Christmas Tree Pickup

Dates Set for Christmas Tree Pickup: Trash collectors will pick them up before 7 a.m. daily for the first two weeks of ’10. Glendale News Press: December 28, 2009 by Max Zimbert

As Christmas gives way to the new year and households start packing up their decorations, city officials have announced a number of recycling programs for that withering tree in the living room.

Burbank and Glendale trash collectors will pick up Christmas trees before 7 a.m. off the curb for the first two weeks of 2010, officials said.

Brace Canyon and Verdugo parks in Burbank have also been designated as recycling pick-up centers.

Trees taller than 8 feet must be cut in half, and officials said all drop-offs should be without ornaments and decorations.

Burbank picks up about 70 tons’ worth of Christmas trees every year. About one-third of the trees are chopped into mulch that’s spread around city property.

The city recycles wrapping paper as well, which can go in the usual blue bins. “We take clean dry paper of all types — cardboard, wrapping paper, magazines,” Hampel said. “The main thing for people to remember is clean, dry paper can be recycled.”

Glendale officials picked up more than 8,500 trees last year, but numbers have declined in recent years. READ MORE !

California Watch: Solar

California’s Largest Photovoltaic Solar Plant Yet is Turned on Central Valley Business Times: December 21, 2009

Workers put finishing touches on PV panel installation.

What’s described by its owners as the largest photovoltaic solar power plant yet in California has been turned on and is sending electricity to customers of Southern California Edison.

Electricity generated by the solar facility is being sold to Southern California Edison, a unit of Edison International (NYSE: EIX) under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

Located in Riverside County, the Blythe plant is the largest thin film PV project in the United States and is five times the size of the next largest PV project in California, says NRG. At peak capacity, the project can supply the power needs of almost 17,000 homes, the company says. READ MORE !

California Watch: Wind

California Building Power Lines to a Renewable Future
Solve Climate Blog: December 21, 2009 by Matthew Berger

California regulators have approved a plan to carry the resources of a rural, wind-rich region of the state to the homes and businesses of Los Angeles and Southern California, bringing the state a step closer to meeting one of the world's most ambitious renewable energy goals.

The California Public Utilities Commission’s announcement Thursday means the main portion of a transmission line connecting the Tehachapi region of Kern County to consumers can go forward.

"This project will help bring renewable energy to the grid that would otherwise remain unavailable," PUC president Michael R. Peevey said. "Ensuring adequate transmission infrastructure is vital to helping the state reach its 20 percent renewable energy goal and will contribute significantly to meeting the 33 percent goal."

California’s renewable portfolio standard requires that 20 percent of the state’s electricity be from renewable sources by 2010 and 33 percent by 2020. In comparison, the European Union's RPS target is 20 percent by 2020.

The state established its RPS in 2002 with a goal of 20 percent renewable power by 2017. The state's Energy Commission and the PUC later urged upping those goals, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger agreed, signing an executive order in September establishing the current 33 percent by 2020 target.

Projects like the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project, to be built by utility Southern California Edison, will also help the state reach its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, as a 2006 state bill mandates.

Currently, California emits 1.4 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases, which would approximately tie it with France for 14th most if it were a country; the state’s economy would be in the top 10. Regulations outlining how California will reach its emissions-reduction goals are to be released next year and adopted in 2011. READ MORE !

California Watch: Next 10

Many Shades of Green:
Diversity and Distribution of California’s Green Jobs
Next 10: December 2009

Between 1995-2008, green businesses increased 45%, green jobs grew 36% while total jobs in the state grew only 13%.Even in rural areas with a smaller economic base, green jobs are growing faster than the overall economy.

Between 2007-2008, green jobs grew 5% while total jobs dropped 1%. Services accounted for 45% of all California green jobs, the largest portion in Environmental Consulting.

Manufacturing represents 21% of all green jobs, and grew 19% between 1995 and 2008. Half of all manufacturing jobs are split between Energy Efficiency and Energy Generation. With nearly 43,000 jobs in 2008, Air & Environment is the largest of California’s green segments. While this segment’s jobs remained steady, hovering around 35,000 from 1995-2005, since 2005 the number of green jobs in this segment increased 24%.

From 1995-2008, Energy Generation employment expanded 61% by nearly 10,000 jobs. Solar makes up the largest portion, and strongest growth (63%.)

Employment in Energy Efficiency increased 63% from 1995-2008.

