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.

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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