Building our... clean energy technology
Our Goals
"The Sacramento Region will demonstrate its commitment to innovation and sustainability by investing in training the entrepreneurs and skilled workers, and supporting the companies and jobs, that comprose our promising Clean Energy Technology industry area."
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Our Rationale
Clean or green energy is all the buzz in California and across the nation. And it's not just buzz. Global venture capital investment in clean energy has doubled in the last five years, and total worldwide market sales for clean energy technology are expected to grow by $85 billion in the next ten.
The Sacramento Region is poised to take advantage of this new boom and become a national leader in clean energy technology, helping both our regional economy and environment along the way. Our clean energy tech cluster has already doubled to more than 60 businesses in the last year, including several national and worldwide headquarters.
Why?
- We have unprecedented cooperation and support from local government and the business community through the Partnership, tech incubators like the CleanStart program, our local "green" utilities and the Sacramento Metro Chamber;
- We have world-class academic research centers and educational support via multiple clean energy and sustainability programs at UC Davis and CSU Sacramento; and
- We offer unique access to leading state policy makers, technical experts and funding sources like the California Energy Commission, California Air Resources Board and CalPERS, which recently committed $400 million to clean-tech investment.
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Latest News & Action
The Partnership for Prosperity's Clean Energy Team includes project partners, elected officials and other community leaders who meet regularly to identify and act on tactics to boost what we call "CleanTech Sacramento." Besides their day-to-day work supporting local clean energy development, team members stayed busy on collaborative projects in 2007 such as:
- A series of roundtable discussions with local clean energy tech executives about how we can best support innovation and expand regional sustainability;
- Support for successful grant applications for clean energy workforce and economic development programs;
- Coordinated discussions about marketing and messaging, and production of related collateral material;
- An active presence on behalf of local clean tech entrepreneurs at major events like the Green California Summit, Going Green and the Clean Energy Showcase;
Members of the team have now committed to redouble their collaborative efforts in 2008 as the Green Capital Alliance. The rebranding highlights the increasingly important role of regional sustainability as a market for local clean energy products, a source of energy cost savings and (of course) a means of protecting the environment, public health, and general well-being.
Here's some of the latest news from the PFP team and the region:
July 2008:
Biodiesel company eyes Port of Sacramento for manufacturing, storage facility
Primafuel Inc. has a use permit to produce and store biodiesel and is negotiating a lease at the Port of Sacramento, but questions remain about key factors that will determine the company’s viability in a difficult market.
July 2008:
Del Oro High will get big solar energy
installation to save utility costs
Loomis' Del Oro High School will tap into the power of the sun this summer by installing what
may be the largest solar system for a Northern California school.
The school project – covering nearly 50,000 square feet of roof space – will produce 450
kilowatts of solar energy, enough to provide about 40 percent of Del Oro's energy use.
July 2008:
Green Dream: Students Plan Electricity-Free Homes for
Homeless
Hilder is part of a five-member graduate student team from UC Davis that
entered a regional contest to design innovative low-income housing.
July 2008:
State is first to OK green building standards
California on Thursday became the first state in the nation to approve green building
standards to cut energy and water usage, a move that officials say will help the state meet its
ambitious goals to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
July 2008:
Innovations, Opportunities for Hydropower to Cut Carbon
Emissions and Meet Renewable Energy Needs to Be Addressed
at International Conference in Sacramento: HydroVision 2008
Opportunities to capitalize on innovations allowing greater and more efficient use
of hydropower -- the largest source of renewable energy in the world -- will be a
key focus of HydroVision 2008, an international conference beginning today in
Sacramento, Calif.
July 2008:
CLEAN ELECTRIC to Officially Open Its First Sacramento Area Electric Vehicle Dealership
Within 90 Days
Clean Energy, Inc. under its affordable electric vehicle division, CLEAN ELECTRIC, will
open its first 100% electric vehicle dealership in the Sacramento region of Northern California.