Employment in Green Transportation has increased 152% since 1995. Green Transportation Jobs are primarily in Motor Vehicles & Equipment and Alternative Fuels, with the latter growing faster at 201%, and representing 48% of all jobs in this segment.

Green Logistics is an emerging field, only in the Bay Area at present, with employment growing by 1,144% since 1995.

Energy Awareness Month: October

October is Energy Awareness Month

October has been Energy Awareness Month since a presidential proclamation in 1991. For more than 15 years, government organizations — in partnership with businesses, associations, and concerned citizens — have observed this month with activities and programs to promote public understanding of our energy needs and to reduce energy consumption in our everyday lives.

The EPA gives these 10 simple tips to conserve energy:

• Use your desktop lamp; why light a tennis court to read a sheet of paper?
• Use compact fluorescent lamps to save energy and cut pollution.
• For three copies or less, use the printer; for more, use the copier.
• Laser printers use 300 watts; inkjets use only 10, for similar quality.
• Using the "stand-by" button on your copier lightens energy load by 70%.
• A computer monitor uses 60 watts of power; turn it off if you leave for more than 10 minutes.
• Recycling paper reduces water use by 60%, energy by 70%, and cuts pollution in half.
• Relax and take mass transit; use 25 times less energy.
• Burn carbohydrates not hydrocarbons: ride your bike to work.
• Airplanes burn 70 gallons of fuel a minute.

Turn Out the Lights
~ Lighting is one of the largest users of energy
Stop the Drips
~ Hot water is another area that uses a great amount of energy. By fixing dripping hot water faucets, you can save water and save energy. If it's cold water, fix the dripping faucet anyway because sanitizing and delivering water takes energy too.
Close the Doors
~ Leaving doors wide open to a room or building may make it more inviting to come in, but it wastes energy. Don't prop doors open but allow them to close after people walk through the doorway.
Change the Settings
~ Change the thermostat settings in rooms to 78 during warmer months and 68 during cooler months. Doing so will lower the heating and air conditioning use.

Reuse and Recycle
~ Reusing paper and recycling paper saves money and energy
~ Recycle aluminum cans and plastic bottles

Green Day Planner: Oct 10

BWP Energy Expo: 2009
October 10
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
164 W. Magnolia

Wonder what a utility company does, want to know how to save money on your monthly utility bill, or want to learn how you can do your part to help save the environment.

Tour the BWP power plant.

There's a special drawing at the event: win a new energy efficient refridgerator from BWP and Sears. All Burbank residents who attend the Expo may receive FREE Energy Star Compact Flourescent Lights (CFLs). Just bring a valid California drivers' license to show you live in the city of Burbank.

Free Food and Activities for the Whole Family !

Book Watch

New Green Books @ Burbank Public Library

Farewell, My Subaru: an Epic Adventure in Local Living
Doug Fine – Villard, 2008
333.72 FINE
~ recounts hard won lessons learned from trying to live a sustainable lifestyle

Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies
Eric Corey Freed – Wiley, 2008
690.8047 2008 FREED
~ fun and easy way to plan and build your dream green home

Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities & the Durable Future
Bill McKibben – Times, 2007
306.3 MCKIB
~ a new way to think about the things we buy, the food we eat, the energy we use, and the money that pays for it all

Internet Watch

. . . some green websites of interest:

EcoGeek was conceived and founded (and is run and edited) by Hank Green. Hank spends most of his time thinking about how our brains can save our planet and has, in the last few years, become something of an expert on the subject. He appears regularly on Planet Green's nightly news show "G Word."

EcoTech Daily is the continuing journal of a green revolution. We’re here to help you make sense of change. We’ll keep you in touch with the latest green technology, gadgets, and news.

Green Progress provides the latest green technology and environmental science news and resources. We're interested in the ways people are developing and using technology to create a more sustainable world.

GreenerTrends is a response to consumers around the globe who want greener lifestyles. We track, evaluate and explain trends in sustainable business, technology and consumer goods, to help you learn green, live green, and save green.

Jetson Green is a daily updated magazine that's obsessed with green building and everything related to it, including sustainable architecture, good design, green prefab, clean technology in the built environment, affordable housing, and eco-friendly development.

Neighborhood Watch: Compost

Composting is the Way to Go
Burbank Leader: September 1, 2009 by Robert Rush

Anyone who planted tomatoes this year found it to be one of the best years ever. But I made a discovery that was really something.

When we had the drought two or three years ago, when Burbank got almost no rain, I let the grass in my backyard die because I would have had to flood the backyard daily to save it.

