Pasadena Re-Starts Artificial Turf Grass Rebate Program

PASADENA – Pasadena Water and Power is again offering customers rebates on water-saving appliances and equipment, after the program was put on hold this summer because record demand used up all the available funds, officials said.

“It was so popular … it ran out of funding, and we expect demand to be equally great this year. That’s why we want Pasadena customers to get in line early on,” PWP spokeswoman Nancy Long said of the program Metropolitan Water District is offering its member agencies, including the Pasadena utility.

The MWD has set aside $9 million for the current program, Long said, with PWP kicking in $223,000.

PWP gives its customers extra incentive to buy water-saving devices by supplementing several of MWD’s rebates exclusively for Pasadena customers, she said.

Pasadena provides the rebates through the residential “Water$ense” program.

Rebates are available on purchases of high-efficiency toilets, $30-$50; efficient clothes washers, $100; weather-based irrigation controllers, $150; rotating sprinkler nozzles, $5; and synthetic turf, 60 cents a square foot.

Synthetic turf is “low maintenance, evergreen … and saves many thousands of gallons that would otherwise go to watering one of the most water-thirsty of plants, grass,” Long said.

(more)

ASGi September 28, 2009 Calif State, Calif Water, Rebates, Water Savings, WaterSense - EPA No Comments

Artificial Grass Synthetic Turf Market
and California’s PROP 65

URGENT – IMPORTANT

* PROP 65 UPDATE! *

This judgment is specific to the following named defendants – however – it is a milestone agreement that the California AGs office intends to enforce, market wide with ALL partners in the chain of supply.

ANYONE Doing business in California ….

Download and READ this to better understand what standards, in California,under PROP 65, this first consent judgment sets and MUST BE MET (by these defendants) to avoid future legal action and liability!

This agreement has extended language that covers INFILL, ADHESIVES AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF ARTIFICIAL GRASS SYSTEM SOLUTIONS.

The AGs office anticipates an October hearing to finalize this language – 30 days after, it goes into effect.

PDF: PROP 65 – Consent Judgement – Filed August 14, 2009 ***

*** see below ( Settling Defendants for this Judgment (August 14, 2009) are Astroturf , LLC;Crystal Products Co. Inc, d/b/a SynLawn; UGTH Equipment, LLC; General sports Venue, LLC; and Synthetic Turf Resources, LLC )

ASGi – is ready to HELP YOU COMPLY * with new Standards for Artificial Grass & Synthetic Turf under PROP 65 & CPSIA/GCC!**

	Get-The-Lead-Out.Org *has been updated to properly reflect requested language on the site to comply with this Consent Judgment – Please go up and take a look! Resellers, Installers, Dealers, Distributors, ETC – should consider registering for either the “Lite” or “Small Biz” programs, Manufacturers – check out the UNLIMITED Plan!**

*** The consent judgement
of August 14, 2009 is specific to(Astroturf, LLC; Crystal Products Co. Inc, d/b/a SynLawn; UGTH Equipment, LLC; General sports Venue, LLC; and Synthetic Turf Resources, LLC (Settling defendants) *** HOWEVER *** we anticipate that the language set forth in the agreement, as it relates to lead (Pb) levels, warnings, et al, as spelled out in the Introduction and “Injuntive Relief” sections will be standard language in ALL upcoming settlements, affecting ALL market partners in the chain of supply.

ASGi August 17, 2009 ASTM, Grass Surface Info, Lead & Heavy Metals, Prop 65, Rebates, Water Savings Add new tag, Artificial Grass, Artificial Grass Suppliers, artificial turf, artificial turf information, Artificial Turf Market, proposition 65, synthetic turf, Synthetic Turf Council, Testing No Comments

USA Tax REBATES for Fuel Guzzling Cars & Trucks

ASGi UPDATE:

A controversial auto bill that would reward consumers with tax credits for trading in their old cars and buying more-fuel-efficient ones passed the House on Tuesday, inching closer to becoming law.

