Irene M. Stillings CCSE Executive Director on an Electric Vectrix Motorcycle

From the Director's Desk:
CCSE Launches Green Transportation Program

It’s April, the sun is out and the California Center for Sustainable Energy ( CCSE) is shining brightly, greening your world™ with new sustainable energy services! The Fueling Alternatives Program is at the center of that spotlight, making a major impact in our community and throughout the state. CCSE is proud to be the sole administrator of the program funded by the California Air Resources Board ( CARB). The Fueling Alternatives program offers cash rebates of up to $5,000 in incentives to Californians, who purchase electric, compressed natural gas and other qualifying cars and motorcycles. Overall, $1.62 million in funding will be dispensed under the Fueling Alternatives rebate program administered by CCSE.

On Tuesday, April 1st, CCSE geared up to showcase the alternative vehicles and talk about the benefits of the rebate program to the media. The media launch event was held at the EcoCenter, located at 4001 El Cajon Boulevard in San Diego. The EcoCenter is the main fueling point in San Diego for alternative fuel vehicles housing ethanol, propane and natural gas pumps, as well as an electric power station. In addition to being an alternative fuel hub, the EcoCenter is a climate change and green transportation education center for school children.

CCSE staff and rebate recipients were interviewed at the Fueling Alternatives Event.

Inquiries and applications are flowing in proving the program’s success. The rebates are available on a first-come-first-served basis for qualifying vehicles; There have been so many responses on compressed natural gas vehicles that the rebate budget has already been fully allocated to applicants. CCSE and CARB are searching for additional funding for this vehicle category. CCSE is very proud to administer the statewide green transportation initiative and offer this additional service to Californians.

Make Every Day Earth Day

CCSE will be right at home at the world’s largest annual environmental fair and Earth Day celebration. Balboa Park is hosting the April 20th Earth Fair. This is the 19th year for the fair with more than 70, 000 people excited to get involved in the green scene. CCSE will be participating in the festivities representing the ideals of Earth Day, especially green building awareness.

“Earth Day events encourage the community to come out and see how just one person can make a difference and really help the environment,“ said Program Manager Lauri Walker.“ “We all need to take steps to create a more sustainable environment for our future and generations to come.”

CCSE will also take part in other community Earth Day events. The events are a great way for CCSE to discuss services that are available to the commercial and residential market. The week-long events kick off Friday, April 18th at the corporate offices of Jack in the Box from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. On Saturday, April 19th, CCSE will be celebrating with the City of Chula Vista at the Otay Ranch Mall. On Sunday, April 20th, community members are invited to share in the fun at Balboa Park, and finishing off on Thursday April 24th, CCSE will bring Earth Day education to the students at San Diego City College.

Through each of its programs, CCSE is making a difference in developing awareness about the importance of green, energy efficient and sustainable measures to reduce the effects of global climate change. Earth day is a great opportunity to continue bringing this information to the community and to celebrate all that we can do to green our world™!

San Diego Sustainability Business Forum: The Value of Green

Irene M. Stillings speaks to attendees during the energy break-out session at the Sustainability Forum.

CCSE, along with partners from the San Diego Foundation, the City of San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Natural History Museum and the UCSD Environment and Sustainability Initiative, hosted an all-day forum dedicated to educating San Diego’s businesses about how to go green without breaking the bank. The 160 participants heard from businesses that have made changes from small modifications, like switching their dishes to china instead of paper, to complete mindset makeovers within a business, including getting LEED certified.

The day began with opening remarks from the EDC’s Julie Meier Wright and sustainability legend, Ray Anderson of Interface, Inc.. Carmen Sandoval, Policy Director for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, said “It was worth it just to hear Mr. Anderson’s speech!"

The morning also included three panel sessions, which illustrated the value of reducing water consumption, being more energy efficient and using environmentally benign materials, not only those for everyday uses, but also for building and remodeling materials. Mayor Jerry Sanders rounded out the list of speakers for the morning with a forecast of positive changes in the works for the City of San Diego.

The Forum also included breakout sessions on energy, water and materials; These sessions gave the audience an opportunity to weigh in on the topics and learn from each other’s experience. The day ended with a reception and closing remarks from wildlife environmental conservationist, Joan Embery.

