Recently, Sonoma County voted to offer Sonoma Clean Power to customers in the unincorporated area of the county. Now the question comes to your city! Do you want a choice about how your electrical power is generated? You won’t have a choice unless your city votes “yes.”
City councils will address Sonoma Clean Power as follows:
Sebastopol – May 7th 6:00pm
Cloverdale – May 8th 6:30pm
Rohnert Park – May 14th 5:00pm
Windsor – May 15th 5:00pm
Petaluma – May 20th 7:00pm
Santa Rosa – May 21st 4:00pm
Cotati – May 22nd 7:00pm
Sonoma – June 3rd 6:00pm
(Please check city websites for last minute changes.)
Take Action: We need to pull out all the stops now!
Our opportunity to reduce GHG emissions in Sonoma County will never be better. On our website you will find descriptions of actions to take. One important one is attending the council meeting in your city to tell council members you want a choice for Sonoma Clean Power. Read more here…
On Wednesday May 8th from 5pm-6pm, Kate Collins of Gaia Energy Systems will be participating in a Challenge Grant for the KRCB-FM public broadcasting station. KRCB-FM reaches most of Sonoma County over the air and it is streamed worldwide on the web and can also be heard on TV – Comcast Channels 202 and 962. Please tune in this Wednesday from 5:00 – 6:00 PM to join us in the Challenge Grant. Here is a link to the radio station website: http://radio.krcb.org/
SR ShowcaseFlyer2013
Santa Rosa Chamber Showcase Mixer
Wells Fargo Center for the Arts
50 Mark West Springs Rd
Santa Rosa, CA
Thursday May 9, 2013
4:00pm – 7:00pm
We are booth #41
More details about the event:
Showcase Sonoma County, the Chamber’s largest and most interactive networking event, is ramping up to once again celebrate and highlight the brightest business leaders from the most dynamic companies in Sonoma County. There will be exhibits from almost 100 fellow Sonoma County businesses — from tech, finance and manufacturing to restaurants, wineries and breweries. See the full list of exhibitors and booths here.
Attendance is free and open to everyone. Join the event on Facebook and share it with friends and colleagues.
Afterward, stay around for the Celebration After Hours Mixer from 6:00 – 8:30pm
Feeling lucky? Enter the Showcase Raffle for a chance to win some fabulous Sonoma County prizes:
First Prize
A Sonoma Wine Country Adventure Package for Two: African Safari Tour at Safari West, ziplining at Sonoma Canopy Tours, a choice of a kayaking trip or wine tasting and cycling tour with Getaway Adventures, plus two nights and three days lodging at the Flamingo Conference Resort and Spa. (Some restrictions may apply.)
Second Prize
Golf for two at The Links at Bodega Harbour including cart.
Raffle Ticket Prices
One for $10 • Three for $20
Tickets will be available online, at the Chamber offices and at the Showcase
On March 18th, San Rafael’s City Council unanimously decided to become the lead agency for a three-county group-purchasing project. The program will allow Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties in California to use their collective facilities as bargaining leverage to get discounts on solar arrays for municipal buildings and facilities. The program is run by SSC’s member Optony and their partner Solar Energy International. Read more here…
Great news! The Board of Supervisors voted to implement Sonoma Clean Power. This program will focus on providing a cleaner power mix for Sonoma County customers. The board’s decision means that this service will be made available to about 100,000 customers in the unincorporated areas of the county.
This is REALLY BIG NEWS and we are very excited about it at Gaia Energy Systems!
In the coming months, cities will consider joining Sonoma Clean Power and thereby give business and residential customers in their jurisdictions the choice. Depending on how many cities vote “yes,” the number of customers enrolled will increase.
CPC’s Ann Hancock along with many business and community allies spoke before the board about the importance of this program and the opportunity for our community it presents. It was standing room only!
The board also approved taking steps to arrange needed financing to get Sonoma Clean Power up and running. First Community Bank will provide the financing.
The proposed amount of renewable energy for the power mix is initially to be 33% compared with PG&E’s 19%. According to the current schedule, an electric service provider will be selected by the end of July, and Sonoma Clean Power will begin serving customers in January 2014.
Based on bids received earlier this month from 11 interested private electricity providers, rates are projected to be between 1.8% less to 1.1% more than PG&E on the residential side. For mid-sized commercial customers, rates are estimated to be 3.1% less to .5% more.
The decision yesterday is a huge milestone! We’re several steps closer to implementing the most powerful solution under local control for significantly reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.
Now the focus shifts to cities. We’ll need your help to let council members know that residents and businesses want a choice! Stay tuned!
Source: ClimateProtectionCampaign.org
Alex Aragon has been in the off-grid solar market for over 10 years and has just joined the Gaia team on staff. Alex is an experienced solar educator and blogger, and has offered to blog on behalf of Gaia Energy Systems. Alex can be reached at 877-424-2776 or at Alex@GaiaenergySystems.com if you want to learn more about how Gaia Energy Systems can help you go solar.
Somewhere in the Mojave Desert right now towers are being erected that will stand like shining tributes to the sun. Row upon row of mirrors will genuflect below, taking in the sun’s light, each to its measure, and focusing it back on a point atop their corresponding tower. The resulting heat will make the tower glow like a blinding beacon, or a steel-and-glass version of the Eye of Sauron, for Tolkien lovers.
This scene is not set to appear in a new science fiction film, either, but instead may become increasingly familiar as a form of solar energy production. Read more here…
We are currently hiring both salespeople and installers in the Sonoma County Area. Resumes can be sent to Jobs@GaiaEnergySystems.com. Click on the link for employment information: http://gaiaenergysystems.com/about-us/employment/
Solar Sonoma County’s PV Design & Installation Course
John Lloyd, Instructor
Course Description:
While the world’s economy is slowly recovering and improving, we don’t have to tell you that the green collar economy is booming. This course will educate you in the design and installation of photovoltaic systems and will prepare you to take the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Entry Level Exam. Upon successfully passing the open book test, you will receive a professional certificate, which can qualify you for immediate employment. Set your new career in motion! (Veteran’s encouraged to apply.)
Cost: $350 (Scholarships available for income qualified persons: contact Jason)
Register: Please click here to register
Location:
Sonoma Mountain Village, iHub
Sonoma State University Conference Room
1300 Valley House Dr. Rohnert Park, CA 94928
(Through double glass doors, far side of lounge, look for Solar Sonoma County sign next to door.)
Time:
9am-3pm
Bring your Own Lunch, light snacks and water will be provided.
2013 Sunday Class Sessions:
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April 14, 21, 28
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May 5, 12, 19, 26
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June 2
Questions?
Contact: Jason Dunham
Jason@solarsonomacounty.org
Download the PDF to learn more…
