Did you know that 40% of California’s landmass drains into our very own San Francisco Bay? This incredible phenomenon is due to the convergence of freshwater from the Sierra Nevada and the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. The latter are the stars of the show this month, as we celebrate International Day of Action for Rivers on March 14th. This year’s theme is “Water for All,” which emphasizes the importance of equitable and sustainable clean water access. You can support water conservation right here in the Bay Area by reading tips for a water-wise household from the California Department of Water Resources. Keep reading for other ways to engage with Acterra and environmental happenings this month! |
Support climate action in the Bay Area. Click the "donate" button above. |
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EV Charging Basics Workshop / Básicos de carga para los vehículos eléctricos |
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| Join us for an electric vehicle workshop focused on EV charging. In this workshop, we'll go over topics such as the best ways to find and use public chargers, different available charging speeds and costs, available rebates for Bay Area residents, and charging options for residents who live in multi-family dwellings. In Spanish and English Únase a nosotros en un taller de vehículos eléctricos centrado en la carga de vehículos eléctricos. En este taller, repasaremos temas como las mejores formas de encontrar y utilizar cargadores públicos, diferentes velocidades y costos de carga disponibles, reembolsos disponibles para residentes del Área de la Bahía y opciones de carga para residentes que viven en viviendas multifamiliares. En inglés y español |
March 27, 7 – 8 pm, Virtual |
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EV Ride and Drive Event with the City of Sunnyvale |
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Curious about Electric Vehicles (EVs)? Experience electric vehicles and take one for a test drive or ride. At this event, you’ll have the opportunity to sit in, ride, or drive electric vehicles to experience the joy of switching to electric firsthand. Have all your questions answered about the vehicles, charging, and the financial incentives available. |
March 16, 11 am – 3 pm Sunnyvale Community Center |
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Love Our Earth Festival 2024 |
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Don’t miss the 3rd annual LOVE OUR EARTH FESTIVAL, where you’ll learn how to Go Electric to Build Healthy and Resilient Communities, from people who know and who’ve done it. This free, educational and fun event will be family-friendly and outdoors. You can look forward to art, storytimes, reptile shows, as well as vegan-cooking demos and delicious lunch options at the Plant-Based Market. The 2024 LOVE OUR EARTH FESTIVAL is brought to you by the Cities of East Palo Alto and Menlo Park, Peninsula Clean Energy, 350 Silicon Valley, Acterra and Menlo Spark. |
April 13, 10 am – 2 pm, Bloomhouse, East Palo Alto |
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| Register for Promise to Our Planet! Join Acterra on March 21 at the Cooley Landing Education Center for a signature community-building event, "Promise to Our Planet," centered around the theme "At the Tipping Point." Engage in discussions on current climate tipping points with keynote speakers Davina Hurt and Dave Pine, and MC Katie Rueff. Don’t miss the chance to connect with like-minded individuals, gain insights into Acterra’s impactful work, honor remarkable individuals at the Champions of Promise awards for their significant contributions to our community.
Explore sustainable transportation at our EV Expo, join Chef Kelvin Briggs for an enlightening Induction Cooking Demo, and discover the indigenous flora of Cooley Landing through an immersive experience at the Grassroots Ecology learning station. There will be something for everyone! |
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We are pleased to announce that Promise to Our Planet will be conducted in English with live interpretation available in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Mandarin. Please indicate your preferred language when registering. |
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Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) Focus Groups |
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The County of San Mateo’s BayREN Representative, Alero Moju in collaboration with Acterra, will be hosting a 90 minute in-person focus group discussion throughout March to share information about BayREN’s Single Family Program redesign to gauge interest, and receive feedback on the needs and potential opportunities for the program. It is crucial to get feedback from the community to understand what gaps exist in building decarb programs. This is a rare opportunity to shape what this regional program looks like and how it can serve County Residents. We will compensate community participants in the form of $50 gift cards. We hope you will participate in one of the our feedback sessions at one of the participating libraries. Register below for your preferred session. |
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March 16, 12:30 pm – 2 pm North Fair Oaks Library |
| March 18, 5:30 pm – 7 pm East Palo Alto, Acterra Office |
| March 28, 11:30 am – 1 pm Half Moon Bay Library |
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Big News: Acterra has a new look! |
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our updated website, showcasing our programs, community impact, and useful resources.
