Greg Plotkin

Did you hear? "Amidst an extreme heat wave and a growing number of active wildfires, a bipartisan supermajority of California legislators passed a historic $10 billion Climate Resilience Bond on July 3, clearing the way for it to be included on the November ballot as Proposition 4. If approved by a majority of voters in November, Proposition 4 will catalyze a wide range of investments to make rural and agricultural communities safer and more resilient to wildfires, floods, droughts, and extreme heat." writes California Climate & Agriculture Network (CalCAN). CalCAN is one of 17 Food and Farm Resilience Coalition members -- along with American Farmland Trust, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Roots of Change, CCOF and others -- who has worked for years to ensure California's food system becomes more sustainable and equitable. It's inspiring to see this bond include important investments in #sustainableagriculture #farmworkers and #infrastructure. Check it out and support us. #CALeg https://lnkd.in/g8q7ywYA

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TODAY: IBank’s #ClimateCatalystFund announces a $25M investment in Blue Forest #CaliforniaWildfireInnovationFund (CWIF). The CWIF will help reduce the severity and frequency of catastrophic wildfires by investing in the forest restoration and biomass utilization sectors across California.  Through this commitment, IBank is proud to partner with CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer – demonstrating a shared commitment to proactively addressing the wildfire crisis at its source,  collaborating with CWIF to promote scalable solutions that enhance affordability and animate markets for biomass utilization.  Learn more about the investment: https://bit.ly/3yS2Th2 Stay in the loop on IBank’s Climate Catalyst Fund: bit.ly/3AH9sDt

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Read the story at KQED, “California's $10B Climate Bond Breaks Through Political Gridlock,” by Ezra David Romero—June 30, 2024. “Days before the final deadline, California lawmakers have settled on language for a $10 billion climate bond that will be presented to voters for approval in November. The primary focus of the bond is ‘to respond to challenges wrought by climate change by investing in natural and built infrastructure’... It also includes some funding for programs cut from the state’s budget. At least 40% of the bond must help vulnerable and disadvantaged communities with a median household income of less than 80% of the area average or less than 80% of the statewide median household income… The bond also sets aside $475 million for offshore wind. Earlier this year, Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) pursued a $1 billion bond for offshore wind infrastructure. Still, lawmakers folded that into the larger climate bond effort, said Vienna Montague, Zbur’s communications director... Lawmakers have until July 3 to approve the bond for the November election, and Gov. Gavin Newsom must sign off on any bond measure the legislature approves with a two-thirds vote…” Read the full story below and at this link. https://lnkd.in/gjy68Dkf #offshorewind #floatingwind #cleanenergy #renewables #climate #offshorewindca #pacificoffshorewindsummit

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We have been talking about the role that CBO's and CBA's can play in the relationship between frontline communities and utility companies; here is an excellent example of organizing for change! Including CBO's to create more collaborative programs, lowering costs and debt forgiveness were all a part of the settlement in this Oregon energy case. https://lnkd.in/g58XT4zf

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NW Natural bills have gone up more than 50% since 2020 and now they want to raise rates again. A public meeting on NW Natural’s proposed rate increase starts TONIGHT at 6pm on Zoom. Oregon utility regulators need to hear from NW Natural customers! Share how an 18% increase in your gas bills would impact your family. To share your story, email [email protected] with subject line "Testifying at NW Natural rate case hearing." Join the meeting here: https://bit.ly/3w55WAN Can’t make the hearing? Submit written testimony by emailing [email protected] with the subject line: "NW Natural General Rate Case." More details here: https://lnkd.in/gh5ek_Bg

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SSMC's Indicators Report is in the San Mateo Daily Journal this morning! Data driven analysis about the need for equitable EV charging to reach our climate goals with top recommendations from our 2024 report. See the full report at bit.ly/Indicators2024 https://lnkd.in/g_yyJF93 #evcharging #sustainability #socialequity

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I-2117 seeks to repeal the Climate Commitment Act, a Cap and Trade program that is the most important climate legislation in the history of Washington State. Learn more in our blog! @no_on_2117 https://lnkd.in/gFxcEWuT

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AG ALERT: Water operations long-term plan could limit supply By Christine Souza , Ag Alert State and federal agencies face a challenge to balance the beneficial uses of water needed by farmers with needs of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem, as water officials plan for climate change impacts. In seeking to coordinate long-term operation of the federal Central Valley Project and State Water Project, the U.S. #BureauofReclamation #CentralValleyProject #Environmentaldocuments #Waterprojectoperations

