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Energy efficiency at UCSB
City Council may vote on budget Santa Barbara officials will also discuss solid waste rate increases By MITCHELL WHITE NEWS-PRESS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
DAVE MASON / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Energy efficient projects are expected to save UCSB $66,000 annually.
Projects reduce energy use by 24% and save more than $66K annually By MITCHELL WHITE NEWS-PRESS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Southern California Gas Company and UCSB announced Thursday the completion of a pair of energy efficient projects, which will save the university an estimated $66,000 annually. The projects will help UCSB save an estimated 66,000 therms of energy each year, which equates to removing about 350 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. This saving is equal to a reduction of 866,516 miles driven by passenger vehicles per year, according to a news release. The projects were part of the state’s joint Energy Efficiency Partnership between state universities and investor-owned utilities. Over the past five years, SoCalGas has supported more than 184 energy efficiency projects, which have saved campuses more than 6 million therms of energy —$6 million in savings — while providing more than $6.3 million in incentives through the program, said Marissa Giralamo, spokeswoman for the utility company. “SoCalGas is committed to providing affordable, clean energy solutions to our customers,” Brian Prusnek, director of customer programs and assistance at SoCalGas, said in a statement. “We value our partnership with the UC and CSU university systems, and through our energy efficiency solutions, we are working together to lower utility bills and curb carbon emissions.” In 2013, the University of California system announced its Carbon Neutrality Initiative, which commits UC to emitting net zero greenhouse gases from its buildings and vehicle fleet by 2025, something no other major university system has done. SoCalGas’ energy efficiency programs support the campus and their ambitious conservation goals. “Whole-building energy efficiency projects at UCSB have proven to be strong financial investments and have helped us create more comfortable, safer, and more controllable environments for campus end users,” said Jordan Sager, energy manager at UCSB. “SoCalGas has been a great partner to work with on these projects from start to finish.” Please see UCSB on A8
The Santa Barbara City Council will meet Tuesday to discuss adopting the operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2021. As previously reported, the citywide revenue losses for FY2021 amount to $24 million. The council discussed budget changes on June 15 and on Tuesday will discuss adopting the amended budget. At the June 15 special meeting, council gave direction to staff on Finance Committee recommendations and other adjustments. The recommendations include: general fund revenue assumptions; proposed general fund and enterprise fund fee changes; and staff-recommended adjustments. The approved changes included: the budget reduction plans; staff adjustments, including $35,000 for the Juneteenth celebration; $1.15 million in Measure C funding for the library plaza and a reduction in the pavement project by the matching amount; $25,000 for the Chamber of Commerce; and $50,000 for the Point in Time Count, according to the staff report. Also on Tuesday, the council will hold a public hearing regarding proposed solid waste rate increases for FY2021. The increases are being proposed to adjust for the increase to tipping fees in connection with the development of new solid regional waste processing facilities at the Tajiguas landfill and increasing compensation to the city’s contracted hauler by a CPI factor, pursuant to a franchise agreement, according to the staff report.
The citywide revenue losses for FY2021 amount to $24 million. The council discussed budget changes on June 15 and on Tuesday will discuss adopting the amended budget. An increase of 4.7% is proposed to all customer classes to cover the increases in tipping fees charged by the county. Since 2008, staff from the county and cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta, Buellton and Solvang have explored the development of a Resource Recovery Center at the landfill. The goal of the ReSource Center is to significantly increase the diversion of trash from landfill disposal, extending the life of the landfill and providing a longterm waste management solution for the South Coast. In July 2016, the county executed a contract with MSB Investors to design, build and operate the center, which will include a Materials Recovery Facility that would sort trash and recover recyclables, and an Anaerobic Digester that would convert organics recovered in the MRF into compostable material and biogas, according to the staff report. “The County is financing the ReSource Center through the issuance of bonded indebtedness. To ensure repayment of the debt and the County’s financial obligations to MSB, each jurisdiction, Please see COUNCIL on A7
COURTESY PHOTO
Chad, a composite piece made from four blue whale specimens, stands outside the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. The savings from the university’s energy efficient projects is equal to a reduction of 866,516 miles driven by passenger vehicles per year.
SB Museum begins phased reopening By PAUL GONZALEZ NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
UCSB has added high-efficiency dedicated natural gas boilers to each building.
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has begun a phased reopening after being closed for weeks because of the COVID-19. According to a news release, members who reserve a spot online can visit the museum’s outdoor spaces from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The museum is located at 2559 Puesta Del Sol. Tickets are available at sbnature.org/tickets. The museum’s Sprague Butterfly Pavilion is also open at limited capacity. The pavilion is built from local Santa Barbara sandstone and steel ribs. It features hundreds of local flowers, a water pond, and wooden benches. “Over a thousand fluttering and colorful butterflies are flourishing in our warm and
sunny weather. And yes, for the first time since 2014 we have Malachites!” the news release read. All guests over the age of 13 must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth at all times. The museum has also implemented a “one-way flow of movement” along with social distancing policies from the museum admission office to the Butterfly Pavilion and backyard, through the observatory and to the parking lot. Staff will be available to guide guests through the museum. The newly renovated and Americans with Disabilities Act accessible museum backyard is open daily during museum hours for free with a paid museum admission. “Backyard features have been modified to accommodate social distancing and your safety. Please see museum on A7
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LOTTERY
Comics................. A6 Local................. A 2-8 Obituaries............. A8
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