Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in posts
Search in pages
event
ninja-table
location
advanced_ads

Tag: <span>Utilities</span>

Recycling & Garbage

Don’t let your garbage go to the dump. Recycle it!

Garbage not picked up as expected?
Call 408-988-4500

Milpitas Recycling & Garbage Services
Residents and Business Representatives, please contact Milpitas Sanitation Customer Service at (408) 988-4500 from Monday – Friday, between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., or via email at info@MilpitasSanitation.com, with all of your recycling and garbage service questions.  If you have any further questions, please contact City of Milpitas Public Works staff at (408) 586-2600.

Santa Clara County Recycle Hotline
1-800-533-8414
For information in Spanish or Vietnamese call: 408 924-5359 or e-mail: cdrsjsu@email.sjsu.edu.

About

Anti-Recycling Myths
Commentary on “Recycling is Garbage” (John Tierney, New York Times Magazine, June 30, 1996). Authors: Richard A. Denison, Ph. D.; John F. Ruston, July 18, 1996.

Five myths about recycling
Brian Clark Howard is a senior digital writer and editor covering the environment at National Geographic.
April 20, 2018
From the kitchen table to the editorial pages, people have been debating the merits of recycling for decades. Does it really save energy and money? Can I recycle that yogurt cup or juice box? At the same time, recycling technology and global markets have evolved quickly, leaving some consumers confused or stuck in old, outdated ways. A lot of myths persist about those blue bins. Here are some of the most common.

How Big Oil Misled The Public Into Believing Plastic Would Be Recycled
September 11, 2020
NPR and PBS Frontline spent months digging into internal industry documents and interviewing top former officials. We found that the industry sold the public on an idea it knew wouldn’t work — that the majority of plastic could be, and would be, recycled — all while making billions of dollars selling the world new plastic.

Batteries

Milpitas Sanitation
Your Single-Family Curbside collection program includes HOUSEHOLD BATTERY COLLECTION:
• Place household batteries in a clear plastic zipper-lock style bag.
• Tape terminals on lithium and 9-volt batteries. (No car batteries allowed.)
• Place on top of (not inside) your Blue Recyclables Split Cart for collection.

Bills & Rates

Automatic Payment Service
You can pay your water and waste services bill online; however, it takes 6-8 weeks to process your request. You can set this up in a day or so with your bank’s online service, but the City’s service is free.

New Waste Management Account Portal
New owner in April 2023 meant new accounting system. You account can now be found here.

Solid Waste Rates
For Single Unit Residential Service, Multi-Unit Residential Service, and Commercial Service.

Bottle Bills & Other Reform

State Senate passes landmark Bottle Bill reform to shift responsibility to beverage distributors
June 3, 2021 SACRAMENTO ­– The California State Senate today passed landmark legislation to reform California’s antiquated Bottle Bill and to hold beverage distributors responsible for increasing the amount of containers that are recycled. SB 38 will transform the current broken system that has resulted in plummeting recycling rates, more containers in our landfills and consumers unable to find convenient locations to redeem their bottles and cans. The bill now goes to the state Assembly.

Compostable Garbage

Composting Education Program
The UCCE CEP is a partnership with the Cities and County of Santa Clara that seeks to educate our community about composting. In addition to a Master Composter training course, the UCCE CEP offers Community Classes throughout the county as well as technical resources. Home composting bins will be available for purchase at each workshop. 2022 Workshop Dates Coming Soon
408-918-4640 to register for a class.

See also Gardens

Computer and e-Waste Recycling

Computer and e-Waste Recycling in & Near Milpitas, CA
Recycling e-waste is a bit of a project: first you need to remove all personal data from the devices, and then you need to find a place that will accept both the type of electronic device and the quantity you wish to recycle, and preferably locally.

We No Longer Have Dump Days

Household Dump Day
Collective efforts to “Recycle Right” by Milpitas residents and businesses add up to a 70% disposal reduction of landfilled materials since 1991. There are state mandated disposal reduction goals gor garbage on the horizon that set new goals to divert organics (food scraps and yard trimmings) and increase recycling.

Stink in Milpitas
The Silicon Valley odor problem seems incomprehensible. Learn about the history and current issues of the Newby Island Landfill.


Zanker Recycling
We’re the leader in construction and demolition (C&D) recycling, diverting over 80% of all materials from the landfill. We were the first to do it, we’re the most innovative at it, and we’re the first in the Western U.S. to earn LEED Certification, verified through the Recycling Certification Institute, the nation’s top independent industry auditor. That’s what we mean by “Greenovation.”
Site #1 Zanker Road Landfill
705 Los Esteros Road
San Jose, CA 95134
and
Site #2 Zanker Material Processing Facility
675 Los Esteros Road
San Jose, CA 95134
(Please don’t drive through Alviso to get to our facilities)

Hazardous Wastes

CERLIS Superfund Sites in Milpitas
The Superfund Program is in the process of deploying a new information system, the Superfund Enterprise Management System (SEMS) which is replacing CERCLIS. CERCLIS was frozen as of November 12, 2013. Updated data will become available in early 2014 when SEMS is fully operational.
Kaiser Refractories Div Laboratory
North American Transformer

Hazardous Materials Business Plan
All facilities in Santa Clara County that use or store hazardous materials (defined as either virgin or waste materials) in any quantity are required by local ordinance to report such use or storage to the appropriate local agency.

