Thursday, December 30, 2010

Green Day Planner: January 2011

Burbank Library Green Pages
January 2011 Calendar


Calendar of Green Events in Burbank and Greater LA. Check out State and National events on the Green Day Planner.

Burbank
Ja 5: Greening Your Restaurant/Food Service Part 1 Burbank Green Alliance @ Burbank Central Library Aud. 6:30pm–9 pm
Ja 12: Concrete Strategies for a Green Business Part 2 Burbank Green Alliance @ Burbank Community Service Building. 6:30pm–9pm
Ja 17: Sustainable Task Force. 4:30pm
Ja 19: Embracing Cradle-to-Cradle Product Stewardship & Waste Free Part 3 Burbank Green Alliance @ Burbank Community Service Building. 6:30pm–9pm


Local
Ja 12:
UCLA: Energy-Climate Policy-Obama Admin. What happened? And what’s next? 12pm–1pm
Ja 19:
UCLA: Environ. Priorities-Time of Fiscal Limitations-LA City Controller W Greuel. 12pm–1:30pm
Ja 26:
UCLA: CA Landscape Conservation Cooperative Workshop. 1:30 pm–4:30 pm
Ja 26:
UCLA: Reflections of a Green Business Pioneer-Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia. 6pm–8:30pm

National
Ja 25+: Solar Power USA, Las Vegas
Ja 31+: EUEC–Energy & Environment Conference, Phoenix

Friday, December 24, 2010

COB: Recycle Your Holiday Tree

Recycle Your Holiday Tree

The Burbank Recycle Center will help you to recycle your holiday tree.

REMOVE: All tinsel, ornaments, metal stands, and plastic buckets ~ Because trees are mulched or composted. Flocked trees are not recycled !

Recycle Trees 3 Ways !

1) Dec 27 – Jan 14: drop off your holiday tree @ 2 Parks
(a) Brace Canyon Park, at 2850 Haven Way, in the parking lot off Haven Way
(b) Verdugo Park, 3201 W. Verdugo, near corner of California St & Verdugo Ave


2) Jan 3 – Jan 14: at the curb or in an alley
~ Burbank Sanitation will collect trees placed at curb or in an alley

3) Cut Up/Put In green waste containers with other yard trimmings

For more information, call Burbank Recycle Center: 818-238-3800

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Business Watch: Taxi Fleets

Burbank taxi fleet full of hybrids
Compressed natural gas vehicles are also gaining strength in numbers.
Burbank Leader: December 1, 2010 by Bill Kisliuk

The taxi fleet in Burbank is getting greener, and soon those greener pastures will make their way to Glendale.

The City Cab lot near Bob Hope Airport sports roughly 110 taxi cabs and minivans. Forty-six of those vehicles, or 42%, are now either gas-electric hybrids or Ford Crown Victorias that run on compressed natural gas.

Martin Shatakhyan, general manager of the City Cab fleet, said the company plans to have 75% of the fleet converted within four years.

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Burbank does not mandate conversion of the taxi fleet, but the Burbank City Council and Traffic Commission have established a policy encouraging taxicab companies to be as green as possible, according to License and Code Services Administrator Terre Hirsch.

"The proposals that are being most favored include a substantial amount of green cabs," Hirsch said. "Currently, there are 130 taxis in the city, and approximately 50% of those are green." READ MORE !

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

BWP: eMeter - Meter Data Management System

Burbank Water and Power Deploys Smart Grid Leveraging Siemens' Expertise and eMeter's Technology
PR Newswire: December 1, 2010

Siemens Energy, Inc. announces that Burbank Water and Power (BWP), the provider of water and electricity to Burbank, California, residents and businesses, has completed its installation of the eMeter EnergyIP meter data management system (MDMS).

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The first phase of this project was a true meter-to-cash project. The meter reads are validated, estimated and edited within the MDMS before being converted into billing determinants.

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"Siemens and eMeter's commitment toward working hand-in-hand with the BWP delivery team was instrumental to the success of this project," said Joanne Fletcher, BWP Assistant General Manager/Customer Service & Marketing. "The MDMS is a key piece in the foundation of our Smart Grid strategy and we look forward to realizing the benefits of this deployment as Smart Grid technologies evolve and we are able to offer our customers more choices and more control over how they use their resources."

"eMeter worked closely with Siemens to ensure a successful and timely deployment for BWP," said Gary Bloom, CEO at eMeter. "eMeter EnergyIP will ultimately empower Burbank residents to make smart energy consumption decisions."

Siemens is now working with BWP on the next phase of their MDM project, which will include the ability to respond to service requests, inquiries and interruptions more quickly than current technology allows. READ MORE !

