Bay Area Climate Collaborative Blog

Consumer Demand for Solar Energy Soars

bacc@svlg.org (BACC Editor) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:10:49 GMT

Consumer demand for alternative energy is soaring, amounting to a boon for California companies such as BACC SunShares sponsor SolarCity, SunRun, and Sungevity that lease solar panels to homeowners at little or no up-front cost. The result: a boost in demand and availability of solar for residents who could not pay up front costs to install solar panels. Read more here.

UC Berkeley Study: Replacing Coal with Renewable Energy Can Be Cost Effective

bacc@svlg.org (BACC Editor) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:48:49 GMT

A new computer model of the electric power grid for the Western United States finds that the least expensive way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to replace coal with renewable and other sources of energy. The new study by University of California, Berkeley, researchers, concludes that policy changes are needed to cap or tax carbon emissions to provide an incentive to move toward low-carbon electricity sources. Read more here.

International Renewable Energy Exhibition “Das Haus” Opens in San Francisco this Month

bacc@svlg.org (BACC Editor) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:07:43 GMT

The Das Haus Tour, a world-class exhibition of the latest market-ready renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions, is set to open this month in San Francisco. The North American tour began last October and will include 12 stops in the U.S. and Canada before it concludes in November. The exhibition features a multifaceted structure designed to demonstrate real-world technologies and solutions for meeting ultra-low energy building standards. Read more here.

EPA Releases Document on Energy Efficiency in Local Government Operations

bacc@svlg.org (BACC Editor) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:13:21 GMT

EPA’s State and Local Climate and Energy Program has released a final version of Energy Efficiency in Local Government Operations: A Guide to Developing and Implementing Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs (PDF) (72 pp, 5.3 MB). This guide describes how local governments can lead by example and achieve multiple benefits by improving the energy efficiency of their new, existing, and renovated facilities and their day-to-day operations. It is designed to be used by facility managers, energy and environment staff, other local government agencies, and mayors and city councils.

Readers of the guide will come away with an understanding of options to improve the energy efficiency of municipal facilities and operations, and how to motivate the private sector and other stakeholders to follow suit. Readers will also understand the steps and considerations involved in developing and implementing these energy efficiency improvements, as well as an awareness of expected investment and funding opportunities.

This document is part of the Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series, which is designed to help policy makers and program staff plan, implement, and evaluate cost-effective climate and energy projects that generate economic, environmental, social, and human health benefits.

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State and local officials interested in additional information about developing and implementing cost-effective climate and energy strategies that help further environmental goals and achieve public health and economic benefits may visit: http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate

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Santa Clara County Installs Solar Systems on Bus Maintenance Yards

bacc@svlg.org (BACC Editor) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:22:02 GMT

Santa Clara County has installed solar systems totaling 2.1 megawatts at its three bus maintenance divisions. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority partnered with SunPower Corp., Joint Venture Silicon Valley and Wells Fargo to finance and install the solar canopy parking systems, which will supply electricity and provide shade for vehicles at two facilities in San Jose and one in Mountain View. Officials estimate the county will save $2.7 million in electricity costs over the next 20 years. Read more here.

Sacramento’s Clean Tech Sector has Doubled Revenue, Added Jobs

bacc@svlg.org (BACC Editor) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:13:35 GMT

Sacramento's clean tech companies more than doubled their revenue over the past three years and created sorely needed new jobs for a region struggling economically, according to a new report from the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance. The Alliance said clean tech manufacturers and design companies generated more than $1.5 billion in revenue last year, up from $650 million in 2008, and that the industry now employs 2,200 people, an increase of 400 over the past three years. Read more here.

Facing Budget Shortfalls, 10 California Cities Cut Costs with LED Lighting Projects

bacc@svlg.org (BACC Editor) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:42:20 GMT

This Forbes article spotlights 10 California cities including Burlingame, Brisbane and Foster City that have achieved $9 million in budget savings by switching traffic and other lights to energy-saving LED technology. The article describes the $35 million Energy Efficient Conservation Block Grants Program – supplied through the California Energy Commission from dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – as a lifeline for cash-strapped California cities and counties. The California Energy Commission estimates the program also has resulted in 2,375 jobs created, 61.2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity savings. Read more here.

Intel Tops EPA’s New List of Firms Using Renewable Energy

bacc@svlg.org (BACC Editor) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:33:04 GMT

Intel, headquartered in Santa Clara, kept its place at the top in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s quarterly rankings of renewable energy use and generation. Intel and Kohl's have long held the list’s top spots and Walmart, Whole Foods Market and Johnson & Johnson round out the top five. Walmart represented the biggest jump, from 15th to 3rd on the list, largely due to solar installations at stores in California and Colorado. Read more here.

New BART Trains Designed to Boost Energy Efficiency, Entice New Riders

bacc@svlg.org (BACC Editor) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:47:12 GMT

Bay Area Rapid Transit officials have revealed a glimpse of the new “Fleet of the Future,” which is set to roll out in 2014 and replace cars that have been running since 1972. The improvements include three doors on each car to make getting in and out easier, improvements in energy efficiency and better audio and visual passenger information. Read more here.

California Venture Capitalist: Clean Car Rules Create Jobs

bacc@svlg.org (BACC Editor) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:18:07 GMT

Palo Alto-based venture capitalist Marty Lagod writes in the Los Angeles Daily News that California's advanced vehicle standards help to support jobs and grow California's economy. He urges the adoption of new clean car rules, saying California’s leadership is critical to helping shape global policies. Lagod writes, “We incubate great ideas here, bring them to market, and then -- most crucially -- lock in our leadership position so we keep the jobs those ideas create in California." Read more here.