Daily Business Report: July 26, 2023
The hidden cost of California’s hot
workplaces: 20,000 job injuries a year
By Nicole Foy | CalMatters
With more heat waves expected this summer, California officials are trying to assess the long-term economic impact on workers and businesses — and what more can be done to protect workers bearing the brunt of extreme temperatures.
Although California is one of the few states with heat standards protecting outdoor workers, advocates and workers say enforcement is still a struggle. Meanwhile the state has been trying for years to create indoor workplace heat rules.
A 2021 study of California worker compensation data by a left-leaning economic research nonprofit shows hot days lead to increased workplace accidents across California. The
Washington Center for Equitable Growth study estimates hot temperatures have caused at least 360,000 workplace injuries in California from 2001 to 2018, or about 20,000 injuries a year.
Researchers examined California workers compensation data and tracked daily temperatures down to the ZIP code. They compared the number of worker injuries and illnesses on 85-to-105-degree days to days when temperatures hovered around 60 degrees.
A day above 100 degrees can lead to a 10-15 percent increase in same-day injuries on the job, the study says, with injuries hitting low-wage workers hardest. And recovering from a heat-related injury or illness costs the average worker $35,000, including health care and long-term wage impact.
Photo: Farmworkers pick melons in the early morning hours in Huron on Sept. 18, 2018. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP Photo, via CalMatters)
Drying of the Salton Sea has staved off earthquakes — for now
By Susanne Clara Bard | SDSU
The southern end of the San Andreas Fault that runs directly below the Salton Sea in Southern California currently poses the largest seismic hazard in the state, but the area hasn’t experienced a major earthquake in more than 300 years.
Now, a new study in the journal Nature by scientists at San Diego State University in collaboration with UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography has found that as the Salton Sea has dried up, it has eased the strain on this part of the fault, potentially postponing a quake that could devastate Los Angeles.
SDSU NewsCenter’s Susanne Clara Bard asked geophysicist graduate student Ryley Hill and his advisor and co-author Matthew Weingarten about what this means for future earthquakes in the region.
SDG&E seeks federal tax credits for energy storage to reduce local power rates
By Debbie L. Sklar | Times of San Diego
San Diego Gas & Electric is seeking federal investment tax credits for its energy storage projects which would represent millions in savings for its customers, it was announced Monday.
The tax credits the utility company are pursuing would add up to $215 million in savings, a release from the company read.
“By investing in energy storage, we are helping to improve the reliability of the power grid, advancing the clean energy economy and providing some much-needed financial relief to our customers,” SDG&E CEO Caroline Winn said. “Securing federal tax credits for these storage assets is a key part of SDG&E’s affordability strategy to reduce energy costs while improving climate resiliency.”
SDG&E plans to claim the tax credits in 2024. \
Michelle Pettit appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Magistrate Judge Michelle M. Pettit has been appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, filling the position left vacant when Judge Mitchell D. Dembin retired.
Pettit was an assistant U.S. Attorney for more than 15 years prior to her appointment.
She handled criminal prosecutions in a variety of subject matter areas, including violent crime, drug trafficking, immigration, fraud, child exploitation, domestic and international terrorism and cybercrimes.
Pettit, who received a Bachelor of Science with distinction from the United States Naval Academy, began her career in 1994 as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy.
She completed two Persion Gulf deployments on Navy destroyers.
Pettit is currently the treasurer and an executive board member of the Enright Inn of Court and a member of the San Diego County Bar Association, the Lawyers Club o San Diego and the National Association of Women Judges.
Assistant Secretary of the Navy to speak at SDMAC Aug. 16 meeting
Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations & Environment, will be the featured guest speaker at the Aug. 16 breakfast meeting of the San Diego Military Advisory Council.
It will be held from 7 to 9:30 a.m. at the Bay View Club, Marine Corps Recruit Depot. Register
Berger assumed her current post in July 2021.
She has served in a variety of policy and senior leadership positions in both federal and state government and the private sector. Before her nomination, Berger was a senior manager for the Defending Democracy Project at Microsoft Corporation.
She was a Fellow with the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.
AleSmith Brewing Company celebrates Tony Gwynn Day with tribute beer release
AleSmith Brewing Company hosts the Aug. 5 Tony Gwynn Day celebration honoring the legendary baseball player for the Padres. It will feature two special commemorative beers with artwork designed by Ground Floor Murals.
Gwynn is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time, having earned 15 All-Star selections, eight National League batting titles, five Gold Glove Awards, and induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
AleSmith Brewing Company collaborated with Mr. Padre himself in 2014 to brew .394 Pale Ale, named after his highest batting average in 1994, which is available on tap and in package throughout San Diego County. In honor of Gwynn’s milestone 2000th and 3000th career hits in 1993 and 1999, AleSmith will be releasing two commemorative beers, paying homage to his illustrious career. This is the second year of the Miramar brewery hosting this event kicking it off in 2022.
The celebration is from 2 to 6 p.m. Register
UC San Diego raises record $565.7 million in private support last fiscal year
UC San Diego attracted more than $565 million in donations during the 2022-23 fiscal year, a 34.6 percent increase over last year’s philanthropic support and the most ever raised by the university in a single year.