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Green Day Planner: December 2010


Burbank Library Green Events: December 2010

Calendar of Green Events in Burbank and Greater LA. Check out State and National events on the Green Day Planner.

Burbank & Southern California
Dec 9+: LA: Pacific Green Conference & Expo
Dec 20: Burbank Sustainable Task Force


National
Dec 2+: Biomass Renewable Energy – Miami
Dec 7+: EcoBuild America – Wash DC
Dec 8+: World Energy Engineering Congress – Wash DC


Upcoming Events: January, 2010
Team Business Burbank Lecture Series:
Building a World-Class Green Business

Jan 5: Greening Your Restaurant/Food Service
Jan 12: Concrete Strategies for a Green Business
Jan 19: Embracing Cradle-to-Cradle Concepts

Time: Wednesdays, 6:30-9:00pm
Location: Community Services Building 150 N. Third Street
*January 5th class will be held at Burbank Central Library, 110 N. Glenoaks Blvd

REGISTRATION:
Register online at Team Business burbank
or call (818) 238-5198
**Participants must register for each course separately.

$10 Burbank Residents
$15 Non-Burbank Residents
Free to Burbank Chamber of Commerce Members

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Business Watch: NBC Universal Evolution Plan

Universal City Project EIR Available for Public Review - Comment Deadline Extended
Burbank City Newsroom: November 5, 2010

Update: The deadline to submit comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed "NBC Universal Evolution Plan" has been extended to February 4, 2011.

The City of Los Angeles has released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed "NBC Universal Evolution Plan" for public review. The EIR analyzes the possible environmental impacts from the proposed project, which would be located in the Universal City area next to Burbank.

Although the project is not located within the City of Burbank, it will have effects on Burbank. As such, Burbank residents and businesses may wish to review the EIR and submit comments. The proposed project includes substantial new development at and around Universal Studios including about 2.01 million square feet of new commercial development, 500 hotel rooms, and 2,937 residential units.

The EIR and additional information about the project can be viewed online at the Los Angeles Planning Department's web site. Because of the size of the document, each section may be downloaded separately. CD-ROMs with electronic copies of the EIR may be purchased from the City of Los Angeles by contacting Mariana Salazar at (213) 978-1882.

Hard copies of the EIR are available for public review at the following locations in the City of Burbank:
~ Central Library - 110 North Glenoaks Boulevard
~ Buena Vista Branch Library - 300 North Buena Vista Street
~ City Clerk's Office - 275 East Olive Avenue

~ Community Services Building - 1st Floor Permit Center & 2nd Floor Public Counter - 150 N Third

Comments on the EIR must be submitted in writing to the City of Los Angeles no later than February 4, 2011. Comments must be submitted to:

Jon Foreman - Senior City Planner
City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning
200 North Spring Street, Room 601 - Los Angeles, California 90012

fax: (213) 978-6566
email: jon.foreman@lacity.org

Burbank Central Library and the Buena Vista Branch each have a complete set of the 27 volume report and circulating copies on CD. The Northwest Branch has a Reference copy.

View the NBC Universal Evolution Plan Environmental Impact Report online.

Copies of the full Draft EIR document or any of the documents referenced in the Draft EIR are also available @:

Francis Howard Goldwyn-Hollywood Regional Library

1623 Ivar Avenue - Hollywood, CA 90028

North Hollywood Regional Library
5211 Tujunga Avenue - North Hollywood, CA 91601

Studio City Branch Library
12511 Moorpark Street - Studio City, CA 9160

County Department of Regional Planning
320 West Temple Street, 13th Floor - Room 1362 - Los Angeles, CA 90012

Los Angeles Central Library
630 West 5th Street - Los Angeles, CA 90071

PURCHASE - On CD-ROM for $7.50 per copy
Contact: Mariana Salazar, of the City of Los Angeles
(213) 978-1882

Report on NBC's Universal Evolution Almost As Large As Project Itself
LA Curbed: November 5, 2010 by Dakota Smith

. . . . . And below, just some elements about this project, which will be built in phases. (And yup, this project, which will rise both on city and county land, is still expected to cost at least $3 billion.)

---A total of 2,937 residential dwelling units and 115,000 square feet of retail/commercial uses are planned. Additionally, a 500-space hotel would be built. Approximately 638,000 square feet of existing studio, office, and entertainment uses would be demolished.

---The project is so big that a new regional branch would need to be constructed to meet City’s library service standards.

---An extensive bike path network within the project is planed, one with bike rack and locks at various locations along the route.

