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Welcome to The Green Scene where each month we bring you the latest tips,resources and news of all things Green in Kern County. 
In This Issue
Our Sponsors

PLATINUM
 

SILVER
PG&E logo   



 




BRONZE






Business Supporters





Zero Waste Partners






Certifications only apply to the addresses listed below and not to the company as a whole.

Aera Energy LLC
10000 Ming Ave
Bakersfield, CA

FedEx Ground
3105 Gateway 
Bakersfield, CA

IKEA Distribution
4101 Industrial Parkway
Lebec, CA


Give us a call to find out how you can become one of our certified zero waste facilities.

No Idling Partners
Our No Idling Partners are only for the addresses listed below and not the company as a whole.
 
Granite Construction
3005 James Road
Bakersfield, CA

Price Disposal 
8665 South Union
Bakersfield, CA 

Stria
4600 Resnick Drive
Bakersfield, CA

Give us a call to find out how you can become one of our No Idling Partners.

 


News from the Valley
The Residential Energy Efficiency Loan Program

It's not your imagination, summer's are getting hotter. Heat waves have hit the valley throughout the summer with scorching 3-Digit temperature. In this infographic you can notice the increase of temperature over the last six decade.

First graph depicts the base period of 1951-1980, second graph shows the shift between 2005-2015, shifting towards extreme heat.
*Chart based from NY Times article, "It's Not Your Imagination.
Summers Are Getting Hotter."


The alarming increase in temperature, electric grids are taking a tremendous hit and we are also contributing greatly to greenhouse emissions. With this growing concern, California residents should take measures into their own hand by assuring their homes are energy efficient. Simple things like keeping windows and doors closed are essential but also properly sealing and insulating a home are necessary to reduce energy consumption and help save dollars.
 
The residential energy efficiency loan program is designed to help homeowners and renters access lower-cost financing for energy efficiency projects by reducing risk to participating lenders. The program has more than $20 million available in loan loss reserve funds to help participating lenders mitigate energy efficiency loan risk. Unlike the PACE program, the loan is a separate loan with no liens attached to homes or properties. Interests rates vary depending on lender and credit score, ranging from 5-10%.

 

To learn more about the REEL program visit us at our upcoming events:

  •  August 17 Heart of Downtown Business Expo from 3pm-7pm at the Westchester on 2801 F Street
  • August 20 Dia de la Familia from 12pm-3pm at Cecil Park on 1730 Madison St. Delano 93215
Also for more information about the REEL program visit: http://www.thecheef.com/reel
Green Scene Tip of the Month
Can a lightbulb clean up Kern County's air?  In Kern County 22% of our greenhouse gas output is caused by electricity consumption whereas 17% is caused by transportation.  The reason for this is that although renewable energy is making gains, it is still not enough to meet our high energy demands.  When summertime energy demands reach their peak, power companies must relay on more polluting forms of energy, which in Kern County means burning biofuel or coal to make electricity.  This contributes to our poor air quality and large carbon footprint. 

One step you can take toward reducing your energy usage (and in turn, your energy bill) is to replace your incandescent and CFL bulbs with LEDs.

LED lights are much more efficient than incandescent bulbs.  Unlike CFLs they turn on instantly, do not contain mercury, and have a pleasant quality of light.  The one drawback to LEDs is their higher upfront cost.  One must consider, however the lifetime cost of lighting your home. Consider the following graphic:



The average home has 40 lightbulbs.  With that in mind, here is the 25 year cost of lighting a home using each type of bulb:

Incandescent: $15,720
CFL: $5,000
LED: $3,080


High power bills and hazy summer skies feel like a fact of life in Kern County, but it doesn't have to be that way. The next time your bulbs burn out, don't think of it as another errand to do, but rather an opportunity to invest in future savings and a cleaner valley. 
Featured Green Business


ww.upcycleaquaponics.com
shari@upcycleaquaponics.com
661-745-4330


The founder of Up Cycle Aquaponics and our CFO (Chief Farming Officer) is Shari Rightmer. Shari is a mother, a dreamer, a doer, and a true visionary. Her life is a kaleidoscope of experiences and adventures, a champion of all things possible. She is always breaking new ground and forging new relationships. One thing always remains-Shari is devoted and dedicated to being a powerful, positive presence for everyone she meets and being an agent of change on this planet. 

Shari's vision was to provide the freshest, healthiest, most nutritious produce available anywhere to local families. She researched. Investigated. Questioned and interviewed. Explored and listened. Up Cycle Aquaponics was the answer.
 
Up Cycle Aquaponics is the result of years of research and what can only be described as Divine Guidance. The produce from the Up Cycle Aquaponics' "farm" is superior to any you have ever eaten. And this is just the beginning. The vision has Up Cycle Aquaponics expanding to offer more varieties and in greater quantity. 

Whether your business is just starting out or has been passed down from the previous generation, it's always a good time to get Green Certified. 

Get your business Green Certified today.  Start the process at  kerngreen.org. 
Kern Community 


NAPD is holding their annual Bowl-a-Thon August
 20th. Join the cause with a night of fun and prizes.