| Greetings!
This month's issue is a positive reflection of the region's hard work: Sacramento ranked impressively in the new Brookings study; a report on the region's solar industry projects local job growth; and a full-ride GCA scholarship will provide an opportunity to participate in a sustainability focused BS or MBA program.
In other news, Federal legislation was recently introduced to reinstate and protect energy efficiency financing through PACE. Congresswoman Doris Matsui noted the program would bring 700+ jobs to the region and generate $170 million in economic output (Sacramento Business Journal/LA Times).
Lastly, be sure to visit our new Green Capital Alliance website, which went live earlier this month. The new revamped site gives online visitors the ability to stay informed and take advantage of opportunities to be involved in the clean tech economy. We worked hard to elevate the work of our partners, and to showcase the unique strengths of our region.
Be Well,
Julia
|
Green Capital Alliance Scholarship - Due Aug. 7th
|
| The Green Capital Alliance Scholarship, which is offered through a generous partnership with the University of Phoenix, provides one full-tuition scholarship to participate in one of the new sustainability-related programs  that are being offered on the ground for the first time at the University of Phoenix's Sacramento Valley Campus.
The award is available for students who will take the courses either online or in person. Applications are due on August 7th and recipients will be notified by August 31st.
How You Can Help: 
1. Post the announcement on your website, or spread the word via Facebook or Twitter.
2. Hand out the attached flyer at community events or make them available for visitors at your workplace.
3. Tell your friends, family and colleagues - you never know who might be a great candidate!
|
Bank of America releases CSR report
|
| Last week, Bank of America released its first-ever Corporate Social Responsibility Report. Among its many initiatives, Bank of America remains invested in environmental issues and continues to be an advocate in the community. 
Bank of America, a GCA sponsor and supporter since its formation, has invested nearly $12 billion in green commitments since 2007, with $4 billion invested in 2010 alone. Additionally, the bank has made corporate-wide emissions reductions by 7.5% from 2009-2010, and cites 13.2 million square feet of LEED certified building space.
|
Brookings highlights Sacramento region's clean economy
|
| The Brookings Institution's new report, Sizing the Clean Economy, reviewed the "clean" or "green" economy in the 
100 largest metro areas in the United States, taking number of jobs, growth, annual wages, and exports into consideration.
Overall, the Sacramento region's clean economy ranked 12th in the U.S. Highlights include a #3 ranking for clean economy job intensity, citing that Sacramento's 37,319 clean economy jobs make up 4.5% of all jobs in the region. The report also notes impressive clean energy job growth in the region, with over 13,000 jobs added between 2003 and 2010 --an annual growth of 6.9%. The Sacramento region's collaborative efforts were also showcased in the report, recognizing the innovation of GCA and Greenwise.
Download the full report or the Sacramento region snapshot.
|
Growth reported for region's solar industry
|
| The Sacramento region's solar industry has grown significantly over the last four years, according to a new report from the Los  Rios Center of Excellence: Solar Industry in the Greater Sacramento Region.
The Center of Excellence interviewed solar companies and conducted research to identify the regional solar industry's workforce trends and challenges. The report estimates 110 solar firms located in the region, supplying about 1,300 jobs-- nearly double the amount in 2007. Research found that employers expect to add more than 200 solar-jobs over the next 12 months, and about 950 jobs in the next three years.
|
Nominations wanted: Clean Tech Innovator of the Year
|
| SARTA's CleanStart program invites nominations for the new Clean Tech Innovator of the Year, a prestigious award for an outstanding individual clean tech innovator from the Sacramento region. The award will recognize innovative, important, and high impact inventions and products that transform an important aspect of the clean technology industry, making products and services more effective, less costly, or more widely used. The innovation should be in use in a commercial product or service. Committee may also take into account benefits generated by the effort for our region.
The 2011 recipient will be announced at the Clean Tech Showcase October 24, 2011. Award nominations will be accepted through September 9. The nomination form and complete information will be available on the CleanStart website. |
| Upcoming Events | |
SARTA Clean Tech Leadership Series:
Dos and Don'ts: Selling to Large Enterprises
Date and Time: Tuesday, August 2nd, 8:30AM - 11:30AM
Location: Drexel University, One Capitol Mall, Suite 260, Sacramento
Focus: Featuring speakers from Siemens, Sun Optics, and SMUD, learn about experiences from the corporate table, bridging the gap between green principals and green dollars, and strategies for success.
Attend: Register online.
Sacramento Green Drinks
Date and Time: Thursday, August 4th, 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Location: Shady Lady Saloon, 14th & R Streets, Sacramento
Focus: A casual monthly get together for people who work in green and clean tech industries.
Stay Updated: "Like" Sacramento Green Drinks on Facebook!
The Green Technology Workforce: A Competitive Edge
Date and Time: Thursday, August 11th, 11:00AM - 12:00PM
Location: Webinar, hosted by CleanStart
Focus: Attendees will learn about the different industries and markets that a green and clean tech economy can provide in the Sacramento region.
Attend: Register today!
Sacramento Sustainability Forum
Date and Time: Thursday, August 18th, 6:30PM - 9:0 PMLocation: SMUD Rubicon Room, 6301 S Street, Sacramento Focus: The SSF is a monthly venue for connecting businesses, nonprofits, government, and interested citizens in the Sacramento region to promote sustainability, share insights, and support movement toward a more sustainable future.
Attend: Free. Learn more online.
Save the Date! Sacramento Clean Tech Showcase
Date and Time: Monday, October 24, 8:45 AM - 6:00 PM Location: Sacramento State, University Union Focus: CleanStart's 5th Annual Sacramento Clean Tech Showcase will allow participants to network with the clean tech community, businesses, investors, researchers and more. Learn about the latest innovations and be a part of the growing Clean Tech industry. This is a must attend event! Learn more: Visit CleanTechShowcase.org.
|
|