Hazardous & E-Waste Recycling
We are glad you are interested in learning how to properly dispose of household hazardous waste and electronic waste for free at your local household hazardous waste facility and other approved locations.

Household Hazardous Waste Program
Household hazardous waste is unwanted household products labeled as flammable, toxic, corrosive, or reactive. Common products include auto fluids, batteries, electronics, fluorescent and LED lightbulbs, garden chemicals, household cleaners, paint, and many other products that require proper disposal to prevent harm to humans and the environment.​

Paint Manufacturer Operated Retail Take-Back Locations
Kelly Moore, 301 W Calaveras Blvd., and Sherwin-Williams, 15 N Milpitas Blvd., take back paint cans for proper recycling. Due to evolving conditions related to COVID-19 (coronavirus), please contact all PaintCare drop-off sites to confirm their hours and availability before dropping off paint.

Santa Clara County Hazardous Materials Compliance Division
Three groups: Hazardous Materials Program, Household Harzardous Waste Program, and Solid Waste Program.

Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition
While it is well known that the high-tech revolution has radically transformed late 20th century civilization, it is less well-known that high-tech development also harms people’s health as well as the environment that sustains all life.

Sterling & Associates
An Environmental Health and Safety consulting firm dedicated to providing clients with effective solutions to their occupational and environmental health & safety issues. 168 South Hillview Drive, (888) 922-1656 or 408-262-1656.

Looking for Recycled Materials?

CalRecycle
The purpose of this site is to educate and motivate people to approach material reuse as the first option in diverting unwanted materials from California landfills. Businesses, schools, and nonprofits can utilize CalMAX to search for available and wanted materials.

RAFT – Resource Area for Teachers
SF Bay Area resource for surplus materials and reasonably priced workshops. Located in San Jose near the Santa Clara County Office of Education on Ridder Park Dr.

Westrock
The Container Division produces high-quality corrugated containers designed to protect, ship, store, enhance and display products made from recycled materials. Located at 201 S. Hillview Drive.

Recycling

 

Center for the Development of Recycling
Find information here about recycling and waste management programs for each city in Santa Clara County. This site includes information about landfills, transfer stations, curbside recycling programs, and key contacts for each city.

Earth’s 911
Milpitas-specific information. Database of where you can find where to dispose of various hazardous and recyclable materials. Edit the search box for what you want to recycle. Milpitas is already entered.

Olyns CRV Kiosk
Inside Safeway
555 E Calaveras Blvd.

Recovering Your Surplus Edible Food: SB 1383 Food Recovery Program Compliance
This website is designed to help you develop your own food recovery program in order to comply with new state regulations from Senate Bill 1383 about surplus edible food. Food recovery is the practice of saving surplus edible food that would otherwise be disposed of (in landfill or compost) and distributing it to people to eat. We will walk you through the steps to compliance, important dates, and how to get help if you need it.

Single Family Residential Rates
Learn what materials are recyclable and compostable and about other residential service options. The City of Milpitas values our seniors. There is a 50% cost reduction of the quarterly solid waste rate for residents 62 years and older.

538 Gladding Ct.
408-944-0900

Waste Management

Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission
To conserve, protect and preserve the environmental resources of our community through advocacy, education and outreach programs. To reuse, reduce, recycle and intelligently dispose of waste materials. To promote composting, pollution and waste prevention and sustainable living practices for all the people in Santa Clara County.

Water – Safety & Sources in Milpitas

Origins of Milpitas water and where it goes later: creek maps, waste water, urban runoff, water quality.

Save Water Milpitas
Water is a precious resource and is an important necessity for our health, the sustainability of the environment, and for the livelihood of our businesses. Check here for rebates for high efficiency toilets and washing machines, and for free shower heads and aerators for faucets.

Water Waste Restrictions
The following uses of potable water are prohibited under the City of Milpitas Municipal Code: Chapter 6

When may I water my yard?

2022 Watering Schedule

  • You can water your yard THREE days per week, between the hours of 6:00 p.m through 9:00 a.m.
  • If your street address is an odd number, you can water your yard on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
  • If your street address is an even number, you can water your yard on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday.
  • No watering on Wednesdays.
  • Remember, always make sure your watering doesn’t waste water and only waters your landscaping.

To Learn More about Water Conservation or To Report Violations
Call 408-586-2666

The City purchases and distributes water from Valley Water treatment plants, as well as from San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). Before making its way to your tap, your drinking water is treated and tested to ensure its safety. Valley Water and SFPUC are ensuring the water supplied to the City is of the highest possible quality meeting or exceeding all federal and state drinking water standards.

Don't Take Water For Granted

Don’t Take Water For Granted
Amina Ahmad, a sixth-grader at Marshall Pomeroy Elementary School, was a winner in the Bay Area Water Users Association Water Awareness Poster Contest. Her poster is featured in the association’s 2001 calendar.

Hot Lines
City of Milpitas Water Conservation
and Urban Runoff Hotline: 408-586-2666
City of San Jose Distribution Hotline:
800-426-4791
Santa Clara Valley Water District:
408-265-2600, Pollution Hotline: 1-888-510-5151
Water & Sewer Utility Rates
Water rates effective July 1, 2020.
Sewer rates effective July 1, 2020.