For information on more CCSE events, please visit our Web site at www.energycenter.org.

South Bay Program Ends with Successful Planting Event

Program Assistant, Robin Rivet, teaches South Bay residents how to properly care for their new free trees at the South Bay Planting Event.

The South Bay Shade Tree Program, funded with generosity by the Home Depot Foundation, is officially over…for now. Almost 1,000 shade trees were given away to homeowners in National City, Chula Vista and Imperial Beach. These homeowners were also educated on how to properly plant and maintain their new trees by attending a short planting class held by one of CCSE’s certified arborists. One such class was held Saturday, March 29, at Southwestern College in conjunction with the grand opening of their Nursery Technology Center (NTC), which also included a plant sale.

With the help of the NTC staff and others, such as the City of Chula Vista, this planting event was able to garner enough attention to attract more than 80 participants! This translated into 416 shade trees given away to now educated South Bay residents. The residents’ newly planted, drought tolerant trees clean the air by taking harmful carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and shade their homes reducing energy costs. The trees also increase property values and improve neighborhoods.

Learn how to get up to 10 free shade trees by visiting www.trees.energycenter.org.

Arbor Day Tree Planting Tips

1. Before buying a tree, make sure you know how big it will grow. The root system will grow to twice the size of the tree’s canopy!!! Reference the Sunset Western Garden Book for details (available for check-out from our Reference Library).

2. Plant the right tree in the right place; Do not plant large trees under power lines or next to hard landscapes.

3. Always dig your planting hole at least twice the size of the root ball and in a square to encourage the roots to spread into the soil and get properly established.

4. Plant your new tree 1 or 2 inches above existing grade to allow the soil to settle. The base of the trunk (trunk flare) should be visible after the tree is planted.

Click the image to enlarge

5. Add Gypsum to your backfill soil if your soil is heavy clay or decomposed granite.

6. Always remove the nursery stake from your newly planted tree even if the tree still needs stakes (see diagram>>).

7. Mulch the base of the tree to protect the roots from competition, to leach valuable nutrients into the soil and to hold in moisture. Free mulch is available at the Miramar Landfill and some municipalities.

8. Deep watering your trees is crucial to proper root development and tree establishment. Deep watering equals: 15 gallons at a time, 1-4 times a week for the first growing season, depending on the time of year and your soil.

9. Never top your tree!! Proper pruning is critical for long-term tree health. Contact the Professional Tree Care Association of San Diego, if you need work done on existing trees, and always hire a certified arborist. www.ptcasandiego.org.

10. Visit www.treesaregood.org for complete information about trees!

11. Plant a tree this Arbor Day season!!!

CCSE Featured on KPBS

CCSE employees were front and center for an interactive discussion about global warming. On Saturday, April 5th, CCSE staff was invited to participate in the studio audience for Global Warming: San Diego's Carbon Footprint , a KPBS television special. The show was a feature on the weekly KPBS series, Envision San Diego. It provided a forum for discussion on climate change, sustainable development and energy efficient cars. Audience members were encouraged to take part in a frank dialog expressing their opinions and asking the experts questions.

CCSE’s climate change program manager, Andrea Cook, Director of Engineering, Robert Gilleskie and Marketing Communications Manager, Kim Sykes participated as part of the studio audience. This was a great opportunity to get the word out about CCSE’s many program services including the Fueling Alternatives Initiative, the California Solar Initiative and the Solar Water Heating Pilot Program.

Even more exciting was the fact that two of CCSE’s programs were highlighted in ‘on location’ story segments. KPBS’, Ed Joyce, reported on the Solar Water Heating Pilot Program, while Pat Finn covered the Fueling Alternatives Program. This coverage helps demonstrate to a wide audience the impact CCSE is making in reducing our city and state’s carbon footprint. CCSE would like to thank KPBS and hopes to continue the exciting collaboration in creating more awareness for a sustainable future. Watch the KPBS Global Warming: San Diego's Carbon Footprint special on April 17th at 8:00 p.m.

