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[Sustain] Transpo/Sustain Meeting Monday 2/16
by Eric Brooks 12 Feb '09

12 Feb '09

Hi all, If no one objects, I'll go ahead and put our next joint meeting to the Announcement list for Monday, Feb 16, as decided last meeting. I'll propose and agenda soon. peace Eric B -- "I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves." – Che Guevara

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[Sustain] Emergency Alert - Call Senate To Stop $50 Billion Nuclear Subsidy - Deadline Today!
by Eric Brooks 03 Feb '09

03 Feb '09

Hi all, see alert below, If we all call Senators Boxer and Feinstein right now, we might get our comments in soon enough. Barbara Boxer: (202) 224-3553 Diane Feinstein: (202) 224-3841 http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5502/t/4100/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=9… Safe energy now! No taxpayer loan guarantees for new nuclear reactors! January 29, 2009 The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee late on the night of January 27 snuck in a provision to President Obama's economic stimulus package that would allow as much as $50 BILLION of your dollars to be used as loan guarantees for construction of new nuclear reactors. This would be on top of the $18.5 Billion taxpayer dollars already authorized by Congress during the Bush administration. These loan guarantees would mean more nuclear reactors and more radioactive waste piling up in communities across our country. They would also mean less money for safer, cheaper and cleaner energy alternatives like solar and wind power. The provision is vaguely worded. It would authorize $50 Billion in new loan guarantees for "eligible technologies." These technologies include nuclear, "clean coal," renewable energy sources and electric transmission. But the stimulus package is intended to create new jobs and economic activity over the next two years. Not only should new nuclear reactors and the false concept of "clean coal" be excluded from taxpayer support, but the reality is that neither technology is ready to produce /any/ jobs within the next two years. The Department of Energy apparently would have to decide how to allocate this $50 Billion. If it all went to safe, cost-effective renewable energy sources,that would be one thing. Unfortunately, the provision's backers, like Sens. Robert Bennett (R-UT) and Thomas Carper (D-DE) are clear that their intent is that it would go for new nuclear reactor construction. Yet the Congressional Budget Office predicts a 50% default rate by nuclear utilities using this program! This is simply a nuclear bailout waiting to happen, and we can't afford it. But it's not too late. You can help stop this nonsense. The full Senate will vote on the stimulus package the week of February 2. Please CALL your Senators now (Senate Switchboard: 202-224-3121) and tell them to stop all loan guarantees for new nuclear reactors. AND, please send an e-mail to your Senators with the same message using the form below. (note: we encourage you to edit the wording to personalize your e-mail and reflect your own concerns). -- "I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves." -- Che Guevara

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[Sustain] Beef cattle responsible for 80% of Amazon Deforestation
by Eric Brooks 30 Jan '09

30 Jan '09

http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/01/29/80-percent-of-amazon-deforestation-st… Like this post? Subscribe to our RSS feed <http://planetsave.com/feed/> and stay up to date. 80% of Amazon Deforestation Stems from Cattle Ranching <http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/01/29/80-percent-of-amazon-deforestation-st…> Written by Alex Felsinger <http://greenoptions.com/author/alexfelsinger> Published on January 29th, 2009 7 Comments <http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/01/29/80-percent-of-amazon-deforestation-st…> Posted in Climate change <http://planetsave.com/category/climate-change/>, Nature & Conservation <http://planetsave.com/category/nature-conservation/> <http://planetsave.com/files/2009/01/map.png> Greenpeace Brazil has released a report at the World Social Forum in Belém showing that up to 80 percent of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is due to an increase in raising cattle for human consumption. Brazil has quickly become the largest exporter of beef in the world, but they are not satisfied with their current market share and plan to increase production. The plan flies in the face of their supposed commitment to tackle climate change. The country is currently the fourth biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, 75% of which stem from deforestation. /*>> See Also: German Government Advisory: Eat Meat Only on Special Occasions <http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/01/29/blog/2009/01/30/blog/2009/01/24/germa…>*/ The map of Brazil above shows the concentration of cattle, mostly focused on the Mato Grosso region in the southwest. Greenpeace used a unique technique to prepare this and other maps in the report <http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/press-center/reports4/amazon-cattle-footprint…>: Our Amazon team used specialized techniques to analyze and compare satellite images of vegetation (or lack thereof) on the ground, and data showing the growth of infrastructure, such as roads and agribusiness. It is the first time that these two types of data have been put together in this way. Our maps in the report /Amazon cattle footprint <http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/press-center/reports4/amazon-cattle-footprint…>, /clearly show how much former rainforest is now used for cattle pastures in Mato Grosso. Unfortunately, similar as in the United States, the government fully backs the agriculture industry with many politicians firmly in the pockets of agribusiness. <http://news.mongabay.com/2009/0129-brazil.html> They've even recently proposed legislation to prevent environmental groups from setting up in the Amazon. However, with the economy moving how it is, expansion is becoming less and less of an option. What can you do <http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/09/08/uns-top-climate-scientist-urges-peopl…>? Try going vegetarian <http://www.veganoutreach.org/>, or at least making sure the beef you're eating comes from cows raised near where you live. *More information about the environmental impact of meat:* * UN's Top Climate Scientist Urges People to Combat Climate Change by Eating Less Meat <http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/01/29/blog/2008/09/08/uns-top-climate-scien…> * Meat is murder on the environment <http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19526134.500-meat-is-murder-on-the-en…> * How poultry producers are ravaging the rural South <http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2006/02/21/parker/>

