eNews Update | July 2014 | www.ca-greenbusinessalliance.com                                  Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter

Greetings!    

  

The California Business Alliance (CBA) is increasingly being asked to share California's experience implementing the state's landmark clean energy and climate law (AB 32) with business leaders in the Pacific Northwest, as Washington and Oregon look at putting a price on carbon and adopting a clean fuels standard in their respective states. On Monday, I participated on a panel for business leaders in Washington State focused on cap and trade, a key component of AB 32. You can read more here about the event hosted by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the Washington Clean Technology Alliance Forum.

  

Recently, I had the pleasure of being quoted in an E&E story about the new bi-partisan "Risky Business Report" released by philanthropist Tom Steyer, former Treasury Secretaries Henry Paulson, Robert Rubin and other prominent financial and political leaders. In response to the report's release, I said: "This sober, fact-based assessment paints a very real picture of the potential loss of property and income business owners face if we don't take meaningful, collective action to address climate change... high-level messengers for the 'Risky Business' report will have a lot of influence with CEOs of companies."

 

While we continue to make progress implementing AB 32, there are some industry interests that continue to want to turn back the clock on progress. A diverse coalition of California businesses, associations and organizations recently responded to a letter signed by 16 state assembly members suggesting that oil companies should receive a free pass on AB 32 compliance. I encourage you to read the coalition's response.

 

The CBA's effectiveness is made possible by our growing membership. You can help by inviting colleagues and friends to join. And make sure to visit our Facebook page and Twitter Feed for regular updates.

 

Thank you for your ongoing support.

  

~Susan Frank
Director, California Business Alliance

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seattlechamber
Featured Story 
 
  
CBA Director Featured Speaker at Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Washington Clean Technology Alliance Forum

On June 30, California Business Alliance (CBA) Director, Susan Frank, was a featured panelist in "The Climate Series: Science, Policy and Implications for the Business Community." The event was presented by Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Washington Clean Technology Alliance. 

 

Susan provided insights into California's effective clean energy and climate policies and the numerous benefits to California's businesses, jobs and economy. 

 

Read More.

June13
Member Event Profile

fremontfestival
2014 Fremont Festival of the Arts to Feature
Electric Vehicles - August 2 & 3 

 

Both the City of Fremont as well as CBA member, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, were recently awarded funding from the California Energy Commission for the installation of publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, which should help to facilitate the growing number of EVs in the city.

 

Fremont already is home to the largest number of EV owners in Alameda County, at least in part attributable to the fact that Fremont is a commuter city with a number of residents working in the cleantech industry of Silicon Valley. 

 

With transportation alone responsible for nearly 60% of Fremont's GHG emissions, however, the city is looking toward the adoption of cleaner methods of transportation and improvements in urban infrastructure alongside ongoing energy efficiency and renewable energy outreach and education efforts as key strategies in reducing their GHG emissions by 25% by 2020 as adopted under their Climate Action Plan.

 

To showcase their CEC grant award as well as demonstrate the benefits of EVs to the community-at-large, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce plans to set up an EV display at this year's Fremont Festival of the Arts on August 2 & 3. They will display a few different EVs (including a Tesla) as well as demo EV charging stations.

 

Additionally, the chamber continues its efforts to make the Festival of the Arts more environmentally friendly. This year, they are pleased to be working with Nothing Wasted, a company that helps organizations and events reduce their waste footprint through careful planning and implementation of waste management processes and educational outreach.
Member Event Profile

GloSho

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator Invites
You to GloSho'14 on October 6 - 7 

 

On October 6-7, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) will be hosting the annual Global Showcase (GloSho'14) at the historic downtown Los Angeles Theatre Center. This event convenes global leaders in clean technology for a series of thought provoking discussions, networking and exhibitions by early stage cleantech companies. This year they anticipate an audience of 800+ attendees, including investors, exhibitors, elected officials, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, policymakers, philanthropists, and representatives from organizations that support early stage companies.

 

To learn more or to get tickets, please visit GloSho.la

Governor's Awards
                         
Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership (GEELA) Awards Application Now Open


The application period to apply for the 2014 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership (GEELA) Awards - one of the state's most prestigious environmental achievement awards - is now open.

 

The GEELA program recognizes individuals, organizations and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership for voluntary achievements in conserving California's resources, protecting and enhancing the environment, building public-private partnerships, and strengthening the state's economy.

