The Sidney E. Frank Foundation ('SEF Foundation') is undertaking a four-pronged approach to its 2007 Clinton Global Initiative Commitment. All four 'prongs' are projects directly related to the climate change / alternative energy focus area.
- PROJECT ONE: SAN FRANCISCO TIDAL ENERGY PROJECT:
In February 2007, The Sidney E. Frank Foundation donated $200,000 to the City and County of San Francisco (CCSF) to carry out the critical task of engaging key stakeholders and interest groups to solicit input and build support for San Francisco's tidal energy pilot project, one of the first sustainable tidal energy projects in North America. The project will utilize the abundant and untapped source of clean, renewable tidal energy directly beneath the Golden Gate Bridge to provide electricity for San Francisco. This project will also form the basis for additional tidal research and development elsewhere in the United States.
This grant was used to leverage funding for an additional $1,500,000 to conduct the most comprehensive study yet undertaken to assess the possibilities for harnessing tidal power from the San Francisco Bay, through an innovative public-private partnership between the City, PG&E, and Golden Gate Energy.
- PROJECT TWO: SAN FRANCISCO WAVE ENERGY FEASIBILITY STUDY:
Continuing its successful partnership with CCSF exploring alternative energy possibilities, in September 2007 the Frank Foundation pledged $200,000 for San Francisco's Wave Energy Feasibility Study. This grant money will be used to carry out the critical task of identifying and engaging the relevant permitting agencies and requirements as well as engaging with some key non-regulatory stakeholders and interest groups. With this project, the Frank Foundation is proud to support San Francisco as it continues its ocean energy leadership role.
- PROJECT THREE: CLINTON CLIMATE INITIATIVE:
The third project involves a direct donation of $200,000 to the Clinton Climate Initiative of the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation. The Clinton Climate Initiative works directly with the governments of the 40 largest cities worldwide to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CCI is providing direct assistance to individual cities and facilitating the sharing of best practices. CCI is also working to organize a purchasing consortium that will help cities buy energy efficient technologies at lower prices and create a measurement and information tool to help cities take an inventory of energy use to help direct future activities.
- PROJECT FOUR: BROWN UNIVERSITY emPOWER CAMPAIGN:
The Sidney E. Frank Foundation will provide $200,000 of funding to Brown University to support its development and creation of and meaningful opportunities to impact the environment while benefiting Brown and the local community and engaging student learning. This project would support faculty and student projects focused on interventions in Brown's local community. Through this innovative program, Brown would establish a new standard for achieving carbon offsets - one that draws on the University's leadership and stresses individual initiative and responsibility as they seek to address global warming. A substantial amount of Brown's emissions could be offset through local projects, which would both benefit the local community and provide educational and research opportunities for Brown students and faculty.
With cities contributing 75 percent of greenhouse gases to our atmosphere, it is imperative that drastic changes are made to reduce these gases and develop alternative energy forms. The SEF Foundation firmly believes that no one is better qualified to steward this project than President Bill Clinton. The Founder of the SEF Foundation, Sidney Frank, considered President Clinton a true friend, and he respected and admired President Clinton's entrepreneurial spirit and ability to obtain measurable, positive change. President Clinton's commitment to the environment is unyielding and unprecedented, and SEF Foundation is proud that it can continue to support his Foundation and Climate Initiative.
Sidney Frank attended Brown University and showed his appreciation by becoming the most generous donor in Brown's history. With this and other projects, Brown will set the environmental example for other colleges and universities to follow. The Sidney E. Frank Foundation sincerely hopes that this project will lead to an increased awareness of climate change / global warming, promote further exciting research and development in the field of carbon emissions, reduce greenhouse gases, and inspire future generations for years to come.
MEASURES OF SUCCESS
- Information and support gathered on tidal power project
- Partnership formed with SF Department of the Environment and Brown University
- Increased participation and awareness of Brown students in global climate change issue
- Improved city climate change record
