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Greetings!
It has been a busy summer for the Business Alliance, from hailing a new report on the development of alternative fuels, to urging Governor Brown to quickly invest AB 32 cap and trade auction proceeds as intended, to joining philanthropist and activist Tom Steyer in calling for United Airlines to get on board with clean energy and climate progress. President Obama also made news last month by calling for the federal government to lead on clean energy and climate initiatives, and business leaders from across the country were quick to embrace the plan.
As always, you can check out the latest news and op-eds from Business Alliance members and other opinion leaders by reading this recap of op-eds. You can also look at past issues of the eNews here. Thank you for your continued support and have a productive summer.
~Susan Frank
Director, California Business Alliance for a Green Economy |
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Featured Op-Ed
Making the Case for the Low Carbon Fuel Standard
By Eileen Tutt, Executive Director, California Electric Transportation Coalition and Tim Carmichael, President, California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition - July 1, 2013
"It is fitting that the Western States Petroleum Association's latest critique of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard invoked a 22-year-old desperado movie. The message that Californians should continue to rely exclusively on a single fuel for our cars and trucks, much of which comes from unstable sources, is outdated. And just like Thelma and Louise, it's reckless.
California's economy is built on innovation. We are a state that looks forward, not back. The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) is poised to advance that legacy while revitalizing the state's economy by attracting new investment and creating jobs in the growing clean fuels industry. By guaranteeing a diverse mix of alternative fuels and vehicles, the LCFS will protect consumers from the price volatility that is a byproduct of a lack of fuel diversity and consumer choice."
Continue reading here. |
President Obama's Climate Announcement
CEOs and Businesses Respond to President Obama's Climate Action Plan
Nike, Intel, eBay, Symantec, Unilever and Other Climate Declaration Signatories Join Dozens of Businesses Expressing Support for U.S. Action on Climate Change
June 27, 2013 - "Two days after President Obama unveiled a sweeping plan to address the threat of climate change, more than 50 companies have offered their support for the President's national climate change strategy...
The President's plan answers the call of the nearly 500 businesses that have signed the Climate Declaration who see tackling climate change as an American economic opportunity. The Declaration, which has been endorsed by major companies such as General Motors, Nike, IKEA and Unilever, was launched this spring by the business network BICEP (Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy), which is coordinated by Ceres."
Read the full announcement here .
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New Alt Fuels Report
Rapid Developments in Alternative Fuels Surpassing Expectations
June 13, 2013
"Industry leaders and investors are heartened by faster than expected developments in alternative fuels according to an industry report released today.The alternative fuels market has evolved much faster than anticipated, reveals the report, produced by a coalition of investors, utilities, and makers of alternative fuels and vehicles.
For example, sales of electric vehicles are beating early projections, the surge in natural gas supply is helping decrease the carbon intensity in the transportation of merchandise, and biodiesel and renewable diesel are being consumed in much higher quantities than ever before.
'We know now that the Low Carbon Fuel Standard is exceeding our expectations and driving us towards a clean fuels future,' said Eileen Tutt, executive director of the California Electric Transportation Coalition(CalETC). 'The standard is doing exactly what it was designed to do - open the way for new fuels and technologies to compete fairly in the marketplace.'"
Read the full press release here.
Read the full report here. |
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Letter to Governor re: AB 32
California Businesses & Others Urge Governor Jerry Brown to Spend AB 32 Auction Proceeds As Intended
A diverse set of 70 California businesses, organizations and associations joined together in June to send a letter to California Governor Jerry Brown thanking him for his commitment to addressing climate change and clean energy. At the same time, the signatories urged the Governor to provide a definitive timeline for the state to pay back the $500 million loan borrowed from AB 32 cap and trade auction proceeds.
The signers also called for the rapid initiation of funding for clean energy programs envisioned by the AB 32 investment plan, including the possibility of doing so within the 2013-14 fiscal year should auction revenues exceed $500 million.