SignOnSanDiego.com for CCSE’s Latest Program Highlights

Robert Gilleskie, Mary Venables, Ken Cooper and Kim Sykes at the Fueling Alts Media Event

Recognizing the need for community partnerships, CCSE has joined forces with San Diego’s premier Web site resource, the Union Tribune’s SignOnSanDiego.com. More than 1.1 million San Diegans utilize SignOnSanDiego.com daily when looking for information on virtually anything from news and sports to entertainment, classifieds and more. Now, San Diegans wanting information on sustainable energy and “Greening your world™” can log onto the site and find CCSE.

In addition, SignOnSanDiego.com features a live internet radio show with long-time San Diego radio personalities Clark Anthony and Ken Copper. The Clark and Copper Show that runs from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. daily recently highlighted the CCSE Solar Water Heating Pilot Program. In March, Program Manager, Annie Henderson, spoke live to a wide audience about the benefits of solar water heating and the urgency of taking advantage of the pilot program CCSE is currently administering. SignOnSanDiego.com also reported on the Fueling Alternatives Program at the media launch on April 1st.

CCSE feels confident that SignOnSanDiego.com will be an asset in spreading awareness regarding the CCSE mission of sustainability. Click here to listen to Annie’s Solar Water Heating interview on Clark and Copper.

SOLAR 2008 is Coming to San Diego May 3-4

Learn how solar energy can help you save on monthly utility bills, reduce your carbon footprint, protect the environment and power your next career at SOLAR 2008.

Now in its 37th year, this national solar conference is led by the American Solar Energy Society and presented by the California Center for Sustainable Energy as well as other excellent organizations promoting renewable energy. Learn more and reserve your tickets at www.solar2008.org.

SOLAR 2008 will help you explore solar options for your home, see solar technology up close, learn how to power your home from the sun, get your questions answered, and discover what’s new with solar energy.

SOLAR 2008 is open to the public May 3-4, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All events are at the Town and Country Resort, 500 Hotel Circle North, San Diego. Admission is only $5 per person. A 20%-off discount on the Public Expo registration is available to those who register online at www.solar2008.org by 10:00 p.m. PDT on May 2 using the discount code: solarpub1.

This public event includes:

a renewable energy trade show – more than 150 businesses to help you get started

an outdoor demonstration area – many area nonprofit and educational opportunities to entertain and enlighten

consumer presentations – let our experts show you the basics – how to choose and buy your system, take advantage of the rebates and tax credits available under the California Solar Initiative, or start your own solar business

a film series – see the best in recent documentaries about green energy, climate change, great projects and what you can do right now to save energy, save money and save the planet

Attend SOLAR 2008 and discover where the industry is headed. Information about the public events and full conference details can be found at: www.solar2008.org.

Metering and Billing/CIS America Coming to San Diego April 21-23

The 9th annual Metering, Billing/CIS America conference and exhibition will present a great line-up of industry seminars, exhibits, panel discussions and hands-on training.

You need to keep up with the fast-evolving metering and customer management landscape, which is undergoing massive and rapid change - constantly. New products, new services, new players. The Metering, Billing/CIS America agenda will provide a unique opportunity for you to hear from industry experts and learn how they are managing change and have overcome obstacles.

CCSE invites you to be part of this must attend event to cover every aspect of advanced/smart metering and customer management. To validate this free exhibition pass visit www.meteringamerica.com/free .
Quote validation code: CSE08 

By validating your FREE ticket online before the event you receive the following benefits:
- Complimentary access to the reception on April 21, 2008
- Complimentary coffee, snack and beverage breaks throughout the exhibit hall
- Complimentary trial subscription to Metering International

Whether you are an industry veteran, or a newcomer to this exciting field, interaction with other attendees at Metering, Billing/CIS America is key to advancing your business interests. With various receptions, post-conference tours, and numerous meal functions included in the conference schedule, you are sure to catch up with old and make new contacts.

Ecobuild America Coming to Anaheim May 19-22

Join AEC professionals from the private and public sector who design, construct, manage facilities and specify building products. Explore the breadth of green building, sustainable design, renewable energy, environmental planning processes and information collaboration strategies for construction. Co-located events include: The National BIM Conference, The National Specifiers Conference and more!

The California Center for Sustainable Energy is presenting these seminars:

Solar Energy: Advancements in Technologies

LEED Green Building Rating System

Designing Fire Resistant Communities

To view a complete event planner, click here.