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[Sustain] Fwd: Air Force Alters Coal Jet Fuel Plan
by Eric Brooks 30 Jan '09

30 Jan '09

Ann Garrison <anniegarrison(a)mac.com> wrote: Headlines about this are deceptive because all the U.S. Air Force did was decide not to build their coal-to-liquid fuel plant at this Montana site because it would have increased risk to their "341 Missile Wing's nuclear mission." The B-1 and other bombers are already certified to run on coal-to-liquid transpo fuel, and bio-fuels, and they're already buying it from South Africa. http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/01/coal-to-liquids-facility-plan-dropp… http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/878971.html http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/30/air-force-liquid-coal-fuel

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[Sustain] Important: (Last One) For GM - Info On Clean Energy CCA Crisis
by Eric Brooks 28 Jan '09

28 Jan '09

This one's the most important. Please read this alert for basic info on the current very serious and imminent crisis for the Community Choice renewable energy project (CCA). ALERT! Contact Supervisor Mirkarimi Today: Save San Francisco's Clean Energy Program! In the next month, the San Francisco Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) will vote on activating the Community Choice renewable energy project, which was passed in 2007 to give the City 50% clean electricity within the next decade. But the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has continued its unacceptable interference with Community Choice, and is now pushing the LAFCo to delay the project and to contract its tasks to low cost, inexperienced, unqualified companies. The LAFCo is showing signs that it might agree to these dangerous delays and weakening measures, and this could kill large scale clean energy in San Francisco. We must demand that the LAFCo properly serve the public interest and vote a strong Community Choice project forward immediately. WHAT YOU CAN DO: Email LAFCo Chair, Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi! Send the following email message to Supervisor Mirkarimi and the LAFCo at: ross.mirkarimi(a)sfgov.org david.campos(a)sfgov.org miller(a)motlaw.com Dear LAFCo Commissioners and Staff, Please stop accepting the SFPUC's delays and immediately contract through the LAFCo, any and all tasks necessary for Local Power to rapidly complete a Community Choice Program Basis Report and RFP. Thank You! [your name and address here] - end of sample email - Thanks for your action and support! For more information, see http://our-city.org/events/whatiscommunitychoiceE.html

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[Sustain] Important: For Tonights GM - Maxwell Clean Energy Legislation (attached)
by Eric Brooks 28 Jan '09

28 Jan '09

Hi again, Also for tonight's energy item see both the attached Maxwell Clean energy legislation (also with and a previous clean tech measure) and the proposed amendments below which the Sustainability group recommends we seek to make the Maxwell measure strong and effective. 1) Make the language very directive of the SFPUC, as Prop H was, and also include a directive to the SFPUC to deliver a full plan to Cal ISO to replace Mirant by 2012 with only renewables and efficiency 2) Correct the clean energy targets to make them mandates, including the 100% by 2040 mandate 3) Correct the language so that the plan is comprehensively developed for all current customers and future CCA customers including detailed coordination with the projected CCA roll out (we should ask Paul Fenn about specifics) 4) Strengthen the public power study language so that it matches Prop H 5) Provide funding and direction to the LAFCo to take over the process if the SFPUC doesn't complete the overall energy plan, and the Mirant replacement plan, on strict fixed schedules 6) Use the definition of clean technology that is in the City's Clean Tech ordinance (also attached) 7) Direct the SFPUC to develop a plan to sell the Combustion Turbines to a community that will use them to replace coal generation and petition the Dept. of Water Resources for authority to make the sale 8) Possibly a clause directing the Transbay Joint Powers Authority to work with the SFPUC to design a clean alternative to the natural gas steam heat boiler planned for the development 9) Possibly a clause directing and assisting UCSF to use clean back up generation instead of a natural gas generator in its new Mission Bay development 10) The same language Prop H employed to protect CCA, and/or if Paul Fenn agrees, language strengthening the mandates for SFPUC to get CCA underway (as above in proposed amendment 3) 11) Specific language and possibly even funding for green jobs development 12) Possibly a clause banning new fossil fuel power plants in San Francisco -- "I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves." – Che Guevara

