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Gallery: Views of the Summit
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A View
from the Summit
Wrap-Up of the Second Green California Summit
& Exposition
by Racquel Palmese
In the year since the first Green California Summit was held in March
2007, the world has changed dramatically. From doubling gas prices and
dwindling water supplies, to almost 1,000 U.S. cities committing to reduce
their environmental footprints, green technology development has moved
from future priority to immediate necessity.
During the past year, the greening of California government has spun out
into hundreds, if not thousands of local, municipal and statewide
initiatives, encompassing green building, greenhouse gas reduction,
recycling, transportation and other subjects.
The second annual Green California Summit, which took place at the
Sacramento Convention Center on April 7– 9, embodied the dramatic growth
of the new green economy and the role of government in California in
leading the charge. The event, chaired by Secretary of State and Consumer
Services Rosario Marin and Secretary of Environmental Protection Linda
Adams, was created to support statewide efforts to build clean and
sustainable communities.
The Summit provided a forum for a lively exchange of information on new
ideas, projects, technologies and initiatives. Nearly 5,000 delegates,
double the previous year’s total, filled the exhibit hall, workshops,
general sessions, special events and breakout sessions. Representatives of
38 California counties, 94 cities and 30 states were present; the exhibit
hall was filled with more than 250 companies providing green products and
services and more than 1,000 of their staff and executives.
At the general session on April 8, Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo opened
the event to a packed auditorium, saying: “We are here to look at what is
possible, to look at the future of California, the future of all of our
cities and our culture. I think of this today as a big green thinking
machine and encourage you to think outside the box, learn something, take
it home and get it done.”
Mayor Fargo introduced Secretary Marin and Secretary Adams, who
acknowledged the dedication of Governor Schwarzenegger and his Green
Action Team to ensuring that California continues its leadership in
sustainability. “Individually, we cannot do very much,” said Secretary
Marin. “Collectively we are doing amazing things. When we had our first
summit last year, we were astonished at the great response. Today we see
the fruition of what we hoped for then. It is really happening.”
“Collectively we are doing amazing things. When we had our first summit
last year, we were astonished at the great response. Today we see the
fruition of what we hoped for then. It is really happening.”
- Secretary of State and Consumer Services Rosario Marin,
Summit Co-Chair
As the demand for energy efficiency grows, the role of the California
Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in providing incentives and education
expands. About $1 billion a year collected from a surcharge on utility
bills has enabled California utilities to administer the world’s largest
energy efficiency program. It has,
according to CPUC Commissioner Dian
Greuneich, who also spoke during the general session, delivered massive
energy savings. She encouraged the audience to “retain the lessons that
you learn here today and tomorrow and spread them everywhere you can. We
are showing that when you put your heart, your soul, your resources, your
leadership, your expertise into energy efficiency, you can deliver the
type of savings that we all need.”
Rick Fedrizzi, founding chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council, gave
the opening keynote on April 8, recounting the explosive growth of green
building practices and the essential role that better buildings can play
in preventing the worst effects of climate change.
Green California Leadership Awards
The Green California Leadership Awards were established at the request of
the Summit advisory board to acknowledge outstanding accomplishments by
state and local governments in the field of environmental sustainability.
The 2008 Green California Awards ceremony took place during a special
evening reception on April 8. Awards were given in eight categories:
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The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power won in the category of
Climate Change for its Low Income Refrigerator Exchange Program.
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The
Energy Innovation Award went to the City of Irvine for its Brighter Future
for Irvine project.
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The Department of General Services took the Green
Building Award for its East End Complex, California Department of Health
Services.
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The Green Culture award was given to the Department of
Pesticide Regulation’s California School Integrated Pest Management
Program.
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In the Purchasing Category, the City of San Jose won for its
Environmentally Preferable Procurement Program.
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The California Department
of Transportation (Caltrans) won the Transportation category with its
Statewide Stormwater Management Program and the Waste Management category
with its Project Recycle.