CCSE’s affiliates will receive FREE exhibit and keynote admission - $45 value. Be sure to use promotion code E16CCS and discount code HSEOC. To register, click here. Visit www.ecobuildamerica.com for information.

Inside the San Diego Energy Resource Center Lending Library

The Energy Resource Center ( ERC) has a vast array of books, periodicals, DVD's and tools to assist businesses and home owners with energy efficiency products, services and practices. Books, periodicals and DVD's can be checked out free of charge. Please call toll-free: 1-866-SDENERGY for more information. For a look at tools and resources available in the lending library, click here. ERC Featured Display Name: Cool Roof Description: Cool roofs are roofs consisting of materials that very effectively reflect the sun’s energy from the roof surface. Cool materials for low-slope roods are mainly bright white in color, although non-white colors are starting to become available for sloped roof applications. Cool roofs reduce roof surface temperature by up to 50 percent, thereby reducing the heat transferred into the building below. Other benefits include: improved occupancy comfort, extended roof life and reduced urban heat islands along with associated smog. Systems Addressed: HVAC ERC Featured Instrument Name: Dwyer Model 475-3 Plus Digital Manometer Accessory Kit Description: The Dwyer Series 475 Mark III Handheld Digital Manometer is ideal for field calibration, monitoring or trouble-shooting HVAC systems. This handy instrument measures positive, negative or differential pressures of air and natural gases in ranges from 1 in. w.c. (0.249 kPa) to 199.9 in. w.c. ½” LCD display. Includes two A-303 static pressure tips, two 9-ft. lengths 3/16” I.D. rubber tubing, no. 166-6-CF pilot tube, A-397 step drill, A-532 air velocity slide chart and instruction bulletin H-11. Specifications: Service: Air Combustible, compatible gases Accuracy: ±0.5% F.S., 60-78°F (15-25°C); 1.5% F.S., 32-60°F and 78-104°F (0-15°C and 25-40°C) Pressure Hysteresis: ±0.1% of full scale Pressure Limits: Model dependent Temperature Limits: 0 to140°F (-17.8 to -60°C) Compensated Temperature Limits: 32 to104°F (0 to 40°C) Pressure Connections: Two barbed connections for use with 1/8" or 3/16" I.D. tubing. Two compression fittings for use with 1/8" I.D. X 3/16" O.D. tubing for 475-7-FM & 475-8-FM only. Availability: Loaned free of charge for up to 5 business days. Remember: Safety first! ERC Featured Book Name: Building Green in a Black and White World Author: David Johnson Description: Building Green in a Black and White World transforms the rising interest in living in green homes into practical ways to satisfy the environmentally conscious home buyer. Drawing on over 30 years in the building industry, the author provides a guide for both builders and buyers to everything from the home design process to green substitutes for products ranging from foundations to roofs, along with case studies of successful green companies and useful resources. NOTE: Books, periodicals and videos can also be checked out free of charge at CCSE. Please call Toll Free: 1-866-SDENERGY for more information. To find prior editions of "Inside the San Diego Energy Resource Center Lending Library" information, including DVD reviews, click here.

