Party for the Planet 2019 celebrated our volunteers and donors and all we have accomplished together. Volunteers and supporters are at the heart of all we do and the party brought people out to enjoy each other’s company and celebrate achievements. We cannot thank our members and volunteers enough for all of their hard work and dedication. It was a wonderful night of celebrating and planning for the future. Thank you for your constant support; we cannot do what we do without our members!

All Eyes on Transit Measure

    By: Bee Mittermiller, Transportation Committee Chair

The Transportation Committee has been working independently and within the Quality of Life Coalition and the Transportation Equity Working Group. The activity has been primarily focused on SANDAG and MTS.  

SANDAG is in the process of drafting the next Regional Transportation Plan which needs to meet state targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions. Our members have been tracking this process and engaging with staff and board of directors members to push for significant reductions in GHG emissions as well as lower vehicle miles traveled (VMT).

MTS has been working on creating a ballot measure for the November 2020 ballot that will raise the sales tax by 0.5 cents to fund transit improvements. We are working to influence the measure language by participating in the numerous public outreach meetings, speaking with elected officials on the board of directors, building coalition, and doing public outreach. Contact Bee Mittermiller (bee.mittermiller@sandiego350.org) to get involved. 

    By: Ryan O’Connor, Policy Organizer

San Diego Community Power (SDCP), the brand new Community Choice Energy (CCE) program that covers the cities of San Diego, La Mesa, Imperial Beach, Encinitas and Chula Vista is on track to launch in 2021. The SDCP board voted unanimously to approve the implementation plan for the program, meeting the California Public Utilities Commission’s Dec 31 deadline. SDCP will roll out to residential customers in summer 2021. 

The Clean Energy Alliance, which is the CCE program for the cities of Carlsbad, Del Mar and Solana Beach, also approved their implementation plan and will launch in 2021. This is exciting news for the San Diego region and the first step to achieving our 100% renewable energy goal. Our work will continue on the CCE front as we advocate to ensure that these programs prioritize local renewable energy projects that provide economic benefits to local communities, especially communities of concern. Contact Ryan O’Connor (ryan@sandiego350.org) to get involved. 

SDG&E is proposing to raise the minimum electricity bill from $10 to $38 per month and to add a $10 per month fixed charge for all households in San Diego County. This dramatic increase would unfairly burden low income residents who use little energy, and, by reducing solar savings and discouraging homeowners from installing solar, it would lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions at a time when we should be doing all we can to expand renewable energy generation. Please take a few minutes to sign the petition asking the CPUC to oppose this unjustified rate increase by clicking the button below, and share widely.

SD350: How did you get involved with SD350 and when was that?

Toshi Ishihara: I participated in the climate march that was organized by SD350 in Sept. 2018. Back then, I just stopped working as a manager at a high tech company because I was so concerned with Climate Change that I could not ignore the inner calling deep in my heart. I became a member of the Public Policy Team in Nov 2018 and since then, I have been an active member of PPT and its transportation committee. I just became a board member this month!

SD350: What are three words that your friends would use to describe you?

TI: Caring, Empowering and Empathetic.

SD350: What drives your activism? 

TI: Since I was a little kid, I was against any sort of discrimination based on race, gender, etc. I became interested in technology when I was in high school, and started studying about renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, and tidal. I wanted to pursue a PhD in renewable energy because I was concerned with the negative impacts on our environment and future by humans' unstoppable desire for more  energy and electricity. But, back then, the government did not support research on renewable energy and because I needed financial support to pursue a PhD, I changed my focus from renewable energy to Optics and Lasers. However, I was unable to continue ignoring the desire deep down in my heart and I decided to give up my lucrative high tech manager career and spend the rest of my life to help fight Climate Change.

SD350: What else would you like people to know about you? 

TI:  I gave up my own career and financial security to work to help this world remain livable and enjoyable for future generations and all living species.