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The City of Long
Beach was honored in the category of Water Management for its Extraordinary Water
Conservation program.
Sustainable Leadership
California Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi and legendary author and
activist Hunter Lovins were the featured speaker and keynote during the
second general session on April 9. “I suppose you don’t need coffee to get
excited here,” said Garamendi. “We are taking off on this venture to
change everything we know about the generation of power and the use of it
here in the State of California.”
While introducing Hunter Lovins, keynote sponsor Coca Cola’s Ben Sheidler
received a spontaneous ovation from the audience when he announced his
company’s plans to return to nature the amount of water equivalent to what
it uses in its international production facilities, and to reclaim or
recycle all bottles and cans it places in the U.S. market.
"I would
argue that what we need more than any technology, more than any particular
regulation, is leadership."
- L. Hunter Lovins, Founder and President of Natural Capitalism, Inc.
The Green California Exposition
"I love innovative events like this because they reinforce the idea that
it takes large- and small-scale efforts to make a difference for our
planet," Governor Schwarzenegger said in a letter welcoming attendees.
"What we do today to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, develop renewable
energy sources and spark a green tech revolution will directly affect the
quality of life of future generations."
Reflecting this, the Advisory Board has envisioned the exhibit hall as an
essential marketplace that enables officials charged with the execution of
sustainability programs and the attainment of measurable progress in
fields ranging from energy efficiency and carbon footprint to waste
reduction and water conservation to discover the full range of products
and services that can help them achieve their goals. Evidence that
abounded that the Summit more than fulfilled this purpose.
On the floor, TV crews were filming, the local public radio
station was capturing interviews with green innovators, and Segways passed
through the crowd. Mid-afternoon on the opening day, Governor
Schwarzenegger arrived to tour the exhibition, visiting with exhibitors
and getting behind the wheel of the alternative fuel vehicles in the Auto
Mall section of the Expo.
Other dignitaries and officials who
spent time asking detailed questions of exhibitors included Lt. Governor John Garamendi and Rear Admiral Len Hering.
A
special Information Center was added to the exhibit hall floor to help
attendees discover effective programs that government organizations and
their private sector partners have created to ensure a sustainable future. One exhibitor was West Coast Green, a residential green building event at
which Green Technology provides a green government track.
John Dunnihoo, West Coast Green general manager, said, “…it
was a really good experience. Our booth was well-attended...there were a lot of very good, well informed questions coming from
attendees. I had people emailing me after the event, telling me they
learned a lot and asking for more information.”
Green Auto Mall
From
Miles all-electric vehicles to Dodge biodiesel heavy duty trucks, six
manufacturers of the newest concepts in alternative fuel and zero emission
vehicles exhibited in the Green Auto Mall on the Expo floor. It was one of
the first places the Governor headed when he visited the exposition.
The Miles zero emissions vehicles feature advanced alternating current
motors and controllers. “The
Green California Summit brought together thoughtful leaders in
sustainability and gave them a forum to exchange ideas and build new
partnerships,” said Miles’ Marketing Manager Kara Saltness. “For Miles
Electric Vehicles, the Summit was very successful and connected us with
decision makers and purchasing officers from all over California. The
location was ideal and the caliber of attendees understood the urgency to
make a sustainable change and were willing to move in that direction
immediately.”
Rising fuel costs are making low-speed vehicles, or LSV’s, increasingly
attractive to fleet managers for short trip applications like security,
grounds patrol, parking and light duty transport, said Chris Strong,
national fleet manager for Zenn Motor Company. Of his experience at the
Summit, he said, “We had a positive experience, a high contingent of
attendees from the surrounding municipalities, state government, electric
utilities. One of the highlights was the Governor dropping by and getting
into the car. The traffic through our booth was exceptional, two or three
people at all times, constant, with the questions and interest.”
Hank Helepoloki, commercial sales for Frahm Dodge, echoed his statements:
“We
had a very good turnout, got to speak with the Governor and others. I’m
looking forward to next year, and so is Dodge.”
