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Bay Localize News #13: Building Community Resilience for All (Summer '09)

Building an Inclusive Movement for Local Resilience

Climate instability, peak oil, and economic recession affect us all.

And yet, low-income people and communities of color are suffering many of the worst impacts. In late July, the Economic Policy Institute published a report showing that the California unemployment rate reached 15.7% for Latinos and 15.3% for African Americans during the second quarter of 2009, far surpassing the already alarming statewide rate of 11.9%. Meanwhile, devastating cuts in education, health care, and transit services are only adding insult to injury.

With less assistance to weather these challenges, disenfranchised communities must be empowered to cultivate their own assets — building up local resources to provide for their own needs. Toward this end, a growing network of racial justice, environmental, and community resilience leaders are coming together to build a truly inclusive and equitable movement for regional self-reliance right here in the Bay Area.

This summer, in partnership with the Oakland Climate Action Coalition, our Local Clean Energy Alliance won a major victory in getting the Oakland City Council to vote UNANIMOUSLY in favor of groundbreaking greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets that are among the boldest in the nation! Now, we must ensure that Oakland adopts climate action policies that create good-paying green-collar jobs for local residents, slash pollution, and reduce our dependency on fossil fuels.

In collaboration with Movement Generation and People Organized to Win Employment Rights (POWER), we also built out a rooftop veggie garden in the heart of San Francisco. In mid-August, we led a joint workshop for POWER's members focused on the hard skills needed to grow food on urban rooftops. At this fall's Green Festival, we're hosting a major panel entitled "Resilience for All" showcasing the efforts of a broad cross-section of Bay Area organizers who are working across race and class on campaigns to prepare our communities for a post-carbon world.

And on September 16, we're hosting "Growing Resilience," a launch party for our long-awaited Community Resilience Toolkit, designed to help groups build ecological, economic, and social resilience in their communities while decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. Read on for other exciting updates on our Local Clean Energy Campaign, our new Green Faith in Action Project, and special features on creating local solar jobs for disadvantaged San Franciscans, and the growing movement to stop Chevron from polluting frontline communities in Richmond and beyond.

Yours for a just, vibrant, and resilient Bay Area,

—Aaron, Claudia, Dave, Graham, Jeff, Kirsten, Leah, Linda, and Nile



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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Bay Area 2020 Program:

Local Clean Energy:

Use Your Roof! Project:

Special Features:



Bay Area 2020: Building Local Resilience for All

We need to move fast to prepare our region for major change by 2020. Our Bay Area 2020 program builds regional capacity to address the challenges of peak oil, climate instability, and recession.

Bay Localize is deeply concerned these multiple crises are already impacting low-income people and communities of color first and worst. If we do not pro-actively build bridges across communities and establish channels for sharing resources and strategies — society's existing divides could grow and spiral out of control into a deepening conflict between the anxious "haves" and the desperate "have nots."

To help build a truly inclusive and equitable movement for regional self-reliance, we have begun convening leaders from across racial justice, localization, and Transition organizations. In July, we co-hosted a screening of the new film "Fresh" with the Oakland Resilience Alliance and Transition East Bay, attracting over 100 residents from diverse backgrounds, all of whom are committed to building a local food system that meets everyone's needs. And this fall we're hosting a major panel entitled "Resilience for All" highlighting cross-movement campaigns for local self-reliance at San Francisco's Green Festival. Continued dialogues, activities, and collaborations will continue to guide the development of our emerging Local Resilience Network.



"Growing Resilience" on Sep. 16 - Celebrate New Tools for Community Resilience!

Bay Localize invites you to Growing Resilience, our Community Resilience Toolkit launch party on Wednesday, September 16, from 6 to 8:30 pm at the Women's Building, 3543 18th St. (near 16th St. BART) in San Francisco. "It's really the launch of a community birthing process," notes toolkit developer Kirsten Schwind. "We're putting a tool for designing community resilience in the hands of all the talented Bay Area organizers out there. From now on it's a community effort to try it out and make it even better!"

The Toolkit is a guide for leading groups to think holistically about how to build ecological, economic, and social resilience in their communities while decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. It offers Bay Area-specific fact sheets, resources, and actions in six key sectors: food, water, energy, transportation, jobs, and civic services.

