eNews Update | March 2015 | www.clean-economy.org                                                   Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter

Greetings!    

  

It has been a good month for California's clean energy economy. Last month, I joined a number of business leaders as the California Air Resources Board took an important step toward re-adopting the state's Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Alliance member John Boesel, President & CEO, CALSTART, co-authored an op-ed on the topic for the Sacramento Bee last month.


Last week, California's latest AB 32 cap and trade auction successfully sold all of the available allowances and raised over
$1 billion that, along with the millions collected to date, will be made available for investing in projects that reduce contributions to climate change.


Also in February, the CBA's Deputy Director, Ruben Aronin, participated as a presenter for the
5th Annual CoolCalifornia Small Business Awards, which recognized a diverse group of companies - including several CBA members - that are demonstrating innovative ways to save money through voluntary climate and clean energy initiatives.

 

Thank you for your continued support. Please remember to follow our facebook and twitter feeds for updates.

 

~Susan Frank
Director, California Business Alliance

News Header2

California Means Business (CMB)
 
Recent CMB News Highlights

 

CALIFORNIA JOB GROWTH, OVERALL CONFIDENCE BOOST ECONOMY

California's economy is on an upswing with steady job growth, falling unemployment and increased confidence among businesses and consumers, according to a report released Wednesday.

San Gabriel Valley Tribune      2/18/2015
 
GO-BIZ RECEIVES 253 APPLICATIONS FROM BUSINESSES SEEKING CALIFORNIA COMPETES TAX CREDIT TO ADD JOBS IN THE STATE

Building on the state's effort to help businesses expand and create new jobs, the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) today announced that it received a total of 253 applications with a combined tax credit request of $289 million for the most recent California Competes Tax Credit application period which closed on February 2, 2015.

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development      2/06/2015
 
MITU CAPTURES $15 MILLION SERIES B ROUND

MiTu has closed $15 million in Series B financing to invest in tech and grow its editorial team. The Culver City multichannel network launched in 2012 to produce English and Spanish-language programming that appeals to Latinos. It currently boasts 80 million total subscribers that generate 700 million monthly views.

LA Business Journal      2/4/2015

 

Click here to read more CMB news.
Member Op-ed Highlight
     sacbee logo
California Should Stay on Track
with Standard for Cleaner Fuels

 

 

by John Boesel, President & CEO, CALSTART
and Michael McAdams, President, Advanced Biofuels Assoc.
The Sacramento Bee

February 1, 2015

 

Legal challenges, political battles and scare tactics have not derailed California's low-carbon fuel standard. As the state Air Resources Board gets ready to re-adopt the standard, we have one simple message: Keep going.

 

California's commitment to developing cleaner fuels is paying dividends for companies, the state and the nation. The businesses we represent are eager to cement those gains. They hope California's leaders will go even further, setting higher greenhouse gas reduction targets for fuels and extending the low-carbon fuel standard beyond its current 2020 expiration date.

 

To read the full article, click here.

coolcaawards
Event Recap/Highlight
    
CoolCalifornia Awards
Hosted by the California Air Resources Board

 

The CA Business Alliance (CBA) once again proudly sponsored the 5th Annual CoolCalifornia Small Business Awards, recognizing small businesses that demonstrate leadership and make notable, voluntary achievements toward reducing their carbon footprint.

 

CBA Deputy Director, Ruben Aronin, presented several of the honors at the awards event held in Sacramento. One of the honorees, Capitol Bowl, received recognition in-part for installing solar panels on its roof, which has not only dramatically reduced monthly utility bills but also generates nearly all of the company's renewable electricity on-site. (Photo: Chris White and Ross Amin from Capitol Bowl, with Aronin on the far right.)

 

"These small business leaders come from all over California, and whether they are running a plumbing company or a bagel shop, they are demonstrating that the connection between climate-friendly business practices and a healthy bottom line is both real and positive," California Air Resources Board Chairman Mary D. Nichols said.


CBA Director, Susan Frank, served on the CoolCalifornia Award selection committee that ultimately chose 16 award winners from across the state. These businesses took a number of different actions to save money and improve their business operations while reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts. Some of the steps they took included installing LED lights, solar panels and energy-efficient equipment; eliminating toxic chemicals and solvents; using eco-friendly, recycled/reused/repurposed products; composting food scraps and plant material; installing aerators on faucets and low-flow toilets; and starting or enhancing recycling and water conservation programs.  

