16 October 2025We've Come a Long Way, Baby. You + Acterra = 55 Years of Change.

1970. What a wild time.


It was the first year you could legally ride across the Golden Gate on a bicycle. (Although I'm sure we have some rebel cyclists on this list!) It's when you first heard "Houston, we have a problem" (No, young-friends, it's not just for memes.) We got the EPA and OSHA and in April of 1970, we got the very first Earth Day.


Now, if you've been paying attention to our newsletters ([link removed] our Instagrams ([link removed] our LinkedIn ([link removed] posts, our Blue Skys ([link removed] (BlueSkies?), our Facebookery ([link removed] basically any way we can reach you, you know that 1970 is when Acterra emerged, like Athena from the head of Zeus, armed for battle against climate change.


In our NEWLY-RELEASED 2025 Impact Report ([link removed] we're looking back at our roots (and the very cool photos that accompany them), and looking ahead to our agency's future.

([link removed] Our Impact Report
([link removed]
This year alone, our programs reached thousands of community members across the Bay Area through workshops, trainings, expos, school programs, and advocacy campaigns.

☼ Our EV programs ([link removed] over 2000 attendees.


☼ Our Farm Fresh Futures program strengthens the link between our local farmers and healthy school meals for over 2,400 students every day.


☼ Our Education and Youth Leadership programming sent 355 middle school students from East San Jose on sustainable food systems field trips and worked with 51 teachers on renewable energy education.


☼ Our Advocacy Team was hard at work commenting at hearings, submitting letters, calling staffers, signing onto coalition efforts and providing residents with toolkits so that they can create change in their own communities.


But WE ARE NOT DONE.

We hope you'll check out our impact report ([link removed] watch this space. We've got so much more to come.
Electrification 101 Workshop

Local experts Wei-Tai Kwok and Diane Bailey will be joining us on Wed, Oct. 22 for a free, virtual workshop all about electrification!

They’ll share what made their homes more energy-efficient (and saved money!)

- HVAC Systems

- Heat Pump Water Heaters
- Solar panels
- EVs/ batteries
- Induction cooktops


Wei, a climate activist, solar specialist, and co-founder/former Co-Chair of the Climate Reality Project Bay Area Chapter, and Diane, Palo Alto Utilities Sustainability Program Manager and former Executive Director of Menlo Spark, will also share the rebates they've used to reduce costs, discuss the benefits they've found by making the switch to electric, and touch on any roadblocks they've faced along the way.

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 6PM – 7PM
Virtual
([link removed]
([link removed]
Electric Vehicle Frunk-or-Treat


Cruise on by Sunnyvale's Electric Vehicle (EV) Frunk-or-Treat!

At this family-friendly event, you'll visit the “frunk” of proud EV owners and complete our scaEVenger hunt to score some delicious treats. There's even a costume contest!

In addition to all the spooky fun, this event allows you to view popular EVs available, ask questions about each model, and compare/contrast features.

Kids welcome and costumes are encouraged!

Want personalized guidance on your next EV purchase? Sign up for a complimentary consultation at the event and get expert rebate advice tailored to you!
Saturday, Oct. 25, 11 AM – 3PM
Sunnyvale
([link removed]
([link removed]
Peninsula and South Bay Green@Home Tour

Join us for at this FREE event to explore innovative, electrified homes in San Mateo County AND Santa Clara County.


Attendees will have the opportunity to see firsthand a wide variety of electric appliances and environmentally conscious home upgrades, including energy-efficient heat pumps for heating and cooling, heat pump water heaters, induction cooktops, rainwater catchment systems, compost bins, electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels, battery storage systems, and more.


Attendees will also be able to engage with tour hosts to learn about their choices, including financial considerations, rebate programs, contractors, and appliance models. Bring your questions!

Saturday, Nov. 8, 11AM – 4PM

Locations throughout San Mateo County and Santa Clara County
([link removed]
([link removed]
Sven & Kate's House Tour:
Oct. 28, 7 – 9 PM. 314 Stanford Ave, Palo Alto

Want a Green Home Tour ([link removed] Sneak Preview? Join long time Acterran, Sven Thesen, for an open house to celebrate the partial completion of a gorgeous bamboo, dual panel framing, ADU!


