Energy
Solar panels — similar to this array in Solano County — would be used along with wind power sources to provide customers with a new ‘Green Option’ for an additional “modest” premium. Courtesy photo
Reposted from Davis Enterprise
PG&E may soon make “going green” a little easier for its customers.
On Tuesday, the utility went before the California Public Utilities Commission to formally propose a “Green Option” program that, if approved, would allow PG&E to offer 100 percent renewable energy to its customers for an additional “modest” premium added on to their monthly energy bill. Read more
Alan Pryor has solved the problem of an exposed southwest wall with a customized shade he devised himself. He puts it up in the summer and takes it down in the winter when he wants the sun's warmth on the building.
The CoolCalifornia Challenge began today on April 2 2012. In the next few months, we’ll find out just how cool we really are in Davis, one household at a time.
“It’s a fun competition,” says Chris Granger, one of the key Cool Davis organizers. “Every individual or household can sign up online now. Over the next few months, they will record their household energy use and transportation practices. It’s like taking your temperature.
“As enough citizens sign up, we’ll get a baseline on how we’re doing in Davis.”
At stake is the city of Davis’ chance to earn the coveted title of Coolest California City against the competing cities of Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Arcata, Pittsburg, Pleasanton, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Santa Monica, Chula Vista and Gonzalez. Every household that signs up earns points for Davis in the challenge. Read more
John Mott-Smith Credit: Davis Enterprise
This post by John Mott-Smith, a member of the Cool Davis Initiative is cross-posted from the Davis Enterprise where this originally appeared.
A statistic can be revealing — conveying in a number what it may take paragraphs to describe in words. Of course, statistics also can be deceptive. A statement (usually) attributed to Mark Twain sums it up, so to speak: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.”
It used to be that the aphorism “A picture is worth a thousand words” captured the belief that what we could see with our own eyes carried more information and truth than words or numbers, but that was before Photoshop.
At any rate, below are a few statistics, some of which may benefit from augmentation with a dash of salt, but which serve as a doorway to a discussion of televisions and energy use. Read more
Renowned physicist Amory Lovins will be speaking at UC Davis at 12pm on February 28 on the themes of his new book “Reinventing Fire” which outlines a detailed roadmap for eliminating coal and oil use by 2050. Don’t miss this chance to hear this scientist and advisor to more than 20 heads of state named by Time magazine as one of the top 100 most influential people in the world. Read more
John Mott-Smith [Credit: Davis Enterprise
How are we doing?
Environment California recently released a report on the state of photovoltaic solar energy systems in California cities. The report included some surprises and some points of local interest. Read more
Yolo Energy Watch can help you make the transition to low-carbon energy
Do you want to reduce energy and save money? Want to know what incentives and rebates exist to help you make the shift?
The Yolo County Library in partnership with Yolo Energy Watch, Pacific Gas & Electric Company and Energy Upgrade California will be hosting an event at the Davis Library on February 9th from 7:00-8:30pm. Refreshments will be served. Read more
John Mott-Smith [Credit: Davis Enterprise
My last column made the point that energy and water are inextricably linked, and efforts to reduce water consumption also reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas production. This is a follow-up to that column.
The city-sponsored community forum I talked about in the last column featured a lot of useful information. If another is scheduled, it’s well worth your time. Meanwhile, here are a few items from the presentations. I’m using my August through September 2011 water bill for the numbers below. Read more
“]John Mott-Smith is a member of the Cool Davis Initiative Core Group and writes a fortnightly column on environmental issues for the Davis Enterprise that we will feature here.
With all the talk and controversy over proposed water rate increases, I expected more of a turnout for the Oct. 21 city of Davis water conservation workshop on “How to Reduce Your Water Use Without Impacting Lifestyle.” But there were twice as many empty chairs as there were people attending.
I went for two reasons. First, because I use too much water. Second, because water use is directly related to energy use Read more
