WHO: Capt. Christopher Hall, Commanding Officer of Training Center Petaluma, U.S. Coast Guard; California Congresswoman  Lynn Woolsey - Sixth Congressional District; and a representative from SilRay, Inc. of Alto, Calif.

WHAT: Ribbon cutting ceremony for the recently-completed, four-acre solar array field. The construction is a significant engineering project that will result in the production of "green" renewable energy with a positive impact on the environment for the next 25 years. It will save the Coast Guard an estimated $1.5 million over the life of the project, have less impact on the environment and decrease the demand for energy on the local community power grid. This solar array produces one  megawatt of clean energy, preventing about 2 million pounds of carbon dioxide greenhouse gas from entering the atmosphere per year.  

This project helps the Coast Guard meet the requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and falls in line with the Petaluma green initiative, a multiple branch program designed to make the Coast Guard base more environmentally compatible through a combined effort to decrease energy consumption and improve water conservation. Previously, the Coast Guard successfully installed solar panel projects on the roofs of two training center buildings.

WHEN: 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009

WHERE: Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma, 599 Tomales Rd., Petaluma, Calif.

                                                   Click thumbnail for high resolution photo of solar array project 

EDITOR'S NOTE:  This event is for media only and is not open to the public. Members should respond by calling           510-772-8865. Please provide media credentials, a valid drivers license and proof of insurance to enter the base.