"(The show is) excellent, very good. Better than I anticipated. I was open
minded, knowing that obviously people are going to be here caring about
the environment, but it’s not just people caring, it's people that want to
take green construction to the next level. It's great. Really, really
good."
- Debbie Strom, Business Development and Client Relations, Roebbelen
Construction Company
Education Program
The Summit’s education program began on April 7 with a series of
pre-conference training sessions. Over 400 people arrived a day early for
the Summit to attend these sessions, which covered a range of topics from
managing a LEED project to specifying and buying green products.
During the rest of the Summit, dozens of half-day classes and concurrent
seminars were presented by state and local officials and national experts.
Sessions such as The Future of Transportation Infrastructure in
California, the Green Gold Rush: California’s New energy Economy and the
Risks and Opportunities of Building Green drew standing-room-only crowds.
What participants said:
"The
turnout was exceptional, the participation was excellent, and the
one-on-one follow up after the conclusion was gratifying. The best was the
turnout. Wall to wall. Whatever you did to stimulate interest was a
success and needs to be repeated. Questions were raised throughout, and
the final Q/A had to be terminated by time constraints. (The show was)
one of the most effective across the board..."
- Professor Scott Samuelsen, “Fuel Cells 101” presenter
"The Green California Summit was an excellent venue to experience
first-hand a variety of innovative and environmentally sustainable
technologies and products. The Summit provided educational opportunities
and product demonstrations involving fleet operations, alternative fuels,
facilities management, energy reduction strategies, and a variety of green
business products. It is through venues like (this) that organizations
such as the County General Services Association can learn about emerging
technologies and products and enable public agencies to develop and
implement environmentally sustainable business practices and support
strong recycling markets."
- Michael J. Lango, CGSA President, Director of General Services,
Contra Costa County
"I just wanted to let you know how much …I enjoyed the Summit. It was very
informative and I acquired a lot of information that I will use for my
facilities planning. Great job!!!!"
- Jane Lowas, BMFEA Facilities Analyst. California Department of Justice
"I attended the Walking the Talk seminar, not knowing Bryan Johnson (sustainable
operations program coordinator for the Department of Motor Vehicles) was
one of the presenters. His presentation was very informative and well
received. The audience was very attentive and many of the attendees
sitting around me were taking notes on the various changes DMV has
implemented. I even heard whispers of 'great idea,' and 'I’ll have to
share that one.' I’m sure his presentation will make an impact beyond
what Director Valverde and he ever anticipated.”
- Manager, DMV Registration Operations Division
"I enjoyed being a part of this great event and admire what you folks at
Green Technology have been able to achieve in such a short time! I was
pleased to receive several complimentary remarks from folks who attended
the sessions I participated in."
- Bryan Johnson, Sustainable Operations Program Coordinator. Department of
Motor Vehicles
It was such a great event….I hope you keep me in mind for the next one. I
had such a great time! I met so many nice people….I told my coworkers…I
would love to live in Sacramento.
Valerie Noel-Joshua, Office of the Vice President
Ohio Workforce and Economic Development Division (WEDD)
"I
ask you to think now what additional steps you can take. This is a very
important continuing event. Come back next year with somebody who wouldn’t
otherwise have been here. Or come back next year with an example of where
you were able to reach out and change something that you didn’t think you
could have changed."
- Dian Greuneich, Commissioner, CPUC
Toward
2009
The factors that have contributed to the growth of the Summit are only
likely to intensify in the coming year. The 2009 event promises to be an
occasion to mark progress, a much-needed opportunity to highlight
emerging challenges, and a showcase for green innovation.
"These are exciting times for California," said Bob Graves, Green
Technology president. "Faced with the necessity to change 'business as
usual', government and the private sector are rising to the occasion,
creating the products, policies and partnerships needed to build
communities for future generations. There's no doubt that the 2009 event
will bring important new opportunities into view."
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