July 2008:
'Green' is the word
Certificate program at Sac State teaches facilities managers to apply sustainable business practices
July 2008:
Enfinity opens Sacramento office
A renewable energy company based in Belgium has opened a new office in Sacramento.
Enfinity, which invests in photovoltaic and wind power projects, said in a news release it chose the state capital because of California’s renewable energy mandates and solar-power incentives.
July 2008:
Folsom mulls a tech incubator
The city of Folsom has hired consultants to examine the feasibility of establishing a technology-company incubator in the city.
July 2008:
Premier Power solar panels take over Spanish rooftops
Roseville company expands in Europe where incentives help profits
July 2008:
Wilton farm producing turkeys and a side of solar
The Nilsen farm in Wilton, which typically produces a half-million turkeys a year, will soon also generate one million
watts.
July 2008:
Sacramento solar company's owner comes full circle
This business tale ends just as it started: Same J Street office, same conference table, same attorneys. Edmond Murray had been there to sell his solar energy company to a big Germany-based conglomerate.Then he went there to buy it back...
June 2008:
Solar Power to build systems for Monterey County housing developments
A subsidiary of Solar Power Inc. plans to build solar power systems for three affordable housing developments in Monterey County.
June 2008:
Stage set for November ballot duels over clean-energy plans
Two major ballot initiatives, each emphasizing the need for clean power and
renewable energy amid the public's rising concerns over greenhouse gases, will
confront California voters in November. On their face, they appear to be
straightforward environmental proposals...
June 2008:
Economy vulnerable to increased climate change, report says
The first report to assess observed and projected changes in weather and climate extremes for the U.S. was released Thursday by the government's Climate Change Science Program.
June 2008:
H-P in solar energy system deal
Hewlett-Packard Co. and Xtreme Energetics said Wednesday they're cooperating on a solar energy system designed to generate electricity "at twice the efficiency and half the cost" of traditional solar panels.
April 2008:
Home Front: Expo to give builders outlook on 'green'
construction
So-called "green" building has been one of the biggest fads in home construction for more than a year. But
what does it mean and will consumers actually be willing to pay for it if it costs them more?
April 2008:
UC Davis light-adjustment research seeks to cut
energy use, costs
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have pioneered fully automated "daylight harvesting
systems" that they hope will soon be applied in the real world.
April 2008:
New online resource helps residents go solar
Interested in adding solar panels to your home, but don't know where to begin? A new Web site by the California Energy Commission provides a one-stop shopping resource for residents interested in adding solar panels to new or existing homes...
April 2008:
SMUD sponsors update on climate change science
"Polar Meltdown, a Climate Change Science Update” is the topic fromRobert Christopherson, a professor emeritus of geography at American River College who has visited the Arctic and Antarctic nine times since 2003 gathering material for his textbooks...
April 2008:
Siemens plans region's largest private solar energy system
The nation's largest light-rail vehicles manufacturer -- will install a 1-megawatt solar energy system at its manufacturing plant in south Sacramento...
April 2008:
UC Davis light research cuts energy use, costs
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have pioneered fully automated "daylight harvesting systems" that they hope will soon be applied in the real world...
April 2008:
Bus gives Placer residents relief
The Placer County Transportation Agency, with help from Caltrans, has found a
pot of money to pay for a fourth bus... April 2008:
Expo to give builders outlook on 'green' construction
The North State Building Industry Association hosts its first Green Home Expo May 8 in Sacramento. It's the first in California by a regional home builder trade group...
Green Home Expo (more info)
April 2008:
Green energy tops chamber lobbying list
Clean-energy technology, which last year was not even on the agenda, was a top advocacy item for the Sacramento Metro Chamber on Monday as 350 of its members spread out over Capitol Hill on the business organization's annual Capitol-to-Capitol lobbying trip...
