Blog
A space for learning.
Extreme Heat: A Call to Action
With extreme heat posing such serious threats to human health and the environment, the time to take action is now to prepare for extreme heat and build resilient communities.
Flipping the Switch: Benefits of Home Electrification and Heat Pump Installation
Space heating is one of the largest generators of air pollution in California. The Solution? Heat Pump Technology. Instead of burning fuel, heat pumps use a refrigerant to move heat from one place to another, similar to your refrigerator. They are more efficient, more consistent, and offer more control. Plus, one heat pump can replace both your heating and air conditioning units.
How my family is getting fossil fuels out of our life — and how you can too
There are now many fantastic solutions that make it possible for individuals and households to ditch fossil fuels. My family was fortunate enough to purchase a small house in 2010, and over the past decade we have reduced our daily fossil fuel use by about 95%. Below you’ll find 10 powerful actions so that you can too!
Breaking Up With Fossil Fuels: Electrifying Multifamily Buildings
The Community Environmental Council (CEC) has played a key role in connecting building owners to programs like 3C-REN and SOMAH that provide monetary incentives and technical assistance to make electrification a smooth and rewarding experience.
2022 All-Electric REACH Code FAQ
The following FAQ on all-electric REACH Codes is an updated version (as of September 2022) of a post published in February of 2020.
Flipping the Switch to Electric: Carpinteria Couple Is All-In to Build Smart
“Our intention has always been to build and live as sustainably as we can, keeping climate impacts at the forefront. We’ve got this amazing opportunity and it definitely feels like partly our responsibility – and duty – to do so,” says Hunter Turpin about the new all-electric home he and his wife Casey are building.
Statement from CEC CEO/Executive Director Sigrid Wright on Today’s Supreme Court Ruling
In response to today’s Supreme Court ruling on the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to broadly regulate carbon emissions from existing power plants, Community Environmental Council CEO/Executive Director, Sigrid Wright released the following statement:
All-Electric REACH Code FAQ
Everything you wanted to know about electrification and the proposed natural gas ban on new construction in Santa Barbara buildings.
Finding Solar Joy – and Savings – During the Pandemic
Learn more about how easy it is to add affordable solar and solar batteries to your home through CEC's Solarize Santa Barbara program.
CEC Holds Timely Home Energy Storage Workshops
In the Fall and Winter of 2019, the Community Environmental Council (CEC) partnered with city and county energy staff, local solar and energy companies, and community leaders to host three energy storage workshops in Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Ventura in response to a growing interest in solar-paired battery systems.
The Oil Spill Heard ‘Round the World
On the 50th anniversary of the Santa Barbara Oil Spill, CEC's Executive Director Sigrid Wright and the Environmental Defense Center Chief Counsel Linda Krop speak to the need for "swift and all-encompassing action to heal our planet and prevent further harmful climate disruption."
