“Committed to Improving the Quality of Life in the Valley through Greater Use of Clean Energy”
The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization (SJVCEO) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the eight county region of the San Joaquin Valley significantly increase its use and reliance on clean energy (that is, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources). A key strength of the organization is our large and diverse Board, which contains senior representatives from Federal, State, regional and local governments, the private sector, utilities, nonprofits, and colleges and universities from all counties in the region. Our Board has a strong united vision for a clean energy future for the region. Another source of our strength is our close working relationship with the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley -- an unprecedented public/private partnership focused on improving the region's quality of life. The mission of the SJVCEO is to build upon existing efforts and serve as a trusted resource on clean energy for San Joaquin Valley businesses, consumers, nonprofits, and local governments. In effort to increase the level of clean energy activities in the Valley, the SJVCEO has established three priority areas of focus and is supporting work to:
- Help "green" the 62 cities and eight counties in the Valley
- Serve as a demonstration region for the 25x'25 Initiative designed to significantly increase our nation's use of renewables for fuels and power production
- Support and help grow a "green" energy workforce in the Valley
The SJVCEO has accomplished a great deal since it began operation in 2007. This includes:
Seeking Energy Stimulus Funding For the Valley
Hosting Forums
American Recovery & Reinvestment Act Workshops, in February and March 2009. These forums were attended by over 200 cities and counties, and other stakeholders to discuss key clean energy provisions of the Act, with a focus on the energy block grant provisions and how the Valley can work together as a region to pursue these resources and the role that the SJVCEO can play.
Providing Assistance
Energy Block Grant Peer Exchange Webinar. The SJVCEO held its first peer exchange webinar in May 2009 for jurisdictions receiving direct energy block grants from the Department of Energy (DOE). This served as a forum for an exchange of information and ideas on the block grant program, plans, and process experiences to date.
Answering Questions. The SJVCEO has served as a conduit for technical assistance by answering a broad array of questions about energy stimulus funding opportunities and how to apply for them.
Representing Valley Interests and Opportunities
Working with Federal and State Officials. The SJVCEO has helped prepare a comprehensive database of shovel-ready clean energy projects, marketed Valley opportunities to state and federal officials, marketed California Energy Commission (CEC) hearings in the Valley on funding opportunities. The SJVCEO currently represents Valley interests in a State wide working group established by the CEC.
Developing Partnerships and Applications
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Applications. Prepared and submitted applications for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants to the Department of Energy on behalf of the cities of Ceres and Delano.
San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Partnership. In partnership with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, formed the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Partnership to help small jurisdictions apply for and use their Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants from the California Energy Commission. Thirty-seven jurisdictions have joined the SJV Clean Energy Partnership.
Westside Merced County Energy Savings and Sustainability Partnership. Assisted the City of Gustine with formation of the Westside Merced County Energy Savings and Sustainability Partnership to apply for a competitive grant under the State Energy Program Municipal and Commercial Building Retrofit Program
State Energy Program Applications. Assisted the City of Visalia with formation of a Tulare and Kings County consortium to apply for a competitive grant under the State Energy Program Comprehensive Residential Building Retrofit Program
Greening Main Street. Helped form "Greening Main Street "partnership. We intend to seek funding for this partnership from DOE and other sources to implement this partnership for Valley businesses and jurisdictions
Partnerships and Projects
County of Tulare and County of Kings, California
Valley Innovative Energy Watch (VIEW) Partnership. In April 2009, the SJVCEO signed a contract with Southern California Edison Company to serve as the lead implementing organization for a local government partnership program to provide energy efficiency services to jurisdictions in the counties of Kings and Tulare. This project will run through 2012. Southern California Gas Company joined this project by early 2010.
Visalia, California
Greenhouse Gas Emissions. In 2008, the SJVCEO collaborated in a team effort with the City of Visalia to develop a greenhouse gas emissions baseline for the City. SJVCEO worked with the City and supported its efforts to develop reduction targets and a climate action plan for reducing emissions. This concluded in early 2009. We will encourage the remaining 61 cities in the Valley to undertake similar efforts.
City Memorandum of Understanding. In late 2007, the SJVCEO and the City of Visalia developed and signed a memorandum of understanding to help support the City's efforts to increase levels of clean energy investments and to create a model city program. Members of the Visalia city council sent the California Partnership a letter formally supporting this partnership.
Arvin, California
Greening Arvin. In September 2008, Valley CAN approved a grant for $46,500 to the SJVCEO to help the city of Arvin develop and implement clean energy policies and projects. We implemented the REACON business model, in partnership with the Stockton Chamber of Commerce, to identify resource saving opportunities for local businesses. SJVCEO worked with different partners on this project including Pacific Gas and Electric Co., Southern California Gas, the Kern Council of Governments and Chevron. On September 9, 2009 the pilot project business, Bear Mountain Pizza, held a "Grand REopening" to celebrate their energy efficiency retrofits and solar PV installation.
Fresno, California
Southeast Growth Area (SEGA). SJVCEO provided technical advice and input to develop green energy features for the planned development of SEGA in areas just outside the current borders of Fresno. We also participated in a planning meeting held on June 10, 2008, at the Fresno Convention Center, to gain stakeholder input on types of assistance needed to create green efforts in this area.
Nationwide
National 25 by '25 Initiative. SJVCEO signed an agreement and initiated work under a memorandum of understanding with the national 25 by '25 Initiative to help the San Joaquin Valley be a demonstration region for the nation on the production, use, and promotion of renewable energy. The SJVCEO has actively participated in 25 x 25 Initiative activities and is helping the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia develop a regional energy organization patterned on the SJVCEO as a vehicle to carry out the 25 x 25 Initiative in Virginia
Education and Information Development
Federal Energy Bill HR 6709. On September 4, 2008, the SJVCEO Board met with Congressman Jim Costa to discuss HR 6709, a wide-ranging energy bill that he introduced. SJVCEO will serve as a resource for Congressman Costa, and has provided him with valuable data documenting the vast potential for renewables in the San Joaquin Valley. The Valley has the potential to generate all of its power in the future from renewable sources of energy and can help the State meet its renewables goal.
Grants and Incentives. SJVCEO offered written comments and support for the national energy block grant and tax credit legislation.
State Energy Efficiency. SJVCEO actively participated in efforts to redesign the California low-income energy efficiency program.
Biofuels. SJVCEO categorized the market for biofuels in the Valley and identified areas here it can assist in project development.
Developing a Green Collar Workforce. SJVCEO started the process of identifying existing green workforce development efforts and projects in the Valley. We have also identified specific opportunities to grow a green workforce in the region.
Conferences and Campaigns
Clean Energy Policy Conference, December 2007, Fresno, CA. SJVCEO co-sponsored and co-hosted the Clean Energy Policy Conference attended by approximately 300 people.
Be More Green San Joaquin, Valley Public Television Campaign. In September 2008, SJVCEO joined KVPT's "Be More Green San Joaquin" Campaign promoting the implementation of clean energy and greening efforts in the southern and central part of the San Joaquin Valley.
Clean Technology and Green Economy Forum, September 18, 2008, Fresno, CA. This forum defined needs and opportunities for growing a green economy in the region.
Farming Clean Energy Conference. The inaugural event in November 2008 explored the opportunities for developing projects and advocating regulatory changes and policies to significantly increase clean energy use in the agriculture sector. A second conference held on December 1, 2009 that focused on overcoming obstacles and challenges in bringing clean energy to the Valley's Ag industry.
For more information, please contact our office at info@sjvcleanenergy.org or (877) 748-0841.