Our Watershed

The Coyote Creek Water Shed

Watersheds are nature’s way of dividing up the landscape. A watershed is the land area that catches rain or other runoff and drains to specific wetlands, streams, rivers, and reservoirs. Runoff from every home or business ultimately makes its way to a creek or channel. That’s why everyone somehow contributes to flooding even if it happens miles away. Creeks and street water in Milpitas flow into the Coyote Creek and then into the San Francisco Bay.

Adopt A Creek
This program offers citizen participation in creek cleaning projects within Santa Clara County. Helping with this program is a great way for schools, community organizations and private companies to demonstrate their concern about the environment. Santa Clara Valley Water District.


Calaveras Dam Time Lapse (2012-2018)
Time Lapse of the Calaveras Dam from April 2012 – September 2018 captured by EarthCam.


Moving Mountains at Calaveras Dam Replacement

Coyote Watershed Fast Facts
The county’s largest watershed, it extends from the urbanized valley floor upward to the vast natural areas of the Mt. Hamilton range. Coyote Creek, its main waterway, is the longest creek in the county. Resources for teachers and students.


Fixing Anderson Dam is a priority for Valley Water
In 2019, Valley Water produced a draft of a video depicting a worst-case scenario should a filled-to-capacity Anderson Dam fail in the event of a major earthquake. Valley Water embarks on Anderson Dam project after years of unexpected delays. The original plan –– to add buttressing and materials up and downstream to reinforce the dam –– would take roughly three years and come with a $250 million price tag. But in 2016, that number grew after the district conducted geotechnical borings of the surrounding soil and found evidence of seismic activity in two nearby fault lines previously thought to be inactive.

Flood Watch Tool
Introduction on how to use the flood watch tool for those living in flood zones near our creeks. Most important to those living near Penitencia Ck at Machado Ave. or working near Coyote Creek and 237.

My Hazards of Santa Clara County
Map showing areas of Milpitas and other Silicon Valley areas which have in the past been flooded. Many flood control systems have been installed, but if you are considering buying a home in these areas, do a thorough check first. Also shows earthquake zones.

Hetch Hetchy Photos
From before the dam was built. This group would like to restore the valley.

The California Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) Curriculum
Teachers may access all of the EEI Curriculum online for free, and until the end of this school year students may access form-fillable workbooks and other materials directly from our website. Feel free to reach out to us at eei@calrecycle.ca.gov if you need support with your digital instruction and we’ll do our best to assist you.

Penitencia Water Treatment Plant
This plant typically serves an area from Milpitas in the north to Aborn Road in the south, supplying safe drinking water to 270,000 residential and commercial users.

South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project
This project will result in large-scale restoration of wetlands from the San Mateo Bridge to southern edge of San Francisco Bay.

Water Quality

Water Quality Report: Consumer Confidence Report
The City of Milpitas is pleased to provide our customers with pertinent information about the quality of our drinking water. This annual water quality report tells you where our water comes from, what our tests show about it, and what is in it.

City of Milpitas Water Quality Report 2021
As mandated by law, each year, on or before July 1, the City of Milpitas is required to provide all of its water customers a copy of the CCR. The CCR provides water quality information and compares the quality of your water to established Federal and State drinking water standards. We encourage you to view this report as it provides information about the source and quality of the drinking water delivered to you.

In an effort to be better stewards of the environment, the City is no longer distributing paper copies of the CCR. The reports will instead be made available online. If you wish to obtain a paper copy of the 2021 CCR, you may pick one up from the Milpitas City Hall building located at 455 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035. For any questions you may have, please contact us through our email at: MilpitasCCR@milpitas.gov.

Water & Sewer Bills

Automatic Payment Service
You can pay your water and waste services bill online; however, it takes 6-8 weeks to process your request. You can set this up in a day or so with your bank’s online service, but the City’s service is free.

Mail in Your Water Bill
Effective July 1, 2021, please us the new P.O. Bos address below to mail in your City of Milpitas/Sewer utility payments:
City of Milpitas
P.O. Box 102710
Pasadena, CA 91189-2710
–yes, you read that right, Pasadena.

Water conservation in the home
Are you concerned about high water bills and would like to use less water? Want a rebate for installing low water usage toilet or washing machine?

Water Systems

The San Francisco PUC, which draws its water from the Hetch-Hetchy system in the Sierra, serves 2.4 million people in San Francisco and 33 communities stretching from Milpitas and San Jose to Daly City and the water district in southern Alameda County.

City of Milpitas Water Maintenance Services
Maintenance Services provides for the routine and emergency operation, maintenance, and repair of the City’s water, sewer, and storm systems and facilities.

City of Milpitas Water Supply Map

Map helps you determine whether you get Hetch Hetchy water (the best tasting), or SVPUC water (still great water!).

Water and Sewer Master Plans
The City of Milpitas is approaching buildout, and open spaces are being converted to domestic and irrigation type uses, changing diurnal flow patterns and water needs. In addition, redevelopment of older industrial/commercial areas to high density residential is being considered as part of the Midtown Specific Plan.

