GREEN SHEET :: FEBRUARY 2010
MEMBERSHIP OUTREACH
We welcome this month’s newest members: AmSolar is a leading provider of innovative solar solutions for educational institutions, municipalities and select commercial enterprises. Following in its membership footsteps is DPR Construction Inc. A unique commercial builder, DPR Construction is ranked in the top 50 general contractors in the country over the last 10 years, focusing on projects in the Advanced Technology, Sustainable Rehabilitation and Clean Technology markets. With a dedicated staff of over 170 professionals locally, its projects range in size from $1k to $300m. Also joining the membership ranks is The San Diego Unified School District which serves 135,000 students in pre-school through grade 12. It is the second largest district in California, and eighth largest urban district in the United States. Stoel Rives joins the membership roster and brings its 100-year tradition of excellence as a leading U.S. law firm. Stoel Rives ties for 21st place nationally for the total number of attorneys listed in Best Lawyers in America. And finally, we welcome The Canada Consulate of San Diego who opened its local doors in 2003 as part of the Canadian government's continuing effort to increase it's presence in the United States and to specifically expand its bilateral trade and economic relations.
CLEANTECH SHOWCASE
CleanTECH San Diego is hosting its coveted showcase on “Wind Power: Leading the Renewables Renaissance” on February 10 at the La Jolla Marriott. The CleanTECH San Diego Showcase will feature industry leaders addressing the role of wind generation in powering the nation's economic recovery and meeting renewable energy goals. Jim McDermott of US Renewables, a leading renewable energy-focused investment firm, will discuss the wind market and strategies for buyers, sellers and new market entrants. McDermott’s keynote presentation will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Dr. Jim Walker, Vice Chairman of EnXco, and Ian Gardner, CEO of Helix Wind. The panel will delve into the emerging trends, opportunities and challenges surrounding wind power investments.
To register today for this premier educational and networking opportunity visit: http://ctsd.eventbrite.com/
REGIONAL INITIATIVES
CREBS: Clean Renewable Energy Bonds
With the support of CleanTECH San Diego coalition service partners, the participating municipalities continue to examine how best to use its recent federal CREBs allocations of $154MM. Efforts are under way to examine a variety of financing approaches for regional solar installations, including attention to pooled strategies, where appropriate. CleanTECH San Diego reached out to stakeholders at NREL, who are tracking the use of CREBs across the country. With both financial and solar product pricing markets continuing to show fluidity, providing much needed support to our region as it examines its opportunities on a case-by-case basis, is more important than ever and may ultimately lead us to a replicable hybrid model.
ADVOCACY
The Advocacy Committee is fast at work defining CleanTECH San Diego’s 2010 Issues Agenda. With issues ranging from renewable energy to smart grid to biofuels, the Committee is focused on defining an agenda that will advance meaningful change at the regional, state and federal levels. The Committee is set to review its agenda with the Board of Directors in early February enabling the Committee to begin advancing its positions thereafter. The Committee waded early into some of the ‘critical path’ issues associated with advancing our region’s solar market before the California Public Utilities Commission. CleanTECH San Diego recently submitted its position in a letter to the CPUC supporting and highlighting the advantages of an administratively set Feed in Tariff as an important mechanism to accelerate the solar market. Both the CPUC and the Legislature are addressing Feed in Tariffs and other competing measures this year.
CAPITAL FORMATION
January 13 SCRUB event
On January 13, the Capital Formation Committee hosted its first SCRUB of the new year by receiving executive summary presentations from a diverse group of local cleantech companies. Over thirty committee members engaged in strategic discussions with entrepreneurs from Shrink NanoSolar, Eco ReBox, and Vari-Ro Technologies. The commercialization needs of each company varied while staff and Committee members seek to provide the early support in advancing their business development. The Committee also heard a presentation from Rosibel Ochoa on the Von Leibig Clean Tech Challenge. CleanTECH San Diego is a partner on this annual effort which complements the commercialization goals of the Committee. The next SCRUB is scheduled for May 12, 2010. Local and early stage cleantech candidates interested in being considered for SCRUB selection should forward their business summary to hollyl@cleantechsandiego.org
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The Science and Technology Committee met this month under the leadership of its Chairman, Art Ellis, UCSD’s Vice Chancellor of Research Affairs. The Committee discussed a number of areas of focus with particular attention to assisting the region—public and private sector—in quickly identifying grant opportunities and strategic grant partners. Stay tuned for more information on this Committee’s activities.
