Meeting today on California SB 375

The San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association hosts a meeting today to discuss California Senate bill 375, which aims to address greenhouse-gas emissions and reduce carbon production through better land use, transportation and city planning.

As the bill's author, state Sen. Darrell Steinberg, told The Planning Report, SB 375 "requires the 18 metropolitan planning organizations across the state of California to show that their future planning scenarios will result in a reduction in carbon."

While SB 375 isn't about clean technologies per se, it certainly is linked to cleantech in many ways. Most literally, urban in-fill construction and densified new construction is more likely to use green building methods than traditional suburban construction.

More importantly, though, you might think of dense cities as clean technology writ large. Dense cities that are pleasant to live in enable residents and workers to walk or take efficient mass transit to their destinations, and they encourage people to live where the environment is already built up -- instead of in areas that serve important agricultural, environmental or even industrial purposes. People in dense cities are able to use energy and water much more efficiently than people living in most rural or suburban situations.

SPUR's meeting is for the members of its Housing Committee and Sustainable Development Committee, but the think tank could host a public presentation or publish an article on the bill in the future.

More about SPUR.

Read more of The Planning Report's interview with Steinberg.

California green policies aid economy, says UC Berkeley study

Contrary to the fears of opponents, California's policies seeking to increase energy efficiency and fight global warming are actually good for the economy, according to a new study.

David Roland-Holst writes for the University of California, Berkeley's Center for Energy, Resources and Economic Stability that based on past state policies and practices, implementing California's historic "Global Warming Solutions Act" -- also known as AB 32 -- would create as many as 403,000 new jobs, boost household incomes statewide by as much as $48 billion and increase the Gross State Product by $76 billion.

Looking ahead, California’s ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as mandated by the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) puts the state on a more stable economic path by encouraging even greater investment in energy saving innovation.

The California Air Resources Board is on track to consider and possibly adopt an implementation plan for AB 32 in December.


Read the full report in PDF form here.

Brea Mall hosts show of greener cars

BREA, Calif. /CalEPA-ARB/– The California Air Resources Board and vehicle manufacturers will be available Saturday and Sunday at the Brea Mall to showcase clean, efficient, advanced technology vehicles.

Vehicle experts will be on hand to provide details about each vehicle's smog score, global warming impact and fuel economy, and describe incentives offered by state, federal and local agencies.

Starting in 2009, new Environmental Performance Labels will be required on all new cars sold in California. The label displays a smog score and global warming score on a scale of 1-10, with the highest scores indicate the cleanest vehicles.

WHO: ARB spokespeople and vehicle experts from Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sunday Oct. 19, 11 a.m. - 6: p.m.

WHERE: Brea Mall
1065 Brea Mall
Brea, CA 92821

Photo Opportunity: The following vehicles and technologies will be on display:

2008 Honda Civic GX: compressed natural gas
2008 Nissan Altima: hybrid-electric
2008 Toyota Highlander: hybrid-electric
2008 Volkswagen Convertible Beetle: clean gasoline

For more information on the cleanest, most efficient vehicles available today, visit www.DriveClean.ca.gov

Sustainable Supply Chain Summit comes to San Francisco

San Francisco's Stanford Court Hotel will host the Sustainable Supply Chain Summit North America on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

The summit will run through Friday, Oct. 17. Click here for more information on the Sustainable Supply Chain Summit North America.

SunPower and GE install 1.1MW solar system for HP

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWRA) (NASDAQ:SPWRB), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, and GE (NYSE:GE) recently announced the completion of a 1.1-megawatt solar-electric power system on the roof of HP's printing technology research and development facility in San Diego, Calif.

At the San Diego facility, SunPower installed a SunPower(R) T10 Solar Roof Tile commercial roof system, which is a non-penetrating product that tilts at a 10-degree angle to increase energy capture. The system will reduce more than 60 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 30 years, which is equivalent to providing electricity to 3,800 homes or removing more than 5,250 cars from the road.

Gladstein, Neandross & Associates names Sean Turner VP

SANTA MONICA, Calif. /PRNewswire/ -- Gladstein, Neandross & Associates LLC has appointed Sean Turner as senior vice-president of operations.

Turner has experience in the arena of alternative-fuel vehicles, on both the policy and technical sides. He has worked in project management, marketing and operations management, with special emphasis on natural-gas vehicles (CNG and LNG). He has also represented the natural-gas vehicle industry on the state and national level.

"Having Sean on our team will allow us to keep up in the rapidly expanding alternative fuel vehicle and energy industries," said Cliff Gladstein, president of GNA. "We are extremely pleased to have him on board."

Turner previously served as president of the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition; senior engineer for Engine, Fuels and Emissions Engineering in Sacramento, Calif; and director of technology for the national Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition. Most recently, Turner has held several VP positions in a Fortune 500 company where he was responsible for managing client operations, including the development of several international operations.

Aquarium of the Bay names director of exhibits

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Aquarium of the Bay is pleased to welcome Jon Altemus as its new director of exhibits and special projects. With his multifaceted background creating and installing exhibits around the world, Altemus is well suited to enhance the Aquarium's current exhibits, as well as design three new ones which will open in the spring of 2009.

"With Aquarium of the Bay's new PG&E Bay Lab climate change exhibit, octopus exhibit and moon jelly exhibit opening next year, Jon is answering our call for a skilled in-house designer to help us enhance and expand our visitor experience," said Aquarium of the Bay Chief Executive Officer John Frawley.

"My goal is to create exhibits for Aquarium of the Bay that are both engaging and educational for visitors of all ages and backgrounds," said Altemus. "In addition to showcasing our animals and incorporating tactile displays, graphics and interactives, our new exhibits will provide a premier setting for the aquarium's interpretive naturalists to facilitate animal interaction, demonstrations and presentations."

Specifically, Altemus envisions naturalists playing a major role in the new PG&E Bay Lab, a climate-change exhibit that marks the first time that the aquarium will exhibit land-dwelling animals such as frogs, snakes, turtles and others. As part of the exhibit, the naturalists will lead thought-provoking presentations that demonstrate how the animals' ecosystems are being affected by climate change. Sponsored by PG&E and reflecting the aquarium's role as one of only a handful of attractions certified by the City of San Francisco as a green business, the PG&E Bay Lab will incorporate sustainable, recycled and reclaimed products, as well as solar power. Learn more at http://www.aquariumofthebay.com/newsroom.aspx?q=38&y=0&c=1.