Santa Clara Valley Water District
Parts of Milpitas are supplied with water from SCVWD. Watershed and flood control district primarily. Those in the quadrant west of 880 and south of 237 get water through SCVWD.

S.F. Public Utilities Commission
Provides Milpitas with Hetch Hetchy water. (Note to newcomers: Hetch Hetchy water is considered the finest!)

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Water System
Milpitas gets most of its drinking water through the San Francisco PUC. The Hetch Hetchy Project supplies water and power to the City of San Francisco and surrounding Bay Area communities, and regulates stream flow in the Upper Tuolumne River, Cherry Creek, and Eleanor Creek.

Where Your Water Comes From
Groundwater and local surface water is the county’s original source of water supply. Local rainfall and runoff flows into reservoirs for storage and blending with imported water. The water is released into creeks and ponds to augment natural percolation and maintain groundwater levels. Some of the local surface water is processed at drinking water treatment plants. The treated water is sold to local water retailers such as San Jose Water Company, who use their own distribution systems to serve customers. Water pumped from the groundwater aquifer through wells is used by private well owners, farmers, and water retailers.

Milpitas Waste Water Treatment

San Jose / Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant
The San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant is one of the largest advanced wastewater treatment facilities in California. It treats and cleans the wastewater of over 1,500,000 people that live and work in the 300-square mile area encompassing San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Campbell, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Saratoga, and Monte Sereno.


San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant Video Tour
This is an interesting and educational facility to visit. It is pertinent for general science students, biology students, and chemistry students.

Urban Runoff & Pollution Prevention

City of Milpitas Consumer Confidence Report issued June 2015
Last year, as in years past, your tap water met all USEPA and State drinking water health stan- dards. The City of Milpitas vigilantly safeguards its water supplies and once again, we are proud to report that our system had no health related water quality standard violations in 2014.

Managing Urban Runoff
To protect surface water and ground water quality, urban development and household activities must be guided by plans that limit runoff and reduce pollutant loadings. EPA.

Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program
The Program’s mission is to assist in the protection of beneficial uses of receiving waters by preventing pollutants generated from activities in urban service areas from entering runoff to the maximum extent practicable.

Zoom webinars about gardening presented by the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency.
BAWSCA is commited to the communities we serve. We actively collaborate with our member agencies, other water agencies, and community partners and participate in a variety of public outreach and community events.

Power & Gas in Milpitas, California

About Power Conditions
Calpine
Conservation Tips
Education for Children
Loans, Rebates, etc.
PG&E – Pacific Gas & Electric Company
Power Politics
Silicon Valley Clean Energy

About Power Conditions

Frequently asked questions about rotating outages
These outages should last between 1 to 2 hours for most customers. These are not Public Safety Power Shutoffs due to extreme fire danger, and are not related to any issues with PG&E’s equipment or its ability to deliver energy locally. [Editor: so why is power being shut off, eh, PG&E]

Enter your street address on this page to get your planned outage number. Then return to the main link to get possible time of outage.

CAL ISO’s Outlook for Today
Current and forecasted demand.
Demand trend: System demand, in megawatts, compared to the forecasted demand in 5-minute increments.
Net demand trend: System demand minus wind and solar, in 5-minute increments, compared to total system and forecasted demand.

ISO System Status
Displays current system status and active and pending market notices (Alerts, Warnings and Staged Emergency notices).

News Releases – The California ISO
We invite anyone who would like to keep up with the latest energy news to check out News Releases on a regular basis.

Calpine

Calpine
San Jose-based corporation, builder of natural gas power generation facilities.

Conservation Tips

14 simple ways to save energy while working from home
‘It’s important to feel comfortable in your home, especially during these tough times when we are spending more time than ever in the house. However, this doesn’t mean that your energy bills need to spiral out of control.’

Energy Saving Tips
Take your free 5 minute Home Energy Checkup today. Find out how much of your home energy goes to heating, hot water, appliances, lighting and other uses.

Flex Alert
A Flex Alert is a call for consumers to conserve electricity during heat waves when power use outstrips electricity supply and other challenging grid conditions, such as when power plants or power lines are unexpectedly unavailable making electricity deliveries difficult.

Go Solar California
This site provides consumers a “one-stop shop” for information on rebates, tax credits, and incentives for solar energy systems in California.

Education for Children

Electricity 4 Kids
I want to find out more about electricity and electronics.

Energenius
Learn about our energy and environmental classroom lessons. No cost!

Safe Kids
Order free booklets about safety around electricity and natural gas. Have fun on their E-Smart Kids site for kids.

Science Fair Experiments from Energy Kids Learn the keys to a successful science fair project and find links to energy experiments, courtesy of the National Energy Education Development Project. Get the Guide to Planning a Science Fair Project. Watch the award-winning, 15 minute, cartoon Prepare for the Science Fair.

Loans, Rebates, etc.

Energy Efficiency Financing
The California Energy Commission’s Energy Efficiency Financing Program provides financing for schools, hospitals and local governments through low-interest loans for feasibility studies and the installation of energy-efficiency measures.

Energy Star
How you can improve your home, business or school with energy-saving appliances and use.