 

To learn more, click here .

calcan2Member Event Highlight
   
CalCAN 4th California Climate & Agriculture Summit, March 24-25

 

The California Climate & Agriculture Network will be hosting the 4th California Climate & Agriculture Summit in Davis, California. The summit begins on March 24 with farm tours in Yolo County, followed by a day of plenary, workshop and poster presentations on March 25 at UC Davis.

 

Attendees will hear about the latest science, policy and practice related to climate change and sustainable agriculture in California. You will network with a diverse group of participants including farmers and ranchers, researchers, policymakers, advocates and agriculture professionals.

 

To learn more and register, click here.

IGIHOFEvent Highlight
   
International Green Industry Hall Of Fame, April 16

 

The International Green Industry Hall of Fame was established in 2008 to recognize excellence in the Green Industry and establish an educational platform for the general public, at no cost.

 

Beginning in 2010, IGIHOF has recognized 23 organizations including: Electronic Recyclers International, Grundfos Pumps Company, Grid Alternatives, SunRun, UC Merced, D. Light Design, Empower Playgrounds, Frey Winery, and New Belgium Brewing. Additionally, IGIHOF and honored 13 individuals including: Ray C. Anderson, Ed Begley Jr., John Schaeffer, Christina Schwerdtfeger, and Donald Simon.

 

This year IGIHOF is holding it's 5th Annual Induction Ceremony and Conference on the campus of UC Santa Barbara co-sponsored by the Bren School of Environmental Sciences and Management and the Environmental Education Group on April 16, 2015. The theme of the event is "The Water Nexus: Challenges and Solutions." Join us as we celebrate excellence and learn about innovations and best practices in the green industry.

 

To learn more and register, click here.

Member Profile
    
Earth's Flame

 

Earth's Flame retrofits wood-burning fireplaces to burn firewood while reducing pollutant production. Earth's Flame is a small family/woman owned business. Their roots date back to CEO Lisa's father, who invented the Blue Flame Log Lighter and Gas Valve in 1954 and was the first to bring gas into fireplaces. Their company has been based in Southern California for over 60 years


*Winner of 2010 Hearth and Home - GREEN AWARD

*EPA QUALIFIED

*Blue Flame Log Lighter - CSA certified


Earth's Flame is making a difference to improving air quality in California, while enabling customers to continue enjoying the American tradition of burning firewood. Now your wood-burning fireplace can be green, efficient and safer: 7.2 tons of particulates will be eliminated for every 1,000 Earth's Flame installations. 

 

You can view a demonstration of the Earth's Flame burning wood without smoke here.

 

For more information, visit www.earthsflame.com.

Best,
SF signature
Susan Frank
Director, California Business Alliance

CALENDAR AT A GLANCE

  

March 5

(Oakland)

 

March 11-13

Imperial Valley Renewable Energy Summit

(Winterhaven)

 

March 16-18

(San Francisco)

 

March 23-24 

(Irvine)

 

March 23-26

(San Diego)

 

March 24-25

2015 CalCAN Summit

(Davis)

Read More

 

March 25-26

2nd Annual Microgrid Global Summit 2015

(Irvine)

 

April  13-14

Advanced Renewable Energy Project Finance & Analysis

(San Francisco)

 

April 13

Good Jobs, Green Jobs

(Washington D.C.)

 

April 14-16

Greentech Media Presents: 8th Annual Solar Summit

(Phoenix)

 

April 16

2015 IGIHOF Induction Ceremony and Conference

(Santa Barbara)

Read More

 

April 22

Fourth Annual SBC Industry Achievement Awards

(Los Angeles)

 

April 25

2015 Sustainability Summit

(Santa Monica)

 

April 25

Broccoli City Festival

(Washington D.C.)

 

May 6-8

(Los Angeles)

 

May 11-13

3rd Annual California 

Energy Summit

(San Francisco)

 

May 27-30

Sustainatopia

(Los Angeles)

 

May 28

City of Oakland AltCar Conference & Expo

(Oakland)

 

June 25

(Redwood City)

 

September 18

10th Anniversary City of Santa Monica AltCar

(Santa Monica)

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