Blueprint logo

The Green Leader Reader
A newsletter from the GCA
In This Issue
SynapSense wins GE Ecomagination Challenge
Siemens to create 200 new jobs in Sacramento
Local partnership creates Smart Energy Financing Program
Events
Project Sponsors
Bank of America

MFF logo
 
SMAQMD Logo
 
Los Rios CCD 
 
GOOD Smud
SETA logo
 
Breathe clean air awards

 
Breathe clean air awards
Breathe clean air awards
 

Bank of America

Partners
Quick Links
Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List
Project Management

VV Vertical

Find us on Facebook
Issue: # 23November/2010
 
Dear  ,


We are excited to announce the release of a five-year progress report titled Advancing the Clean Energy Economy in California's Capital Region. The report provides

an overview of  efforts to grow the Sacramento area's clean technology cluster, documenting job growth data, economic development, and business attraction efforts, with success stories from local clean energy businesses.


Congresswoman Matsui, a steadfast advocate of the GCA, observed, "the Sacramento Region has rapidly become a leader in clean technology in recent years. The Green Capital Alliance has helped foster this growth, serving as a coordinating body for community partners, and driving clean energy economic activity throughout the region. As we continue to rejuvenate our economy, I look

GCA Progress Report

forward to continuing to work with the Green Capital  Alliance to make this a reality."


The progress report is a record of your hard work, of which we are appreciative and are proud to share.

      
Be well,  
Kristine
 




Folsom's SynapSense wins GE Ecomagination Challenge

This month SynapSense Corporation was announced as one of twelve winners of the GE Ecomagination Challenge: Powering the Grid, an open call for breakthrough ideas to create the next-generation power grid to meet the needs of the 21st century. Based in Folsom, SynapSense's solutions measure and manage the environmental conditions and power usage throughout data centers, resulting in a 10 percent reduction in overall energy consumption for typical, enterprise-class data centers. With over 3,500 entrants, SynapSense was selected among businesses and entrepreneurs from Ireland, Sweden, and across the U.S. The winners of the Ecomagination Challenge receive investment and development support from GE's teams.
Siemens to create 200 new jobs in Sacramento

In late October, Siemens was awarded a $455 million contract with Amtrak to build 70 electric locomotives as part of Amtrak's landmark fleet rejuvenation initiative. The contract will require an additional 250 jobs to build the locomotives, 200 of which located at Siemens' existing light rail manufacturing facility in Sacramento. "This isn't your grandfather's locomotive," said Oliver Hauck, Amtrak trainpresident of Mobility Division of Siemens Industry, Inc. "Not only will we use renewable energy to build them, the locomotives will also include energy efficient features, such as regenerative braking that can feed up to 100 percent of the energy generated during braking back to the power grid." The plant, which has been in operation for 26 years, is powered up to 80 percent by two megawatts of solar energy and employs 750 people.
Octus Energy and Five Star Bank create Smart Energy Financing Program

Octus Energy, a leading smart energy efficiency company, is partnering with Five Star Bank to provide energy efficiency project financing for commercial and industrial building owners.The Octus/Five Star Bank Smart Energy Financing Program enables property owners to significantly reduce their energy expenses with little to no upfront costs. The program targets projects ranging from $25,000 to $500,000, with simple payback periods of less than four years. In most cases, incentives and rebates from utility companies for energy-savings measures will serve as the down payment for the non-collateralized financing. Octus and Five Star Bank are collaboratively marketing the program, and Octus is responsible for all phases of energy efficiency project development.
UPCOMING EVENTS

Financing the Future of Cleantech
Date and Time: Wednesday December 1, 8:30 - 11:30 AM
Location: Drexel University, One Capitol Mall, Sacramento
Focus: An engaging discussion on the outlook of clean tech investing with a panel of active financers. Sponsored by SARTA. More info and registration.

Sacramento Green Drinks
Date and Time:
First Thursday December 2, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Location: TBD
Focus: A casual monthly get together for professionals in the green or clean tech sector.

Diverse Suppliers GO Green Workshop
Date and Time: Wednesday December 8, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Double Tree Hotel, Sacramento
Focus: The Sacramento Asian Pacific, Black, and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce have partnered with PG&E for an event that will teach existing businesses how to go green and position themselves for green contracts.
RSVP:
Register online. This event is free, breakfast and lunch included.
 
Sacramento Sustainability Forum
Date and Time:
Thursday, December 16, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Location:
SMUD Auditorium, 6201 S Street, 1st Floor, Sacramento
Focus:
The Sacramento Sustainability Forum is a monthly venue for connecting businesses, non-profits, government and interested citizens in the Sacramento region in order to promote sustainability, share insights and resources, and support movement towards a more sustainable future.

For event updates, visit our online calendar.