California has long been a leader in the fight for sustainability, and rightly so. The state has set many goals for itself, including limits on statewide greenhouse gas emissions, reducing petroleum use by 50% in the next 10 years, and pledging to increase the energy efficiency of existing buildings by 50% by 2030. These goals are what put California at the forefront of the sustainability movement, but they can be daunting for the individual or business, especially if you’re not sure where to get the help you need.
To forward these goals and assist our stakeholders we present to you our Sustainability Champions. These companies have a substantial track record of achieving results in the environmental sector and can help you meet your sustainability targets.
We have done our best to place these companies in their proper categories. Some may be found in additional categories as they offer multiple products and services.
We hope this is helpful to you and look forward to hearing about your progress in greening your facilities and transportation systems.
If you’re looking for architectural design services…
Harley Ellis Deveraux (HED) is the all-around champion here. They deliver accommodating, technology rich environments that empower engaged learners to achieve college and career readiness. They are committed to providing inspiring, sustainable, and resilient learning environments for their ultimate clients – the students and their families.
If you’re looking for construction services/management…
An award-winning sustainability integrator, Constructive Systems, Inc. specializes in custom sustainable development projects. And when we say custom, we mean custom. They will work with you to create a sustainable solution that works to meet your unique needs.
Their goal is to bring cutting edge technologies and integrated solutions together to create sustainable systems for their clients in energy, agriculture, waste, water, and education.
If you’re looking for energy and electrical solutions…
Alternative Energy Solutions, Energy Usage and Financial Analysis:
3rd Rock Energy Systems provides turn-key ‘microgrid’ solutions, including design, engineering, financing, permitting, sourcing, and installation of the entire system, and then operation and maintenance of the system. They’re truly a one-stop shop to meeting your energy needs.
EV Charging:
If you’re looking to install EV charging stations, or upgrade your current EV setup, Juicebar is the way to go. JuiceBar, a manufacturer of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, is recognized for their technology, elegant and resilient charger designs (with custom branding!), and a superior user experience. In addition, JuiceBar chargers are manufactured and assembled in the U.S.
Lighting:
Alquest Technologies provides smarter lighting using Power over Ethernet (PoE). PoE lighting uses standard Ethernet cabling, the same way a computer is connected to the network. Switching to PoE can save you in lighting costs (using the newest LED technology uses up to a third of the power, and the bulbs last longer), and since it’s set up using ethernet, there’s no need for an electrician to install. The system not only saves on power usage while reducing installation and maintenance costs, it is all 100% recyclable!
Solar and Roofing in Northern California:
If you’re looking for solar or roofing solutions in Nor-Cal, Simmitri is a great solution. They specialize in doing solar the way it should be done, dedicated to providing the very best long-term energy efficient solutions for their customers. They work in both residential & commercial solar and roofing.
Solar, EV Charging, and Energy Storage:
If you’re looking for solar, and need additional energy storage solutions, or even EV charging, Baker Electric Renewables is your best bet. They are a highly awarded company that provides the design, engineering, installation and service of commercial solar and energy storage systems for business, education, military and non-profit organizations. In addition, they’ve been in the EV Charging arena since 2010.
If you’re looking for facilities maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO)…
Ferguson Facilities Supply helps you to run your facility with innovative and reliable maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) and janitorial products, services and solutions.
With nationwide shipping centers delivering directly to your facility, Ferguson is your MRO supply source. They bring the expertise, answers, training and online business support you need, beyond what is offered by traditional MRO distributors.
If you’re looking for financial services…
Financial Services:
Metrus Energy develops, finances and manages sustainable energy projects that save money, lower carbon emissions and create healthy buildings.
Since 2009, Metrus has pioneered a path to cleaner, more cost-efficient buildings by removing financial hurdles using the industry’s first efficiency-as-a-service model – a pay-for-performance solution.
