On October 30, 2018, Southern California Edison (SCE) issued a press release acknowledging that their equipment started the Thomas Fire in at least one of the two locations identified as flashpoints. This admission is material, as SCE will now be exposed to an undetermined amount of liability from a variety of claims. SCE simultaneously disclosed […]
Santa Barbara
UPDATE on PCIA CTA: Expect Negative Impact on Community Choice Movement (Sigh!)
Thanks to all our members who sent opposition letters to their California legislators and the acting Public Utility Commissioners earlier this month. For those not familiar with this specific call to action, the letters urged the CPUC not adopt a decision that would dramatically increase costs associated with the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) charge, […]
Watch: Santa Barbara’s Redistricting Future – a Debate on Measures G & H
On October 23rd, the Global Citizen’s Club hosted a vigorous debate on Measures G 2018 and H 2018 – two ideas on how to appoint an Independent Redistricting Commission to redraw Santa Barbara County’s district lines after the 2020 census. This is an important local issue, and we wanted to help our community be better […]
Public Enjoys a Vigorous Debate on Measures G and H
We were gratified by the enthusiastic turnout at our October 23rd Global Citizen Club debate on Santa Barbara County’s competing redistricting Measures G and H. Moderator Rinaldo Brutoco set the tone for why this debate is so important when he opened his introductory remarks by saying, “A panel like this is a basis of our […]
Santa Barbara County’s Redistricting Future: A Comparative Analysis of Measures G and H
By Robert Perry, Director of Energy Research Well, it’s that time of year. The November election is fast approaching and soon we will be receiving voter guides the size of small phone books, replete with competing ballot propositions and measures, where only one proposition or measure actually lives up to its title. For Santa Barbara […]
Call to Action: Tell BLM to Stop Drilling and Fracking in Central California!
The Trump Administration is on the move to expose roughly 273,000 acres of federal public lands and mineral rights, to hydraulic fracking and oil drilling in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. The watchdog organization, Los Padres ForestWatch, performed an analysis of official GIS data that pointed to the administration’s efforts and disclosed […]
Business Leaders Collaborate in Efforts to Revitalize State Street
On August 14, 2018, Santa Barbara City Council held a public meeting to discuss the revitalization of State Street. In an effort to recapture economic vitality in the downtown area, members hosted a panel-discussion for concerned residents and business owners. A group of stakeholders, led by Amy Cooper, Chair of the World Business Academy’s State […]
Powering Paradise Program Helps Local Homeowner Fight Climate Change
When President Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris climate treaty, Fred Hunter was so angry that he took money from his retirement savings and bought a solar system for his small home in Santa Barbara with assistance from the World Business Academy’s Powering Paradise program. The free program offers consultations, contractor referrals, […]
SCE’s Energy RFP Looking More Like a Trap
By Robert Perry, Director of Energy Research Sometimes I hate being right. Back in March, I wrote about my hopes and concerns regarding Southern California Edison’s proposed Request for Proposals (RFP) proceeding, that sought to develop approximately 95 megawatts (MW) of capacity, preferably in Santa Barbara County to help resolve its resiliency issues. On July […]
Reinventing State Street: Developing a Plan for the Future
On June 28, the World Business Academy’s Global Citizens Club hosted its second panel discussion on reimagining State Street and Downtown Santa Barbara, yielding some very good news: the World Business Academy announced that Amy Cooper, owner of the Plum Goods store on State Street, will head a new Santa Barbara Retail Task Force to help […]
Powering Paradise: Building Resiliency with Solar and Backup Power Systems
What are your renewable energy goals and how can you make them happen? Are you seeking to lower your monthly electric bill? Help fight climate change by switching to renewable energy for your home or business? Or, are you just angry and disappointed that our current Administration in Washington D.C. ignores (and in some cases, […]
Montecito Community Microgrid Initiative Established
World Business Academy and Clean Coalition collaborating with local leaders to build a modern energy system that provides renewables-driven resilience and emergency preparedness for Montecito The World Business Academy and the Clean Coalition are pleased to announce the launch of the Montecito Community Microgrid Initiative, which will bring renewables-driven energy resilience to critical facilities in […]