The “cash for clunkers” proposal, which would give consumers a tax credit of up to $4,500 for switching from their gas guzzlers, … Continue reading »

ASGi June 11, 2009 Industry News, Rebates No Comments

Artificial Turf Grass Displays Water Savings in SoCal Garden

With California in the third year of a drought, the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency in Beaumont is trying to demonstrate that it is possible to have a lovely garden without using a lot of water.
The agency, headquartered on Beaumont Avenue, is replacing its front lawn with landscaping that is much more water efficient.

The 5,000-square-foot space will consist of rocks, a little bit of artificial turf, plants and decomposed granite. Work could be completed by the end of this week.

The agency, a wholesale water retailer, is spending $31,000 on the project. Tom Lara Landscaping in Cherry Valley is doing the work.

Board member Ted Haring said the agency is trying to show people they can have “nice-looking landscaping without a lot of grass.”

Grass lawns require a significant amount of water. In the Pass area, nearly two-thirds of the water used by individual homes is for landscaping and other outdoor uses, according to the agency, which encourages water conservation.

The agency is replacing its sprinklers with a “smart” irrigation system that will water the plants only when needed.

“It literally measures the moisture in the ground,” said Haring, a water conservation consultant.

The agency is having Lara plant greenery that mostly is native to the area, which means the plants won’t require a lot of water to thrive. The plant list includes rosemary, chaparral sage, autumn sage and blue fescue.

It will be a colorful landscape when in bloom.

Decomposed granite is a paving material used in walkways and driveways. Haring said it has an attractive yellow-beige tint.

Once completed, the landscape will resemble a dry river bed, said agency General Manager Jeff Davis.

Reach Erin Waldner at 951-763-3473 or ewaldner@PE.com

10:00 PM PDT on Monday, May 11, 2009

Original story by ERIN WALDNER
The Press-Enterprise

ASGi May 13, 2009 Artificial Grass, Calif State, DWR-Calif, Drought, MWD - Efforts, Rebates, Water Savings Artificial Grass, artificial turf, california, Drought, synthetic grass, synthetic turf, Water Savings No Comments

Calif: Water Districts Face Stiff Fines If Allocations Exceeded

Metropolitan Water District officials say districts that exceed their allocations will face stiff fines.

Goal of new water garden display in Eastern Water District is to persuade customers to use native vegetation and other water saving options – yet new
lottery-style rebate allotments are hampering customers efforts to receive relief from adoption of water-savings products.

REGION: Eastern Municipal Water District to open demonstration gardens

(Photo by Don Boomer - Californian staff writer)

Goal is to persuade customers to use native vegetation and water saving options for landscape to increase water savings and meet the goal of 20% reduction by 2020 called for by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and supported by the Calif Dept of Water Resources and Metropolitan Water District.

By JEFF ROWE -
Thursday, May 7, 2009 8:49 PM PDT

Roxanne Rountree with Eastern Municipal Water District points out the native California plants, rocks, wood chips and artificial turf that makes up the district’s demonstration garden that will be open to the public Saturday. (Photo by Don Boomer – staff writer)
These agave plants are among the native California plants displayed in the demonstration garden. (Photo by Don Boomer – staff writer)

PERRIS —- In recent months, as the threat of water cutbacks has become a reality, people have been told over and over to consider replacing ever-thirsty grass lawns with water-sipping native vegetation.

So what to plant?

On Saturday, the Eastern Municipal Water District will offer plenty of suggestions when it opens its Water Wise Demonstration Garden with exhibits, vendor booths, experts and cartoon characters from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In all, Eastern replanted 57 acres at its big complex in Perris, using California-friendly ground cover such as Indian hawthorn and bush lantana; shrubs such as society garlic and agave; and trees such as lemon-scented gum.

Some crushed rock and three grades of synthetic turf also has been added, some replacing nine acres of real grass.

That live grass and the other non-native bushes and trees drank way too much water for the new water-wise era.

The district was using 10.6 million gallons of water annually on the lawns and gardens, but with the native vegetation plantings, that water usage has been reduced to an annual rate of 1.3 million gallons.

All of that water is recycled, some of it from Eastern’s storage pond on the north side of the district’s complex.

“We hope this garden can serve as a model,” said Roxanne Rountree, who is coordinating Saturday’s demonstration program.

