Home News CCSE Newsletter Energy Connection Newsletter - March 2012

Energy Connection Newsletter - March 2012

Energy Connections Newsletter

Presenting 2011 Energy All-Stars
Creating sustainability – one project at a time

CCSE recognized businesses, organizations and individuals in California who made noteworthy energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions in 2011 at the eighth annual Energy All-Star Awards held Thursday, March 22, at the University of San Diego.

Click here to continue reading.

Outstanding Innovation: San Diego Building Project
County of San Diego, Department of General Services

Outstanding Innovation: California Building Project
Maplewood Homes, Housing Authority of San Bernardino County

Outstanding Sustainable Organization
University of San Diego

San Diego Sustainable Community Leadership
Birch Aquarium at Scripps

California Sustainable Community Leadership
City of Palm Springs, Office of Sustainability

Outstanding Homeowner
Soheil Nakhshab, San Diego

Sustainable Transportation
car2go

Ultimate Energy All-Star
Irene Stillings

"Their leadership stands as exemplary models of how California leads the nation in our conversion to a clean energy future."

-Andrew McAllister, CCSE managing director

 


Updates

Energy Upgrade California Open House in Mira Mesa Saturday – Mike Plavan, an employee of ASI Hastings Heating and Air Conditioning, and his wife Lisa installed a variety of energy efficiency measures in their home at 11137 Crater Drive off Black Mountain Road. They will host an open house Saturday, March 31, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to showcase Energy Upgrade California. Read a case study of their upgrades here.

 

 

Union Bank Partners with Green Learning Adventure ( GLA) – During a lighter moment at CCSE, Union Bank reps Susan Miller and Kathy Patoff (left) presented a mock check for $17,500 to CCSE's Siobhan Foley and Andrea Cook to help support the GLA educational program. By the way, the fellow in the center is "Average Joe," a papier-mâché representation of the trash an average person uses in a day. You can learn more about the GLA online.

 

New CCSE Video Now Online – View a three-minute video about CCSE's vision and mission featuring clean energy leaders and stakeholders. The video premiered at the recent Energy All-Star Awards ceremony. Click here.

 

 

 

CCSE in Riverside – Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (left) and Colin Santulli of CCSE's Transportation Program participated in a plug-in electric vehicle ( PEV) workshop sponsored by the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project held in Pasadena March 24. About 60 guests listened to a panel of PEV owners talk about driving and charging experiences.

 

 

$120 Million for EV Charging Stations – Governor Jerry Brown and the California Public Utilities Commission have decided to fund electric vehicle charging stations with the $120 million NRG Energy Inc. settlement levied because of the costs of long-term power contracts signed during California's energy crisis a decade ago. The money will fund at least 200 public fast-charging stations and another 10,000 plug-in units at 1,000 locations statewide. Read the full news release here.

 


Inside the ERC


Energy Resource Library now has its complete catalog of books, DVDs and tools online with advanced hold for items you want to check out. Simply search by subject, author, title, manufacturer, name or type and if what you want is available, you can put a hold on it until you come by CCSE to complete the check-out process. Go to the library website.

Display
Fenestration

Fenestration refers to openings in the building envelope that are designed to permit the passage of air, light and people – such as windows, door, skylights and atriums. This display showcases how efficient fenestration products can reduce use of energy for heating and cooling.

 

Tool
Bacharach Leakator Jr. Combustible Gas Leak Detector

The Leakator Jr. is ideal for pinpointing combustible gas leaks; testing appliances in commercial, residential and industrial applications; surveying gas pipelines, and inspecting valves, regulators and meters on gas equipment.

Click here to learn more.

 

 

Book
The Smart Guide to Geothermal: How to Harvest Earth's Free Energy for Heating and Cooling by Don Lloyd

Discover why geothermal heating and cooling is the most energy-efficient technology available to homeowners, and how all homes – new or retrofit, in hot or cold climates – can use this reliable, silent, nonpolluting way of extracting free energy from the earth.

Click here to learn more.

