Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "clean-energy"

Earth Day Celebration 2011

2011-02-24T00:59:50Z

Come along and be a part of the FREE fun at the City of Sacramento’s 2011 Earth Day celebration! Earth dwellers of all ages are invited to come celebrate and learn about our majestic world, and the Sacramento community’s role in helping to make our area a green and even more environmentally friendly city.

The Earth Day celebration takes place on Thursday April 21st, at the City Hall Plaza located at 915 I Street, and Cesar Chavez Park located just across tthe street in downtown Sacramento. Our celebration kicks off with lively entertainment at 9 :00 AM with the festivities continuing until 2:00 PM. The green fun includes interactive learning, complete with clean air demonstrations, ring-a-round the recycle, prizes, giveaways, and even Radio Disney! So, save the date, and come join the City of Sacramento’s Neighborhood Services Division for an Earth Day celebration that’s out of this world. See you there!

For additional information, call 808-6525.

Dust-Up Over Oil in 3rd District Race

2010-07-01T02:35:20Z

In case you’ve neglected your political calendar lately, we’re nearly to the 4th of July, beyond the June 8th primary, and the November 2010 general election race for the 3rd Congressional District seat between challenger Ami Bera and incumbent Dan Lungren is in full swing.

Nowhere has this race been more evident recently than it was in the mid-June dust-up in which Bera accused Lungren of being silent about the gulf oil spill, calling him “a pawn of BP and big oil” who tacitly defends BP (the firm that caused the Deepwater Horizon spill, easily the nation’s worst environmental disaster ever), because he (Lungren) relies heavily on the oil and gas industry to finance his political campaigns.

Lungren’s response was to say that BP “screwed up big time,” disavowing a June Republican Study Committee report that calls the $20 billion fund set-aside by BP to pay for the spill as White House “Chicago-style shakedown politics,” and that he (Lungren) had been speaking out about the oil spill for weeks. Apparently not publicly, however, as a search of Lungren’s Web site reveals nothing, nor had he made any public statements until June 23rd when he spoke about HR 5503, a bill to help families in the gulf region.

As to campaign contributions from oil and gas interests to Lungren, he had already collected $18,000 from them this election cycle by the 2nd quarter 2010 - some $75,000 since 2003 - and his attitude on this is characterized by his now famous 2008 campaign quip. When asked about taking more than $20,000 from “big oil” while voting against a half-dozen House bills designed to protect gas consumers and reduce energy prices and our dependence on foreign oil, he responded with a smirk, “I don’t consider it a contradiction…if I could get more [big oil money], I’d take more.”

Not surprisingly, Lungren opposes President Obama’s six-months moratorium on new deepwater drilling in the Gulf. (This moratorium which idled all 33 Gulf drilling rigs has been struck down by New Orleans Judge Martin Feldman who owns interests in several oil and gas firms, but inexplicably refuses to recuse himself.)

According to Lungren, BP has a different attitude about safety than other oil companies and, further, offshore drilling can be “environmentally safe,” both rather surprising and ludicrous arguments in view of recent Congressional testimony by big oil executives that reveals their safety plans offer no solutions to deepwater oil spills, are likely copied from one-another, and were approved incredibly without any real scrutiny by the federal Minerals Management Service (MMS), an incompetent and scandalized “regulatory” agency left over, without adequate change by Obama, from the Bush administration. Moreover, oil company investment in safety technology is minimal at best, especially for risky drilling in deepwater - as much as four miles deep in the case of the Deepwater Horizon rig.

The important context behind all this is our national energy and environment policy, which must acknowledge the interconnection of energy, environmental safety, climate change, economic and national security concerns.

Lungren’s rather narrow approach to the issue focuses on “greater fuel efficiency” by offering a $1 billion prize to the U.S. carmaker that successfully builds a midsize sedan which travels 100 miles per gallon of gas. This “competition” is embodied in his bill HR 1794, stalled in subcommittee since its introduction in March 2009. He touts this prize money which perpetuates the consumption of oil, giving only passing reference to alternative sources of energy like nuclear, solar, geothermal. In seeming contradiction to all this last year, Lungren voted against “cash for clunkers,” vouchers for fuel efficient cars, and the House climate change bill HR 2454.

