Convening the Sierra – Fall 2026
September 25, 2026
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Join SBC at these Upcoming Events Across the Region
WatterSaver is a new program available to PG&E customers that pays you to heat water when electricity demand and rates are lower. By enrolling in WatterSaver, your connected water heater can automatically (no programming required!) take advantage of lower rates, so water is heated at the least expensive times of day. And you won’t be sacrificing comfort – hot water will be ready whenever you need it.
There is no fee to join, and you can opt-out at any time without penalty. Plus, customers participating in the program will receive a $50 gift card enrollment bonus and an additional $5 gift card credit for every month they participate. By shifting some energy use to times with lower demand, the program also helps to decrease strains on the power grid and reduce the risk of power outages.
To sign up, visit www.watter-saver.com.
The SNEW team worked with
American Valley Hardware, a small business in Quincy, CA, to help them become more energy efficient and save money. SNEW connected them with a trade professional to conduct a no-cost facility energy audit, where they discovered ways they could lower their energy bills. By utilizing PG&E’s On-Bill Financing and GoGreen Financing, American Valley Hardware was able to install LED lights and add insulation.
These changes will improve comfort, help them become more resilient, and save more money by lowering energy costs.
If you are interested in learning about how your business can save energy and money, including receiving a free energy audit assessment, email SNEW@sierrabusiness.org.
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.