 

 

DVD
"Unlimited: Renewable Energy in the 21st Century"

In a time when the seriousness of the threat of global warming has just begun to enter the public's awareness, the aim of "Unlimited" is to educate about the solutions to global warming and help move our country forward on the issues of renewable energy. The film is ideal for all audiences: classrooms, communities, churches and more.

Click here to learn more.

 


Policy and Planning

Energy Efficiency
Serves as the forum for the California Public Utility Commission's continued implementation of the California Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan as well as the forum for the next planning cycle of energy efficiency program plans, funding levels and related issues. Read updates.
Energy Efficiency Risk/Reward Incentive Mechanism (RRIM)
Consideration of prospective reforms to the CPUC's policies related to incentives to achieve or surpass energy efficiency goals. Read updates.
California Solar Initiative,
Self-Generation Incentive Program and Other Distributed Generation Issues

Developing and refining policies, rules and programs for the development of cost-effective, clean and reliable distributed generation. Read updates.
Alternative-fueled Vehicle Tariffs, Infrastructure and Policies
Readying the electricity system in a consistent, near-term manner for the projected growth of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles throughout California. Read updates.

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Inside This Issue:

Presenting 2011 Energy All-Stars

Updates


Event Calendar

Did you know CCSE offers free, ongoing workshops on energy efficiency, solar energy, green building, transportation and climate change? Register now! Click on the links below or call (866) SDENERGY.

Web Only - CSI Application Process Made Easy
Date: Tuesday, Apr 3, 2011

Energy Upgrade California Orientation Workshop
Date: Tuesday, Apr 3, 2011

Join the CCSE Elite Volunteer Ambassadors
Date: Tuesday, Apr 3, 2011

Home Performance 101 for Homeowners
Date: Tuesday, Apr 10, 2011

Solar for Homeowners 2 - Be a Smart Solar Customer
Date: Thursday, Apr 12, 2011

 

 


Other Events



Clean Energy Visionary Coming to San Diego
– Environmentalist and writer Amory Lovins, best known for his ideas for expanding renewable energy and the "negawatt revolution," will talk about Reinventing Fire, the title of his book arguing that is possible to run the U.S. economy without oil, coal or nuclear power the evening of Wednesday, April 12. He will also discuss how San Diego entrepreneurs and innovators are already applying some of the strategies that Lovins proposes. Cosponsored by CCSE and CleanTECH San Diego at SDG&E's Energy Innovation Center. Register here.

 


Experience the GE Lighting Revolution Tour – Join us when the GE mobile exhibit visits CCSE on Friday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You'll see energy-saving lighting solutions for everything from retail showrooms to your living room. And, you might win an iPad 2. More about the tour here.

 

L.A. Sustainability Summit – The future of energy investments in California will be discussed at "Local Energy – Global Markets," the Los Angeles Business Council's sixth annual Sustainability Summit to be held Friday, April 27, at the Getty Center. Among the speakers will be Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, California energy officials and utility representatives. For more information and registration, click here.


Monthly Tip

Drive the Green Wave – Traffic lights are often synchronized so that if you drive at the speed limit, you will pass through a series of green lights without stopping. Driving more quickly means you arrive sooner at a light and need to stop. A steady speed often can help you avoid red lights, thereby keeping your car moving along more efficiently.


CCSE Is Hiring

Current green job openings:

Events Lead

 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Green Job Seekers
In addition to viewing available green jobs, you can now post your resume to CCSE's online Green Career Network. Whether you are looking to find a job or fill one, we have the resources you need.


Notable Quotable

"We have to figure out how to live without fossil fuels someday… Why not sooner?"

- James Hansen, Goddard Space Institute


Contact Us

Energy Connection is a monthly e-newsletter of the California Center for Sustainable Energy.

We value your feedback. To submit comments, questions or suggestions, please click here.

 

CCSE Calendar

Green Workshops & Events
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Notable & Quotable

“Nature provides a free lunch, but only if we control our appetites.”

-William Ruckelshaus
Business Week
June 18, 1990