eNews Update | September 2012 | www.ca-greenbusinessalliance.com

Greetings!    


The California Business Alliance for a Green Economy is a growing coalition of more than 1,230 mostly small and mainstream businesses, associations and organizations from around the state who support the creation of a clean, green and efficient economy. To fulfill that mission, our priority is supporting the implementation of California's clean energy policies.


Below are recent news stories, editorials and letters, including contributions from Alliance members. In addition, we have included profiles of Alliance members and a list of upcoming events that may interest you. You can read past issues of the eNews by going here. Thank you for your continued support.

Check Out The Blogs

 

The recently launched Alliance blog features new updates from Alliance Director, Susan Frank, and other members. We invite you to submit your own blog contributions. To submit an article or for more information, contact [email protected].   

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Founding climate report tom bowmanmember of the Alliance, Tom Bowman, Chairman of Bowman Design Group in Signal Hill, recently posted two powerful podcasts including an interview with Susan Frank about engaging the business community in AB 32 and an eye-opening interview with author and educator, Bill McKibben.

*In The NewsNewspaper  

 
*California's Clean Energy Economy

This summer there have been numerous attacks on AB 32. Alliance members and other AB 32 supporters have been actively engaged in writing opinion pieces that have been published in newspapers across the state. We've compiled some of the best in a user-friendly document that you can download here

 

*Cap and Trade: Set Aside Dire Predictions and Listen to Real Advice. Founding Alliance member Tom Bowman, Chairman, Bowman Design Group, Signal Hill, participated in a workshop on AB 32 where he was dismissed by California legislators when he spoke out in vocal support of the law. Bowman wrote an opinion piece in Capitol Weekly where he said, "sometimes I wonder whether the jobs I create matter to California legislators. My design business embraced the goals of AB 32, California's landmark clean energy and climate law, and we are showing other companies how to save real money while slashing carbon pollution."

*Shocking News: Oil Industry Touts Study Backing Continued Oil Dependence. Dan Adler, President, California Clean Energy Fund (CalCEF) writes in Capitol Weekly that "an oil industry trade group released a study that ran cherry-picked data through an untested economic model to calculate the costs of California's clean energy standards. Not surprisingly, it concluded that continued dependence on oil is far better than transitioning to a clean, efficient economy."  

 

*Economists Call on Gov. Brown to Maintain AB 32 Auction.

Over 55 nationally recognized economists and economic experts recently appealed to Governor Brown that "cancelling or scaling back the (cap and trade) auction would simply result in a wealth transfer to covered entities beyond anyone's expectations and disrupt the current design of the AB 32 cap and trade program."

*Clean Energy Law Drives Innovation, Creates Jobs, Attracts Investments. Economics professors W. Bowman Cutter IV of Pomona College and Matthew E. Kahn of UCLA wrote an op-ed in The Sacramento Bee saying "the recent analysis commissioned by the California Manufacturers & Technology Association to look at AB 32...misfires on both sides of the cost/benefit equation." 

*Clean Air and AB 32 Keeps Us Healthy.
Dr. Mike Welch, a volunteer with the American Lung Association in California, wrote a powerful op-ed in the San Diego Union Tribune. He reminds us that nearly 90 percent of all Californians live in areas with unhealthy air that can trigger asthma attacks, heart attacks and other serious conditions. He says, "keeping our children safe under these conditions is a real challenge," and argues for "standing firm on California's clean energy and clean air law, AB 32." 
  

 

*Making Constructive Use of AB 32 Funds.

Alliance member Dennis Murphy, Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council California, San Francisco, joined Doug Kot, Executive Director, U.S. Green Building Council San Diego in a San Diego Business Journal op-ed.  They argued that "AB 32 is providing an opportunity to re-imagine and implement a new energy vision for both San Diego and the state, moving from the exxpensive, dirty, imported fossil fuels of the past, to high-tech, efficient, cost-effective energy systems of the future."

 

*Climate Change is Another Reason to Protect Farmland.

Alliance member Renata Brillinger, Executive Director, California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN), Sebastopol, co-wrote a Sacramento Bee op-ed with former Calfornia Agriculture Secretary, Rich Rominger. They highlighted a recent study that found that "urban lands accounts for 70 times more greenhouse gas emissions per acre than cropland" while advocating for "smart growth policies that prioritize urban infill over expansion." 

Announcements from

Alliance Members 

  

 

  

PetersenDean Solar logo

PetersenDean Roofing and Solar Launches "The Buck a Watt Stops Here" Campaign 
        
Fremont's PetersenDean Roofing and Solar announced that it will offer rooftop solar power to home-builders for a "buck a watt", as long as the builders hire PetersenDean to build both the roofs and solar power systems for the entire project. The other condition is that the entire community must be solar powered as well. CEO Jim Petersen announced the campaign and stated that since the soft launch in July 2012, more than 10 builders in California have signed up for the program.  

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Shoppes Unveils
Charging Station
   

coulomb technologies logo


The Shoppes shopping center in Chino Hills has partnered with Charge Harbor LLC to provide a charging service parking spot and station. The charging stations supplied by the federal program are manufactured by
Coulomb Technologies and installed by Charge Harbor LLC. What's unique about The Shoppes station is that it's in a shopping area, whereas most electrical charging stations are at a single retail store or gas station.

