SJVCEO is hiring!

Position: Project Analyst, Full-Time

Location: Fresno, CA

Start Date: Immediately

Compensation: Based on experience

Benefits: Position is eligible for all company benefits, such as Health, Dental, 401K

Company Description:

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization (SJVCEO), a non-profit 501 (c)3 corporation, dedicated to promoting the widespread use of clean energy resources and increasing energy efficiency through work with local governments, utilities, and community colleges.  The organization facilitates partnerships and implements programs that empower utility end-users (municipal governments, businesses, students and residents) to practice smart energy management. A key partnership facilitated by the SJVCEO is the Valley Innovative Energy Watch (VIEW).

The VIEW is a multidimensional municipal and community-focused energy efficiency program managed in partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison, The Gas Company and San Joaquin Valley local governments including: Avenal, Corcoran, Dinuba, Farmersville, Hanford, Lemoore, Lindsay, Porterville, Tulare, Visalia, Woodlake and the counties of Kings and Tulare.

Position Description:

The SJVCEO is seeking a full-time Project Analyst to support the implementation of the VIEW 2013-14 program initiatives throughout the San Joaquin Valley. The initiatives cover municipal energy retrofit project management, community outreach and education, and support for the development of city policies that fulfill the goals set forth in the California Long-term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan. Essential to this position is the ability to work in a dynamic and diverse team environment to provide support and build relationships between utility representatives and municipal customers throughout the region. The Project Analyst will focus on implementing the municipal energy retrofit initiative and supporting Strategic Plan goals.

Key Responsibilities*:

·       Serve as a point-of-contact for municipal facility staff and utility account representatives.

·       Identify opportunities for comprehensive energy efficiency retrofit projects within municipalities.

·       Facilitate and track new and existing energy efficiency projects with municipal facility staff, utility account representatives and energy consultants.

·       Provide ongoing technical and project management support to local government and utility staff.

·       Prepare and present case studies of successful projects.

·       Serve as a technical resource for the SJVCEO team across multiple projects.

·       Assist in developing benchmarking policies and energy management solutions for municipalities.

·       Be proactive in identifying and responding to partner requests and needs.

·       Develop and maintain project tracking documents and databases.

·       Serve as a program representative at community outreach events.

·       Conduct presentations promoting energy efficiency, utility programs and case studies.

·       Provide comprehensive support to all SJVCEO activities as directed by Executive Director.

*Key responsibilities may change based on program contract modifications, Utility or CPUC direction.

Qualifications:

·       Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3 years of applicable work experience in the energy industry or related field.

·       Knowledge of facility energy systems and operations.

·       Familiarity with energy utility programs is preferred.

·       Strong project management skills.

·       Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

·       Intermediate to advance Microsoft Office skills are required.

·       Must be available to work outside of regular business hours.

·       Valid driver’s license and insurance.

·       Vehicle for travel throughout the San Joaquin Valley required.

·       Professional appearance and demeanor.

·       Passion for saving energy and the environment.

To Apply: Please send a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and salary history to:

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization, Attn: Courtney Kalashian

Post: 4747 North First Street, Suite 140

Fresno, CA  93726

Email: employment@pesc.com

No calls please

Wellness Wednesday: Spring has sprung!

Bulbs that needed relocating found a home in a pot. 
Hopefully they last! 

It’s been a while since I have updated everyone on my adventures in home ownership so I thought I would share what we have been up to as of late. When we first purchased our home back in October the yard was extremely overgrown. The past five months or so have been spent tearing down a rotted out structure and shed, ripping out overgrown and crowded shrubs and trees, and slowly gaining control of the plants we intend to keep. I recently fed our 20-plus rose bushes and relocated some of the never-ending supply of bulbs like daffodils, irises, hyacinth, surprise lilies and summer snowflakes. Spring has most definitely sprung and our yard will soon look like an Easter basket explosion – no complaints here since the tidying up process has prevented us from planting the flowers, fruits, and vegetables of our choosing. I like to call our yard ‘the secret garden’ because everywhere I look there’s a new plant I failed to see the time before. My most recent discovery were the three avocado trees (plus the shoots of a million other avocado trees at the base of the full-grown ones) and the two or three apricot trees. YUM! Those should hold me over until I can begin my raised edible garden. 

This beast of a plant took forever to get up!

