Cool Cities Climate Action Plan Forum: Links

Visit:
www.coolmayors.org or
Cool Cities Climate Action Plan Forum:
http://coolcities.us/forum/viewforum.php?f=11

Golden Gate's ZEB

In partnership with AC transit, the East Bay transit agency, Golden Gate Transit will soon be receiving a zero- emission, hydrogen fuel cell bus, shortened to ZEB, for demonstration runs.
Email events@goldengate.org or call 511, and request the Green brochure for more information.

California to ban raw milk? Take action today

A new proposed rule in California (AB 1735) will ban raw milk sales as of January 2008.
All key assembly representatives support overturning AB 1735.
However, your assemblymen have expressed concern that we do not have the support of the California Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. A.G. Kawamura.
He appears to be the last raw milk challenge standing.

Contact the CA Secretary of Agriculture immediately!

Please call him today and send out as many letters and faxes as possible.

A.G. Kawamura Secretary of Food and Agriculture

1220 N St., Suite 400

Sacramento, Ca.  95814

(916) 654-0321 or (916) 654-0433
Fax: 916-654-0403

The message to him should be very strong, yet respectful. The talking points we suggest may sound harsh but they reflect the truth (see "Background" below). The Secretary needs to know what has happened on his watch:

---Certain corrupt staff members within CDFA have personal prejudice against raw milk. They have participated and conspired in an illegal, secret, and silent process to deny California consumers their access to raw milk.

---Demand that the Ag Secretary use his power to immediately suspend or reverse AB 1735 and the "less-than-10 coliform" standard for raw milk in California.

---Demand that the CDFA staff who misrepresented raw milk science and snuck the groundless coliform standard into AB 1735 be dismissed immediately.

Background:

We have discovered that certain staff members in CDFA actually committed crimes by "introducing negative language into a bill which would be applied to an industry which it regulates." This is outrageous illegal activity; it defies written administrative policy and must not be tolerated within CDFA. The normal legal process requires CDFA to bring any legislative language to the attention of the governors office prior to contacting an assembly committee. CDFA misrepresented facts, claiming AB 1735 was so insignificant that it could be handled "as a consent item"  and did not require discussion or debate. Other substantial and material misstatements of fact also occurred to keep AB 1735 secret and silent.

This is the big event we have all been working towards. It may be the last effort needed to overcome AB 1735. Please call today and send your letters.

Organic Consumers Association <ronniecummins@organicconsumers.org> wrote:

about biofuels

Congress set to increase automotive mileage standards for the first time in decades

Washington, DC - By a vote of 235 to 181 the House today passed H.R. 6, The Energy Independence and Security Act, one of the most significant overhauls of our nation's energy policy in decades.  The legislation, which will help move the nation towards a responsible energy policy, includes increased mileage standards for automobiles, a commitment to increase the development of renewable energy sources, and a bi-partisan proposal put forth by Bay Area Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey and Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) relating to the research and development of biofuels.  Woolsey's proposal would ensure that as the cultivation of biofuels continues to grow, their production is done in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.

"Biofuels have the potential to diversify our energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but only if we pursue this path with a full understanding of the implications of biofuel production and processing," Woolsey said. "That's why my proposal specifies that in producing and developing new sources of biofuels we must ensure that their production is sustainable, and result in lower greenhouse gas emissions."

The cornerstone of the new energy policy is the first increase in fuel efficiency standards since 1975, ensuring that cars and trucks receive a minimum of 35 miles per gallon by 2020.  Not only will such an increase save American families money at the pump, on average between $700 and $1,000 annually, but it will be the environmental equivalent of removing 28 million of today's cars and trucks from our roads.

The legislation also includes a landmark mandate to ensure that 15% of our nation's electricity comes from renewable energy sources by 2020.  This mandate, coupled with increased efficiency standards for household appliances, will result in massive consumer savings of between $13-18 billion by 2020, and will reduce our nation's global warming emissions by at least 84 million metric tons per year by 2020.  Such a reduction is the equivalent of taking an additional 10-15 million vehicles off the road, and is aided by $9 billion in tax incentives aimed to spur the production of renewable energy sources and provide tax incentives to consumers who choose more efficient vehicles and appliances.

"When it comes to much of what's being proposed in this legislation, the nation is just catching up to some of the projects going on in Marin and Sonoma Counties, which are leading the way when it comes to environmental responsibility," Woolsey said.  "Many of our firms and public works projects are experimenting and developing environmentally friendly projects using cutting edge technologies such as buses that run on liquefied natural gas, increased efficiency standards in our building codes, clean and renewable energy resources at The Geysers, increased usage of solar energy by our local public utility firms, and building sustainable electric cars.

"But this bill raises the bar nationwide, setting higher standards for all of us, and all I can say is 'it's about time.'  It's about time that we have a nationwide renewable energy standard, such as the one I've put forth for biofuels, since renewable energy opportunities are available not just in Marin and Sonoma Counties, but in every corner of this nation.  This bill will help us invest in those opportunities, and make them work for a cleaner future for our children."

Part of that investment must come from the development, and commercialization, of alternative energy sources.  That's why the legislation provides funding for the research and development of alternatives such as solar; wave; geothermal; and hydrogen energy sources.