--In the same way that LA Live has its own specific plan, NBC Universal is asking for two new specific plans (one for the city and one for the LA County). Under this new specific plan, they are requesting signage--which would range from supergraphics to electronic signs--on their buildings.

--The impact of the overall project on the surrounding neighborhoods is broken down in this report. It's too detailed to get into for each neighborhood, but if, for instance, you live in Hollywood Manor, you can read about the possible effects. All of that information is in the summary. Click on the report on the City Planning's web site, and then pull down Volume 1, "Introduction/Summary." You may also want to click on the other Volume tabs, as they deal with issues like noise, glare, etc.

--As far as traffic, the site is expected to generate a net increase of 28,108 daily trips on a typical weekday, including approximately 2,328 morning peak hour trips and 2,770 afternoon peak hour trips.

--New roadways would be built, while numerous roads will be widened: Among then, Buddy Holly Drive between Barham Boulevard and the US 101 northbound off-ramp shall be widened from its current state. READ MORE !

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

COB: Burbank Water & Power - Smart Grid


More money for smart meters
Officials stress a newer solar technology design that produces more energy.
Burbank Leader: October 26, 2010 by Gretchen Meier

Burbank Water and Power now has an additional $1.5 million for its smart meter ambitions, adding to the already substantial $20-million pool for the project.

After being one of just a handful of cities nationwide to receive a $20-million federal stimulus grant for smart grid infrastructure last year, the utility was awarded a $1-million grant from the California Energy Commission and $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Burbank Water and Power was selected by the California Energy Commission for its planned solar panel project. The utility will be partnering with RayDyne Energy in Austin, Texas, to develop and operate concentrated solar photovoltaic systems to generate electrical power.

No air or water pollution is generated in the process, officials said.

"This is a newer solar technology with a totally different design," said Jeanette Meyer, marketing manager for Burbank Water and Power. "Using the same amount of space, we will be able to produce more energy."

Burbank Water and Power will partner with 700 city households with swimming pools to test a two-year energy efficiency program focused on shifting demand loads from peak to off-peak periods.

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The original $20-million grant will help for the installation of smart meters that track real-time water and electricity use by Burbank residents through a network of wireless communication systems, advanced meters and collection systems.

Smart-grid technology could also reduce electricity consumption by more than 4% by 2030, according to the Electric Power Research Institute. READ MORE !

Friday, October 29, 2010

Green Day Planner: November 2010


Burbank Library Green Events: November 2010

Calendar of Green Events in Burbank and Greater LA. Check out State and National events on the Green Day Planner.

Burbank
Nov 11: CHEMERICAL: Redefining Clean - Woodbury Univ. @ 7pm
~ family's 3 month journey to live w/o chemicals

Nov 15: Sustainable Task Force @ 4:30pm


Local & California
Nov 3+: Water Quality Conference – Ontario
Nov 3: Wise Power Use Expo – Mar Vista (Westside) @ 6:30pm
Nov 5+: Green Festival – San Francisco
Nov 7+: Summit-Emerging Tech’s Energy Efficiency - Sacramento
Nov 14+: Behavior, Energy and Climate Change Conf – Sacramento
Nov 30+: Assoc California Water Agencies Conf – Indian Wells


National
Nov 1+: Water Resources Conference – Philadelphia
Nov 3+: American Water Summit – Washington DC
Nov 4+: Only Sustainable Conf. – Miami
Nov 4+: Smart Water Grid Technologies – Chicago
Nov 8+: Advanced Energy 2010 - NY

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Business Watch: IKEA


Swedish furniture store equipping American locations with solar panels
Cleanenergyauthority: October 14, 2010 by Amanda H. Miller

Ikea announced yesterday that it would install photovoltaic panels on seven stores and its distribution center in California.

The 20,000 panels will produce 6.65 million kilowatt hours, according a press release from the Swedish furniture company. That’s enough energy to power 580 average American homes.
The PV array that will be installed on the Ikea distribution center will be the second largest in California and among the top 10 largest building installations in the country, said Joseph Roth, Ikea’s public relations manager for the United States.

The panels will be installed later this year on stores in East Palo Alto, Emeryville, West Sacramento, Burbank, Costa Mesa, Covina and San Diego, along with its distribution center in Tejon. READ MORE !

Burbank store – opened in 1990; store size: 242,000 SF on 6.4 acres
SOLAR PROGRAM:

35,000 SF at 290 kW
1,260 panels generating 421,300 kWh/year
Equivalent to reducing 334 tons of CO2

58 cars’ emissions or powering 37 homes

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

COB: Burbank Water & Power


Cities defend coal practices
Glendale and Burbank are accused by environmental group of 'burning dirty coal.'
Burbank Leader: October 9, 2010 by Melanie Hicken

CITY HALL — Local utility officials this week fired back against an environmental advocacy group's mailer campaign targeting the use of electricity generated at coal-fired power plants.