Join us for inspiring performances, open networking, dynamic speakers, and your chance to try out a few tantalizing bites of the Toolkit! Then chill with your fellow localizers to the tunes of DJ Christopher Maeda-Pease while enjoying local wine and organic ice cream garnished with luscious fruit and toppings. Sliding scale $0 to $20, no one turned away for lack of funds. We're looking forward to seeing you there! To hear more about the Toolkit and this event, tune into KPFA's Morning Show (94.1 FM or kpfa.org) on September 14th and watch for updates on our website!

Growing Resilience is cosponsored by our friends at Movement Generation and Transition US. Thanks to City Slicker Farms, Kaia Foods, Produce to the People, Rainbow Grocery, Straus Family Creamery, and the Women's Building for their generous contributions. Please RSVP today!


Localization News from Around the Bay

Bay Area innovation heats up to find new ways to conserve our local resources and strengthen our communities! Here are some regional highlights:

East Bay: Funding Grows for Grassroots Self-reliance

The City of Oakland is redefining the use of redevelopment funds for neighborhood self-reliance. Several innovative ways Oakland is pioneering redevelopment financing include: helping to install solar photovoltaic systems on Housing Authority buildings, considering investing $100,000 in a new community garden at 39th and Martin Luther King Jr. Way, and funding a rainwater catchment and greywater system at the East Oakland Boxing Club.

North Bay: Glimpsing a Clean Energy Future

Marin Clean Energy received twelve bids from energy services providers responding to its call for proposals to implement a Community Choice Energy program in Marin County, offering a greater portion of renewable energy than PG&E. "We got an extraordinarily strong response from the market," said Marin County Supervisor Charles McGlashan, who has championed the Marin Energy Authority effort. "In the midst of a rough economy, it is very encouraging that the market took this so seriously." The Authority will select an energy supplier and draft a contract by February 2010.

San Francisco: Bye Bye Dirty Power Plant

Mirant Corporation and the City of San Francisco reached an agreement to shut down a polluting gas-fired power plant in the Bayview Hunters-Point neighborhood by the end of next year, pending approval from state regulators. Community organizers such as Brightline Defense Project convinced the city that energy conservation and efficiency measures can make up any difference in demand. See below for a special guest feature from Brightline Defense's Executive Director Joshua Arce.

South Bay and Peninsula: Beyond Paper or Plastic

San Jose is considering becoming the largest US city to ban not only plastic bags but most paper bags as well. Paper bags made of at least 50 percent recycled material would be allowed, but for a per-bag fee of either 10 or 25 cents. The law would take effect no earlier than December 31, 2010.

Bay Area Region

  • More local produce in school lunches. Slow Food USA and Community Alliance with Family Farmers are organizing "Eat In" family pot lucks on September 7th (Labor Day) in over a dozen Bay Area cities. The effort is part of a national effort calling for federal investment in healthier school lunches, including more fresh, local produce. Find one near you.

  • Preparing for sea level rise. An alliance of regional and local agencies sponsored the Rising Tides Sea Level Contest to design solutions for the region to adapt to sea level rise. Entries ranged from futuristic and high tech levees to the ancient and simple wetland protection. Check out what the winning entries envisioned!




Local Clean Energy Alliance Wins Strong Climate Action Goals
Alliance Makes Waves at CPUC, Considers Shift to Regional Clean Energy Strategy

This summer, the Local Clean Energy Alliance has been partnering with the Oakland Climate Action Coalition to make sure that the city's Energy and Climate Action Plan is bold, equitable, and grounded in the latest science. Thanks to our combined efforts, we recently won our first major victory! On July 7, the Oakland City Council UNANIMOUSLY approved landmark targets for reducing the city's greenhouse gas emissions. With the recommendation of the Public Works Agency and encouragement by the Oakland Climate Action Coalition, the city set reduction targets of 36% below 2005 levels by 2020 and at least 83% by 2050. Coalition members turned out in force to advocate for the historic targets, which represent a giant first step toward making Oakland a model green city for the nation.

The Local Clean Energy Alliance continues to grow, now with 45 member organizations and counting. Our newest members are the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Green Retirement Plans, Inc., Green Contractor Guide, GreenEcoTek.com, and Town Green. The Ella Baker Center is a strategy and action center working for justice, opportunity and peace in urban America. Based in Oakland, California, EBC promotes positive alternatives to violence and incarceration through our four cutting-edge campaigns. Green Retirement Plans, Inc. offers expertise in sustainable 401(k)s, 403(b)s and IRAs. Green Contractor Guide is a web directory for green building products and services based on locations that businesses serve. Green Eco Tek offers ecologically friendly energy solutions including highly engineered fuel reformulators and environmentally sensitive energy alternatives that create both propulsion and electrical power. Town Green is a group of dedicated 'green urbanists' who offer a comprehensive approach to sustainable community planning, climate action plans, and urban design.