Get discounts on your PG&E bill with the CARE Program
Qualified households receive deep discounts on their energy bills through the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program.

Go Solar California
Provides California consumers a “one-stop shop” for information on solar programs, rebates, tax credits, and information on installing and interconnecting solar electric and solar thermal systems. The site has information on program rules, including eligible equipment and standards, as well as information on how to find an eligible, licensed solar contractor.

PG&E – Pacific Gas & Electric Company

1-800-743-5000
PG&E’s emergency power outage information line. Lots of good emergency links. Form for less pressing concerns.

CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG!
Underground Service Alert (USA) is a free service for homeowners, excavators and professional contractors who are digging, blasting, trenching, drilling, grading, or excavating.

Pacific Gas & Electric Company
Milpitas gets its gas and electricity through PG&E.

For TTD/TTY — Speech/Hearing-Impaired
1-800-652-4712
For Information in Spanish
1-800-660-6789
For Information in Chinese
1-800-893-9555
For Information in Vietnamese
1-800-298-8438

Power Politics

California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission is the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency. Created by the Legislature in 1974 and located in Sacramento, the Commission has five major responsibilities.

California ISO
The electricity picture in California is a complex interaction of many entities. This page attempts to pull together resources to help you understand and navigate the California electric market.

California Public Utilities Commission
Keep informed about how our utilities are being regulated.

Natural Gas in California
Overview of the natural gas system from the California Energy Commission.

Silicon Valley Clean Energy

Frequently Asked Questions
We provide Milpitas residential and commercial electricity customers with clean, carbon free electricity options at competitive prices, from sources like solar, wind and hydropower. We source the electricity, and PG&E delivers it over existing utility lines, and continues to do maintenance, billing and customer service. This type of model is known as Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) or Community Choice Energy (CCE).

It’s All About Choice
MILPITAS CUSTOMERS: If you received a notice that your generation service is changing to SVCE, and you want to enjoy the benefits of clean energy at competitive rates, you don’t need to do anything – you will be automatically enrolled into GreenStart beginning in June 2018.

SOLAR CUSTOMERS: Please see our rooftop solar page for more info about your enrollment schedule and Net Energy Metering choice with SVCE.

Utility Scam Alert

Utility Scam Alert

Milpitas Citizens Online Police Reporting System

  • This is not an Emergency?
  • This incident occurred within the Milpitas City limits?
  • There are No Known suspects?
  • This did not occur on a State Freeway?

Crime Tip Hotline
To report crimes anonymously to the Milpitas Police:
Call 408-586-2500 or click the link above to report online.

Milpitas Youth Crime Activity Lead Line
Reward of $100 if report leads to an arrest:
(866) 276 5463

Milpitas Police Department
1275 North Milpitas Blvd.,
Milpitas, California 95035
408-586-2400

Contacting Milpitas Police
Crime Tip Line – 408-586-2500
Neighborhood Watch Info – 408-586-2525

GoMilpitas Produced by Sunbeams

I am excited to announce that GoMilpitas.com of Milpitas, CA, is now being produced using sunbeams.

Our carbon footprint has just become considerably smaller as electricity for our computing and other household and business use will be considerably generated by two sets of 8 solar panels: one shown on the south-facing roof in the photo above, and a second set of 8 on the second story west-facing roof. In 2018 we added some more efficient solar panels on our garage roof.

Our Solar System

The salesman and the installation crew from REC Solar did a wonderful job Thursday and Friday, April 17-18, 2008. The City building inspection was on the following Monday, and PG&E also needs to make the final connection to the meter, but it appears for the “sunny” months we will be selling more electricity back to the power company then we normally have used in the past.

Update April 29, 2008: PG&E hooked up a new meter to our solar PVC system shortly after noon today. My husband is happily watching the meter showing a credit to our energy account.

Update June 8, 2008: We just got our first full month’s gas and electric bill for the month of May. Are you ready for this? Combined gas and electricity bill was $29.83! The electricity part was $8.69, most of the rest was for hot water heated by gas. Fred figures the bill would have been $270 without the PVC installed.

Update December 12, 2010. With most of our energy efficient projects finished, our total PG&E bills in the past 24 months through December 2010 has come to $2246 for 24 months, averaging $93.60 a month for gas and electricity. Past 24 months our electric bill alone has been $1288, or $54 a month on the average. In 2006 & 07, before the energy efficiency was in place, our PG&E bill had been $4405 or $183.50 a month. Electricity had been $3516 of that ($146.40/month.) We are paying 64% of our previous electric bills. Rates have gone up, or it would be better than that.

Several months ago we replaced our dishwasher with a highly efficient model. Our older Maytag dishwasher was being recalled, and the Maytag company offered us to either fix it or give us $75 toward a new one. At the same time, the power company was offering a rebate, and a nearby appliance store had a sale on a KitchenAid Energy Star dishwasher.

All three toilets on our home office are water efficient models. Two are Dual Flush toilets: down for #1 (1.0 gals.) and up for #2 (1.6 gals.). We watched for rebates, and so were able to get a partial refund from the area water company for installing more efficient toilets. Kitchen and shower faucets are all low-flow.

We have been recycling for years, so I almost forgot to mention it. We have three large bins: Paper, Metal and Plastic Recyclables, Yard Trimmings, Garbage/Food Scraps. We have a compost barrel in our back yard, so much kitchen and garden compostables go in that.