Both the architect and the builder will be present to answer questions along with a number of tradespeople. Come geek out and celebrate!
 
FREE Home Upgrade Program for Menlo Park Residents

The City of Menlo Park is working with Peninsula Clean Energy to provide new appliances, electric panel upgrades and more to improve your family’s health and comfort at home.
This program is available to low-income Menlo Park homeowners to convert outdated gas appliances to safer, healthier, more energy-efficient options. Complete the eligibility survey to schedule your in-home assessment.
Funding is available for a limited time and all are encouraged to apply to verify eligibility.

Apply now at bit.ly/menloparkhomeupgrade ([link removed]
Richmond, El Cerrito and San Pablo - Electrify Your Block

Richmond, El Cerrito, and San Pablo Residents:

Do you have old appliances that are reaching the end of their life? Your home could qualify for up to $35,000 for new, efficient appliances - all completely free.

Electrify My Block is a new PG&E community program that helps selected homes upgrade to modern, electric appliances, including cooking ranges, heating, and air conditioning.


It’s easy to see if you qualify. Visit electrifymyblock.org ([link removed] or call 510-391-4553 today.
 
Woodside Electric Garden Voucher Program


Eligible Woodside residents, businesses, and gardening professionals can now take advantage of vouchers for eco-friendly electric garden tools!

Woodside residents can receive up to $250 to cover the purchase of electric gardening equipment.

Non-gardening businesses are eligible for a $250 rebate for an electric leaf blower.


Professional gardeners, landscapers, and property owners with parcels of 5 acres or more can get up to $1,000 redeemable for a range of electric gardening tools.

Funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Thank you to our partners, the Town of Woodside and Peninsula Clean Energy.
([link removed] Your Voucher
([link removed]
2025 Election
Remember to vote by November 4th!
Ballots have been sent to each registered voter. If you have questions about the voting process you can visitthis page ([link removed] Tip: Most cities and towns have secure and convenient drop boxes.
There is only one question on this year’s ballot, Proposition 50 on re-redistricting. No one really wins a race to the bottom, but the actions of the President and his apparatchiks in Texas, Missouri and gerrymander-crazy North Carolina have ushered in an era of voter wrongs and the current Supreme Court seems determined to remove the last vestiges of voter rights. The fair elections appeal of the No on 50 campaign sounds great in isolation but is deceptive in context. California needs to re-balance the scales of voter justice with Prop 50.

The usually non-partisan Dug abides.
Redwood City’s famous Dug ([link removed] states his position.
Legislative Update


The dust has settled as the Governor’s deadline to sign or veto the bills has ended. It has been a year of progress amidst some missed opportunities. The last round of announcements heralded the signing of Senator Wiener’s SB 79 on Transit Oriented Development as well as his SB 63 on vital Bay Area Transit Funding for Caltrain, BART, VTA and other systems. Expect to see clipboards at Acterra event tables as 100,00 signatures will be needed to get this funding measure on the ballot.

In other good news, Governor Newsom signed Assemblymember Marc Berman’s AB 1167 regulating utilities use of ratepayer funds for lobbying as well as Senator McNerney’s SB 279 expanding compost limits. Assemblymember Schultz’s AB 1319 was approved, protecting endangered native species from federal attempts at backsliding, as was Senate Transit Chair Dave Cortese’s SB 30 on diesel locomotive decommissioning and Assemblymembers Kalra and Connolly’s AB 806 promoting mobile home cooling.



However, missteps were made: the wrong-headed freezing of building code updates in the passage of the otherwise pro-housing AB 130, the veto of Senator Josh Becker’s load-balancing SB 541, Assemblymember Harabedian’s virtual power plant bill AB 740 and Assemblymember Schultz’s demand forecasting AB 44 were certainly disappointing and the late veto of SB 682, Senator Stern’s phase out of PFAS products, including cookware.In total, this legislative season saw substantial progress in housing and mid and longer-term energy policy and pricing, with some curious steps back.


