World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announced last Saturday that California has become an official "Earth Hour" state, with a commitment from Speaker of the Assembly, John Perez, to turn out the lights in the state capitol and other participant cities.

State Capitol Building, LAX Pylons, Golden Gate Bridge, Nokia Plaza, Santa Monica Pier and major landmarks across the State set to go dark this Saturday at 8:30 p.m. as part of the largest call to action on Climate Change.

Earth Hour is a global event, in which millions of Americans will turn out their lights for one hour in support of action for climate change and toward creating a cleaner, safer and more sustainable future. 2010 marks the third year of the event, which attracted more than 80 millions participants in the U.S. last year and nearly a billion people around the world, as lights dimmed on such global icons as the Eiffel Tower, Sydney Opera house, Great Pyramids of Gaza and Empire State Building.

For more information, please visit http://www.earthhour.org/About.aspx

Listed below are highlights of LAWA's Sustainability Program in 2009:

• LAWA was ranked 12th in 2009 Top 20 Local Government List as compiled by EPA Green Power Partnership Program -- purchased 42 million kWh of green power, equivalent to 25% of LAWA 's total electricity use in 2008
• 72% of LAWA fleet vehicles and equipment are alternative fuels vehicles (AFVs)
• 100% of LAX shuttles are powered by compressed natural gas (CNG)
• 27% of LAWA employees participate annually in the Rideshare Program; saving 7 million vehicle miles traveled and reducing almost 8 billion pounds of air pollutants
• Flyaway Programs provide convenient public transportation to LAX from downtown Union Station, VNY, Westwood (UCLA) and Irvine in Orange County
• 35% of LAX landscape irrigation uses reclaimed water; conserving over 42 million gallons of water each year
• LAWA released the latest version (5.0) of industry-leading "Sustainable Airport Planning, Design and Construction Guidelines" in February 2010
• New terminal facilities are designed to achieve LEED certification with at least Silver rating
• LAWA recently received an award for innovative use of porous concrete for a new surface parking lot that reduces runoff and recharges ground water
• LAX-generated grass clippings and other yard wastes are composted on site and returned for use as mulch in landscaped areas
• LAWA completed the installation of energy efficient light fixtures and low-flow toilets in LAX terminals
• The diversion rate of LAX solid waste recycling is 67% or 21000 tons; over 98% of construction waste and debris are recycled
• As part of LAWA's airport system, Ontario (ONT) has developed and is implementing an ISO 14001-based environmental management system (EMS) to improve overall environmental performance