Most of our lighting has been replaced with Smart LED lights. As many of you know, I find natural spectrum lights more harmonious, and they make my photographs look their best, so I was glad that florescents finally came in this spectrum range. Driveway, entry way and back deck lights are motion sensitive, so are only on when needed. Now many of those have been replaced by “smart” LED light bulbs. I can turn them on and off, or just a percentage on, with just my voice and Alexa.

Most of our bills are viewed and paid online through our credit union, saving who knows how much paper waste. We are also doing all we can to refuse junk mail. Paper waste is shredded and goes in the compost pile.

Our front lawn has been replaced by a low-maintenance butterfly and hummingbird attracting garden (Seen in part in the photo), and so is a delight to all who pass by. We don’t have a lawn anywhere else either! We go to the community park next door when we feel the need to be on grass.

Our pool has been solar heated all along, but will be getting an upgrade soon. One of the perks of working from home: jumping in the pool to cool off, and working in my swimsuit. (No, you won’t be seeing a photo of THAT any time soon!)

Extra insulation has been added under the roof, in the attic, and Reflectix under the floor.

We added an attic fan to help keep our place cool in the summer, so we seldom need air conditioning. It comes on automatically when the attic temperature hits a certain temperature. We have a NEST thermostat which help learn our habits and keeps us in ‘Eco’ range.

Our cars? Well, they may not be the most efficient, but we all work here at home, so we have eliminated commuting costs. When we do go out, we try to run at least three errands, and plot the most efficient route to get the most done. My husband is working with a group to try to make hydrogen-fueled cars a reality. Update: We traded in Fred’s “clunker,” and purchased a black 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid on July 31st. Took to 2 a.m. on August 1st to complete the sale. What a madhouse!

I don’t know if we are the first community site to go so majorly Green, but I believe we’re the only one posting about it. I would love to have some competition in this area!

Now you know where your money goes when you make purchases on this site: to make payments for these Green improvements and more to come. We recently refinanced our home loan, and got some money out for these improvements. (Fixed at 3.375% for about 1/3 the current value of our home.) The payments are less than they were earlier, so this helps us out by having both lower mortgage payments and lower power and water bills. Improvements were made over time, and not all were recent. We are paying less and using less limited resources. This allows us to save for the next earth-friendly improvement.

March 2009. Installed much more energy efficient heating and cooling system. There’s been improvements since 1976! We got an Amana system as our heating and cooling needs here in Milpitas aren’t very extreme. We bought it from AAA Furnace & Air Conditioner. Allowed PG&E to install a remote switch incase there is a power shortage.

All the downstairs and upstairs windows are now double-paned and better sealed.

April 2009. Added energy efficient windows upstairs. Downstairs had been done another year. We got ones built by Desert King Windows. If you decide to buy these based on my recommendation do tell them Ann Zeise sent you.

We also managed to find a beekeeper, Mark Small of Small Bees, to rescue us and the bee hive that had thrived between our living room ceiling and roof. He captured most of the honey bees and the queen bee in a gentle vacuum, and, after checking their health, will find them a new home in some orchard.

Got the energy star laundry appliances: a pair of Speed Queen machines. Only energy efficient ones that fit the small space with have for a laundry.

We’re not done yet. Stay tuned here to hear about new Green improvements to GoMilpitas.com. Saving for:

  • energy efficient TV
  • upgraded energy efficient pool filtering, heating and sanitation

Television Stations with Local Shows

TV Guide
Shows what is on tv here right now and for next two hours.
Find out what is coming soon.

2 – KTVU 2 – Sports
Your link for Stanford and 49er schedules, scores, discussion groups, interviews.

4 – KRON 4 – (NBC) News
KRON offers news and links to San Francisco events, sports, traffic and weather.

5 – KPIX 5 – (CBS) News
Here are breaking Bay Area News Stories that may be featured in tonight’s TV newscast.

7 – KGO 7 – (ABC) News
Tickertape news, sports and weather. Video, audio news and remote cameras.

9 – KQED 9 (PBS) What’s On
Find out or search for PBS programming on this page. Watch full episodes online.

11 – NBC Bay Area Top Local News
A busy page with news teasers for about everything going on.

12 – CBS All Access
Watch your favorite CBS Shows here.

13 – KBWB (WB)
The Warner Brothers network. Always shows today’s shows on the top page.

15 – GOVTACC
Government Access. View Live Streaming Video of the City Council and Planning Commission meetings on the internet through our Live Webcast of Milpitas Cable Channel 15! Live webcasting of Channel 15 is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, anywhere in the world!

17 – In Demand
Movies, news, sports when you want to watch.

22 – CSPAN
Cable Satellite Public Affairs.

31 – HSN Home Page
Home Shopping Network program guide and online store. Purchases help support your community website.

41 – Ion Media Networks
Family viewing station.

48 – A& E Arts & Entertainment
Biography, Investigative Reports, Law & Order, The View, Nero Wolf, Behind Closed Doors, Mysteries, and more.