Dead grass is like a brown carpet. You walk on it and your feet don’t get dirty. I left it that way for a couple of years.

This year, I decided to take the dead grass out and try a garden with more than just tomatoes. I have been growing only tomatoes for the last 20 years or so. I have been composting for just as long.

The Burbank Recycle Center gives composters to residents. I found out that the soil under my grass was completely depleted of any nutrients. No wonder I had to put so much water on it during summer months. My soil could not hold water longer than a few hours.

Story continues below ↓

This was a great year, compost or not. But for me, the name of the game is homemade compost. Give it a try — it’s magic, and it’s organic. READ MORE !

The City of LA free mulch give-away program

Bring your own shovel, bag or pick-up.
Load up your own containers and take as much as you need
IT’S FREE & IT’S MADE FROM YARD TRIMMINGS!

Available Locations:
Lake View Terrace -11950 Lopez Canyon Rd.
(near Sylmar)
Everyday 7:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Sheldon-Arleta - 12455 Wicks St.
(near Sun Valley)
Everyday 7:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
West Valley - 16600 Roscoe Pl.
(near North Hills)
Everyday 7:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Donald C. Tillman - 15800 Victory Blvd.
(near Van Nuys - S. of Densmore)
Mon-Fri 7:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M., Sat 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
West L.A. - 6000 W Jefferson Blvd.
Everyday 7:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
East L.A. - 2649 E Washington Blvd.
Fri-Sun 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Elysian Valley - 3000 Gilroy St.
Everyday 7:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
San Pedro - 1400 N Gaffey St.
Everyday 7:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
N. Mission Rd. - 850 N Mission Rd. Los Angeles
Scheduled to open soon.

Call James Kurz: (818) 834-5128
City of Los Angeles. Bureau of Sanitation

Findacomposter:
a service of BioCycle magazine. You can use this searchable data base to locate a composting facility in your area. Choose a state or province in the magnifying glass, or click on Facility Search to search by any of the fields in the data base.

Public Works: Transportation

Green’ Buses Set to Arrive: Natural gas vehicles brings the city’s municipal fleet up to 20% alternatively fueled vehicles.

Burbank Leader: August 28, 2009 by Christopher Cadelago

CITY HALL — Five new compressed natural gas buses will roll onto city streets in the coming weeks, each serving as the latest example of Burbank’s effort to “green” its fleet, transportation officials said.

The 30-seat buses, each with a price tag of about $395,000, bring the city’s number of alternatively fueled vehicles to 101, or about 20% of its municipal fleet, including compressed natural gas, hybrid and hydrogen technologies, said Ari Omessi, assistant Public Works director of fleet and building.

The newest buses were paid for with a mix of city and grant funds.

“We’re one of the cleanest cities out there,” he said. “And it’s genuine. We purchased [compressed natural gas] vehicles and put in a refueling station long before it was [politically correct.]”

To support its green quest, as well as the aspirations of private companies and neighboring Glendale, the city six years ago opened a public natural gas station at 810 N. Lake St., paid for with $600,000 in state grants and $200,000 from ENRG, the company originally contracted to operate and maintain the station for 10 years.

A demonstration hydrogen fueling station is at the city yard at 124 S. Lake St. READ MORE !

News For You: AERS

Smart2BeGreen: Onion Fuel
. . . from Smart Tips
August 26, 2009

Onions may make you cry,
But they can be a fuel supply.
Onion juice ferments you see,
Waste becomes energy!

Crying All the Way to the Bank

In Oxnard, California, Gills Onions, a national onion processor and distributor, has constructed an Advanced Energy Recovery System (AERS) that converts 100% of their onion waste into ultra-clean renewable energy and a high-value cattle feed. The AERS creates enough methane biogas to power two onsite 300-kilowatt fuel cells, which operate the plant's refrigeration units and lighting.

• Like a Big Stomach: Juice extracted from onion waste is sent to ferment in an anaerobic digester that contains bacteria from an Anheuser-Busch beer brewery. The bacteria feast on the carbohydrates in the fermenting juice and produce combustible methane gas.

• Cost Savings: The AERS provides annual savings of $700,000 in electricity costs, $400,000 in disposal costs, and has lead to more than $3 million in government and power company incentives.

• GHG Reductions: The AERS eliminates up to 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions per year.

• Waste-To-Energy: Gills Onions is one of many companies using their biomass waste to create energy. Other types of biomass waste employed include animal manure, vegetable oil, whey, municipal solid waste, and industrial wastes.

