18 December 2025Team Acterra Reflects on What Made This Year Special

December is a time for reflection. So, we asked our team: What's your favorite accomplishment from this year?

Here's what they said:
Lourdes, Grants Manager: "My most fulfilling professional moment was submitting all those grant applications. But what I really enjoyed was our strategic planning meeting - working together while having fun and envisioning Acterra’s future. Especially now, as we’re going through a challenging moment as an organization, I value the teamwork more than ever."
Team Acterra at our Recent Strategic Planning Session
Giving Out Air Purifiers in East Palo Alto and San Jose.
Uliana, Communication & Outreach Manager: "One of my biggest highlights this year was welcoming my baby and learning to navigate the chaos of being a new mom while continuing my work at Acterra. On the professional side, I loved working on air quality initiatives ([link removed] especially supporting the Aclima projects. Watching communities in San Jose and East Palo Alto ([link removed] come together around air quality challenges and solutions made the experience meaningful."


Michelle, Operations Manager: "My favorite professional moment this year was participating in the Leadership Council San Mateo County Emerging Leaders Program ([link removed] The experience helped me strengthen my leadership skills, explore different leadership styles, and build meaningful connections with leaders from nonprofits, city government, and county agencies."




Irvin, Beneficial Electrification Manager: "My favorite event of the year was Frunk or Treat ([link removed] in Sunnyvale. It was wonderful to see so many families come out in costume, enjoy the festivities, and learn more about electric vehicles in a fun, welcoming environment."

Lily, Education Manager: "My favorite professional moment was working with middle school students during field trips at Veggielution ([link removed] One day, we were treated to rainbows appearing between the spring showers, giving the students a magical glimpse of what life on a farm is like during the rainy season!"

Joanna, Beneficial Electrification Associate: "Definitely my favorite moment was the Peninsula and South Bay Green@Home Tour ([link removed] Having done it before, we had clear expectations - and I think we exceeded them. A wide range of organizations were eager to sponsor, attend, and contribute, the audience asked thoughtful questions, and our tour hosts delivered insightful, engaging answers."

"Are those real??" A produce table featuring things Farmer Tony grows at JAS Family Farms.

Wendy, Coalition and Project Senior Manager: "For professional high, this is a long-winded, kind of messy story... Staff at the City of San Mateo ([link removed] began public outreach and education on a Sustainable Building Strategy (that is, a strategy that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment) back in March of 2025 that offered the option of electrification-preferred building codes for existing buildings (under renovation). It was a slow-moving process that I was constantly tracking. After months of study, discussion, feedback, and continued outreach, including meetings with individual elected officials, several opportunities for public comment like the Sustainability & Infrastructure Commission, and the City Council finally held a reach codes study session in early November. Ultimately at this session Council reviewed staff-proposed electrification-preferred reach codes and unanimously confirmed all of them as acceptable to pursue with local ordinances, coming in early 2026. Change takes a while but it's worth it!"


Genevieve, Director of Programs: "My favorite moment of the year was leading the Peninsula and South Bay Green@Home Tour ([link removed] in Mountain View for clients of the Senior Center, where we adapted much of our Electrification 101 curriculum to better fit renters’ needs - thanks to the Stanford students in 2024 who helped create resources for renters."


EV Advisory Services Workshop
Monday, January 26, 12 PM - 1 PM

Bay Area business owners can learn about how PG&E Advisory Services can help electrify their medium and heavy-duty fleets.

Are you a business owner with a medium to heavy-duty fleet? Consider switching upgrading to an all-electric fleet with the help of PG&E's EV Advisory Services (EVAS)! Learn how EVAS will guide you through the fleet electrification, no matter where you are on that journey -- from initial research and feasibility to EV infrastructural planning, PG&E is here to help!


([link removed] Register Now
([link removed]
Savings and Rebates for San Mateo County and Los Banos Residents (Some Ending in December)
San Mateo County & Los Banos Residents - Check Out These Rebates from Peninsula Clean Energy ([link removed]

Heat Pump Water Heater: Save up to $6,800 on a heat pump water heater (ENDS DEC 31). Need an emergency replacement? They've got you covered!
View Water Heater Rebates ([link removed]
Electric Vehicles: Stack rebates and get $13,500 off when purchasing a used EV, or up to $18,000 off if you trade in an older gas-powered car. Already have an EV? They've got rebates for charging too!
View EV and Charging Rebates ([link removed]

E-bikes: Income-qualified residents can receive up to $1,000 off an e-bike.
View E-bike Rebates ([link removed]

Furnace or AC Upgrades: PCE is also offering rebates on efficient, clean electric appliances like HVACs. Learn about the benefits and incentives.
View HVAC Rebates

Financing: Want to DIY, but need help completing all these projects? PCE has programs to assist in financing, up to $10,000 at 0%.
Financing Incentives ([link removed]

 Join The Climate Action Circle
(Founding Member perks end Dec 31).


