2-08SSMC NewsletterD.indd - Sustainable San Mateo County

Dedicated to the long-term health
and vitality of our region
www.sustainablesanmateo.org
February
2008
The Sustainable Advocate
Sustainability Award Winners!
By Brian Foley
The recipients of the 9th annual Sustainability Awards truly reflect the three-part
message of Sustainable San Mateo County: to advocate and support programs
within the county centered on the environment, economy and social equity. The
San Mateo County Community College District will receive a recognition award for its
exemplary sustainability practices. In addition, this year’s winners covered an array
of sustainability values, including education, public health and human rights. They
have clearly made a positive difference within the county and beyond:
CARE2.COM, Inc. is a Redwood City-based company that has used its website, www.
Continued on page 2
SSMC and PG&E Partner Up for
San Mateo County Green Fair
By Tyler Hammer
Last November, over 150 people converged on the Green Building Exchange in
Redwood City for an interactive morning dealing with climate change, energy
efficiency, sustainable programs, green technology and more. Hosted by Sustainable
San Mateo County and PG&E, the San Mateo County Green Fair was a huge success.
The event featured over 20 speakers, including (then) Redwood City Mayor Barbara
Pierce, Todd Lukesh of Webcor Builders, and Julia Bott of San Mateo Parks Foundation.
Attendees of the San Mateo County Green Fair had an opportunity to discuss
strategies and share ideas with the speakers during 3 breakout sessions on how
cities, businesses and individuals can reap the economic, social and environmental
benefits of going green.
Additionally, PG&E and SSMC released the “Green Guide” for San Mateo County at
the event. The guide provides tips, resources and information about green programs
available through PG&E, SSMC, the County and other regional organizations.
Supervisor Jerry Hill, a speaker at the event, said, “I am proud that PG&E, Sustainable
San Mateo County and our communities are collaborating to ensure the latest
sustainable building and business practices are available to our residents to help
our County be at the forefront of environmental protection.” Over the coming year,
SSMC and PG&E representatives will be meeting with each of the cities in the County
to highlight the Green Guide and offer further resources.
In addition, the San Mateo County Green Fair showcased over 50 green vendor
booths. Solar, recycling, electric car and sustainably-harvested wood companies,
among others, were all on-hand to talk about their products and services. The sheer
Continued on page 4
Green Building Award
Recipients
Single-Family Residence Winner:
TAIJI House, Menlo Park
Owner: Scott and Jackie Wood
Builder: Drew Maran Construction
Architect: Osborne Architects
Honorable Mention:
Bier Residence, Burlingame
Owner: Aline Bier
Builder: Spectrum Development
Architect: Jack Matthews Architects
Commercial Winner:
Nueva School Hillside Learning Complex,
Hillsborough
Owner/CEO: Shirley Doxtad, Business Manager
Builder: Herrero Contractors, Inc.
Architect: Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects
Honorable Mention:
Villa Montgomery, Redwood City
Owner/CEO: Jeff Oberdorfer, Executive
Director
Builder: Branagh Construction
Architect: Fisher Friedman, FAIA
Honorable Mention:
San Mateo County Youth Services Center,
San Mateo
Owner: County of San Mateo, Capital Projects
Manager, James Sowerbrower
Builder: Turner Construction Company
Architect: KMD Architects
1
Thank You
to Our Generous Sponsors!
Individual Donations for 2007
$1,000 +
David and Nancy Crabbe
Rosalyn Koo
Ricki and Doug McGlashan
Ruth Peterson
Bill and Jill Schulte
Elizabeth and Lionel Traubman
$500–$999
Stuart Coxhead, Jr.
Gladwyn d’Souza and
Martina de la Torre
Clem and Jane Molony
Alane O’Rielly and Rick Weber
Marcia Pagels
James Ruane
Eleanor Williams-Curry
$200–$499
Liane and Weldon Benedict
Beth and Raj Bhatnagar
Joanne Bruggemann
Vince Cirigliano
Diane Ervin
Jerry Hearn
John Kittermaster
Peter and Diane Lawrence
Ann and Martin Madsen
Christine Miller
Kelly Moran and Mark Elliott
Victoria P. Morrow
Michael and Laura Peterhans
Tom and Anne Rounds
Carol Tanzi
Alice Valentine
Kimberly Wainscoat
Doris Wheeler
Marc Yelnick
2
care2.com, to garner attention to world problems such
as AIDS, deforestation and human rights abuses. This
unique site empowers its members to start and sign
petitions, create networks between non-profit groups
and causes, post news articles, send eCards (each of
which generates a donation by Care2 to save onesquare foot of rainforest), and much more. Its local presence is more than just where it is
based; of the nearly 8 million members, nearly 20,000 live in San Mateo County.