Energy Policies, Regulations & Legislative Updates

A Summary of Recent California Public Utilities Commission regulatory activity, and what it mean to to the average consumer, business and/or public agency:     Energy Efficiency (R.06-04-010) What’s this? This is the forum for initiating the next planning cycle for 2009-2011 energy efficiency ( EE) program plans, funding levels and related issues. What’s new? On March 6, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison Company ( SCE), San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) and Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) jointly submitted a supplement to their Preliminary Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan (PEESP). Parties wishing to have a potential impact on the utilities’ development of their 2009-2011 EE program portfolios and applications should submit comments no later than March 24. In addition, stakeholder comments regarding the content of the PEESP are due no later than April 15. A final strategic plan is to be filed jointly by the utilities no later than May 15. The PEESP and supplement can be found on the California Energy Efficiency Web site. California Solar Initiative, Self-Generation Incentive Program and Other Distributed Generation Issues (R.06-03-004) What’s this? This rulemaking, now closed, was the previous rulemaking to develop rules and procedures for the California Solar Initiative ( CSI). The rulemaking gives $2.16 billion in incentives over 10 years to install solar PV, which helps offset peak demand. For the Self-Generation Incentive Program ( SGIP), the rulemaking is designed to give incentives for the installation of certain renewable and clean generation technologies, excluding solar technologies. What’s new? CSI: On February 29, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issued her Ruling Noticing Workshop and Requesting Comment on Staff Proposal for Solar Incentive for Multi-Family Low Income Housing. The California Public Utilities Commission ( CPUC) Energy Division facilitated a workshop to discuss the Staff Proposal on March 17. Comments are due no later than March 26, and reply comments are due no later than April 4. Please note that on March 13, R.06-03-004 was officially closed, and further work on this matter will be handled in the new rulemaking, R.08-03-008. SGIP: At the March 13 CPUC Meeting, the CPUC’s proposed denial of FuelCell Energy’s Amended Petition for Modification of Decision (D.) 04-12-045, requesting an increase of the Self-Generation Incentive Program ( SGIP) incentive cap from the current 1 megawatt ( MW) to 3 MW, was slated to appear on the consent agenda. However, the item was withdrawn, and on March 20, a Proposed Decision (PD) was issued granting FuelCell Energy’s petition in part. The PD proposes to allow payment of incentives for projects up to 3 MW from prior years' SGIP carryover funds, with incentives for projects between 1 MW and 2 MW receiving incentives at a 50% incentive rate and between 2 MW and 3 MW at a 25% incentive rate. Comments are due no later than April 9, and reply comments are due no later than April 14. Please note that on March 13, R.06-03-004 was officially closed, and further work on this matter will be handled in the new rulemaking, R.08-03-008. California Solar Initiative, Self-Generation Incentive Program and Other Distributed Generation Issues (R.08-03-008) What’s this? This new rulemaking will continue the work of R.06-03-004, developing and refining policies, rules and programs for the California Solar Initiative ( CSI) and the Self-Generation Incentive Program ( SGIP). The rulemaking will also consider policies for the development of cost-effective, clean and reliable distributed generation ( DG). What’s new? On March 13, the CPUC filed its Order Instituting Rulemaking Regarding Policies, Procedures and Rules for the California Solar Initiative, the Self-Generation Incentive Program and other Distributed Generation Issues (OIR), initiating this new rulemaking. Because statutes limit the existence of CPUC proceedings to two years, the CPUC closed the previous rulemaking for CSI, SGIP and other DG issues, R.06-03-004, initiated in 2006. Parties and other members of the R.06-03-004 service list will not automatically be placed on the service list for R.08-03-008 and must follow the directions in the OIR to be placed on the service list for R.08-03-008 by April 7. In addition, on April 22, a Prehearing Conference (PHC) will be held at the CPUC. Parties should file and serve their PHC statements no later than April 11. Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Project (A.06-08-010) What’s this? San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) seeks authority from the CPUC to construct a 500 kV transmission line in conjunction with several 230 kV transmission lines, expected to run 150 miles from the Imperial Valley to San Diego. What’s new? In related events, on March 6, the U.S. Department of Energy ( DOE) affirmed their decision designating an area covering seven California counties, including San Diego and Imperial and three western Arizona counties as a national electric corridor, naming it the Southwest Area Corridor. This designation may provide SDG&E with an alternative route to approval in that SDG&E may request the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to intervene in the CPUC’s process for evaluating the Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Project. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap (R.06-04-009) What’s this? Initiated out of Assembly Bill ( AB) 32, this will design and implement a greenhouse gas ( GHG) cap for the regulated electric utilities, including consideration of a GHG performance standard. What’s new? At its March 12 Business Meeting, the California Energy Commission ( CEC) adopted the CEC and CPUC Joint AB 32 Implementation Committee’s Interim Opinion on Greenhouse Gas Regulatory Strategies, issued February 8. The Interim Opinion was then approved by the CPUC at its March 13 meeting. The Interim Opinion makes recommendations to the California Air Resources Board ( CARB) regarding point of regulation, allocation principles and complementary programs for implementation of AB 32. The Interim Opinion states that these recommendations should be adopted as part of CARB's scoping plan for its further work in implementing AB 32, which requires that statewide GHG emissions be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020. For a complete list of energy-related State and Federal legislation, please visit our Web site at www.energycenter.org.