GONZALES, Calif., May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Gonzales announced the creation of a transformative public-private partnership aimed at significantly reducing the city's energy and maintenance costs.

The partnership provides for a number of public infrastructure improvements designed to reduce the City's utility and maintenance costs. Improvements include upgrading all City-owned streetlights, constructing two solar installations to produce 462 kW of power, and upgrading the City's water pumping station to help conserve water and electricity and enable the City to pump water at optimal times, when energy costs are lower. The work is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a more sustainable public utility model that can be replicated by other communities.

"We initially set out to create a partnership that would not only advance our Gonzales Grows Green (G3) initiative, but do so in a way that would maximize savings to the City's general fund and save taxpayers' money," said Rene Mendez, City Manager of Gonzales. "I am proud to report that over the lifetime of the projects, we expect to have generated $4.7 million in savings, allowing the City to maintain and enhance services to its more than 8,000 residents."

The City of Gonzales has attempted to develop a project of this magnitude for years, however it was not until the right partners were aligned that the project began to take shape in a way that brought the desired benefits to the City and its local residents.

Seeking to maximize the potential savings that could be realized through solar energy, the City partnered with Constellation Wines US, Inc, based in Gonzales, which will serve as one of two solar installation sites, enabling the City to substantially offset the electricity needs of its adjacent water pumping station. The second solar installation is to be located at the City's wastewater treatment facility.

The City of Gonzales worked with Chevron Energy Solutions (CES), a leader in providing public agencies solutions that meet their energy and infrastructure needs, to develop, design and construct the project.

"We are proud to work with cities to help them balance their budgets by reducing energy and operating costs," said Chevron Energy Solutions President Jim Davis. "The innovative partnership created in Gonzales is a model for public agencies throughout Monterey County and California who are looking to grow their local economies and save taxpayers money."

The solar project was financed by a municipal lease arranged by Rabobank, N.A. and booked through its affiliate De Lage Landen Financial Services. The lease includes construction financing for the project and a customized payment structure that matches the public incentives for solar and the avoided utility energy costs associated with the solar energy system, which should allow the project to pay for itself.

"This project underscores Rabobank's commitment to community banking, renewable energy, and water – all in the service of a valued client," said Greg Aguilar, Vice President of Renewable Energy Finance & Leasing at Rabobank, N.A. As the only bank located in Gonzales, Rabobank's partnership in this project paves the way for future collaboration with local partners striving to deliver benefits to the community in the City of Gonzales.

About the City of Gonzales: In 2008, the City of Gonzales launched a long-term sustainability initiative, Gonzales Grows Green (G3). G3 programs seek to improve the entire community in the areas of economy, environment, and social equity through the promotion of local social networks, advancement of environmentally sound best practices, and development of business-to-business and public/private partnerships. The initiative guides the City to seek out opportunities that sustain existing revenue streams and develop new streams which support and maintain a high quality public infrastructure that respects and preserves natural resources, maintains a thriving economy and supports a healthy and connected residential community. For more information: www.ci.gonzales.ca.us

About Chevron Energy Solutions: Chevron Energy Solutions is one of the largest installers of solar power in the U.S. education market and has developed hundreds of projects that improve energy efficiency and provide renewable power for education, government and business facilities. Chevron Energy Solutions develops and builds sustainable energy projects that increase energy efficiency and renewable power, reduce energy costs, and ensure reliable, high-quality energy for government, education and business facilities. Its parent, Chevron Corporation, is investing across the energy spectrum to develop energy sources for future generations by expanding the capabilities of alternative and renewable energy technologies. Chevron has spent approximately $4.4 billion on renewable energy and efficiency since 2002, and expects to spend $2.2 billion in this area between 2011 and 2013. For more information: www.chevronenergy.com

Contacts: City Manager Rene Mendez, City of Gonzales, 831-675-5000; Ken Pimental, Chevron Energy Solutions, 415-733-4673

SOURCE Chevron Energy Solutions; City of Gonzales

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