CATALINO TAPIA is an extraordinary story of perseverance and giving. Tapia came to the
United States from Mexico at the age of 20 with merely $6 in his pocket. He worked his way
up and, with his wife, bought a home in Redwood City. After watching his son graduate
from UC Berkeley’s Boalt Law School, Tapia, now 63, established a nonprofit group called
the Bay Area Gardeners Foundation, which provides scholarships mainly to Latino
students in need as they enter college. The board, comprised of gardeners, awarded nine
scholarships of $1,500 this past year, almost double what it distributed in its first year in
2006.
COMMUNITY GATEPATH is
the largest non-profit group in
the county serving people with
disabilities, reaching more
than 6,700 people. Gatepath is
the leading agency providing
early intervention services
for kids with developmental
disabilities. They offer job
placement assistance and
transition disabled people
to
live
independently.
Businesses like Safeway,
Longs Drugs and Marriott
heavily rely on Gatepath to
provide people in search of work. This past year, Gatepath took green steps in its building
renovation, installing energy efficient windows and sealants and using low-voltage and
timed lighting.
HARLEY FARMS GOAT DAIRY in Pescadero started 16 years ago with six goats and has
since grown into a 200-goat operation as the
only dairy farm in San Mateo County. The nineacre farm has received six national cheese
awards and was the recipient of this past year’s
San Mateo County Farmer of the Year award. The
farm recently won a four-year grant from the
Natural Resource Conservation Service under
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for creek
bank restoration and water conservation.
The SOLAR OUR SCHOOLS PROGRAM (SOS) a
partnership between Owens Electric and Solar
and Hillsdale High School’s Environmental
Club represent this year’s honorary mention.
Owens Electric and Solar, based in San Mateo,
implemented the SOS program to use school
districts to not only teach students the benefits
of solar, but also install solar in school facilities
for cash-strapped districts. Hillsdale High School
now is in the process of installing solar panels.
’07 A Green Year for Peninsula
By Julia Scott
This article appeared in the San Mateo County Times
on December 31, 2007. The article was edited from its
original version.
Call it a trend: 2007 proved San Francisco isn’t the only forward-thinking city
on the Peninsula when it comes to going green.
Wider knowledge of the impacts of global warming at the local level led several
cities across San Mateo County to take the step of publicly acknowledging the
problem and committing, at least on paper, to doing something about it. Here
are some of San Mateo County’s top environmental stories of 2007:
County seeing green
Since the launch of the Sierra Club’s Cool Cities campaign in March 2007,
no fewer than six cities (Atherton, Menlo Park, Redwood City, South San
Francisco, Millbrae and Burlingame) have adopted the U.S. Mayors Climate
Protection Agreement. Signing the Climate Protection Agreement commits a
city to surpass the Kyoto Protocol target of reducing global warming pollution
levels to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. That means committing to
changes across the board, from creating walkable communities to adding
green building requirements to a city’s planning and building code, or
converting city cars and trucks to run on biodiesel or vegetable oil.
It’s been a banner year for environmental awareness in San Mateo County,
said Rafael Reyes, director of the Sierra Club’s Loma Prieta chapter.
“We’re particularly optimistic that green building standards will be established
throughout the region. There seems to be a lot of energy around that,” he said.
“We also believe there’s huge opportunities around solar.”
Several cities, including Burlingame, Redwood City, Menlo Park, San Carlos
and Belmont, also created “green-ribbon” task forces to help brainstorm
solutions and hold leaders accountable.
The county Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a similar agreement,
the Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Initiative this year as well. It takes
an even more aggressive stance on climate change, committing the county to
reduce CO2 emissions by 80 percent of present levels by 2050.
San Mateo takes lead
San Mateo adopted the emissions reductions equivalent to the county’s
goals, which dovetail those of AB32, the California Global Warming Solutions
Act. To achieve this lofty goal, the city paid consultant Jill Boone, formerly
of RecycleWorks, to determine exactly what its CO2 emissions levels are by
source. Then it formed an advisory committee to meet those targets.
