Visit us on the web! You'll find case studies, issues of the month, workshop materials, archived newsletters and updates on local government activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Contra Costa County
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Join Our Mailing list!
info@cccclimateleaders.org
Contact us:
925.631.0597
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The 4CL Program offers:
Quarterly workshops for education and networking opportunities
Monthly newsletters for environmental updates, pertinent local information, and interesting upcoming events
Ongoing website containing the CCC city environmental developments, archived newsletters, and other educational resources
www.cccclimateleaders.org
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Thank you to our sponsors!
PG&E
QUEST
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Newsletter Contributors:
Content:
Heather Cleveland
4CL Consultant
Christina Bay
4CL Contributor
Editor:
Katherine Bracken
4CL Volunteer
Contributing editors:
Lynda Deschambault
Executive Director 4CL
Sophie Demerel
4CL Consultant
Newsletter articles are collected from a variety of sources and are cited via a website reference when applicable
To add content or events to our next monthly newsletter, please send an email to
info@cccclimateleaders.org
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EBEW News
East Bay Energy Watch
Brentwood's economic growth goals include expansion of solar power
The city of Brentwood's commercial and industrial electric companies have seen large-scale growth by incorporating residential and commercial solar into its business. By partnering with schools and businesses, they expect to see a 200 percent growth in solar in the next year. A rapidly growing number of local residents are taking advantage of solar power.
Read more here
More funding opportunities for California cities to implement energy efficient programs
Many cities in the East Bay have been granted an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) to implement energy efficient programs in their cities. The California Energy Commission has announced a Phase II of this Block Grant, and selected applicants will be awarded money for projects such as LED streetlight retrofitting or loans to finance other efficiency projects. See here for more:
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Funding
Financing Program Decision Tool
This tool is designed for state and local staff in the early stages of choosing a clean energy financing program. Answer a handful of simple questions, and the Tool highlights quickly the most promising program options for your jurisdiction to pursue.
http://epa.gov/statelocalclimate/state/activities/tool.html
Financing Program Decision Guidecomplements the Tool. This Guide includes the basics on financing-program options, as well as key considerations and factors for states and communities to weigh as they start up or expand their clean energy financing programs.
Learn more here
EPA's Environmental Justice Small Grants support projects that address local environmental and public health issues. Up to 4 grants per EPA Region in amounts up to $25,000 each will be made available. The deadline for applications is February 29, 2012.
For more information
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Local City News
Pleasanton Public Library Reduces Lighting Energy Use by 46% with Wireless Lighting Controls. Pleasanton has developed a Climate Action Plan (CAP), A component of this CAP is to evaluate and upgrade lighting systems in city facilities. With one of the highest energy loads of city buildings, the 30,000 square foot public library was an obvious first project.
Congratulations 2011 Sustainability Award Winner!
Contra Costa Transit Authority
The Awards honor those who demonstrate outstanding commitment,leadership and contributions to practicing and promoting sustainability.
Call for Presentations
Rhonert Park, CA
Western Region Conference 2012
May 2-3, 2012
Submit your abstracts by Friday, February 10, for consideration as a presenter at the Growing Sustainable Communities Conference - Western Region 2012. E-mail abstracts to Sustainability@gscwest.com.
The Growing Sustainable Communities Conference is a one-day educational opportunity for municipal professionals and elected officials, preceded by a special, half-day legislative roundtable for top leadership, and a networking reception for all conference and roundtable attendees.
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Other City News
LEED Buildings Top 10 States List Tracks Green Growth
Does your state "LEED" the way with green buildings?
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit, has released their 2011 list of the top 10 states that have implemented their LEED building certification program.
Read more here
How TransForm Fights Climate Change
Experts Agree: Bay Area's TransForm is a Leader in Fighting Climate Change
TransForm's work for world-class public transportation and walkable communities fights climate change in powerful ways.
Read more here
Sustainable Cities Take Center Stage
While national governments grapple with economic issues and policy gridlocks, pushing sustainability measures to the side, cities are picking up the mantle. Some of the world's largest cities are emerging as laboratories of innovative technologies, business models, and efficiency measures, many of them with salutary environmental and social outcomes. To the extent that the green economy flourishes, it is becoming clearer that it will likely be a bottom-up, grassroots evolution.
Read more here
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Legislation
Mandatory Recycling and Single-Use Bag Ban adopted for Alameda County
The Alameda County Waste Management Authority (ACWMA) adopted two ordinances that will help the county achieve its long-term waste reduction goals. The first ordinance requires recycling of high market-value materials from larger businesses and multi-family properties. The second ordinance prohibits free distribution of single-use bags at check out in stores that sell packaged food. The initiatives are designed to reduce waste and litter, stimulate the local economy and create jobs.
Read more here
Bill pushes for 'green' state parks
In an effort to conserve resources, State Rep. Zachary Wyatt, R-2, proposed a pilot program that would reform a state park to rely completely on renewable energy resources by August 2018, but the Department of Natural Resources does not have adequate funding for the pilot program.
House Bill 1076 passed the Special Standing Committee on Renewable Energy Wednesday. If passed, the DNR would consult the Missouri Public Service Commission to develop and implement the pilot program.
Read more here
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Impacts
On Our Radar: The Nation's Greenhouse Gas Culprits
The Environmental Protection Agency releases an interactive online tool for identifying major sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. The database and map allow residents and local governments to learn about the biggest polluters in their neighborhoods and get the broad picture as well.
Read more here
Apple, Electronics and Environmental Ills
Environmental advocacy groups say that while multinational corporations are trying to improve conditions, thousands - or perhaps tens of thousands - of smaller companies working on thin margins are cutting corners and dumping hazardous chemicals in rural areas and even near densely populated areas. Experts say local governments are often busy creating jobs and generating economic growth with limited staff and ability for enforcing the law.
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Economics
Intel, Kohl's, Walmart Lead EPA's Green Power Purchasers List
The EPA yesterday released its quarterly rankings for renewable energy use and generation, revealing few surprises. Intel and Kohl's, long the top firms on the list, continue to hold first and second place, respectively on the overall list of green power users. Walmart, Whole Foods Market and Johnson & Johnson round out the top five in the list.The retailer Walmart, went from 8 percent of gross power use generated from renewable energy sources in October 2011 to 28 percent in January 2012.
Waste Management Pilot Tests a Next-Gen Green Garbage Truck
With a rotating cylindrical body and a sleek profile, new trucks being test-driven by Waste Management look nothing like garbage haulers of bygone years The vehicle runs on compressed natural gas, can hold as much as 14 tons of material (four more tons than conventional trucks.) The first truck was demonstrated in Houston with four other cities, including Sacramento, ready to begin using them as well.
Read more here
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Upcoming Events
Growing sustainable Communities
May 3 2012 8AM-5PM PST
Sonoma, California
The Growing Sustainable Communities Conference is a one-day educational opportunity for municipal professionals and elected officials, preceded by a special, half-day legislative roundtable for top leadership, and a networking reception for all conference and roundtable attendees.
Read more here
There is still some time to register for the 2012 Ahwahnee Conference in Yosemite!
March 16-18
The 21st Annual Ahwahnee Conference for Local Elected Officials program will highlight innovative, proven techniques for developing and expanding local economies while, at the same time, creating more resilient and sustainable communities.
Read more here
Good Jobs, Green Jobs Regional Conference Los Angeles March 15 & 16, 2012 How are transit systems and high-speed rail in California creating good jobs and a cleaner environment? How are state-level policies ensuring that clean energy technologies are being manufactured here in the United States? This workshop will explore the unique challenges and opportunities to creating good, green jobs in the Southern United States. Read more here |
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