Their innovative solution lets you upgrade aging equipment, enhance reliability, and achieve sustainability goals — with no impact to your balance sheet. Through Metrus’s Sustainable Energy Services Agreement (SESA), they minimize risks and only get paid based on measured savings.
Financial Services with Construction Management (for schools):
First Note Finance is all about energy savings made simple. They develop and manage energy savings projects for California public schools, with emphasis on LED lighting, HVAC, and solar.
Their focus is bringing the necessary funding or financing to your project, taking care of the details to keep your school in compliance with various regulations and jurisdictions, so that you can stay focused on education, while getting the project done.
If you’re looking for HVAC and indoor air quality (IAQ) solutions…
Ferguson HVAC is a leader in heating and air conditioning wholesale distribution and a trusted partner to schools across the country. Collaborating with mechanical contractors, they assess the sustainability of systems to address environmental health issues – putting schools on the pathway to meet the Six Steps for Safe Schools by following the ASHRAE guideline for re-opening schools.
They provide Indoor Air Quality expertise along with a full breadth of products from the top manufacturers in the US. They cover all categories, including portable in-classroom filtration, air purification, humidity control and ventilation. This last is incredibly important in the fight against COVID-19.
If you’re looking for water solutions…
Water Treatment:
Dynamic Water Technologies provides their clients with a comprehensive water treatment solution with proven, best-in-class technology. Their system saves money, reduces water and energy consumption, and eliminates chemical additives. As an example, part of their system is continuous halogenation as part of a very effective biohazard treatment.
Storm Water Management:
Whitson Contracting and Management, Inc. is a construction management firm that specializes in stormwater permit management. They manage every aspect of a project’s lifecycle, from writing Storm Water Quality Management Plans (SWQMPs) and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), to implementing these systems and solutions, then inspecting and maintaining these systems annually to assure that they function as designed.
On top of that, Whitson CM founded California Filtration Specialists, which is the exclusive distributor for ten permeable paving, filtration, infiltration, biofiltration, and rainwater storage system manufacturers. They provide innovative designs that will greatly reduce storm drain systems costs on a project and in some cases, eliminate traditional SD systems by using one of their permeable surfacing systems.
Plumbing, Water and Storm Water Management:
Ferguson Plumbing is a trusted supplier and partner to schools across the country. They help plumbing contractors nation-wide assess the sustainability of systems to address environmental health issues – putting schools on the pathway to meet the Six Steps for Safe Schools by following the ASHRAE guideline for re-opening schools.They specialize in getting you the wholesale plumbing products and solutions you need to stand up to every plumbing project.
Wash Water Recycling (Reclaimed Water):
Freylit USA is an international manufacturer of environmental systems & solutions to treat and control polluted water. Their Equipment Washing Station Packages integrate special degerming and filtration systems with reclaim systems, creating “closed loop systems” where the water is used over and over (in some cases for a year), while at the same time keeping in check any foul smelling “odors” normally associated with reclaim water.
With installation at numerous bus wash centers throughout the US & Canada, Freylit USA brings a fresh look at the management of water recycling in the equipment rental industry.
If you’re looking for weed abatement, or outdoor cleaning solutions…
Foamstream (by WeedingTech) is a herbicide-free green and urban landscaping solution for controlling weeds, moss and algae, outdoor cleaning and sanitization. Approved for use as non-toxic, safe and organic, Foamstream can be used around people, animals and delicate environments including waterways. It’s also suitable for use in all weathers, on all surfaces, all year-round.
On top of that, FoamStream’s multi-functionality offers a solution that is suitable for outdoor cleaning, including gum removal and power washing, and it has also been proven to kill 99.99% of Coronavirus particles as well as other viruses like Hepatitis C.
If you’re looking to eliminate work truck idling:
Viatec, Inc. develops high efficiency electrification solutions for the Utility / Bucket-truck and work-truck market. Their flagship product, the SmartPTO, eliminates the need to idle utility trucks to run other equipment, resulting in less pollution and massive fuel savings.
Written by Blaise Epstein