State Compensation Insurance Fund (State Fund), California's leading provider of workers' compensation insurance, announced an extensive sustainability and solar energy program earlier in the year that includes construction of new solar facilities, electric vehicle charging stations, and energy storage facilities at seven locations throughout California, including Pleasanton. Designed and constructed by ENGIE North America, through its affiliate ENGIE Services U.S. Inc., and JLL, State Fund will install 9.8 megawatts (MW) of solar, 2 MW/4.3 megawatt hours (MWh) of energy storage, and 150 Level II and DC charging stations, offsetting nearly 230,000 metric tons of green-house-gas emissions over a 20-year period and saving nearly $65,000,000 in energy costs over the life of the project, according to executives.

"Breaking ground on this project is a huge step forward in our drive to reduce our use of fossil fuels, limit the load we place on local and statewide electrical grids, and improve air quality throughout California," says Andreas Acker, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at State Fund. "Increasing our efforts and investments around sustainability initiatives will bring a number of benefits to our customers, employees, and California as a whole."

The State Fund construction sites are located in Pleasanton, Vacaville, Redding, Fresno, Bakersfield, Sacramento, and Riverside. The groundbreaking for the program in Riverside was held in July. The portfolio of solar projects is projected to produce 311 gigawatt hours (GWh) over 20 years, enough to power more than 26,500 homes, and provide a reduction in CO2 emissions equivalent to taking 47,000 gas vehicles off the road. 

"In addition to supporting State Fund's greater environmental strategy, the construction helps the California economy during this critical time for recovery after the pandemic," according to Courtney Jenkins, General Manager and Vice President for Cities and  Communities at ENGIE North America. "State Fund is truly a partner that aligns with ENGIE's mission to help our customers decarbonize and optimize energy use." 

State Fund's electric vehicle charging stations will be available to its employees and used by the company's fleet vehicles. State Fund's fleet currently includes eight battery electric vehicles, three of which are new long-range battery electric vehicles that allow employees to travel between State Fund locations while lowering their reliance on fossil fuels. 

"JLL is proud to play an active role in initiatives that support adoption of renewable and sustainable energy like State Fund's, a trend whose adoption is quickly accelerating," says Kyle Goehring, Executive Vice President of JLL Clean Energy Solutions. "As a global company, we have an inherent responsibility to drive sustainability and corporate social responsibility efforts. We embrace technology to meet the needs of today and opportunities of tomorrow."

State Fund is California's leading provider of workers' compensation insurance. Not for profit and funded solely by premiums and investment income, the organization has  played a vital role in the state's economy for more than 100 years. Established by the California Legislature in 1914, State Compensation Insurance Fund is headquartered in San Francisco. It opened an office at Hacienda in 2006.

For more information about State Compensation Insurance Fund, please visit www.statefundca.com.