In addition to the production of alternative energies, the bill focuses on energy savings.  Besides those seen by increased appliance and automotive efficiency, the legislation calls for increased standards in the building sector, as well as in the energy usage in federal and public buildings.

"This is a good bill and we can only hope that the Senate will help get it to the President's desk," Woolsey said.

COOL CITIES ADVANCED GHG INVENTORY SOFTWARE TRAINING.

Hello Everyone

I am pleased to announce we will be holding the much anticipated ADVANCED Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory and ICLEI Clean Air and Climate Protection Software (CACPS) Training before the end of the year. We have teamed up with a technical expert from ICLEI to bring this training to Cool Cities. Creating GHG emissions inventories are a critical step in reducing GHGs, so we look forward to having you participate.

If you have attended the introductory training from Cool Cities on GHG Inventories and CACPS, and foresee the possibility that you will play a role in helping your city collect and synthesize the data necessary to complete your municipal or community wide GHG inventory, then this webcast training is for you!  If you would to gain a more in depth knowledge of GHG Inventories for local governments and communities, then this webcast is also for you!

The training will be more involved than past trainings because of the volume of material that we will cover, but you will learn about the CACP Software function in much greater detail, as well as strategies for collecting and working with GHG emissions data.  This training is also appropriate for city staff that may be working to complete a GHG Inventory. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about the training: stephanie.cutts@sierraclub.org

We will be holding another introductory training on GHG inventories early in the New Year, as well as another opportunity for the advanced training.

ADVANCED GHG INVENTORY AND ICLEI SOFTWARE TRAINING
When: Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Time:   7 - 10 pm ET, 6 - 9 CT, 5 - 8 MT, 4 -7 PT  *NOTE: We have allotted 3 hours, but plan on going through content in 2 hours and then opening up for about 30 minutes of questions and answers. We can use the whole time if we need it.
Technology Requirements: Computer with internet access and a telephone (Webcast details will be distributed before the training)
Instructors: Alex Ramel, Program Officer, ICLEI and Stephanie Cutts, Policy Analyst, Cool Cities
RSVP: Please respond to Stephanie Cutts, stephanie.cutts@sierraclub.org by FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14



Stephanie Cutts
Policy Analyst, Cool Cities Campaign
Global Warming and Energy Program
Sierra Club
stephanie.cutts@sierraclub.org
http://coolcities.us


Stephanie.Cutts@sierraclub.org wrote:

Re: [thizzled] from Natural Logic: Green Tomorrow

Thanks, Gil
[http://www.natlogic.com]

"Join futurist Jamais Cascio for a stimulating exploration of how the sustainability revolution will transform our politics, our economics, and our lives. . . . "This webinar is part of the ongoing Carbon Neutral Learningâ„¢ program from Natural Logic, bring you engaging, practical, up-to-date guidance from leading practitioners." Series host: Gil Friend, Natural Logic CEO. Register now! Date: December 20 Time: Session begins at 1:00pm ET (12:00pm CT, 11:00am MT, 10:00am PT) Length: 60 minutes Cost: $129 per session (per location, not per person - feel free to gather your colleagues around a computer and a speakerphone) About the presenters "Jamais Cascio is co-founder of WorldChanging.com and a founding fellow at the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies. "Cascio writes about the intersection of emerging technologies and cultural transformation, focusing on the importance of long-term, systemic thinking. "He speaks around the world on issues including the global environment, technological transformation, and political change. "In 2003, Cascio co-founded http://www.WorldChanging.com, the award-winning website identifying models, tools, and ideas for building a "bright green" future. "In March, 2006, he started http://www.OpenTheFuture.com as his online home. "Cascio presently serves as a research affiliate at the Institute for the Future, as Director of Impacts Analysis for The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology, and as a Senior Associate at Natural Logic. "Gil Friend is president and CEO of Natural Logic, Inc., a sustainability consulting firm helping clients build economic advantage through exceptional environmental performance. . . . Friend blogs at http://blogs.natlogic.com/friend." Carbon Neutral Learningâ„¢ Natural Logic PO Box 119 Berkeley, California 94701 510-248-4940 www.NatLogic.com

--
Posted By carl macki to thizzled at 12/07/2007 02:01:00 PM

Re: Carl, The Environment Thanks You

This year Goodwill of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin Counties was able to: Divert over 17 million pounds of waste from landfill through reuse and recycling. Recycle & refurbish 59,863 computers, through our partnership with Dell, Inc. Prevent 844,478 pairs of shoes from going into the waste stream. Find new readers for 1,640,968 books. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! You can even fill out a donation form online ahead of time, to ensure those end-of-the-year tax credits. We accept almost anything in good, clean, working condition. As a guideline, if you would give it to a friend or hand it down to a relative, it's perfect for Goodwill! Thank you for your continued support, Goodwill Industries of San Francisco, San Mateo & Marin Counties	Our Mission & Van Ness store is now open.   Come visit us at: 1580 Mission Street San Francisco, CA
(Click to view this message in a browser) Donations are tax deductable. For more information, call (415) 575-2116 or visit sfgoodwill.org.

Goodwill Industries of San Francisco San Mateo And Marin Counties 1500 Mission Street San Francisco, California 94103

from Goodwill Industries Goodwill_Industries@mail.vresp.com