eNews Update | Summer 2016 | www.clean-economy.org   |
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Temperatures aren't the only thing heating up this summer. California's economy is hot. Our state's economic output last year totaled $2.46 trillion. We created 40,300 jobs in June and 461,000 over the past year and we are now the sixth largest economy in the world.
All of this growth comes as California continues its long-term commitment to invest in a clean energy economy. A national cleantech research firm has concluded that four of the top six regions for clean tech leadership in the U.S. are in California - San Francisco (1), San Jose (2), San Diego(3), Los Angeles (6). LA Times columnist Michael Hiltzik recently pointed out that " this record raises numerous questions, the most interesting of which is: So what's all that guff about California being a 'business-unfriendly' state? The record shows unmistakably that those who rank California low for business competitiveness can't be right. They're prisoners of business and political ideology, locked in a room so dark their eyes can't adjust to the daylight."
Fortunately, our members have seen the light and are helping our state transform its energy and transportation sectors through innovative business practices and through support for California's clean energy policies.
~Susan Frank
Director, California Business Alliance
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The Business Journal - July 11
San Jose Mercury News - July 7
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California Means Business (CMB)
AMAZON BRINGING 1,000 JOBS TO SACRAMENTO
Online retailer Amazon.com confirmed that it plans to open a 1,000-employee distribution center in Sacramento.
ELECTRIC CARMAKER TO INVEST HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO NORTH BAY FACTORY
A section of the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo could become a site for the first new car factory built in California in decades. Los Angeles-based Faraday Future, a private electric car startup, is close to locking in an exclusive negotiating agreement with the City of Vallejo to buy a 157-acre site to build a production facility and showroom.
CALIFORNIA UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS AMID STRONG JOB GROWTH
A week after Gov. Jerry Brown warned of a possible slowdown in California's economy, state officials reported Friday that unemployment continued falling in April as job growth perked up. The unemployment rate fell to 5.3 percent, down a tenth of a point from the month before, the Employment Development Department said. It was the lowest statewide unemployment rate since June 2007.
BIOTECH MANUFACTURING COMPANY RELOCATING HEADQUARTERS FROM TEXAS TO CALIFORNIA
Earlier today Cerebain Biotech announced they are relocating their headquarters from Dallas, Texas to Costa Mesa, California... "GO-Biz is excited to welcome Cerebain Biotech to California - the home of the biotech industry," said GO-Biz director Panorea Avdis. California is home to more biotech companies than any other state in the US.
DETROIT CRAVES SILICON VALLEY SPEED, INNOVATION
If General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. get their way, the road they're traveling more frequently to Silicon Valley will become a two-way street. "We're looking for that innovative mindset through the total business," says Raj Nair, Ford's executive vice president of product development.
Click here to read more CMB news.
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Featured Survey
SURVEY: PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment
Ten years after California enacted AB 32, the landmark law mandating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, strong majorities of residents support its goals and favor a proposal to expand on them. When Californians are asked if they favor or oppose the law requiring the state to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020, 69 percent are in favor (19% oppose, 13% don't know).
"We find strong support today for the state's greenhouse gas emissions targets set 10 years ago," said Mark Baldassare, PPIC president and CEO.
Read the Press Release.
Read the Full Survey Report.
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Featured Report
2016 California Green Innovation Index:
This year's Next 10 California Green Innovation Index tracks key economic and environmental indicators at the regional, state, and international level. Solar generation and zero emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption rates have increased dramatically in California - 1,378 percent in just 5 years for solar generation, and 244 percent in two years for ZEV registrations - signaling major market disruption as clean energy technology hotspots take root across California, and not just in traditional innovation hubs. For example, the state's top region for commercial and residential solar power is Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, while Fresno is number one for industrial solar power.
As of 2014, renewable energy sources served 25 percent of California's retail electricity sales, and generated 20.1 percent of California's total electricity, up from 12 percent in 2009.
Internationally, California maintains its ranking as 4th in the world for the share of electricity generated from renewable sources. In 2014, California's total state greenhouse gas emissions fell .62 percent compared to 2013.
Read the Press Release.
Read the Full Report.