Read Susan Frank's full blogpost here. |
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Featured on the Blogs
United Needs to Get On Board with Clean Energy and Climate Change
In a June teleconference, investment manager, energy activist and United Global Services member, Tom Steyer, joined other representatives from United's elite frequent flyer programs in announcing the release of a letter urging the company to take a stand on climate change. Steyer along with thousands of frequent and everyday flyers signed online petitions which were delivered to United's leadership on the eve of a meeting of the international group working to set a standard for global aviation pollution, and two days before United's annual shareholder meeting.
"In my home state of California, United is playing a leadership role in trying to get rid of our clean fuel standard, which doesn't even cover airlines. If United wants to stay competitive, it needs to take climate change seriously and act in its customers' -and the planet's - best interest," said Steyer. "It's time to recognize that the friendly skies will get a whole lot un-friendlier if we don't take action on climate change."
The California Business Alliance for a Green Economy joined with Tom Steyer in calling on United to start flying straight when it comes to support for clean energy policies in California and internationally.
Read the full blogpost here.
Read the full press release here. |
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Featured Activity
6th Annual Renewable Energy Finance Forum
Renewable Energy Finance Forum West returns to San Francisco on September 16-17 for its sixth edition. Over 400 high-level attendees will debate the latest trends in renewable energy financing and give practical takeaway advice on how to move your projects forward.
Part of the global REFF series that includes REFF-Wall St, the nation's largest annual event for renewable energy finance, REFF-West has been uniting senior financiers, investors and clean energy executives from across the U.S. each year since 2008.
Covering a range of renewable and clean energy technologies, with a particular focus on developments in the Western U.S., topics covered at REFF-West include project financing, venture capital, renewable power generation, emerging commercial technologies, financing smaller projects, equity financing and established technologies. The conference also offers an unparalleled networking opportunity, allowing attendees to meet senior representatives from both the energy and financial sectors who are focusing on renewables and clean technologies.
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Featured Member Update
Tom Bowman Recognized for Green Leadership
Tom Bowman, President of the Signal Hill-based Bowman Design Group and a founding member of the Business Alliance, has been named to EXPO Magazine's 2013 list of Expo Elite for his role in promoting sustainability within the exhibit and event industry. Bowman also is part of the jury that will select the winner of the first annual International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES) Sustainability Award.
Expo Magazine's list of Expo Elite is described as "an annual list of the most innovative minds in the tradeshow industry." Bowman was cited for his ongoing work to promote sustainability within the exhibit and event industry, contributions which include widespread speaking engagements and writing a monthly "Ask Mr. Green" column.
The EXPO Elite recognition follows closely on the heels of Bowman Design Group receiving a "Sustainable Company" certification by FAMAB, the German exhibit and event association, and Bowman's recent appointment to Chair of the Exhibit Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) Sustainable Exhibit Leadership Committee. In addition, Bowman is a featured speaker of the EDPA's Roadshow 2013, presenting a session entitled "How to Tackle Sustainability in a Down Economy."
Bowman says that the exhibit and event industry, which is dominated by privately-held firms, is uniquely positioned to implement green initiatives quickly and cost-effectively. "Privately-held companies are inherently nimble. Leaders in our industry have adopted a triple bottom line approach to people, planet and profits, and are gaining advantages in customer loyalty, employee satisfaction and improved business operations," says Bowman. |
Best,
Susan Frank
Director, California Business Alliance for a Green Economy
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CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
July 9-11
Intersolar North America
(San Francisco)
August 28
Women in Green Forum
(Los Angeles)
September 16-17
Renewable Energy Finance Forum
(San Francisco)
September 20-21
2013 AltCar Expo & Conference
(Santa Monica)
September 30-October 3
Plug-in 2013
(San Diego)
Oct. 3-4
California Women's Conference
(Long Beach)
Oct. 29-30
World Bio Markets USA: The Race for Scale
(San Francisco)
Nov. 5-8
(San Francisco)
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