April 2008:
Our Green Community provides Web forum for green info, ideas
SMUD's new community website www.ourgreencommunity.org includes news, tips, events, blogs and other resources on how to go and stay green in the Sacramento region...
April 2008:
Green program for teens
High school sophomores and juniors can apply for a summer program that includes a free trip to Washington, D.C., for an environmental conference and a paid summer internship at the Siemens company in Sacramento...
April 2008:
City gets grant to put solar on buildings
Sacramento has received a $200,000 grant from the Department of Energy to put photovoltaic panels on some city buildings, and eventually pave the way for more panels atop businesses and homes...
April 2008:
California firms hope to turn green into gold
For companies devoted to eco-friendly wares and services, it is not enough that California is at the vanguard of the green business movement...
April 2008:
SMUD inks big solar-homes deal
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District said it has signed the largest solar homes partnership with a homebuilder in the United States. Woodside Homes has pledged to build 1,487 homes in subdivisions near Rancho Cordova. The homes are expected to be completed in 2012...
Sacramento Bee (link)
Sacramento Business Journal (link)
March 2008:
Sacramento's solar program gets $200K from feds
The city of Sacramento will receive $200,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance solar technologies citywide, Rep. Doris Matsui announced Friday. The Department of Energy named Sacramento one of 12 Solar American Cities nationwide...
March 2008:
Fuel Cell partnership in West Sacramento hoping to lure drivers for a visit
In a matter of seconds, motorists fly past a set of sprawling buildings in West Sacramento where leading researchers from around the world are developing the future of automotive transportation...
March 2008:
Sierra College gets grant for solar training
Sierra College has been awarded a $470,000 grant to develop a training program for solar panel installers.The California Community College Chancellor's Office provided the grant for the college to create a photovoltaics technician training program...
Sacramento Business Journal (link)
Sacramento Bee
(link)
March 2008:
Sacramento supervisors OK tax breaks for solar-energy firm
Calling it a "grand slam" economic development project, Sacramento County supervisors have approved $20 million in tax breaks for a Bay Area solar energy company planning to build a manufacturing plant at McClellan Park...
Sacramento Bee (link)
Sacramento Business Journal (link)
SACTO (link)
March 2008:
Raley's takes clean-exhaust diesels for a spin
If you find yourself downwind of a Raley's grocery truck with a shiny chrome exhaust stack, feel free to breathe, local pollution regulators say...
March 2008:
Editorial: Cap-and-trade system needs a chance to work
Whether the White House is occupied next by John McCain, Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, it's increasingly likely that President Bush's successor will push for a cap on greenhouse gases as part of a wider effort to combat global warming...
March 2008:
Study: Green market has $104B potential
The 2007 National Technology Readiness Survey sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Service at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, and the technology research firm Rockbridge Associates Inc. found that there was a potential for sales this year of $104 billion for environmentally friendly consumer products and technologies...
March 2008:
Environmental houses hailed in downtown Sacramento
It would be easy to miss the small cluster of nine tall, skinny houses tucked around a courtyard on F Street a few blocks north of downtown Sacramento. But city leaders and local environmental groups say the tiny 9onF project has a significance that goes far beyond its size...
February 2008:
State's first renovated building gets green designation
The California Department of Rehabilitation's headquarters in Sacramento has become the first State building to be awarded green building certification after undergoing a major renovation...
February 2008:
Climate change funding jumps
Nearly 50 major U.S. and international investors are upping the ante to create a greener planet, pledging Thursday to invest $10 billion in clean technology over the next two years...
February 2008:
Area officials ponder going green
The first Sacramento regional forum about climate change drew nearly 100 area officials in from heavy rain Thursday to brainstorm ways to cut local global warming emissions...
February 2008:
State pension funds target climate change
A coalition of investors led by California's two influential public pension funds today will unveil an ambitious plan to prod companies and regulators to act more aggressively to stem the potential financial risks from climate change....
