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C. 7

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	William Walker, M.D., Health Services Director
Date:	April 21, 2015

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Annual Recognition of New Green Businesses

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 04/21/2015

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor

ABSENT:

Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:	Paris Greenlee, 335-3213
cc:	T Scott C Rucker Paris Greenlee

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: April 21, 2015
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

Recognize the new Bay Area Green Businesses for 2015.

FISCAL IMPACT:

None

BACKGROUND:

Green Business Program Highlights
• Eighteen new businesses were certified and twenty-six recertified since staff reported last year. We currently have 335 certified Green Businesses in the County.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

• The Bay Area Green Business Program (Nine Counties) has more than 2,400 certified Green Businesses (despite the decertification of many businesses due to stricter certification standards).
• Recertified Green Businesses (GB) perform additional work to meet the new standards, but receive many additional benefits. Due to the large number of businesses requiring recertification, and limited staff time, we have developed a streamlined recertification procedure and alternative methods for satisfying the requirements.
• Continued collaboration between our program Partners has led to more efficient auditing procedures, identification of more resource conservation opportunities, and greater public visibility of the advantages of patronizing Green Businesses.
• The Statewide Green Business Certification database (www.greenbusinessca.org) continues to be improved to allow more efficient processing of GB applications, and is the statewide repository of quantifiable data that shows how much businesses are saving each year and the benefits to the environment. Businesses and communities can now quickly calculate: reductions in solid and hazardous waste, energy and water saved, and wastewater and greenhouse gas emissions reduced as a result of the Green Certified Businesses. It is also easier for businesses to apply online and to find resources to help market their green business achievements. Checklists continue to be shortened to simplify the certification process for businesses, the Green Business Program, and external programs that perform site audits.
• We are continuing our partnership with the Chinook Book - a coupon book with green resources and coupons for green businesses throughout the East Bay. The Green Businesses listed in the Chinook Book are now easily located with many handheld electronic devices.

Requirements to Become a Green Business

Certified Green Businesses must meet high standards of environmental excellence established by the Program’s partnership. In addition, with the passage of AB 913, a Statewide Green Business Program has been established to assist the local government programs, support the development and maintenance of the statewide certification database, promote the establishment of new programs, and provide technical guidance. To be certified, a business or public entity must:

* Fully comply with all environmental regulations including: Air Quality, Environmental Health, Fire, Hazardous Materials, Stormwater, Wastewater, and Water Quality

* Conserve energy, water and other natural resources

* Reduce or eliminate pollution from any hazardous and solid wastes generated

The Contra Costa Green Business Program has twenty-three funding partners with representatives from public agencies, cities and the utility districts. Working together each year we achieve our vision of Contra Costa as a place where businesses contribute to the sustainability of our communities by being Green themselves.

Our agency and utility Partners include: 511 Contra Costa , City of Antioch, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, City of Brentwood, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority, City of Concord, Contra Costa Clean Water Program, Contra Costa Hazardous Materials, Contra Costa Water District, Contra Costa Watershed Program, Delta Diablo Sanitation District, East Bay Municipal Utility District, El Cerrito Recycling Center, City of El Cerrito, City of Lafayette, City of Martinez, Mt. View Sanitary District, City of Oakley, PG&E, PG&E Food Service Technology Center, City of Pittsburg, City of Richmond, Town of Danville, City of Walnut Creek, West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority, West County Wastewater District

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Green Businesses will not be publicly recognized for their achievements.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

Not applicable.