Southern California Edison's Lodging Energy Efficiency Program (SCE LEEP) was featured in recent news articles, including The Desert Sun's July 10, 2013 article titled Energy upgrades pay off for Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort. SCE contracts with Willdan Energy Solutions to identify and implement LEEP projects; to provide comprehensive, turnkey engineering and installation support; and to obtain available cash incentives from the utility. Participation is free and open to hotels that SCE serves.

At left, Willdan's Regional Engineering Manager, Chikezie Nzewi, and Senior Program Manager, Gwen Strickland, hold the $122,372 incentive check SCE presented to the Westin Mission Hills Resort and Spa in Rancho Mirage, California.

The hotel obtained the incentive by reducing its energy consumption during the past year by 14.6 percent, or 1.1 million kilowatt hours, a savings comparable to the carbon footprint of 123 autos. The Westin continues to collaborate with Willdan Energy Solutions to implement additional energy-efficiency projects which are projected to save 1.2 million kWh annually.