Healthy Air Walk Kick Off Breakfast: Aug 19

The Greater Los Angeles

Healthy Air Walk
Kick Off Breakfast
Special Guest: Ed Begley, Jr.
Television Star, Environmentalist,
and Honorary Chair for the Healthy Air Walk

Wed: Aug 19, 2009 - 8 am-10 am
Sponsored By: Woodbury University
Ahmanson Main Space - 7500 Glenoaks Blvd.

Exciting things are happening to gear up for our Healthy Air Walk, and we'd like to share them with you! This event is an opportunity to network with your fellow teammates, as well as other teams and our Leadership Committee. We will also have materials and fundraising tips to help support your efforts !

Our special guest speaker, Ed Begley Jr. is star of his own reality show, "Living with Ed". Don't miss out on this great opportunity ! Please bring your teammates,coworkers, anyone interested in learning how we are Fighting for Air !

Join the Burbank Central Library Team
Sponsor Walker - Jody Hidey

Product Watch: School Supplies

6 Eco-friendly School Supplies
Lifestyle - MSN

Soybeans aren’t just for tofu anymore―these days crayons are made out of them, too. Get ready to go green this fall with planet-friendly school supplies.

1. Soy crayons
Nontoxic Prang Fun Pro Soybean Crayons are made from soybean oil.
$1 for eight @ Stubby Pencil Studio

2. Paper stationery
Elephant Pooh makes odor-free (promise!) journals with paper made from pulped and processed dung.
$9 @ Global Exchange Store

3. Biodegradable pens.
These corn pens disintegrate completely about a year after they are thrown away.
$2 @ Grass Roots Store

4. Reusable sandwich bags
Pack lunches in Wrap-N-Mat, cotton and non-PVC-vinyl-lined bags.
$7 @ Reuseable Bags

5. Recycled scissors
Westcott Kleen Earth scissors have black handles that are made from recycled plastic.
$8 @ Westcott

6. Adhesive paste
This glue by Coccoina, made of potato starch, works on paper and fabric. Plus, it is solvent-free and smells like almonds.
$8 @ Grass Roots Store

. . . . . and a few others:

Little Eco-Packs @ Dante Beatrix
Hemp Backpacks @ Next Tag
Eco-Friendly Notebooks @ Buy Green

Book Watch

New Green Books @ Burbank Public Library

Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture
Ellen Ruppel Shell – Penguin 2009

381.149 SHELL
~ The engine of globalization, outsourcing, planned obsolescence, and economic instability in an increasingly unsettled world.

The End of the Long Summer: Why We Must Remake Our Civilization to Survive on a Volatile Earth
Dianne Dumanoski – Crown 2009

551.6 DUMAN
~ Ecological consequences beyond global warming resulting from modern human activity; describes the possibility of massive instability and climate swings, including a possible return to ice ages of the past.

The End of Energy Obesity
Peter Tertzakian - John Wiley & Sons 2009

333.79 TERTZ
~ Explores how the world can reduce its energy appetite and change its diet of fuels for a prosperous and secure tomorrow.

Book Watch

BWP Smart Grid

Burbank Water and Power Selects Siemens and eMeter for Smart Grid Meter Data Management Project PRNewswire: August 6, 2009

Siemens Energy, Inc. announces that Burbank Water and Power (BWP) has chosen to implement eMeter EnergyIP(TM) meter data management system (MDMS) software for its Smart Grid project. BWP selected EnergyIP to support current and future applications and business processes enabled by advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). EnergyIP will also support load control programs initially including improvement of BWP's energy management and conservation through the reliable and timely delivery of interval data from electric meter reads for load control decision making and the prompt verification that usage did change in response to the load control events.

"As we look to rollout Smart Metering for our electric and water customers, we feel an MDMS is the key factor in this Smart Grid project. After an extensive evaluation of the MDM solutions available, we have come to the conclusion that EnergyIP best meets our short-term meter to cash needs, as well as our long-term demand response and Smart Grid program needs. We are excited to work with Siemens and look forward to forming a long-term relationship with Siemens and eMeter," said Joanne Fletcher, Burbank Water and Power assistant general manager/customer service & marketing.