Dr. Bera, by contrast, proposes “a ‘smart’ and ‘green’ relationship with the earth and to the natural resources that power our communities; that is both environmentally and economically wise and sustainable; and that recognizes the crucial intersection of environmental reform, job creation, and national security.” This in “an economy that encourages competition and innovation…that preserves the jobs we have while creating new ones through job training, especially in clean energy technologies.”

An effective national energy and environment policy (like all other current public policies, for that matter) needs to be consistent with overall public fiscal policy, which given the weakness of the current “recovery” should be to preserve and grow jobs and maintain safety nets in the short-term, and reduce public debt in the long-term once the recovery has kicked-in.

A policy that phases-out use of fossil fuels – because of both the lack of domestic oil (foreign imports account for more than half of U.S. oil consumption) and the threat to national security of continuing Middle East involvement to secure adequate foreign oil imports – and phases-in use of alternative and renewable energy sources of all sorts, including nuclear, solar, wind, water, natural gas, and biofuels, and relies as well on effective energy conservation incentives. Moreover, a policy that provides incentives (subsidies and the like) for firms to produce positive externalities (the economist’s term for such as pollution and emissions reduction) and regulates and taxes negative externalities (death and pollution losses to others from firms’ actions like the Gulf oil spill, Exxon Valdes, Texas City and West Virginia mine explosions.

The energy and environment policy of a representative from California's 3rd congressional district must adhere to the above principles in a practical and sustainable way, importantly including definitive reference to water, local pollution, and other environmental issues unique to the Sacramento valley, delta and Sierra foothills. In any case, local voters can help promote solutions to area and national energy and environmental problems by electing as representative someone like Bera who advocates a variety of clean energy approaches, rather than someone like Lungren who is stuck on promoting primarily oil and gas solutions evidently because firms of that industry represent a significant source of his campaign funding.

Chuck McIntyre
Sacramento economist, some of whose other writing is seen here.

Hands Across the Sand: NO to offshore drilling. YES to clean energy.

2010-06-27T08:09:08Z

A group of conscientious citizens joined hands for fifteen minutes in River Walk Park yesterday to send a clear and simple message:

NO to offshore drilling.

YES to clean energy.

My dad and I closed Practical Cycle and pedaled over there to participate and offer a solution to America's destructive addiction to cheap oil. We brought two Pedego Electric Bikes and two Worksman Tricycles with us and gave out free test rides.

We believe that riding a bike instead of driving can help America declare energy independence, stimulate, our economy, cut pollution, conserve resources for future generations, and prevent disasters like the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Ironically, there was a car show taking place at the same time featuring oversized, classic gas guzzlers. My dad rode through the show spreading our message and reported that one in ten was supportive will the rest of the herd effectively said, "Drill, baby drill!"

Hands Across the Sand is a national movement to oppose offshore oil drilling and champion clean energy. The idea is to draw human lines in the sand against the threat oil drilling poses to our coastal economies, oceans, marine wildlife, and fishing industry.

For more information, please visit www.handsacrossthesand.com.

Celebrating the 40th Annual Earth Day

2010-04-22T19:03:03Z

On April 22nd each day for the past 40 years, our nation has celebrated this day as Earth Day - an opportunity for many of us to join with family, friends and neighbors to celebrate our environment and work towards a healthier one..

At this time each year, I enjoy celebrating Earth Day with my family and reminding my grandchildren about the importance of respecting nature. Protecting our environment means guaranteeing our families can breathe clean air and drink clean water. For those in the region, much of our food supply comes from local farmers and can be adversely affected by harmful pollutants. It is important that the next generation understands and appreciates all that our planet has to offer us in order to ensure that every generation is able to enjoy these same benefits.

