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
|
|
Join Our Mailing list!
info@cccclimateleaders.org
Contact us:
925.631.0597
|
|
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
|
|
Thank you to our sponsors!
PG&E
QUEST
|
|
Newsletter Contributors:
Content:
Anne Cavazos
4CL Consultant
Christina Bay
4CL Contributor
Editor:
Katherine Bracken
4CL Volunteer
Contributing editors:
Lynda Deschambault
Executive Director 4CL
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
|
|
|
|
East Bay Energy Watch (EBEW) News
Let your City Residents know about FREE 'Green House Calls' for Contra Costa County Homeowners and Renters, during the months of July and August. The EBEW Partnership is supporting the California Youth Energy Services (CYES) program this summer. CYES will provide energy efficiency and water conservation assessments of your home and install energy and water saving measures - all at no cost to you! This program is also sponsored in part by the cities of Antioch, El Cerrito, Oakley, Pinole, Richmond and San Pablo because CYES also gives professional training and employment in the green industry to young adults from these local communities. For more information, Click here.
Pleasant Hill Reduces Energy Usage at Aquatic Park. The City of Pleasant Hill is working with the East Bay Energy Watch to install controls that will improve the energy efficiency of their swimming pool pumps. This project is expected to reduce the energy the pumps use by over 90,000 kWh annually. The City's energy efficiency improvements may also be eligible for $8,000 in incentives from PG&E.
Smart Solar Program Offers FREE Solar Assessments. Community Energy Services Corporation (CESC), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, offers free and independent energy education and site-specific solar project advising for residential, commercial and municipal properties located in Contra Costa County. Cities interested in having their sites evaluated should contact CESC's SmartSolar Program at (510)981-7750 or smartsolar@ebenergy.org. For residential information, Click Here. For commercial information, Click Here.
|
|
Funding
$50 Million Economic Development Assistance Programs Provide Federal Funding Opportunity for Rural and Urban Communities. Construction, non-construction, and revolving loan fund investments support the implementation of regional economic development strategies designed to create jobs, leverage private capital, encourage economic development, and strengthen America's ability to compete in the global marketplace. The next application due date is June 8, 2012. For more information, Click Here.
California Communities Eligible for EPA Region 9 Funding Sources. A list of ongoing grant programs available to a variety of recipients (primarily state and local governments, and nonprofits) within Region 9. Contacts, phone numbers, e-mails and websites are listed for each grant program. For more information, Click Here.
EPA Financing Program Decision Tool This tool is for state and local governments interested in developing a financing program to support energy efficiency and clean energy improvements for large numbers of buildings within their jurisdiction. In order to use the tool, please Click Here.
May 30, 2:00-3:30 PM (EDT) Funding & Financing Local Government Clean Energy Programs, Part II: Getting it Funded: Finding Funding for your Clean Energy Programs Part II of this EPA Local Climate and Energy webinar series explores the holy grail of local government program design: finding sources of funding. This fast-paced presentation will cover seed funding versus sustainable funding, funding that can be used up versus what must be repaid, sources of revenue, and more. Local government case studies will demonstrate how to identify and understand the sources of funding, including grants, energy savings, partnering with the private sector, fees and taxes, leasing agreements, and bonds. To register, Click Here.
|
|
Local City News
Richmond Adopts Innovative General Plan to Promote Community Health and Sustainable Development. While General Plans are required by the State of California to contain 7 elements, the Richmond City Plan contains 15 elements addressing land use, economic development, housing, transportation, climate change, public safety, arts and culture, and open space conservation strategies. The City of Richmond is one of the first in the country to include a comprehensive element dedicated to community health and wellness. View the Full Article.
San Ramon Solar Energy Presentation on June 5th.
free workshop and expo. And consider offering this to your city residents! To register for workshop Click Here.
City of Pittsburg to Host Green Footprint Festival June 14th. This family-friendly event will feature lively entertainment, eco-friendly fun, and community groups. The City is encouraging residents to use green transportation to attend the event. Consider this type of Sustainability event for your community! For more information, Click Here.
City of Martinez to Host Free Eco-Friendly Workshops June 16th. Martinez is hosting a new free workshop called "Sustainable Citizen", designed to educate participants on the importance of sustainability; promote the tangible benefits sustainable practices offer residents and the environment; and teach simple and effective ways to incorporate sustainable practices in everyday life. Find out more about this free workshop and expo.
|
|
Other City News
The City and County of San Francisco-Finalist for the USGBC-NCC Super Hero Award San Francisco's Municipal Green Building Program was established in 1999. Its portfolio of green properties include many notable projects such as: The "Double LEED Platinum" California Academy of Sciences; SFO's Terminal 2, the first LEED Gold airport terminal in the US; Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, California's first LEED certified hospital; and 10 branch libraries in the process of achieving LEED certification. Click here for the more information.