 

GEELA recipients are chosen in 14 different categories, from climate change to environmental justice to waste reduction.

 

Applications are due Friday, July 11, 2014.

 

For more information and to apply, click here.

Member Highlight


Hot Purple Energy Named
2014 Small Business of the Year 

 

Hot Purple Energy (HPE) - with a focus on the "Energy"- recently was named 56th Assembly District's "2014 Small Business of the Year." Owners Nate Otto, President, and David Herrlinger, Vice President, traveled to Sacramento on June 16 to participate in a recognition event sponsored by the California Small Business Association.  

 

Assemblyman V. Manuel Perez selected Hot Purple Energy among 80 other small businesses being honored."As our future moves toward sustainability and as more people realize that they can take control of their energy future and costs, we are witnessing a significant increase in solar power companies forming," said Assemblyman V. Manuel Perez, the Assistant Majority Floor Leader of the California State Assembly. "Hot Purple Energy has risen above the others with their distinctive approach to raise awareness about the importance and benefits of energy conservation and solar power, and their continued interaction with the community as a whole in the Coachella Valley is highly commendable."

 

As a comprehensive energy solutions company, HPE is available for complimentary consultations for an energy efficiency overview, providing recommendations and solutions for short- and long-term energy use. The company is revered for designing tailored solutions to meet the needs cost effectively for homes and businesses. For more information about HPE, please visit www.hotpurpleenergy.com or call (760) 322-4433.  

Member Profile



EcoSuperhero Offers Daily Solutions
to Live as Stewards of the Environment

 

The purpose of EcoSuperhero is to promote social responsibility by offering daily solutions to live as stewards of the environment. Our goal is to inspire and empower people to take daily actions which have a positive impact on our planet in the quest to become carbon neutral by 2020. We developed the "EcoSuperhero Survival Kit" and the products chosen create the perfect way to start living a green lifestyle on-the-go. This includes a stainless steel water bottle, a glass straw, a bamboo utensil set, a stainless steel 2-tier stackable food container and a reusable hand towel, all inside a reusable bag.

 

EcoSuperhero features and promotes colleges/universities, nonprofits, corporations and musicians who are making strides toward sustainability and doing their part to make our planet a safer and healthier place to live. As a part of our awareness campaign, we launched the Eco2020 Plastic-Free 30-day Challenge. The goal of this initiative is to educate and empower people to be conscious about the use of single-use products, by adopting solutions to lead a healthy lifestyle.

 

To learn more, please visit www.ecosuperhero.com.

Member Message
    
                   

 

Sierra Business Council and our 4,000 network members in the Sierra Nevada is thrilled to endorse the newly created Mokelumne Fund - created by the National Forest Foundation - designed to invest in the long term health of the Mokelumne River.

 

This fund is designed to invest about $6.5 million per year in resource restoration and forest management in the Mokelumne River watershed. This is particularly important because the Moke delivers drinking water to 90% of San Francisco's East Bay. That water supply is threatened by drought and the potential for mega wildfires.

 

Business is increasingly recognizing that investments in natural resources-like watersheds and forests that secure a clean and plentiful supply of water and energy-are a critical risk mitigation strategy. Plus, investing in the Moke is just good business; recent studies showed that $1 invested in a Mokelumne meadow can return 23 gallons of fresh water or $3 in fire reduction costs.

 

The National Forest Foundation is working with a diverse group of stakeholders from the communities served by the Mokelumne to identify public and private sector investment in the watershed.

 

Please consider investing in the Mokelumne Fund to help protect the East Bay's water.

 

Steve Frisch, President

Sierra Business Council

Best,
SF signature
Susan Frank
Director, California Business Alliance for a Green Economy

CALENDAR AT A GLANCE

   

Aug. 2-3

Fremont Festival of the Arts

(Fremont)
Read More 

 

Aug. 19-20

2014 Adaptation Forum

(Sacramento)

 

 

Sept. 10

Women in Green Forum 

(Los Angeles) 

 

Sept. 23-24

Water Innovation Summit 2014

(Berkeley)

 

Oct. 6-7

LACI Global Showcase 

(Los Angeles)
Read More

 

Oct. 27-28

VERGE
(San Francisco)

 

Dec. 2-4 

Renewable Energy Markets 2014 

(Sacramento) 

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