The Renewable Energy Conservation Project produced and sent the mailers, which depict ominous dark clouds looming over Glendale and Burbank and rail against their utilities for having coal-fired generators make up 38% and 42%, respectively, of their power supplies.

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"Our message is simple," Jim Gonzalez, the group's chairman, said in a statement. "We are urging 100,000 voters to tell their local elected officials to stop using dirty coal and switch to clean renewable energy for their electricity needs."

Local utility officials countered that they are moving in that direction. Both cities have committed to buying roughly one-third of their power from renewable sources by 2020.

"We agree with the [Renewable Energy Conservation Project] kids," said Burbank Water & Power General Manager Ron Davis. "They are just out-of-date and misinformed."

In Burbank, modernized natural gas plants have already cut the utility's carbon emissions to below 1990 levels, he said.

The utility also continues to add to its renewable-energy portfolio, in turn ramping down its coal production, which Davis said is already below the 42% cited in the mailer. READ MORE !

Friday, October 8, 2010

10/10/10: Celebrate Climate Solutions

A Day to Celebrate Climate Solutions

On 10/10/10, in every corner of the globe, 350.org will implement solutions to the climate crisis. From solar panels to community gardens, wind turbines to bike workshops, start to change your world from the bottom up. At all of these events, take a moment to shoot a group photo with a call to action for your political leaders. Tell them "We're getting to work--what about you?"

And what does this 350 number even mean?
350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide—measured in "Parts Per Million" in our atmosphere. 350 PPM—it's the number humanity needs to get back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change.

Current Measure: CO2 in the Atmosphere: 388.15ppm

Top Ideas For 10/10/10 Events
#1 Organize a Tree Planting
#2 Go Solar
#3 Work on a Community Garden or an Organic Farm
#4 Go For a Bike Ride
#5 Harness the Wind
#6 Get Efficient
#7 Do a trash cleanup


Find an event near you

October 16, 2pm - 4pm
JPL Climate Change Symposium
Jet Propulsion Laboratory climate scientists will discuss and explain climate change and global warming, and what the individual can do to slow it.
Open to the public, free admission.
Location: von Karman Auditorium, JPL, Pasadena.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Green Day Planner: October 2010

Burbank Library Green Events: October 2010

Calendar of Green Events in Burbank and Greater LA. Check out State and National events on the Green Day Planner.

Burbank
Oct 2 Compost Workshop-Edison School, 2110 Chestnut St @ 10am
Oct 4-8: Rideshare Week
Oct 9: Recycle Center Tour - 500 S Flower - RSVP: 238.3900 @ 10am
Oct 13: Compost Workshop-Miller School, 720 E Providencia @ 6:30pm
Oct 18: Sustainable Task Force @ 4:30 pm


Local & California
Oct 1-2: AltCar Expo & Conference – Santa Monica
~ reduce your petroleum use, carbon footprint and transportation costs
Oct 10: Clean-Air Car Show & Green-Living Expo - So Pasadena @ 10am
~alternative fuel vehicles; next-generation-technology & exhibits
Oct 12-14: Solar Power Intl – Los Angeles Convention Center
Oct 15:
Theodore Payne Fall Festival & Native Plant Sale – Sun Valley
~how easy it is to plant and care for California natives
Oct 15-17: S Rafael: Bioneers Conf – San Rafael
Oct 20: UCLA Sustainability Fair – Bruin Plaza
Oct 21: Prop 23 Debate @ UCLA, Korn Hall @ 7pm
Oct 24-27: Geothermal Energy Expo – Sacramento Convention Center
Oct 24-30: Business Strategies for Environmental Sustainability - Stanford
executive program on the environment for leaders: $9,200
Oct 30: Veggie Pride Parade – Santa Monica, starts @ 11am


National
Oct 5-7: GreenGov Symposium- White House Council on Environmental Quality
Oct 10-16: Earth Science Week-2010: “Exploring Energy”

~ Order an Earth Science Week Toolkit
Oct 14-15: Ecology & Education Summit – Wash DC
Oct 18-20: BioCycle Conference - Iowa
Oct 18-20: GridWeek 2010 – Wash DC - gathering of Smart Grid stakeholders
Oct 23-24: Green Festival – Wash DC

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Green Day Planner: Carfree Day


World Carfree Day
September 22

An annual celebration of cities and public life, free from the noise, stress and pollution of cars. Each year on September 22, people around the world organize events of all sizes to showcase alternatives to the automobile.