Exhibits will include water- and energy-efficiency devices and native plants.

Vendors and experts on composting, landscaping, irrigation and green energy will set up and staff booths at the event.

As are other water districts, Eastern is under pressure to reduce deliveries of water from the Metropolitan Water District, Southern Californian’s primary water supplier.

Environmental restrictions are reducing by 10 percent the amount of water from Northern California that is available for pumping to Southern California.

Metropolitan officials say districts that exceed their allocations will face stiff fines.

For example, if Eastern goes over its water delivery allocation by 500 acre-feet, that water will cost $1 million, four times the normal cost, although “normal” is rising.

Eastern said its cost will go up by 20 percent on Sept. 1 and 21 percent on Jan. 1, 2011.

How those increases will be passed on to customers hasn’t yet been determined.

Eastern buys about 80 percent of its water from Metropolitan; the rest it acquires from area wells.

Eastern and other districts hope to persuade consumers to cut usage through a combination of conservation and price incentives based on new tiered rates, and by example and persuasion through its demonstration garden.

“Almost 80 percent of our customers are staying within tier 1 and 2,” said Peter Odencrans, an Eastern spokesman.

The utility wants to teach the next generation that reducing water use is a necessity and that conservation is the new normal.

Eastern provides water for parts of Murrieta and Menifee and Perris, Hemet, Moreno Valley and San Jacinto.

On Saturday, special guests Dewie the Dragon and Princess Zoie will show children how they can reduce water usage and how water is recycled.

Captain Lo-Watt will demonstrate how fluorescent light bulbs use less electricity than incandescent bulbs.

The demonstration garden is at 2270 Trumble Road in Perris, just east of Interstate 215 and north of Highway 74.

For information, call (951) 928-3777, Ext. 4226.

Contact staff writer Jeff Rowe at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2621, or jrowe@californian.com.

Eastern Municipal Water District

The water district will open its Water Wise Demonstration Garden

– What: Exhibits, vendors, experts and, for children, Dewie the Dragon, Princess Zoie and Captain Lo-Watt

– When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

– Where: 2270 Trumble Road, Perris 92570

– Information: www.emwd.org; (951) 928-3777, Ext. 4226.

California Bill Supports Artificial Grass and Synthetic Turf

Efforts to promote water savings to encourage Californians to help achieve California Dept of Water Resources and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 20 x 2020 plan are finding ways to provide fantastic incentives for this drought-riddled state’s citizens.

California Assembly Bill 474 – sponsored by Metropolitan Water District and proposed by freshman Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield is just one of many.

Basic language of great interest to synthetic turf and artificial grass industry:

5) States that it is the intent of the Legislature that the
authorization created by this bill should be used to finance
the installation of water efficiency improvements that are
permanently fixed to residential, commercial, industrial,
agricultural, or other real property, including,
but not limited to, recycled water connections, synthetic turf,
cisterns for stormwater recovery, and water-porous concrete.

Update on Calif AB.474

CURRENT BILL STATUS

The Assembly Bill 474′s language – proposed by Assemblymember
Blumenfield has been amended in minor ways to reflect that the bill would
not be requiring that construction is limited to “new” building projects.MEASURE : A.B. No. 474
AUTHOR(S) : Blumenfield.
TOPIC : Contractual assessments: water efficiency improvements.
HOUSE LOCATION : ASM
+LAST AMENDED DATE : 04/27/2009

Assembly Local Government – 04/22/09

Motion: Do pass as amended.
Ayes: 5, Noes: 0, Abstentions: 2

TYPE OF BILL :
Active
Urgency
Non-Appropriations
2/3 Vote Required
Non-State-Mandated Local Program
Non-Fiscal
Non-Tax Levy

LAST HIST. ACT. DATE: 04/28/2009
LAST HIST. ACTION : Read second time. To third reading.
FILE : ASM THIRD READING
FILE DATE : 05/07/2009
ITEM : 61

COMM. LOCATION : ASM LOCAL GOVERNMENT
COMM. ACTION DATE : 04/22/2009
COMM. ACTION : Do pass as amended.
COMM. VOTE SUMMARY : Ayes: 05 Noes: 00 PASS

TITLE : An act to amend Sections 5898.12, 5898.14, 5898.20,
5898.21, 5898.22, 5898.24, 5898.28, and 5898.30 of the
Streets and Highways Code, relating to contractual
assessments, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take
effect immediately.

