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Bay Area Energy Committee

Curbing global warming and adapting to climate change is a top priority for the Sierra Club and will require a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach. The Club’s San Francisco Bay chapter is actively pursuing solutions that involve championing transit systems and alternatives to the private automobile, reducing and diverting waste, preserving and protecting natural habitat, open space and wildlife, conserving water use and expanding clean renewable energy sources.

These pages briefly summarize our Chapter’s involvement on energy - a major source of greenhouse gases and thus a key concern in curbing global warming and building a sustainable, healthy economy.

Who is the chapter Energy Committee?

The Energy Committee is a sub-committee of the Chapter's Conservation Committee. Its members are volunteers who have an interest in the environmental impacts of local energy policy. Some of our members are engineers or have expertise in the field, but such a background is not required. Our meetings and activities are free and open to all Sierra Club members and non-members.

When and where does the committee meet?

The committee meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm. Our meetings are held at the Sierra Club’s offices in San Francisco – 85 Second Street, 3rd floor Yosemite room. At the corner of Second and Mission Streets, one block from the Montgomery BART/Muni station.

What does the committee do?

The Energy Committee is essentially a research and advisory arm of the Chapter Conservation Committee. It provides a forum for Club members interested in energy issues who wish to learn or help take action. We make recommendations to the Bay chapter and work to support and advocate Sierra Club energy positions and campaigns. Such action may include writing letters to government officials, speaking at public hearings, conducting public outreach, working on electoral campaigns, etc.

Can I come to your meetings?

Absolutely! The more members we have, the more issues we will be able to competently research. No particular qualifications are required to join the committee, other than an interest in local energy issues.

Contact Us

Our committee is chaired by Aaron Israel, who can be contacted at izzinsf(at)gmail.com or (415) 515-2683.

To join our listserv (low traffic), send an email to sfbayenergy@googlegroups.com

To view archived postings and agendas, go to http://groups.google.com/group/sfbayenergy

Current Efforts and Campaigns

Greening the local grid
We are actively supporting the rapid expansion of renewable energy for communities in Marin, San Francisco and the East Bay through a creative, feasible and prudent new model called Community Choice. For more information, visit: www.CommunityChoiceEnergy.org

Championing Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles
We have joined in efforts to demonstrate market demand for clean, fuel-efficient vehicles and urge the auto industry to make these available. Add your name to the growing list or learn more about this effort, visit: http://www.pluginbayarea.org

Conserving Energy – the San Francisco energy-saving contest
We are involved in a first-of-its-kind energy-saving contest that encourages San Francisco residents to compete for prizes and lower their home energy consumption at the same time. The fun begins at the end of October. Put a team together, learn some new tricks and help demonstrate the power of conservation! To get the full scoop, go to www.SFClimateChallenge.org

Bringing down the cost of solar
The Bay chapter has been working with other local Sierra Club leaders to survey what all 131 cities in Northern California charge for the permit to install photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on residential roofs. We are using the study as a platform to persuade cities to reduce their fees, with wild success! To see the progress of the campaign and to access the study, go to http://lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/global_warming/fee_study.htm

Homeowners Guide to Going Solar

Thinking about installing solar at home? Here is a primer (in Word format) to help you get started and where to get good information and help.

Further Info on Sierra Club Energy Policies and Campaigns

Sierra Club’s homepage for smart energy solutions and global warming: http://sierraclub.org/energy

Club Policies on all energy issues – from wind siting to biofuels – go to: http://www.sierraclub.org/policy/conservation/index.asp#Energy

Sierra Club California, our voice in the state capitol, is involved in many efforts related to energy and global warming. For more information, go to: http://www.sierraclubcalifornia.org Join our statewide Legislative Action Network at http://cal-legalert.sierraclubaction.org

Sierra Club in California is a supporter of RACE – Ratepayers for Affordable, Clean Energy. RACE is a coalition of organizations and community groups dedicated to a future of clean energy and a reduction of fossil-fuel use in California. Go to: http://www.lngwatch.com