When it is formally approved, San Mateo will become the first Peninsula city
to initiate a comprehensive climate action plan. Among its proposals is a
requirement that the city quadruple the rate of solar panel installations, and
that all new buildings meet a recognized green building standard.
Boone said she thought water consumption would be the biggest issue San
Mateo and other cities would consider in the coming year.
Brisbane focuses on developers
Brisbane became the first city in San Mateo County to require developers to
meet green building design requirements before they can obtain a permit this
year. The new rules affect commercial projects larger than 10,000 square feet,
which must be “green” enough to qualify for a silver rating from Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design, and housing developments of 20 units
continued on following page
$100–$199
Linda and Ken Bailey
Duane Bay and Barbara
Noparstak
Florence and Rolf Beier
K.J. Bell
Judy Bloom
Jill Boone
Janice Busa
Sally and Ken Coverdell
Phil and Judith Davidson
Donna Divodi
Michelle Freed
Paul Gardner
Walter and Kay Hays
James Ingwersen
Shelley and William Kilday
Linda Carey Kunnath
Billy and Lucille Lee
Carol and Chuck Mink
Luke Mulhall
Terry and James Nagel
Ruth Nagler
Mark Parnes
Ana Elba Pavon
Sapna Singh
Carolyn Strange
Adam Teitelbaum
Joshua Vaughn
Jill Wakeman Goodman
and Robert Goodman
Arnold and Anita Webb
Teri and Bob Whitehair
Up to $99
Jonathan and Barbara
Dianne Anderson
Korfhage
Dick and Doris Axen
Christine Krolik
Linda Bagneschi Dorrance
Joe LaMariana
William and Linda Bauld
Linda and Sterling Lanier
Dick Bennett
Ada Lax
Jim and Barbara Bigelow
Sue Lempert
Susan Borg
David Leventhal
Robert and Joy Brorsen
Linda Liebes
Ethel Burnside
Jo Chamberlain and
Adriane Lonzarich
Jonathan Lundell
Lambert Ma
Tony Clifford
Joseph and Carol Marchi
Philippe S. Cohen
Eugenie Marek
M.J. Colapietro
Fran Martin
Bev Colon
Jean Matsuura
Ms. and Mr. Court
Olive Mayer
Anna Cronin
Kay McCann
Tom and Judy Cronin
Ted and Marimae McDonald
Miriam Daniel and
Sylvia Merkadeau
Laurence Wolff
David Moltzen
Valchino Desuio
Dara Morton
Jennifer Devlin
Mark and Lisa Moulton
Harriet and Gregory Donati
Sam and Karen Naifeh
Malcolm H. Dudley
Tim and Virginia Norman
John Dumanske and
Ruth Nye
Lisa Hicks-Dumanske
Richard W. Palthe
James Eakin
Sally Plaisted
Ann Edminster and Hal Bohner
Virginia Porter
John Ferreira
Juan Carlos Prado
Helen Fisicaro
Melanie Prole
Roberto and Lynne Fox Piccioni
Sarah Rosendahl
Victor Graff
Cecile Scandone
Peter and Ann Gregory
Dottie Schaefer
Alene Guiuon
Stephani and John Scott
Cecily Harris
Norma Sigmund
Jane Heckman
Kim and Denise Springer
Linda and Richard Hedges
Gina Simi
Barbara Heninger
Doris Stewart
David and Anne Hinckle
Joan and Bob Stiff
Michael D. Hitchcock
Jane Weidman
Robert and May-Blossom
Rod Hsiao
Wilkinson
Sandra L. Irber
Don and Judy Williams
Dr. and Mrs. Jack Kahoun
Clark and R. Wixon
Irwin and Sharon Kasser
3
or more. The city passed the new rules in anticipation of two
major upcoming construction projects in Brisbane.
Millbrae bans Styrofoam
It may have seemed radical at the time, but the Millbrae City
Council ignored the naysayers and voted unanimously in June
to ban all polystyrene containers from local businesses in June,
becoming the first city in San Mateo County to take the leap. The
solid “clamshell” containers restaurants use for takeout contain
benzene and styrene that are harmful to the environment and
marine life, according to city officials.
Going solar is neighborly
Following Portola Valley’s lead in 2006, large groups of residents
in Woodside, San Carlos, Menlo Park and Atherton saved money
by buying solar panels in bulk from SolarCity, a leading Foster
City-based installer.
