Convening the Sierra – Fall 2026
September 25, 2026
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Join SBC at these Upcoming Events Across the Region
Generally, string lights don’t use a great deal of electricity to power. However, when multiple strands are connected together, and are run every day for a month or two around the holiday season, electricity costs can spike.
For example, SNEW analyzed energy data for a public agency running Christmas lights just on their flagpole between November and January, and found that their energy usage increased by an average of 559 kWh per month, causing an average increase of $160.27. While these costs are not extremely high, it is important to be prepared for this increase in electricity usage and how it will affect your bills.
Remember to upgrade your holiday lights to LED string lights instead of traditional incandescents. This can save a lot of money on electricity bills. While LED lights can be more expensive than other options, they will save you money in the long run. Some estimates suggest that LED mini lights can be up to 88% more cost effective than non LEDs or C7 ceramic bulbs! So decorating for the holidays doesn’t have to break the bank!
To save a little more on your bill, consider connecting lighting decorations to extension cords with timers to reduce their run time and ensure that lights are turned off throughout the night. Not only will this help conserve electricity, but it will also help reduce nighttime light pollution that may be harmful to nocturnal animals and wildlife. Some timers can even be set to turn on and off at certain times of day.
For more information on how you can save money on your energy bills, contact us at snew@sierrabusiness.org or call 530-214-3836.
Join SBC at these Upcoming Events Across the Region
Two SNEW services that are often requested by Sierra Nevada public agencies are energy benchmarking (sometimes including AB 802 reporting for buildings
California’s 2026-27 legislative session wrapped up September 1 after a turbulent final week of negotiations over wildfire policy, funding, and the state budget. While a last-minute proposal on wildfire liability ultimately stalled, the Legislature did restore and increase funding for climate resilience through Proposition 4 and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF)—a meaningful outcome for Sierra communities amid a challenging state budget year.
The final plan includes $329.5 million for wildfire and forest resilience through Prop 4 and $118 million for wildfire prevention through GGRF. While these investments are an improvement over the June budget, wildfire resilience funding remains near historic lows, with no clear plan for sustained investment in future years.
Read more about the final budget, Prop 4 and GGRF allocations, and what’s next for wildfire and climate resilience in the Sierra.