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Comment 4 for Auction Proceeds Investment Plan Public Process (investplan2015-ws) - 1st Workshop.
First Name: Josephine
Last Name: Fleming
Email Address: info@greenbusinessca.org
Affiliation: California Green Business Network
Subject: California Green Business Network: Funding for Small Businesses to Reduce GHG Critical
Comment:
On behalf of the California Green Business Network, a 501c.3 organization comprised of a partnership of local government agencies, utilities, non-profits, and Certified Green Businesses, we are submitting a comment to stress the importance of supporting small- to medium-sized businesses with Cap-and-Trade proceed Greenhouse Gas Reduction funds. Small businesses are the backbone of this State, consuming 45% of the State’s utilities and employing over 50% of the State’s workforce. Yet these businesses do not have the in-house expertise, nor the resources or capital to carry out recommended practices , like energy retrofits, that conserve resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They have trouble navigating the myriad of public and private programs to make lasting and effective changes, and rebate programs are nominal and lacking. Enter the California Green Business Program, a one-stop shop for small to medium sized businesses to go green and quantify their savings, both monetary and and in terms of greenhouse gas emissions reductions, among other metrics. An effective Greenhouse Gas Reduction Investment Plan for the state should have small businesses as a key element. The investment strategy should include significant funding toward small business greening programs, especially those that demonstrate significant, measurable, and verifiable reductions in GHG. The California Green Business Network, as it stands today, serves half of the State’s population with 24 programs and nearly 3000 recognized businesses. Collectively, the network is responsible for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 822,000 tons. We have a strategic roadmap that sets a goal to reduce emissions by up to 10 million metric tons by 2050. Businesses in the Green Business network also saved over 100 million gallons of water, $30 million in utility costs, and diverted over 400,000 tons of waste from the landfill. We are already demonstrating that small to medium sized businesses can make a difference. Imagine what we could do if we could provide rebates, fund more on-the-ground assistance to businesses, focus on partnerships to even the playing field in disadvantaged communities. This past year, the program was launched in the Central Valley and the Inland Empire and we are ramping up efforts to reach more businesses in disadvantaged communities. Since we’re quantifying our greenhouse gas reductions as we do this work, these successes could be readily highlighted in an investment fund. We strongly encourage your Board, the Governor’s office, and the State legislature to consider a small business element to your investment plan. Thank you for your consideration, Josephine Fleming, Director of the California Green Business Network
Attachment: www.arb.ca.gov/lists/com-attach/19-investplan2015-ws-VzRQN1w6UmNVDARh.pdf
Original File Name: CAGB_ecology_action_brochure_4.0_send.pdf
Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2015-07-22 16:14:34
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