Telephone Numbers for City of Milpitas

City Government Phone Directory

455 East Calaveras Boulevard
Milpitas, California 95035
Tel: 408-586-3000
Fax: 408-586-3056

Telephone numbers for City of Milpitas government contacts, services and information.

Services & Information Phone (408)
Abandoned Vehicles 408-586-2400
Animals – Dead animal pickup on streets 408-586-2600
Athletic Facilities – field prep, lighting 408-586-2661
Building Inspection Requests 408-586-2797
Building Permits, Building & Safety 408-586-3240
Business License 408-586-3100

City Hall General Information

408-586-3000
City Attorney 408-586-3041
City Clerk 408-586-3001
City Manager 408-586-3051
Code Enforcement 408-586-3279
Community Center/Recreation 408-586-3210
Council Agenda HOTLINE 408-586-3010
Council Office 408-586-3026
Crime Tip Line 408-586-2500
Disaster Preparedness 408-586-2810
Dump 408-432-0444
Earthquake Safety Information 408-586-2810
Economic Development 408-586-3052
Emergencies – Fire, Police, Paramedics 911
Engineering 408-586-3300
Finance 408-586-3100
Fire Administration 408-586-2800
Fire Prevention 408-586-3365
Fire Emergency ONLY 911
Garbage/Water/Sewer Billing & Service 408-586-3100
Graffiti Hot Line 408-586-3079
Housing Rehab Loan Program 408-586-3286
Human Resources – Jobs 408-586-3090
Junk Cars/Private Property 408-586-3078
Library 408-262-1171
Maintenance Services

Animal Services
Bus Stop Cleaning
Fire Hydrant Flushing
Flooding
General Information
Light Reporting
Protected Tree Removal Permits
Pot Holes
Sewer Backup
Sidewalk Repair
Storm Drain Cleaning
Street Lights
Street Signs
Street Sweeping
Street Trees
Traffic Signals
Tree Removal
Water/Sewer problems
408-586-2600
Mayor’s Office 408-586-3029
Neighborhood Beautification 408-586-3074
Noise (Police Services) 408-586-2400
Office of Emergency Services 408-586-2800
Passport Hotline 408-586-3009
Planning & Zoning 408-586-3279
Police Business & Services 408-586-2400
Police Emergency ONLY 911
Public Access TV-Channel 15 408-586-2730
Public Works 408-586-2600
Purchasing 408-586-3161
Recreation Service 408-586-3210
Recycling & Garbage Collection – Billing Service 408-586-3100
Recycling & Garbage Collection – Commercial 408-432-1234
Recycling & Garbage Collection – Residential 408-432-0444
Recycling, Reduce, Reuse Info 408-586-2680
Senior Center 408-586-3400
Sports Center 408-586-3225
TDD: City Hall 408-586-3013
Community Center/Recreation 408-586-3208
Finance 408-586-3081
Police Dept 408-586-2484
Senior Center 408-586-2784
Sports Center 408-586-3231
Utilities (Street Lights, Trees, Water, Sewer, Problems) 408-586-3100
Utilities Emergencies (after hours) 408-586-2400
Water Billing Questions 408-586-3100
Water Emergencies – Business Hours 408-586-2600
Water Emergencies – After Hours 408-586-2400
Water HOTLINE 408-586-2605
Water Quality Questions 408-586-3348
Water Waste, Drought Questions 408-586-2666

Telephone Service in Milpitas

Telephone Area Codes in Milpitas, CA, are 408 and 669

Emergency
408-263-1212 – Program this number in your cell phones. Goes to our local dispatch.
911 goes to Vallejo where calling number linked to an address, so use from home or business phones.
For all other non-emergency questions about police or fire services, call their business numbers:
408-586-2400 for Milpitas Police
408-586-2800 for Milpitas Fire

What I do to avoid telemarketers

Don't Call Me

For my land line, I have bought this phone system at Staples for about $100: AT&T CL84207 DECT 6.0 Expandable Corded/Cordless Phone with Answering System & Smart Call Blocker, Silver/Black with 2 Handsets. Its built-in software blocks telemarketing calls, but also allows you to whitelist friends by asking them their name and to hit #.

On our cell phones we did two things. First I downloaded the free ringtone: Silence. I then made it my default ringtone. I gave all people and businesses I don’t mind hearing from a sounding ringtone. Look on YouTube on how to install a new ringtone on your cell phone. So that telemarketers can’t even get that far, I got the app from AT&T to protect my phone from fraudulent calls. Their software selection here works on both iPhones and Android system cell phones.

Directory Assistance
Locate People and Businesses based on name or by telephone number. (Reverse directory). Smart Pages.

Calling Bargains
A comprehensive telecom resource, providing industry news, consumer info and advice, as well as reviews for a broad array of telecom products and services with an emphasis on low cost calling solutions including 1+ long distance, Internet phone service, cell phone plans, conference call and more.

Do Not Call Registry
Most telemarketers cannot call your telephone number if it is in the National Do Not Call Registry. You can register your home and mobile phone numbers for free. Your registration will be effective for five years. File a complaint here.

What’s up with the National Do Not Call Registry?
The Do Not Call Data Book also shows that many of the calls reported at donotcall.gov are robocalls. Just keep in mind that pre-recorded sales calls are illegal whether you’re on the Registry or not unless a company has your written permission to call you that way.