World Carfree Network invites organisations and individuals everywhere to join !

As the climate heats up, World Carfree Day is the perfect time to take the heat off the planet, and put it on city planners and politicians to give priority to cycling, walking and public transport, instead of to the automobile.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Burbank Sustainability Task Force

Sustainability is group's task: City advisory organization focuses on finding more efficient ways to do business.
Burbank Leader: September 10, 2010 by Gretchen Meier


Burbank may be able to cross a few items off its checklist as it works to become a more sustainable city before the end of the month.

The Burbank Sustainability Task Force has the opportunity to weigh in on upcoming City Council agenda items that coincide with the priorities outlined by officials in July.

"The task force's role and impact is evolving," said Public Works Director Bonnie Teaford. "It's a voice that hadn't been organized before in Burbank."

The task force, organized into six priority groups — sustainable design, urban heat island effect, transportation, energy, zero waste, strategic communications — is a city advisory group on issues relating to sustainability, as well as promoting policies, improvements and early input for projects.

The organization comprises nine members appointed by the council, including six residents and three others who do not have to be residents, but who must be involved in the business community and engaged in environmental issues, real estate or the development industry. They can also represent the faith-based or nonprofit community.

The additional six members represent a number of boards and city organizations, as well as two City Council members.

Johnny Carson Park development, implementation of the county's own sustainability program, closing gaps in the city's Bicycle Master Plan and fostering public involvement are all priorities the task force hopes to focus on this fiscal year. READ MORE !

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Green Day Planner: September 2010


Burbank Library Green Events: September 2010

Calendar of Green Events in Burbank and Greater LA. Check out State and National events on the Green Day Planner.

Sep 1-2: Pasadena: Women in Green

Sep 7-10: SF: CA & World Ocean Conference

Sep 14-17: Irvine: Pacific Water Quality Conference

Sep 14-15: NC: Summit New Green Economy

Sep 15-17: DC: ARE Green 2010
Alternative Renewable Energy & Green Industries

Sep 16: LA: SET 2010

Sep 17-19: AZ: GreenStock Expo & Concert
share green products, green inventions, green ideas, and new green ways of green living.

Sep 18: World Water Monitoring Day
international education & outreach program to build awareness about protecting water resources

Sep 20 BUR: Sustainable Task Force

Sep 22-24: LA: Opportunity Green Business Conference

Sep 25: Annual Coastal Cleanup Day

Sep 28-29: Chicago: Carbon TradeEX

Sep 29-30: NY: Urban Green Expo

Sep 29-30: SF: Renewable Energy Finance Forum

Sep 29: BUR: Compost Workshop

Sep 30-Oct 2: SF: West Coast Green

Friday, August 20, 2010

The Majestic Plastic Bag


Video from the EcoBurbank blog

The Majestic Plastic Bag - A Mockumentary
Heal The Bay

Help stop our 19 billion bag-a--year habit in California and put an end to plastic pollution.

Filmed in the style of a nature documentary and narrated by Academy Award-winner Jeremy Irons, this "mockumentary", though lighthearted in tone, hammers home the stark reality of California’s plastic bag pollution situation.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Green - Back To School

Gold Star For A Green Back To School
Your Daily Thread: August 10, 2010 by Danielle Davis


Reuse is always in style and the same goes this fall. First, dig out any BYO-equipment you may already have hiding in cupboards. For the rest, may we suggest:

*Food-grade stainless steel snack containers at Kids Konserve are non-toxic, free of baddies like lead and BPA and perfect for stashing in a backpack or even a purse. Hummus? Yogurt? Trail mix? Carrots? Yup, they’ll all fit snuggly inside.

*Reusable cloth snack and sandwich bags are all the rage. You can score a handmade number on etsy from crafters. Or you can create a version with your own sewing chops.

*Transform to go with our favorite stainless steel carriers from To-Go Ware. When you’re picking up food on the run, better not to carry out any waste with your warm lunch.

*When brown-bagging, earn an A with a Rebel Green organic cotton, made in the USA sack—it may not be brown, but it can be used over and over and over again.

*PeopleTowels are small organic cotton towels you carry with you. When you wash your hands, whip yours out instead of snagging the disposable paper ones to dry with. You’ll save about ¼ of a tree a year in addition to waste and water.

When choosing to buy a supply, go for used, recycled, upcycled, something from an independent retailer, something with a smaller footprint and longer life. Also, one ingredient to avoid when possible is PVC (aka vinyl), a kind of plastic ubiquitous in school supplies (think shiny binders and backpacks) that has toxic chemicals in its entire lifecycle, harming workers, air, water and wearers. The Center for Health, Environment and Justice has a fantastic (no-cost) guide to going PVC-free this year with recommendations on everything from lunch bags to laptops to umbrellas.

