Free Charge for Electric Vehicles
by Lisa Max, Chamber Green Committee member | |
vehicle charger
|
In April, San Rafael Mayor Al Boro cut the ribbon on the first two electric vehicle charging stations in Marin County.
Coulomb Technology provided the stations, with funding assistance from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The Marin Energy Authority paid for the installation.
The stations are inside the entrance to the public parking garage at Third and C Streets in downtown San Rafael. Initially, EVs will pay only the normal parking fee, without an additional cost for electricity.
"We want people to know that San Rafael is a green business destination where we support sustainable transportation choices," said Bob Brown, San Rafael's community development director.
Editor's note: Lisa Max, author of this article, was instrumental in initiating the installation of San Rafael's first public charging stations.
|
Who is the Green Business Committee?
Interested in finding out about the Chamber's Green Biz Committee? Contact any of our active members:
Co-chair Mike Bates, Ad-Infin-Item
Co-chair Caran Cuneo, Workforce Investment Board of Marin County
Jan Goldberg, Delicious! Catering
Kiki La Porta, descom studios
Lisa Max, GoSolar Marin Bonnie Ayers Namkung, SEO Copywriting Services Devi Peri, Marin Sanitary Service Chris Yalonis, Sustainametrics
Cecilia Zamora, Latino Council of Marin
|
Batteries for Home
& BusinessAuto, Marine, Cell Phone, Laptop, Camera, Motorcycle, Deep Cycle, Solar
Free battery testing
Cordless tool battery rebuilding
Recycle any batteries
- no charge 2064 4th St., San Rafael(415) 455-9221
|
|
Attend a Green Event
Green Drinks
Casual networking event
7/12, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Jason's Restaurant
300 Drakes Landing
Greenbrae
Mother Earth News Fair / EcoMarin Pavilion
San Rafael's first sustainability
festival - demonstrations, entertainment, speakers, food and more...
September 3-5
9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Marin County Fairgrounds
Find out how to exhibit or sponsor the EcoMarin stage.
|
* Ad · Infin · Item, Inc. *
Your Source for Branded Promotional Items
- Creative branded goods
- Incentive and executive gifts
- Expert advice on recycled and green options
20+ years of
dependable service
Browse our products here.
(415) 459-1146 mike@adinfiniteminc.com
|
Special thanks to Shayna Eskew
The Green Committee acknowledges Shayna Eskew of Green Property Solutions and her valuable contributions while she was a member of the group.
Thank you, Shayna, and best of luck!
|
DISCOUNT SOLAR
FOR SENIORS
GoSolar Marin* is organizing a new group for a discounted bulk purchase of solar electric installations.
Open to Marin County
residents age 50+
Contact Lisa Max
gosolarmarin@yahoo.com
(415) 461-2814
*Nonprofit organizer of the largest group solar purchase in California
|
Sponsor an issue of GreenUp!
Your ad here will reach
nearly 900 Chamber
members and influential
business people -- for as
low as $95. Space is limited to three sponsors per issue. So contact the GreenUp editor now for more information.
|
|
Uncover Savings in the Resilient Business Program
The Chamber, the City of San Rafael and Dominican University's Green MBA program has collaborated to create a sustainability program, initially for up to 36 local small businesses.
How to save
Facilitators will help participating companies reduce energy use, eliminate waste and green their supply chain.
Each business develops an action plan and tracks their financial and carbon savings.
Representatives of eight small firms will make up each Sustainability Circle, and meet one day a month for six months. Or, 20 small businesses get together in a workshop setting, meeting for six half-days.
Funded by a grant
A $100,000 grant from the Marin Community Foundation will fund a substantial portion of this Resilient Business program.
As San Rafael Community Development Director Bob Brown notes, "The benefits are not only cost savings and environmental benefits, but also the dynamic sharing of experiences among the participating businesses." He expects to sign up companies this summer and start the program in September.
For more information,
contact Rick Wells at the San Rafael Chamber.
|
|
|
Transportation Insights for Your
Marin Commute
Tips from the Chamber's Green Business Committee
In the five minutes it takes to read this issue, you'll find out valuable ways to use less fuel and cut commute costs and stress. Learn how to:
- reduce your company's carbon footprint by promoting public transport and carpooling
- take advantage of commute tax incentives for employers and employee
- try riding your bike to work
|
Green Your Workplace by Promoting Shared Employee Commutes
 511 Employer Services can help Marin businesses green their workplaces and improve employee morale. Commute experts from 511 Rideshare provide valuable consulting services to your small or large company and offer employee commute program tools-all at no cost.
