| Quarterly meeting
Friday, March 12, 2010 |
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Save the Date for our next Quarterly Luncheon! |
Date:
Friday, March 12, 2010
Time: 11:30 AM -1:30 PM
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| Area Air Pollution Control Officers Share the "State of Air Quality" |
Incentive programs provide a positive impact to air quality in 2009
 Air Pollution Control Officers (APCO) from three of the region's Air Quality Management Districts (AQMD) shared the "State of Air Quality" in their respective districts at the Cleaner Air Partnership Quarterly Luncheon on November 13th. Tom Christofk from Placer County, Mat Ehrhardt from Yolo-Solano, and Larry Greene from the Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD emphasized the importance of meeting State and Federal air quality requirements through locally generated solutions which meet the needs of our diverse region. Incentive-based programs were noted by the panelists as key to improving air quality in 2009. Regional participation in activities such as clean engine conversions, funded by the Moyer program, demonstrates the collaborative efforts of the region's air districts. The APCOs also highlighted incentives such as wood-stove change-out, gas mower exchange, and "Check Before You Burn" type programs as meaningful in 2009. Tom Christofk commented "As a Pollution Control Officer I do not prefer air quality regulations; rather, I favor a focus on market-place mechanisms which provide environmental benefits." The panelists recommended focus areas for 2010, which include:
- Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Mitigation impacts to support project analysis
- Supporting implementation of AB811, voluntary property tax financing for energy efficiency upgrades
- Installing additional real-time PM2.5 particulate matter monitors
- Linking health to land-use
- Meeting SB375 targets
The next Quarterly Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, March 12, 2010. |
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2010 Cap-to-Cap Planning Underway |
Air Quality Federal Priorities in Development
Teams are forming and creating initial plans for the 2010 Metro Chamber Cap-to-Cap trip, scheduled from April 17th to April 21st. Cap-to-Cap is the largest local chamber of commerce program of its kind in the nation. The 2009 Air Quality Cap-to-Cap team brought together business, environmental and government leaders to advocate for policies enhancing air quality improvement activities in the Sacramento Region. 2009 advocacy focused on funding for local incentive programs, maintaining local and state flexibility in Federal Greenhouse Gas policy, and support for transportation economic modeling tools. The next Cleaner Air Partnership Technical Advisory Committee (CAPTAC) meeting will host a discussion of potential federal air quality policy priorities for the 2010 Air Quality Cap-to-Cap team. This meeting is open to those planning to join the Cap-to-Cap trip and anyone interested in developing the team's air quality policy papers. Where: Valley Vision, 2320 Broadway, Sacramento, CA When: Tuesday, December 15, 2009, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Seating is limited to the first 20 participants; please RSVP by Thursday, December 10th to Tara Thronson. Please visit the Metro Chamber's events page for more information about the 2010 Cap-to-Cap Event. |
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Energy Improvement Financing Program to Launch in 2010 |
Green Capital Alliance facilitates regional AB811 effort
 The Green Capital Alliance (GCA), managed by Valley Vision, is a coalition of business, education, labor, utility and economic development organizations working on coordinated actions to strengthen the Sacramento Region's green technology sector. Since July, GCA has been facilitating a regional AB 811 Working Group focused on bringing AB 811-type property-tax-based financing programs to the Sacramento region.
AB811 permits the creation of assessment districts to finance installation of energy improvements which are permanently fixed to residential and commercial properties. This program removes up-front costs and associated financing as an impediment for property owners installing energy improvements. Financing for energy improvements through the AB811 program are repaid through property tax bills, with repayment obligations transferring with ownership.
Interest has grown quickly throughout the region with at least 12 jurisdictions moving forward with AB811 programs in 2010. These programs are win-wins for economic development and the environment by enabling a voluntary financing mechanism through property taxes for energy efficiency improvements.
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| The Cleaner Air Partnership is a joint project of Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails, the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce and Valley Vision to help the Sacramento Region meet clean air standards that protect health and promote economic growth. | |
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