Then there’s:
*Alchemy Goods turns worn out inner tubes into sleek but strong accessories perfect for hauling your school or office accoutrements.

*For art supplies that do right by the inspiring natural world, look no further than Stubby Pencil Studio. It carries tools for a budding artist from safe, soy-based Crayon Rocks that encourage fine motor skills to eco-colored pencils crafted from FSC-certified wood.
*Need a new binder? Rebinder’s super plain offerings will do for any age, especially since they are a blank slate to add your own adornment. Even better, they are free of vinyl and constructed of recycled cardboard for a closed loop in more ways than one.

*If you’re attached to your sticky notes, Post-it will plant one tree for every recycled paper Post-it pack you buy—if you register it on its site here. Or, Russell and Hazel has some pretty ones that are also 100% recycled.

There are many more ways to green your back to school routine like carpooling, walking, biking, or taking public transportation. You can start a recycling program or advocate for healthy lunches. Whatever you do, know that we’re behind you! That’s right, you get a gold star from us.

Check out last year’s back to school guide for more! READ MORE !

Thursday, August 12, 2010

California Watch: Climate and Water

California 2025
Planning for a Better Future: June 2010

California’s current economic and fiscal realities make nonpartisan, objective information on the state’s future challenges all the more critical. Understandably, the search is on for immediate solutions to the unprecedented crises we face today. But if the present crises make policymakers shelve long-term planning, the result may be an even more uncertain future for our state.

It highlights the state’s most pressing long-term policy challenges in 8 key areas -budget, economy, education, population, transportation, workforce; and

Climate Change: California is charting new territory with its plans to reduce emissions. But the state also needs to prepare for the effects of climate change that are already coming. Watch a “Briefing” Slide Show.

Water: California faces growing water management challenges—including growth in demand, climate change, and instability in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Potential solutions will involve difficult and sometimes costly tradeoffs. The comprehensive package of water legislation enacted in late 2009 is a good beginning in policy reform but increased momentum—coupled with new investments—is essential to the state’s future.

2 other publications on water from the Public Policy Institute of California:

California Water Myths, December 2009

California faces enormous challenges in establishing a sustainable path for water resource management. This study highlights eight common water myths, focusing on water supply, ecosystems, and legal and governance issues. In combating these myths, the report sets the stage for a more informed approach to water policy and management.
Interactive Map: Per Capita Urban Water Use: 1960-2005
Interactive Feature: Virtual Tour (Center For Watershed Sciences, UC Davis)

Lawns and Water Demand in California, July 2006

Over the next 25 years, outdoor water use will be a major factor in escalating water demand in California. The demand will be aggravated by the dominant land-use pattern in inland areas: single-family homes with lush lawns. Without efforts aimed specifically at reducing outdoor urban water use, the demand will pose significant financial and environmental challenges for California. Also analyzes population growth and housing trends in the state’s major climactic regions, estimates residential lot and yard sizes, and examines the water needs of cool-season turf grass lawns. It also evaluates several outdoor water conservation programs.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Water Efficiency Measures

Business not going with the flow, yet
Burbank Leader: July 31, 2010 by Gretchen Meier


Less than half of all business owners in Burbank have installed water-saving fixtures in advance of the Nov. 1 deadline that will mark the beginning of a 25% surcharge on water bills for delinquent customers, officials said.

Enacted as part of the new rate plan established last year, the deadline has already been extended beyond June 30 until the end of October, yet only 45% of businesses have returned certificates of compliance, officials said.

Burbank Water and Power has been pushing those under deadline at least twice since the beginning of the calendar year, but only half of the remaining 55% have confirmed they are "working on it," customer programs assistant Karen Wilcox said.

Utility customers are being asked to replace older toilets with those that use 1.6 gallons per flush and replace aerators in kitchen and bathroom faucets with a lower flow rate.

Burbank Water and Power offers a rebate of $100 to replace older toilets for high-efficiency models that use 1.28 gallons per flush.

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In an ordinance passed by the Burbank City Council last week, all properties must now retrofit faucets and toilets upon resale as a condition of escrow. READ MORE !

* Important Notice Regarding Your Water Service *

The City of Burbank now requires that all multi-family residential, commercial and industrial water service customers certify that certain water efficiency measures have been installed on their property.

