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In This Issue:
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Help Ecology Action continue to provide innovative programs that benefit our environment by making a tax deductible donation now!
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Santa Cruz is One Step Closer to a
Solar and Energy Efficiency Finance Initiative Program
- Colin Clark, Program Specialist, Climate and Community Group
They say that imitation is the pinnacle of flattery. That being the case, the City of Berkeley ought to be pink in the face because the City and County of Santa Cruz have decided to establish special finance districts modeled after Berkeley’s recently approved program aimed at increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. On May 12th, both the City Council and Board of Supervisors directed staff to return with a recommendation on how to proceed forward by August. Both bodies voted unanimously, and it stands to reason that if staff is able to present the economic and environmental case to justify the program, then it will likely result in as much as $300 million dedicated to local energy and efficiency projects over the next several years.
The importance of this effort cannot be overstated. Aside from the capacity to create jobs and reduce CO2 emissions in the region, it puts Santa Cruz on the map as an environmental leader willing to do what is necessary to meet local, regional and cultural imperatives to address global climate change.
Ecology Action played an important role in the process, facilitating the public and private stakeholders and providing technical consultation. While the actions taken on the 12th were an important first step, there is still a lot of work to be done to make this project a success. Stay tuned for additional updates on the Ecology Action website and through our newsletter!
For more information about the Santa Cruz Solar and Energy Efficiency Financing Initiative please visit www.ecocruz.org or contact Colin Clark (colin@ecoact.org or 831.426.5925 X 142) |
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Home Depot Chain Set to Participate in the Our Water, Our World Program
- Sherry Lee Bryan, Senior Program Specialist, Pollution Prevention/Zero Waste Group
Ecology Action announced on June 9th that The Home Depot has agreed to participate in a less-toxic pest management public education partnership in all of its California stores via the Northern California collaborative “Our Water Our World” program. The program partners with large and small volume pesticide retailers in order to reduce risks to water quality posed by use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers in urban landscapes.
“This is terrific news not only for the Monterey Bay area, but also the entire state,” said Virginia Johnson, CEO of Ecology Action. “The Home Depot’s leadership on combining their eco-options program with Our Water - Our World less-toxic product labeling is a key win in the effort to improve the health of both our water supply and our communities.”
The “Our Water, Our World” program is a cooperative effort among regional and local water agencies in the San Francisco and Monterey Bay Areas. In addition to partnerships with retailers to promote the sale of less-toxic pest management solutions, the program maintains a Website (www.ourwaterourworld.org) that provides:
• Fact sheets on specific pests and methods to manage them without using hazardous materials.
• Pocket guide to managing 10 common pests.
• Information on where to buy safer alternatives to insecticides, fungicides and herbicides.
• Product lists that are considered safer alternatives to more conventional pesticides.
• “Ask the Expert” feature that enables users to ask a specific question and receive
a personal reply.
Read the full press release here.
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New Energy Watch Programs Launched
Ecology Action provides direct energy efficiency support to local governments
- Mandy Caruso Brooks, Assistant Program Manager, Energy Group
In 2009, Ecology Action expanded the energy efficiency services with three new programs under the name Energy Watch; San Mateo Energy Watch, Silicon Valley Energy Watch and AMBAG Energy Watch. The success of these programs relies heavily on an innovative partnership structure and the collaborative efforts of Ecology Action, PG&E, and the local agencies administering the programs. Partnering with local governments and PG&E allows Ecology Action to offer cost-saving, energy-efficient technologies and rebates to municipalities, special districts and non-profits in each jurisdiction, helping them save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve reduced carbon footprint goals.
Each Energy Watch program offers free customized surveys of lighting, refrigeration and vending machines to eligible customers, resulting in recommended energy-efficiency upgrades, anticipated energy savings, cost of retrofit and the amount of instant rebates. Customers can see exactly how much their retrofit will cost and how long it takes to recoup their investment through reduced energy bills. Some selected measures are even available with rebates covering 100% of the installation costs!
Energy Watch programs are funded by California utility ratepayers from the Public Goods Charge under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. Energy Watch programs serve five counties: San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito.
For more information please visit:
San Mateo Energy Watch: Coming Soon!
Silicon Valley Energy Watch
AMBAG Energy Watch
Ecology Action
Or Contact: Mandy Caruso Brooks; mcaruso@ecoact.org or (831) 2477-8007
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22nd Annual Santa Cruz County Bike Week a Success
- Bonnie McPike, Program Specialist, Transportation Group
To commemorate the 22nd birthday of Bike Week, over 6,000 Santa Cruz County residents jumped on their two-wheelers to join the festivities. With a wide assortment of events such as Bike to Worship, the Commuter Challenge, Bike to Work/School Day and Rail and Trail Day, new and experienced cyclists were able to enjoy an assortment of activities helping promote the use of pedal power. Highlights of the week included over 5,600 bicyclists on Bike to Work/School Day (the highest number of participants in the history of the event), 34 school sites and over 500 participants on the Rail and Trail Day. With over 6,000 participants throughout the week, Santa Cruz County cyclists prevented nearly 35,000 pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere!
Thank you to all of our sponsors and volunteers for helping make this Bike Week another success. For more information, visit us on the web at www.bike2work.com.
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EA Continues to Support Recycling, Despite Budget Woes
Despite the current state budget freeze, Ecology Action in collaboration with local agencies are continuing to help special events recycle this event season.
- Brennen Jensen, Program Specialist, Pollution Prevention/Zero Waste Group
In March 2009, EA was advised by the California Department of Conservation (DOC) of a funding freeze affecting three regional recycling grants, as well as five more local grants secured by partner agencies. These frozen funds have resulted in the cessation of many of recycling services previously destined for special events, hospitality facilities and multifamily housing communities in the Monterey Bay Area. In an effort to try to enjoy some delicious lemonade this event season despite these unfortunate lemons, the group is working to leverage partner contributions to maintain basic recycling services for events in the area during this difficult time.
Read the full article to see how our program partners are stepping up and helping to bridge the budget gap and continue to offer much needed recycling services throughout the Central Coast.
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