Local Clean Energy Alliance Meeting: Climate Bay Area!

Speaker: Bruce Riordan, Consultant to the Bay Area Joint Policy Committee

The next meeting of Local Clean Energy Alliance will feature a special presentation from Bruce Riordan of Elmwood Consulting. Bruce specializes in transportation and global warming and currently helps develop regional strategies with clients such as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Bay Area Rapid Transit, and Next Ten.

Bruce will discuss a new initiative from the Bay Area's Joint Policy Committee, Climate Bay Area (CBA), as well as regional approaches to funding sustainable climate action. Climate Bay Area will function as an information clearinghouse and multi-stakeholder group on regional policy. Also, the LCEA's newest member, Town Green, will discuss their work on the Hayward and Martinez Climate Action Plans.

WHEN: September 10, 6-8 pm

WHERE: Central Historic Building, 436 14th St.
2nd Floor Conference Room, Oakland
(Just up the stairs from the 12th St. BART station)

To be sure we have enough food, please RSVP to Jeff at jeff@baylocalize.org.

The LCEA has open meetings on the second Thursday of every month, featuring informative speakers on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and related efforts. For more information, or to join the Alliance, visit www.localcleanenergy.org.

TAKE OUR 2-MINUTE SURVEY!
» Let us know how you want to participate in the Local Clean Energy movement.

This summer has been a busy and exciting time for Bay Localize and Local Clean Energy Alliance members/allies as we continue to speak out for Community Choice energy, stimulus dollars for community needs, and science-based greenhouse gas limits. Now is the time to make this growing voice louder! Please take 2 minutes to complete this brief survey so that we may learn more about how you might be interested in plugging into our local advocacy work:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=IxQLQ0esIive_2bW_2bKA4um4Q_3d_3d

Of course, your personal information will not shared with anybody outside of Bay Localize and the Local Clean Energy Alliance. Your actions help make the Bay Area a cleaner, greener, and more resilient place!



Alliance Tells the CPUC to Take Off PG&E's "Green Goggles"

A California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) proceeding is underway that will decide how to spend billions of ratepayer-funded Energy Efficiency dollars. PG&E is angling to administer these funds as they have been for years. The Utility Reform Network (TURN) and others are advocating that the CPUC allow cities and other entities to administer their own programs. This money is already being collected as a Public Goods Charge on every monthly energy bill. Since it's our money, the Local Clean Energy Alliance came out to a recent CPUC hearing to urge that our money be spent wisely on Energy Efficiency programs that will benefit our communities.

The LCEA's Dave Room and Kirsten Schwind gave public comment in a hearing for the CPUC Energy Efficiency proceeding. Dave reminded CPUC officials that the Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz was only green because people were forced to wear green goggles, likening them to PG&E's greenwashing tactics. As he did so, the administrative law judge played along and got up to peek behind the curtain (see YouTube video).

PG&E is backing a statewide ballot measure that would make it almost impossible for cities and counties to start Community Choice Energy programs like the Marin Energy Authority (see Localization News Around the Bay for an update). Under PG&E's measure, local governments that want Community Choice would first need a two-thirds vote of approval from their residents if the plans required public financing. Opponents including the LCEA successfully petitioned California Attorney General Jerry Brown to change the measure's original title, the "Taxpayers Right to Vote Act." The new title is "New Two-Thirds Majority Requirement for Local Electricity Bonds Act."



Local Clean Energy Alliance Considers Shifting to Region-wide Focus

After nearly three years of clean energy advocacy in the East Bay, the Local Clean Energy Alliance has much to be proud of: we have grown to a diverse network of 45 green businesses, nonprofits, and community-based groups and have popularized a vision of strong climate action through bold renewable energy development right here in our region.