These employer transportation programs assist in meeting your environmental goals by providing your employees alternatives to driving alone. The result is reduced carbon emissions, savings on commute costs and less traffic congestion. Learn about local promotions To stimulate a new or existing ridesharing program, our representatives keep you informed of regional and county promotions and incentives that motivate employees to choose a greener commute option. Employees who carpool to work can qualify for rewards by registering in the 511 RideMatch Service and logging their carpool trips. Funding for Marin vanpools Commuters in Marin County have an additional incentive to start a vanpool - $3,600 available through the Transportation Authority of Marin. Additional encouragement to give up solo driving to work includes access to HOV/carpool lanes, discounted or free tolls on Bay Area bridges and the Guaranteed Ride Home program (where available). By joining the thousands of employers already registered with 511 Rideshare, your firm will get the 511 Rideshare Commute Chronicle, a bi-monthly e-newsletter, and e-blasts with pertinent local transportation news, regional transportation emergency notifications, downloadable resources, event staffing information and more. Be on the lookout for special outreach to small business owners in Marin in the coming months. We'll be asking for input on your needs through surveys, focus groups and workshops. For more information, contact Christy Garland at (510) 273-3628 or garland@rideshare.511.org. |
Remembering an Outstanding
Marin Leader
 The San Rafael Chamber Green Business Committee dedicates this issue of GreenUp!to the memory of Marin County Supervisor Charles McGlashan, who passed away on March 27, 2011.
Supervisor McGlashan's contributions to Marin County and his work in building a greener, more sustainable community will be remembered by all. We send our sincerest condolences to his wife, Carol Misseldine, his family and friends.
|
|
Public Transit Programs - A Win for Employers and Employees
By Mary Currie, Public Affairs Director of Golden Gate Transportation District
 Most of us are feeling the pressure from rising gas, food and utility costs. Sitting in stalled traffic doesn't help our mood either. Traffic congestion can not only reduce workforce productivity but employer profitability as well.
To ease these pressures, some of you have been switching to a Golden Gate Transit bus or Golden Gate Ferry for your commute. Whether traveling to San Francisco, Santa Rosa or the East Bay, riding public transit saves you money on fuel and makes the commute less stressful.
Employee and employer tax benefits
To further lower costs, both employers and employees can take advantage of the US law allowing tax-free commute benefits. The benefits may be employer-paid, employee-paid or a combination of the two. Neither business owners nor employees pay federal payroll tax or income tax on the benefit.
This federal program allows employee pre-tax deductions of up to $230 per month to pay for transit and vanpool expenses. To learn more about public transit benefit programs, visit www.commutercheck.com or www.wageworks.com.
Get commute planning help
For 40 years, Golden Gate Transit and the Golden Gate Ferry have provided commute alternatives to North Bay residents traveling along the Highway 101 corridor and into San Francisco. Each year, nearly nine million customers depend on these public transit choices to help them get to work, school or play. Contact us at www.goldengate.org for assistance in planning your commute or more information on transit alternatives.
|
|
Marin County Goes Greener
 The County has installed solar and wind energy generators on the Civic Center campus, uses hybrid vehicles and biodiesel trucks in the motor pool and has begun adding EV charging stations for new hybrid electric cars.
In addition, Marin County has been a pilot for non-motorized transit funding and has been able to make great infrastructure improvements including lanes on local roads and dedicated pathways for safer use by pedestrians and bicyclists.
Hybrid bus fleet Marin Transit District operates seven hybrid buses which consume 5-20% less fuel than a standard bus and emit 50-90% less particulate emissions. Our fleet of hybrid buses reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 36 tons per bus per year. The vehicles, which cost just under $600,000 per bus, were purchased with federal funding and with local Measure A sales tax funds. Since Marin Transit assumed local transit responsibilities from the Golden Gate Bridge District in 2005-06, new service has been added and transit ridership has increased 28%. Ridership growing Services include the West Marin Stagecoach, the addition of Novato's curb-to-curb Dial-A-Ride shuttle and Marin Transit's Muir Woods Shuttle. Ridership has grown from 2.5 million passenger trips in the first year to over 3.2 million this past year. Usage of paratransit services for disabled passengers has also increased. |
|
What car? I'm going by bike!
Riding a bicycle is equated with fun, exercise and leisure. More recently, rising fuel costs coupled with concerns about climate change has many people turning to bikes as viable transportation. Here are some insider tricks to keep commuters pedaling happy.
Let your light shine
When riding a bicycle for transportation, be prepared to ride any time day or night. California state law requires that cyclists have a white front light and a red rear light when riding at night. Some people who commute on dark roads also add a reflective vest or other clothing to increase visibility.
Keep your head in the game
According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury in an accident by 85%. Today's helmets are more comfortable than ever, and come in many styles, weights, and colors. There is one that will match your needs, budget and fashion sense.
Easy does it
A recent study of more than 1,000 Bay Area women revealed a major reason they don't bicycle commute - the need to look professional when they arrive at work. But there is a difference between bicycle commuting and cycling for sport or fitness. By riding at a relaxed pace, you can dramatically reduce how sweaty you feel at the end of the ride. And remember to put wet-naps and a hairbrush in your bag for freshening up.
Take it with you when you go-go
New bike commuters often struggle with how to get their computer, gym clothes or groceries to their destination without a car. There are many solutions - from a rear rack with panniers, to an over the shoulder messenger bag or even a simple backpack. Talk to the experts at your local bike shop for advice and solutions.
Traffic rules
When riding, most of the same rules apply to you as to drivers of cars. Keep in mind that if you're walking a bike, you are considered a pedestrian. Happy and safe riding! |
|
|
|
|
