HERO Residential Program Status (As of Apr. 21, 2013) Total amount funded: Completed HERO projects:    $ 40 million    2,214 HERO Commercial Program financing is currently available for small to mid-size commercial projects and six projects have been approved, totaling over $700,000. Visit www.beaRiversideHERO.com for more information and to apply for the residential and commercial components of the HERO Program. TUMF Program Revenue Status Total TUMF revenues to date: Total TUMF revenues FY 12/13:    $     $  558.3 million 6.7 million The City of San Jacinto broke ground on the Ramona Expressway Arterial Widening project on March 11, 2013. TUMF is contributing more than $5.9 million to construct this project. The City of Perris held a dedication ceremony on March 11, 2013, for the Ramona Expressway/I-215 Interchange Improvement project. TUMF will contribute more than $6.5 million in Central Zone funds to complete this project. In March and April, the Executive Committee approved the following new TUMF reimbursement agreements and amendments: More San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station update provided to Executive Committee Staff representing Southern California Edison (SCE) provided a presentation regarding the current status of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). The Plant’s Unit 3 was safely taken off-line in January 2012 after a small steam leak was detected, caused by tube-to-tube wear in one of the unit’s two steam generators. Unit 2, containing the Plant’s other generators, was already off-line during a normal refueling cycle. SCE has applied to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to restart Unit 2 at 70% power for a limited operation period. The NRC is conducting a full and rigorous scientific investigation of SCE’s restart plan, which includes opportunities for public comment and participation. Nuclear energy provides approximately 20% of the electricity to SCE’s territory. For more information about the Generating Station, visit www.songscommunity.com. GRID Alternatives provides affordable solar to low-income communities in Western Riverside County Bambi Tran, Inland Empire Regional Director, provided a presentation to the Executive Committee meeting on GRID Alternatives, which administers the Single-family Affordable Solar Home (SASH) Program. SASH offers incentives on PV solar systems to qualifying low-income homeowners. Depending on the income level, property owners may be eligible for an entirely free system, or a highly subsidized system. Since April 2011, GRID Alternatives has installed 141 solar systems in Western Riverside County, saving a total of 475 kW, which equates to over $3 million in lifetime utility cost savings. Through the solar installation process, GRID Alternatives also provides hands-on job training to volunteers so that they are equipped with the necessary education and work experience to qualify for local “green collar” jobs. GRID Alternatives is looking for ways to partner with member jurisdictions to get the word out to qualified low income homeowners in Riverside County to have solar installed for little or no cost. Visit www.gridalternatives.org for more information. Executive Committee supports SB 56 and the four new cities in Riverside County All Executive Committee members signed a letter of support for Senate Bill 56 (Roth/Emmerson), which would help alleviate the loss of Vehicle License Fee Revenues experienced in the Cities of Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Menifee, and Wildomar. ULI Honors WRCOG with “Vision Award” On April 18, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Orange County/Inland Empire announced the winners of the 3rd Annual “Best of the Best” Awards, recognizing projects, programs and policies of exceptional value in Orange County and the Inland Empire, applying the key principles of sustainable community development. WRCOG received ULI’s “Vision Award” for its Sustainability Framework for Western Riverside County, an innovative, yet critical, first step in a collaborative regional effort to build a more sustainable subregion. The Framework represents the collective vision of WRCOG’s Executive Committee and Technical Advisory Committee and is the beginning point of a longer process to establish, implement, and continuously refine a subregional plan that encapsulates the economic, social, and environmental components of sustainability. WRCOG has been honored each year since ULI’s inception of the “Best of the Best” Awards; in 2012 for its Energy and Environmental Programs and in 2011 for its 4-City Neighborhood Electric Vehicle Plan. WRCOG hosts Energy Summit Local elected officials, building officials, city planners, utility providers, industry representatives and consultants gathered at WRCOG’s 2013 Energy Summit in March to learn about financing energy efficiency projects, codes changes, best practices and regional initiatives. Held in Temecula, over 100 people attended the Energy Summit and listened to experts discuss the future of energy efficiency. Environmental Youth Conference helps middle schoolers learn about sustainability On March 21, 2013, the Western Riverside Clean Cities Coalition hosted its 6th Annual Environmental Youth Conference at the Diamond Valley Lake Visitors Center in Hemet. In attendance were 200 middle schools students from four schools in Western Riverside County. Students participated in activities aimed at increasing environmental awareness and teaching students how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Four different tracks were centered around water, conservation, green cities, and air quality. Each classroom submitted a “Pledge Poster” at the beginning of the event, which presented ways in which the students could pledge to live more sustainably. Students were able to vote on the posters during the conference, and the first prize was awarded to Badger Springs Middle School which won a pizza party for its classroom. Thank you to South Coast Air Quality Management District and Western Municipal Water District for sponsoring the event, and Metropolitan Water District and Diamond Valley Lake Visitors Center for providing the Conference facilities. Executive Director’s Column Climate concerns and related planning efforts no longer on the fringe In response to the increasing amount of scientific studies regarding the consequences of climate change on ecosystems, including impacts related to sea level rise, public health, air quality, biodiversity and water management to name a few, California’s AB 32 (The Global Warming Solutions Act) was passed into law in 2006. AB 32 includes bold requirements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Eight years — and a significant economic downturn — later, Californian’s are showing strong support for the state’s climate policies, as evidenced by a July 2012 poll conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). One takeaway from the polling, perhaps, is that Californians view the relationship between economy and environment as being mutually dependent rather than mutually exclusive. More May / June Calendar of Events May 2-3 SCAG 2013 Regional Conference and General Assembly, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Springs. May 4 City of Banning Art Festival (10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.), Downtown Banning near City Hall. May 4 City of Riverside Annual Show & Go Classic Car Show (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.), Downtown Riverside on Market and 12th Streets. May 6 WRCOG Executive Committee (2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.), Riverside County Admin. Ctr., 1st Floor Board Chambers. May 8 WRCOG Administration & Finance Committee (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.) Riverside County Admin. Ctr., 4th Floor, Conf. Room A. More Check Out Our Other Newsletters ● Clean Cities Newsletter ● Western Riverside Energy Leader Partnership Newsletter ● Quarterly Economic Report Newsline 10 Rules for smarter smart growth Gas tax or VMT fee: Experts discuss how to fund future transportation Young Americans driving decline in auto usage Revamping CEQA Does environment explain obesity? What is green infrastructure and why does it matter?