Advocacy - Regional Transportation Plans Are Limited in Renewable Energy

The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) has been tasked with creating "Sustainable Community Strategies" (SCS) under a law known as SB 375.  SB 375 was enacted to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from automobiles and light trucks through integrated transportation, land use, housing and environmental planning. Using the regional GHG emissions reduction targets set by the California Air Resources Board (ARB), SCAG is tasked with developing a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), a newly required element of the 2012 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) that sets a plan for meeting the GHG emissions reduction targets.

SCAG has drafted a Regional Transportation Plan that spans from 2012 to 2035. There's a tremendous amount of data and reporting going on. But, if you'd like, you can read the entire plan here. You can also visit the draft plan's page at this location - it's much easier to break it down into sections.

The bottom line is this: There is only one mention of renewable energy throughout the entire draft report.

Page 81 says "The [Preliminary Environmental Impact Report] also includes mitigation measures relating to energy designed to reduce consumption and increase the use and availability of renewable sources of energy in the region. Since these measures not only reduce energy consumption but also reduce GHG emissions they are addressed above under GHG."

Public comment ends on Tuesday, February 14. I would encourage everyone to fill out the public comment form in support of renewable energy.

SCAG had an Energy Working Group that was active in this issue up until 2007. Encouraging SCAG to bring back the Energy Working Group to help build some renewable energy infrastructure in Orange County and all of Southern California would be a step in the right direction.

For more questions or comments, please contact Mike Harmanos.

February Meeting Announcement: James Kao

The next meeting of OC Renewables will be held on Thursday, February 9, 6:30 PM, at the Duck Club in Irvine.

Our speaker will be James Kao, Member of the Advisory Board of Power To The People. James is a city planner with experience in landscape architecture, urban design, smart growth, green building and sustainable communities.  He currently works at the City of Signal Hill near Long Beach where he has begun coordinating development and implementation of a sustainable city plan.  James holds a BS degree in landscape architecture from Cornell University and a Masters in Real Estate Development from USC.  He is a lifelong outdoors and nature enthusiast with a passion for world culture, languages and adventure travel and has traveled extensively throughout Latin America and Europe.  James is a proponent of developing sustainable communities powered by renewable energy here and abroad and is also a member of a dozen environmental advocacy organizations that focus on alternative transportation, urban forestry, wildlife conservation, and environmental education. 

We will also introduce the Board of Trustees for 2012 and talk about our plans for the upcoming year.

Hope to see you on Thursday the 9th at 6:30!

Holiday Party - Tuesday, December 6th

Once again, we will co-host our holiday party with Young Professionals in Energy - Orange County. The party will be held at the Red Chair Lounge in the Hyatt in Huntington Beach.  The address is 21500 Pacific Coast Highway, HB, CA 92648.

The party will be on Tuesday, December 6th from 7:00 to 9:30 pm.

RSVPs not necessary and it's a cash bar. We will also have a "white elephant" gift exchange, if you're interested. Hope to see you there!

Upcoming 2012 Officer Election

We will have an election for all six OC Renewables members starting next week.

Voting is eligible to members of OC Renewables only.  If you would like to vote, you may become a member by 11:59 PM on Thursday, October 27.  Click here to join. 

Members will vote on the following offices for the 2012 term:

• President
• Vice President - Events
• Vice President - Membership
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Social Media and Publicity Director

You may find a list of all job descriptions for each office here.

Nominations will be taken from the floor at the October meeting next Thursday, October 13th. 

Each member will receive a ballot by Friday, October 14.
Write in candidates are acceptable.
Ballots are due at noon on Thursday, November 10.
The winners will be announced at the November meeting.

Please contact Lori Greene if you have any questions.

October Meeting

Join us on Thursday, October 13 at 6:30 PM for OC Renewables next monthly meeting. Our Speaker will be James Campbell, Manager, Orange County Land Development & Renewable Energy Initiatives. His topic will be:

Green is the New Orange
Renewable Energy Initiatives underway by the County of Orange

James Campbell is responsible for several land entitlement and development projects, as well as the creation and implementation of renewable energy initiatives for the County of Orange. This includes the development and implementation of the County's AB811 program, which will allow residential and commercial property owners to finance solar and energy efficiency improvements through their property tax assessments (PACE).  The County has selected a team headed by PFM to serve as the program administrator.  James and his team are also responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive energy master plan to serve the County of Orange.  The County has selected Navigant Consulting to assist with the plan and its initiatives.  Additionally, James and his team negotiated a 4MW solar power purchase agreement with PsomasFMG to provide power to County facilities at a reduced rate over the next 20 years.  Additional duties include the development of the County's 200 acres at the former Marine Corp Air Station El Toro in Irvine, CA, as well as, the entitlement and development of a 4,000 unit master planned community on the 1,658 acre "Greenspot" property.  Both of these developments include potential renewable energy projects.  James has been with the County since 1994, working previously for 3 members of the Orange County Board of Supervisors before joining the County in his current capacity.