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
GREENING SAN DIEGO PROGRAM
Cities of Santee and Lemon Grove are moving forward with implementation of drought tolerant landscaping. Santee City Council approved the initial planning phase for drought tolerant landscaping of its 14 landscape districts as well as a demonstration roadway median project along the highly visible Mission Gorge Road. Lemon Grove completed its drought tolerant landscaping on Lemon Grove Avenue and Broadway. The City also submitted its $131K EECBG grant application prior to the January 12 deadline. Santee Schools, Grossmont Union High School District and Padre Dam Municipal Water District are working with SDG&E to determine eligibility for SDG&E's Cool Planet Project. This project will provide support for greenhouse gas base lining in partnership with the Climate Registry. CleanTECH San Diego, ICLEI and The San Diego Foundation conducted a joint survey to qualified regional public agencies to gauge interest in pursuing a regional collaboration in applying for the CA Strategic Growth Council Urban Greening grants. Stay tuned for further progress with the Greening San Diego program’s two pilot cities.
STREET LIGHTING WORKING GROUP
The Regional Street Lighting Working Group (SLWG) is sponsored by the City of San Diego and SDG&E's Peer-to-Peer local government energy efficiency program. CleanTECH San Diego is managing this regional effort designed to facilitate the retrofitting of street lights in each municipality totaling over 100,000 street lights. The SLWG is seeking its final round of feedback from suppliers on three remaining items to enable completion of both Induction and LED Regional Specification Guidelines. The group is planning to investigate potential synergies as it moves from the specification phase to the procurement phase of roadway street lighting retrofits during the month of February. CleanTECH San Diego will be driving this market opportunity to its preferred member network for its vendors.
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
CleanTECH San Diego Partnership with Skipso
Skipso is an online platform and business-to-business marketplace entirely focused on sustainable innovation. Skipso provides a network of international cleantech companies, challenge postings, grant opportunities, job openings, and event details for all sustainable stakeholders. Visit CleanTECH San Diego in the Skipso Marketplace as we explore our alliance with our partners at the Swiss Cleantech and broadly expose our cleantech community to this advanced intersection of global innovation and collaboration.
Follow Us, Join Us or become a fan
Follow CleanTECH San Diego on Twitter for real-time news updates and event information of the San Diego region’s expanding CleanTECH Cluster.
Become a Fan of CleanTECH San Diego on Facebook.
Join us on LinkedIn – Network with CleanTECH San Diego members and expand your web of contacts.
UPCOMING EVENTS
FEBRUARY EVENTS
Member Event: CleanTECH San Diego Advocacy Committee Meeting
February 1, 2010
Time: 1:00 – 2:30 PM PST
Location: CleanTECH San Diego - 4510 Executive Drive, Plaza One. McGraw Conference Room
Member Event: CleanTECH San Diego Education and Outreach Committee Meeting
February 3, 2010
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 PM PST
Location: CleanTECH San Diego - 4510 Executive Drive, Plaza One. McGraw Conference Room
Board Member Event: CleanTECH San Diego Board Meeting with Special Guest Mayor Sanders
February 8, 2010
Time: 7:30 – 9:30 AM PST
Location: CleanTECH San Diego: 4510 Executive Drive, McGraw Conference Room
Member Event: Building Greener Communities in the San Diego Region: A Breakfast Forum to Catalyze Collaboration
February 9, 2010
Time: 7:30 – 9:30 AM PST
Location: Institute for Peace and Justice, University of San Diego
To Register: jsaville@sandiego.edu
CleanTECH San Diego Showcase Event: WIND POWER - Leading the Renewables Revival
February 10, 2010
Location: La Jolla Marriott, La Jolla, CA
Register Here: http://www.cleantechsandiego.org/events
Wind Power Finance & Investment Summit
February 10-12, 2010
Location: Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, CA
Register Here: http://www.infocastinc.com/wind10
CleanTECH San Diego Member 10% Discount for new registrants: code is: 100206
8th Annual Cleantech Forum
February 24-26, 2010
Location: The Palace Hotel, San Francisco
CleanTECH San Diego Members receive a $200 discount to the Cleantech Forum in San Francisco. Member code is CTSDSF10.
Click here to register.
Vist CleanTECH Web site for
more information on all Events
http://www.cleantechsandiego.org/
calendar-of-events.php
this link to a friend »
Sign up for CleanTech San Diego RSS News Feed »
Why San Diego?
San Diego is world renowned for
its culture of collaboration and
collegiality and is a natural setting
for a clean tech “collaboratory.”
Through meaningful partnerships
with private and public sector
champions, CleanTECH San Diego
promotes sustainable best
practices in the San Diego region
and promotes the region’s high
concentration of clean tech activities.
By collaborating with the multitude
of stakeholders, we leverage these
assets and position ourselves
effectively as a world leader in
the low carbon economy.
See our list of San Diego
networks and partnerships
Partnerships and Networks »