Building Appliances Rule Implementation: Next Steps

The Bay Area Air District will host a virtual meeting on Thursday, October 23, from 10am to noon to launch Phase 2 of the Building Appliances Implementation Working Group (IWG), addressing issues related to Rule 9-4 (furnaces) and including a review of the IWG’s goals and timeline. There will be opportunity for the public to ask questions and to comment. Meeting link ([link removed]
___________________________________

Action Alert: Speak Up in Support of Zero Emission Appliance Standards



The Bay Area Air District's Rules 9-4 and 9-6 seek to protect public health across the region by limiting the amount of nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution that can be generated by household water heaters and furnaces/space heaters. These rules are set to take effect starting in 2027 for hot water heaters, and 2029 for furnaces.



If you care about cleaner air, now's the time to send a message to the Board members in your Bay Area county. You can use the simple tool below (created by 350 Bay Area Action) to edit and send a letter.

Follow the appropriate link for your county and learn more about the rules here. ([link removed] for taking action!


Letter to ([link removed] County ([link removed] Board members
Letter to ([link removed] Costa County ([link removed] Board members
Letter to ([link removed] County ([link removed] Board members
Letter to ([link removed] County ([link removed] Board members
Letter to ([link removed] Francisco County ([link removed] Board members
Letter to ([link removed] Mateo County ([link removed] Board members
Letter to ([link removed] Clara County ([link removed] Board members
Letter to ([link removed] County ([link removed] Board member
Letter to ([link removed] County ([link removed] Board members
 
Endorsed Events

Bay Area SunShares Solar Panel Informational Webinar
Oct. 16, Noon; Nov. 6, 6 PM Link ([link removed]


No Kings Rallies throughout the Bay Area.
Oct. 18, various times. Link ([link removed]

Home is Where the Change is: A family-friendly climate event

Oct. 18, 1 – 3 PM. Link ([link removed]

Now's the Time: CCL Youth Climate Rally 2025

Oct. 19, 10 AM – Noon. Link ([link removed]

Nominate a Sustainability Champion for SSMC's 2026 Awards!

Sustainability Awards noms due Oct. 20; Green Building Awards apps due Nov. 3 Link ([link removed]

Burlingame Focuses on Climate Change
Oct. 21, 7 – 8:30 PM. Link ([link removed]


Sunnyvale Sustainability Speaker Series: United for Disability and Climate Justice
Oct. 27, 7 – 8:30 PM. Link ([link removed]

Converging for a Sustainable Future: Federal Impacts & Local Climate Solutions Roundtable

Oct. 30, 4:30 – 7 PM. Link ([link removed]


Climate Smart Youth Video Competition

Deadline: Oct. 31. Link ([link removed]
 

58% of Californians don’t have a disaster kit. 69% have no disaster plan.

Wildfires remain a serious threat, and with new vegetation growth from recent rains, fire risk rises once things dry out.

Evacuating early can mean the difference between life and death. If you need more time, leave when a warning is issued, don’t wait for an evacuation order.

Visit firefightersonyourside.org ([link removed] to build your 5-minute plan.


Have an established meeting place. Pack an emergency kit with essentials like medicine, important documents, clothes, food, and water. Watch for weather reports and Red Flag Warnings. If you need to go, get your emergency bags packed and gather your family and pets. Don’t wait or hesitate. Know when to go.
Acterra has newsletters for everyone. Our offerings include sustainable food, electric vehicles, EV charging equity, young professionals, and more. Click the "Subscribe to our Newsletters" link below and make sure to select each one you want to receive, even if you are already subscribed!
Subscribe to our Newsletters ([link removed]
Sign up for the Climate Action Now app (Group 24) ([link removed] and take action every day.
([link removed] - Your Gift Makes a Difference!
([link removed]
Our Contact Information
Acterra
3921 E Bayshore Rd Suite 210
Palo Alto, CA 94303
650.962.9876
[link removed] ([link removed]

Unsubscribe ([link removed] | Manage email preferences ([link removed]