Here are a few highlights of recent accomplishments

• Through our vision and work, Sonoma County received a $1 million grant from the California Energy Commission for a 3 year project to design the switch our energy infrastructure from fossil fuels to renewables. Partners on the RESCO (Renewable Energy Secure Communities) project include Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Sonoma County Water Agency, the Regional Climate Protection Authority, Local Power, and the Climate Protection Campaign. Once the project is complete, we will have a refined map of the best locations for renewable energy facilities, proving the feasibility of developing clean power at scale locally.

• Helped bring in $2.6 million dollars of additional federal grant money for Sonoma County’s energy efficiency retrofit program, Energy Upgrade California, including funding for an innovative on bill financing pilot program for water conservation- this will be the first in California.

• Educated public officials about market-based solutions that protect middle and low income people from higher energy costs and their relevance to the effective implementation of California state law AB32 (Global Warming Solutions Act).  Our advocacy helped in the creation of a panel of experts appointed by the California EPA that recommended that 75% of revenue generated by charging carbon polluters is rebated back to all Californians to help with higher energy prices.

• Led a coalition to block the sale of the county landfill and a poorly structured deal with an Arizona based corporation. Subsequently we have coordinated a group of stakeholders to encourage an approach to the future operation of the landfill that will focus on operation by local businesses, incentives for increased waste recycling and maximizing renewable energy opportunities.

• Assisted Napa cities and the County with development of their Community Climate Action Plan.

• Involved students throughout Sonoma County in International Climate Action Day, and sponsored a competitive grant program for projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in schools. Awarded three high schools a total of $3000.

• Worked to defeat Proposition 23 that would have gutted California’s Global Warming Solutions Act.

• Provided a status report and analysis by sector of Sonoma County’s greenhouse gas emissions at the annual climate protection conference.

• Contracted with the Sonoma County Agriculture Preservation and Open Space District to determine recommended ways their agency can protect the climate through land stewardship and acquisition.