Guardian by John Vidal
“Millions of people could become destitute in Africa and Asia as staple foods more than double in price by 2050 as a result of extreme temperatures, floods and droughts that will transform the way the world farms.” 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
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:
April 14, 21, 28
May 5, 12, 19, 26
June 2
Questions?
Contact: Jason Dunham
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released $150 million in unused advanced energy manufacturing tax credits for clean energy and energy efficiency manufacturing projects across the U.S. Can your Sonoma County, Lake County, Mendocino County, or Marin County business benefit from this? Read more here…
When researchers at Chicago’s Northwestern University were trying to figure out how to maximize the amount of time light spent inside their organic polymer-based solar photovoltaic cells, they turned to an age-old technique to refine their design: evolution by natural selection. Read more here…
WASHINGTON D.C. — While public support for climate change aid is growing, U.S. negotiators once again offered no binding agreements on emissions reductions at the most recent United Nations climate talks – a stance that is becoming all too familiar to nations that see U.S. participation as crucial. Meanwhile a divided Congress has held off regulating carbon emissions, and some experts doubt that the nation will mandate protection of the climate via legislative act in the foreseeable future. Given hesitancy at the top, it was an act of leadership when California introduced Assembly Bill 32, the mandate to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the state to 1990 levels by 2020. Read more…
From 1934 to 1963, the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was the preeminent prison of the United States. Indeed, it was declared inescapable. Surrounded by the cold, rapid waters of the San Francisco Bay, a mile from the coast and outfitted with advanced security systems, officials believed that inmates would never escape its concrete walls — at least not alive.
Five inmates, however, did escape. Their whereabouts remain unknown, and officially they are presumed drowned. But a tourist, as he crosses the bay on a ferry from Fisherman’s Wharf, might consider an alternate ending. He looks up at the prison and down at the bay. He considers the water temperature and the distance to the coast. He thinks he could make it.
The SASH Program is a great idea that’s being implemented by Grid Alternatives. Read more…
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Most people who drive up and down on Highway 101 through California would never think of making a one-hour detour through the oak-dotted hills, canyons and ranches to visit the Carrizo Plain, a beautiful swath of land that is ringed by mountains and, in the spring, blooms with wildflowers. Yet, soon this region will be host to what will be among the largest solar power plants in the country. Read more here…
California Solar Initiative rebates vary according to utility territory, system size, customer class, and performance and installation factors. The rebates automatically decline in “steps” based on the volume of solar megawatts (MWs) with confirmed project reservations within each utility service territory. The figure below shows the expected schedule for rebate decline over time. To find the currently applicable rebate level in your area, check the CSI Statewide Trigger Tracker, which tracks the currently available MWs at each step level per utility and per customer class. There are two incentive paths available to consumers: Expected Performance Based Buydown and Performance Based Incentive.
Read more here…
