San Francisco Green Scene

GoSolarSF "Wildly Successful"

July 8, 2009 by greenie

Barbara Hale, Assistant General Manager at SFPUC says the city's solar rebate program has been "wildly successful." In an article by Heather Knight at the SF Chronicle, she reports that 850 households, businesses and nonprofits applied for solar rebates compared with 200 who installaled solar in the preceeding year.

The average cost of installing solar panels in San Francisco is $20,000 according to Knight. The combination of federal, state, and city rebates and tax credits can cover half that cost!

Read the full article.
GoSFSolar Program

solar gosolarsf sfpuc

We're Number Two...Again.

July 7, 2009 by greenie

Once again San Francisco has been named the second greenest city in the U.S. This time the judge was Mother Nature Network. Portland beat us with their 200 miles of dedicated bike lanes. Maybe we'll finally be number one once the newly passed bike plan is implemented.

Mayor Signs the Mandatory Composting and Recycling Law

June 23, 2009 by greenie

Mayor Gavin "Greenster" Newsom chose the uber-green Ferry Plaza today as the backdrop to sign the new mandatory recycling and composting ordinance into law.

The new rules require all San Francisco residential and commercial building owners to recycle AND compost or face possible fines. The low hanging fruit here are the downtown businesses, and the restaurants who generate tons of food waste every day.

Where Do I Recycle This? Ask Your iPhone.

June 22, 2009 by greenie

Continuing their streak of technology innovation, the San Francisco Department of the Environment has released the EcoFinder iPhone application to help you figure out where to recycle the packaging for your new iPhone (or whatever else you have laying around.)

The app is a mobile version of the web-based EcoFinder tool. By using drop down menus to choose your item and then entering your zip code, you can find the closest recycling center for that item. There are even some circumstances where they will come and pick up the items at your house.

The iPhone app was designed and produced by Haku Wale. Development by Nextive Solutions. Data courtesy of SF Environment and coded by Techprovider. Mobile Promotion provided by AdMob.

iphone sfenvironment recycle

Farallones Cam

June 18, 2009 by greenie

http://www.calacademy.org/webcams/farallones/

The Farallone Islands are a National Wildlife Refuge and Marine Sanctuary only 50 miles from Ocean Beach. Until now, only a handful of lucky scientists got to witness the spectacle of the thousands of birds, seals, sea lions and assorted other creatures who find their way to the Islands. Now, thanks to the hard work of a handful of technically talented folks, anyone can check out the nature show from the comfort of their own browser. The camera sits on the lighthouse on Southeast Island and beams the signal back to dishes on the Twin Peak towers. The signal eventually makes it's way to the Academy of Sciences web server.

oceanbeach birds seals refuge

SF Biz Times Green Business Awards

June 17, 2009 by greenie

You know the green revolution has arrived when the buttoned-up editors at the San Francisco Business Times give out awards for the best green businesses. The Green Business Awards dinner on June 11 honored Bay Area entrepreneurs and organizations with awards in 14 categories for clean tech innovation and progressive green business practices.

The Largest Municipal Solar Project in the Country

What does the city with the greenest museum in the nation do for a follow up? How about building the largest municipal solar project in the country?* And in one of the foggiest neighborhoods in the country!

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has approved a major contract with Reccurent Energy to build the largest municipal solar project in the country. The project will be built on the newly renovated Sunset Reservoir at Pachecho St., and 24th Ave. This single project will more than triple the city's current solar power generation from 2 MW to a total of 7 MW of solar power. Unlike other recent solar projects in SF, this one will be financed, designed, built and operated by a private company. The idea is that this kind of public/private partnership will allow a corporate partner to make use of federal tax credits which are not available to city government. There's also the cash flow issue - the company is financing the entire development cost. Given the current state of the city checkbook, this may be the only way for San Francisco to develop big solar projects for now.

The State of the City's Environment

December 11, 2008 by greenie

Your mayor has chosen to do the state of the city speech on YouTube this year. Here is the 45 minute (!) environment segment.

Gorgeous & Green Benefit for Global Green

The 4th Annual San Francisco benefit party for Global Green had it all - celebrity, politics, announcements, and a fashion show. Actress Kate Bosworth provided the hollywood glamour. In case you are curious about these things, she was wearing a "philip lim spring '09 black ole zipper dress, created with an all-natural fiber blend of 60% hemp and 40% silk. For minimum environmental impact, the fabric was hand-dyed with eco-friendly coloring and the zippers were recycled from surplus remnants, thus reducing wastage and the overall footprint." Mayor Newsom represented the local political scene. More than 20 designers provided the eco fashion show.