Burbank Water and Power anticipates future business benefits including:
• Significantly enhanced service to utility customers including improved billing accuracy; faster customer response and more efficient customer service; immediate (on-demand) move-in /move-out meter reads; remote meter connect/disconnect; improved reliability; and outage management.
• Improved operational efficiency and reduced costs through reliable interval data from electric and water meter reads for time-of-use pricing programs, prompt notification of leaks, tampering and theft and distribution load analysis.
• Provision of end-customer messages and timely utility information in the home or business, thereby empowering BWP residential customers and businesses to control utility usage and costs.
• Availability of data analytics to help BWP manage load and system assets during and post deployment.
• Ability to track and manage peripheral assets such as plug-in vehicles. READ MORE !

Green Day Planner: August 8

Household Hazardous Waste Roundup

August 8
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Burbank Fire Department Training Center
1845 Ontario Street

Personal items which will be accepted include: paint, batteries, brake fluid, computer equipment, motor oil, and fluorescent light bulbs. Please bring your items in a sturdy box which you will leave at the site. There is a limit of 125 pounds per trip.

Items not accepted include: business waste, trash, tires, explosives, refrigerators, stoves, and controlled substances.

For more information, please call 1-800-238-0172.

Book Watch: Summer Reading

Summer Reading List for Kids - Time to "Go Green!"
Literacy and Reading: July 13, 2009
Asst. Prof. Jennifer Turner, College of Education-University of Maryland

I have known about "going green" for some time, but I didn't really understand its importance until my 6-year old son, Elijah, came home from school one day and started saying, "Be green." He would remind us to turn off the lights, saying with a sweet smile, "Mommy we need to be green." He'd unplug appliances that were not in use, turn off the water when he brushed his teeth, and constantly ask me to get a recycling bin for our plastics and glass.

Curious to know where he had learned this phrase, I emailed his kindergarten teacher to ask what books she had read. She told me that she had read several books within a popular curriculum series on recycling and going green for Earth Day. She had also read How Do Plants Get Food?, by Meish Goldish (1989), a wonderful book that has interesting science facts presented in a kid-friendly manner. Reading books and talking about the Earth was a very enjoyable activity for Elijah, and this started his quest to greener living.

Books for Kids Aged 3-8
Why Should I Save Energy? (Why Should I?)
Jen Green, 2005, Barron's
J 333.79 GREEN @ Burbank Public Library

Books for Kids Aged 9-12
Earth Book for Kids: Activities to Help Heal the Environment
Linda Schwartz, 1990, Learning Works
J 363.7 SCHWA @ Burbank Public Library

Books for Kids Aged 13-17
The Green Teen: The Eco-Friendly Teen's Guide to Saving the Planet
Jenn Savedge, 2009, New Society

Complete list @ Literacy & Reading News

Industry Watch: Entertainment

Reel Green Workshop: July 11, 2009 from post @ The Glass Girl Blog: July 14, 2009

Reel Green Movement:
Eco-Solutions for the Entertainment Industry

I spent late Saturday afternoon on a very hot stage in Burbank for the REEL GREEN Workshop hosted by the Burbank Green Alliance which does a great job of consistently hosting free workshops to get businesses closer to zero waste. This workshop aimed to bridged the eco-production conversation between both the above the line and below the line players. What are the concerns and solutions that each department has that we can resolve or act on now that will continue to green shoots?

I got the most insight from the break out sessions where everyone in the workshop broke into a smaller group based on their area of interest or expertise: Production, Catering/Craft Service, Electrical/Grip, Costume Design, Set Construction/Design and Special Effects.

Highlights and comments about the featured speakers & break out sessions (with links):

~ Lauren Selman, Reel Green Media

~ Josh Mark, FOX Network’s Director of Sustainability
~ Shannon Shaefer, EcoSet Consulting

2 sites of general interest:

CalMAX: "One business's trash is another business's treasure." Businesses, schools, and nonprofits can utilize CalMAX to search for available and wanted materials. Conserves energy, resources, and landfill space by helping businesses and organizations find alternatives to the disposal of valuable materials or wastes through waste exchange.

Give A Glass: The simplest solution is to serve clean, filtered water direct from your office tap in glass pitchers and glasses.

READ MORE !

Business Watch: Bob's Big Boy

Iconic Bob's Big Boy of Burbank Lauds 60th Anniversary By Going Green PRNewswire.com: July 16, 2009

Canadian Solar, HelioPower and Bob's Big Boy launch "Sixty and Solar" celebration to showcase Bob's solar power installation; invite patron participation.

Commemorating 60 years in operation by going a modern "green," Bob's is inaugurating a 26 kW Canadian Solar photovoltaic panel system installed by HelioPower. The "Sixty and Solar" celebration showcases Bob's solar power installation and invites fans to participate by sharing their Bob's stories. To kick off the celebration, Bob's patrons are invited to register their restaurant memories at a filming this weekend at the Burbank location.

