(ACE) Awareness for Communities about Energy

Our plan

The Awareness for Communities about Energy (ACE) program began in 1998 as a project of Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI). SEI is a nonprofit based in Marin County, CA whose mission is to help people in under-served markets such as schools, small businesses, local governments, affordable housing, and agricultural communities embrace sustainable practices. The ACE program was started to serve school and community needs for energy-saving education and earth-smart practices. We help schools, communities, and clients define their needs and assemble the resources and assistance they need to embrace a more sustainable future -- a future that is more resource efficient, contributing to environmental and community preservation as well as general quality of life.

What we did

The key to the program’s success has been in uniting people from various key organizations, businesses and schools in a way that allows for information and resource sharing. This has enabled the ACE program to address many aspects of community environmentalism, including directly teaching students about energy efficiency, auditing techniques for communities and education programs on sustainable living. Since the program’s induction, over 6 organizations have provided funding for the program, with large support from the Marin Community Foundation. The award-winning ACE program began with teaching students about energy efficiency, auditing techniques, and sustainable living. Once trained, the student energy auditors work in the area, sharing their knowledge with small-business owners, senior citizens, parents and other community members.