————————————————————————————–

Metropolitan Water District – cosponsored AB.474

“If you have any questions or wish additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our office. Thank you for your consideration.”

Kathleen Cole
MWD Sacramento Office

Rosario Kapeller
California Municipal Utilities Association

===========================================================

Sample Letter to Send In as an Example of Your Support:

( You are welcome to make changes to the following or create your own letter! )

Please copy and paste onto your own letter head and send to the following*
in show of support of this very important piece of legislation!

============================================================

RE: AB 474 (Blumenfield): – SUPPORT

Contractual Assessments: Water conservation and Efficiency Improvements

Dear Assembly Member Blumenfield:

The ________________ supports your AB 474, which would reduce water use throughout California by allowing for a voluntary financing program between public entities and property owners. AB 474 is dramatic new tool for water policy in California by how it encourages and facilitates the installation of fixed and permanent water efficiency improvements on private property.

The timing of AB 474 could not be better. Extremely limited water supply availability is forcing California and its residents to re-examine water use options that can result in greater efficiency. By establishing conservation practices today through sound water efficiency, we not only maximize currently available water, but will also ensure that future supplies will be available to meet demands.

AB 474 will provide an optional authority to public entities to finance water use efficiency. AB 474 will allow the opportunity for public entities to provide initial funding for the installation of water use efficiency projects on the property of willing property owners . AB 474 allows for the use of advanced, large-scale technologies and products that are effective, but would otherwise be unobtainable for many homeowners and businesses due to the sizeable upfront financial cost. Under AB 474, willing property owners will be required to repay the public entity over an extended period of time, while the property owner and local jurisdiction experience marked water savings.

This financing tool is not new. AB 474 is an extension of existing law, as established by AB 811 (Levine, 2008). However, as AB 811 was drafted, the financing mechanism was only limited to solar improvements. Reducing water use is as important to California as reducing energy consumption.

Water districts throughout California are expected to raise rates because of the higher costs of obtaining supplies and because of newer, more expensive forms of treatment. Property owners could benefit from new choices that would allow them to lower their water bills by lowering their water use over the long term. Your AB 474 is both timely and responsive to the need to encourage conservation.

If you should have any questions or concerns regarding our position on AB 474, please feel free to contact me at your convenience at ____Phone and Email is best_________.

Sincerely,

Your signature and name, title

====================================================================

* PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO THE ATTENTION OF:

Kathleen Cole, Legislative Representative
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
1121 “L” Street, Suite 900
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/650-2642 (Office)
916/650-2615 (Fax)

The Honorable Robert Blumenfield
California State Assembly
State Capitol, Room 6011
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/319-2040 (Office)
916/319-2140 (Fax)

ASGi May 7, 2009 AB.474, Calif Water, DWR-Calif, Drought, Legislation, MWD - Efforts, Rebates, Water Savings AB 474, Artificial Grass, Artificial Grass rebates, artificial turf, california, metropolitan water district, synthetic grass, synthetic turf, Synthetic Turf Rebates, Water Savings No Comments

Artificial Turf Grass Rebates Now Available Through Los Angeles Dept of Water and Power

Artificial turf and synthetic grass rebates extended into LA County California

The L.A. County Department of Water and Power is offering a number of free programs and rebates to help residents save water during what promises to be a hot, dry summer, the time of highest water use. Governor Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in February and is calling for a 20 percent reduction in water use by all Californians; a program called 20×2020.

“Almost 70 percent of the water we use is used outdoors,” says Melinda Barrett, Water Conservation Manager for the Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts. “That’s where we can make the biggest impact in conserving water.”

The Waterworks District offers several free programs to help residents save water and money, and this is the best time to take advantage of those programs to make it easier to reduce water use this summer.