As state and federal incentives for homeowners to go solar
continue to decline with better technology, it makes sense for
homes to buy in bulk, said SolarCity CEO Lyndon Rive.
The more people who convert their homes to solar, the more
opportunity there is for savings on installation, labor, travel and
permitting costs, he said.
In Menlo Park and Atherton, the 42 households that collectively
installed 175 kilowatts of solar power will save 4.4 million
pounds of carbon emissions over the next 30 years, according
to the company.
San Mateo County Green Fair, continued
The “Three Pillars” of SSMC
Also Valued at the U.N.
By Brian Foley
There is a common assumption that an
environmental advocate is also an economic
adversary. That social equity contradicts a free
market society. And that reconciling economic,
environmental and social sustainability is
impossible. Sustainability strives to debunk, or at the very least
reconcile, these assumptions.
The basic definition of sustainability is building a healthy and
strong present without compromising the needs and resources of
future generations. SSMC and other sustainability programs see
economic, environmental and social equity as intertwined values
that can build together. It is one of the reasons why SSMC’s annual
Indicators Report includes statistics on society and economy, such
as crime, homelessness, education and unemployment.
The term “sustainability” first emerged in our common language in
a 1987 publication of the U.N. World Commission on Environment
and Development report called “Our Common Future.” Also known
as the Brundtland Report, this document defined sustainability
as “development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs.” The U.N. has repeatedly built upon this definition.
In 2005, at the World Summit, the outcome report furthered
the definition of sustainability, referring to the 3 E’s as the
“interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars.” On
top of addressing deforestation and global warming,
the report equally valued social and economic
issues, including promoting human rights, combating
terrorism and fighting disease like malaria and
tuberculosis.
While world leaders wrestle with the concept on a
global scale, SSMC continues to make strides on a local
level, advocating strong, robust downtowns that are
pedestrian friendly; healthy schools and communities;
and a positive job market. The 2008 winners of the
Sustainability Award reflect that. It is a diverse group
that solidly represents the three pillars.
number of vendors further illustrates the wealth of resources
that San Mateo County residents have available to them as we
transition to a more sustainable society.
Thanks to all who attended and are working to make San Mateo
County truly sustainable. With the success of the first San Mateo
County Green Fair, we look forward to making this event an
annual tradition in our County.
If you would like a copy of the “Green Guide” call (650) 6382323.
For more information on the Green Building Exchange, visit www.
greenbuildingexchange.com
4
The Sustainable Advocate
is published by Sustainable San Mateo County.
177 Bovet Road, 6th Floor, San Mateo, CA 94402
650-638-2323 • 650-341-1395, fax
[email protected] • sustainablesanmateo.org
Ruth Peterson, Chair
Tyler Hammer, Executive Director
Marcia Pagels, Founder
39TH ANNUAL
PROGRESS SEMINAR
APRIL 11TH - 13TH, 2008 • HYATT REGENCY, MONTEREY
ARRANGED AND PRESENTED BY THE
SIGNATURE SPONSOR
PROGRESS SEMINAR BRINGS TOGETHER
•BUSINESS •GOVERNMENT•AND COMMUNITY LEADERS
THE
LENDING ITSELF TO AN ENVIRONMENT OF INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS
ABOUT REGIONAL ISSUES AND THE OPPORTUNITIES
TO MEET THOSE ISSUES.
• PROGRESS SEMINAR CO-CHAIRS •
SAN MATEO COUNTY SUPERVISOR RICH GORDON
ROSANNE FOUST, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT & REDWOOD CITY VICE MAYOR
SAN MATEO COUNTY SUPERVISOR ADRIENNE TISSIER
• CO-SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS •
BELMONT, BRISBANE, BURLINGAME, DALY CITY/COLMA, FOSTER CITY,
HALF MOON BAY/COASTSIDE, MENLO PARK, MILLBRAE, SAN BRUNO, SAN CARLOS,
SAN MATEO AREA & S. SAN FRANCISCO CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE,
SAMCEDA, SAMCAR, SAN MATEO COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU,
SILICON VALLEY LEADERSHIP GROUP & SUSTAINABLE SAN MATEO COUNTY
MEDIA SPONSOR: SAN FRANCISCO BUSINESS TIMES
PROGRESS SEMINAR REGISTRATION FEE $525
FEE INCLUDES:
• Hosted Receptions Friday & Saturday Evening • Saturday Buffet Breakfast
• Coffee Break • Saturday Lunch • Sunday Brunch
• Registration and Speakers • All Materials, Taxes and Gratuities Included.
