December 2008

The Energy Blog is under development.  Please check back later in April for more information.

Sierra Business Council will be launching a new partnership program later in 2009 to help transform energy usage in the Sierra Nevada, while promoting green economic development, social fairness and long-term environmental quality.  The program has specific goals related to energy conservation in the region and seeks to address and achieve these goals through a set of strategies that embrace and reinforce  broader sustainability objectives.  Initially the program will target energy efficiency retrofits for small and medium sized businesses and for local government facilities.  Sierra Business Council will also be working with local governments to develop and update energy policy, codes and standards.  The goals of the program are based on the California Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan.

Comments on the draft Environmental Impact Report (dEIR) should address the sufficiency of the document in identifying and analyzing the possible impacts on the environment (including traffic, housing, employment, air quality, noise, soils, historic buildings, and more).  Comments can also propose how significant impacts could be avoided or reduced.  This is the public’s opportunity to suggest what the developers must do to reduce impacts if the project is built. The dEIR proposes mitigation measures.  Take a close look at these and suggest more effective measures.   Comments should also point out inadequacies in

Historic Railroad Warehouse to be demolished?

studies or data.  Also, look at the proposed project alternatives and suggest other alternatives you think would be better for the community.

Copies of the draft Environmental Impact Report are available on line, at the Truckee Library, and at the Copy Center.  Some copies may still be available for check out at the Town.  Comments on the draft Environmental Impact Report must be in writing and submitted to the Town of Truckee by email, in person, by fax or by mail and they must reach the Town by 5 pm on Monday, January 5, 2009.

Get an overview of the Draft Environmental Impact Report at the Truckee Town Council meeting on December 18th and tell the Council what you would like them to consider in their review.  Plus, be sure to submit your own comments in writing to the Town by January 5th so they will be considered in the Final EIR.  For further information on how to effectively comment on an EIR, check this blog in a few days.

Category B Historic Building Blocking the Path

The Staff Report for the Town Council meeting  provided a brief outline of the contents of the 500-plus pages in the EIR document,  draft Minutes from the EIR review by the HIstoric Preservation Advisory Committee and notes from the Traffic Workshop. Contact planner Denyelle Nishimore to obtain a copy.  The  EIR with its mitigation measures is “the bite of the apple” for the public.  You can express your ideas and copy your comments on this blog to share with others.  Again, you must submit your EIR comments in writing directly to the Town.  Comments can be submitted in person, by mail or by email to the Denyelle Nishimori, the Town’s planner for the Truckee Railyail.