As a member of the House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee, I have been working diligently with my colleagues to curb the pollution that puts our health at risk and find long-lasting, sustainable energy solutions that will end our reliance on foreign oil and reduce living costs for American families. Last year, the House passed a comprehensive clean energy bill, paving a new course towards a clean energy economy. Now it’s the Senate’s turn. And if this legislation is enacted, it will spur massive investment in new clean energy jobs, and reduce the harmful pollutants and emissions that are causing dangerous climate change.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has partnered with agencies across the globe to showcase many simple changes you can make in your daily life to help combat climate change and harmful pollution trends. As we commemorate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, I encourage all of you to visit http://www.epa.gov/pick5/ and join me in making a pledge to “Pick 5” so that the next generations may enjoy the beauty of Sacramento as we do today.

We have made great strides over the last 40 years, yet there remains much left to be accomplished in protecting our environment. I will continue to stand-up as your advocate in Congress, and hope that you will join me this Earth Day in making a few small steps towards lasting change.

-Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento)

Sacramento Statewide Leader in Green Job Growth

2010-04-12T20:57:28Z

Sacramento led the state in green job growth in 2008, with an increase in green jobs of 87% between 1995 and 2008, reports Many Shades of Green: Diversity and Distribution of California’s Green Jobs. This report was released by nonpartisan Next 10 and Collaborative Economics, and provides the most comprehensive green jobs accounting to date, systematically tracking the most recent available data on green companies, job type, location and growth across every sector and region of California.

There are other positive indicators in the Sacramento region that we are on our way to becoming the clean tech capital of the state. In its annual CleanStart Progress report, SARTA identified over $130 million in clean tech grants that were awarded in 2009 to organizations in the region. In 2010, we’ve already seen $905 thousand awarded to Sacramento State University for the development of a new training and workforce development program to enhance the region’s growing smart grid system.

SARTA’s CleanStart program identified 98 companies in the region engaged in the clean tech sector for 2009; twenty of these companies were new to the list. The clean-tech companies in the region include three publically traded companies: Solar Power Inc. (SOPW.OB), Octus Energy (OCTI.OB) and Pacific Ethanol (PEIX). Solar Power, Inc. one of the biggest clean tech success stories in the region, is making a splash with its 3.6 MW solar installation at Aerojet, soon to be upgraded to 6 MW. That installation will be the largest single industrial solar site in the country. The company recently announced a move to the growing clean tech park at McClellan, with an intention to add over 100 jobs there.

“Solar Power is joining a half dozen others in clean tech at McClellan Park,” said Gary Simon, Chairman of CleanStart. “All of them will be showcased at a networking mixer we are hosting at the Lions Gate Garden Pavilion at McClellan Park from 5 to 8 pm on Tuesday April 13, open to the public*. The entire growing clean tech cluster is one of the brightest spots in the local economy.”

Details for registering to attend Tuesday’s PowerSurge networking mixer as well as downloads of the CleanStart 2010 Progress report and the complete list of companies in Sacramento’s Clean Tech Cluster are available at www.cleanstart.org.

*PowerSurge is open the public but includes a general admission fee of $30; a reduced rate of $15 is available for SARTA members, full-time students and facutly members.

Matsui pushes Sac as clean tech capital

2010-04-12T03:04:00Z

U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui launched a collaboration Friday in an effort to make Sacramento the nation's clean-tech capital.

The impetus: $127.5 million the U.S. Department of Energy awarded to Sacramento Municipal Utility District and local partners last fall to install a regional smart electric grid system. The grid collects electricity use information from generation to consumption and makes that available via the Internet.

Local green-sector businesses, organizations, academics and government agencies now must team up to figure out how to use the federal funding as venture capital to stimulate economic growth through clean-tech initiatives and green energy projects, said Matsui, who represents Sacramento as part of California's Fifth District.

"With a changing economy comes opportunity, and this is the time to think big," she said, speaking to more than 50 people at SMUD headquarters. "We need to walk out with a clear vision of what the region needs to do to become the clean-tech capital."

