On July 1, 2009 The SCV Off the Grid Team was grateful to be given the opportunity to address the distinguished West Ranch Town Council http://westranchtowncouncil.com/
Our presentation went well. Thank you to all of you for your input on the powerpoint, as it is truly concise in format. But what was the BEST part of this presentation was the COMMENTS, the INPUT, the ENTHUSIASM of the meeting's participants.
The council serves as a communication portal to the homeowners and the community. They have agreed to put our meeting times on their website calendar and requested us to submit our progress and keep them posted as we accomplish our goal of retro-fit implementations of energy-conscious projects as Solar, Wind and drought resistant planting and conservation education within existing neighborhoods here in the Santa Clarita Valley.
For those who have not attended a Town Council Meeting, I highly encourage your participation. The TPC venue http://www.tpcvalencia.com/ is always a treat, with gracious staff and terrific views of the area. The agenda of the meeting has reports provided by all aspects of the community, Parks, Safety, etc. and really make this a worthy trip for any resident of the area.
Helpful Links to connect you to this neighborhood:
http://westranchtowncouncil.com/
http://www.tpcvalencia.com/
Showing posts with label Solar Power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Solar Power. Show all posts
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Project Update
Hello Team!
Thank you so much for your emails. Many great advancements with the team. Below you will find the Aggregate Team Meeting Notes; 2nd Quarter 2009, let us know if we left anything out.
A straw-website is in the works. To start, we will have an intro page, meeting notes, video snippets, resource directory. The Team thanks Leah Pollack for her generous donation of hosting the site http://www.scvoffthegrid.com/ We need a developer to help with the meaty-stuff! Do you want to help out with this site creation? Let us know!
VIDEO SNIPPETS:
In an effort to empower SCV folks with what is already going on, we are on the scene with local homeowners who want to share their SCV-GREEN with the world!
JUNE: Mark Figeroa and Drew Neumann
Do you want to be on the video-snippets? Let us know!
GREEN EDUCATION:
At each meeting we continue to knowledgeshare on all parts of the SCV-GREEN experience. Here are the highlights:
> Mark Figeroa of http://www.greenconvergence.com/ shared on the newest solar tiles and roofing considerations and the permit process with the City as well as the County.
> Drew Neumann of http://www.droomusic.com/ shared his travels to the pacific northwest and discussed his SCV-GREEN experience with retro-fitting his home including back-up battery technology.
> Leah Pollack http://www.eliteprosre.com/ shared the growing concern of Sacramento initiatives to tie energy audits and other energy efficiency retro-fits point-of-sale (point-of-sale means retrofits or other items must be completed prior to the completion of the sale of the home or building).
> Josh Newland of http://www.goodnewsplumbing.com/ shared about the newest GREEN-tech in the plumbing world.
> Bill Lambert of Sylmar High School http://www.sylmarhs.org/shared his accomplishment for his school curriculum for future energy auditors, installers, planners, etc. Way to go Bill!
REGIONAL EVENTS
Thank you so much for your emails. Many great advancements with the team. Below you will find the Aggregate Team Meeting Notes; 2nd Quarter 2009, let us know if we left anything out.
Thank you to the Saturn of Santa Clarita http://www.santaclaritasaturn.com/ for the use of their Conference Room!
WELCOME!
We want to welcome all the new folks who have tuned into our group endeavors. We appreciate your continued participation in making Santa Clarita Valley the best GREEN city through this great grass-roots effort.
JUL 1 - NEXT HOA PRESO
We are working dilligently on our presentation to the Stevenson Ranch Town Council for JUL 1.Let us know if you would like to attend with us. Call Steve Kassell to RSVP.
ENTITY STRUCTURE:
We are still researching the best way to ensure our overall goals are met with the correct structure. Let us know if you are interested in helping with this effort..
INFO BROCHURE:
Mock-Ups of the graphic design of an 'homeowner interest brochure'. This will include some sample pricing for the tiered-offerings we are working on, as well as some sample financing options we are aggregating for the initial rollout.
Current Volunteers: Arlyne Szerman, Leah Pollack, How about you? Let us know if you would like to help!
We can utilize existing distribution mechanisms to get this in the hands of homeowners and get the initial project underway!
WEBSITE:A straw-website is in the works. To start, we will have an intro page, meeting notes, video snippets, resource directory. The Team thanks Leah Pollack for her generous donation of hosting the site http://www.scvoffthegrid.com/ We need a developer to help with the meaty-stuff! Do you want to help out with this site creation? Let us know!
VIDEO SNIPPETS:
In an effort to empower SCV folks with what is already going on, we are on the scene with local homeowners who want to share their SCV-GREEN with the world!