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[Sustain] Fwd: Invitation for State Senate Committee Hearing - Santa Monica
by Eric Brooks 24 Jan '09

24 Jan '09

Email Icon email Senator Pavley <http://legplcms01.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.aspx?district=SD23> Home Icon visit Senator Pavley's website <http://dist23.casen.govoffice.com/> Pavley Banner *Senator Fran Pavley 23rd Senate District* State Capitol Room 4035 Sacramento, CA 95814 tel 916.651.4023 fax 916.324.4823 District Office tel 310.441.9084 fax 310.441.0724 Committee Office tel 916.651.4116 fax 916.323.2232 www.sen.ca.gov/pavley <http://www.sen.ca.gov/pavley> ANNOUNCEMENT OF STATE SENATE HEARING Improving Water Conservation and Management in Southern California: Successes and Opportunities January 23, 2009 Dear Friend: As the new Chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Water, I believe it is critical that we use water effectively and efficiently. Numerous studies show that conservation and efficient management practices are the most cost effective way of meeting our water supply needs. In fact, because of past investments in these practices, Los Angeles uses roughly the same amount of water today as it did 2 decades ago, while accommodating an additional 750,000 residents. However, not everyone in Southern California is aggressively implementing all available conservation and efficient measures. More can and should be done. This year will be particularly challenging. Consecutive record-dry winters have seriously diminished available water supply throughout the state. Locally, we may soon be facing severe restrictions on water use. But it is hard to explain to our citizens the necessity for mandatory water rationing, when there are less disruptive means to meet our water needs. That's why I am calling for a public hearing in Southern California; to focus on innovative water conservation and management programs that are being implemented today. The hearing will highlight: * What people are doing now that could be easily adopted by others * What additional programs are likely to be implemented soon * What the State can do to help *The hearing will be held on Friday, February 6th, from 1 pm - 3 pm, at Santa Monica City College, Business Building 111, 1900 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405.* (Located on Pico Blvd. & 17th - traveling west on Pico Blvd, turn left on 17th, straight into school and park in the parking structure. The Business Bldg. is the first Bldg. straight out of the parking structure, and Room 111 is the First Room when you enter the Building.) The hearing is open to the public and I encourage you to attend. Those appearing include top officials of the State Department of Water Resources, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Long Beach Water Department, and many other water agencies. Representatives of community groups such as Tree People will also appear. I hope to see you on February 6th. Sincerely, Fran Pavley State Senator, 23^rd District

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[Sustain] Community Choice Strategy Meeting Today - City Hall North Light Court - 1:15pm
by Eric Brooks 23 Jan '09