We’d love to hear your feedback on the design. Reach out to us at info@acterra.org
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Welcome New Acterra Staff and Fellows! |
We eagerly anticipate the exceptional contributions they will bring to both our staff and the community. Visit our website to discover more about these valuable additions to our team. |
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| Peninsula Clean Energy HVAC System Rebate |
Did you know that a heat pump HVAC system can heat AND cool your home? They also use less than 1/3 of the energy needed by gas
furnaces!
Peninsula Clean Energy offers you a rebate of up to $2,500 & a zero-percent loan program for up to $10,000.
Find more information here.
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EVCAC in the News The EV Charging for All Coalition (EVCAC) works to ensure access for those who lack critical EV charging infrastructure, at home (where charging is most convenient and affordable), at the workplace, or via public charging stations. EVCAC was quoted this week in a newly published study by Consumer Reports that evaluates the availability of charging infrastructure at retail locations across the US and commitments made by America’s top retailers to provide EV charging. Among the thousands of retail locations reviewed, only about one percent offered EV charging. The study also highlights the benefits that EV charging stations offer retailers and government incentives available to help offset installation costs. “This report starts a much-needed conversation about the myriad potential benefits to retailers from offering EV charging,” says Vanessa Warheit, National Lead for EVCAC. “Perhaps more importantly, it begins to suggest the role retailers can play in increasing access for Justice 40 communities, particularly for multi-family housing residents and retail employees.” Read more in a Consumer Reports news article detailing the study.
How you can help: Consumer Reports is inviting all EV drivers to provide feedback on major retailers where you would like to see more convenient, safe, and reliable EV charging. Fill out this simple webform and help support the EV revolution.
Take Action on CALGreen (California’s Green Building Code) Thanks to input from EVCAC and allies, the proposed update to the 2025 CALGreen Code (effective date: January 1, 2026) greatly expands access to at-home EV charging in newly built apartments and condos. A GREEN Code Advisory Committee meeting is slated for March 18-19 during which the CA Building Standards Commission will review the proposed code language. Advocates for EV charging are very concerned about language that threatens to remove the installation of Level 1 charging (120 V) as an option in existing multifamily dwellings undergoing alterations or additions. One of EVCAC’s main tenets is to support low-power Level 1 charging as an equitable and lower-cost option. This week EVCAC is collecting signatures on a coalition letter to this effect. If you’re following the CALGreen cycle and want to lend support for Level 1 EV charging in existing multi-family housing, please review EVCAC’s coalition letter and add yourself or your organization to the sign-on form. And mark your calendar to attend the Code Advisory Committee meeting. |
Endorsed Events Come join the City of Palo Alto Utilities, Plug In America, and EVucation for an informative session on electric cars! Wondering if an electric car suits your lifestyle? Learn about the benefits, charging options, financial incentives, how to comfortably switch from a gas-fueled car to an EV, and more from experts in the field. This event is perfect for anyone interested in the future of transportation. March 10 from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm at the Mitchell Park Community Center. Link. The Electrified Home Tour, a program of the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour and Green Home Features Showcase, is an in-person, free event that will take place at four electrified homes in Alameda and Contra Costa County at four electrified homes in Alameda and Contra Costa County
March 10 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Link. California Climate Policy Summit 2024 - The third annual California Climate Policy Summit with the Climate Center will bring together elected and business leaders, policy experts, state officials, activists, and environmental justice advocates to build support for climate policy commensurate with what science demands. Early-bird pricing ends tomorrow. March 19 from 9 – 5 pm at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel. Link. The Climate Center 2024 Lobby Day - The Climate Center and partners are leading a day of advocacy at state legislative offices. This is an opportunity to meet directly with lawmakers and their staff to deliver a clear and compelling message about the bills we want to see California pass this year in order to secure a climate-safe future. March 20 from 9 am – 5 pm. Link. Join Sustainable San Mateo County for their 25th Annual Awards Celebration and for an evening with a hosted reception, dinner, live auction, awards program filled with inspiring stories about local sustainability heroes, and to meet their 2024 Sustainability and Green Building Awardees and their first Youth Sustainability Awardee. April 10 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm at the Embassy Suites in Burlingame. Link. |
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