Companies

AT&T
Local phone service is provided by AT&T. At this site you can get an overview of the products and services offered to businesses and residents in Milpitas.

AT&T Retail Locations
185 Ranch Dr., 408-942-7570
447 Great Mall Road, 408-809-2816
308 Barber Court, 408-456-2888

Infinitel Communcations
Pagers, cellular phones for the Asian community. 380 Barber Lane, (Milpitas Square), 408-943-1688

Directory Assistance

Milpitas Phone Directory
Online address and phone book for Milpitas.

Area Code Listing, by Number
Have an area code and need to know where it is located? This page will help. Use your browser’s Find command to search fo a city to find its area code.

City of Milpitas Telephone Directory
Telephone numbers for City of Milpitas services and information.

Commissions

Milpitas Science, Technology, and Innovation Commission
The Commission considers and recommends information technology services to benefit the Milpitas community.

California Public Utilities Commission – Telecommunications Industry
Since the transition from monopoly to competition began in the telecommunications industry, the California Public Utilities’ Commission’s focus is in developing and implementing policies and procedures to facilitate competition in all telecommunications markets, and to address regulatory changes required by state and federal legislation.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable.

Issues

California net neutrality bill bends to telco, cable wishes
Senate bill 822 was approved by the senate energy, utilities and communications committee mid-April, 2018, on a party line vote, with the condition that undisclosed changes, negotiated behind closed doors, would be made. Those amendments were finally released, and the result is fewer net neutrality enforcement options.

Be on the lookout for phone fraud
From slamming to cramming and everything in between, con artists and companies have tapped into telephone bills as a place to bilk consumers out of money they shouldn’t owe. Learn to spot the most common phone frauds.

Rate Comparison

Fastest Mobile Networks in Bay Area 2017
We tested data speeds on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless in 30 US cities. Find out which network is the fastest where you live.

Recycle Cell Phones

Cash for Trash Fundraising Program
A new approach which enables your organization to generate significant revenue. Simply collect old unused cell phones that many people have just lying around.

FundingFactory
Helps schools and nonprofit organizations Unlock the Power to fundraising success. The nation’s largest free recycling fundraising program, FundingFactory offers free technology, sports & recreation equipment, playground systems and even cash in exchange for empty inkjet & laser cartridges and used cell phones.

Give to Charity Without Spending a Dime: Donate your Old Cell Phone
Rather than letting old cell phones and tablets sit in your junk drawer, or worse–in a landfill–here’s your chance to put your old cell phones to good work. Check out these phone recycling programs that use your donated devices to help those in need.

Green Ewaste Recycling Center
We provide FREE pickup and disposal services to customers recycling at least 5 larger items including Computers, LCD Monitors, Notebooks, Networking Equipment, Test Equipment, Servers. Please visit our our pick-up page for detailed information.
1664 Watson Ct, Milpitas, CA 95035
(408) 898-8640

Recycle Wireless Phones
Most cell phone companies will now take back and recycle most cell phones and their accessories, such as battery chargers. Check here for how and where to recycle.

The Support Network for Battered Women
Sunnyvale. Collects old cell phones, reprograms them and distributes them to victims of domestic violence, allowing women to call the police in a domestic emergency. Cell phones with or without batteries and chargers can be dropped off on-site, Monday through Friday, 10 AM – 5 PM. Our address is: 1257 Tasman Drive, Suite C, Sunnyvale, CA 94089. 408-541-6100 x 117

Litter Problem Solved

A Milpitas Mom’s Favorite Joke.

A few years ago, the City of Milpitas had a litter problem. A once-clean section of town had become an eyesore because people had stopped using the trash cans. There were cigarette butts, beer bottles, chocolate wrappers, newspapers and other trash littering the streets.

Obviously, the sanitation department was concerned, so they sought ways to clean up the city. One idea was to double the littering fine from 25 dollars to 50 dollars for each offense. They tried this, but it had little effect. Another approach was to increase the number of litter-agents who patrolled the area. This was more of the same, that is, another “punish the litterer” solution, and it, too, had little impact on the problem.

Then somebody asked the following question:

“What if our trash cans paid people money when they put their trash in? We could put an electronic sensing device on each can as well as a coin-return mechanism. Whenever a person put trash in the can, it would pay him $10.”

The idea, to say the least, whacked everyone’s thinking. The problem had been changed from a “punish the litterer” one to one of “reward the law abider.” The idea had one glaring fault, however; if the city implemented the idea, it would go bankrupt. Half of the United States would come to use the trash cans!

Fortunately, the people who were listening to this idea didn’t evaluate it based on its practical merits. Instead, they used it as a stepping stone and asked themselves: “What other ways are there in which we can reward people for putting their refuse in the trash cans?” This question lead to the following solution.

The sanitation department developed electronic trash cans which had a sensing unit on the top that would detect when a piece of refuse had been deposited. This would activate a tape-recorder that would play a recording of a joke. In other words, joke-telling trash cans! Different trash cans told different kinds of jokes (some told bad puns while others told shaggy dog stories and still others told snappy one-liners) and soon developed reputations. The jokes were changed every two weeks. As a result, people went out of their way to put their trash in the trash cans, and the town became clean once again.