| Greetings!
We are excited to announce the GCA's newest sponsor, Golden Sierra Workforce Investment Board. Golden Sierra is a key player in the economic growth and competitiveness of the region, with a focus on Placer, El Dorado and Alpine Counties. The Board builds partnerships to advance the local and regional economy, pursues regional approaches for addressing workforce issues, and acts as a catalyst for building a competitive workforce economy now and into the future. Golden Sierra provides services to businesses, job seekers, young adults, and people with disabilities.
In other news, Valley Vision Managing Partner (and GCA enthusiast) Kristine Mazzei has safely returned from her husband's university sabbatical in Hawaii. (Yes, she actually came back!). Upon her return, Kristine has become reimmersed in the Energy Upgrade California project, and has also begun a new focus in overseeing Valley Vision's Food System Collaborative portfolio. As many of you know, Kristine has been an integral part of the Green Capital Alliance since it formed, and will undoubtedly remain a participant and advocate for growing the Sacramento region's clean tech economy.
In this issue, read about permit streamlining, a newly forming PEV Coordinating Council, and the innovation award debuting at the 2011 Sacramento Clean Tech Showcase. There are also many wonderful upcoming events, so be sure to mark your calendars!
Be Well,
Julia
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Sacramento Streamline reduces solar permit fees
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| The City of Sacramento Community Development Department's Sacramento Streamline program has created a buzz in the  capital region. The program is working to make the city's building permit process easier by saving time, money, and trips to the public counter. The first change, made effective August 15th, creates a flat (and reduced) fee for small-scale solar projects. Future work being developed includes online plan submittal and plan check, e-permitting, and an expedited plan review process for "pre-approved" customers. Learn more. |
Plug-in Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council
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SACOG, SMUD, SMAQMD and Valley Vision recently submitted a collaborative grant application to the California Energy Commission in response to a funding opportunity that aims to increase regional plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) readiness. In  coordination with this, the organizations are forming a Capital Area Plug in Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council (CAPEVCC).
The council will help stakeholders develop consistency in building codes, permitting processes and field service to support timely charging infrastructure solutions for vehicle buyers.
The council's first meeting will be held on September 14th. Learn more about joining the council.
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Know an inspirational innovator?
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| SARTA has announced the first annual "Innovator of the Year" award for an outstanding individual innovator from the Sacramento region. The 2011 winner will be announced on October 24th at the fifth annual Sacramento Clean Tech Showcase, a premiere networking and educational event for the clean tech industry with an expected 800 in attendance, over 90 exhibitors, media representatives, and a host of industry professionals. 
The winner of the award will be selected by the Awards Committee to 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. Submit a nomination online. |
Korea-based solar company relocates in Sacramento
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| Last week, the Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization (SACTO) announced the newest solar company to locate in Sacramento. Korea-based Gobal Solar Energy Corp., a  subsidiary of Youil Ensys, will relocate its U.S. headquarters and a sales and marketing office in downtown Sacramento. The company manufactures trackers used in utility-scale photovoltaic panel operations, and plans to expand to manufacturing and distribution in the region. Welcome to the area! Read more.
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| Upcoming Events | |
Electric Vehicle Show and Tell
Date and Time: Saturday, August 20th, 10:00AM - 1:00PM Location: REI Store, 1790 Exposition Parkway, Sacramento Focus: Come see production electric vehicles, talk to electric vehicle owners, learn about incentive programs and get free refreshments. Learn more. Sacramento Metro Chamber's State of the Region Forum Date and Time: Friday, August 26th, 11:30AM - 1:30PM Location: Hyatt Regency, 1209 L Street, Sacramento Focus: The annual event will look at the regional economy: current conditions, emerging industry clusters, and key sectors. Attend: Register online. Sacramento Green Drinks Date and Time: Thursday, September 1st, 6:00PM - 8:00PM Location: Rubicon Brewing Company, 2004 Capitol Avenue, 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!
Innovation and Energy: New Technology, New Policy for Our Energy Future
Date and Time: Thursday, September 8th, 9:00AM - 10:00AM
Location: Webinar
Focus: Join energy expert and Harvard professor Matthew Bunn to discuss the future of energy and the implications for business.
Attend: Register to attend. (The webinar is free!)
Advanced Clean Technology Forum: Vehicles, Fuels, & Technology
Date and Time: Tuesday, September 13th, 9:00AM - 3:30 PM
Location: CA Automobile Museum, 2200 Front Street, Sacramento
Focus: Displays and workshops featuring discussion of fleet fuel and vehicle choices. Learn about CA Air Resource Board compliance, and advanced technology vehicles and infrastructure, from scooters to heavy-duty trucks.
Attend: $5 to attend, includes lunch. Register online.
Capital Area PEV Coordinating Council Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday, September 14th, 2:30PM - 4:30PM
Location: SMUD HCC, 6201 S Street, Sacramento
Focus: Become a member of the CAPEVVC, which is forming to support increased adoption of PEVs into the six-county region. This will be the council's first meeting.
Attend: Learn more/Register online.
Sacramento Sustainability Forum
Date and Time: Thursday, August 18th, 6:30PM - 9:00PM
Location: SMUD Auditorium, 6201 S Street, Sacramento
About: The Sacramento Sustainability Forum 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. Visit website for updates on topics and registration.
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.
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