What does the future of clean energy look like from the perspective of a solar installer? It’s bright, according to Jeff Mathias, co-owner of Sebastopol-based Synergy Solar Systems. For Jeff, solar is a gateway to innovation and moving customers to a net zero carbon footprint. “Any solar vendor just selling solar is doing a disservice,” … Read more
Earlier this year, The Climate Center began working in the San Joaquin Valley to plant the seeds of Community Choice energy. On April 8, we were invited by the Fresno State Office of Community and Economic Development to present at the Clean Energy Summit about the benefits of Community Choice. In a breakout session, I … Read more
By Chris Cone The recent removal of six 200-foot redwood trees for the Courthouse Square reunification project produced an unintended consequence that spotlights the concept, and the importance, of building performance in climate protection. The shade produced by the redwood trees, located in front of 50 Old Courthouse Square, significantly reduced the amount of heat, … Read more
We thank our new Business for Clean Energy Member, Allen Danley of Sure Thing Carpet Care for a generous in-kind donation. Our carpets and chairs are squeaky clean! Why is a mobile carpet cleaning business a Business for Clean Energy member? Allen is pursuing his goal to become the first clean-energy-powered mobile cleaning business. Allen’s … Read more
The Climate Center is proud to welcome Ross Markey to the team as a student intern. He will be spending a year working with us on projects related to expanding renewable energy and Community Choice Energy in California. Ross is a Sonoma County native and is currently pursuing a B.A. from Sonoma State University in … Read more
This could go down in the books as one of the most interesting presidential elections in history. Candidate statements on all of the issues have been quite colorful throughout this long campaign cycle. At The Climate Center, we’ve been keenly aware of the peculiar stripes that the candidates have shown with regard to climate change. How well do you know … Read more
You don’t have to be a climate nerd to appreciate a good carbon footprint map. Measuring carbon emissions is a little like counting calories and steps. Just as data collection has emerged as a winning tool for achieving better, life-saving health (think FitBit), so too can data inform species-saving strategies for the health of the planet. … Read more
by Niki Woodard, The Climate Center | March 9, 2016 Pictured above: Dawn Weisz (CEO Marin Clean Energy), Geof Syphers (CEO Sonoma Clean Power), Cathy DeFalco (Energy Manager, Lancaster Choice Energy), and Ann Hancock (Executive Director, The Climate Center) Innovation, inspiration, and camaraderie emerged as themes defining The Climate Center’s second Business of Local Energy … Read more
by Kristin Berger, CCP Thanks to all who took part in Rumi’s Caravan on February 6 to benefit The Climate Center. After expenses, we raised over $13,000 this year to incubate and advance cost-effective climate solutions. Rumi’s Caravan is a poetic conversation that engaged all of the audience’s senses through the spoken word, music and … Read more
by Geoffrey Smith, CCP | February 11, 2016 The fate of rooftop solar has been a cliffhanger for the last few months. On January 28, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted on the future of Net Energy Metering (NEM) and its impacts on rooftop solar in California. The consequences of a ‘bad’ CPUC decision … Read more
