PG&E opposes measure to curtail climate law

The effort to suspend California's greenhouse gas emissions law has drawn perhaps its toughest foe now that PG&E has aligned itself with the opposition.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. joined companies like SunPower Corp., Recurve and Oak Creek Energy against Proposition 23, which will appear on November ballots and, if passed would effectively end the state's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, or AB 32.

AB 32 requires the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

"Studies show that unchecked climate change could cost California's economy alone tens of billions of dollars a year in losses to agriculture, tourism and other sectors," said Peter Darbee, Chairman and CEO of PG&E, in a statement. "Thoughtful and balanced implementation of AB 32 is one of the most important opportunities we have to avoid this costly outcome while spurring new clean-tech investment, innovation and job creation in California."

PG&E says it's "working closely with policymakers on creative ways to ensure that the law's vital environmental objectives are achieved at the lowest possible cost to customers and the California economy."

The effort won praise from groups that we're beating up the utility in recent weeks for its support of Prop. 16, which would have made it more difficult for local governments to start their own utilities.

Californians for Clean Energy and Jobs says on its site that "AB 32 has put California in a unique position to lead the clean energy and technology market, both in the United States and abroad." Steven Maviglio, spokesman, said in a statement that "PG&E, one of our state's largest employers, knows that Proposition 23 will kill jobs, drive up energy costs for families and businesses, and deal a blow to California's leadership in developing clean energy."

Expect a tough battle in coming months. The economy is in bad shape and that's the thrust of Prop. 23 supporters' message.

Anita Mangels, spokeswoman for the California Jobs Initiative committee that's backing Prop. 23, told Josh Richman of MercuryNews.com that Prop. 23 "will not weaken, repeal or roll back" AB 32 but "temporarily adjust the timetable for implementing" the costly measure until the state's economy improves.

"Prop. 23 would protect California families and businesses from billions of dollars in higher energy costs that would result from implementation of AB 32. It's no surprise that PG&E would oppose Prop. 23, since defeating the initiative would allow PG&E to increase its rates and its profits at the expense of California's already struggling families and businesses."

Building green costs about the same, despite perceptions to the contrary

Much of the public continues to believe that building green costs far more than it does, according to a recent study.

Some 62 percent of those surveyed indicated there is a "significant premium" to building green, while 42 percent said that premium would tack 10 percent or more to the cost of construction, says "Opening the Door to Green Building," a 24-page study by Shaker Heights, Ohio-based Sustainable Rhythm and the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.

"The perception of cost implications remains a difficult one for the market to address," the study said. "While new studies and data are becoming available that illustrate negligible or no premiums to build green, this message is not being communicated."

In fact, the cost for building green -- depending on what level of green is sought -- adds more like 1 percent to 2 percent to a construction project, according to the Urban Green Council. Of course, much depends on the level of LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, certification. Loren Aiton, a board member of USGBC Central California Chapter, said it may cost a little more, between 4 percent and 5 percent to meet LEED standards.

Even the increased amount is far less than that perceived by the majority in the survey.

Session planned to explain tighter water runoff plans

Did you know that state officials are requiring developers, contractors and property owners doing extensive remodels to have someone qualified on site during rain storms to monitor runoff?

That is just one of the new regulations that the state Water Resources Control Board is putting into place this year (effective July 1) and next as they tighten storm water pollution prevention plans, said Bruce Poulsen of Darden Architects.

Contractors and others can learn more about the new legislation at a workshop scheduled from 2-4 p.m July 15 in Visalia. Cost: $100 for USGBC CC members and $125 for non-members. Space is limited, so sign up at info@usgbccc.org.

Location information and registration details will follow shortly. This is one workshop you won't want to miss, so put it on your planners now.

LAWS, CODES & TITLE REGULATIONS (2010) IN CALIFORNIA

Getting to know the 'Cash for Caulker' program

The California Energy Commission and the Building Performance Institute are among the organizations sponsoring a webinar about the proposed federal Home Star incentive program.

