San Francisco

Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Update

Here are you wEEkly updates:


News and Announcements

1. Updated Version of the Proposition 39 (K-12) Snapshot is Now Online

Updated version of the Prop 39 K-12 program snapshot is now online measuring expenditures, estimated annual energy savings, and GHG reductions. More information on Prop 39 (California Clean Energy Jobs Act) can found here.

2. Multi-family Solar Development Webinar

Informational webinar which will provide background about the goals of the Virtual Net Metering Market Development Project supported by the Center for Sustainable Energy. Learn more about Virtual Net Metering and solar for multifamily dwellings here.

3. RFP: Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP)

Notice of Intent to Award is Today! The Low-Income Weatherization Program is an energy efficiency program administered by California Department of Community Services and Development to install a variety of energy efficiency measures, solar photovoltaics and solar water heater systems on low-income households located in disadvantaged communities.

4. Getting to Zero Carbon in Menlo Park: A Northern California Suburb Revamps Its Approach to the Built Environment

“…small cities have an important leadership role to play on climate action, because they account for more emissions and represent a larger share of the population than big cities.”

5. San Diego’s Climate Action Plan Making Progress—And Creating Jobs

Highlighting the impact and progress of the city of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan, not only providing environmental benefits but also improving the economy.


Reports and Resources


6. Integrated Emissions Visualization Tool

ARB has developed an integrated emissions visualization tool (IEVT) that allows users to locate and view emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and criteria pollutants from large facilities in California. ARB is looking for feedback from the public and others users on this initial version of the IEVT.

7. Updated Cap-and-Trade Funding Guidelines

The Air Resources Board has published the Funding Guidelines Supplement for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016-17 Funds. The Supplement includes updated disadvantaged community investment targets for all FY 2016-17 budget appropriations and also provides criteria todetermine whether projects funded by the new FY 2016-17 appropriations will provide benefits to disadvantaged communities.

8. Draft 2015 SCE Home Energy Efficiency Survey Evaluation Report

The report is posted for public comment and review on the CPUC Public Document Area here. (Search: “Draft 2015 SCE HEES” ). Or you can click the title above to view the report directly.


Career Opportunities


9. Energy Specialist, San Francisco

The City and County of San Francisco Department of the Environment (SF Environment) is seeking an Energy Specialist who will assist in monitoring, evaluating, and implementing projects, programs and policies focused on Distributed Energy Resources including energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage and zero emission vehicles.

10. Energy Manager, San Francisco (Job ID: 6317)

San Francisco State University is seeking an Energy Manager to establish the campus as a national leader in sustainability and energy management. This position will provide a forward thinking energy professional with an opportunity to use the campus as a living laboratory to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote renewable energy.

11. Chief Executive Officer, Yolo County

The County of Yolo is conducting a recruitment on behalf of The Valley Clean Energy Alliance for the Chief Executive Officer position.



That's all for today! Cheers and have a great weekend!





Creating A 'Net-Positive' Super Bowl

The countdown to Super Bowl 50 is officially on with less than two weeks to go until the big game between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers. Many will not have the privilege of attending the big event and will be throwing parties at home...as usual. Either way I am here to help you to a green sustainable Super Bowl 50.
Large events such as the Super Bowl bring in a lot of money and visitors to the city of the event, which this year is San Francisco. The host city gains an economic boost with the swaths of people and countless parties that are to be had. But with all of the festivities there are a lot of inevitable consequences that tag along. The one item that will be top of mind is car and airplane emissions from those traveling into the bay area. Fans will be commuting from the Denver area and as far east as the Carolina's.  Then from there it is a long laundry list of items such as: waste, water, energy and food. All of these items play a significant role in the communities in which the game is being played in.  
With this year's Super Bowl being the 50th the host committee is aiming to make this year's game stand out for more than what is happening on the field. The committee is framing this year's game around the phrase, 'net-positive'. For the many that may not know what that phrase means the committee has taken steps to define what it is for the purpose of the game. People attending the game or watching from home are being asked to contribute in which ever categories they can in what the committee has coined, Play Your Part
Play your part has four main pillars it stands upon. 
  1. Reducing impact on climate change (lower emissions)
    • Use mass transit
    • Ride your bike
  2. Using and recycling of items properly
    • Use reusable bags and water bottles #BringYourOwn
  3. Have fans personally embrace sustainability
    • Fans to use the Play Your Part Program
  4. Leaving the Bay Area better than before
    • Donating to environmentally focused Bay Area non-profits
To participate in the Play Your Part campaign you do not have to be attending the big game, but you do have to be from the State of California. The hopes of this campaign is to bring the environmental issues of large events to top of mind of attendees and followers. If you would like to participate and make this years game 'net-positive' log on and let the committee know how you are going to make a difference. Once you are done you learn that you are now rewarded 50 good coins. With those 50 coins you can make a donation to one of the four non-profits that were selected by the committee. But you must hurry! You only have until before the game begins to participate. 
So those that are not able to be in the vibrant city for the game we haven't forgotten about you. The four pillars that are laid out can still be acted upon while throwing a Super Bowl party at your place. We built a 'net-positive' list for your celebration at your home.
1. Reducing impact on climate change
For those of you who will be enjoying the game from the comforts of your home or a friends home there is still room to cut down on emissions. Try carpooling with friends that are going the same way or to the same celebration. Or if you are close enough to the party you can even just bike there. 
2. Using and recycling of items properly
At many of the Super Bowl parties that I have attended in the past there have been paper plates and red cups galore. This year try to steer clear of those items even though they make for an easier clean up. Try out reusable stainless steel or glass containers to bring over your items if its a potluck type of event. Then for plates try out bamboo items from  Bamboo Studio's and for cups go for glass if you can. And if you are one of those that ops for water try bringing your own reusable water bottle. (ppsstt...if you do and snap a picture make sure you use the hashtag #BringYourOwn)
Then once cleanup begins remember you have separate bins for a reason. Make sure you recycle those items that can be recycled. If you are unsure what items your city recycles check out this website, Earth911.com, that will let you know what items are ok or not. 
3. Have fans personally embrace sustainability

Believe it or not: schmorgishborg!

Today's BION is a cheat.  Frankly, I'm just not up to it as I have my second sinus infection in a month and the fifth for the whole summer (yes, it's still over 90 degrees here so it's summer in my book!). So, today you're getting a schmorgishborg of BIONs from headlines that excited me--or as I've previously mentioned, something my husband found on Reddit and then set to me.

Believe it or not: Tesla goes long range with new super charger.

Believe it or not: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the Carnegie Institution for Science report that there is enough energy available in winds to meet all of the world’s demand! 

Believe it or not: San Franciso considers public power market, 100% renewable.

Believe it or not: First North American tidal turbine goes live in Maine.