23 Jan '09

Hi again all, I will be in City Hall's North Light Court (on the first floor) by 1:15 pm today to touch base with any of you who want to strategize about today's LAFCo meeting on Community Choice. peace Eric Brooks 415-756-8844 previously I wrote: Community Choice (the already passed project meant to get us to the first 51% clean energy mandate in Prop H) is suddenly in serious trouble. There is a crucial hearing Friday (tomorrow) and we need to turn core clean energy organizers out to speak at that hearing in a big way! The short version of the problem is that the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has just hired an inexperienced, former PG&E manager (who administered PG&E's bogus 'energy efficiency' projects for the last three years) and who has never before overseen a major public works project, to direct the entire Community Choice program; and worse, the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) which in the past has been our strong ally on clean energy, may simply defer to this even though it has the legal power to take over the process, and it is even considering slowing down Community Choice overall. This could kill the project - most importantly by killing our chances to get Obama administration funding for it because it won't be in motion soon enough to be considered 'shovel ready'. We need you Friday (tomorrow) at 2pm room 263 in City Hall to testify at the LAFCo hearing during public comment on item 5; and state to the LAFCo that we must stop waiting for the SFPUC to move forward with a Community Choice 'Program Basis Report' and Request For Proposals (RFP) and that the LAFCo should instead -immediately- award its own contracts to the -most qualified- bidder available to complete those and other critical tasks. If you can attend, please call or email so I can give you more detail and we can coordinate. This is a really big deal. Please do everything you can to take part. For basic information on Community Choice go to http://our-city.org/campaigns/whatiscommunitychoice.html Eric Brooks 415-756-8844 Here is the City site for the hearing details: http://www.sfgov.org/site/lafco_page.asp?id=97002 *Special Meeting - LAFCO* *January 23, 2009, at 2:00 p.m.* *City Hall, Room 263* Chairperson Mirkarimi, Members: Commissioners Campos and Schmeltzer Alternate: Bornstein SPECIAL AGENDA (There will be public comment on each item) 1. Call to Order and Roll Call 2. <http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/lafco/meetings/materials/012309item…> Approval of Minutes for December 12, 2008. (Discussion and Action Item) 3. Elections of the Chair and Vice Chair of SF LAFCO for one-year terms. (Discussion and Action Item) 4. <http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/lafco/meetings/materials/012309item…> Overview of SF LAFCO’s Activities for New Commission Member. (Discussion Item). 5. <http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/lafco/meetings/materials/012309item…> Review Proposals from Consultants Bidding to Perform various tasks to related to the Implementation of CCA plan and Authorize the Award of Contracts. (Discussion and Action Item) 6 Report from SFPUC on the status of CCA activities. (SFPUC Staff) (Discussion Item) 7. <http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/lafco/meetings/materials/012309item…> Discussion of SF LAFCo’s mid-year budget. (Discussion and Possible Action Item) 8. <http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/lafco/meetings/materials/012309item…> Report on Status and Authorize the Executive Director to hire two staff positions for CCA Implementation, Coordination and Outreach. (Continued from November 21, 2008) (Discussion and Possible Action Item) 9. <http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/lafco/meetings/materials/012309item…> Presentation by Local Power of Final CCA Program Report. (Discussion and Possible Action item) 10. <http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/lafco/meetings/materials/012309item…> Consideration and Approval of Contract Extension between SF LAFCO and Miller, Owen & Trost. (Discussion and Action Item) 11. Executive Officer Report 12. Public Comment for Items not on the Agenda 13. Future Agenda Items 14. Adjournment * _Items continued to the Call of the Chair _Report on status of SJVPA action against PG&E before the CPUC and denial of SFPUC petition to participate as intervenor (City Attorney) * Hearing on the current Mayor’s solar proposal and how or if it relates to the implementation of the CCA. * Report from SFPUC Staff regarding the Component of the Contract for Solar that is related to the CCA Program. (SFPUC Staff) * Report from SFPUC on the status of the Peaker and its contract. (SFPUC Staff) * Discussion and Direction regarding Awarding Contract to take all actions necessary to produce a draft RFP to solicit bids for fully implementing CCA. (Commissioner Bornstein) * Report on Status of contract with Local Power, Inc., for Analysis of Existing SF Energy Programs: Portion of Task 5 and/or Task 8 in RFQ: Draft Program Management Plan/Draft Program Report. * Report from SFPUC Staff on the status of the Solar Incentive Program. (Commissioner Bornstein) * Report from SFPUC on Status of hiring CCA Program Staff. (SFPUC Staff) * Review and Comment on CCA Brochure. * Potential contract for CCA tasks. * Report from SFPUC on Status of RFQ for Implementation of the CCA Program: Award of Contract. (SFPUC Staff) * Presentation by Local Power of Draft CCA Program Report. -- "I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves." – Che Guevara

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[Sustain] VERY URGENT - SF Clean Energy In Crisis - Need Your Public Comment Tomorrow (Friday), 2pm, City Hall, Rm 263
by Eric Brooks 22 Jan '09

