Green Scene

PARTY FOR OUR PLANET: 2ND ANNUAL EAST COUNTY EARTH DAY MAY 1 ON MT. HELIX

 

April 15, 2011 (Mt. Helix) -- Don't want to fight the crowds at Earth Day in Balboa Park? Now there's a local alternative.  Earth Day is coming to East San Diego County on Sunday, May 1 from 11 am – 3 pm.

 

This free family-fun event will be held in the Mt. Helix Amphitheater, 4901 Mt. Helix Drive in La Mesa. Co-sponsored by the Jarrett Meeker Foundation and Mt. Helix Park in partnership with the La Mesa- Spring Valley School District, East County Earth Day will feature vendors whose missions are environmentally friendly along with live music and a variety of speakers.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BUTTERFLY DENIED ENDANDGERED SPECIES PROTECTION

Obama administration withholds protection after declaring more help is needed

April 13, 2011 (San Diego).— Responding to a petition and lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity,(CBD) the Obama administration today denied Endangered Species Act protection to one of Southern California’s rarest butterflies, the Hermes copper butterfly. The butterfly was instead placed on the growing list of “candidate” species -- even though the CBD warns that the yellow-orange, spotted butterfly is threatened with extinction extinction.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR SDSU: THE NEW AZTEC CENTER

 

By Breanna Feathers

 

April 12, 2011 (San Diego)--While the Spring semester comes closer to an end and daunting final exams creep up on students at SDSU, an exciting project is underway to build a new, sustainable Aztec Center.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

CUYAMACA COLLEGE SPRING GARDEN FESTIVAL OFFERS POTPOURRI OF FREE ACTIVITIES

 

Event showcases ornamental horticulture nursery and water conservation garden

 

April 6, 2011 (Rancho San Diego)--A garden party of sorts is on tap Saturday, April 9, at Cuyamaca College, but don’t expect cucumber sandwiches, tea, and the soothing strains of Pachelbel’s Canon in D at this event. Instead, an international food court, a “bug zone,” and petting zoo for kids, a plant sale, horticulture demonstrations, arts and crafts vendors and exhibitors, and much more is in store at the 18th Spring Garden Festival, set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

HELIX WATER UNVEILS NEW CLEAN ENERGY SOURCE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY

 

District Partners with Borrego Solar and CCSE to deploy 290 Kw solar system at  Nat L. Eggert Operations Center

 

April 4, 2011 (El Cajon)--Helix Water District has activated a 290 kilowatt (KW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the Nat L. Eggert Operations Center (OC) in El Cajon. The zero-emission system was deployed through a partnership with Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. and the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE).

 

To celebrate, the District hosted a ribbon-cutting event for the new system on March 30th.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FREE TRAINING IN GREEN BUILDING AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PRACTICES

March 29, 2011 (Rancho San Diego) – Cuyamaca College will again provide free classes and hands-on work experience in green building and sustainable energy to eligible students through a training program funded by San Diego Workforce Partnership. The $1.6 million in funding comes from federal stimulus money along with grants from the State Energy Program, Workforce Investment Act, State Energy Sector Partnership and others.

Robert Garber, interim president of Cuyamaca College, said the green building program is part of the college’s commitment to train workers for the expanding green economy.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SPRING GARDEN FESTIVAL BLOSSOMS APRIL 9 AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE

 

 

March 26, 2011 (Rancho San Diego) – Celebrate spring on Saturday, April 9 at the Spring Garden Festival, one of East County’s biggest annual events.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SDG&E SIGNS SOLAR CONTRACT WITH TENASKA

 

New solar factory in San Diego to create 450 local jobs and additional 1,000 indirect jobs

March 23, 2011 (San Diego) San Diego Gas & Electric has announced a 25-year contract for up to 150 megawatts of solar energy to be generated at the Imperial Solar Energy Center West’s proposed 1,057-acre solar energy facility near El Centro. 

In addition, Soitec announced its intention to build a new solar panel manufacturing factory in the San Diego region, creating 450 local jobs and more than 1,000 additional indirect jobs.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

NEW SOLAR PANELS POWER UP HELIX WATER’S OPERATIONS CENTER

 

March 17, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – A solar project installed at the Operations Center for Helix Water District has been fully certified by SDG&E and begins producing energy starting today, with an official ribbon cutting ceremony planned for March 30th.