JUNE: Mark Figeroa and Drew Neumann
Do you want to be on the video-snippets? Let us know!
GREEN EDUCATION:
At each meeting we continue to knowledgeshare on all parts of the SCV-GREEN experience. Here are the highlights:
> Mark Figeroa of http://www.greenconvergence.com/ shared on the newest solar tiles and roofing considerations and the permit process with the City as well as the County.
> Drew Neumann of http://www.droomusic.com/ shared his travels to the pacific northwest and discussed his SCV-GREEN experience with retro-fitting his home including back-up battery technology.
> Leah Pollack http://www.eliteprosre.com/ shared the growing concern of Sacramento initiatives to tie energy audits and other energy efficiency retro-fits point-of-sale (point-of-sale means retrofits or other items must be completed prior to the completion of the sale of the home or building).
> Josh Newland of http://www.goodnewsplumbing.com/ shared about the newest GREEN-tech in the plumbing world.
> Bill Lambert of Sylmar High School http://www.sylmarhs.org/shared his accomplishment for his school curriculum for future energy auditors, installers, planners, etc. Way to go Bill!
REGIONAL EVENTS
- JUL 13 SOLAR TOURS
Thank you to Lynne Palmbeck for recommending the team check into the following events:
>SEAL BEACH SOLAR TOUR>June. 13, 9 AM TO 4 PM ON THE BOEING LOT, WALK FROM STARBUCKS OR SUBWAY, LOTS OF FREE PARKING>>Those interested in solar electric can come to the Boeing parking lot at Westminster and Seal Beach Blvd. for information about residential and commercial solar power. There will be a self-contained solar system on view, and plug-in all-electric cars.> >Visitors can participate in a docent-led Tour of local solar homes, examining actual solar systems and talking to the solar homeowner about their system and how solar actually works in practice. Sign up for the Tour by 11 AM on the Boeing lot. > >The Tour, partiall self-guided, will spend a few minutes at each of six homes and one business in Seal Beach, where a docent will explain the size and hardware used in the system, and the Solar Homeowner will be available to answer questions about cost, power production, any issues or benefits, etc.> >The event, and literature, is entirely without charge.> >For more information, http://sealbeach.org/ or call 562-430-2495> >------------------------------------------------> >TORRANCE ENERGY FAIR AT MADRONA MARSH>June. 13, 10 AM TO 3 PM AT MADRONA MARSH, 3201 PLAZA DEL AMO, TORRANCE> >The city of Torrance has taken over the sponsorship of the Energy Fair that had been run by the Environmental Priorities Network for the last three years. You are all invited to attend the Torrance Environmental Fair on Saturday, June 13th, from 10 AM to 3 PM, at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center, 3201 Plaza Del Amo, in Torrance. The street will be closed off to accommodate the large number of booths and displays that are being planned. > >Information on green home improvements, solar installations, hybrid cars, electric vehicles, scooters, and bicycles will be available.> >You will find out about water conservation, how to plant drought-resistant landscaping, and how to get rebates on energy-saving appliances. Attending this fair will enable you to reduce energy consumption, save money, gain personal convenience, and reduce the dangers of global warming. > >Visitors will be invited to take the "Torrance Green Pledge" to encourage them to "go green" in order to help the survival of people and animals everywhere on our planet. Children's activities are also being planned. For more information, check out the new EPN website: >http://www.environmentalprioritiesnetwork.org/>or contact Lillian Light at>lklight@verizon.net 310-545-1384 or call 310-6180-5929
***
Team, once again thank you for all your good works on the 'SCV Off the Grid' Project. We look forward to your continued input.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Team Project Meeting Roundup 2009-03
Ah, the momentum! Thank you for your valuable input during our meeting on March 10th. The enthusiastic talent displayed by those in attendance and the information shared is truly appreciated.
And thank you to the Saturn of Santa Clarita for their hospitality. To Visit Santa Clarita Saturn: Click Here
GROUP ENTITY DISCUSSION
We discussed group entity infrastructure. We will continue to evaluate the need and project fit to best benefit the team goals. We discussed the importance of 'arms-length' participation to have as much of Santa Clarita Valley's participation across communities, businesses, educational resources, etc. In addition, we submitted our request have this project as part of the College of the Canyons Incubator. We will keep the team posted as progress develops.
To learn more about the incubator: Click Here
MISSION DISCUSSION
We reviewed our overall mission and discussed the inital steps: Get Point Person/Project Manager from HOA/Mgmt; Get Homeowner Input (questionnaire, online survey); Discussed the Need; Discussed Tiered Retrofit Offering Packages; Have Local Santa Clarita Valley Resources Bid Projects (Yes, we still need to define Local Santa Clarita Valley); Ensure pre- and post energy audit measurement to have the data and track it over time.
