California Watch: 2013 Green Innovation Index

California Green Innovation Index
Next 10: March 19, 2013

Next 10 is focused on innovation and the intersection between the economy, the environment, and quality of life issues for all Californians. Next 10 creates tools and provides information that fosters a deeper understanding of the critical issues affecting all Californians. Through education and civic engagement, Next 10 hopes Californians will become empowered to affect change.

The 2013 California Green Innovation Index, the 5th edition, shows that clean technology patent registrations and energy productivity are growing, clean economy jobs continue their post-recession recovery, and the state’s carbon intensity continues to drop.

At the same time, the Index shows that while overall investments in clean companies have fallen, financing models are changing with the rise of strategic corporate investors, and investments in some sectors continue to grow.

California’s clean economy sector is diversifying and advancing according to new data: clean tech patents, investment levels, energy productivity levels, state GDP relative to greenhouse gas emissions, California's clean economy jobs and more.

California Watch: Wind Power

Wind energy milestone: California now gets about 5 percent of its electricity from wind power
Mercury News: 1.31.201 by Dana Hull

California now gets about 5 percent of its electricity from wind power, according to data released Tuesday by the California Wind Energy Association.

The majority of California's electricity -- 42 percent -- comes from natural gas, followed by nuclear power and hydropower. According to 2010 figures from the California Energy Commission, wind made up 4.7 percent of the state's electricity mix and solar was 0.3 percent.

But in 2011, wind projects that generate 921 megawatts -- enough electricity for more than 400,000 homes -- were installed across the state, which the wind association says should put it above the long-sought-after 5 percent threshold. California has set an ambitious goal of getting 33 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2020, and utilities are increasingly signing contracts for renewable projects.

"2011 was a banner year for wind generation in California," said Nancy Rader, executive director of CalWEA, based in Berkeley. "Wind has come a long way and is helping to drive California closer to reaching its goal of 33 percent renewable energy."

In California, the vast majority of wind turbines are clustered in three regions: the Altamont Pass between Livermore and Tracy, Tehachapi near Bakersfield and the San Gorgonio Pass near Palm Springs. While solar panels are visible on homes across the state, massive wind farms tucked away in windy mountain passes that many Californians never see produce much more energy. READ MORE !

Coastal Cleanup Day - September 17

Coastal Cleanup Day
September 17
9:00 am – Noon

Annual beach and inland waterway cleanup. California’s largest volunteer event.

In 2010, over 82,500 volunteers removed more than 1.2 million pounds of trash and recyclables from CA beaches, lakes, and waterways. Combined with the International Coastal Cleanup, organized by Ocean Conservancy and taking place on the same day, California Coastal Cleanup Day becomes part of one of the largest volunteer events in the world.

Find a cleanup site near you.
With over 800 sites throughout California, there is sure to be one in your neighborhood.

California Watch: Governor's Conference Renewable Energy

The Governor’s Conference on Local Renewable Energy Resources
California's Path towards the Future
July 25 - 26

Governor Brown has called for 12,000 MW of renewable power generated within the local power distribution grid. Implementing this effort will provide important advantages in California’s drive for clean power – development of local resources, avoided costs of new intercity transmission or remote generation, and additional consumer autonomy.

Achieving this goal calls for new approaches and coalitions between consumers, community leaders, utilities and power providers. Promising innovations:
-Financing tools that help build new power sources, but also keep costs as low as possible.
-Improvements to existing wires and transformers, and new policies to speed connections.
-Policies and techniques to measure and manage power demand and variable power sources
-New efforts in local land use, building and fire codes to speed up deployment.

This two-day conference will explore these challenges in detail by catalyzing discussions between experts, regulators and other stakeholder groups. The invitation-only conference will be highly participatory and requires extensive facilitation and advance work. Some participants will take roles as participants or facilitators. All participants will review, in advance, conference materials including discussion papers set for each panel.

Complete Agenda with links to Overviews of Issues and Recommended Reading.

California Watch: E-Waste

E-waste law reaches a milestone: 1 billion pounds of computer junk recycled in California
L A Times: 6.11.2011 by Paul Rogers

Mountains of broken TVs, obsolete computer monitors and outdated laptops that once piled up in California's garages, attics and basements have achieved a milestone.

The state's electronic-waste recycling program has reached its 1 billionth pound of unwanted electronics. That's more than any other state has recycled — and amounts to roughly 20 million TVs and computers kept out of landfills.

"In the six short years this program has been operating, California has really gotten on board with e-waste recycling," said Jeff Hunts, e-waste program manager for the state Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery. "People are understanding it's hazardous and needs to be managed responsibly."

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California was the 1st state to pass an E-Waste Law
--24 states have passed similar laws
--California is only state that charges consumers to fund program by paying recycling fees when they buy a TV, laptop or monitor
--California’s law only funds recycling of TVs, laptops or computer monitors
--it requires they be recycled in state
--old VCRs, printers, hard drives, etc. are not covered
--California law requires consumers to pay fee of $6 - $10 depending on size of screen
--the fee funds a state-run program that pays $0.39 a pound to recycling companies and collection organizations
--California’s program has paid out $436 million since 2005

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After California's law passed, however, retail giants fought similar consumer-pay laws in other states. Now environmental groups and the electronics industry both want a national law but can't agree on how strict it should be — or who should pay.

