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Available through the California Energy Commission, the loans will help local jurisdictions stimulate their economies and job growth while investing in energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions – all in a cost effective manner.
Cities, counties, special districts, public schools, colleges and universities, public care institutions, and public hospitals are eligible to apply.
“These ultra-low interest loans leverage recovery dollars to create a cost effective way to invest in energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions – while stimulating the California economy and promoting green job growth,” said California Recovery Task Force Director Cynthia Bryant. “We are working around the clock to pump Recovery funding into California to stimulate our economy while also investing in the future of our state.”
The Energy Commission allocated $25 million in recovery funding from the State Energy Program (SEP) to implement the low-interest loan program.
The Energy Commission will provide loans with a first-time ever low interest rate of one percent to promote green workforce development, building energy efficiency retrofits and clean-energy – the areas identified as the most effective ways to stimulate the economy and create a SEP with long lasting energy benefits.
The Energy Commission estimates that retrofitting California’s aged and inefficient residential and non-residential structures could save the state’s consumers 2.7 billion Btu annually and create more than 2,100 jobs.
The recovery funding builds on California’s existing Energy Conservation Assistance Account Program. The loan program will now offer two interest rates – the new one percent loan, funded through Recovery dollars and the existent 3-percent loan program, funded from an established state-funded loan program. Interest rates, either one or three percent, will vary according to the type project and the reporting requirements associated with that project under state and federal guidelines.
For more information and criteria about low interest loan programs or other energy-related Recovery Act funding and programs go to the California Energy Commission’s Recovery page at http://energy.ca.gov/recovery/index.html .
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Since AAA’s last survey, all but one metro area where AAA tracks gas prices in Northern California saw double-digit price increases. Most cities in California are now above the $3.00 a gallon mark.
According to the latest report from AAA Northern California, which tracks gasoline prices as a service to consumers, California’s average gas price is the third highest among all 50 states.
The Golden State’s average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is averaging $3.05, up 16 cents since last month’s report on July 14. For perspective, that’s $1.07 less than California’s average price on this date last year, when it was $4.12.
Northern California gas prices are now averaging $3.01, up 13 cents from last month. In the San Francisco Bay Area, motorists can expect to pay an average price of $3.13. The national average price of $2.64 is up by 12 cents, which is still $1.17 cheaper than the national price on this date last year, when it was $3.81.
AAA analysts feel the recent oil rally was based more on optimism about the future prospects for the economy than on current supply and demand.
Typically, as the economy improves more oil is used. If investors think the economy is improving they will buy more oil because it’s a commodity they think will be in demand. News that China was increasing its manufacturing activity and some possible positive news about manufacturing in the U.S. inspired investors to buy.
The weak dollar also encouraged investors to purchase oil. A weak dollar means buyers using stronger currencies can get more for their money. That activity also tends to drive up the price. Late last week and early this week, a strengthening dollar helped stall the upward surge in oil prices.
“Barring unforeseen events, retail gasoline prices should mimic the stability of oil prices in the short term, with the national average staying around or slightly above $2.50 per gallon,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Matt Skryja. “The president of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is further enforcing this notion; he seemed to imply the cartel won’t likely restrict its oil supply at a meeting next month as long as the price per barrel remains steady.”
The least expensive average price in Northern California can be found in Chico, Marysville, and Modesto, where unleaded is $2.97.
Of all the metro areas in Northern California where gas prices are tracked by AAA, Eureka had the highest average price at $3.30, which is also the highest price in the lower 48 states.
The least expensive gasoline in the country is found in Springfield, Missouri where the average price of gas is $2.38. Wailuku, Hawaii, holds the crown for the highest average price in the nation, with $3.56 per gallon.
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SODA BAY – Local restaurateur, Zino Mezoui, formed a friendship through the years with dining patron and local organic farmer, Jim Leonardis. Leonardis now supplies Mezoui with fresh vegetables for the Italian delicacies served nightly at Zino’s Ristorante in Soda Bay.
From heirloom tomatoes and basil expertly transformed into fresh bruschetta, as well as a traditionally prepared fresh tomato pomodoro pasta sauce, to the fresh creamed squash soup served nightly, Leonardis’ products provide a local grace, taste and flair unmatched — one that is desired by more and more patrons.
This summer Mezoui also is featuring Leonardis’ French heirloom Ronde de Nice (round squash) stuffed with couscous, chickpeas and a touch of roasted bell pepper for flavor emphasis. Mezoui prepares this appetizer especially for his vegetarian customers, though all can enjoy the subtle and smooth flavors.
This season, Mezoui also has modified his eggplant parmesan with Leonardis’ heirloom squash varieties.
Mezoui, whose French and Italian parents and grandparents were restauranteers, was born in France and moved to the United States in the 1980s. He owned and operated Zino on the Plaza in Sonoma for 23 years and moved to Lake County in 2006.
Zino’s Restorante, which overlooks Soda Bay on Clearlake, is operated by he and his wife, Jan. Mezoui’s attention to detail and the professional blending of unique Italian flavors provide a deeply satisfying and rich experience for any dining connoisseur.
Leonardis Organics, a dream of once corporate technology sales and marketing manager and now farmer Jim Leonardis, features three acres of organic vegetables, melons and flowers amongst a 40-acre organic walnut orchard on Argonaut Road in Lakeport.
Leonardis’ produce is available through various outlets including Zino’s Ristorante, Nature’s Bounty in Lakeport, Lake County Community Co-op’s CSA boxes, Ukiah Co-op, Finley Farmers’ Market and direct from the farm sales.
He also participates in the Farm to School program with Kelseyville and Konocti Unified districts providing a direct link for students to their food.
The growing trend in local and organic produce has hit Lake County in a wave peaking this summer.
“The more connections to local produce a community has, the more sustainable the community will be and the more flavor the locals will enjoy,” Leonardis said. “There’s great work being done at the Lake County Food Policy Council level to increase connections in our community to locally produced food,” he continued, “and you just can’t beat the taste of fresh locally grown organic products.”
Zino’s Restorante is located at 6330 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville and serves dinners nightly from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. For reservations or more information call 707- 279-1620.
Leonardis Organics is located at 1010 Argonaut Road, Lakeport. For more information contact Jim at 707-483-4004.
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The group's meetings are held the fourth Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at Live Oak Senior Center, 12502 Foothill Blvd., Clearlake Oaks.
Featured speakers each meeting include county redevelopment plans, area updates as well as various speakers of interest.
Gourmet dinners are served at the meetings for $10, if desired. Please call for reservations, 707-998-1744.
Membership is open to all, not just business owners.
Yearly membership dues are $30.
For membership information call 707-998-3795.