SBCAN and others encouraged several of our local jurisdictions to urge SLO to deny the project. The SLO County Board of Supervisors upheld the Planning Commission's denial. Now, the last-ditch lawsuit has been dropped.

Here's an article in The Tribune: Phillips 66 agrees to drop lawsuit over oil trains to Nipomo refinery

Ken Hough
SBCAN Executive Director
[email protected]

SBCAN South County Roundtable

Friday, September 22, 2017, Noon

Union Bank’s Community Room, 15 East Carrillo St., Santa Barbara, CA

AGENDA

 (times are approximate)

1. Call to Order by Chair Dick Flacks. Introductions; Agenda Review (5 min.)
2. Tajiguas Landfill Comprehensive Plan Amendment. Marc Chytilo, who is representing the Gaviota Coast Conservancy, and Sigrid Wright, of the Community Environmental Council, will explain why they are opposing the amendment. Leslie Wells, program manager for County Public Works and Mark Schleich, deputy director of Public Works will provide background information about the project. The Planning Commission recently approved the amendment and related actions. (40 min.) County information can be found at: http://www.resourcerecoveryproject.com/    An op/ed by Marc and Sigrid can be found at: http://www.independent.com/news/2017/aug/24/another-path-tajiguas/     The staff report for the Planning Commission can be found at:http://sbcountyplanning.org/PDF/boards/CntyPC/08-30-2017/17GPA-00000-00002/Staff%20Report.pdf 
3. Status of Average Unit Density and Tenants Rights in the City of Santa Barbara. Frank Rodriguez of CAUSE will update us on these issues. (15 min.)
4. Discussion of Goleta Issues Including Goleta Beach and the Eucalyptus Situation at the Elwood Butterfly Grove. (10 min.)
5. Community Choice Energy Feasibility Study.  The County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider the results of the study on October 3. The study is available athttp://centralcoastpower.org/resources.nrg (10 min.)
6.  Brief updates from participants. (2 to 5 min. each)
7. Next meeting.  Our next meeting is scheduled for October 13.  

Ken Hough
SBCAN Executive Director
[email protected]

SBCAN North County Roundtable

Thursday, September 14, 2017, 6 PM

Cornerstone Community Room, 705 S. McClelland 

(next to the Discovery Museum), Santa Maria, CA

AGENDA

1. Call to Order by Janet Blevins; Introductions; Agenda Review (5 min.)
2. OFF Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act (HR 3671). Alena Simon will report on this House Resolution, which would set a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2035.  (10 min.)
3. Rancho La Laguna. This mid-county proposal to subdivide a 4,000-acre ranch into 13 lots for luxury estates was denied by the County Planning Commission in April and the Board of Supervisors upheld the denial on August 29. (5 min.) 
4. The Community Research Project of the Santa Maria Valley.Jane Baxter will report on the formation of this new project. (10 min.)
5. Status of 750+ Unconventional Oil Wells Proposed for East Cat Canyon. (10 min.)
6. DACA and Related Immigration Matters. (10 min.)
7. Bailey Avenue Corridor Annexation. (5 min.)
8. OASIS Community Center in Orcutt. (10 min.)
9. The Neighborhoods: Proposed New Housing Near Rancho Maria Golf Club. (10 min.)
10. Open discussion about other items of interest. All (10 min.)
11. Suggestions for next month’s agenda (October 12).  (5 min.)

Ken Hough
SBCAN Executive Director
[email protected]

Hi Jeanne –

On Tuesday, August 29, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors will consider the appeal of its Planning Commission's denial of a proposal to subdivide 4,000 acres of farmland and ranchland, known as Rancho La Laguna, into 13 parcels for upscale estates.

The National Association For The Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), United Domestic Workers (UDW), Central Coast Alliance For A Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), Santa Barbara County Action Network (SBCAN), the Democratic Club of Santa Maria Valley, and the Lompoc Valley Democratic Club are collaborating to show their support for Charlottesville, Virginia by renouncing and rejecting hate and bigotry.

Rallies are planned on Sunday, August 20, beginning at 2 p.m. at the southeast corner of Betteravia Road and Miller Street, Santa Maria, and Monday, August 21, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of H and Ocean Streets, Lompoc. The theme is “RENOUNCING AND REJECTING HATE AND BIGOTRY.”

The non-partisan rallies are free and open to the public. ALL ATTENDEES are encouraged to dress in layers and bring their own non-political signs. Additional information can be obtained by contacting NAACP President Lawanda Lyons-Pruitt at (805) 448-7869, UDW Regional Coordinator, Yesenia DeCasaus (805) 357-9851, CAUSE Organizer Abraham Melendrez, (805) 253-3686, SBCAN Executive Director Ken Hough, (805) 563–0463, Democratic Club of Santa Maria Valley President Connie Ford, (805) 878-8987, or Democratic Club of Lompoc Valley President Janet Blevins, (805) 717-4160.

We've been asked to help publicize the Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Summiton Wednesday, August 16 in Santa Maria.

There is no cost to attend, but they need to have RSVP’s.

Here's the information from the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Santa Barbara County Energy Watch Partnership:

Here’s Why You Should Attend!

If you interested in our future regarding energy, water and sustainability, you should attend this summit!

• If you are a business - It includes discussions of programs for businesses like the RMDZ program with up to 2 million in low interest loans available for businesses. There are ways to save energy and costs that are also discussed. You should also know about future energy regulations. Attending is a great business decision!
• If you are a municipal partner, you should be interested in micro grids, water conservation, solar, regulations and preparing our communities for the future.
• If you are an interested community member, water use is paramount, as well as solar, and what our energy will look like after Diablo Canyon is decommissioned. The program includes residential programs for energy efficiency and cost savings.

Please spread the word to your contacts and anyone who may be interested in attending.

2017 Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Summit

Wednesday, August 16   8 am to 1pm at the Santa Maria Fairpark, Fountain Pavilion, 937 S. Thornburg, Santa Maria

Additional details can be found HERE. No Cost, but Registration is required.

The City of Santa Barbara's Living Wage Advisory Committee is sponsoring this panel discussion on the high cost of living in Santa Barbara. SBCAN is cosponsoring this event and encourages you to attend and engage in this important issue.

The High Cost of Living in Santa Barbara
A Panel Discussion Sponsored by the
City of Santa Barbara's Living Wage Advisory Committee

Wednesday, July 26, 2017
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Faulkner Gallery, Central Library

Thinking about adding solar to your home? Check out these Community Environmental Council workshops:

Solarize Santa Barbara Workshop: North County – Thursday, July 6
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Orcutt Lions Club, 126 N. Broadway St., Orcutt, CA 93455
Join a free workshop to learn how you can save money and reduce your footprint by going solar through CEC's discounted group purchasing program. Learn more.

Solarize Santa Barbara Workshop: South County – Wednesday, July 26
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave., Carpinteria, CA 93013
Join a free workshop to learn how you can save money and reduce your footprint by going solar through CEC's discounted group purchasing program. Learn more.