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

Farmer powers dairy operations with electricity from cow’s methane waste, diversified business by opening pumpkin patch and Christmas tree patch for visitors

November 20, 2010 (Lakeside) – Dave Van Ommering, co-owner/operator of Van Ommering Dairy in Lakeside, was honored as the 2010 Farmer of the Year for San Diego County at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido on Thursday night. 

November 12, 2010 (San Diego)--Next month, San Diego will become one of the first and few markets in the country where Nissan will begin selling its plug-in electric vehicle called the Leaf. That model will be joined by the Chevrolet Volt, another plug-in electric vehicle, by year’s end. 

November 3, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) -- If you’re out of a job and looking to go green in your next career, check out the free classes being offered at Cuyamaca College. The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District received a $1 million grant from the state of California and the California Energy Commission to provide the free classes to 240 students at Cuyamaca College.

October 12, 2010 (San Diego) – Want to learn more about Prop 23, one of the most important environmental battles ever in California’s history? Prop 23 would overturn the landmark AB 32 measure that reduced greenhouse gas emissions and strengthened clean air standards.

October 7, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Out of work and looking for a way to prepare for a new career? Cuyamaca College is offering free courses in landscape irrigation management and water use efficiency as part of the Rancho San Diego college’s Gateway to Green Water program.

September 30, 2010 (La Mesa) -- The Environmental Sustainability Commission is holding the third annual “Sustain La Mesa” Environmental Festival on Saturday, October 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Street, La Mesa, 91942.This year's festival will feature over 30 booths and exhibits as well as expert speakers and activities for all ages.

Sullivan Solar has vision for Alpine “solar revolution”; hosts community meeting Sept. 25
Property owners can start saving money immediately, with no money down

September 23, 2010 (Alpine) – Sullivan Solar Power, a San Diego firm ranked among the fastest growing companies in America by Inc. Magazine, is offering group discounts to help Alpine homeowners and businesses create a solar-powered community. 

“When the powers-that-be such as the PUC, Sempra and SDG&E don’t respect the wishes of the constituents, it’s time for the constituents to declare independence,” Daniel Sullivan, president of Sullivan Solar Power, told East County Magazine. “What we are doing is setting the stage for them to declare independence at a cost that’s less than they would find anywhere else.” 

“It’s the moral and ethical thing to do to protect the health and well-being of our residents,” Mayor Art Madrid

By Miriam Raftery

September 15, 2010 (La Mesa) – La Mesa's City Council voted yesterday to oppose Proposition 23. Sempra Energy, parent company of San Diego Gas & Electric Company, also announced its opposition to Prop 23.  

The ballot initiative would repeal California’s landmark AB 32, the law which protects clean air, requires greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and provides incentives for renewable, clean energy jobs in California.

September 9, 2010 (Lakeside) -- Lakeside's River Park will be hosting it's 4th annual signature fundraiser, Once in a Blue Moon Dinner & Auction on September 25th, 2010. Cocktails start at 5 p..m, dinner at 7 p.m. RSVPs are required by September 15 for this unique event.

Lakeside's River Trail is used by families, students, walkers and joggers as well as dogs and horses. But on September 25th the trail is transformed into a magical space along the San Diego River.

Measure backed by 2 big out-of-state oil companies would rollback air pollution standards and repeal incentives for clean, green-tech jobs

La Mesa Council to consider No on 23 resolution on Sept. 14

By Miriam Raftery

September 6, 2010 – La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid and El Cajon Mayor Mark Lewis have joined with over 30 cities including Los Angeles and Sacramento, hundreds of business leaders, and many public officials to oppose Proposition 23, the deceptively titled “California Jobs Initiative.”  A whopping 97% of funds come from the oil industry, with most from two large out-of-state oil companies, Valero and Tesoro.

September 3, 2010 (San Diego) – This week, the California Public Utilities Comission approved a San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) solar power initiative that will provide for 100 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy. Under the initiative, 26 MW of utility-owned generation would be slated for construction on existing SDG&E property, with the remaining 74 MW to be purchased from independent power producers.

The initiative could more than double the approximately 80 MW of solar power currently generated in the utility's service territory.

By Joan Casanova, for Bonnie Plants

August 11, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- You might think the end of summer means bidding farewell to fresh, homegrown veggies. Not so – many cool-season crops hit their heyday as autumn temperatures drop, and some even taste better when nipped by a light frost.