In This Issue:

• CALIFORNIA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SUMMIT

• HIGH PRIORITY ISSUES AND BILLS

• GOVERNOR PROCLAIMS DROUGHT

• WATER HERE, THERE, NOWHERE!

• A CHALLENGE TO SLASH THE ENERGY USED FOR COOLING

• CBPA 2008 CALENDAR

CALIFORNIA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SUMMIT

Next week, scores of high level professionals from our industry will descend upon the Capitol as part of the 2008 California Commercial Real Estate Summit (CCRES). This event is the one time of year that industry leaders from all sectors of the commercial, industrial, and retail real estate industry converge on Sacramento to meet with policymakers and network with colleagues from around the state. CCRES Delegates will meet with high-level staff from Governor Schwarzenegger's Administration, and California State Legislators. Click here for more information.
 

HIGH PRIORITY ISSUES AND BILLS

CCRES Delegates will discuss many legislative and regulatory issues impacting the industry, including the status of AB 32 Greenhouse Gas Reduction regulations, and a sneak peak at data from the highly anticipated Commercial/Industrial/Retail Carbon Footprint Study commissioned by several professional groups.

In legislative meetings CCRES Delegates will focus on the following bills:

AB 2025 (Silva; R-Huntington Beach) Reforms the process by which abandoned property is dealt with in the commercial setting. Raises the threshold to trigger a public auction to $750 and creates a separate code section for commercial real estate. Status: In Senate Judiciary Committee. POSITION: SUPPORT

AB 1065 (Lieber; D-Mountain View) Severely impedes commercial and residential development by requiring all new buildings use 50% less energy by 2020 and 80% less energy by 2030. This is technically impossible for most building types. Status: Senate Transportation. POSITION: OPPOSE

AB 2939 (Hancock; D-Berkeley) Authorizes local jurisdictions to supplant Title 24, the state building code, with private building standards such as LEED. Status: In Senate. POSITION: OPPOSE

SB 1608 (Corbett; D-San Leandro) ADA reform bill that both promotes and increases compliance with state and federal civil rights laws and reduces unwarranted, unnecessary litigation that does not advance the goals of disability access. Status: In Assembly. POSITION: SUPPORT.

SB 375 (Steinberg; D-Sacramento) Would all but stop commercial and residential development through imposing an impossible land use bureaucracy that mandates “transit oriented development,” even in areas with robust public transportation systems. Status: In Assembly Approps. POSITION: OPPOSE.

SB 974 (Lowenthal; D-Long Beach) Imposes a “container tax” on all goods coming in and out of California ports. Status: Assembly Floor. POSITION: OPPOSE.
 

GOVERNOR PROCLAIMS DROUGHT

Following two straight years of below-average rainfall, very low snowmelt runoff and the largest court-ordered water transfer restrictions in state history, the Governor proclaimed a statewide drought and issued an executive order directing the Department of Water Resources to do the following:

• Facilitate water transfers to respond to emergency shortages across the state.
• Work with local water districts and agencies to improve local coordination.
• Help local water districts and agencies improve water efficiency and conservation.
• Coordinate with other state and federal agencies and departments to assist water suppliers, identify risks to water supply and help farmers suffering losses.

We have written about water many many times in the past few years and continue to warn that the shortfall is evident, the disaster is eminent. The state must take steps to manage our water in a comprehensive and efficient manner. Even though there are many impediments to fixing the problems, including a tangible shortage of facilities, the lack of effective conveyance, and problems with the Delta, the business community is prepared to work with the Governor and Legislators to fix this issue.

Click here for more information on the Governor’s drought proclamation.
 

WATER HERE, THERE, NOWHERE!

On Tuesday, Rex Hime, President & CEO of CBPA blogged about the politics of water in the Capitol (Click here to read the blog at the new Fox and Hounds Daily), then on Wednesday the Governor proclaims that the state is in a drought. Coincidence???

A CHALLENGE TO SLASH THE ENERGY USED FOR COOLING

UC Davis energy-efficiency experts have launched a novel program designed to slash electricity use by rooftop air conditioners in the western United States by more than 40 percent. The "Western Cooling Challenge," sponsored by the UC Davis Western Cooling Efficiency Center, will be introduced at a Denver meeting of energy-conscious retail business leaders.

The challenge aims to accelerate the adoption of regionally appropriate cooling technologies for new and existing low-rise, nonresidential buildings (such as suburban retail and office buildings).

The Western Cooling Challenge is a program of activities designed to help cooling-unit manufacturers deliver better products, and help building owners install and use those products. The challenge includes voluntary, more demanding performance specifications for new rooftop cooling units, consultations with UC Davis experts for designers trying to meet those specifications, and a new certification of "Western Cooling Challenge compliant" to help building owners identify the new units in the marketplace.

Click here for more information regarding the Western Cooling Efficiency Center.
 

CBPA 2008 CALENDAR

June 10-11, 2008
CBPA Annual Meeting and
California Commercial Real Estate Summit
Hyatt Regency, Sacramento

October 23, 2008
CBPA Board Meeting and
Awards Dinner
The Island Hotel, New Port Beach