HOA PRESENTATION
We reviewed the presentation and based on the groups valuable feedback. We have since modified the preso to a more pictorial format. And we went from 10 mins + to a current 2.5 minutes. [Also, thank you to our impromptu-focus group on Friday, as we put up the final touches:-) ]
The DVD: As our overall time to present may be a maximum of 5 minutes, as recommended by the group, we are working on a script to produce a 'Movie-Style' pitch to replace the ppt and make this project 'trailer' portable and uploadable to YouTube as well as our website. We will spec locations to show existing Santa Clarita Valley Areas and ask if any Local Santa Clarita Valley Companies want to sketch out some drafts of possible of future implementations. If you want YOUR LOCATION showcased - Please Call Leah 661-309-3195
WEBSITE: http://www.scvoffthegrid.com/
We are IN SEARCH OF an enthusiastic Local Santa Clarita Valley volunteer web person. If you are interested, please call Steve Kassel 661-259-3704.
We are in the process of sketching out our utopia site flow. We will evaluate all input received to date as this is YOUR PROJECT SITE: Video, Filled-Out Letters to the HOAs for easy printing and submission for Homeowners who want to have their area participate, Share your story Section, Video Streaming our meetings, On-line Survey, Resource List, Team member directory, and much, much more!
SCV EARTH DAY: Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Central Park.
This event is another method by which we will get the word out! We will have a sign-up sheet for those who would like to express and interest to learn more about SCVoffthegrid.
Plan A: We are following-up on our request for co-op space with a local company.
Plan B: If you are business with a booth at SCV EARTH DAY and you are interested in having SCV Off The Grid at your booth- Please Call Leah 661-309-3195
Plan C: We will discuss other means by which to get the word out Perhaps, canvasing the event with clipboard in hand, OR if ANYONE WANTS TO DONATE' business cards on recycled paper' our info-design is available - Please Call Leah 661-309-3195
To learn more about SCV Earth Day: Click Here
NEXT MEETING
Tuesday April 21
Location: Saturn of Santa Clarita! To Visit Santa Clarita Saturn: Click Here
Stay Tuned and continue to share your feedback!
And thank you to the Saturn of Santa Clarita for their hospitality. To Visit Santa Clarita Saturn: Click Here
GROUP ENTITY DISCUSSION
We discussed group entity infrastructure. We will continue to evaluate the need and project fit to best benefit the team goals. We discussed the importance of 'arms-length' participation to have as much of Santa Clarita Valley's participation across communities, businesses, educational resources, etc. In addition, we submitted our request have this project as part of the College of the Canyons Incubator. We will keep the team posted as progress develops.
To learn more about the incubator: Click Here
MISSION DISCUSSION
We reviewed our overall mission and discussed the inital steps: Get Point Person/Project Manager from HOA/Mgmt; Get Homeowner Input (questionnaire, online survey); Discussed the Need; Discussed Tiered Retrofit Offering Packages; Have Local Santa Clarita Valley Resources Bid Projects (Yes, we still need to define Local Santa Clarita Valley); Ensure pre- and post energy audit measurement to have the data and track it over time.
HOA PRESENTATION
We reviewed the presentation and based on the groups valuable feedback. We have since modified the preso to a more pictorial format. And we went from 10 mins + to a current 2.5 minutes. [Also, thank you to our impromptu-focus group on Friday, as we put up the final touches:-) ]
The DVD: As our overall time to present may be a maximum of 5 minutes, as recommended by the group, we are working on a script to produce a 'Movie-Style' pitch to replace the ppt and make this project 'trailer' portable and uploadable to YouTube as well as our website. We will spec locations to show existing Santa Clarita Valley Areas and ask if any Local Santa Clarita Valley Companies want to sketch out some drafts of possible of future implementations. If you want YOUR LOCATION showcased - Please Call Leah 661-309-3195
WEBSITE: http://www.scvoffthegrid.com/
We are IN SEARCH OF an enthusiastic Local Santa Clarita Valley volunteer web person. If you are interested, please call Steve Kassel 661-259-3704.
We are in the process of sketching out our utopia site flow. We will evaluate all input received to date as this is YOUR PROJECT SITE: Video, Filled-Out Letters to the HOAs for easy printing and submission for Homeowners who want to have their area participate, Share your story Section, Video Streaming our meetings, On-line Survey, Resource List, Team member directory, and much, much more!
SCV EARTH DAY: Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Central Park.
This event is another method by which we will get the word out! We will have a sign-up sheet for those who would like to express and interest to learn more about SCVoffthegrid.