However, in recent years, the Bay Area has also turned into a divided patchwork of communities with strong climate action plans (usually with a strong activist base), alongside others that are suffering from new or expanding polluting power plants. According to California Energy Commission data, there are approximately sixty new dirty fossil fuel power plants proposed to be built in our state, each of which would significantly increase our state's greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants — which flies in the face of our state's commitment to slashing emissions under California's AB 32 law. There is a need for coordinated citizen pressure on regional officials and corporate interests to ensure that California does all it can to move aggressively toward a clean energy future instead of business as usual.

To help meet this need, we are considering refocusing the Alliance to help support an informed, independent grassroots movement for regional climate action planning while creating local green jobs, business opportunities, and pathways out of poverty for residents of low-income communities. Such a movement is essential to pressure regional and municipal officials to increase local investment in energy efficiency, workforce development, and renewable energy, as well as to give them the political backup they need to allocate scarce funds to these vital priorities.

Energy Efficiency and Solar Financing Districts Moving Forward

In other news, the LCEA, BKi, and StopWaste.org have been advocating for a regional, comprehensive energy efficiency retrofit and solar program centered on Berkeley FIRST-style financing districts. In May and June, we lobbied officials in Oakland, Berkeley, and Hayward to allocate a small portion of their stimulus funds toward StopWaste.org's Green Packages program. All of the cities in Alameda County joined the program, either using stimulus funds or other funds. Alameda County is working on a financing program that will ultimately include community outreach and workforce development. They are looking for $25 million to retrofit 1,000 homes a year starting in 2010.

At the same time, the Association of Bay Area Governments is partnering with PG&E on a financing program that would cover the nine-county Bay Area. Many of these efforts hinge on the passage of SB 279 (Hancock), a bill that supports Community Financing districts that's making its way through the legislature now.
For more info on this bill and other state legislation backed by the Alliance, take a look at our state policy positions page.

TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT CLEAN ENERGY FINANCING!
» Urge Gov. Schwarzenegger to support SB 279 — send a letter today!

Green Faith in Action Project Makes Strides in Marin, Richmond

Over the summer, Bay Localize launched a new project, Green Faith In Action, a collaboration with several faith communities in Richmond and Marin in an effort to help make their congregants' homes more energy efficient. We are partnering with California Youth Energy Services (CYES), a program of the Rising Sun Energy Center, and Richmond BUILD's green jobs training program to perform the work.

Thus far, CYES youth have made "green house calls" to all of the congregants' homes enrolled to receive free energy efficiency upgrades. During these calls, both renters and homeowners are offered an overall energy assessment report, tips on reducing household energy and water use, as well as free products like a retractable clothes line, compact fluorescent bulbs, low-flow shower heads, faucet aerators, and more. CYES operates in the summer, employing youth ages 15-22 in twelve cities in the Bay Area and services are available to anyone, regardless of income.

Next steps in the project include monitoring participant energy use both before and after the energy upgrades were performed. In Richmond we'll be working with graduates from the Richmond Build's GETS program, who have had training in construction and whole home performance testing and higher-end energy efficiency upgrades to perform more advanced upgrades to 10-15 of the Richmond congregant homes. Thanks goes to the Frank Levinson Fund at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation for sponsoring the Green Faith in Action program.


Use Your Roof Project Boosts Food Security in San Francisco
Partners with POWER and Movement Generation on Rooftop Garden Workshop

This summer, Bay Localize was honored to partner with People Organized to Win Employment Rights (POWER) and Movement Generation on a rooftop veggie garden build-out and workshop in San Francisco!

Located atop POWER's offices in the Mission District, the rooftop garden is designed to showcase the potential of urban agriculture, while equipping POWER's members with the skills they'll need to grow their own food. The organization works to build power from the bottom-up, particularly in low-income communities of color, as a way to ensure that public policy and public institutions serve the interests of everyone. The rooftop garden will serve not only as a source of fresh, locally grown food, but also as a learning space for youth and adults.

On August 17th, Bay Localize's former rooftop project leader Ingrid Severson teamed up with Get Dirty Gardening's Christopher Maeda-Pease to instruct participants on how to assess the feasibility of their buildings for rooftop gardens, ensure balanced soil nutrition, and employ proper techniques in planting, irrigating, and maintaining a healthy garden. A diverse crowd of youth and adults took part, and succeeded in building out three raised beds graced with a mix of vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

Special kudos to Christopher and Ingrid for their herculian efforts in making this project a reality, and to the staff of POWER and Movement Generation for their generous contributions (physical, monetary, and more). Thanks also to Veritable Vegetable for providing fresh strawberries and carrots for everyone to enjoy, and to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and the Wallace Global Fund for their generous support!