The Bob's Big Boy Restaurant located at 4211 Riverside Drive in Burbank, California is the oldest remaining Bob's Big Boy in the United States. Over the years Bob's has seen a parade of celebrity names stop by for a hamburger. Movie stars of old have been regulars, with the restaurant serving some of the world's top musical talent and being the site of the celebrity attended Friday Night classic car show.

. . .

Filming of Bob’s stories will take place Friday, July 17 from 5 pm to 9 pm and Saturday, July 18 from 10 am to 5 pm at the restaurant. There is no charge; however those who participate will be required to sign a photo release form. Stories will be edited and posted online as appropriate on the campaign’s website, YouTube, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter sites. READ MORE !

Business Watch: Bob Hope Airport

Airport to Test Drive Bus with Engine Retrofit: Natural gas vehicle could pave the path for more retrofits, but cash may become strained. Burbank Leader: July 7, 2009 by Mary O’Keefe

BURBANK — A newly reorganized Burbank- Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority wasted no time delving into a smattering of issues, from pricey low-emissions buses to falling parking fee revenues and a decision to lobby against a proposed law that would require quicker response times for airport fire departments.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . > > >

The commission approved a project to reduce emissions from the airport’s fleet of buses. Ashley Moore, consulting professional from E2 ManageTech Inc., formerly known as Essentia Management Services, made a presentation to the authority on the process and results from a study on the most efficient and financially sound approach to reducing emissions in their fleet of 14 buses.

The commission on Monday voted to move ahead with a pilot program to retrofit one of its 14 buses to operate on compressed natural gas as part of a 2006 policy to cut down on emissions at the airport. READ MORE !

Sustainable Burbank Task Force

Cataloging Green Efforts
Burbank Leader: June 26, 2009 by Christopher Cadelago

The Sustainable Burbank Task Force, a newly assembled group of developers, small-business owners and community leaders, began its meeting earlier this month deciding how not to spend its first year.

After a protracted discussion, former Mayor Jef Vander Borght took issue with one of the suggestions.

“Somebody said, ‘We’re not here to save the world,’” he said. “That I disagree with.”

His attitude appears to have permeated the Media Capital of the World, from the school district to the studios, City Hall to Burbank Water and Power, said Ron Davis, the utility’s general manager.

The City Council last year adopted the Sustainability Action Plan with an emphasis on waste, water usage, business practices, urban design, open space and transportation. Cities are urged to implement as many of the 21 actions before World Environment Day 2012.

Burbank modeled its plan on the United Nations Urban Environmental Accords, designed to promote energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase environmentally beneficial jobs and protect drinking water.

Charged with advising and recommending ways to the council for implementing the plan, the task force will examine initiatives at its monthly meetings as well as bring a fresh perspective to the agenda, said Public Works Director Bonnie Teaford.

“For the first time ever, Burbank has put together a comprehensive review of what the city’s efforts are,” she said. “All these little efforts added up will make a difference, and that is what we are starting to see happen.” READ MORE !

Green Day Planner: June

dwell on design la09: June 25 - 28
The West Coast's Largest Modern Design Event @ the Los Angeles Convention Center.

ON STAGE Design conference, continuing education classes for design pros, round-the-clock seminars for design seeking consumers.

EXHIBITION Prefab Homes, Outdoor, Food + Wine, Kitchen + Bath, Furniture + Accessories, Energy + Solar, Design Materials, Modern Family, Modern Lifestyle, Design Technology.

HOME TOURS Tour some of LA’s most modern and livable homes.
SPECIAL EVENTS Restaurant Design Awards, Film screenings.


VENICE ECO-FEST 2009: June 27
Venice Beach Invites You to Enjoy the Future Now !

MUSIC AND ARTS ECO-FEST and EXHIBITS
FREE TO THE PUBLIC !

Featuring Green Technology, Eco-Businesses and Services, Great Entertainment at the Solar Sound Stage, Art Gallery, Eco Booths and Displays, Tasty Organic Food Delights, an Interactive Children's Court, Bicycle Parade, Fun and Education for the Whole Family, and much more !

Book Watch

New Green Books @ Burbank Public Library

Eco-craft: recycle, recraft, restyle
Susan Wasinger – Lark Books, 2009
745.5 WASIN

Who knew taking care of the planet could look so good? "Eco*Craft" shows how, with 30 truly beautiful home decor projects that elevate environmental consciousness to stylish new heights.

