Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Goleta to be Served by Central Coast Community Energy Beginning this October

Enrollment Begins for 42,000 Eligible Customers – Four Notices Between August and December to Highlight Enrollment Process, Local Economic and Environmental Benefits 

Ushered in by 31 other communities throughout the Central Coast, agriculture, business and residential customers in Carpinteria, Goleta and Unincorporated Southern Santa Barbra County will begin receiving service from Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE) in October 2021. All enrolling electricity customers will receive four mailed notifications with details about enrollment and what CCCE means for the newest communities and customers the public agency will begin serving.

Mailed notifications go out in August, September, November, and December and CCCE staff is also engaged in community outreach including virtual webinars in English and Spanish to keep households and businesses informed about the transition. Across the CCCE service area, PG&E and SCE continue their traditional roles delivering electricity and sending one monthly bill that includes CCCE charges, but CCCE is now in charge of how and where this electricity is generated. The net result is new, local economic and environmental benefits for customers.

“With service for customers in Carpinteria, Goleta and southern Santa Barbara County beginning in October Central Coast Community Energy will bring choice and more opportunities for customers,” shared Das Williams, Santa Barbara County Supervisor and CCCE Policy Board Vice Chair. “As an agency, CCCE is moving the needle on reducing emissions and creating new renewable energy resources that benefit not just the whole state but our planet while maintaining affordability for its Central Coast customers.”

As a community-owned electricity provider, CCCE’s focus on clean energy and local control is already providing approximately 350,000 Central Coast customers access to competitively priced electricity, incentives and rebates from innovative local energy programs such as funding for electric vehicles (EV) and EV charging stations, zero-emissions electric school buses, electric agricultural equipment and more. As a public agency, CCCE also provides regular opportunities to participate in public meetings and workshops that steer the course of future CCCE community reinvestments. To date since launching in 2018, those investments total $49.5 million in community reinvestment including a 50% rate reduction totaling $22 million for May and June 2020 in response to COVID. CCCE also funds energy programs, with $12 million available for fiscal year 21-22.

“After years of community support and study, we are pleased that Goleta is moving forward with this “community choice” energy model.  Joining CCCE will help further Goleta’s goal of providing fossil-free electricity. The City of Goleta is excited by what is offered by this new energy option: competitive rates, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and a greater offering of programs to invest in our community.” Shares Kyle Richards, Goleta City Councilmember and CCCE Policy Board Member for the City of Goleta (shared seat with Carpinteria).

For all participating communities, CCCE service represents a first-ever choice and alternative to receiving electricity service solely from investor-owned utilities (IOUs) such as PG&E or SCE. Following the same structure as 23 other community choice energy agencies serving more than 11 million customers throughout California, CCCE works in partnership with the IOUs. In their respective service areas, PG&E or SCE continue delivering electricity, maintaining infrastructure, and sending one monthly bill that includes CCCE electric generation charges; these electric generation charges were previously charged by IOUs as part of their bundled service costs. IOUs will continue charging for transmission and delivery. Customers also continue to have uninterrupted access to financial assistance programs including CARE, FERA, Medical Baseline, AMP and California’s Climate Credits.

“Joining Central Coast Community Energy allows our community to receive the benefits of choice, local control, competitive rates and ways to further reduce local greenhouse gas emissions.” Stated Katie Davis, CCCE Community Advisory Council Member. “I’m proud to be representing the County of Santa Barbara and witnessing the innovative solutions CCCE is capable of providing to the communities it serves.”

Both the economic and environmental benefits that CCCE provides are anchored in a commitment to not just sourcing clean and renewable electricity but growing these resources in ways that contribute to grid stability and support customers and communities with the transition from fossil fuel sources to clean energy solutions, accelerating progress towards California’s ambitious climate goals.  As California’s largest community choice energy agency by geography, CCCE has already energized significant economic and environmental progress in Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Cruz counties.

“Our expansion to serve 3 new communities in Santa Barbara County marks an important transition in CCCE’s development as a community choice energy agency,” shares CCCE CEO, Tom Habashi. “Our southward expansion led to a name change, a larger board and most importantly a new direction and a real commitment to renewable energy. By October of this year, CCCE will be serving four counties and 29 cities along the California Central Coast.”

CCCE has committed to reaching 60% clean and renewable energy by 2025 and 100% clean and renewable energy by 2030, 15 years ahead of California’s SB100 goals of 100% zero-carbon energy by 2045. CCCE has already contracted for $1.1 billion in long-term renewable energy contracts and has requested offers for long-duration storage for renewable energy, increasing the reliability of renewable resources in California.

Enrolling residents and businesses may attend free online webinars and virtual office hours to learn more. https://3cenergy.org/2021-enrollment/. Community members may sign up for the CCCE monthly newsletter here. 