Bay Localize Co-founder Seated on Oakland Food Policy Council

Bay Localize Co-founder and Network Development Director Aaron Lehmer was just welcomed as one of 21 new members to the Oakland Food Policy Council (OFPC). The Council's mission is to establish an equitable and sustainable food system in Oakland. It plans to:

  • Strive to ensure access to healthy, affordable food within walking distance of every Oakland resident;
  • Bring underserved neighborhoods to the food policy table and increase "food literacy" among Oakland residents;
  • Put food, hunger, and food systems on the City of Oakland's agenda and contribute to the national dialog on food policy; and
  • Turn the Oakland food system into an engine for local economic development and involve local and regional agricultural communities.

Aaron brings 14 years of nonprofit public interest experience to the vital work of the OFPC. "We can reduce food-insecurity and enhance nutrition in underserved communities by instituting policies that make it easier to start urban gardens, ensure people's access to arable land, and develop programs to sell fresh, locally grown food at retail outlets in low-income neighborhoods," he said.

The first meeting of the Oakland Food Policy Council will be held on Wednesday, September 30. For more information on the members, goals, and activities of the OFPC, please visit www.oaklandfood.org.



Now Available at Select Bookstores: Use Your Roof Guidebook!

Rooftop revolutionaries rejoice! Check out Bay Localize's long-awaited new publication, Use Your Roof Guidebook: Resources and Considerations for Rainwater Catchment, Living Roofs and Solar Power. The booklet draws from the groundbreaking research of Tapping the Potential of Urban Rooftops, as well as other research findings from the field, and offers guidelines for selecting an appropriate rooftop system and embarking on the design and implementation process.

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

Use Your Roof is now available at select bookstores around the San Francisco Bay Area — help us keep the sales going! Purchase your own copy for as little as $7.00! It's vital that we continue demonstrating the rising interest and help the local economy and the movement grow — so let people in your network know or buy a few copies for friends and family! Our current and growing list of stores includes:

East Bay

  • Bookshop Benicia, 856 Southampton Road, Benicia, CA 94510
  • Berkeley Horticultural Nursery, 1310 McGee Ave., Berkeley, CA 94703
  • Berkeley Indoor Garden Hydro, 844 University Ave., Berkeley, CA 94710
  • Builders Book Source, 1817 4th St., Berkeley, CA 94710
  • Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Berkeley, CA 94702
  • Mrs. Dalloway's, 2904 College Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705

San Francisco

  • Dog Eared Books, 900 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110
  • Flora Grubb Gardens, 1634 Jerold Ave., San Francisco, CA 94124
  • Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110
  • Needles and Pens, 3253 16th St. (bet. Guerrero and Dolores), San Francisco, CA 94103

Independent Online Reseller





Chevron Should "Sign the Dotted Line"
A Solution for Environmental Health, Climate Justice and Jobs in Richmond

by Nile Malloy, Program Director, Communities for a Better Environment

A couple of months ago, Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN), Communities for a Better Environment (CBE) and West County Toxics Coalition (WCTC) won a major climate justice victory against Chevron on their Richmond Refinery Expansion Project. The landmark victory signaled a strong message to oil companies to protect our community's health, reduce air pollution, curb greenhouse gas emissions and invest in cleaner solutions.

Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Zuniga ordered that the expansion project be put on hold until a new, valid Environmental Impacts Report (EIR) is prepared and approved. First, it was unclear whether the project would allow Chevron to process heavier crude. Second, the City of Richmond improperly decided to wait a year after Chevron started construction to create a plan to mitigate significant impacts from the project, or analyze whether those impacts could be mitigated. The project would emit upwards of roughly a million tons of CO2 gas emissions each year. Third, the expansion project failed to disclose that it included a major, additional component: a pipeline that would travel from the new hydrogen plant at Chevron to ConocoPhillips and Shell oil refineries. The court decided that the city has to redo its EIR to disclose the impacts of the project to address the issues above, and only then reissue the permits.

Chevron is the largest corporation in California, globally made nearly $24 billion in corporate profits and owes more to Richmond residents (see SFGate.com article). While knowing that the EIR was being challenged in court, they still utilized their power and rushed ahead with the project. After the court decision, Chevron launched a massive PR campaign in conjunction with layoffs in an attempt to drive a wedge between the community interests of jobs and public health. Chevron's attempt to pit jobs against health presents a false choice. We need and can have both.

