What has been going on in the Capital region? Read here.
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Dear ,
First and foremost we would like to welcome Jenifer Segar to the GCA team. Jenifer recently joined Valley Vision to manage regional outreach for the Energy Upgrade California program, which is launching in the upcoming months. She brings great talent to the GCA and we are glad to have her!
I would also like to share some exciting personal news and provide an update on how Valley Vision will be supporting the work of the Green Capital Alliance projects in the months ahead. I'm excited to let you know that this spring my children and I are accompanying my husband on his university sabbatical. With the approval of CSU, my husband is pursuing his conservation biology research on the islands of Kauai and Oahu in coordination with Hawaii Pacific University. While I'm away I will fulfill the role of full-time mom (with the world's greatest sandbox).
My leave of absence from Valley Vision will last from March 10th through July 31st. Bill Mueller is graciously allowing me to jump right back in to the organization and our projects upon my return. While I am away Julia Burrows will oversee the full portfolio of Green Capital Alliance projects, with the expert support of Suzanne, Jenifer, and Emily. I could not ask for a more capable and talented team to take the reins!
This is an amazing opportunity for my family, and I truly appreciate the support of all of my colleagues in helping to make this experience possible. Please be assured that we are all working hard to make sure the transitions ahead are smooth for our partners and projects.
Aloha,
Kristine
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Sustainable Communities Regional Consortium
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| TOMORROW! Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) is holding the first Regional Consortium meeting for its Sustainable Communities grant. An invitation is extended to all community members interested in improving the quality of life of the six-county Sacramento region.  RSVP today!
Last October, the Sacramento Region was awarded $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to build a Regional Sustainable Development Plan for the six-county Sacramento region. The collaborative effort will focus on improving livability through aggressive and cutting-edge planning influenced by residents.
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CSER analyzes the region's clean tech cluster
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The Center for Strategic Economic Research (CSER) released a report on the Sacramento Region's Clean Energy Technology Cluster. The report, titled Clean Energy Technology Cluster Characteristics and Competitive Analysis is based on extensive internal analysis completed over the past year. Highlights include: - The Sacramento Region's Clean Energy Technology Cluster supports over 3,000 jobs and generating approximately $846 million of annual sales.
- The Clean Energy Technology Cluster in total has experienced significantly more robust growth than the Region's overall economy.
- Among the more visible national rankings, the Sacramento Region consistently ranks among the top 15 regions related to the green economy and sustainability.
- The Sacramento Region shows promising potential as a market for photovoltaic and concentrating solar, based on its geography.
The report is part of a larger project focused on creating an economic and workforce development strategy for the Cluster funded by the statewide Regional Industry Clusters of Opportunity Grant program through the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency. |
PG&E's next step in energy storage
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| Earlier this month, PG&E discussed the installation of a high-efficiency 2 MW NaS battery near Vaca-Dixon solar plant. Expected in late-2011, this project is one of many cutting edge energy storage technologies  under the utility's study. The battery project will test the feasibility of achieving three major goals:
- storing energy when customer demand is low and releasing it to meet peaks in demand;
- helping PG&E integrate more reneble energy into the distribution system by smoothing the minute-by-minute fluctuations in output that arise from shifting clouds;
- and proving valuable "ancilaary services"like helping to stabilize the frequency of electric power in the substation.
Read the full article by Next100.
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SARTA releases CleanStart progress report
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| SARTA's CleanStart program has released its annual progress report. Providing an overview of the past year, highlights include significant clean tech business accomplishments, successful events, and goals for the coming year. The report also features video interviews and an interactive map of the Region's Clean Energy Technology cluster. This report is not to be missed!
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UC Davis teams up with the U.S. Navy
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UC Davis has agreed to help the U.S. Navy find new ways to use less energy and to derive more of the energy it does use from renewable sources such as the sun and wind, instead of oil and coal. The primary focus of the new partnership is to cut the energy the Navy uses for outdoor lighting on its bases. The Navy will also look to UC Davis for expertise in other aspects of renewable and efficient energy technology, such as building heating and cooling, and alternative energy sources for Navy vehicles, vessels and aircraft.
Read more about UC Davis' newest partnership here.
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| UPCOMING EVENTS | SACOG Sustainable Communities Consortium Launch
Date and Time: Wednesday, February 23rd, 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Location: SMUD Auditorium (in old building), 6300 S Street, Sacramento
Focus: Become a member of the regional consortium that will inform the work of the region's sustainable community plans.
Registration: There is no charge to attend. Register today!
California Sustainability Indicators Symposium
Date and Time: Wednesday, February 23rd, 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Location: Sheraton Grand, 1230 J Street, Sacramento
Focus: The symposium will bring together experts to initiate statewide discussion of a Sustainability Report Card. Registration: Required, $50, includes breakfast and lunch.
Questions: Contact Mary Lee Knecht or Fraser Shilling. GreenCorps Stakeholder Meeting
Date: Thursday March 3 Time and Location: TBD *Updates will be featured on our event page and Twitter.
Sacramento Green Drinks
Date and Time: Thursday March 3, 6:00 - 8:00 PM Location: TBDFocus: A casual monthly get together for professionals in the green or clean tech sector. Sacramento Sustainability Forum
Date and Time: Thursday March 17, 6:30 - 9:00 PM Location: SMUD Auditorium, 6201 S Street, Sacramento Focus: Attend this free monthly venue for connecting businesses, non-profits, government and interested citizens to promote sustainability, share insights and resources, and support movement toward a more sustainable future.
Green California Summit and ExpoDate and Time: April 18-20, 8:30AM - 5:30 PM Location: Sacramento Convention Center Focus: This statewide summit will highlight innovations in policy, practice, adn technology that can support green growth. April 18 is a pre-Summit day with in-depth workshops and other special events. April 19 & 20 will feature keynote speakers, education sessions, and the expo showcase. Tickets: Registration required. Keynote speakers are free to attend. More information: Email Cindy Dangberg, or call (626)577-5700. Free Energy Efficiency Courses by PG&EDate: February thru August 2011 Focus: PG&E is offering another semester of FREE educational programs for green building, energy efficiency, demand response, and renewable energy professionals. Over 280 classes will be offered. Visit pge.com/energyclasses. SAVE THE DATE: Clean Energy Sector Strategy SummitDate and Time: Thursday June 9, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Sacramento State Alumni Center
Focus: The summit will include the presentation of the 12-month tactical plan for the region funded by the Regional Innovation Clusters of Opportunities Grant. Keynote speakers and more details to come!
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