About Central Coast Community Energy

Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE) is a public agency that sources competitively priced electricity from clean and renewable energy resources. CCCE is locally controlled and governed by board members who represent each community served by the agency. Revenue generated by CCCE stays local and helps keep electricity rates affordable for customers, while also funding innovative energy programs designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate economic development. CCCE serves more than 400,000 customers throughout the Central Coast, including residential, commercial and agricultural customers in communities located within Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz counties. Learn more at 3CEnergy.org and on social media, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @3CEnergy.

Check Out the Library’s Newest Online Resource – Value Line

The library is now offering Value Line, an investment tool providing reliable, unbiased information on companies, industries, markets, and economies, free to library card holders. Value Line, is one of many online resources available to patrons. It is incredible all you can access at www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org with the click of a mouse or on your phone. Other online resources and services available to patrons include:

  • OverDrive: Best selling fiction and non-fiction available to download with the Libby app
  • Kanopy: A free streaming service where you can watch up to 5 movies per month.
  • hoopla: Patrons can check out up to 10 items per month from more than 750,000 digital items available.
  • The New York Times: Read this newspaper online from anywhere.
  • Brainfuse JobNow & VetNow: Assistance in finding and applying for jobs and help for veterans in transitioning from military to civilian life.
  • Data Axle Reference Solutions: Formerly Reference USA, this program provides the most up-to-date business and consumer data available.
  • Personalized Reading List: Fill out the online form and library staff will put together a list just for you.
  • Tech Tutoring & Check-In: Complete our online form to have a library staff contact you to help with online resources or for a chat.

Learn more about the libraries online offerings by watching our library website show and tell video with Library Director Allison Gray where she shows you how easy it is to find everything you could possibly need. Watch now in English (https://youtu.be/zYi7m0nKDPM) or Spanish (https://youtu.be/U7vN5A8DiTI).

If you don’t have a Goleta Valley or Santa Ynez Valley Library card, you can get one by going to your local branch or, for access to online services only, sign up for a library card on the Black Gold eCard Registration webpage.

Pictured: Allison Gray, Library Director, in the Library Show and Tell video

Summer Reading Program Recap

Local children, teens, and adults kept their minds active and expanded their knowledge through the awesome power of books this summer. We are so proud of our local readers who participated in the 2021 Online Summer Reading Program! The eight week program concluded on Saturday, July 31 and had 925 participants of all ages who read a total of 8,628 books.

The community was encouraged to continue reading throughout the summer months thanks in part to exciting prizes provided by over 40 generous local sponsors. Participants also enjoyed six online shows from lively children’s musicians, engaging puppeteers, a fascinating magician, and some amazing animal friends from the zoo. Select recordings are available through the library Events Calendar. Teen volunteers earned community service hours by writing 26 book reviews, which are published on the Book Reviews by Teens webpage.

Kudos to everyone who participated in this year’s Summer Reading Program!

#VaccinateGoleta & Zip Code Vaccination Rates

Did you know you can see how many people in a specific zip code are vaccinated? Click here to check it out or go to the Santa Barbara County Community Data Dashboard and click on the “Vaccinations” tab. The County dashboard has lots of additional COVID-19 related information that the community will find useful.

As of July 29, only 52.1% of Santa Barbara County’s eligible population was vaccinated, and 54% fully vaccinated within the 93117 zip code. Eligible population means all people ages 12 and older who do not have a medical condition preventing vaccination. 

City of Goleta encourages everyone to do your part and get vaccinated to better protect the entire community. Hear directly from Mayor Paula Perotte and all of the Goleta City Council members on the importance of getting vaccinated with our #VaccinateGoleta video message available in English and Spanish.

With the new cases of the Delta variant being found in Santa Barbara County, it’s even more important to get vaccinated. The Delta variant is labeled as a variant of concern by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is known to have increased transmissibility.

Everyone ages 12+ years of age is eligible for the vaccine (minors are only eligible for the Pfizer vaccine) – don’t wait, get vaccinated today. For information on walk-in Community Vaccination Clinics, or how to make an appointment at a local pharmacy, please visit https://publichealthsbc.org/vaccine/.

COVID-19 Cases Continue to Rise Significantly Among Unvaccinated Residents

COVID-19 cases have reached critically high levels in Santa Barbara County, and as of the end of July, the local case rate had reached 9.8 cases per 100,000 residents and a positivity rate of 6.9%. With these metrics, Santa Barbara County would be in the purple tier in the now retired tiered framework.  These metrics mean that we have widespread community transmission of the delta variant. Over 400 active cases have been detected locally, a 55% increase from the previous 2-week average. As of July 20, over 86% of new cases occurred in unvaccinated community members.

New cases of COVID-19 have dramatically increased in July and the demographics of those contracting the virus have shifted. Cases in the past month have trended younger with persons 18-29 years of age making up the majority of cases. More cases are now being detected in the southern part of the county which is a contrast from earlier in the pandemic when the majority of new infections occurred in north county.