Chevron should guarantee the community that the project will not refine dirtier oil that will result in more pollution and climate injustice so that the project can move forward and the workers can get back to work. Chevron could immediately "sign the dotted line" today and make its promise public that it will not refine lower-quality oil to ensure the long-term health of the community.

Chevron can retool the refinery today to replace dangerous and aging equipment which is good for the environment, public health and will create good jobs. If these clean and safe measures happen, the community will still need to have guarantees that heavier, dirtier crude will not lead to worse air pollution.

APEN, CBE and WCTC have maintained a detailed proposal to Chevron and the city before and after we filed the lawsuit and we are still open to finding a resolution. We are asking Chevron to protect Richmond's health to (1) agree not to refine heavier, dirtier crude oil that will cause more health impacts; (2) commit to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions; (3) and drop their appeal against the City of Richmond on Measure T, a voter-approved measure for Richmond manufacturers to be charged a quarter-percent of the value of the raw materials they use each year. It would bring an estimated amount of $16 million dollars each year to the City of Richmond. The ball is back in Chevron's court to respond to the ongoing community concerns and to make a public commitment to not process dirtier oil.

What You Can Do:

  1. Write a Letter to the Editor: Send 1-2 short paragraphs conveying your view on this to the Contra Costa Times and/or online discussions (see above content or visit www.cbecal.org for more information)
  2. Support the Facebook Cause: Building a Healthy and Green Community in Richmond
  3. Come to the West Coast Climate Justice Convergence on Sep. 18-20

For more information or to get involved, contact Nile Malloy.



Mobilization for Climate Justice Takes Action in Richmond

On August 15th, nearly 500 community advocates from around the Bay Area including environmental justice, health care, climate justice, green jobs, clean energy advocates and community residents in the Mobilization for Climate Justice. The event targeted Chevron, one of the largest polluters in the Bay Area and a major corporate player in state, national and international climate lobbying.

Bay Localize participated in the celebratory, colorful and peaceful march from Richmond BART station to the gates of the Chevron refinery. There were local artists, talented acts and a creative artistic "die-in" on Chevron property where 14 people were arrested. This event highlighted the ongoing community struggle around protecting community's health and Chevron's environmental impact on communities around the world.



The Fire in the Belly
Stopping Pollution, Creating Solar Jobs for Those Who Need Them Most

"The Fire in the Belly" is a regular feature in our newsletter on what personally motivates people to work on localization. This issue's feature is written by Joshua Arce, Executive Director of the San Francisco-based organization Brightline Defense Project.

These essays are personal statements exploring the diverse viewpoints that lead to localization as an organizing framework, and as such do not necessarily reflect the positions of Bay Localize.

I started Brightline in 2005 to address quality of life issues in low-income communities of color. My life changed when I met Espanola Jackson, the Godmother of San Francisco's Bayview-Hunters Point community, in early 2007. Seventy-six years old and a Bayview resident since 1948, Ms. Jackson has her finger on the pulse of all issues both in the community and at City Hall. It was in May 2007 that she told me, "Baby, you gotta help me stop the peakers."

"The Peakers" were a collection of $270 million worth of new power plants that were a single vote from construction in and around Bayview-Hunters Point as a replacement for San Francisco's aging Potrero Power Plant. Since 2004, most San Francisco lawmakers had given in to state regulators who were insistent that if the city ever wanted to shut its dirty Potrero Plant, it would have to build smaller dirty power plants in the Bayview to replace it. By the summer of 2007 most organizations had given up the ghost as well, except for the Sierra Club, Our City, Greenaction, and of course, Ms. Jackson.

I could fill a volume with the tale of our two-year battle to close the Potrero Plant without San Francisco becoming the shame of the nation. And it almost did by nearly building new fossil fuel-burning power plants in our city's most vulnerable communities, power plants that were designed to be "peakers" running only a few hours per year, and yet were actually projected to run thousands of hours per year.

Against all odds, an unlikely coalition of Supervisors led by Ross Mirkarimi, Michela Alioto-Pier, and Chris Daly came together to educate the city about how to fight state regulators and meet electricity "peaks" with efficiency, renewables, and a more robust energy grid. An inspiring coalition of organizations also joined forces, ranging from Environmental Defense to respected think-tank San Francisco Planning and Urban Research, and from the Ella Baker Center to the Green Party. Together, we convinced Mayor Gavin Newsom to take those same state regulators head-on. The result: the Potrero Plant is now on target to shut down by the end of next year without new power plants to replace it.