Upcoming Renewable Events for October

COMMUNITY IMPACT SUMMIT FREE SCREENING

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011, 6-9pm
Los Angeles Community College District Small Business Dream Center
811 Wilshire Blvd., 1st Floor - Los Angeles, CA 90017

You are cordially invited to a Community Impact Summit to launch So Right So Smart - Los Angeles, a program to promote the business case for sustainable business throughout Los Angeles.  At this special event hosted by the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) at the Small Business Dream Center, the green business community will come together to celebrate the life of Ray Anderson, screen the award-winning documentary So Right So Smart, and convene business and sustainability leaders to advance the So Right So Smart - Los Angeles program.

This event is FREE, but those attending are required to RSVP. Click here for more information or to register: http://sorightsosmartla.eventbrite.com/ 

IRVINE RANCH WATER DISTRICT SITE TOUR AND PRESENTATION
Friday, October 21, 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Irvine Ranch Water District - San Joaquin Marsh Campus
Next to the Duck Club in Irvine, CA

IRWD is an innovative urban water supplier, answering its water supply challenge with a comprehensive Recycled Water Program, addressing polluted urban runoff with Natural Treatment Systems, and managing its carbon footprint through a Green House Gas Reduction Plan.

Registration required; space is limited. Click here to register.

LOS ANGELES GREEN FESTIVAL

Saturday, Oct. 29, 10am-7 pm, and Sunday, Oct. 30, 11am-6pm.
LA Convention Center – South Hall G
1201 South Figueroa Street - Los Angeles, CA 90015

The nation’s premier green living event comes to Los Angeles . This year, Green Festival, a nonprofit event,  celebrates a ten year milestone. This is a great place to increase your holiday sales!  Reserve your spot at the Los Angeles Green Festival and get a 15% discount on your booth. To get this special offer call 828-333-9436 or exhibit@greenfestivals.org. 

Click here for more information: www.greenfestivals.org 

OC Renewables Election and Positions

At the last meeting, Lori Greene announced that we would hold elections for a new Board of Trustees. Each position, responsibilities, and questions about the election are as follows:

Offices for Election

OC Renewables has the following positions available with the following responsibilities:

PRESIDENT
Make sure non-profit status is maintained in good standing
Serve as signatory on bank account
Liaise with ASES
Facilitate Board meetings
Oversee the “big picture” goals of OC Renewables - make sure the Board is hitting its milestones
Make sure that the organization adheres to the bylaws
Stay current on important policies in the field (e.g. state regulations)
Devise an annual operating budget and fundraising plan in conjunction with the Treasure and Development Director
Review membership guidelines
Make sure OCR is in full corporate compliance with federal, state, regional & city rules and regulations
Assist with annual government reporting & filing

VICE PRESIDENT – EVENTS
Maintain a database of potential speakers and activities for Chapter Meetings - solicit suggestions from other Board and OCR members
Manage Chapter meetings - we suggest a 2-month lead on speakers/activities
Provide the Social Media & Publicity Director have event information in a timely fashion so they can spread the word. Several publications need 3-4 weeks’ notice.
Coordinate any additional OCR events
Oversee Chapter Meeting venue

VICE PRESIDENT – MEMBERSHIP / DEVELOPMENT
Find incentives for businesses & individuals to join as local chapter members
Oversee fundraising campaign - whether this is an event, a membership drive
Help forge strategic alliances with other organizations & businesses (in consultation with President & other Board members)
Work with President and Board to come up with a fundraising plan
Oversee implementation of fundraising plan
Work with Events Director to plan fundraising events
Assume the duties of the President if the President is unavailable and if the office becomes unoccupied

SECRETARY
Organize regular Board meetings in consultation with President
Create agenda for Board meetings in collaboration with other Board members;
Maintain & distribute Board of Directors meeting Minutes
Keep corporate paperwork organized and up to date
Serve as signatory on bank account
Make sure OCR is in full corporate compliance with federal, state, regional & city rules and regulations
Assist with annual government reporting & filing

TREASURER
Provide monthly treasury reports at board meetings
Serve as signatory on bank account
Assist in procuring any necessary items
Make sure vendors get paid, maintain checkbook / accounting
Assist with annual government reporting & filing

SOCIAL MEDIA AND PUBLICITY DIRECTOR
Write content for weekly e-newsletter
Update & maintain website with announcements of upcoming OCR activities, as well as follow-ups on previous meetings (summaries, photos, etc). May get the help from other OCR Board members in implementing these.
Moderate social media outlets - Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Write press releases for the group
Place notices of monthly meetings & special events to community bulletins, local publications, etc
Look for and facilitate media placement
Keep log of press clippings
Make sure someone takes photos of events and other activities

Election Process

If you are interested in any of the above positions, contact Lori Greene to place your name on the ballot.
You must be a member of OC Renewables in order to run for office. If you are not a member, please become one today.

If you are a member of OC Renewables by Thursday, October 27, you will be eligible to vote in this election.

All Members of OC Renewables will receive a ballot by Friday, October 14, 2011. Voting is open until Thursday, November 10 at 11:59 AM Pacific.
Votes will be collected and tabulated on November 10th and announced at the OC Renewables meeting that evening.