 

"This solar project is a great benefit for Helix using clean, renewable natural resources,” said Kathleen Coates-Hedberg, director on the Helix Water District Board.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SEMPRA GENERATION PLANT NAMED “SOLAR PROJECT OF THE YEAR” BY RENEWABLE ENERGY WORLD

March 9, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego-based Sempra Generation’s Copper Mountain Solar project, currently the largest photovoltaic solar plant in the U.S., has been awarded “Solar Project of the Year” by Renewable Energy World as part of the 2011 Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

POWERLINK TRIAL STARTS IN SAN DIEGO: OPPONENTS PLAN MARCH FROM SDG&E HEADQUARTERS TO COURTHOUSE MARCH 7

 

 

March 3, 2011 (San Diego) – “Not a done deal. We are in court,” reads a flyer published by opponents of the Sunrise Powerlink project urging the public to join a march to the federal courthouse downtown, where the first federal lawsuit against the high-voltage line will be heard on March 7th.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SANTREE FEST: EARLY EARTH DAY CELEBRATION MARCH 5

 

March 3, 2011 (Santee) -- Grab your gardening gloves and head on out to the SanTree Fest, a fun family event in Santee.  Guests can volunteer to help plant  over 50  trees or assist with river cleanup, enjoy live musical entertainment, sample healthy foods, enjoy kid crafts, and visit interactive environmental booths.

 

On our visit last year, some booths were also giving away plants, flowers, and even a potted pine tree. Kids and grown-ups had fun getting dirty--while helping to beautify the community.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

MARCH PLANT MADNESS KEEPS GARDENERS SANE, SAYS WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN

 

Plant sale March 5

 

February 25, 2011 (Rancho San Diego)–The Water Conservation Garden helps gardeners ease into spring planting season each Saturday in March by offering expert presentations and specialized plant sales.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

CLEANTECH SAN DIEGO LAUNCHES MENTORING PROGRAM WITH THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

February 16, 2011 (San Diego) -- In an effort led by the Small Business Administration and Department of Energy, CleanTECH San Diego has been selected as an accelerating organization of the Entrepreneurial Mentor Corps (EMC), a collaborative among the Clean Energy Trust of Chicago, Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization of Incline Village, Nevada, and the Clean Tech Open of San Francisco.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LOOKING FOR YOUTH TO SERVE ON THE LA MESA ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION

February 11, 2011 (La Mesa) -- The City is currently looking for a youth representative to serve on the Environmental Sustainability Commission. Applicants must live within the city limits of La Mesa and may not be more than 21 years of age. Applications may be obtained by accessing the City of La Mesa website, www.cityoflamesa.com or from the City Clerk’s office in La Mesa City Hall, 8130 Allison Avenue, during normal business hours.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

MAYOR KICKS OFF GROUND-BREAKING CLEAN ENERGY "SMART CITY SAN DIEGO" COLLABORATION


Smart City San Diego kicks off at UC San Diego, unveiling one of most comprehensive electric vehicle infrastructure plans in U.S. ;Mayor Sanders says San Diego can become foremost resource-conscious region in America

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

MANY SHADES OF GREEN: SAN DIEGO'S GREEN JOBS KEEP ON GROWING

 

By: Jeremy Los

 

January 30, 2011 (San Diego) – The green economy is booming in San Diego County and California as a whole. In a new study titled Many Shades of Green: Diversity and Distribution of California’s Green Jobs, Next10.org finds that California’s green economy has boasted persistent growth and now encompasses over 174,000 jobs in the state. 

 

Between January 2008 and January 2009, the growth rate was highest in San Diego and the Bay Area; San Diego’s green jobs rate grew 7 percent while the Bay Area saw an 8 percent growth.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FOR THE BIRDS: SCOUTS BUILD NESTING BOXES FOR LAKESIDE RIVER PARK

 

By Betty McMillen

January 26, 2011 (Lakeside)--Recently the Cub Scout pack #3 from Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Catholic School donated 20 bird nesting boxes to the Lakeside River Park Conservancy. The boys had built the boxes at their meetings with the help of their dads. While they were building , the scouts also learned about conservancy and animal habitat.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN CLASSES & EVENTS ANNOUNCED

 

Options include a Valentine’s Day cooking class and tips on everything from growing vegetables to replacing water-thirsty lawns

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SAN DIEGO RIVER DAYS FILLED WITH EVENTS FOR EVERYONE

 