Green IT: reduce your information system's environmental impact while adding to the bottom line
Toby J Velte – McGraw-Hill, 2008
658.4038 2008 VELTE

Explains how to adopt a business-driven green initiative and provides a detailed implementation plan; strategies for reducing power needs, procuring energy from alternative sources, utilizing virtualization technologies, and managing sustainable development.

Homebrew Wind Power: a hands-on guide to harnessing the wind
Dan Bartmann – Buckville, 2009
621.3121 BARTM

Harnessing the wind can be a tricky business, but the authors provide step-by-step, illustrated instructions for building a wind generator in a home workshop. Even if you don't plan on building your own turbine, this book is packed with valuable information for anyone considering wind energy.

Business Watch - Hangar 25

Fabulous 50 + One
World Trade Magazine: June 10, 2009

This year’s dynamic list of the people, places, and innovations that are shaping global supply chains is more environmentally-driven than ever. A testimony to the long-term value and commitment to green and lean business practices, despite the current economic conditions.

Worth Their Weight in GREEN, by Lara L. Sowinski

Hangar 25 in Burbank, California is the most sustainable airplane hangar in the world. It produces 110 percent of its total energy needs with on-site solar; uses 61 percent less water indoors and 51 percent less landscape water outdoors than a typical building; and sourced nearly half of the construction materials locally. The Hangar is also the world’s first aviation hangar to achieve Platinum certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating System—the highest rating from the Washington, D.C.-based organization. Hangar 25 is an extreme makeover story as well. A former industrial lot with a cement slab, the property now houses a state-of-the-art green aviation hangar minimizing the 51,000 square-foot building’s carbon footprint.

Burbank Sustainability Strategy

Burbank Driving Ahead of The Pack on Road to Future: City’s Sustainability Strategy a Model for Other Municipalities. SFV Business Journal: June 8, 2009 by Eric Billingsley

“Going green” isn’t a new concept in the city of Burbank. The city began automated curbside recycling in the early 1990s, has powered municipal vehicles with alternative fuels for nearly a decade, and is a pioneer in generating electricity from its landfill.

But government officials and businesses in the Media Capital of the World, population approx. 105,000 and home to production facilities for Warner Bros. Entertainment, NBC, and Disney, want to take environmental sustainability to the next level.

“The need for sustainability isn’t something that’s going away tomorrow,” said Burbank’s mayor, Gary Bric. “It’s about looking towards the future.”

In January 2008, the city council adopted the Burbank Sustainability Action Plan to boost environmental sustainability in areas such as energy, waste, water usage, urban design, parks/open space, transportation, and city business practices.

The plan is based on the United Nations Urban Environmental Accords, a list of action items that can be adopted at the local level to achieve urban sustainability, promote healthy economies, advance social equity and protect the world’s ecosystem.

The city also recently formed a sustainability task force, a 15-member group of businesses, non-profits and residents that will advise the city council on green issues and help educate the public.

“As long as I can remember Burbank has been committed to environmental sustainability, but adopting the action plan has made the efforts more formal and focused,” said Burbank council member Dave Golonski. “We still have a long way to go though.”

The city has an exhaustive list of environmental goals. But it’s already starting to see some results.

Burbank recently surpassed the milestone of generating more than 3 gigawatt hours of electricity from local solar energy, enough to power 6,000 homes for a month. It’s recognized as one of the top ten municipalities in the nation for solar power.

City-owned Burbank Water and Power (BWP) has supported 36 solar energy projects in the area, including installations on carports, residential and commercial rooftops, city pool facilities, movie studio stages, Jay Leno’s green garage, and a new airport hangar.

READ MORE !

Donate Dishes for Zero Waste

Donate Dishes for Zero Waste !

Unwanted, mismatched coffee mugs, plates, bowls, cups or utensils ?

Put them back to work. The Burbank Recycle Center and the Burbank Green Alliance wants them. The Recycle Center will take all those unwanted dishes and utensils for a new life in upcoming Zero Waste workshops or events.

Drop off donations at the Recycle Center during the month of June.
For more information, call or email:
818 . 238 . 3900
Zero Waste

Food Watch - Eating Green

Green Eating: By the Numbers
Planet Green – How to Go Green: Eating

30 %: Increase in both fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions caused from shipping a pound of apples from a farm in Iowa to a market in Washington, compared to shipping those apples to a local market in Iowa.

5: Number of countries the average U.S. meal comes from.

