The Green Capital Alliance recently announced the release of a five-year progress report titled Advancing the Clean Energy Economy in California's Capital Region. The report, which is the first of its kind for the region, provides an overview of efforts to grow the Sacramento area's clean technology cluster. The report documents regional job growth data, economic investment and business attraction efforts and success stories from local clean energy businesses.  Air pollution-fighting technologies and economic growth have resulted from region-wide efforts. 

Congresswoman Matsui has been a champion for advancing the clean energy economy in Sacramento. She 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 forward to continuing to work with the Green Capital Alliance to make this a reality."

Notable accomplishments for the Sacramento region's clean technology cluster include:

1. Experiencing a three-fold expansion in the number of clean technology companies (from 29 in 2005 to 98 in 2010);
2. Leading the state of California with a green job growth rate of 87 percent between 1995 and 2008;
3. Securing over $250 million in Federal investments through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to support clean technology and energy efficiency initiatives; and
4. Receiving $127 million in Department of Energy grant funding to support Smart Grid deployment.

The Green Capital Alliance is a partnership of businesses, local governments, economic and workforce development organizations, education and research institutions, utilities and others that are committed to sustainability and growing the region's clean technology cluster.  The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District is a major participant in the efforts.  Visit www.greencapitalalliance.org to learn more.

2010 marks the 50th anniversary of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD).  Since its birth in 1960, the SMAQMD has played a vital role in improving the quality of air and life in the Sacramento region.  Key accomplishments of the SMAQMD from the past fifty years include:  

• Developed the regional air quality public education and outreach program "Spare The Air;"
• Coordinated the air quality attainment planning process for the Sacramento Federal Non-Attainment Area, which includes all of Sacramento and Yolo counties and portions of El Dorado, Placer, Sutter and Solano counties;
• Provided strong leadership in mobile source emission reduction strategies, including the Carl Moyer and Sacramento Emergency Clean Air & Transportation (SECAT) programs and other heavy-duty vehicle and agricultural incentive programs;
• Created and implemented the Compliance Assistance Program in 1998 to assist Sacramento County businesses in understanding air quality standards and permits while improving compliance and achieving desired emission reductions; and
• Attained the air quality health standards for carbon monoxide and lead, and the federal standard for coarse particulate matter (PM10), lowering human exposure to these and other air pollutants.

A video celebrating the SMAQMD's 50th Anniversary can be provided on loan by contacting the SMAQMD Communications Office.

Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails (BCSET) recently launched the O24u program in Yolo and Solano Counties at Marguerite Elementary School in Davis and Gretchen Higgins Elementary School in Dixon.  O24u is an environmental education program provided to children in after school programs.

Curriculum topics range from air pollution and health effect concepts to practical solutions that everyone can take to reduce harmful emissions of air pollution and toxic indoor environments.  Each topic includes fun, hands-on, interactive activities that educate and empower children to make changes for clean air.  The O24u curriculum provides the knowledge and background for the students to become advocates for clean air within their homes, schools and communities.

The program is a partnership with schools and after school service providers for a strong educational component that focuses on protection, restoration and conservation with primary focus on air, water and urban green space issues. BCSET trains high school students, college students, and after school program site facilitators to deliver the O24u program to children, ages 8-14, who incorporate environmental improvements in their personal lifestyles, in their schools, in their homes and in their communities.  Funding for this program is provided by the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District.For more information, please contact Argelia Leon.