By Victoria Schlesinger

08/01/2011

The California Energy Commission has accused wind turbine manufacturing company, DyoCore Inc., of misrepresenting the performance of a small wind turbine in order to qualify the product for a state rebate.

SolarCity to enter SF’s plug-in charging market

By Alison Hawkes

07/28/2011

SolarCity has announced it will begin installing EV charging stations in San Francisco homes for a starting price of $1,500.

Elk encroaching on Point Reyes ranches

By Alison Hawkes

07/28/2011

The once endangered tule elk are encroaching on nearby ranch land and farmers are angry that they will outcompete cattle for the same grasses and transmit disease.

Car sharing not in SF’s low income neighborhoods

By Alison Hawkes

07/28/2011

Despite the increasing popularity of car sharing among urbanities, in San Francisco not a single car has been placed in the lowest income neighborhoods in the Southeast.

State court verdict on plastic bag bans opens further debate

By Alison Hawkes

07/26/2011

Both sides of the plastic vs. paper debate are claiming victory in a California Supreme Court decision on banning plastic bags.

Marin streamlines greywater recycling

By Alison Hawkes

07/26/2011

Marin County is making it easier for residents to install greywater recycling systems. No permits are needed for systems that handle 250 gallons or less a day.

San Francisco launching clean power program

By Alison Hawkes

07/26/2011

San Francisco’s seven year effort to start a clean power program could begin as early as next June. Success will depend on whether residents choose to pay an extra $7 a month on PG&E electric bills.

Midpen open space agency getting more cash

By Alison Hawkes

07/26/2011

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law that allows the cash-strapped agency to extend its debt capacity. Midpen will get an additional $5 million for open space purchases.

First time farmers get help from USDA

By Victoria Schlesinger

07/25/2011

The Chronicle’s Tara Duggan is doing a great series on small-scale farms. She delves into efforts by the USDA to encourage “new farmers to get in the field.” [Read more - San Francisco Chronicle]

Brown’s invite-only clean energy conference

By Victoria Schlesinger

07/25/2011

A two-day, invite-only conference to flesh out California Governor Jerry Brown’s plans to reach 20,000 MW of new renewable energy in the state by 2020 began today. With the budget fight behind him, Brown says clean energy is his first priority. [Read more - San Jose Mercury News]

Midpen open space agency getting more cash

07/26/2011

By Alison Hawkes

California Gov. Jerry Brown has come to the rescue of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. The agency recently reported that it is running dry of cash to save new land from the clutches of suburban sprawl. The new law, drawn up by Assemblyman Rich Gordon, D-Los Altos, will allow Midpen to expand its debt capacity by 20 percent, injecting $5 million into coffers until it reaches state borrowing limits. [Read more- San Jose Mercury News].