May is National Clean Air Month and this week, May 6 – 10, is Air Quality Awareness Week! Clean Air Month highlights actions we can do to make our air cleaner, and this year, the focus is on improving indoor air quality. Air Quality Awareness Week showcases tools and information aimed at raising awareness about air quality and motivating individuals to integrate this knowledge into their everyday lives. This year, the EPA will spotlight resources and activities for students and educators to support their efforts to understand and improve air quality. Join Acterra for our upcoming events to celebrate this important month! |
Support Acterra's climate action programs by clicking the "donate" button above. |
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Code Red for Humanity: Clean Air, Healthy Bay Area |
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| It’s a critical time for implementing climate and air quality solutions. With the passage of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's clean air rules for water and space heating, cities and counties are preparing for green, efficient, electric appliances to go mainstream. Come hear the innovative solutions happening around the Bay. Speakers will share a host of ideas on how to facilitate the public awareness, electrification ordinances, workforce development, and permit streamlining — key strategies that are smoothing the transition to zero emission appliances that reduce pollution and save lives. Gain insights and ideas for viable and equitable next steps in your own jurisdictions. Speakers include Davina Hurt, Chair of BAAQMD; clean energy expert Dr. Mark Jacobson, Stanford University; and more. |
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TOMORROW, 10:00 – 11:30 AM PST |
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Healthy Air, Healthy Home |
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In celebration of National Clean Air Month, join us for a fun and informative event to learn how you can improve your air quality and health at the Point Pedro Firehouse in Pacifica. Advance registration required. - Dr. Mary Williams, with Physicians for Social Responsibility SF Bay Chapter, will discuss the health harms of gas appliances & cars and the health benefits of electrifying
- Acterra's Chef-in-Residence Chef Kelvin Briggs will demonstrate induction cooking by preparing a scrumptious, plant-based chocolate mousse that you will get to sample
- Kirsten Andrews-Schwind of PCE will explain PCE’s generous rebates and zero-interest loans that make electrifying surprisingly affordable
- Quit Carbon will describe how to stack PCE’s programs with others to save even more on electric appliances & cars - and how to get free coaching on your electrification journey
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May 16, 7:00 – 8:30 PM PST at The Firehouse in Pacifica |
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Plant Powered Summer Challenge |
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Honor the Earth and your health with the Plant Powered Summer Challenge. Join Acterra and GreenTown Los Altos for a plant-based dietary challenge spanning the month of June. You will receive guidance on plant based grocery substitutes, recipes to try with your friends and family, zero food waste tips and other resources! Our top challengers will receive a special prize at the end of the challenge.
We will help you track your success as you compete with friends and family. You choose the number of days you can commit, whether once a week for meatless Mondays or the entire week. |
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| Curious about Electric Vehicles? 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. Reserve a time slot for your test drive or ride today! Availability of vehicles is dependent on the number of attendees. Following your test drive, complete the post-survey and receive a food voucher for the on-site complimentary taco/burrito food truck. |
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May 18, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM PST at Sunnyvale Baylands Park |
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CA Legislative Updates The Connect Bay Area Act (SB 1031, Wahab and Wiener), designed to fund public transit infrastructure and services, passed out of the Senate Transportation and Revenue & Taxation Committees, and is headed for the Senate Appropriations Committee for a hearing sometime this month. Transit ridership has not recovered fully since Covid and this is the first significant legislation in this area in the past decade. This bill will authorize roughly $1-2 billion in annual funding for expanded transit service, safe streets measures, and climate resilient transportation infrastructure. The bill’s mechanism is a regional transportation ballot measure that would go to voters as soon as 2026. Learn more. The GO-Biz bill (SB 1206, Becker) passed out of the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications and is set to be heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 13. This bill would incentivize the creation of a battery manufacturing facility for next-generation batteries which will provide green jobs for the state’s workforce and support clean energy goals. SB 1206 authorizes the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) to develop a public-private partnership to create a plan for a battery manufacturing hub in CA. Such a hub would help support the transition to EVs and other clean technologies. Learn more. Canvassing on Home Electrification: Can You Help? Heat pump water heaters have many environmental advantages over their gas-fired counterparts. More homeowners might upgrade if the process were smoother. Our allies at 350.org (Palo Alto city team) have an overall goal of educating 5,000 Palo Alto residents about the City of Palo Alto Utilities’ new full service program to help simplify the switch to electric heat pump water heaters. On Saturday, May 11, please join fellow community volunteers between 1:00 to 4:00 pm to drop info off to 25 homeowners (and talk to them briefly if they are home). We will share how HPWHs improve home health and safety, lower utility bills — and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We’ll also share details on rebates and no-interest financing. Training will be provided. Sign up here. EV Charging for All Updates On May 17, the CA Building Standards Commission (BSC) is expected to open a 45-day public comment period on the updated California Green Building Standards (CALGreen code) before being finalized. EVCAC supporters: Please be ready to urge the BSC to support EV charging equity; we will provide a more detailed call to action once the period opens, so stay tuned. |
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Grants for Clean Cars For income-qualified households: The Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Clean Cars for All program is open and accepting applications. If you plan to turn in an older vehicle and replace it with a cleaner EV or plug-in hybrid or even an e-bike, you can apply for a grant. There have been some changes to the program: It has expanded to all Bay Area zip codes in the Air District’s jurisdiction, increased grant amounts, and increased the retired vehicle model year to 2007 or older. |
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Upgrade Your Home with Peninsula Clean Energy! |
Get a 0% loan up to $10k to make energy efficiency upgrades to your home! Eligible upgrades include: - Heat pump water heater and/or heat pump for heating & A/C
- Electrical panel upgrades, energy efficiency & weatherization work (e.g. insulation, air sealing).
Learn more here. |
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Endorsed Events and Job Opportunities Healthy Homes for All: Expanding Access to Electrification Programs for Renters in San Mateo County. Thrive Alliance presents this two part series that explores the vital role of electrification in promoting home health and sustainability in San Mateo County communities. They will explore the unique barriers that renters face to electrify their homes, highlighting the challenges of developing and implementing electrification programs, and will also identify best practices for fostering landlord-tenant collaboration for a greener, healthier future. May 16 & May 23 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm. Link. Join Save The Bay, TransForm, and Greenbelt Alliance during Affordable Housing Month for a discussion about the intersection between affordable housing and the environment. This fall, Californians have a chance to help address this issue by voting for an affordable housing regional bond that will increase our supply of affordable housing in the Bay Area. Learn why the bond is so critical for housing and climate goals. May 23 from 5:00 – 6:00 pm. Link. Fresh Approach is hiring! The Community Engagement Program Specialist is responsible for implementing community outreach and engagement activities in the South Bay including projects to promote and incentivize the use of public benefits at farmers’ markets, the Volunteer and Internship Program, the Community Ambassador Program, and the Community Advisory Board. See more details and apply today! Curious about the El Palo Alto tree in Palo Alto? Watch this documentary to learn more! In the quiet suburbs of Palo Alto lies a redwood tree that defines the city, community, and culture. Though it once towered over the valley, it now sits hidden to many. Most people here have no idea where the tree stands now, and how it has affected most people's lives. Jimmy Tsai was inspired to bring some awareness to local history and to inspire more curiosity in our surrounding community. |
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