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

Neighborhood Watch

A Friendly Source of power
Burbank Leader: May 15, 2009 by Christopher Cadelago

BURBANK — Robert Beher hasn’t had a power bill that topped $5 for the past five years.

Every month, while most meters charge forward, his meter ticks in the opposite direction thanks to a 2.09-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system atop his 1,300-square-foot home.

“I was satisfied with the decision I made,” said Beher, whose home includes a personal computer and plasma television. “And I am still very happy with it.”

As part of a program that began 10 years ago, Beher was the fifth Burbank Water and Power customer to add solar panels to his property, a number that grew to 15 by 2007.

“Since, the program has exploded from my perspective,” said John Joyce, the utility’s solar support program manager.

Spurred by increased rebates, the utility has funded 36 projects with a total capacity of 1,428 kilowatts, he said. The solar panels are situated throughout the city, including atop car ports, homes and small businesses, an airport hanger and movie studio stages.

All of the activity has led to the city surpassing three gigawatt hours of local solar energy, enough to power nearly 6,000 homes for one month.

“It’s only going to grow, especially as it becomes even more cost effective,” said Councilman Dave Golonski. “Solar is particularly efficient in our region because peak demand corresponds with the daylight and the sun.”

Ten years ago the council established the city’s first solar photovoltaic incentive program called Solar Support.

The program offered residents an up-front incentive of $3 per watt installed up to $10,000. Commercial customers were funded based on kilowatt hours generated. READ MORE

Book Watch

New ' Green ' books @ Burbank Public Library

Ecological Intelligence:
How Knowing the Hidden Impacts of What We Buy Can Change Everything
Daniel Goleman - Broadway Books, 2009
333.7 GOLEM

The bestselling author of "Emotional Intelligence" and "Primal Leadership" reveals the hidden environmental consequences of what societies make and buy, and how that knowledge can drive the changes necessary to save the planet. Examines the inconsistencies and delusions at the core of the "going green effort," the author argues that consumers are "collective victims of a sleight of hand," helplessly unaware of the true provenance and impact of the products they purchase.

The Eco-Travel Guide
Alastair Fuad-Luke - Thames & Hudson, 2008

910.202 2008 ECOTR

One-page overviews of the destinations focus on how the lodge or resort uses eco-architecture and environmental management systems and benefits the local culture and environment. Destinations are not reviewed or rated here.

The Gorgeously Green Diet: How to Live Lean and Green
Sophie Uliano - Dutton, 2009

613.26 2009 ULIAN

Green guru and ecolicious consultant Sophie Uliano has appeared on Oprah, Good Morning America, The View, and other national television shows. Sophie shows how to love food, live healthily, lose weight, and save money and the planet.

Business Watch - Warner Bros. Entertainment

Film studio applies green lens: WB works on projects it hopes will make it known as a company conscious of the environment.
Burbank Leader: April 28, 2009 by Christopher Cadelago

Warner Bros. Entertainment, angling to become a trailblazer among major studios when it comes to conserving resources and environmental stewardship, has completed two major projects it hopes will reduce its carbon footprint.

The projects include the first “green” sound stage built by a major studio and a set of hybrid solar panels designed to generate more than 500 kilowatts of energy. They are part of a 16-year environmental initiative program in which Warner Bros. closely examines its business practices with the aim of changing its corporate culture to reflect one of sustainability, said Shelley Billik, vice president of environmental initiatives.

“Our company’s philosophy is that everything that is sustainable is actually good for our business and good for our community,” Billik said. “Despite our size, I think, like all other companies, we have to be creative and leverage our own resources.”

The 21,600-square-foot sound stage, built to the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design specifications, is operational and is pending LEED certification. READ MORE !

Earth Day 2009

Earth Day Network's "Green Generation” campaign is a 2-year initiative that will launch in 2009 and culminate on the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010. Similar to "The Greatest Generation" that confronted the challenge of World War II, who inspired the major societal changes that followed, the Green Generation includes ordinary people who are engaged in individual and collective activities to improve their health, to improve their schools, to participate in building a solution to urgent national and global issues, such as climate change or the world’s water crises.

The "Green Generation" is open to everyone: people of all ages and all nationalities, consumers who are committed to buying green; community leaders who are focused on greening their communities; parents and teachers who work to provide healthy foods and green schools for their children; those who work in green jobs; academics whose research is focused on innovative products and services; scientists and engineers who develop new green technologies; and governments that seek to implement policies and support research that will build a green economy and healthy population, and the religious community who are committed to a vision of a just, sustainable, green planet. Corporations will play a key leadership role in the Green Generation campaign, particularly those that recognize that their future success is tied to sustainable products and socially just endeavors. More Information @

Calculate Your Personal Footprint

How much land area does it take to support your lifestyle ?

Take this quiz to find out your Ecological Footprint, discover your biggest areas of resource consumption, and learn what you can do to tread more lightly on the earth.

Green Day Planner: Earth Day

Earth Day

The 39th Annual Earth Day Celebration will be held on Saturday, April 18th. The event will be held at Stough Canyon Nature Center, 2300 Walnut Avenue in Burbank, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

There will be a special guest presentation at 1:40 pm by Senator Liu of the 21st District on “Greening The 21st District” and ways we can create partnerships.

A children’s theatre presentation of “All That Trash” will be held at 2:00 pm. Other activities will include interactive and informational activities, live animals, arts and crafts, zero waste and sustainability, composting and recycling, and water and energy conservation information.

FREE refreshments and reusable shopping bags will be available (while supplies last) ! The Stough Canyon Nature Center is located at 2300 Walnut Avenue, Burbank. For more information please call (818) 238-5440.

You Are Here: Exposing the Vital Link Between What We Do and What that Does to Our Planet
Thomas Kostigen – Harper, 2008
363.7 KOSTI

Check It Out @ Burbank Public Library