Saving Water at Work 
A recent study showed that 99 percent of business managers surveyed ranked water conservation as a “top five” priority over the next decade. When it comes to conserving water, small adjustments can have a big impact. Here are some not-so-obvious ways to make a change at the office:
• If you use processed water in your business or facility, look into water recycling.
• Contact your water utility to see if rebates are available for purchasing water-efficient fixtures, equipment or for facility audits.
• Consider and compare water use when purchasing ice makers, dishwashers, reverse osmosis units, coolers and cleaning equipment.
• Shut off water to unused areas of your facility to eliminate waste from leaks or unmonitored use.
• Create a suggestion and incentives system at your organization to recognize water-saving ideas.
• Create a goal of how much water your company can save and plan a celebration once that goal is met.
Celebrate Independence
Since March 2009, Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP) has provided financing strategies to finance energy efficiency, water conservation and renewable generation improvements to existing homes and business properties via a special voluntary property tax assessment. Here are the results of the program so far:
Projects Funded
Residential: 1,980
Commercial: 61
Total Contracts Funded: $66,369,552
Jobs Created/Retained: 721
Percent of Projects Completed by Local Contractors: 80%
Ag Innovations Study Seeks Common Ground
In an effort to address increasing frustration about the complexity and effectiveness of the regulatory system affecting agriculture, Ag Innovations Network held focused listening sessions with agricultural, conservation and government agency representatives to build a better understanding of the experiences, challenges and recommended solutions of each stakeholder group. The resulting report summarizes the perspectives conveyed by each group, identifies areas of agreement and presents recommendations for constructively addressing key regulatory challenges in both the short and long term. Among the findings:
• Specialty crop farmers are much more concerned about the cumulative impact of navigating, comprehending and complying with myriad regulatory requirements than they are with specific legislative statutes, regulations or agencies. They report frustration with the lack of transparency in the regulatory system, which is also thought to be unreasonably costly and time-consuming, as well as deterring implementation of innovative projects.
• Conservation representatives report concern that existing regulations don’t achieve a sufficient level of environmental protection and express that the current system doesn’t adequately distinguish projects of public benefit, inadvertently impeding or even preventing their completion.
• Regulators acknowledge many of the problems conveyed by the agricultural and conservation communities. However, the static nature of current laws and regulations doesn’t provide the flexibility or adaptability needed to address the dynamic problems society faces today. Regulators explain that the statutory or traditional agency structure and culture, limited funding and staff, and competing mandates compromise their ability to proactively address many of the challenges. They also report the need for greater cooperation and collaboration with those they regulate.
