SF Businesses get Green Challenge

California, once one of the most polluted places in the country, is now the epicenter for the American go green movement. This week, San Francisco’s mayor, Gavin Newsom, challenged businesses to make this state an even greener place. After all, just because there’s a push to go green in this state doesn’t mean that it is perfect. There is still a lot of work to do.

Newsom’s challenge to the 1500 largest businesses in the city asks companies to invest in solar energy for their business processes. Those who accept the challenge will become part of the Mayor’s Solar Founder’ Circle,and members will receive free solar assessments and energy efficiency audits from the state.

There’s potential in this city for businesses to install solar panels on rooftops, generating about thirty times the power than is currently generated. That’s enough electricity to power 42,000 homes in the area.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar America Cities initiative and San Francisco Energy Watch Program are helping to fund this challenge with a $200,000 grant. You can read more about this project and the companies participating at Environmental Leader.