A new program organized by the Great Valley Center — a partner of the University of California, Merced — will offer free assistance to local governments in the San Joaquin Valley to help them develop an inventory of their greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately offer recommendations on how each city can reduce the amount of energy used in its own operations.
The Green Communities Program, funded by PG&E and the California Public Utilities Commission and implemented with the help of ICLEI: Local Governments for Sustainability, will pay interns from UC Merced, University of the Pacific and California State University, Stanislaus, to work with staff members in participating cities.
Thus far, cities that have signed on to participate in the Green Communities Program are Modesto, Turlock, Ceres, Patterson, Oakdale, Riverbank, Hughson, Waterford, Newman and Livingston. Stanislaus County and the cities of Los Banos and Sanger are also looking into the program.
The Great Valley Center interns will use meter information to assess energy use while also interviewing city staff members about solid waste management, sewage treatment, landfill emissions and even commuting practices. They will then offer customized recommendations based on the findings.
In addition to helping those cities plan for climate change, the program also gives cities an opportunity to become leaders in sustainability, setting an example for their residents and neighboring towns.
The Green Communities Program, funded by PG&E and the California Public Utilities Commission and implemented with the help of ICLEI: Local Governments for Sustainability, will pay interns from UC Merced, University of the Pacific and California State University, Stanislaus, to work with staff members in participating cities.
Thus far, cities that have signed on to participate in the Green Communities Program are Modesto, Turlock, Ceres, Patterson, Oakdale, Riverbank, Hughson, Waterford, Newman and Livingston. Stanislaus County and the cities of Los Banos and Sanger are also looking into the program.
The Great Valley Center interns will use meter information to assess energy use while also interviewing city staff members about solid waste management, sewage treatment, landfill emissions and even commuting practices. They will then offer customized recommendations based on the findings.
In addition to helping those cities plan for climate change, the program also gives cities an opportunity to become leaders in sustainability, setting an example for their residents and neighboring towns.
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