We’re excited to introduce the Climate Action Circle ([link removed] Acterra's new monthly giving program designed to provide steady support that keeps Acterra’s programs strong - even in uncertain times. By giving $5, $25, $100+, or whatever works for you each month, you help sustain our work, empower our team, and ensure we can keep taking meaningful climate action in our community.

To close out our 55th Anniversary, anyone who joins the Climate Action Circle by December 31, 2025 will receive these special perks on top of the benefits included with your giving level:
- Permanent digital badge recognizing you as a 55th Anniversary Founding Member

- Invitation to a happy hour with Acterra’s team and board


- Special Recognition at the Love Our Earth Festival
These perks are our way of saying thank you - not just for celebrating this milestone with us, but for giving Acterra the stability to enter the new year with confidence.

If just 10% of our community committed $25/month, we could unlock $450,000 annually - enough to expand climate programs, reach thousands of students, and support more local sustainability projects across the Bay Area. 
([link removed] All Giving Levels & Enroll
([link removed]
You can also make a one-time donation and double your impact! Thanks to a generous $100K collective match from our board, every gift to our end-of-year appeal will be matched, helping us make twice the difference.Donate here! ([link removed]

On December 10, at a meeting of the Bay Area Air District’s Stationary Source Committee, Acterra joined many dozens of scientists, medical experts, environmental allies, EJ organizations, community leaders, and concerned citizens who spoke in favor of Rule 9-6 for zero-NOx water heaters to help improve indoor and outdoor air in the Bay Area. Thank you to everyone who commented and shared impactful air quality stories. The Stationary Source Committee was tasked with discussing special cases for which installing a zero-NOx water heater at a property might not be feasible because of electric panel capacity, space constraints, or other reasons. The specific exemption types have been listed in the Air District’s recent Appliance Rules “Concepts Paper,” but still to be decided are how much proof owners claiming exemptions must show, a timeframe for sunsetting exemptions, and other nuances. Next year the Air District will hold a workshop on Rule 9-6 to receive additional feedback from the public and we will share the details of this meeting when they are announced, as your participation will be very important to ensure clean and healthy air.

 
Endorsed Events

Let's Do Lunch by CarbonCutOut
Friday, January 9, Link ([link removed]


Join a group of local adults to build community, eat a delicious, healthy and climate-friendly LUNCH… and LEARN how and why to shift towards a whole foods plant-based diet. Spoiler alert: it’s easier and more important than you may think!  
What's in Your Bag?

Did you know 58% of Californians lack a disaster kit, and 69% do not have any disaster plans? Big yikes.


Is this you? No shame! Now's the perfect time to grab a bag and get started. Make sure you've packed these essential items like a flashlight and first aid kit, to start. (And don't forget your pet's essentials, too!)

Visit firefightersonyourside.org ([link removed] for more safety tips.

Curious what an emergency kit really looks like? We asked our team to show theirs, and the results were a mix - some fully packed, others still in progress. It’s a great reminder that getting prepared doesn’t have to be perfect - just starting your kit is what matters.
Take a look at what our team brought together for peace of mind in case of an emergency.
Lauren Weston’s go-kits are stocked with battery backups, lights, tools, extra clothes, and food for three dogs and two cats—with Hazel always ready to help.
Zack Wurtz’s kit is stocked with bird food, duct tape, and gloves, and water and food for humans, of course.
Michelle Kim’s backpack from CERT ([link removed] where she completed an 8-day disaster preparedness training, includes emergency tools, a basic first aid kit, gloves, a flashlight, an emergency blanket, and water.
Lourdes Arce has thoughtfully prepared emergency bags with clothes for each member of her family, along with a water bottle with a filter, granola bars, pantry items, medications, a first aid kit, heat ponchos, and toiletries. She also keeps a container of camping supplies ready to go, including cookware, flashlights, batteries, toilet paper, soap, tools, and a cooktop - plus a separate bag with all of the family’s sleeping bags.
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Our Contact Information
Acterra
3921 E Bayshore Rd Suite 210
Palo Alto, CA 94303
650.962.9876
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