LIMITED TO THE FIRST 250 PAID REGISTRATIONS
REGISTRATION FORM ON BACK PAGE
5
PROGRESS SEMINAR REGISTRATION FORM
• Name:__________________________________________________________________
• Title:___________________________________________________________________
• Name:__________________________________________________________________
• Title:___________________________________________________________________
• Firm(s):_________________________________________________________________
• Address:____________________________________City:________________Zip:________
• Phone: (
) __________ Fax: (
E-mail: __________________________
)_________
E-mail: __________________________
GUEST REGISTRATION FORM: This form is for guests who may be accompanying you to the Seminar. The following functions are included for all
Full Registration Delegates. Sorry Guest Registrations are not taken at the door.
NAME:__________________________________________________________________
___Saturday Buffet Breakfast $50.00
___Saturday Lunch $50.00
___Friday Cocktail $30.00
___Saturday Cocktail $30.00
___Sunday Brunch $50.00
NAME:__________________________________________________________________
___Saturday Buffet Breakfast $50.00
___Saturday Lunch $50.00
___Friday Cocktail $30.00
___Saturday Cocktail $30.00
___Sunday Brunch $50.00
PLEASE MAIL FORM TO:
The Redwood City•San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce • 1450 Veterans Boulevard, Suite 125, Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 364-1722 / Fax (650) 364-1729 / [email protected]
______ Please find my payment in the amount of $___________________ for #_________Full registrants at $525.00 each.
______ Please find my payment in the amount of $___________________ for #_________Additional Guest Registrations.
____VISA
____MASTERCARD ____American Express
____CHECK ENCLOSED
CREDIT CARD #____________________________________________________________________________
EXP. DATE ___________________ SIGNATURE ____________________________________________________
___ I understand that accommodations at the Hyatt Regency, Monterey are not included in this registration and I must make my own arrangements
for rooms directly with the Hyatt Regency, Monterey before March 10, 2008. Hyatt Regency, Monterey, One Golf Course Road, Monterey, CA 94940,
(831) 372-1234. SINGLE OR DOUBLE ROOMS: $171.00
Your registration is not a charitable contribution, however may be a deductible business expense. NO REFUNDS AFTER MARCH 14, 2008.
6
����������������������������
���������������������������������������������������
��������������������������������������������������������������
�������������������������������������������������������������������������
������������������������
��������������������������������������
��������������������������������������������
��������������������������������������������������������
����������������������������������������������������������������������
�������������
�������������������������������������������
������������������������������������������������
❒� �������������������������
❒� ���������������������������
❒� ����������������������������
❒� �����������������������������
❒� ��������������������������������
�������
�������
�������
�������
❒� ���������������������������������
�������
❒� ���������������������������������������������
�������
�
�
�������������
Please print and return this form with your check
to SSMC by March 7, 2008
177 Bovet Road, Sixth Floor, San Mateo, CA 94402
(For more information, call 650-638-2323)
(Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Tax ID#48-1265207)
���������������������������������������������������������������������������❒����❒�����������❒��������
���������������
���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
�������
�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
����������
�
�
�
�����
7
save the dates!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
SSMC has started a round table luncheon discussion
about critical topics found in our
Indicators Report. The first topic will
be “What does sustainability mean
to the Bay Area?” Our guest will be
Allison Quaid from Bay Area Alliance for
Sustainable Communities. Bring a brown
bag lunch and come ready to discuss on
Thursday, April 17 at noon at our office:
Sustainable San Mateo County
177 Bovet Road, Suite 600, San Mateo, CA 94402
Call 650-638-2323
Thursday, March 13, 2008
SSMC invites you to honor the winners
of the 9th Annual Sustainable San Mateo
County Awards and Green Building Awards
with a special tribute to the San Mateo
County Community College District at the
SSF Conference Center, 255 S. Airport Blvd.,
South San Francisco, 6-9 pm. Guest Emcees:
Supervisors Jerry Hill and Adrienne Tissier
Please check our calendar on the web site for future topics. The Round Table Discussion is held every Third Thursday at noon except for August and December.
177 Bovet Road, Sixth Floor
San Mateo, CA 94402
Visit Sustainable San Mateo County on-line at
www.sustainablesanmateo.org
8