Energy Star Buildings: Los Angeles Leads Nation in Energy Star Buildings Since 2008 In April the USEPA released its annual list of cities with the highest number of Energy Star buildings. Los Angeles was first on the list again, where it has remained since 2008. It is up 149 buildings from last year, with a total of 659. "More and more organizations are discovering the value of Energy Star as they work to cut costs and reduce their energy use," said an EPA Administrator in a press release. Other California cites ranking in the top 10 included San Francisco, CA ranked 5th with 270 Energy Star Certified buildings and Riverside, CA ranked 9th with 164 Energy Star Certified buildings. View Full Article.
Big Win for Sonoma Co. Energy Independence Program (PACE)
Sonoma County's PACE program, a model for the nation, has invested more than $56 million in 1,770 residential and commercial energy upgrades and created 680 jobs. But in 2009 an adverse federal agency ruling cut the volume of the program's new applicants in half. This week a judge forced the federal agency that squashed the PACE program to draft rules and start over. View Full Article. For other background information and resources check out; http://www.cccclimateleaders.org/workshops/residential-energy-financing.html
Top 10: How the Golden State Became the Green Building Leader In the state capitol of California, USGBC, in partnership with the eight chapters that make up USGBC California, announced the Top 10 list of California state and local green building policies. The list celebrates decades of leadership by state and local governments to advance green buildings through effective policies and codes. View Full Article.
New Resources Available for Local Governments to Promote Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings To help policymakers address challenges and identify strategies to improve energy efficiency within existing commercial buildings, the State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network (SEE Action) recently released a series of guides and best practice recommendations. Resources cover four strategies including Energy Benchmarking that can save energy, reduce expenses and create jobs. These four resources are available at www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org at or http://www.seeaction.energy.gov/existing_commercial.html View Full Article
|
|
Legislation
Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (SB 375) enhances California's ability to reach its AB 32 goals. The Act requires the California Air Resources Board (ARB) to develop regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. ARB is to establish targets for 2020 and 2035 for each region covered by one of the State's 18 metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). Each MPO then prepares a "sustainable communities strategy (SCS)" that demonstrates how the region will meet its GHG reduction target. If the combination of measures in the SCS will not meet the region's target, the MPO must prepare a separate "alternative planning strategy (APS)" to meet the target. Sustainable Communities also establishes incentives to encourage implementation of the SCS and APS. For more details Click Here.
|
|
Impacts
Public Health and Climate Change Workshop a Success.
On April 24th 2012, the Contra Costa County Climate Leaders (4CL) along with the Public Environmental Health Advisory Board (PEHAB) presented a workshop on Public Health and Climate Change. Discussed was the role of local governments in many co-health benefits of climate change mitigation and a great need to ensure cities are prepared by adopting adaptation measures, and implementing public health policy into Climate Action and General Plans. If you missed it, click here for the Public Health Fact sheet link along with the workshop agenda, presentations, and handouts.
|
|
Economics
The State of the Cities in 2012: Mayors Adopt a Sustainability Framework. Mayors have always had the incredibly difficult task of managing a tight fiscal budget; earning residents' trust in government; and strategically supporting infrastructure, development, and education projects so that their communities can thrive. And while some of these conditions were exacerbated in 2011 by other circumstances, the central task has always remained the same for mayors-managing and cultivating a healthy, vibrant city. View Full Article.
|
|
|
Science
Electric cars produce lower global warming emissions and cost significantly less to fuel than the average compact gasoline-powered vehicle.
Electric vehicles (EVs) burn no gasoline and have no tailpipe emissions, but producing the electricity used to charge them does generate global warming emissions. The amount of these emissions, however, varies significantly based on the mix of energy sources used to power a region's electricity grid. View Full Article.
|
|
Upcoming Events
May 23 Super Hero Awards Gala in San Francisco. Join the USGBC-Northern California Chapter on May 23rd for an evening of great networking, dinner, drinks, and celebration. Featuring distinguished honorees, hundreds of industry and public sector leaders, and a VIP reception with special guests. The City and County of San Francisco is one of the finalists for an award. For more information Click Here.
June 7 Benchmarking in Portfolio Manager for State and Local Governments. This session will review EPA's online energy management tool, Portfolio Manager, which enables tracking the progress of energy efficiency efforts. Attendees will learn how to measure and track energy use and carbon dioxide emission reductions to establish baseline energy use, prioritize investments, set goals, and track improvements over time. To register Click Here.
June 20-22 - Rio+20 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro Achieving sustainable cities is one of the main themes, where world leaders will gather to make commitments towards a more sustainable future. Some American cities are already undergoing improvements on the path toward sustainability. For more information Click here.
|
|
Other
Commissioner Reverses His Position on Global Warming. One of three Elk Grove planning commissioners who voted to strike references to human-caused global warming from the city's Climate Action Plan said Thursday he was having second thoughts, triggering a reversal of some of the changes. But when George Murphey saw that commission staff had removed an 8-page background section from the document that explained what global warming is and how it will likely affect California, he balked. "We removed all the background information, which whether I agree with it or not is scientific information." View Full Article.
|
|
|