An edible garden has me so excited that I often find myself smiling and wandering aimlessly at Gazebo Gardens. Like I said, it won’t be a while until that project gets off the ground but it is an important project to me. Health is my main priority (hence Wild Ginger Wellness) because if you don’t have your health you can’t enjoy life to the fullest. Good nutrition is the springboard for good health and one of my greatest passions is experimenting in the kitchen. I recently whipped up the most delicious arugula and kale pesto (to go atop my homemade pizza dough along with zucchini, tomato, and creamy goat cheese) and can only imagine how much more satisfying it will taste when the ingredients come from my own backyard. 

kale-argula pesto

Homegrown (or simply locally grown for those who do not have or do not want to have a green thumb) foods are not only more nutritious for you but they are also better for the environment. The farther a food has to travel the less nutrient dense it will be by the time it reaches you. Additionally, the farther a food has to travel the more petroleum (i.e. gasoline) that will be required to transport the food from the farm to the processing plant, packaging plant, grocery store, and finally your home. An incredible amount of energy and greenhouse gases are expended every single step of the way. The less effort and energy that is required to get food to your plate, the better for you, me and the environment. 

While my yard is only likely to produce a few ingredients here and there this coming spring and summer, I will take what I can get (and hopefully make loads of guacamole) and in the meantime I will look forward to what the future holds!

EE Tip From Fig & Olive: Paper or Plastic?

Fig says, "In our house we choose paper over plastic. Why? We find it is easier, safer and healthier for our household to re-purpose the paper bags as opposed to the plastic ones. Case in point: paper bag forts are amazing and after I get bored we can recycle them."

Growing a Greener Grass

The sorry state of my front and back lawn and the warmer temperatures have me researching the best ways to organically fertilize and grow grass so our house can look nice and tidy come spring and summertime. What kind of grass did you think I was talking about? I choose organic and to avoid pesticides for my health and the health of our environment. I found some tips here that I plan to implement.

Photo source: www.twomotivate.com

What do you do around your garden to protect your health and air quality, save water, and save energy? We are all in this together and even the smallest of efforts add up!  

Energy Efficiency in March Madness

My brackets were busted before the first point was scored in March Madness 2013. My commissioner failed me and The Hulk Hogan Hair Club for Men (don't judge me by the company I keep) failed to host a pick'em pool.  Apparently traveling for work trumped getting the group page up and going, and there were promises up to the 11th hour that there would be a pool, yet here I sit--at my desk late in March with no score feeds downsized on my computer screen for the first time in 12 years.  Hell, there are games on right now--AND I'M WORKING!  All is not right with the world.

The most exciting thing I have going for me is our friends over at the Alliance to Save Energy came up with the EE Eight, the eight most energy efficiency campuses in the NCAA tournament.  I would not have chosen any of these to go to the Big Dance, but it's a nice list all the same.

For the record I would have seated Gonzaga and Louisville--I always send Gonzaga beyond where a reasonable person should and I don't even have  good cause for it, but this year--THIS YEAR! they're going in ranked #1 in the West. As for Louisville, well come on now, wouldn't you? Oh wait...you probably did and you're probably loving it.

Photo Credit: Gonzaga University

Emission Benchmarks for Industrial Processes

California Air Resources Board (CARB) has been working hard to achieve California’s goal of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by 2020. This is equivalent to a 30% reduction in projected emissions--a lofty goal to accomplish within the next 7 years. Ultimately, the intent is to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050. If you factor in situations such as population growth and thus increased demand, it becomes a very ambitious goal. 

Can we make it? 

It has become apparent to me that when the cost of compliance becomes more cost effective than the cost of pollution, pollution be able to be controlled.

The University of California, Berkeley and Northwestern University are working with the CARB to establish output-based benchmarks for industrial processes. Such benchmarks will be used for the distribution of free emission allowances facilities covered by the California Cap-and-Trade Program, which is one of the newest policy instruments the state has adopted to reduce emissions cost-effectively. 

One of the main results of the project will be output-based benchmarks for selected sectors, for which benchmarks do not currently exist (mainly food processing, important for the Central Valley). Another major part of the project focuses on the benchmarking approach for refineries in the period after 2015. 

US Climate Action: Calling individuals to put on the uniform and step up to the plate.

By adopting an ambitious mandatory energy saving target for 2030 the State of California is well on its way to addressing the pressing issue of Climate Change. Global climate change affects the American public with growing visibility and ferocity. As severe weather events wreak havoc on the East coast or wildfires consume hundreds of thousands of acres here in the West, concern about the effects of climate change grows. In addition, the American public bears a heavy financial burden as tax dollars fund increased firefighting efforts; provide disaster relief to flooded cities and towns; and subsidize the climate issues affecting the American bread basket. However, despite the growing cost to cope with the effects of climate change, national policy to address climate change is still a long way off.