January 19, 2011 (San Diego) -- San Diego River Park Foundation announces a series of events to raise funds for establishing trails, parks, gardens and visitor centers along the 52-mile-long San DIego River.  The events include San Diego Days, San Diego RiverFest, and a Healthy River Run.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

3 LOCAL GROUPS FILE SUIT TO BLOCK SUNRISE POWERLINK ON FEDERAL LANDS

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 15, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Three local organizations and an East County land use issues expert have filed a lawsuit against five federal agencies. The suit alleges that the agencies approved SDG&E’s planned Sunrise Powerlink transition line in violation of environmental regulations—in some cases, making decisions based on the original route through the Anza Borrego Desert, instead of the revised southern route through numerous East County communities.

 

The suit makes other contentions, notably that key decision makers ignored fire danger and failed to consider the collective impact on public lands in East County, where several wind farms are planned as well as Powerlink in some wilderness areas.  In addition, plaintiffs claim that some decisions were made before completion of studies on endangered species and that once completed, those studies found the project could threaten endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep, golden eagles, and other species.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER BOARD ASSUMES OPERATIONS OF WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN

 

 

January 12, 2011 (Rancho San Diego) -- Friends of the Water Conservation Garden, a new organization of community volunteers, is now governing and operating the Water Conservation Garden.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

6 BIG DESERT SOLAR PROJECTS GET UNWELCOME HOLIDAY SURPISE: NATIVE AMERICAN GROUP FILES SUIT AGAINST BLM FOR FAILURE TO CONSENT

December 28, 2010 (Blythe, CA)-- La Cuna de Aztlan Sacred Sites Protection Circle, a Native American cultural protection group, filed a lawsuit yesterday in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, challenging the Bureau of Land Management permitting processes regarding six large solar facilities planned for the Mohave, Sonoran and Colorado deserts of Southern California (Case No.10CV2664 WQH WVG), including an Imperial Valley Solar project slated to hook up to SDG&E’s Sunrise Powerlink.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SAN DIEGO IS NOW FASTEST GROWING REGION FOR CLEAN JOBS


 

“San Diego is steadily establishing itself as a leader in the emerging clean technology industry. With our entrepreneurial business culture, an educated workforce and plenty of skilled labor, our region is ideal for supporting this vibrant new sector.”--Mayor Jerry Sanders

 

December 22, 2010 (San Diegio) --San Diego County stands out as an established leader in California in transforming the business environment to leverage the growing clean, green-tech economy, according to research released last week by The San Diego Foundation. 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

A DAY WITHOUT A BAG GOES COUNTYWIDE


More than 25,000 reusable shopping bags to be given away Dec. 16

 

December 16, 2010 (San Diego)--To promote “green’” shopping for the holidays and beyond, San Diego County has declared Thursday, Dec. 16, “A Day Without a Bag,” with shoppers encouraged to forgo single-use bags, and retailers and volunteers planning to give away more than 25,000 reusable shopping bags at locations throughout the region.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

PADRE DAM'S SANTEE LAKES WINS AWARD FOR SOLAR PROJECT

 

December 8, 2010 (Santee) – At the Association of California Water Agencies conference in Indian Wells on December 2, Padre Dam’s Santee Lakes received the Theodore Roosevelt Award, ACWA’s honor for innovative resource management.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

2010 “GREEN” RANKINGS ISSUED FOR 10 LARGEST PUBLICLY TRADED U.S. HOMEBUILDERS


Major new “Green Homebuilder” Survey ; Impact of Recession Gauged in Terms of Progress (and Lack of Progress) Among Major U.S. Homebuilders.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

HOLIDAY IN THE GARDEN LIGHTS UP NIGHT AT WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN DEC. 3 & 4

 

December 3, 2010 (Rancho San Diego)--The public is invited to enjoy holiday-merry making at The Water Conservation Garden’s third annual ‘Holiday in the Garden’ event. The five-acre water-saving garden will be illuminated with thousands of energy-saving lights, courtesy of SDG&E.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

WHY ARE SOME EAST COUNTY CITIES CHARGING 100 TIMES MORE THAN OTHER LOCAL CITIES FOR COMMERCIAL SOLAR FEES?

 

East County News Service
High fees violate state law, and discourage rooftop solar, Sierra Club says

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FREE JOB TRAINING PROGRAM IN GREEN BUILDING AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PRACTICES


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

Pages