Member Event Highlight

    

generation water logo  

 

gen{Next}5

Generation Water invites you to attend their anniversary fundraiser celebration: gen{Next}5. The event will take place at the beautiful Metropolitan Water District in Downtown Los Angeles, and will be an opportunity to establish new business leads, network with key decision makers, and meet potential clients. Learn about the future of water use efficiency from the next generation in a festive, social environment with your colleagues. Food and drinks, including "gin{Water}" will be served!

 

Suggested Donation: $40

 

To reserve your ticket, visit:

http://generationwater.eventbrite.com/

 

About Generation Water

Generation Water is an award-winning, social enterprise that uses innovative approaches to reduce water usage. Generation Water's dual purpose is to:

  • Restore landscape to its natural beauty while living within our water sources.  
  • Prepare the next generation with the technical and business skills necessary to lead the transition to a sustainable economy.

Member Event Highlight  

   

  

 

 

2012 GREEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

4th ANNUAL EVENT BACK TO BASICS GALA:

CELEBRATING SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS LEADERSHIP

 

Sample tasty treats from local green business food and beverage vendors. Connect with over 300 leaders representing sustainable business and policy from around the San Francisco Bay Area.

 

When: Thursday, September 20, 2012

6pm - 10pm (VIP Hour 6pm - 7pm)

 

Where: EEFG, Inc.

657 Mission Street, Suite 200

San Francisco, CA 94105

 

SPECIAL ADDRESS: Dave Barthmuss, Group Manager, Policy and Product, General Motors

KEYNOTE: Chris Librie Director of HP Environmental and Health Initiatives, Sustainability and Social Innovation

 

Registration and Info: http://greenchamberofcommerce.net/annual-event-b2b/

 

Contact: Andi Sterling, Events Director

[email protected] | 415.517.3805

 

Proceeds of the event directly benefit Green Chamber of Commerce development of sustainable networking, education, and advocacy programs.

Member Event Highlight    

sbcla logo
Tools & Tips on B Corps Community Event

Wednesday, October 10, 7-9 pm 

Lexus Santa Monica
1501 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90404

 

The Sustainable Business Council of Los Angeles (SBCLA) invites business leaders to an evening of insightful discussion on the tools and tips for forging B Corps. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn from industry experts about the process and benefits associated with becoming a B Corp. The event features a networking reception followed by a panel discussion on B Corps. 


Also, the Call for Entries for the SBC B Corp Award, SBC's Sustainable Small Business Award, and SBC's Best Public Advocate for Sustainability in Southern California Award will be announced during the panel discussion.   

  

Moderator: Cecily Jackson-Zapata, Principal, Sustainable Law Group, P.C.

Panelists: Jason McCaffrey, Director of Surf, Patagonia; Jeff Mendelsohn, Founder & Chair, New Leaf Paper; Robin Brown, Co-founder & President, Erbaviva and Dermot Hikisch, Head of Community Development,

 

Cost: $25. Click for more event details.  

Important: RSVP and registration required.


Event Highlight

    

cleantechOC

 

The CleanTech OC Conference is the premier annual event in Orange County that brings together entrepreneurs, investors, thought leaders, policy makers, academics, and many others for the purpose of fostering connections and learning the latest developments in the cleantech industry. Click here to learn more about this year's dynamic speakers, and opportunities to become involved.

Best,
SF signature
Susan Frank
Director, California Business Alliance for a Green Economy
Upcoming Events 

- Sept. 13: gen(NEXT)5 

hosted by Generation Water

(Los Angeles) - See story

- Sept. 17-18: EV Week: Charge Across Town
(San Francisco)

 

- Sept. 18: CleanTech OC 2012 Annual Conference

(Irvine) - See story

 

-Sept. 20:  Green Chamber of Commerce 4th Annual Event: Back to Basics Gala Celebrating Sustainable Business Leadership
(San Francisco) - See story


- Sept. 27-28: Renewable Energy Finance Forum (REFF West) (San Francisco)

  

 - Sept. 27-28: Green Schools and Commmunity Colleges Summits & Expo hosted by Green Technology

(Pasadena)         

 

- Sept. 28-29: AltCar Expo

(Santa Monica)

 

- Oct 4-5: SoCal Energy Summit 2012 hosted by Burke/Rix Communications

(Palm Springs) 

 

- Oct 10: Tools and Tips on B Corps Community Event hosted by SBC LA
(Santa Monica) - See story

 

- Oct. 16-18: Eighth Annual California Clean Energy Roundtable   (Laguna Beach)   By Invitation Only

 

- Nov. 10-11: Green Festival (San Francisco)

 

- Nov. 12-14: Behavior, Energy & Climate Conference 
(Sacramento)

  

- Nov. 14-16: Greenbuild

(San Francisco)

 

- Nov. 17-18: Green Festival 

(Los Angeles) 

 

- Feb. 13-15, 2013: Solar Power-Gen 2013  
(San Diego) 

 

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Send Us Your Event Notices 

 

If you have events you would like to submit for a calendar listing, email the name of the event, date, location and a brief description to [email protected].

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