Tulare's commitment to preserving the environment earned the central San Joaquin Valley city an honorable mention at a recent sustainability showcase.

Tulare, with a population of 51,400, was one of six entities to be honored. Judges cited the city's extensive building retrofit and residential solar programs, the development of a 900-kilowatt fuel cell system, its 1 megawatt of solar power at the wastewater treatment plant and plans for a citywide climate action plan.

The California Sustainability Alliance, a program managed by Navigant Consulting, established the Sustainability Showcase awards in 2008 to recognize organizations and local governments that are leaders in clean energy and desire a low carbon future.

EAH Housing, which develops apartments for senior citizens and other low-income groups, also received an honorable mention for installing the largest multifamily solar project in the nation.

The winners were Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, which developed social and environmental metrics and programs at 26 cultural institutions around San Diego; Eden Housing of Hayward, which is committed to exceeding Title 24 energy-efficiency standards and to securing grants for retrofits at its properties; the city of Chula Vista, which imposed a comprehensive climate change protection program and reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and the Santa Clara Valley Water District, which has an award-winning water-use efficiency and and conservation program.

Tulare image from bandofneighbors.com