The event, dubbed "Cash for Caulkers" because of its similarity to Cash for Clunkers, is from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday. Click here to register.

The proposed program -- with estimates as high as $6 billion -- would give homeowners incentives by way of low-cost loans, rebates and tax breaks to pay for weatherization and energy-efficiency retrofits. It recently passed the U.S. House and was sent to the Senate.

The title of the webinar is "Getting GOLD STAR Ready: Roadmap to Accreditation with
The Building Performance Institute for California Home Improvement Contractors." Discussion includes information about federal and state programs requiring BPI accreditation to access rebate and incentive programs, details about the BPI, testimony from home performance contractors already accredited and details about applying for accreditation.

The Building Performance Institute figures to play a major role in the program, as only BPI-accredited companies or companies with accreditation approved by the U.S. Department of Energy can recommend energy efficiency retrofits under the Gold Star portion of the program.

Recovery Act produces weatherization jobs

Forget what you may have heard. Stimulus funds are producing jobs.

At least that's the message from the U.S. Department of Energy today as it trumpets accomplishments in its weatherization program. Five states -- New Hampshire, New Mexico, Montana, Minnesota, and Utah -- completed at least 30 percent of the work in homes targeted in their weatherization programs.

Idaho, Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Vermont, and Washington met the Recovery Act milestone last month, the agency said. California has had difficulty getting its weatherization program launched and may get some help from the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization, depending upon the outcome of a recent grant.

"The weatherization program under the Recovery Act is creating opportunities nationwide — opportunities for energy savings and job growth. These states are helping to lead the way toward a stronger economic future with a sound foundation in clean energy," said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, in a statement.

DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program helps low-income households save energy and money by improving their energy efficiency. Local community action agencies or nonprofit organizations provide whole-home weatherization services under the program, including conducting an energy audit in the home to identify the most cost-effective improvements. Solutions range from installing additional insulation and weatherstripping, sealing windows and doors, caulking cracks in the building and replacing inefficient heating and cooling systems.

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization is a nonprofit dedicated to improving our region's quality of life by increasing its production and use of clean and alternative energy. The SJVCEO works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the eight-county region of the San Joaquin Valley.

Illustration courtesy Doityourself.com.

Retrofit wins Nevada's first USGBC gold

An 11-story, $11.5 million retrofit is Nevada's first to receive gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

It's a big deal. In fact, the unveiling last month was attended by former Pres. Bill Clinton.

A story by Buck Wargo in the Las Vegas Sun reports that a 46-year-old downtown office building at 302 E. Carson Ave. was recognized by the council for decreasing energy usage by 30 percent and water consumption by 40 percent.

"It was more than just a little bit of elbow grease that transformed a former asbestos-laden building into what is now considered a symbol of energy efficiency — and an example of what’s to come nationwide," Wargo wrote

He quoted Rick Fedrizzi, president of the U.S. Green Building Council and also at the unveiling: “This is really an important moment. This is the shot heard around the world. What we have now is an incredible example in Nevada that shows what you can do with an existing building and how much energy and water and waste can be salvaged.”

The office tower had been 20 percent occupied but is now up to 40 percent. It's owner Thompson National Properties liked the future of downtown Las Vegas and saw an opportunity. Tony Thompson, chairman and CEO of Irvine-based Thompson National Properties, which manages 3.5 million square feet of office space in Las Vegas, said: “What we spent on it is still below the replacement cost.”

Fedrizzi said the cost of $81 per square foot is half the price many other green office redevelopment projects have paid across the county and shows what’s possible.

Clinton dubbed Los Angeles-based general contractor Shangri-La "the best green building company in the country," according to a piece in the Huffington Post by Ellen Sterling. "Climate change is a huge problem. I think we have only scratched the surface of what we have to do. But I also believe that changing the way we consume and produce energy is the number one thing we can do in America to get the jobs engine going again, to improve our national security by making us less dependent on either imported or otherwise destructive sources of energy and to make a safer environment for our kids and grandkids."