Cap-and-Trade in the US

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the first mandatory CO₂ reduction cap-and-trade program in the US. Under RGGI Northeastern and Mid Atlantic states have capped the CO₂ emissions in the power sector with the goal of reducing power sector CO₂ emissions 10 percent from the 2002-2004 average by 2018.

California began its own cap-and-trade program as well, with several major industrial sectors joining power as capped entities. Many other states – and hopefully the federal government- are watching intently to see how the California program plays out, as California prides itself on its trailblazing adoption of many environmental policies.

Federal cap-and-trade programs are not new in the U.S., with many people being familiar with the 1990 Clean Air Act Acid Rain Program’s SO₂  trading system. This cap-and-trade system is widely considered a major success,with an Office of Management and Budget study finding benefits exceeding costsby a 40:1 ratio

Policy on Climate Change

Americans, witnessing a relentless onslaught of wildfires, droughts and recent flooding are fearful of losing their freedoms and way of life. As severe weather is becoming the new normal across the U.S., the price of inaction is becoming ever clearer. The specific cost and benefits of the cap-and-trade programs are yet to be determined, and a public that traditionally looks so favorably on market-based solutions and “quick wins” remains unconvinced on the potential of a market-based cap and trade solution.

Climate change could fundamentally change how we as Americans interact with each other, the rest of the world, and our environment. As the U.S. struggles with national policy on climate change, we fall behind other countries on this important global issue. In his victory speech on election night, President Obama gave brief but equal mention to ending the dependence of the US on foreign oil and tackling climate change. Perhaps by addressing climate change in terms of energy security federal action stands a chance. Perhaps, under the emerging “new energy economy” America can reclaim its position of leadership in the world.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sully_aka__wstera2/4388591845/

EE Tip From Fig & Olive: Laundry Day

Olive says, "in our house we wait until we have a FULL load of laundry before washing in order to help save energy. In addition, we like to use cooler water settings, hang clothes to dry when possible, and if we do dry we make sure not to over dry or else mommy's pants get too tight...oh, and it saves energy and money! Now, who wants to help me fold?!"

Green Tax Credits

'Tis the season to file those taxes! April 15th is quickly approaching so don't forget that if you made any green home improvements in 2012 you may qualify for a tax credit. Check out this page from the EPA on more information for what does and does not qualify for a tax credit and how to apply for it.

Going green on St. Patrick's Day

As a woman of proud English lineage married to a mostly Armenian man the 17th of March is always a bit tiresome as my barely 25% Irish heritage husband frolics about the house dancing his interpretation of an Irish jig and speaking in what may be the world's worst Irish accent.  Oh, and he curses the English.  Basically its a mish-mash of confused cultural impressions and does nothing but irritate me.  Likely the point.

"We have always found the Irish a bit odd. They refuse to be English." --Sir Winston Churchill

However, this year I am determined to reclaim St. Patrick's in my own way and focus on how being engulfed in green can be of benefit--not in the green beers and trashy 'kiss me I'm Irish' (or God forbid 'kiss me I'm Iowa-ish') t-shirt way, but in going green and making a commitment to sustainability.

Each year blogger Julie Urlaub of the Talga Company writes about going green on the world's greenest day.  You can read her posts from the past three years here, here and here.  Each post is a nice reminder that there is much we can do to make small changes in our every day lives that can make a really big difference.  With this inspiration I give you, the first annual SJVCEO "Get Yer Green On!" St. Patrick's Day challenge:

I thought we should make year one easy...so easy even a drunken leprechaun could manage.  So, this year the team at SJVCEO challenges you to Get Yer Green Beer On!  No. Do not--I repeat DO NOT--add artificial food coloring to your cheap brew.  Instead, select your golden goodness from a green-leading brew!  Huffington Post ran a piece on the top eight green U.S. breweries, with Fat Tire and Sierra Nevada leading the pack in sustainable business models and taste.

So what should you be looking for in a green brewery?  Well, New Belgium Brewery (maker of Fat Tire) uses renewable energy in production to prevent 8 million pounds of coal from being burned, recycles waste product, and uses sustainable lighting in their facilities. The Alaskan Brewing Company reuses CO2 produced during the fermentation process and one percent of sales are donated to the non-profit Clean Oceans Depend on Everyone (and I really like their label...). Brooklyn Brewery pays it's electric utility, Con Edison, a premium rate so that all the energy it uses every year is replaced by energy produced on a wind farm. And, Great Lakes Brewing Co. composts the brewery's restaurant food, gives left over barley to local farmers and makes deliveries with a biodiesel fleet.

"Here's to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold beer--and another one!"