Plan A: We are following-up on our request for co-op space with a local company.
Plan B: If you are business with a booth at SCV EARTH DAY and you are interested in having SCV Off The Grid at your booth- Please Call Leah 661-309-3195
Plan C: We will discuss other means by which to get the word out Perhaps, canvasing the event with clipboard in hand, OR if ANYONE WANTS TO DONATE' business cards on recycled paper' our info-design is available - Please Call Leah 661-309-3195
To learn more about SCV Earth Day: Click Here
NEXT MEETING
Tuesday April 21
Location: Saturn of Santa Clarita! To Visit Santa Clarita Saturn: Click Here
Stay Tuned and continue to share your feedback!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Get Your Green On - Proactive Renewable Energy Project in Santa Clarita Valley, CA
Given the recent developments on the world stage with Go Green new building efforts, I am hopeful moving forward that newer communities will be built from the 'ground-up' to get the most from the 'sky-down'. (Sun, wind, rain water, smart-plants, digital sprinkler sensors, etc.)
See my past Blog entry:LEEDing the Way in Green Real Estate
But what about where we live now? I feel the arena of retrofitting communities to keep existing developments marketable are not being addressed.Smart-growth must include new development but also must anticipate future eco-retrofit standards on existing communities.
Are we really that far away from renewable energy mandated standard?
"Pay highly for what you take": A home may only take x amount of energy from the power grid, or pay a premium price. OR perhaps..."Pay highly for what you don't give": A home must generate y amount of renewable energy, or be charged a premium price.
This project is taking the proactive approach to the 'new' energy-efficiency. How else can an older home compete with the higher energy efficient 2012 model homes where energy bills are less and water usage for yards is cut in half? (okay I am really hopeful, but think about it, not too far off from the mark with the technology available)
See my past Blog entry: Is Solar the New Granite?
Share your thoughts... anyone have insights into what is coming up in Los Angeles County or Sacramento?
Enjoy the day!
SCV off the grid through HOAs - In the Signal!
The team is extremely grateful to Steve Kassel for his December 17, 2008 Letter to the Editor of The Signal. http://www.the-signal.com/news/article/7066/
Steve's letter includes:
"... follow conservation energy-modernization projects that get us off our addiction to oil, curtail the crimes that emanate from that industry and get us off the power grid that brought us financial disasters like the Enron/Ken Lay affair. ...
...Why not assert our votes with our HOAs to get bulk bids at low prices for solar panels that can sit atop our roofs or on the common-area hillsides or other unused lots that face sunlight exposure? ...
...Local contractors ought be used, thereby stimulating the local economy..."
Great Work Steve!
Steve's letter includes:
"... follow conservation energy-modernization projects that get us off our addiction to oil, curtail the crimes that emanate from that industry and get us off the power grid that brought us financial disasters like the Enron/Ken Lay affair. ...
...Why not assert our votes with our HOAs to get bulk bids at low prices for solar panels that can sit atop our roofs or on the common-area hillsides or other unused lots that face sunlight exposure? ...
...Local contractors ought be used, thereby stimulating the local economy..."
Great Work Steve!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Santa Clarita Valley Starting with One Solar Panel
On November 18, 2008, a letter was sent to several Santa Clarita Valley Homeowners Associations, Community leaders, Business leaders and other Project oriented team members requesting that the HOAs please take the steps necessary to start a discussion into renewable energy sources. This initial letter included a recommendation to consider to install one solar panel on an HOA's community building within the coverage area of the association.
See Initial Letter Here
With the recent extension of the tax benefits for implementing solar by businesses as well as homeowners, we believe that this effort will more than pay for itself with energy savings as well as make this community more desirable in the future. Rising fees for energy to maintain sprinklers, security lighting, air conditioning and heat of the facilities are of the utmost importance and this will allow our community to do something about it.
Homeowner funds should be used to enhance our community while lowering costs to our association today and into future years. By our actions we can demonstrate our commitment and set a great example to our members and community. Our community as a whole can express their participation in this beneficial effort.
Team, we welcome your participation and will keep you posted as progress develops!
See Initial Letter Here
With the recent extension of the tax benefits for implementing solar by businesses as well as homeowners, we believe that this effort will more than pay for itself with energy savings as well as make this community more desirable in the future. Rising fees for energy to maintain sprinklers, security lighting, air conditioning and heat of the facilities are of the utmost importance and this will allow our community to do something about it.
Homeowner funds should be used to enhance our community while lowering costs to our association today and into future years. By our actions we can demonstrate our commitment and set a great example to our members and community. Our community as a whole can express their participation in this beneficial effort.
Team, we welcome your participation and will keep you posted as progress develops!
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