San Joaquin Valley

Coalition calls on Governor Newsom to uphold funding for Equitable Building Decarbonization Program

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Health, Climate change, Environment, Letter, Eviction, Poverty, Tenant, Research, EBD, Policy, San Joaquin Valley, Legislature, BDC, Equity, Building, Building Energy, BEEP, Air pollution, Multimedia, Equitable Building, Renewable energy

SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A coalition of environmental justice and equity groups, environmental organizations, energy providers, and equipment manufacturers submitted a letter yesterday urging Governor Newsom and California policymakers to uphold $922 million for the California Energy Commission's Equitable Building Decarbonization (EBD) Program and bolster the program with $400 million in a climate bond that will appear before voters in November. The EBD Program would help expand access to cooling, improve air quality, reduce climate pollution, and boost the health and comfort of low-income and environmental justice communities. It would also accelerate the state's goal of installing 6 million heat pumps by 2030.

Key Points: 
  • Large-scale solutions like the Equitable Building Decarbonization Program can provide clean air and cooling, and help meet California's climate goals.
  • Shrinking funding for the program would have negative impacts on Californians," said Jose Torres, California Director at the Building Decarbonization Coalition.
  • While this program has been successful in providing much-needed upgrades, increased funding would have resulted in greater success with implementation.
  • The Building Decarbonization Coalition (BDC) aligns critical stakeholders on a path to transform the nation's buildings through clean energy, using policy, research, market development, and public engagement.

Wine Industry Leader Bronco Wine Co. Turns 50

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Sibling, CO2, Zero waste, Certification, Natural Resources, Father, Growth, Coffee, Charles Shaw wine, Wine, San Joaquin Valley, Bucking horse, Solar energy, California Certified Organic Farmers

CERES, Calif., Jan. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the past half century, Bronco Wine Co. has been at the forefront of innovation, disruption, and sustainability in the wine category, creating high-quality wines that over-deliver across price points.

Key Points: 
  • December 27, 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of Bronco Wine Co. as it joins a rare group of wine businesses that have been continuously family-owned for 50 years.
  • "You don't last 50 years if you don't take care of the land at the core of your business," said Dan Leonard, Bronco Wine Co. President & CEO.
  • In 2002, Bronco Wine Co. launched Charles Shaw wine, affectionately known as "Two Buck Chuck," disrupting the wine industry with high-quality wines for a low price.
  • "In the next 50 years, Bronco Wine Co. will continue to be stewards of the land, be a source of excellence in wine-grape growing and premium bulk wine, co-packaging, and logistics.

Aemetis Receives Environmental Approval for 24-mile Pipeline Extension to Transport Biogas from Dairy Digesters to RNG Production Facility

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
State, CEQA, California Department, PG&E, San Joaquin Valley, Engineering, RNG, Carbon, Transport, Methane, Natural gas, Dairy

CUPERTINO, CA, Nov. 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire - Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX) announced today that the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors, upon a 4 to 0 vote, approved the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) analysis for Aemetis Biogas LLC to extend its biogas pipeline by an additional 24 miles using the public right of way. 

Key Points: 
  • The pipeline transports biogas from dairy digesters to a centralized renewable natural gas (RNG) upgrading facility located at the Aemetis Keyes biofuels plant.
  • The pipeline extension will enable Aemetis to add 21 additional dairies to the Aemetis Biogas project in Stanislaus and Merced Counties.
  • The Aemetis Biogas pipeline project, including dairy digesters, collection pipeline, centralized biogas upgrading facility, RNG fueling station, and PG&E gas pipeline interconnection, is investing more than $300 million in California’s Central Valley.
  • “With 36 miles of biogas pipeline already built, seven operating dairy digesters, and biogas digesters under construction for ten more dairies, this new approval for 24 miles of biogas pipeline serving an additional 21 dairies is another significant milestone for the Aemetis Biogas dairy RNG project,” said Eric McAfee, Chairman and CEO of Aemetis.