Of the total $565.7 million raised last year, approximately $320.1 million was directed to health sciences, $220.5 million to the general campus and $25.1 million to marine sciences at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Gifts and grants to UC San Diego were designated to help spark path-breaking research to benefit people around the globe, ranging from discovering better treatments for devastating diseases like glaucoma, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease to better understanding how aerosols in the environment may transmit pollutants and pathogens. Donors also stepped up to support scholarships and fellowships to provide access to students from all backgrounds, as well as student success programs to help them thrive once they are on campus.
Credit union hosts webinar on ‘Online Romance Scams’
SAN DIEGO — San Diego County Credit Union will host “Online Romance Scams,” a complimentary educational webinar presented by former San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood today 26 from noon to 1 p.m. The online webinar format allows the community to attend virtually from anywhere, and is part of SDCCU’s Financial Wellness Wednesdays, launched in partnership with the San Diego County Library System in support of Live Well SanDiego. To register, visit sdccu.com/fww
B Medical Spa launches scholarship to empower future medial leaders
SAN DIEGO — B Medical Spa and Wellness Center, announced the imauguration of the B Medical Spa Scholarship for Medical Students. This exclusive scholarship, offering a one-time award of $1,000, is designed to recognize and support exceptional medical students, nurturing the next generation of health care leaders. As the application deadline approaches on Dec. 15, 2023, the winner will be revealed on Jan. 15, 2024, following a rigorous evaluation by a panel of esteemed health care professionals.
Dr. Kevin Oliver appointed senior VP and chief business officer for Acadia Pharmaceuticals
SAN DIEGO — Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced the appointment of Dr. Kevin R. Oliver as senior vice president, chief business officer. Oliver will oversee all business development functions and will serve as a member of the company’s Executive Management Committee, reporting to Steve Davis, president and chief executive officer. Oliver brings more than three decades of biopharmaceutical research and development and business development experience to Acadia. He was previously with Simcare Pharmaceutical Group.
QuidelOrtho partners with BYG4lab to strengthen informatics offerings
SAN DIEGO — QuidelOrtho Corporation, announced it has entered into a software development partnership with BYG4lab, a provider of middlewareand data management solutions for laboratories, that intends to accelerate QuidelOrtho’s efforts to expand and strengthen informatics offerings across its portfolio of diagnostic platforms. The companies will work jointly to address the immediate workflow and labor challenges within the global laboratory community through proprietary tools that allow auto-verification to become more routine and available to labs of all sizes.
Powur bolsters financing options by adding Sungage Financial
SAN DIEGO — Powur PBC, a platform-based company simplifying the path to clean energy, announced it is expanding its financing options for people deciding to go solar by partnering with Sungage Financial, one of the nation’s most consumer-friendly residential solar financing companies. By adding Sungage’s financing solutions that offer the lowest possible monthly payment, Powur is expanding its already broad selection of financing options that empower people to achieve energy independence and escape rising utility prices.
Cureline Group’s full range of services now available through Scientist.com
SAN DIEGO — Cureline Group, an industry pioneer in precision and translational medicine, announced its plans to showcase its full spectrum of research products and services on Scientist.com, the premier preclinical research marketplace for the biopharma sector. Biopharma researchers utilizing Scientist.com can now quickly and economically access essential services such as biobanking, human sample validation, preclinical animal services and preclinical project management, digital pathology and other lab services.
SDG&E awards $10 million in grants to assist local nonprofit groups
SAN DIEGO — San Diego Gas & Electric has awarded $10 million in grants to help local nonprofit organizations expand their essential services for vulnerable residents who struggle with basic needs. Meals on Wheels San Diego County received one of the largest grant amounts at $500,000. The SDG&E Community Assistance Fund is a $10 million shareholder-funded charitable initiative aimed at improving housing stability and food security.
San Diego rental market one of the state’s most competitive
SAN DIEGO — San Diego’s rental market is one of the most competitive in California, according to the latest Rental Competitivity Report. A quick turnover rate of 38 days, a significant occupancy rate of 95.9 percent, and high demand shown by 14 prospective renters per vacancy, contribute to the competitiveness. The balance between new and renewing tenants is nearly even, at a lease renewal rate of 49.4 percent, while the small percentage (0.17 percent) of new apartments implies most are existing units.
TwainFest reading fest coming Aug. 19
SAN DIEGO — An organization founded in 2007 with a commitment to inspire, challenge and entertain by reading literature aloud for a live audience, announced the 14th annual TwainFest to be held Saturday, Aug. 19 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in Heritage County Park, 2455 Heritage Park Row in Old Town. There is a limited capacity – so reservations are required for your free entry. Learn more and register for attendance at https://writeoutloudsd.com/twainfest/.
SANDAG successfully refinances $433.3 million in sales tax revenue
SAN DIEGO — SANDAG, serving as the San Diego County Regional Transportation Commission, successfully refinanced $433,355,000 in sales tax revenue in its role as the San Diego Regional Transportation Commission. This transaction provides significant savings to the region and taxpayers. In 2004, San Diego County voters approved a TransNet extension which began in 2008 and is set to continue for 40 years until 2048. The Ordinance and Expenditure Plan for the TransNet Extension includes funding for additional major highway, transit, and local street and road projects, and more.
Miramar Air Show returns Sept. 22-24
The Miramar Air Show returns Sept. 22-24. General admission is free. Tickets are now on sale for preferred seating areas with the best views to dedicated family friendly zones. For more information, visit miramarairshow.com.