Mayor Newsom Announces Major New Economic Initiative

Mayor Newsom Announces Major New Economic Initiative

(November 7, 2005)

Press Contact:
Mayor's Office of Communications
415-554-6131

New Clean Technology Advisory Council poised to replicate success of digital media and bio-tech advisory bodies

San Francisco, CA – Fulfilling a promise made in his state of the city address, Mayor Gavin Newsom announced the formation of a Clean Technology Advisory Council (CTAC) to position San Francisco as a global leader in the development, creation and use of clean technology, focusing on attracting clean technology businesses to San Francisco and creating jobs in this emerging sector.

CTAC will be chaired by William K. Reilly, former Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and founding partner of Aqua International Partners, a San Francisco-based private equity clean technology investment fund dedicated to the water and renewable energy sectors.

"This model of convening a group of industry giants to advise on the development of nascent industries has a proven track record within the biotech and digital media sectors," said Mayor Newsom.

The Mayor continued, "CTAC is key part of my vision for growing the clean technology industry in San Francisco which includes creating high-skilled, high-wage clean-tech jobs; promoting a cleaner and healthier environment; and reducing the City's dependence on fossil fuels by investing in clean energy research and development."

"I'm excited to chair this council of heavy weights in the field of clean technology and work with the Mayor to realize the Council's mission. We need to develop incentives to attract clean technology businesses to San Francisco, streamline permitting and licensing for these businesses, and join with other Bay Area players to capitalize on the region's strengths. Clean technology offers a winning strategy to achieve the city's economic and environmental goals."

CTAC members will act as ambassadors at-large, promoting San Francisco's clean technology policies and encouraging the development of new clean technology initiatives within the City. Some of the foremost industry leaders in clean technology investment, production research and development have agreed to serve on CTAC.

The members are:

• Dan Adler, Director of Technology and Policy Development for CalCEF.
• Eric Bowen, Vice President, Energy and Director, Biofuels at Sigma Capital Group.
• Nancy C. Floyd, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Nth Power.
• David Gottfried, President of WorldBuild and is the Founder of the U.S. Green Building Council.
• Robert Hambrecht, Managing Director, WR Hambrecht + Company and is a co-founder of the Conservation Strategy Fund.
• Nicole Lederer, Co-Founder of Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2).
• Paul Liotsakis, Associate Director of SF Community Power Cooperative.
• Daniel M. Kammen, Professor of Public Policy in the Goldman School of Public Policy and founding Director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL).
• Joel Makower, Co-Founder and Principal of Clean Edge, Inc.
• Jennifer McFarlane, CEO of The Women's Technology Cluster.
• Tyler Palmer, Founder and President of GreenMountain Engineering.
• Mike Sangiacomo, President & Chief Executive Officer of Norcal.
• Bill Shireman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Future 500.
• Daniel Shugar, President of PowerLight. Nancy Skinner, U.S. Director of the Climate Group.
• Jon W. Slangerup, Chief Executive Officer of Solar Integrated.
• Adam Werbach, Member of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.

The announcement of CTAC comes on the heels of the release of a report on the status of the clean technology industry in San Francisco. The just-released Clean Technology Progress Report – a follow up to a 2004 report on San Francisco Clean Technology Future – offers a clear snapshot of the economic potential Clean Technology holds for San Francisco. Both reports were written by Clean Edge and are available on sfgov.org and cleanedge.com. The report and progress report highlight that under mayor Gavin Newsom's stewardship, San Francisco is well on its way to becoming a leader in the clean technology industry.

The David and Lucille Packard Foundation has generously provided initial grant funding to Generation Earth, a nonprofit a 501(c)(3) organization, to support to activities of CTAC. About Clean Technology:

Clean technology is an emerging sector made up of a range of products, services and processes that harness renewable materials and energy sources, dramatically reduces the use of natural resources and cuts or eliminates pollution and toxic waste. Clean technology encompasses advancements in solar power, wind power, hybrid vehicles, fuel cell technology, tidal and wave power, bio-diesel, green building materials and water treatment systems.

According to a 2004 report by Environmental Entrepreneurs and the Natural Resources Defense Council, venture capital investments in California's clean technology industry through 2010 could seed 52,000 to 114,000 new jobs statewide. As the sixth largest investment category in the U.S. and Canada, clean technology holds the promise of new business opportunities, job creation, and technological innovation for San Francisco.

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Department of the Environment
City and County of San Francisco
11 Grove Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: (415) 355-3700 • Fax: (415) 554-6393
Email: environment@sfgov.org • www.sfenvironment.com