The Media Center Goes Green!

The Midpeninsula Community Media Center, the “Media Center,” today announced that Santa Clara County officially certified it as a Green Business. “All big change starts at the ground level with small steps,” said Annie Folger, Executive Director. “We know that each environmentally friendly choice we make contributes to a smaller carbon footprint and, taken collectively, makes a huge step toward restoring health to the Earth. Our staff and organization are enthusiastic about our role, and the role of media in general, in spreading the word about global warming and what individuals can do about it.”

The Media Center co-sponsored the Greenlight Earth Day Film Festival two years running, featuring student-produced projects that explore environmental citizenship. We urge you to check out these inspiring award winning films on our website at www.communitymediacenter.net/watch/videosontheweb/youth.html

At the Media Center, our choices range from purchasing Green Energy though Palo Alto Utilities’ voluntary program and preparing to install solar panels on the roof, to serving water from a pitcher and using glasses rather than bottled water. We buy recycled paper goods and encourage all who use our facility to recycle their paper, newspapers, bottles and cans.

"Going green is saving money for the Media Center," said Seth Fearey, Board Treasurer and project director for Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network's Climate Protection program. "The board and staff see going green as a long term commitment. We will be constantly evaluating alternative energy technologies and ways to reduce our energy consumption and waste."

About the Green Business Program

The Santa Clara County Green Business Program is a free, voluntary program that recognizes businesses that commit to full compliance with environmental regulations and take additional steps to prevent pollution and conserve resources. The program encourages businesses to go beyond compliance with environmental laws and regulations to implement sustainable practices in business operations, thus improving the environment and the economy of Santa Clara County.

The Green Business certification process addresses solid waste reduction, recycling, energy and resource conservation, water conservation and pollution prevention. To achieve certification, businesses must meet environmental compliance requirements and, in addition, must implement measures that go beyond regulatory requirements. Assessments and conservation measures are tailored to fit each business’ operations. More information is available at www.ReduceWaste.org.

About the Media Center

The Media Center runs award-winning community cable television channels 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, that reach cable subscribers in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Atherton. All five community channels are also available on the internet via our website. The Media Center connects people to their community with programming focused on local schools, sports, politics, religion and art that is not covered by commercial television. Producers, including teens, teachers, community leaders and activists, create programs using state-of-the-art equipment at affordable rates. Our government channels provide extensive coverage of state legislature, city council and city commission meetings. We also provide classes on all phases of television production, including editing, studio and field production.

The Media Center is recognized as a national model for community television by producing and distributing over 500 shows per year that reflect the rich diversity and local voices of the mid-peninsula community.

The Media Center also offers a team of professionals to work with local cities, agencies and small businesses to produce media packages including training videos, clips for websites and live event coverage. The studio and production equipment are available for rental by media professionals. For more information, call 650-494-8686 or visit www.communitymediacenter.net.