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Last week the California Public Utilities Commission released the Self-Generation Incentive Program Impact Evaluation Report for calendar years 2021 – 2022. This report, prepared by Verdant Associates, is the most comprehensive look to date at behind-the-meter #DERs in California. The study examines the impact of tens of thousands of #solar and #storage systems on customer bills, utility costs, environmental emissions, and #resiliency benefits. We examine DER participation in #VPPs for emergency #reliability and model the maximum benefits possible using optimal dispatch of battery storage. Findings and conclusions assess the SGIP’s effectiveness and ability to meet its goals. Recommendations are also provided to better guide and advance program success and to propose ways in which more value can be extracted from these systems moving forward. The report also quantifies the contributions of California’s #BTM renewable generation fleet (e.g., fuel cells, distributed wind) to meeting climate goals.   The report is available on the CPUC’s website here: https://lnkd.in/gnpfYCnn

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WEEKLY WATER NEWS DIGEST for 9/8-9/13: Water stakeholders discuss regulatory woes at hearing; Making groundwater sustainability a reality; The CA towns where clean drinking water is out of reach; and more ... A wrap-up of posts published on Maven’s Notebook this week … In California water news this week … Water stakeholders discuss regulatory woes at hearing “California’s role in U.S. #Californiawaternews

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Data is one of the most affordable and critical investments we can make for California’s agricultural future. 🌱💧 Our CEO & President Robyn Grimm, shares insights from the 2024 Ag Summit on how open data is driving innovation and solutions in water management. Learn more about her takeaways and how data transparency is supporting a more resilient water future. 🔗 Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/gxUvAga3 #WaterManagement #CaliforniaAgriculture #CAagriculture #WaterData #OpenData

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Are resilience hubs a viable #climate solution for California's vulnerable communities? A new report from PSE Healthy Energy, Communities for a Better Environment, and Asian Pacific Environmental Network provides in-depth analysis and community case studies highlighting opportunities and barriers to community-led #solar and storage hubs across the state. https://lnkd.in/g__mKbuu

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The evidence is clear: California's methane-reduction incentives are working. New data from the California Air Resource Board reveals that livestock emissions continued to see reductions in 2022 specifically due to the use of methane digesters funded by the California Climate Investments and incentivized by the low carbon fuel standard, which capture emissions at the source and convert them to clean fuel. Continuation of these incentives is critical for the state's climate goals.  https://lnkd.in/e_VQ4RJq

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🚨 New, Interactive Climate and Energy Dashboard 🌎🌱 If you're driven by data 📈 and centered on climate 🌎, you'll love exploring our new data dashboard! This interactive data visualization tool shows progress toward Portland's climate goals and provides unprecedented transparency into carbon emissions and energy data. Over the coming year, additional data resources will be added and will ultimately include data on climate actions, emissions from government operations and consumption-based emissions. 🔗 Explore the dashboard and dive into the data: https://lnkd.in/ghZHtF4t

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The Climate Commitment Act (CCA) dashboard is now live! The CCA is Washington State's landmark legislation designed to tackle climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing environmental justice. It requires the state’s largest polluters to purchase “allowances.” The more they pollute, the more allowances they need to purchase. In return, funds from the allowances are reinvested into Washington communities. The CCA requires at least 35% of the funds be allocated to projects that benefit communities historically most affected by air pollution, and at least 10% must be directed to projects with tribal support. This interactive dashboard will show you what type of projects are being funded through the CCA. This is a major step to ensuring transparency within state funds and accountability towards environmental justice for Washington communities, check it out!

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The future is cooperative! Discover how Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative drives economic growth and sustainability in rural Oregon. 👉 Read more about OTEC’s impact. https://lnkd.in/e_jtberA

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I-2117 seeks to repeal the Climate Commitment Act, a Cap and Trade program that is the most important climate legislation in the history of Washington State. Learn more in our blog! https://lnkd.in/gU3KQfaW

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I-2117 seeks to repeal the Climate Commitment Act, a Cap and Trade program that is the most important climate legislation in the history of Washington State. Learn more in our blog! https://lnkd.in/gU3KQfaW

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