1500 to 2500: Number of miles food travels between farm and market. That’s 25 % farther than it traveled two decades ago.

958: Liters of water it takes to make one liter of orange juice; 958 liters of water for irrigation, 2 liters of fuel for tractors, water-pumping, pesticide spraying, and the occasional electric heater to ward off frost.

8000: Kilometers worth of travel required to gather all the ingredients to make strawberry yogurt in Germany.

Other Green Eating websites:

Eating Green Calculator

Local Harvest: find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area, where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies.

Food Routes: a national non-profit dedicated to reintroducing Americans to their food - the seeds it grows from, the farmers who produce it, and the routes that carry it from the fields to our tables. Search for: Buy Fresh Buy Local Chapters

Local Eating for Global Change: the 100 mile diet.

Business Watch - Empire Center Office

LEED-ing the Way: Valley and L.A Buildings Going Green - Burbank, Other Locations Seeing Increase in Activity. SFV Business Journal: May 25, 2009 by Eric Billingsley

There’s been quite a bit of activity around LEED-certified buildings in the past couple of weeks. A sign of more green building and rehabbing to come in the Valley?

First is a large-scale building project in Burbank. For some reason city officials and businesses in that city really seem to be forward-thinking when it comes to environmental sustainability.

The 2300 Empire Center Office building, located at 2300 Empire Ave., received LEED Silver Pre-Certification in July 2008. It’s currently under final review for the Core and Shell LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Once the latter is achieved the building will be the first to obtain such certification in the city of Burbank. Higgins Development Partners of Chicago developed the Empire Center project, Ware Malcomb provided architecture and interior design services, and McCormick Construction Company was the general contractor.

The project consists of a speculative seven-story, steel-framed, 363,000 square foot office building, an adjacent 1,260 stall parking structure, and additional surface parking on the 6.5 acre site.

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BWP Sevice Center

Utility Closer to ‘greener’ Site
Burbank Water and Power is slated to have new, more efficient facilities with more space by January. Burbank Leader: May 19, 2009 by Christopher Cadelago

BURBANK — Construction crews are set to break ground on a $14.9-million Burbank Water and Power project as part of what officials called an aggressive plan to serve as a model of sustainability.

The yearlong project, slated to begin next month, consists of a 16,729-square-foot warehouse and a two-story service center measuring 8,768 square feet per floor. The site will also include improved landscaping using recycled water and a system that prevents storm water from draining into the sewer.

Once the buildings are completed in January, roughly 70 employees are scheduled to move in. The utility would also begin work on a labor-saving wash facility for large vehicles, covered parking areas and an upgraded entrance along Lake Street.

“When the dust settles, the workplace will be more efficient, it will be greener, and it will represent a much more efficient use of water,” said Greg Simay, assistant general manager of electric services at the utility.

After the buildings are finished, landscaping will be done along Lake Street to match the quality of greenery along Magnolia Boulevard, the Western Flood Channel and Olive Avenue, officials said. The utility also has plans to remove all of the overhead lines along Lake Street, said John Cassidy, manager of telecommunications and facilities.

Located in the heart of Burbank, the 22-acre campus stretches between Magnolia Boulevard, Olive Avenue, Lake Street and the Western Flood Control Channel. It includes facilities for electrical generation and distribution, water production and treatment, as well as engineering offices and customer service centers.

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Green Day Planner: Earth Day

NAVIGATING TODAY ~ INNOVATING TOMORROW
Re-Shaping the Future of Burbank’s Economy
Woodbury University Auditorium

Thursday, May 28, 2009
7:30 am - 11:30 am

Keynote speaker Dr. James Canton, renowned global futurist, social scientist, and visionary business advisor and author of The Extreme Future: Top Trends That Will Reshape the World for the Next 5, 10 and 20 Years and Technofutures: How Leading Edge Innovations Will Transform Business in the 21st Century.

Organizers are committed to bring every available resource to the aid of Burbank businesses in order to develop new markets, promote sustainability, embark on new and innovative collaborations, increase economic efficiency and achieve success during this challenging period. “Navigating Today, Innovating Tomorrow” is a new phase in the rebuilding process, one that is intended to lead the business community a step closer to achieving rewards in the changed economy. Register Now @ Burbank Chamber of Commerce. Information: 818 . 238 . 5180

Opening Remarks: Michael S. Flad, City Manager

Woodbury University Auditorium
7500 North Glenoaks Boulevard
Burbank

~ Check Out Extreme Future 303.49 CANTO @ Burbank Public Library