Ballpark, apartments win governor's award

San Diego Union Tribune
November 15, 2010

SACRAMENTO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday praised Petco Park and the Los Vecinos apartment complex in Chula Vista for having voluntarily made "extraordinary contributions to California's environment and economy."

The local enterprises were two of 13 recognized with awards during Schwarzenegger's annual summit on global warming held at the University of California Davis.

"I applaud this year's honorees for their extraordinary leadership, innovative solutions and strategic investments to protect our environment and boost our economy," Schwarzenegger said in presenting the awards.

The Padres organization at Petco Park has prevented about 575 tons of materials from being dumped in local landfills, according to the Governor's Office.  It also turns food scraps into compost and uses natural-gas vehicles, among various initiatives.

Wakeland Housing and Community Development Corporation installed a variety of energy-saving features in its new 42-unit Los Vecinos complex.  That, in turn, cuts tenant utility bills by as much as $1,100 a year, according to the Governor's Office.