All customers of the Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts are now eligible for rebates on a variety of water-saving devices, among them, high-efficiency clothes washers ($150); high-efficiency and dual-flush toilets ($150); weather-based sprinkler controllers ($150); rotary sprinkler nozzles ($4 each); artificial grass & synthetic turf rebates ($.30/square foot or $150 for 500 square feet); commercial waterless or low-water urinals for business customers, ($60 – $120 for upgrades, $150 for new installations); drip irrigation ($50). Visit http://dpw.lacounty.gov/wwd/web/rebates.cfm for more information.

Free On-Site Water-Use Survey

To obtain a free onsite survey for homes and businesses call (888) 828-8602 or send an email to watersurveys@niagaraconservation.com to have a water conservation specialist come to your home. For information see http://www.ladpw.org/wwd/web/docs/water%20survey.pdf.

Locate licensed qualified installers from ASGi’s Certified Builder Installer Program and find products that meet or exceed lead-safe safety standards at http://www.Get-The-Lead-Out.Org

For information about drip irrigation, and synthetic turf rebate programs, please contact Ms. Barrett, conservation manager, Melinda Barrett – mbarrett@dpw.lacounty.gov, or Viki Yip – vyip@dpw.lacounty.gov.

ASGi April 23, 2009 Calif State, Calif Water, Rebates, Water Savings Add new tag, Articial Grass Lawns, Artificial Grass, artificial grass install guide, Artificial Grass Lawn Rebates, artificial turf, Artificial Turf Rebates, california, Drought, synthetic turf, Synthetic Turf Council, Water Savings, water use 1 Comment

Artificial Grass & Synthetic Turf Installer Classes A Great Success

Our April ASGi Builder Certification Classes were not only sold it – they were attended by contractors from as far away as Florida! Landscapers, some with up to 30 years of experience as professionals in their trade, joined together to learn about all the wonderful products and technical aspects of the artificial turf and synthetic grass market.

Above – Robert Circle, ASGi Board member, begins hands on instruction during day 2 of the April – 2009 – ASGi Certified Builder Classes hosted at Horizon Distributing in Concord, CA.

Click here to see upcoming class schedules so you can register

Go to see our gallery of photos from class HERE

Comments from Our Concord Class Evaluations!

What did you like about the class?

(many of our students have been installing artificial turf for several years and have been professional landscapers for 10 to 30+ years)

Simply Brilliant – I learned loads about everything
Up Beat – Not Boring
It wasn’t about just one product line – it covered it all
Technical info was great – [even] more hands on would be better
Very clear – well presented
Everything was easy to understand – great presentations
Class participation [was the best]
Examples of different materials available, practical hands on experience
All the explanations about measuring, estimating and streamlining installation and job costs
[All the instructors'] enthusiasm about the general market and products
How much I learned in just two days – I want more!

Click here to see upcoming class schedules so you can register

Certification is awarded to licensed installation professionals only after completion of ASGi courses and proof of appropriate licenses required by the state or area of business – ASGi Certified Builders must also hold active ASGi memberships

ASGi April 19, 2009 Grass Surface Info, Industry News, Rebates No Comments

Lowe’s & LA County Give So Calif REBATE to Antelope Valley Property Owners

Rebates: Incentive to reduce water use

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press
Friday, March 27, 2009.

By ALISHA SEMCHUCK
Valley Press Staff Writer

LANCASTER – Los Angeles County Waterworks District 40 wants Antelope Valley residents and business owners alike to conserve water, so county officials launched a rebate program for people who purchase and install water-saving devices.

The rebate program is a collaboration between Waterworks District 40 and Lowe’s Home Improvement meant to encourage people to reduce their water use.

Rebates are $4 each for rotating sprinkler nozzles, 30 cents per square foot for synthetic turf and $50 to $150 for water-saving devices such as “smart” weather-based sprinkler controllers, high-efficiency clothes washers, high-efficiency toilets, and waterless urinals for businesses.

“We’re trying to provide incentives,” said Melinda Barrett, Waterworks Districts water conservation program manager.

“We’re hoping (to do this) by making it easier to find the products and get a rebate.”

County officials highlighted merits of the rebate program during a news conference Thursday in the garden department at Lowe’s. They were joined by the store manager, a local landscaper and students from Antelope Valley High School’s FFA.