New devices come on the market every year. So even though the state collects roughly 5 million used TVs and computers a year, Californians replace those by buying about 9 million a year. READ MORE !

California Watch: Green Leadership Awards

2011 Green California Leadership Awards
Deadline: March 25

In cooperation with the Advisory Board for the 2011 Green California Summit, the Green California Leadership Awards have been established as a forum to recognize outstanding environmental achievements in government. This is an opportunity to highlight and celebrate successful state and local government projects implemented in California during 2010. All nominated projects must be publicly financed and executed, and must have provided a measurable benefit to the natural or human environment.

Project Awards will be given in each of the following categories:
• Climate Change: Initiatives reducing human contribution to greenhouse gases
• Waste Management
• Energy Innovation
• Transportation
• Green Building
• Water Management: Significant savings in water conservation & efficiency
• Purchasing
• Green Culture: Systemic efforts promoting understanding & application of sustainability concepts

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.

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 !

California Watch: Grants - Reformulated Gasoline Settlement Fund

Reformulated Gasoline Settlement Fund

GRANTS TO ACHIEVE FUEL OR AIR EMISSIONS BENEFITS FOR CALIFORNIA CONSUMERS

DEADLINE FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS:
May 3, 2010: 5:00 PM, Monday.

The Reformulated Gasoline Settlement Fund is now soliciting applications from nonprofit organizations for grants to fund projects designed to achieve fuel or air emission benefits for consumers in California.

The Reformulated Gasoline Settlement Fund supports projects designed to achieve fuel or air emission benefits for consumers throughout the state of California. The goal of the Open Grants Program is to fund nonprofit organizations that offer projects that will deliver benefits related to reductions in vehicle emissions and/or fuel use through a broad range of strategies. Examples of eligible projects include:

- reducing diesel emissions
- increasing the use of alternative-fuel vehicles
- enhancing transit use and shared vehicle use
- training local officials in designing effective strategies to improve air quality and/or fuel efficiency
- reducing exposure to near-source or near-road emissions.

Where appropriate, applicants are strongly encouraged to partner with local air districts, other public agencies, and/or other entities such as foundations or industrial organizations.

The Reformulated Gasoline Settlement Fund is the result of the settlement of fourteen class action lawsuits against Union Oil Company of California and Unocal Corporation (Unocal). In these lawsuits, Plaintiffs claimed that Unocal affected the price for CARB-compliant summertime reformulated gasoline in California by urging the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to adopt its proprietary formula for summertime reformulated gasoline. Unocal denied any wrongdoing or that gas prices increased as a result of its actions. Before trial, the parties agreed to settle the class actions. As part of the settlement, the parties agreed to distribute approximately $7 million through a competitive Open Grants Program to fund projects that will deliver benefits related to reductions in emissions and/or fuel use in California.

For more information about the Reformulated Gasoline Settlement Fund and instructions on how to submit a grant application, click on the links below to view the Request for Proposals and Grant Application Form.

California Watch: Green Building Code

Environmental Groups Try to Block Parts of California's Green Building Code. The Sierra Club and Natural Resources Defense Council are among six groups waging a last-minute campaign to derail some of the rules, saying they aren't tough enough.
LA Times: January 11, 2010 by Margot Roosevelt

Environmental groups are mounting a last-ditch effort to derail key elements of the state's first-in-the-nation green building code -- a major initiative of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration.

The proposed code, likely to be adopted Tuesday, would slash water use, mandate the recycling of construction waste, cut back on polluting materials and step up enforcement of energy efficiency in new homes, schools, hospitals and commercial buildings statewide.

"It is going to change the whole fabric of how buildings are built by integrating green practices into our everyday building code," said David Walls, executive director of the California Building Standards Commission. "The rest of the nation will be looking at what we have done."

But critics say the rules fall short of rigorous standards adopted by Los Angeles, San Francisco and more than 50 California jurisdictions in league with the U.S. Green Building Council, a national nonprofit group of architects, engineers and construction companies. READ MORE !

California Watch: 244 Renewable Energy Projects

Office of the Governor

Governor Schwarzenegger Announces 244 Proposed Renewable Energy Projects Throughout StateState-Federal Partnership Expediting Hundreds of Projects Proposed to meet Governor’s 2020 Renewable Energy Goal.

Press Release: December 29, 2009

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the first comprehensive list of 244 proposed renewable energy projects that could produce up to almost 70,000 megawatts (MW) of clean energy annually, building on California’s aggressive renewable energy goals. These proposed projects throughout the state include solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and small hydro facilities and will help move California towards achieving the Governor’s renewable energy goal of 33 percent by 2020. Currently California facilities produce just over 8,000 MW of renewable energy annually.

A list of the 244 proposed projects that are currently in review or have been approved is available at California Energy Commission. The projects are separated by those seeking Recovery Act funding. The project list is subject to change since some may lack financing, fail to meet strict environmental standards, or adequately address land use issues as part of the project approval process. 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.