22 Jan '09

Hi all, Community Choice (the already passed project meant to get us to the first 51% clean energy mandate in Prop H) is suddenly in serious trouble. There is a crucial hearing Friday (tomorrow) and we need to turn core clean energy organizers out to speak at that hearing in a big way! The short version of the problem is that the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has just hired an inexperienced, former PG&E manager (who administered PG&E's bogus 'energy efficiency' projects for the last three years) and who has never before overseen a major public works project, to direct the entire Community Choice program; and worse, the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) which in the past has been our strong ally on clean energy, may simply defer to this even though it has the legal power to take over the process, and it is even considering slowing down Community Choice overall. This could kill the project - most importantly by killing our chances to get Obama administration funding for it because it won't be in motion soon enough to be considered 'shovel ready'. We need you Friday (tomorrow) at 2pm room 263 in City Hall to testify at the LAFCo hearing during public comment on item 5; and state to the LAFCo that we must stop waiting for the SFPUC to move forward with a Community Choice 'Program Basis Report' and Request For Proposals (RFP) and that the LAFCo should instead -immediately- award its own contracts to the -most qualified- bidder available to complete those and other critical tasks. If you can attend, please call or email so I can give you more detail and we can coordinate. This is a really big deal. Please do everything you can to take part. For basic information on Community Choice go to http://our-city.org/campaigns/whatiscommunitychoice.html Eric Brooks 415-756-8844 Here is the City site for the hearing details: http://www.sfgov.org/site/lafco_page.asp?id=97002 *Special Meeting - LAFCO* *January 23, 2009, at 2:00 p.m.* *City Hall, Room 263* Chairperson Mirkarimi, Members: Commissioners Campos and Schmeltzer Alternate: Bornstein SPECIAL AGENDA (There will be public comment on each item) 1. Call to Order and Roll Call 2. <http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/lafco/meetings/materials/012309item…> Approval of Minutes for December 12, 2008. (Discussion and Action Item) 3. Elections of the Chair and Vice Chair of SF LAFCO for one-year terms. (Discussion and Action Item) 4. <http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/lafco/meetings/materials/012309item…> Overview of SF LAFCO's Activities for New Commission Member. (Discussion Item). 5. <http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/lafco/meetings/materials/012309item…> Review Proposals from Consultants Bidding to Perform various tasks to related to the Implementation of CCA plan and Authorize the Award of Contracts. (Discussion and Action Item) 6 Report from SFPUC on the status of CCA activities. (SFPUC Staff) (Discussion Item) 7. <http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/lafco/meetings/materials/012309item…> Discussion of SF LAFCo's mid-year budget. (Discussion and Possible Action Item) 8. <http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/lafco/meetings/materials/012309item…> Report on Status and Authorize the Executive Director to hire two staff positions for CCA Implementation, Coordination and Outreach. (Continued from November 21, 2008) (Discussion and Possible Action Item) 9. <http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/lafco/meetings/materials/012309item…> Presentation by Local Power of Final CCA Program Report. (Discussion and Possible Action item) 10. <http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/lafco/meetings/materials/012309item…> Consideration and Approval of Contract Extension between SF LAFCO and Miller, Owen & Trost. (Discussion and Action Item) 11. Executive Officer Report 12. Public Comment for Items not on the Agenda 13. Future Agenda Items 14. Adjournment * _Items continued to the Call of the Chair _Report on status of SJVPA action against PG&E before the CPUC and denial of SFPUC petition to participate as intervenor (City Attorney) * Hearing on the current Mayor's solar proposal and how or if it relates to the implementation of the CCA. * Report from SFPUC Staff regarding the Component of the Contract for Solar that is related to the CCA Program. (SFPUC Staff) * Report from SFPUC on the status of the Peaker and its contract. (SFPUC Staff) * Discussion and Direction regarding Awarding Contract to take all actions necessary to produce a draft RFP to solicit bids for fully implementing CCA. (Commissioner Bornstein) * Report on Status of contract with Local Power, Inc., for Analysis of Existing SF Energy Programs: Portion of Task 5 and/or Task 8 in RFQ: Draft Program Management Plan/Draft Program Report. * Report from SFPUC Staff on the status of the Solar Incentive Program. (Commissioner Bornstein) * Report from SFPUC on Status of hiring CCA Program Staff. (SFPUC Staff) * Review and Comment on CCA Brochure. * Potential contract for CCA tasks. * Report from SFPUC on Status of RFQ for Implementation of the CCA Program: Award of Contract. (SFPUC Staff) * Presentation by Local Power of Draft CCA Program Report. -- "I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves." -- Che Guevara

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[Sustain] Draft Peak Oil report sections
by Don Eichelberger 19 Jan '09

19 Jan '09

Attached are draft documents related to the Peak Oil Taskforce report due out soon. fyi, Don

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