Bicycle Coalition Winterfest

December 9, 2008 by greenie

Elaine Santore at Fog City Journal has a nice writeup of SF Bicycle Coalition Winterfest 2008 on Sunday. She even outs herself as a non-rider. Brave woman. Great photos by Luke Thomas as always.

The SFBC claims over 10,000 members, making it the largest local bicycle advocacy group in the country. It is beloved by many, including the many artists who contributed over 60 artworks to the auction. There was also a raffle featuring prizes such as a Schwinn Tandem bike and a bicycle-themed quilt created by 30 people. Proceeds from the night go toward making SF a better and safer city for bike riding.

bikes

09/07/2010 - 17:00

Resource Efficient Building Task Force Meeting
- Start time: 01:30pm
- End date: 09/08/2010 - 14:00
- End time: 02:00pm
- The Resource Efficient Building Task Force advises the Department of Environment on matters of policy and reviews projects in design to ensure that Chapter 7 of the Environment Code (LEED Silver certification) is being achieved for municipal projects. The Task Force enables communication about green building issues throughout the City and acts as an educational forum to increase knowledge and share project related successes and lessons learned. Task Force meetings are open to the public and are held at 30 Van Ness Ave in the BOA Large Conference Room on the 4th floor. Meeting agendas and minutes are available here: http://sfgov.org/site/sfenvironment_meeting.asp?id=15426
- View this event in Google Calendar
Green Apartment Campaign
- Start time: 04:30pm
- End date: 09/08/2010 - 19:30
- End time: 07:30pm
- We'll go door-to-door delivering green kitchen pails and educating residents about the City's green cart composting program. Come meet new friends, have fun, and save the planet. Contact Sunshine for more info: 355-3736 or sunshine.swinford@sfgov.org
- View this event in Google Calendar

09/10/2010 - 17:00

Meet the Food Producer
- Start time: 10:30am
- End date: 09/11/2010 - 11:00
- End time: 11:00am
- Enjoy a half-hour interview with one of the farmers, artisans or purveyors that sells at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Location: CUESA's teaching kitchen, outside under the arcades north of the Ferry Building's clock tower. City: SF Cost: Free
- View this event in Google Calendar

09/13/2010 - 17:00

Commission Policy Mtg.
- Start time: 05:00pm
- End date: 09/13/2010 - 19:30
- End time: 07:30pm
- View this event in Google Calendar

09/14/2010 - 17:00

Green Apartment Campaign
- Start time: 04:30pm
- End date: 09/15/2010 - 19:30
- End time: 07:30pm
- We'll go door-to-door delivering green kitchen pails and educating residents about the City's green cart composting program. Come meet new friends, have fun, and save the planet. Contact Sunshine for more info: 355-3736 or sunshine.swinford@sfgov.org
- View this event in Google Calendar

09/17/2010 - 17:00

Meet the Food Producer
- Start time: 10:30am
- End date: 09/18/2010 - 11:00
- End time: 11:00am
- Enjoy a half-hour interview with one of the farmers, artisans or purveyors that sells at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Location: CUESA's teaching kitchen, outside under the arcades north of the Ferry Building's clock tower. City: SF Cost: Free
- View this event in Google Calendar

09/21/2010 - 17:00

Green Apartment Campaign
- Start time: 04:30pm
- End date: 09/22/2010 - 19:30
- End time: 07:30pm
- We'll go door-to-door delivering green kitchen pails and educating residents about the City's green cart composting program. Come meet new friends, have fun, and save the planet. Contact Sunshine for more info: 355-3736 or sunshine.swinford@sfgov.org
- View this event in Google Calendar

09/24/2010 - 17:00

San Francisco Critical Mass
- Start time: 05:30pm
- End date: 09/24/2010 - 21:00
- End time: 09:00pm
- A movement of bicycles, in the street!
- View this event in Google Calendar
Meet the Food Producer
- Start time: 10:30am
- End date: 09/25/2010 - 11:00
- End time: 11:00am
- Enjoy a half-hour interview with one of the farmers, artisans or purveyors that sells at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Location: CUESA's teaching kitchen, outside under the arcades north of the Ferry Building's clock tower. City: SF Cost: Free
- View this event in Google Calendar