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Featured Small Business Rebates
SoCalGas Launches Campaign to Raise Awareness of Rebates for Small Businesses
Last month, Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) launched a multi-media campaign designed to raise awareness of various energy efficiency rebates, and no-cost, or low-cost services available to help small and medium-sized business customers conserve energy. This campaign will run through Aug. 28 and will target independently owned businesses such as beauty salons, restaurants and laundromats that strive to reduce their energy use.
"Many small businesses look for ways to save money to stay competitive in the marketplace," said Ann Ayres, SoCalGas' director of customer strategy and engagement. "We support our business customers by helping them invest in equipment that conserves natural gas, helps them save money and contributes to healthier communities."
Visit socalgas.com and search "business rebates" for details.
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Featured Event
3 rd Annual Net Zero Conference
August 19, Downey, CA
The 3rd Annual Net Zero Conference, Energy + Water + Waste, is one of the largest net zero events in the country, and the premier SoCal conference dedicated to net zero design. The event has captured the building industry's momentum toward a net zero future, and doubled in size in its first two years. Verdical Group, the conference organizer, is projecting the conference to double in size again to 600 attendees in 2016.
The half-day conference includes: six short TED style net zero case study presentations from nationally leading AEC firms, an exhibitor table expo, and high quality networking opportunities.
The conference draws a wide array of high level decision makers and also includes complimentary registration and breakfast thanks to the generous support of SoCalGas®. Three Continuing Education Units will be available for AIA, USGBC, and LFA professional credential holders.
Learn more about the conference here.
Register for the conference here.
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Featured Event
October 16-18, San Francisco, CA
For over 20 years, the annual Renewable Energy Markets (REM) conference has been the leading forum for the clean energy marketplace. Attracting participants from around the globe who share an interest in and commitment to promoting clean energy, REM remains the only conference of its kind focusing on national and international markets for renewable energy.
Organized by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions and co-sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this annual meeting of clean energy stakeholders includes generators, marketers, utility representatives, purchasers, policymakers, and regional stakeholders, and sets the agenda for the year to come.
REM will be held October 16-18, 2016 at the Parc 55 hotel in San Francisco, CA.
Learn more about the conference here.
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Featured Organization
The California Green Business Program leads the state and nation in working with small- to medium-sized businesses to grow a vibrant and healthy green economy. Led by a coalition of cities and counties, they contribute to more livable communities with healthier environments, while also conserving resources and saving money.  The program is funded by grass-roots contributions from local government and utility partners to make it accessible to small to medium sized businesses in California.
This year, the California Green Business Program has saved 835,334 metric tons of CO2 with a total savings of $3,083,277. That's the equivalent of planting 44,161 acres of urban trees a year for 10 years.
Learn more about the network here.
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Member Highlight
 Senate President visits Chico, commends Alliance Member Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. for its Sustainability Practices
By Ashiah Scharaga
Enterprise-Record
April 28, 1016
California Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León visited Chico for the first time Thursday. Naturally, his first stop was Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. But it wasn't for the reason most people visit. De León did taste some locally crafted beer - he favored less hoppy brews Summerfest and Kellerweis - but he was there to learn about the brewing company's sustainability practices, which he said were "phenomenal." The state Senate leader has focused on the environment - along with education, public safety and immigrants' rights - since his election to the Assembly in 2006 and Senate in 2010.
De León said Sierra Nevada and founder Ken Grossman are "way ahead" of many businesses in the state. He said it's the state's hope it can bring many of the energy-intensive businesses throughout the state on board with sustainable practices like those Grossman has implemented.
"The practices here with regards to clean energy and climate change are real and genuine," De León said. "It's unbelievable. In many ways, perhaps, Sierra Nevada is Senate Bill 350 before Senate Bill 350 became law."
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Member Profile
Southwest Sun Solar Brings Solar Power and Clean Energy to California households
Southwest Sun Solar, based in Westminster, is a California-based company that has offices and installation crews throughout the state. They are committed to educating the community and bringing solar power and clean energy to as many customers and households as possible. They are licensed in California as a C-10 Electrical contractor in addition to having a General B Contractors license.
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Best,
Susan Frank
Director, California Business Alliance
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CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
(Long Beach)
September 19-22
(Santa Clara)
October 5-7
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