Read about our Region's progress in the past five years. |
|
Join Our List
|
|
|
|
| Greetings!
In this issue be sure to catch the review of the Clean Green Team's Cap-to-Cap trip, learn about our Region's Clean Energy Sector Strategy, and mark your calendar for many upcoming events!
Next month, the Sacramento Region will be represented as Bob Burris of Sacramento Area Commerce & Trade Organization (SACTO) heads to the Intersolar Expo 2011 in Munich, Germany - the world's largest international solar conference. He will speak on a panel about doing business in California.
Also in June, I will be traveling to New York to attend GOVERNING Magazine's Sustainability Summit on behalf of Sacramento Mayor Johnson. I will be representing the Sacramento Region among the 100 invitees, and joining a discussion of creating smart, sustainable, and livable communities. The conversations will be captured and published in a book Sustainability Playbook later this year.
May has certainly been a month where the Region's collaboration is clearly demonstrated and recognized here and in Washington DC.
Be well,
Julia
|
| Cap-to-Cap Review & Positive Feedback | | |
The recent Cap-to-Cap trip yielded excellent results (and a lot
of follow up work) for the Sacramento Region.
 | | Julia Burrows, Elisabeth Brinton, and Sacramento Councilmember Kevin McCarty meet with Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy. |
The 24-member Clean/Green Tech Team stayed extremely busy throughout the four-day trip, lobbying for the Region's clean energy technology sector at over 16 congressional and agency meetings. Highlights include:
- A Clean/Green Tech Team meeting hosted by Congresswoman Matsui with guest speaker Jonathan Silver from the Department of Energy Loan Guarantee Program. We learned about loan guarantee programs and how organizations like SARTA and the Metro Chamber can help clean technology companies access financing.
- A joint meeting with the Air Quality Team at the EPA Department of Innovation. We learned our Region is on the EPA's radar and would be considered for future pilot projects.
- Learning about upcoming grant opportunities and prospects for continuing regional innovation at a meeting with Department of Commerce's Brian McGowan.
- Progress on a residential PACE fix, which was one of our main issue points in each meeting with our federal elected officials.
Overall, the group received very positive feedback for the regional collaboration exemplified in projects like the Sustainable Communities initiative.
|
| Recent Highlights in the Region |
| |
In early May, the GCA assisted University of Phoenix Sacramento Valley Campus to convene an excellent group of local clean energy companies and GCA partners to help direct the curriculum for the University's new energy-related Bachelor of Science, Business, and MBA programs which will commence this Fall.
 | |
Secretary John Laird
|
The Energy Upgrade California kickoff event on May 6th was hosted at SMUD and attended by nearly 100 local government, contractors, and homeowners. We heard from an outstanding set of speakers and panelists including Natural Resources Secretary John Laird, CalEPA Deputy Secretary Anthony Eggert, and California Energy Commission Commissioner Karen Douglas. Stay tuned for more Energy Upgrade California events and workshops!
SMUD was awarded $20 million in federal stimulus funding to provide incentives for SMUD's Home Performance Program, which supports homeowners making energy efficiency upgrades. The funding will help reduce the price of home energy audits from $500 to $99. Currently, the program provides up to $9,000 per home in rebates and incentives for home for energy efficiency retrofits. Read more.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory also recently named SMUD a Green Power Leader among U.S. utilities for its renewable energy programs. SMUD provides an excellent example of innovative leadership in the Region!
|
| Our Clean Energy Sector Strategy |
| |
The Sacramento Region's Clean Energy Sector Strategy is now complete after a year of investigating, sharing data, and collaborative planning by GCA partners: Sacramento Employment and Training Agency, Center for Strategic and Economic Research, Los Rios' Center of Excellence, and Valley Vision.
The strategic plan is intended to serve as a road map for the Region's economic and workforce development activities in the clean energy technology cluster. The plan, funded by the California Workforce Investment Board through federal stimulus funds, aims to coordinate activities and resources
 across the Region's GCA partners, and also incorporates identified needs and activities from the Greenwise signature projects. On June 9th, the GCA will host a culminating event for clean teach company leaders, partner organizations and others who are interested in learning about the strategies in the region's Clean Energy Sector Strategy. Learn more about the event: Road map to 3,000 Jobs. |
| Region's Air Quality Improving |
| |
The Sacramento Region has made dramatic cuts in the amount of smog and soot in the air over the past 20 years despite a 40% increase in population. The Cleaner Air Partnership's inaugural Sacramento Region Air Quality Progress Report and companion Summary Sheet tells the story of how air quality,
 public health, and economic vitality in the Sacramento Region are connected. Highlights include a 41% decrease of Nitrogen Oxide since 1990, 68% decrease in fine particulate matter (soot) since 1998, and the noteworthy investment made to reduce transportation pollution in the Region. The Cleaner Air Partnership will also be recognized at the upcoming Clean Air Awards Luncheon. |
| Upcoming Events | |
 Clean Air Awards Luncheon
Date and Time: Friday, May 20th, 11:30AM - 1:30PM
Location: Sacramento State, Ballroom, University Union, 6000 J Street, Sacramento
Focus: Recognizing the outstanding efforts of businesses, individuals, agencies, and organizations that go above and beyond to make the Sacramento Region a better place to live and breathe.
Registration: Tables and individual tickets are available.
GE Lighting Revolution Tour
Date and Time: Tuesday, May 24th, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Location: UC Davis Lighting Technology Center, 633 Pena Ave., Davis, CA 95618
Focus: Learn, experience, and interact with GE's most innovative lighting solutions - spreading a message of energy efficiency, flexibility, and environmentally preferable lighting.
Sustainable Communities Regional Consortium
Date and Time: Wednesday, May 25th, 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Location: CSAC Conference Center, 1020 11th Street, 2nd Floor, Sacramento
Focus: Review of the Transit Priority Area filters and selection; Feedback and discussion. Learn more.
Registration: Recommended.
Green & Clean 2011 Breakfast Seminar
Date and Time: Wednesday, May 25th, 7:30 - 10:00 AM
Location: Kelly Building, Gateway Tower, 2020 West El Camino Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95833
Focus: Sacramento Business Journal's annual Green & Clean event will feature keynote speaker Jill Savery, 1996 gold medalist and advisor to the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012; and a panel of local CEOs committed to sustainable business practices.
Registration: Individual Tickets: $65; Table: $700. Business attire suggested. Register today!
Sacramento Green Drinks
Date and Time: Thursday, June 2nd, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Location: TBD
Focus: A casual monthly get together for professionals in the green or clean tech sector.
GCA Presents: Road Map to 3,000 JobsDate and Time: Thursday, June 9th, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PMLocation: Sacramento State Alumni Center
Focus: Join us to celebrate the recent successes in the region's clean tech economy. Learn about new data from our region's clean tech companies, unprecedented partnerships between business and education leaders, and the next steps to grow our clean tech economy. Registration: Tickets are free; Registration is required.
|
|
|
|
|