For rebate application forms, people can go online to lacwaterworks.org or call (626) 300-4683.

The Waterworks district provides water to 170,000 people in the Antelope Valley, and the government agency wants to ensure that supplies can meet the demand, now and in the future, Barrett said.

Despite recent rains and some winter snow, Barrett said water supplies are still so low that the situation prompted Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to declare a state of emergency.

In 2008, Antelope Valley residents saved 13% compared to their use the prior year, Barrett said. The goal is to have everyone use 20% less water by the year 2020.

“Summer will soon be here, when we have our highest water usage,” said Norm Hickling, field deputy for Los Angeles County 5th District Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.

Glenn Guenther, a Valley resident who runs a landscaping business, said because of the work he does, he realized the need to conserve water.

“This rebate program will bring attention to the issue,” Guenther said.

“The water district rebate program is appealing to my customers,” Guenther said. Not only do they save water, but they save money on their monthly bills, he said.

“Our customers are looking for ways to save money every day,” said Daniel Goff, store manager at the Lancaster Lowe’s.

Aside from receiving a rebate for purchasing a water-saving device, Goff said, program participants will “cut home utility costs for years to come.”

“Over the course of your lifetime, you will flush the toilet nearly 140,000 times,” Goff said.

Because the greatest percentage of water consumption occurs outdoors, Goff advised people to grow only drought-tolerant, native plants in their yards.

This spring members of the FFA at Antelope Valley High School will plant a drought-tolerant tree on campus to honor Antonovich, said Nicole McMurray, 17, a senior and the president of the FFA campus chapter. She also presented Hickling with a plaque for Antonovich, thanking the supervisor for his “dedication to ensuring the Antelope Valley has a reliable water source for the future.”

“As part of our horticulture curriculum, we provided the water system for our fields,” McMurray said. “It helps make sure our school is not wasting water.”

With water being so crucial to the agriculture industry, McMurray said conservation is a critical factor that ensures she “will have a future in agriculture.”

“With us all working together,” Goff said, “we can reduce water waste.”

Los Angeles County had received a state grant that would have paid $1 per square foot for taking turf and replacing it with water-saving ground cover, but the funds were frozen because of the state budget crisis.

The lawn-removal rebate “won’t start until we get the funds,” Barrett said.

http://www.avpress.com/n/27/0327_s4.hts

ASGi March 29, 2009 Calif Water, MWD - Efforts, Rebates, Water Savings No Comments

Proposed Bill By Assemblymember Blumenfield, Sponsored by Metropolitan Water District Could Provide Low Cost Loans for Synthetic Turf and Artificial Grass!

HELP SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION TO HELP STIMULATE THE USE OF ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT PRODUCTS IN THE STATE!

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the California Municipal Utilities Association have joined forces with Assembly Member Robert Blumenfield (D-Van Nuys) to promote passage of AB 474, a bill that would authorize a VOLUNTARY financing program between public entities and property owners to encourage and facilitate the installation of fixed and permanent water efficiency improvements on private property including SYNTHETIC TURF (which is named as such in the bill) and other like options (such as porous concrete products).

If you own property or do business in the state of California – You Will Want To Support this proposed assembly bill!

Go To => http://www.asgi.us/ab.474/

A copy of the bill, as introduced, the bill’s backgrounder; sample support letter; and policy committee roster are posted on the site for your convenience.

As always – a portal page has been created for ASGi Members’ convenience at:

http://www.asgi.us/ab.474/

AB 474 has been assigned to the Assembly Local Government Committee, and we anticipate the bill will be heard after the Legislature returns from its summer recess (post April 13).

PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS RIGHT AWAY!

Make sure to send one to Metropolitan Water District and one to the Honorable Robert Blumenfield – it does NOT matter where you live to show your support for this bill – it will effect business statewide! (all addresses, etc are on the portal page)

All the best!
Annie Costa
Exec Director
ASGi

Portal Pages for AB.474, including a sample letter, addresses, contact info, etc

http://www.asgi.us/ab.474

You must be logged in to access this members only portal page … NOT a member? JOIN!

http://www.asgi.us/join