The money was among $3.4 billion in stimulus funding grants divided between more than 100 utilities, businesses and cities in October for smart grid technology development. The Obama administration is using the 2009 Recovery Act to lay the foundation for a national clean-energy economy and to make the country a global energy leader, said Travis Dredd, special assistant to U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu.

Matsui, who sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee, also announced Friday that California State University, Sacramento, has won $750,000 in stimulus funds for smart grid workforce training.

The $127.5 million grant will allow Sacramento to "move to the front of the line" and speed the development of smart-grid technology here — and that infrastructure will pave the way for other innovations, said SMUD General Manager John DiStasio.

Sacramento has a chance to become "the hub for clean tech in the country," said Bob Burris, deputy director for the Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization (SACTO).

"We believe that could be the case," he said.

The number of clean-tech companies has grown quickly in the region over the last few years. The area was home to 30 such businesses in 2006. The number of companies then jumped to 56 in 2007 and 90 in 2008. The pace slowed with the recession, growing to 95 in 2009 and 106 in 2010, said Meg Arnold, chief executive officer of Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance. While at UC Davis, Arnold developed programs to support start-up companies that began on campus.

SMUD, Paciﬁc Gas and Electric Co. and Roseville Electric — the three primary electricity providers here — are on the cutting edge in the development and use of clean energy, according to SACTO.

In the last six months, half of the companies expressing interest in moving to Sacramento have been clean tech. About 70 percent of those are European, 13 percent are from the Pacific Rim and 17 percent are domestic, Burris said.

Ecostream of Holland and SunTechnics Energy Systems of Germany recently established national headquarters here.

The region is attractive to such businesses for several reasons. California provides the biggest market for sustainable energy and other clean technologies. Natural resources, including sun and wind, are plentiful. The area is centrally located in the West and easily accessible via highway, rail and sea ports. UC Davis and California State University, Sacramento, offer leading clean-tech programs. And as the capital, Sacramento is policy headquarters for the country's most progressive, environmentally friendly state, Burris said.

Collaboration has helped the region get where it is. The Green Capital Alliance has been promoting a partnership of clean tech and a green economy, Arnold said. UC Davis and UC Berkeley are working together to build a clean energy hub in the area.

Matsui is now working to build on that cooperation in order to make the region and its economy clean and green. A follow-up session to the Friday meeting is expected to be held by early June.

"We've done an awful lot here in Sacramento," she said. "But we need to step it up a notch."

Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter covering business and development for The Sacramento Press.

Green the Block Comes to Oak Park

2009-09-03T23:52:31Z

For Immediate Release

Contacts:
Charles L. Mason, Jr.

(916) 475-4290 cell

cmasonjr@yahoo.com

Alvin Vaughn

(510) 909-2347 celladvaughn@hotmail.com

“Ubuntu Green Sponsors “Green the Block” Activities For Oak Park Neighborhood”

September 1, 2009—Sacramento, CA—Ubuntu Green, a Sacramento community-based organization, is the lead sponsor of this year’s Green the Block event. Green the Block is part of a nationwide effort to give communities of color a voice in the emerging clean-energy economy. The event will coincide with the National Day of Service on September 11, 2009, where volunteers nationwide will take part in improving their communities.

The Oak Park United Methodist Church at 3600 Broadway will be the site of Green the Block from 5 to 8 pm. Friday, September 11, 2009. Attendees will receive materials on green living, healthy lifestyles, green job opportunities and community service projects. There will also be a green community art project, and showing of the documentary Fresh. The event will also include music, healthy refreshments and fun family activities.

“We have been looking forward to Green the Block for some time,” said Ubuntu Green’s President, Charles L. Mason, Jr. “It will be an opportunity for members of the community to get involved in greening their communities in a family friendly, fun and relaxed atmosphere.”
Ubuntu Green is partnering with the following fine organizations to bring Green the Block: The Oak Park Neighborhood Association, Oak Park Weed and Seed, The Oak Park Business Association and Oak Park United Methodist Church.

About Ubuntu Green
Ubuntu Green is a community-based organization that supports and develops green activities through community gardens, neighborhood clean-up programs, community arts programs and public health and education outreach.