This article offers resources to identify funding sources, as well as suggestions on key issues to consider when evaluating the cost of a project.Read more »
The Institute's sample Climate-Friendly Purchasing policy focuses on purchasing practices that help address climate change. Climate-friendly purchasing is the procurement or acquisition of goods and services that are a lesser or reduced source of greenhouse gas emissions when compared with competing goods or services that serve the same purpose.Read more »
AB 811 authorizes all cities and counties in California to designate areas within which property owners may finance renewable generation and energy efficiency improvements through low-interest loans that are repaid as an item on the property owner's property tax bill.Read more »
Established in 2008, the Santa Clara County Climate Change and Sustainability Program has developed a Climate Action Plan for Operations and Facilities, and Green Building Policy for County Government Buildings. Both documents are available on the program's Web page.
In November 2009 Palmdale amended its zoning ordinance to allow installation of small wind turbines on existing parking lot lighting fixtures.Read more »
This Tool Kit provides an array of strategies and options that local governments can implement to help encourage solar developments in their region.Read more »
The U.S. Department of Energy developed this comprehensive resource to assist local governments and stakeholders in building sustainable local solar markets. The guide introduces a range of policy and program options that have been successfully field tested in cities around the country. The guide describes each policy or program, followed by more information on benefits, implementation tips and options, examples, and additional references and resources.
Preserving the environment has been one of the City of Santa Clarita's top priorities since incorporation in 1987. In July, 2009, Santa Clarita took another step toward establishing itself as a leader in sustainability by launching a new website.Read more »
The California Energy Commission has opened the stimulus funding door, making more than $156 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds available to cities and counties, among others, for energy efficiency and solar projects.Read more »
Many important topics are at the center of city efforts to engage the public. Determine how to best solicit the ideas, support and actions of residents and others to help address specific, sometimes controversial, issues effectively. Come prepared to share experiences and learn from colleagues. Leave with a framework for choosing the best engagement option to help your city reach its goals.
Event: Engaging the Public Successfully- From Budgeting to Climate Change session at League of California Cities' City Managers Department MeetingRead more »
Yvonne Hunter, program director of the Institute's California Climate Action Network program, will be a panelist at the CSAC Green Energy Workshop. See below for event details.
Event: CSAC Green Energy Workshop at CSAC 115th Annual Meeting
When: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Where: Monterey Conference Center, Monterey County
For more information on the CSAC Green Energy Workshop and the CSAC 115th Annual Meeting, visit www.csac.counties.org.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, also known as the IPCC, is the leading body for the assessment of climate change, established by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization to provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic consequences.
Clean Cities strives to advance the nation's economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local decisions to adopt practices that contribute to the reduction of petroleum consumption. Clean Cities has a network of approximately 90 volunteer coalitions, which develop public/private partnerships to promote alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, fuel blends, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction.
The CBSC Web site has a variety of resources, including the 2008 California Green Building Code (CalGreen Code) and links to online access to the complete state building codes and other related codes.
This program of the non-profit Building Industry Institute provides guidelines and certification systems, and encourages voluntary partnerships between builders and local governments to build cost-effective, green homes that benefit homebuyers and the community at large through improvements in energy efficiency, indoor air quality and comfort, on-site waste recycling, and water and wood conservation.
Build It Green is a non-profit membership organization providing green building guidelines and rating systems (such as the GreenPoint Rated home rating system), as well as training, tools, technical expertise, and partnership opportunities for a variety of key stakeholders, including public agencies, to accelerate the adoption of green building practices.
This resource provides a basic overview of tips for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through Green Building. Download the tip sheet on the right side of this page.
ACWA identifies issues of concern to the water community and the public it serves; accumulates and communicates the best available scientific and technical information to the public and policy makers; facilitates consensus building; develops reasonable goals and objectives for water resources management; advocates sound legislation; and fosters cooperation among all interest groups concerned with stewardship of the state's water resources.
SWRCB provides grant and loan programs, information and data, and technical assistance in support of local efforts to improve water quality, efficiency and conservation in water and waste water systems.
DWR provides grant and loan programs, information and data, and technical assistance in support of local efforts to improve efficiency and conservation in water and waste water systems.
The program offers consumer-oriented information and tools for understanding the long-term issues facing the state’s water system and practical tips for reducing water use indoors and outdoors. Save Our Water is a joint effort by the Association of California Water Agencies and the California Department of Water Resources in response to severe water challenges facing the state.
The Institute partners with a number of organizations that support local officials and community members on health and the built environment efforts. Learn about the resources our partners provide.
This four-page tipsheet provides a checklist outlining the “nuts and bolts” of the process of reviewing a typical application for development. Read more»
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