Compliance must be achieved by October 31, 2010. Failure to certify compliance will result in a surcharge of 25% on the customer’s water bill for 12 months commencing on November 1, 2010. If non-compliance continues beyond the 12 month period, the surcharge will increase to 50% per month, until compliance occurs. To view more information on the Required Water Efficiency Measures, CLICK HERE

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

National Water Quality Month

National Water Quality Month: August

Basic Information about Drinking Water Contaminants
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. EPA sets standards for approximately 90 contaminants in drinking water.

Also an alphabetic list of contaminants

List of Contaminants & their MCLs
Microorganisms
Disinfectants
Disinfection Byproducts
Inorganic Chemicals
Organic Chemicals
Radionuclides


Quality of Water in Burbank and California

Burbank Water Quality Report 2009

California
EPA: Consumer Confidence Reports
Local Drinking Water Information by state.


Aquafornia
California Water News Blog by the Water Education Foundation

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Green Day Planner: August 2010

Burbank Library Green Events: August 2010

Calendar of Green Events in Burbank and Greater LA. Check out State and National events on the Green Day Planner.

Aug 4-6
Techonomy Conference - Tahoe
identifying and promoting ideas, principles and enterprises


Aug 13
Jules Verne Festival @ 10am-6pm - LA
1st Annual Jules Verne NATURE DAY. FREE @ 7th & FIG Plaza
Featuring the vegetable-oil running vehicle from the award-winning film NATURE PROPELLED

Aug 14
BURBANK: Household Hazardous Waste Roundup
Burbank Fire Training Center 1845 N. Ontario

Aug 15
Power Mix - LA
Cutting Edge Alternative Energy Expo

Aug 16
BURBANK: Sustainable Task Force @ 4:30pm

Aug 18
BURBANK: Take Out Your Lawn Workshop @ 6:30pm
Swap that water-guzzling lawn @ the Buena Vista Branch

Aug 30-31
CAPCOA Climate Forum – SF

September
Sep 1-2
Women In Green Forum - Pasadena

Friday, July 30, 2010

California Watch: Rebates

California Cash for Appliances expands to energy-efficient dishwashers, water heaters and HVAC systems
LA Times: July 29, 2010 by Tiffany Hsu


When rebates for refrigerators and money for washing machines won’t do the trick, try adding dollars for dishwashers to the mix.

That’s what state energy officials are offering Californians, starting Thursday, in an attempt to boost lagging interest in a 3-month-old rebate program for energy-efficient appliances.

The original rebates included up to $50 for room air conditioners, $100 for clothes washers and $200 for refrigerators. The offer now adds up to $50 for freezers, $100 for dishwashers, $750 for water heaters and $1,000 for heating, ventilation or air conditioning systems. Search for qualifying appliances here.

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Instead of requiring that the appliances be sold by May 23, the commission is giving customers rebates until funds run out. And buyers now get 120 days, not 30, to file their rebate applications.

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Hence the expanded offer, known as California Cash for Appliances PLUS. Consumers can now get rebates for 25 dishwasher models, 165 freezers, 258 boilers, more than 300 water heaters and 2,887 furnaces. READ MORE !

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

MyCall2Recycle

Call2Recycle® Challenges
North Americans to Recycle 1 Million Pounds of Batteries
July – October 1, 2010

Cell phones, laptops, mp3 players, cordless power tools and digital cameras all use rechargeable batteries, which can and should be recycled.

Call2Recycle, North America’s only free rechargeable battery and cell phone collection program, launched MyCall2Recycle, an awareness campaign designed to educate consumers and businesses on the importance and ease of battery recycling.

During the campaign, consumers are asked to scour their homes and rid their attics, junk drawers and storage spaces of all used rechargeable batteries and cell phones and bring them to any of Call2Recycle’s 30,000 public drop-off locations to help the organization achieve its goal of collecting one million pounds of rechargeable batteries between now and Oct. 1.

Since 1994, Call2Recycle has recycled millions of pounds of rechargeable batteries through a network of 30,000 drop-off locations in the US and Canada.

Find a Drop-Off location by Zip Code
or Call: 877.2.RECYCLE - 877 . 273 . 2925

Some Burbank Locations

Best Buy - 1501 N Victory Pl – 818 845 5121
Do It Center - 3221 W Magnolia Blvd – 818 845 8301
Fry's Electronics - 2311 N Hollywood Way – 818 526 8159
Grainger - 7565 N Lockheed Dr – 818 253 7970
K-Mart - 1000 N San Fernando Blvd – 818 843 4221
Lowe's - 2000 W Empire Ave – 818 557 2300
MelroseMAC - 2400 W Olive Ave – 562 879 3865
Office Depot - 228 E Burbank Blvd – 818 848 2591
RadioShack - 2412 W Victory Blvd – 818 842 8579
Verizon Wireless - 1729 N Victory Pl – 818 842 2722

More @

Friday, July 23, 2010

News For You: UCLA Institute of the Environment

UCLA Institute of the Environment
Everything We Do Now Matters

IoE generates knowledge and provides solutions for regional and global environmental problems and educates the next generation of professional leadership committed to the health of our planet.