09/28/2010 - 17:00

Commission on the Environment Meeting
- Start time: 05:00pm
- End date: 09/28/2010 - 19:30
- End time: 07:30pm
- View this event in Google Calendar
Eco Tuesdays
- Start time: 06:30pm
- End date: 09/28/2010 - 21:00
- End time: 09:00pm
- http://www.ecotuesday.com/ At $10 online/$20 door
- View this event in Google Calendar
Green Apartment Campaign
- Start time: 04:30pm
- End date: 09/29/2010 - 19:30
- End time: 07:30pm
- We'll go door-to-door delivering green kitchen pails and educating residents about the City's green cart composting program. Come meet new friends, have fun, and save the planet. Contact Sunshine for more info: 355-3736 or sunshine.swinford@sfgov.org
- View this event in Google Calendar

10/01/2010 - 17:00

Meet the Food Producer
- Start time: 10:30am
- End date: 10/02/2010 - 11:00
- End time: 11:00am
- Enjoy a half-hour interview with one of the farmers, artisans or purveyors that sells at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Location: CUESA's teaching kitchen, outside under the arcades north of the Ferry Building's clock tower. City: SF Cost: Free
- View this event in Google Calendar

10/05/2010 - 17:00

Green Apartment Campaign
- Start time: 04:30pm
- End date: 10/06/2010 - 19:30
- End time: 07:30pm
- We'll go door-to-door delivering green kitchen pails and educating residents about the City's green cart composting program. Come meet new friends, have fun, and save the planet. Contact Sunshine for more info: 355-3736 or sunshine.swinford@sfgov.org
- View this event in Google Calendar

10/06/2010 - 17:00

Environmental Community Gathering
- Start time: 05:30pm
- End date: 10/06/2010 - 19:30
- End time: 07:30pm
- We have 2 sustainability happy hours in San Francisco, one that has been on Green Drinks for a while now and meets on the 1st Wednesdays of the month, and this second one that is focused on sustainable business and meets on the 2nd Thursdays of the month. We meet at Elixir on 16th and Guerrero from 6:00 - 8:00PM. Elixir is a certified green business in San Francisco and has organic beer, wine and spirits available. The intention is to support the growth of green businesses in San Francisco through networking, sharing information about products and services and job seeking. Contact Tiffany Elston: Tiffany [at] GreenKeyRealEstate [dot] com for the next meeting or visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SustainableBusinessHappyHourSF/ to sign up for email notifications of upcoming Happy Hours.
- View this event in Google Calendar

10/08/2010 - 17:00

Meet the Food Producer
- Start time: 10:30am
- End date: 10/09/2010 - 11:00
- End time: 11:00am
- Enjoy a half-hour interview with one of the farmers, artisans or purveyors that sells at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Location: CUESA's teaching kitchen, outside under the arcades north of the Ferry Building's clock tower. City: SF Cost: Free
- View this event in Google Calendar

10/11/2010 - 17:00

Commission Policy Mtg.
- Start time: 05:00pm
- End date: 10/11/2010 - 19:30
- End time: 07:30pm
- View this event in Google Calendar

10/12/2010 - 17:00

Resource Efficient Building Task Force Meeting
- Start time: 01:30pm
- End date: 10/13/2010 - 14:00
- End time: 02:00pm
- The Resource Efficient Building Task Force advises the Department of Environment on matters of policy and reviews projects in design to ensure that Chapter 7 of the Environment Code (LEED Silver certification) is being achieved for municipal projects. The Task Force enables communication about green building issues throughout the City and acts as an educational forum to increase knowledge and share project related successes and lessons learned. Task Force meetings are open to the public and are held at 30 Van Ness Ave in the BOA Large Conference Room on the 4th floor. Meeting agendas and minutes are available here: http://sfgov.org/site/sfenvironment_meeting.asp?id=15426
- View this event in Google Calendar
Green Apartment Campaign
- Start time: 04:30pm
- End date: 10/13/2010 - 19:30
- End time: 07:30pm
- We'll go door-to-door delivering green kitchen pails and educating residents about the City's green cart composting program. Come meet new friends, have fun, and save the planet. Contact Sunshine for more info: 355-3736 or sunshine.swinford@sfgov.org
- View this event in Google Calendar

10/15/2010 - 17:00

Meet the Food Producer
- Start time: 10:30am
- End date: 10/16/2010 - 11:00
- End time: 11:00am
- Enjoy a half-hour interview with one of the farmers, artisans or purveyors that sells at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Location: CUESA's teaching kitchen, outside under the arcades north of the Ferry Building's clock tower. City: SF Cost: Free
- View this event in Google Calendar