Ms. Jackson and I have already started our next campaign: green jobs in everything from solar installation and energy efficiency to road repair designed to decrease vehicle emissions, all for the men and women who have suffered the hazards of San Francisco power plant pollution for generations. There is an excitement in Southeast San Francisco to build a local green economy from within, to create employment opportunities in job-hungry communities as we develop a clean energy infrastructure. In fact, in May of this year, Brightline worked with Green for All, the Southeast Jobs Coalition, the Greenlining Institute and others to secure a commitment from the city and solar company Recurrent Energy to employ no less than 30% qualified economically disadvantaged residents on the 5-megawatt Sunset Reservoir municipal solar project.

Ms. Jackson and I joke that if we had not met we might be watching San Francisco put up smokestacks right now.

Find out more about the work of Brightline Defense Project by visiting www.brightlinedefense.org.

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Events Roundup: Upcoming Festivals, Gatherings, and Conferences

  • Climate Change Action Groups
    September 7, 16, 23 and 30, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
    Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley
    Take action on climate change! During four weekly sessions, participants work in a team to calculate their personal carbon footprints, create measurable action plans to reduce their footprints, and make substantive changes in their workplaces, neighborhoods, congregations, school districts, and other communities to which they belong. Contact Debra today at debra@ecologycenter.org.

  • Local Clean Energy Alliance Meeting: Climate Bay Area!
    September 10, 6-8 pm
    Central Historic Building, 436 14th St., 2nd Floor, Oakland
    Join us for a special presentation from Climate All Star, Bruce Riordan of Elmwood Consulting. Bruce specializes in transportation and global warming and currently helps develop regional strategies with clients such as MTC, BAAQMD, BART, and Next Ten. Bruce will discuss a new inititiave from the Bay Area's Joint Policy Committee, Climate Bay Area, as well as regional approaches to funding sustainable climate action. To be sure we have enough food, please RSVP to Jeff at jeff@baylocalize.org.

  • Power to the Peaceful Festival
    September 12, All Day
    Speedway Meadow, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
    The festival brings people together through music and art, highlighting the similarities and celebrating the diversity of all of the world's inhabitants through cultural co-existence, non-violence, and environmental sustainability. Features Michael Franti and a wide range of musicians, artists, and advocates for a peaceful, more sustainable world.

  • Introduction to Rooftop Gardening Workshop
    Saturday, September 12, 11:00 am - 1 pm
    Glide Foundation, 330 Ellis St @ Taylor St., San Francisco
    Cost: $10 donation (no one turned away for lack of funds)
    In this workshop we will showcase inspiring roof gardens from around the world, discuss the many benefits, introduce various types and technologies and demonstrate how to build your own self-watering container so you can be a part of the roofscape transformation here in the Bay Area. Must RSVP in advance to GrazeTheRoof@gmail.com.

  • Growing Resilience - Community Resilience Toolkit Launch Party!
    Wednesday, September 16, 6:00 - 8:30 pm
    Women's Building, 3543 18th Street, San Francisco
    Join us for "Growing Resilience," a launch event for our long-awaited Community Resilience Toolkit! Come hear dynamic speakers, see live performances, dance to our DJ's eclectic selections, take part in interactive Toolkit sessions, and enjoy tantalizing local food and drink. RSVP today at rsvp@baylocalize.org.

  • West Coast Convergence for Climate Justice
    September 18-21
    Richmond, CA
    The West Coast Convergence is a three-day training and movement-building convergence followed by a mass action. Join us to learn about climate change and climate politics, support local communities in their ongoing fights for climate justice, and build a stronger Climate Justice movement on the West Coast.

  • Big Blue Bucket Eco-Fair
    Saturday, September 26, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Jerrold Avenue @ Phelps Street, San Francisco
    The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is hosting its second Big Blue Bucket Eco Fair, designed to showcase environmental programs and services offered by the SFPUC to the public, like rainwater harvesting, water conservation, SFGreasecycle, GoSolarSF, composting and more.

