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New Staff Update and Fall Energy Tips

Picture of Tallulah Pellissier Lloyd

Tallulah Pellissier Lloyd

Climate & Energy Technician

September’s SNEW blog is brought to you by Tallulah Pellissier Lloyd.

New Staff Update!

I finished my term as a CivicSpark Fellow in August, and officially joined Sierra Business Council as full-time staff! After taking a couple of weeks off (and seeing four bears in 1 hour in the Grand Tetons!), I’m excited to get back to work. I’ll be continuing the work I did as a Fellow with Sierra Nevada Energy Watch. I’m also joining the Economic Empowerment team, where I’ll be helping with the Community Economic Resiliency Fund (CERF) program. 

Tips to Prevent Fires and Save Water this Fall!

As we enter fall in the Sierra, fire prevention and water conservation are especially important. Despite record-breaking snowfall last winter, wildfire risk remains high. And while drought conditions have been reduced, conserving water can save you money on your utility bills and help to maintain water reserves for drier years. Here are some proactive steps you can take in your building!

Fire Prevention

Indoor Tips

  • Simple things you do in your building can prevent a fire from starting.
  • Make sure to plug heaters directly into the wall, never into an extension cord, and that nothing is touching them.
  • Turn off space heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.
  • Remove dryer lint every time you use a clothes dryer, and never leave a fireplace or stove unattended. 

 

Some of these tips may feel obvious, but many of us don’t follow them from time to time. Just a couple years ago, my parents’ kitchen caught fire, and their house nearly burned down because someone stepped away from the stove for just a couple of minutes! 

Outdoor Tips

  • Create defensible space: remove dead vegetation and other flammable materials around your property, trim trees and shrubs, and consider forest thinning if your land is surrounded by woods. Creating space between potential wildfires and your home can do a lot to keep you safe. 
  • Regularly clean your roof and gutters of dead plant matter. 

Stay Informed

  • Research your local evacuation plans so you know what to do in an emergency. Many jurisdictions also have emergency text alert systems, which you can subscribe to.
  • Follow fire bans and other fire prevention restrictions. 
Water Conservation

Indoor Tips

  • Wash dishes in a large bowl instead of one by one under running water.
  • Take shorter showers and turn off water when washing your hair.
  • Water-efficient toilets, showerheads, washing machines, and dishwashers save both water and money. Keep this in mind for the next time you need to get a new appliance!

Outdoor Tips

  • Consider using drip irrigation systems instead of traditional sprinklers if you have a garden or lawn. Drip systems deliver water directly to the roots, minimizing water waste.

Fix Leaks 

  • Inspect your plumbing for leaks and get them repaired if you find any. Even a small leak can waste huge amounts of water and money.

Read More Recent Blogs

2026 Legislative Session: What It Means for Wildfire & Climate Resilience

September 22, 2026 No Comments

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.