Monday, December 01, 2008

Great Valley Center event points out lack of action in area to reduce emissions

By GARTH STAPLEY
gstapley@modbee.com

last updated: May 08, 2008 07:57:22 AM

SACRAMENTO -- California is more aggressive on addressing climate change than other states, but attitudes in much of its Central Valley seem a world apart.

And leaders throughout Stanislaus and Merced counties appear to be dragging their feet more than others in the already regressive valley, presenters said Wednesday at the 11th annual Great Valley Center conference.

"It's been very slow in the valley," said Rollie Smith, chairman of the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization. Only five cities have signed its manifesto promising to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with but one -- Stockton -- in the north valley.

The two-day event continuing today, subtitled "Green Momentum," should help kick-start valley acceptance of green principles, including solar and wind energy and planning compact, walkable communities, several experts said.

The good news -- aside from pioneering strides by California as a whole -- is the valley's resources that could lend to a green explosion, Smith said. They include abundant wind and sunshine and a formidable agricultural engine that could drive biofuel production, he said.

Carol Whiteside, a former Modesto mayor and president emeritus of the Great Valley Center she founded 11 years ago, said the nonprofit's brain trust chose the Green Momentum slogan "with a lot of careful thinking. We knew a lot of people in the valley would say, 'That's a bunch of funky stuff; I'm not going anywhere near there.' We also knew there would be people who would say, 'Yes, this is right on; I want to be a part of it.' "

Local government leaders around the Northern San Joaquin Valley haven't embraced the state's emissions-reducing strategy making national headlines. Presenters gave glowing reports of ground-breaking efforts in Bay Area locales, but lists of best practices showed no contributions from the valley.

Visalia recently broke out by hiring a full-time sustainability officer to examine energy savings potential in each city department. Former Modesto Councilman Tim Fisher said Modesto ought to do the same, but surely won't because the sagging economy has forced leaders to slice millions of dollars in services.

"One of our tasks is to get leaders of cities to do something. Right now, not many are doing anything," said Fisher, the Modesto-based Great Valley Center's green energy coordinator with projects in Chico and Sacramento.

Desire for area government action

Visalia and Stockton are joined by Fresno, Tulare and Lemoore in public commitments to reduce emissions, said Paul Johnson, interim executive director of the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization.

"Some (agencies) like to watch others out of the gate and build on their experiences," said Ken Loman of the California Institute for Local Government.

A Yale University study revealed that 74 percent of Americans "want to see more action by their local governments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions," he said.

Loman outlined a four-step strategy that could culminate with public recognition from his group: commit, assess current emissions and practices, create a reduction plan and measure progress.

Joshua Channell, an environmental planner with the CirclePoint consulting firm, said it's critical that regular people engage in any such process.

Fisher said valley builders have shown more interest than cities and counties in green development standards on new construction. Knowing that state law eventually will require all government levels to address climate change, building industry leaders in Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties are exploring uniform requirements.

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