  • Festival of the Grassroots Economy
    Saturday, September 26, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Humanist Hall, 390 27th Street, Oakland
    For the first time the emerging grassroots economy is coming together to celebrate its strength and diversity. Along with the booths and exhibits, there will be four panels presented during the day on the basics of worker co-ops and how they contribute to a sustainable and just society. Sponsored by the Network of Bay Area Worker Cooperatives.

  • Bioneers
    October 16-18, Times Vary
    Marin Center, San Rafael
    The Bioneers Conference is an acclaimed leading-edge forum where you can see tomorrow today: a future environment of hope. Social and scientific innovators focus on breakthrough solutions inspired by nature and human ingenuity.

  • Global Day of Climate Action
    October 24, Times Vary
    Global Actions
    Bill McKibben, Vandana Shiva, David Suzuki and everyone else at 350.org invite you to participate in an international day of climate action on October 24, 2009. People in more than 1000 communities around the globe have already announced plans — they'll be school children planting 350 trees in Bangladesh, scientists hanging banners saying 350 on the statues on Easter Island, 350 scuba divers diving underwater at the Great Barrier Reef, and a thousand more creative actions like these. Find an action or start one in your part of the world!

  • Solar Richmond's Celebrate 5
    November 12, 6 pm Reception & Silent Auction, 7 - 9pm Dinner & Program
    Craneway Pavilion, 1414 Harbour Way South, Richmond
    Join Solar Richmond in celebrating their accomplishments and learn about the future of solar and green jobs for communities like Richmond and others across the US. Enjoy local foods, bid on auction items and enjoy live entertainment!

  • Green Festival
    November 13-15, Times Vary
    Concourse Exhibition Center, 635 8th St. (at Brannan), San Francisco
    Green Festival, a joint project of Global Exchange and Green America, celebrates what's working in our communities — for people, business, and the environment. Join us at the nation's premier sustainability event in San Francisco for 3 days filled with the best in green!

    • SPECIAL EVENT: Resilience for All
      Saturday, November 14, 1 pm
      Mezzanine, Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco
      This panel will showcase the work of Bay Area organizers who are working across race and class to forge collaborative campaigns that are preparing our communities for a post-carbon world — a world where everyone's vital needs are met through local clean energy, healthy organic foods, accessible transit, and quality green jobs.

Look for announcements of other upcoming gatherings on our website.



Support Bay Localize Today!

Volunteer with Bay Localize!

Are you interested in donating your time to your community and the environment in a meaningful way? Bay Localize needs steady, dedicated volunteers to help with office work and other projects. Come join us in our lively, friendly office in downtown Oakland right next to BART, to make the world a better place for future generations. We welcome seniors! Afternoon hours preferred. Please send your letter of interest and resume to kirsten@baylocalize.org with "Volunteer Application" in the subject line, or call us at (510) 318-0610.

Have a Computer to Donate?

Reuse is even better than recycling, and we can offer your old computer a good home! Pentium 4 processors and newer, receipts for tax write-offs available. Contact kirsten@baylocalize.org or call (510) 318-0160. We are interested in laser printers, LCD monitors, fax machines, and photocopiers as well. Thank you for your generosity!

Invest in Bay Localize!

We would be honored to count you among our growing range of supporters. Your contribution will help us to forward localization projects and initiatives in the Bay Area. Each donor of $35 or more receives a one-year subscription to the award-winning quarterly publication, the Earth Island Journal.

To make a tax-deductible contribution, please click on the online donation link below, or write a check or money order made payable to Earth Island Institute (our fiscal sponsor) with "Bay Localize" in the memo and mail it to:

   Bay Localize
   436 14th Street, Suite 1127
   Oakland, CA 94612

Donate online!
https://www.earthislandprojects.org/bayLocalize/donate.html
Thanks for your support!

About Bay Localize News
Bay Localize News features regular news and updates from Bay Localize, a growing network of nonprofits, businesses, and municipal leaders working to build a more self-reliant, sustainable, and socially just Bay Area.

EDITORS: Aaron Lehmer, Dave Room

CONTRIBUTORS: Aaron Lehmer, David Room, Joshua Arce, Kirsten Schwind, Linda Currie, and Nile Malloy

For more about Bay Localize, please visit our website at http://www.baylocalize.org.


Contact Us:


   Bay Localize
   436 14th Street, Suite 1127
   Oakland, CA 94612 USA
   (510) 834-0420
   Web: http://www.baylocalize.org
   Bay Localize is a project of Earth Island Institute.
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