Woody Hastings, CPC’s Renewable Energy Implementation Manager, introduced the keynote speaker, Bill Gallegos, Executive Director of the statewide group Communities for a Better Environment, to the 150 attendees at the third annual Clean Power Healthy Communities conference on May 10th. Woody is a Steering Committee member of the Oakland based Local Clean Energy Alliance, which … Read more
In California, questions swirl around new voluntary renewable energy program Greenwire by Debra Kahn – May 14, 2012 Despite pitfalls and naysayers, California’s largest and most troubled power company is plugging its latest “green” efforts. Northern California’s Pacific Gas and Electric Co. unveiled a new “green option” last month that would allow customers to pay … Read more
Background: April 10, 2012, the Sonoma County Water Agency Board voted unanimously to continue its evaluation of Sonoma Clean Power. Since 2011 the Sonoma County Water Agency has studied the feasibility and desirability of implementing Sonoma Clean Power, a local program that will buy and generate electricity for businesses and residents to reduce local greenhouse … Read more
In June 2010 PG&E spent millions dollars to pass Prop 16. This initiative was designed to shackle the state law that allows local jurisdictions to establish Community Choice Aggregation. CCA empowers local communities to develop renewable energy and create more competition in the utility market. State Senator Mark Leno has authored SB 790, a bill … Read more
A new Pew Research Center poll “Beyond Red vs. Blue: The Political Typology” finds strong support for the environment and clean energy across party affiliations. 71% of Americans believe “this country should do whatever it takes to protect the environment.” For the complete poll results. Overall the public prioritizes developing alternative energy over expanding oil, … Read more
Ghilotti Construction Company, the largest contractor in Sonoma, Marin and Napa, is a Business for Clean Energy sponsor and is demonstrating leadership in the industry by reducing its environmental impact. Some of the company’s accomplishments: using biodiesel blend for trucks and heavy equipment, recycling jobsite asphalt and concrete materials, construction of a “Green” corporate headquarters, … Read more
“Natural gas may be a marginally cleaner fossil fuel than coal, but obtaining it through the processing of fracking turns out to be more damaging to the climate than coal ever was. Fracking is a process that splits deposits of natural gas deep underground, using high pressure chemicals. A new study at Cornell has revealed … Read more
“Opponents of proposals to cap carbon emissions argue that such measures would be a drag on the economy. But action on climate change is simple prudence. Doing nothing carries risks that outweigh the cost of phasing out emissions. Politicians should accept that calculation because the science that supports it is strong. They should also consider … Read more
Energy, the environment, and the economy are all part of the leadership dialogs presented by Climate One at The Commonwealth Club on KRCB Public Television 22 and KRCB FM Radio 91 in February. Climate One brings together top thinkers and achievers from business, government, academia, and advocacy groups to advance the discussion about a clean … Read more
The focus of President Obama’s State of the Union address was keeping America competitive (see articles below on China). About clean energy he said, “…we’ve begun to reinvent our energy policy. We’re not just handing out money. We’re issuing a challenge. We’re telling America’s scientists and engineers that if they assemble teams of the best … Read more