February 2008:
California companies form buyers' group for renewable power
Fourteen California companies -- including such heavyweights as Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Apple Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., eBay Inc., Google Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., Intuit Inc. and Intel Corp. -- on Tuesday launched a renewable power partnership...
January 2008:
Pacific ethanol gets grant
Sacramento's Pacific Ethanol Inc. received a federal grant of up to $24.3 million Tuesday to build a plant that will make ethanol out of wood chips and other materials...
January 2008:
PG&E seeks biomethane production partners
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is looking for partners to work on the production of biomethane -- pipeline-quality, renewable natural gas...
January 2008:
California Solar Initiative sees robust demand in first year
The California Solar Initiative, a state push to to create 3,000 megawatts of new solar-produced electricity by 2017, received strong interest in its first year, according to a staff assessment from the California Public Utilities Commission...
January 2008:
Intel says it will become largest buyer of green power in U.S.
Intel Corp. said Monday it will purchase more than 1.3 billion kilowatt hours a year of renewable energy certificates as part of a multi-faceted approach to reduce its impact on the environment...
January 2008:
Jadoo Power Systems hires new CEO
Jadoo Power Systems Inc. has a new chief executive officer. Leonard Devanna, previously of Clean Energy Systems Inc. of Rancho Cordova, will head the Folsom-based fuel cell company...
January 2008:
Energy: Change is in the wind for the region's energy suppliers
Growing public awareness of global climate change and high fuel prices have created a boom for renewable energy.Sacramento-area companies are cashing in on a plentiful supply of venture capital for energy technologies...
January 2008:
Report: 'Cleantech' investments rose in 2007
For venture capital investors, the buzzword for 2008 is "cleantech." Investment in renewable energy companies in North America and Europe jumped by 44 percent in 2007 from a year earlier, according to a Jan. 17 report from Cleantech Group LLC...
January 2008:
West Sacramento fuel cell research facility sold
The owner of the headquarters facility for the California Fuel Cell Partnership off Interstate 80 in West Sacramento has sold the building to a local family investor...
January 2008:
Shower of funds for tech firms in region
Eleven high-tech companies, including some in the capital region's nascent clean-technology movement, are receiving an infusion of $15 million in venture capital
money – all raised locally by Velocity Venture Capital...
January 2008:
Mayor hails energy-saving drive
Mayor Heather Fargo doesn't think "being green" is just hip or trendy. And, she
said, it's certainly not a fad or a catchphrase.In fact, she told a group of 600 downtown leaders Thursday that slowing emissions and dealing with climate change need to be Sacramento's top priority...
January 2008:
Speaker series on climate change set
A series of talks on climate change aims to bridge gaps between science and policy.The speaker series will highlight regional and statewide issues tied to climate change. It is being organized by researchers at the University of California, Davis, and the UC Institute for Research on Climate Change and Its Societal Impacts...
January 2008:
Building a new home while dreaming in green
Annica Hagadorn is carefully building what will become more than just a rural dream home, nestled among pine trees near Grass Valley...
January 2008:
PG&E establishes work force development program
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. launched a new work force development program aimed at recruiting and training skilled workers and technicians.Dubbed PG&E PowerPathway, the program will prepare people for careers in the energy sector and will provide PG&E with a reliable supply of skilled employees...
January 2008:
Schott Solar to build New Mexico plant
Schott Solar will build a solar energy technology production facility in the planned mixed-use community of Mesa del Sol on the southern edge of Albuquerque, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson announced Monday...
Archived clips
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Contact
Partnership for Prosperity action teams meet regularly for detailed strategic planning sessions. Each team includes 12-25 project partners, elected officials and other community leaders who volunteer to link their
organizations' work to the Partnership for Prosperity's regional business plan.
For more information, contact Angela Shepard at (916) 325-1630 or write angela.shepard@valleyvision.org.
Education/Workforce Team
Civic Amenities Team
Biz Development
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