The Public Health Department strongly advises all community members to follow these strategies:

  • Wear a mask in all indoor spaces outside your home.
  • Stay home if you are ill, even if you have been vaccinated.
  • Avoid crowded events.
  • Get vaccinated if you have not done so already.

“As we enter this new phase of the pandemic, the landscape has changed dramatically from last year’s summer surge”, shared Van Do-Reynoso, County Public Health Director. “We have the safe, effective solution to stop this surge in its tracks.  We need every eligible member of this community to act and get vaccinated as soon as possible. There are still 149,688 persons eligible to be vaccinated in Santa Barbara County, who have not been vaccinated.”

For free vaccine opportunities in your area:

Children and Pet Safety in Vehicles

Public Service Announcement from Santa Barbara County Fire Department

It’s called hyperthermia or heatstroke, and it can happen faster than you ever imagined. The Santa Barbara County Fire Department reminds people that children or animals left inside a vehicle can quickly overheat, resulting in devastating injuries, permanent brain damage or death. On average, 37 children die in hot cars each year from heat-related deaths after being trapped inside motor vehicles. Since 1990, more than 700 child vehicular heat stroke deaths have occurred in the U.S.

It is never alright to leave kids or pets in a vehicle. Cracking your window will do little to cool the inside of a vehicle. Children and pets overheat four times faster than adults. On a day that is just 72 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature (inside a car) can increase by 40- 50 degrees in less than an hour, and 70% of this increase occurs in the first 30 minutes.

Safeguarding your loved ones from the dangers of being locked in a car starts with prevention. Never leave your child or pet unattended in a vehicle, no matter how short a period of time. Take your children and pets with you when you get out of the vehicle.

Shop at pet-friendly stores so your pet(s) can come with you. If that is not possible, leave pets at home where they are safe. If you see a child or animal alone in a car, call 9-1-1 and stay with the car.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department reminds citizens that when simple things are overlooked, tragic consequences can result. Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle.

SBCAG Seeks Interested Individuals to Serve on the Measure A Citizens Oversight Committee

Applications to fill three vacancies will be accepted until August 16

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) seeks interested individuals to fill three vacancies on the Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee. The committee provides important accountability for the expenditure of an estimated $1 billion of Measure A, voter-mandated, high priority transportation projects and programs throughout Santa Barbara County.

People who serve on the Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee are a part of regional transportation efforts to relieve traffic congestion and improve public safety. Those who represent diverse transportation, geographic, social, cultural, and economic interests in the county are encouraged to apply.

The Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee is comprised of 11 community leaders who represent North County, South Coast and the region “at-large.” Two vacancies must be filled by individuals who live in Buellton; Guadalupe; Lompoc; Santa Maria; Solvang; or the unincorporated areas of Orcutt, Vandenberg Village, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and New Cuyama.

Appointed members serve four-year terms and can be reappointed to additional terms at the discretion of the SBCAG Board of Directors. The Committee conducts meetings one to three times a year and annually submits comments to the SBCAG Board of Directors on whether the provisions, requirements, and voter mandates as outlined by the Measure A Investment Plan and Ordinance have been properly carried out.

The Measure A Investment Plan and Ordinance provides an estimated $140 million in matching funds to make local and U.S. highway 101 multimodal improvements from Santa Barbara to Mussel Shoals. The plan also provides an estimated $455 million each in North County and South Coast for transportation projects and programs to build safer walking and bike routes to schools, increase senior and disabled accessibility to public transit, increase options for carpool and vanpool programs as well as local street improvements such as pothole repairs and synchronized traffic signals.

To apply, individuals are encouraged to download and complete the application by 5 p.m. on Monday, August 16, 2021. The application is available on the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments website at www.sbcag.org/news. Alternatively, interested individuals may request an application from Lauren Bianchi Klemann, SBCAG’s government affairs and public information manager, at lbianchiklemann@sbcag.org or (805) 961-8900.

SBCAG administers Measure A according to strict accountability provisions including annual independent financial audits and public review of expenditures by the Measure A Citizen’s Oversight Committee.

More information about Measure A is available on the measure’s website at www.measurea.net.

ABOUT MEASURE A:

On November 4, 2008, Measure A was approved in Santa Barbara county with 79% voter support, a one-half of one percent (1/2%) sales tax for transportation projects and programs over 30 years. Measure A is administered by Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and it is estimated to provide more than $1 billion of local investment in transportation projects and programs through 2040.

Poll Workers Needed for Recall Election

The Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters office is seeking volunteers to serve as poll workers for the September 14 California Gubernatorial Recall Election. Community participation is always essential to staffing the precincts and polling places for the election. With this election taking place on such a short schedule, the Elections Office has less time than usual to recruit poll workers. Please consider applying to be a poll worker today!

Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor & Registrar of Voters said people should volunteer because, “poll workers are on the frontline of democracy; without them voting does not happen.”

Poll workers who work at a polling place receive a stipend of $180 to $240 for Election Day and to attend training. Each polling place is led by a Polling Place Supervisor who oversees one or more Precinct Boards. Each Precinct Board is comprised of one Inspector and two Clerks. In addition, each polling place will need a Traffic Clerk and Ballot Reception Clerk. 

To be a poll worker, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a registered voter in the State of California or lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States, as specified, and who is otherwise eligible to register to vote, except for their lack of United States citizenship.
  • Be able to follow written and verbal instruction.
  • Be available to serve Election Day – September 14 – from approximately 6 a.m. to
    9 p.m. or until all of the closing procedures have been completed.
  • Must be available to attend a mandatory training class.

Howard Hudson volunteers as a poll worker and as an Adopt-A-Poll organizer for the Santa Barbara Host Lions Club because he wants to be a part of the democratic process. Hudson said, “I feel that as a citizen I am obligated to do what I can to help with the process and I encourage others to get involved and participate. Election Day is busy, but rewarding and I get to meet others supporting our democratic process and right to vote.” 

To learn more about the poll worker program and training process, please go to https://countyofsb.org/care/elections/officers/information.sbc. 

New Funding Rounds for CA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program

California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), part of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), announced July 29 that there will be three additional rounds for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program following Governor Gavin Newsom signing into law the largest economic recovery package in state history. 

Guided by a principle of equity, the program provides a crucial financial recovery resource to traditionally underserved small businesses and nonprofits. As of July 29, in the first six funding rounds of the program, 180,939 small businesses and nonprofits have been awarded for a total of $2,034,395,811 in grant funding. Additional data can be found at https://business.ca.gov/coronavirus-2019/.

The additional $1.5 billion expansion, for a total of $4 billion, makes this the largest small business grant program of its kind in the country and provides grants up to $25,000 for small businesses impacted by the pandemic. The three new competitive funding rounds will be conducted by CalOSBA’s selected intermediary, Lendistry. 

Additional information can be found at CAReliefGrant.com and below:

Round 7: Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds

Selection Window: Tuesday, August 3 through Thursday, September 16

  • Eligible applicants: This is a closed round and only available to eligible applicants who were waitlisted in certain previous rounds.  Selection does not guarantee approval or an award. If you were waitlisted, you do not need to reapply. New applications will not be accepted in this round.
  • Eligible grant award: $5,000 to $25,000
  • Details: This is a closed funding round; no new applications will be accepted.
Round 8: Nonprofit cultural institutions only 

Application window: Friday, August 27 through Wednesday, September 8 

  • Eligible applicants: Only nonprofit cultural institutions of any revenue size that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com.
  • Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000
  • Details: Approximately $16 million remain under the Nonprofit Cultural Institutions Program. Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1, 2, 5 or 6; nonprofit cultural institutions that applied in Round 4 do not need to reapply.  Grants will only be available to nonprofit cultural institutions that did not receive funding in any previous rounds. Grants will be prioritized based on the documented percentage revenue declines based on a reporting period comparing Q2 and Q3 of 2020 versus Q2 and Q3 of 2019.
Round 9: New Applicants and Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds

Application window: Thursday, September 9 through Thursday, September 30

  • Eligible applicants: Current waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com.
  • Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000
  • Details: Applicants not selected to move forward in the review process in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or 7 do not need to re-apply and will be automatically moved into Round 9. New applicants will need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com.

Habitat for Humanity Santa Barbara County Home Repair Program

Habitat for Humanity, an equal housing opportunity, promotes dignity and independence for low-income homeowners by addressing critical health and safety needs within the homes. The Santa Barbara County Home Repair Program serves the geographic boundaries of Santa Barbara’s South County only – this includes Gaviota to the north and Carpinteria to the south.

Repair Opportunities
Repair opportunities range and can include both internal and external modifications. Health and safety upgrades in the home can potentially include: accessibility ramps, installing grab bars, exterior security lighting, flooring, exterior stairs, kitchen repair, windows, doors/widening doors, minor electrical, improving unsafe landscaping, and more. Habitat is also happy to provide access to community referrals and additional resources to eligible applicants.

Eligibility:
Each individual and/or family must meet all of Habitat’s homeowner selection requirements, and program eligibility will be determined based on the eligibility criteria for repairs. Completing an application does not guarantee program acceptance.

Partial list of Eligibility Criteria:

  1. Have a demonstrated need for critical health and safety repairs.
  2. Household gross income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income.
  3. Be willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity, volunteers and the community.

Apply Today
Habitat’s ability to address your need is dependent on available funding and project scope. If you are interested in learning more or completing an application, please contact katherine@sbhabitat.org or (805) 455-4919. Download the application here.