Solano: Getting to Green!

Energy Efficiency Innovation & Growing Local “Green” Markets Take Center Stage at December Solano EDC Meeting

Contact: Michael Ammann
Sandy Person 707 864-1855

Innovations in energy efficiency and business development will be featured at the Dec. 8 Solano Economic Development Corporation’s breakfast event in Fairfield.

Michael Ammann, president of Solano EDC, said it is appropriate that these two forward-looking topics be spotlighted for the final monthly breakfast event for the year 2010.

“The Solano County’s Energy Cluster report prepared by Collaborative Economic in November 2009 called out the opportunities for Solano County to capture regional innovation, building local markets, and preparing residents for growing jobs and careers in the energy cluster,” Ammann said. “The Work Force Investment Board (WIB), Solano Community College and the Trade Unions have been building the labor force through “green collar” training programs. It’s now time to align the business community to take advantage of energy efficiency innovations and building local market solutions for Solano”, said Ammann.

Nicole Woolsey Biggart, director of the UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center will discuss accelerating development and commercialization of energy efficiency technologies while training future leaders in energy efficiency deployment and research in Northern California.

Charles Rieger, executive director of the Solano Center for Business Innovation (which provides new and diversified services for business startups) will update attendees on the Centers launch the Solano Green Business Council which pulls the business community together to build the “Green Marketplace “ which includes projects such as audits and energy efficiency retrofits for residential and the “greening” of commercial and public buildings. Another activity will be the promotion of “green business practices and getting businesses to voluntarily sign up for the comprehensive Green Business Certification Program managed by Solano County.

The breakfast meeting begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfield. Cost is $25 for EDC members and $35 for non-members. Reservations may be made by calling 707.864.1855. Pacific Gas & Electric Company was the underwriter for the Solano County’s Energy Cluster and the major event sponsor for this meeting along with Sutter Health.

The annual monthly series of breakfast membership networking meetings is made possible by the Solano EDC Chairman Circle Members which include Solano Transportation Authority; Syar Industries; Solano Garbage Company and Republic Services, Inc.