Coalition Raises Concerns Regarding Supply Chain Challenges in California, Farmers, Businesses, & Labor Request Dialogue with Governor Newsom

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Environment, Labor, Maritime, Advocacy Group Opinion, Environmental Policy, Transport, Public Policy, Government, State, Local, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Investment, Organization, San Joaquin Valley, COVID, Ship, Letter, Agriculture, Food, Renewable energy

State regulations not properly supported by infrastructure, investments, and flexibility in implementing timelines create insurmountable problems for all Californians.

Key Points: 
  • State regulations not properly supported by infrastructure, investments, and flexibility in implementing timelines create insurmountable problems for all Californians.
  • Inevitably imports and exports at our many California ports will slow to a crawl as they did during COVID.
  • With that will come less available food and other supplies, higher prices, the loss of thousands of supply chain jobs, and worsening economic conditions throughout California, especially in disadvantaged rural communities.
  • Fortunately, California is presently making significant progress in air quality within the limits of technology and funding (e.g.

NREL Names Ava Community Energy, Formerly East Bay Community Energy, One of the Top Green Power Providers in the U.S.

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Solar energy, San Joaquin Valley, NREL, State, Wind, Acquisition, Electricity, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Renewable energy

OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ava Community Energy (Ava), formerly East Bay Community Energy, today announced its recognition as one of the U.S.'s top green power providers by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)'s 2022 Utility Green Pricing Program. Serving California's Alameda County and parts of the San Joaquin Valley, Ava Community Energy continues to deliver on its commitment to driving clean electrification across its service territories and is tracking toward its goal of providing 100 percent renewable electricity to all Ava customers by 2030.

Key Points: 
  • Ava continues to track toward 100 percent carbon-free power by 2030, ranking as a top 5 green power provider in terms of number of green pricing customers and green power sales among all electricity providers
    OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ava Community Energy (Ava), formerly East Bay Community Energy, today announced its recognition as one of the U.S.'s top green power providers by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)'s 2022 Utility Green Pricing Program .
  • Compared to other leading community choice aggregators (CCAs) nationally, Ava Community Energy ranks second in green power sales and third in terms of the number of its green power customers.
  • "Ava Community Energy's core mission centers on providing Northern California residents, businesses and municipalities with greener electricity at lower rates," said Nick Chaset, CEO at Ava Community Energy.
  • This year marks the first time NREL has included CCAs such as Ava Community Energy in its list.

Meet Ava Community Energy, the Next Era of East Bay Community Energy (EBCE)

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Electricity, San Joaquin Valley, Renewable energy

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), one of the nation's top clean energy providers, announced today that it will begin operating under its new name, Ava Community Energy (Ava). The name change and rebrand signal Ava Community Energy's expansion beyond the East Bay to encompass Alameda County and parts of the San Joaquin Valley, as well as the company's growing commitment to driving electrification across its service territory.

Key Points: 
  • Extending its services from Alameda County to the San Joaquin Valley, Ava Community Energy, formerly known as East Bay Community Energy, powers a growing number of residential and commercial accounts
    OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), one of the nation's top clean energy providers, announced today that it will begin operating under its new name, Ava Community Energy (Ava).
  • said Elisa Márquez, Chair of the Board of Directors for Ava Community Energy, formerly known as East Bay Community Energy.
  • For five years, East Bay Community Energy, now Ava Community Energy, has been a national trailblazer in broadening equitable access to clean energy, building resilience in the communities it serves and creating demand for clean energy solutions.
  • "Since our inception, East Bay Community Energy has always been a mirror to the communities we serve," said Nick Chaset, CEO of Ava Community Energy.

Tri Counties Bank and Self-Help Enterprises Launch Down Payment Assistance Program in the California Central Valley

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Other Philanthropy, Personal Finance, Construction & Property, Finance, Banking, Professional Services, Philanthropy, Residential Building & Real Estate, Forgiveness, Central Valley, Tri Counties Bank, Down payment, Multimedia, DPA, Senior, SHE, Partnership, Real estate, San Joaquin Valley

Tri Counties Bank announced today a partnership with Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) to launch a new Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program.

