The City of Santa Rosa has a long-standing commitment to environmental protection and working to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In August 2005, the City adopted a resolution setting a GHG emission reduction target for City government operations of 20% below 2000 levels by 2010, and a community-wide GHG emissions reduction target of 25% below 1990 levels by 2015.

To reach these ambitious targets, City staff and consultants prepared two Climate Action Plans.

• The Community-wide Climate Action plan (CCAP) guides GHG reduction policies and activities at the community level. It consists of a city-wide GHG emissions inventory, which separates activities that generate GHG emissions into sectors including vehicle transportation, building energy usage, water delivery systems and others. The CCAP also identifies GHG reduction measures for each of those sectors.
• The Municipal Climate Action Plan (MCAP) focuses on the GHG emissions associated with municipal facilities and operations including the municipal water distribution system, wastewater treatment activities, City buildings and facilities, public lighting, and vehicle fleet.

Together, the CAPs recognize the imperative to act and demonstrate the City’s continued commitment to reducing GHG emissions. The City has and continues to actively implement GHG reduction measures from both CAPs to reduce local GHG emissions to meet state, regional and local reduction targets.

On January 14, 2020, the Council adopted a Climate Emergency Resolution. This Resolution committed the City to ongoing efforts related to climate change and greenhouse gas emission reductions through the implementation of Climate Action Subcommittee direction, the work of City departments, and the collaboration with the Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA).

What Can You Do?

The most important component of the CCAP is the participation of City residents and businesses. Below are resources to help residents and business-owners reduce their carbon footprint and save money by taking actions such as switching to renewable-source electricity, obtaining loans to install solar or complete energy efficiency retrofits on their homes, joining a carpool, or getting rebates for the purchase of an electric car.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

• Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) is a local public agency that procures electricity from a mix of renewable sources starting at prices less than PG&E. SCP offers a range of energy efficiency and renewable energy options including but not limited to the following:
  • Options for procuring 100% renewable electricity for businesses and residences
  • A Net Energy Metering program (NetGreen) that allows customers to make their meter “spin backward” and offset their electrical usage by installing a generating system (e.g., a rooftop solar system or a wind turbine)
  • Do-It-Yourself Energy and Water Savings Toolkits stocked with energy and water saving supplies
  • ProFit which promotes development of new small-scale wholesale renewable energy facilities in SCP’s service Territory
• The Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP) serves Sonoma County residents and businesses as a central clearinghouse of information about energy efficiency, water conservation and solar energy improvements, such as:
  • Action Plan Tool: A fun, easy self-energy analysis tool that provides behavioral and upgrade recommendations, energy saving tips and group competitions for homeowners.
  • List of Contractors: Property owners can use filters to search for the right contractor for the job.
  • List of Rebates and Incentives: Property owners can search for currently available rebates and incentives for the improvements they are planning.
  • Find Out What Programs are Available in Your Area: Find the types of energy and generation programs operating in your city or part of Sonoma County to find the one that is right for your needs.
  • Resources for Contractors: Contractors may borrow tools from our on-line Building Performance Tool Lending Library (coming soon!), find out about education and training opportunities, participate in our monthly contractor forums, and access an array of contractor-oriented information and resources.
  • PACE Financing: The County provides Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing to property owners for energy efficiency, renewable generation and water conservation upgrades, payable back to the County through the owner’s property tax bill.
• Home+ offers cash rebates for your home improvements, plus certified contractors and support every step of the way. Rebates are available for eligible energy efficiency upgrades, including air sealing, duct sealing, insulation, high-efficiency furnaces and air conditioners, high efficiency water heaters and more.
• Bay Area Multifamily Building Enhancement offers cash rebates and no-cost energy consulting for multifamily properties that undertake energy and water upgrades. The program assists in planning energy saving improvements designed to save 15% or more of a building’s energy and water usage and provides $750 per unit in rebates to help pay for the upgrade.
• Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)offers a wide variety of programs, rebates, incentives, and analyses to help customers save energy and money, such as:
  • Tools to analyze your usage
  • Savings solutions and rebates
  • Energy savings programs
  • Help paying your bills
  • Resources for conservation and energy efficiency

Ecology Action’s Hospitality Program provides rebated energy efficiency retrofits to lodging properties in Sonoma County. Eligible businesses include hotels, motels, casinos, restaurants and fast food, golf and country clubs, RV and camping facilities, health clubs, and more.

TRANSPORTATION

City residents and employees have many options for reducing GHG emissions from transportation and transit. The City is served by several transit providers, including:

• Santa Rosa CityBus
• Sonoma County Transit
• Golden Gate Transit
• SMART Rail Transit