Full Biography for John W. Burton

Candidate for
Director; Sacramento Municipal Utility District; Ward 3

JOHN W. BURTON for SMUD BOARD

For 21 years, John Burton has dedicated his career as a businessman and educator to promoting low-cost energy efficiency and solar technology.

In the last two years, John has been an active participant in SMUD's public decision-making process. He served as a member of SMUD's Customer Advisory Committee on Renewable Energy. John has also aired concerns about maintaining low residential rates, enhancing local business and economic development, and ensuring electric system reliability at numerous Board/Committee meetings.

Founder of "Integral Design" in 1978, he was an approved solar contractor for the SMUD hot water program in 1992. As a long time Sacramento resident and homeowner, he understands the value of our public utility (SMUD) to the community.

John is concerned about how utility industry restructuring will affect SMUD in the brave new electric marketplace. He has been nominated for appointment to the Independent System Operator (ISO) Board of Directors with extensive support in 1997 and 1998.

He moved to Sacramento in 1977 upon receiving a B.S. in Conservation of Natural Resources from the University of California. He was a lobbyist for Solar Energy and worked at the California Energy Commission in 1977-78.

As a respected field expert, John has been invited to develop curriculum and teach hands-on learning courses throughout Northern California. He has instructed Solar Water Heater workshops at UC Davis and numerous state universities, colleges and community organizations from 1979 to 1983. He also developed and taught curriculum in Appropriate Technology courses at D.Q. University (1987-89). He instructed the Plumbing Trade,, Energy Conseration and Solar Energy courses for the California Conservation Corps, offered through Sierra College (1986-95).

John has identified these primary issues and concerns for the SMUD Board: SMUD System Reliability, Energy Efficiency-Comfort, Sustainable-Clean Energy, Market Opportunity Leadership and Community Development.

John understands and is committed to continuing SMUD's visionary course into the Solar Century. "We can accomplish these goals while keeping our electric bills among the lowest in California."