The Sacramento Bee reported that, "Sacramento's still-

even as it continues to grow in stature. The region's clean technology firms increased payrolls by more than 1,000 jobs in 2012, pushing job rolls to more than 3,200 - a 31 percent increase...The growth pushed revenue for the sector above $2 billion, up nearly a third from 2011. There are 99 clean-tech companies in the greater (Sacramento) region."

The Orange County Register reported, "no matter how you define them, green jobs are multiplying across the United States, California, and Orange County. The trend is driven by legislative mandates, as well as government incentives. It is amplified by the desire of many companies to save money through cutting wasteor to market their operations as socially beneficial." 

*2013 Climate Leaders Announced

On February 28, the U.S. EPA recognized 23 individuals and organizations at the second annual Climate Leadership Awards. California-based honorees included Port of San Diego, Sonoma County Water Agency, San Diego Gas & Electric and Wells Fargo. 

Reuters reported that, "California's largest greenhouse gas-emitting

businesses paid $13.62 per metric tonne (1.1 tons) for the right to release carbon, narrowly beating market expectations in the state's second carbon permit auction."

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that, "two-thirds of California voters believe global warming is a threat and measures need to be taken to stop it...The poll found that 64 percent of Californians believe global warming is happening and something should be done to fight it, with more than half of the respondents...deeming it a serious problem worthy of immediate action."

*Governor Brown Appoints New CEC Commissioner

David Russell Hochschild, 41, of Berkeley, has been appointed to the California Energy Commission. Hochschild was vice president of external relations at Alliance member Solaria Corporation.

"...Recent attacks on the Low Carbon Fuel Standard could stifle California's role as an innovation leader. And these attacks could also stifle improvements to our economy, consumer choice and the environment" wrote Mike Hart, CEO of Sierra Energy and a member of Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), a Business Alliance member.

*California Leads Nation in Advanced Biofuel Companies 

"It isn't often that one gets to say that California has gotten it right in terms of attracting and supporting cutting-edge business enterprises. But in advanced biofuels, a new report says the state is leading the way."

*Doing More with Less: Biofuels and Rural Economic Development

Mary Solecki with E2 writes, "As a small town Midwesterner, I know that farming opportunities are crucial for healthy communities in a large part of the country. My grandmother would remind me, as yours probably did too, 'Waste not, want not.' Our population is rising, so we have to find a way to do more with less: feed more people, make finite resources stretch."