Key Points: 
  • Tri Counties Bank announced today a partnership with Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) to launch a new Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program.
  • Tri Counties Bank is funding the program with a $150,000 donation to support low- and moderate-income homebuyers in Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare and Kern Counties.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231018455732/en/
    Tri Counties Bank awards Self-Help Enterprises with a $150,000 donation to fund a new Down Payment Assistance that support low- and moderate-income homebuyers in Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare and Kern Counties.
  • (Photo: Business Wire)
    The new program is coordinated through SHE and all home mortgages will be financed through Tri Counties Bank.

Fennemore Continues Its Explosive Growth In California By Expanding Fresno Presence

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 2, 2023
Legal, Professional Services, LLP, Intellectual property, Food, ERISA, Baby boomers, Private law, Agriculture, Water, Business, The American Lawyer, SMD, Natural Resources, Trust, San Joaquin Valley, Acquisition, Office, AM, Central Valley, Property management, Fennemore Craig

The attorneys and allied legal professionals formerly associated with SMD will now occupy Fennemore’s existing office in Fresno.

Key Points: 
  • The attorneys and allied legal professionals formerly associated with SMD will now occupy Fennemore’s existing office in Fresno.
  • Fennemore’s revenue grew by a staggering 45% in 2022 versus 2021—outpacing the 2.7 - 4.1% average among the Am Law 100 and 200, respectively.
  • Six SMD attorneys and four allied legal professionals will initially join Fennemore’s team based in Fresno.
  • “This is an exciting day in the next chapter for our firm, and for the evolution of Fennemore,” noted Joseph J. Doerr, the Managing Partner of SMD, certified by the California Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in taxation law.

Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Joaquin County Appoints Keenon Krick as Chief Executive Officer

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 29, 2023
Envision, Education, Culture, Multimedia, Equity, CAPC, San Joaquin Valley, Child abuse, Inclusion, Woman, Management

STOCKTON, Calif., Sept. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Joaquin County (CAPC) proudly announces the appointment of Keenon Krick as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective October 16, 2023. Mr. Krick's distinguished career in business, education, nonprofits, and social services makes him well-suited to lead CAPC into a new era of success.

Key Points: 
  • STOCKTON, Calif., Sept. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Joaquin County ( CAPC ) proudly announces the appointment of Keenon Krick as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective October 16, 2023.
  • "We are thrilled to welcome Keenon as our new CEO," said Janine Kaeslin, Board Chair of CAPC.
  • Upon his appointment, Keenon Krick said, "I am truly honored and excited to join the Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Joaquin County.
  • Envision Consulting is a boutique firm that specializes in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration, and executive leadership transitions exclusively for nonprofit organizations.

Century Communities Now Selling at Live Oak in Hanford, CA

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 24, 2023
Highway, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, San Joaquin Valley, NYSE, Trust (social science), FREEDOM, Retail, Newsweek, Central California

HANFORD, Calif., Aug. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS)—a top 10 national homebuilder, industry leader in online home sales, and the highest-ranked homebuilder on Newsweek's list of America's Most Trustworthy Companies 2023—is excited to announce the opening of Live Oak in Hanford, CA.

Key Points: 
  • HANFORD, Calif., Aug. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS)—a top 10 national homebuilder, industry leader in online home sales, and the highest-ranked homebuilder on Newsweek's list of America's Most Trustworthy Companies 2023—is excited to announce the opening of Live Oak in Hanford, CA.
  • The brand-new community offers a limited selection of 99 homesites—featuring single- and two-story homes with modern open-concept layouts and desirable included finishes like the builder's Century Home Connect® smart home package.
  • "We're thrilled to introduce Live Oak to the San Joaquin Valley," said Allen Bennett, Central Valley Division President.
  • DISCOVER THE FREEDOM OF ONLINE HOMEBUYING:
    Century Communities is proud to feature its industry-first online homebuying experience on all available homes in Central California.