directly to recipients, instead of the usual duplication and distribution.

KQED utilized donations and matching challenge grants from "green" companies for the unique pledge day. Every member gift or company donation encourages the station to continue exploring new, environmentally-friendly methods of operating. With contributions from local companies such as E.L.M.A.R.S., Green Key Real Estate, Bacchus Press and ASL Recycling, KQED celebrates the return of "green memberships" and all-green pledge gifts. Special KQED reusable shopping bags or green KQED cling stickers are available for those pledging over $40. New members will be able to show their support of environmentally-friendly public broadcasting.

KQED will continue to bring even more information, resources, examples, and products that encourage environmental responsibility to its members and audiences. Climate change and global warming are some of the topics explored on KQED throughout the year on television and radio programs like QUEST, Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures, Science Friday, and Forum with Michael Krasny. This April, KQED extends its Earth Day celebration with an entire month of environment-related television and radio programming.