Through its local, national, and international programs, the IoE employs innovative, cross-disciplinary approaches to address critical environmental challenges - including those related to climate change, water quality, air pollution, biodiversity, and sustainability - with the goal of achieving stable human coexistence with the natural systems on which society depends.

IoE Resources

Southern California Environmental Report Card
~ UCLA faculty analyzes current environmental issues
Spring 2010: Biodiesel Fuels
Winter 2010: Promoting Green Innovation


Clean Tech LA Video Series
CleanTech Los Angeles (CTLA) is a multi-institutional collaboration between the City of Los Angeles, the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, UCLA, USC, Caltech, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Central City Association, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles Business Council (LABC) and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) to establish Los Angeles as the global leader in research, commercialization, and deployment of clean technologies.


Climate Change Portal
entry point to the vast array of experts, research, and activities that UCLA is engaged in.


IoE Newsletter: Spring 2010
The Hot Spot
Programming for the Planet
Natural Invention


Follow IoE on Twitter

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Green Day Planner: July 2010

Burbank Library Green Pages
Event List: July 2010

Calendar of Green Events in Burbank and Greater LA. Check out State and National events on the Green Day Planner.

Jul 4 4pm-7pm
LA: Independence from Oil and Coal
Independence Rally @ Hollywood Bowl

LA Beyond Coal.org

Jul 5-9
UCLA: Green Strategies

Institute of the Environment Sustainability and Corporate Leadership: Informed Green Strategies for Your Firm

Jul 10
Venice: Eco Fest

3rd Annual Green Festival

Jul 10 9:30am-11am
BUR: Compost Workshop
@ Zpizza 116 E Palm Ave

(818) 238–3900
receive a free compost bin to help you get started (for Burbank residents only). Workshops are free and fun for the whole family.

Jul 14 7pm-9pm
BUR: Film - End of the Line
Burbank Green Alliance

@ Woodbury University
"Learn how responsible choices will save our oceans and seafood industry!”

Jul 17 10am-11:30am
BUR: Compost Workshop
@ Burbank Recycle Center, 500 S Flower St.

(818) 238–3900
receive a free compost bin to help you get started (for Burbank residents only). Workshops are free and fun for the whole family.

Jul 19 4:30pm
BUR: Sustainable Task Force Committee

Jul 23 10am-6pm
Rose Bowl Green Expo


Jul 22-24 8am-5pm
Pas: National Children & Youth Garden Symposium
American Horticultural Society @ multiple
venues

Jul 28 6:30pm-8:30pm
BUR: Take Out Your Lawn Workshop

Buena Vista Library
Swap that water-guzzling lawn

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Burbank Green Business Series: Summer 2010

GREEN BUSINESS LECTURE SERIES: Summer 2010
Burbank Green Alliance

Link to PowerPoint Presentations & Handouts from the Summer Lecture Series:


May 26: Zero Waste: Improve Your Bottom Line by Reducing Waste
PowerPoints from Susy Borlido and Spencer T Brown


June 2: Start It Out Right! Energy & Water Efficiency, Reduce Toxins, and Save Money!
Toxins Handout from Mario Quezada
PowerPoint from Jose Flores


June 9: Maximize Being Green
PowerPoints from Brad Cracchiola, Randy Lewis and Leslie VanKeuren
PowerPoint from Matthew Fladell coming soon


PowerPoint 2007 graphics & animation made easy
S E Slack – McGraw Hill, 2009
1 copy available at
Central Library in Nonfiction
005.58 2009 SLACK 2009

Friday, June 25, 2010

Book Watch

New Green Books @ Burbank Public Library


The blue economy:
10 years, 100 innovations, 100 million jobs: report to the Club of Rome
Gunter A Pauli – Paradigm Publications, 2010
333.7 PAULI


Choosing green:
the homebuyer's guide to good green homes
Jerry Yudelson – New Society, 2008
-what to look for, what questions to ask a builder, which green home rating systems to trust
643.1204 2008 YUDEL




Energy independence:
your everyday guide to reducing fuel consumption
Christine Woodside – Lyons Press, 2009
-intro to accessible alternative energy sources
333.79 2009 WOODS

Investing in a sustainable world:
why GREEN is the new color of money on Wall Street
Matthew J Kiernan – Amacom, 2009
-guide for investors who want to explore “green” markets
332.6042 2009 KIERN