Energy and Water

Buildings are the single largest contributor to GHG emissions from the County’s operations, accounting for 44.5% of all emissions. These emissions stem primarily from the use of natural gas in County buildings. Transitioning away from natural gas in buildings requires all-electric new construction and electric replacements for existing equipment at the end of its useful life. Presented below are the climate objectives and actions that are designed to reduce emissions from new and existing buildings and reduce water consumption.

Goals:

2030: 80% of existing buildings electrified
2030: 50% reduction in energy emissions compared to 2005
2030: 15% reduction in water consumption compared to 2005
2035: 100% of existing buildings electrified
2035: 100% reduction in energy emissions compared to 2005
2035: 30% reduction in water consumption compared to 2005

Summary of Strategies:

Objective 1: Electrify County-Owned Building Stock

1.1 Convene a Green Facilities Workgroup
1.2 Plan for the Electrification of Existing Buildings
1.3 Prohibit New Natural Gas Infrastructure
1.4 Update the Municipal Green Building Policy for New Buildings
1.5 Phase-out Natural Gas Cogeneration

Objective 2: Increase Energy Efficiency and Maintain Use of Renewable Energy

2.1 Maintain Renewable Energy Procurement
2.2 Standardize Energy Management
2.3 Install Solar and Battery Storage
2.4 Plan for a Microgrid
2.5 Explore Green Lease Agreements
2.6 Empower Employee Green Champions
2.7 Evaluate Back Up Power Options

Objective 3: Reduce Water Consumption

3.1 Reduce Water Use in Landscaping
3.2 Install Smart Water Meters
3.3 Upgrade to High Efficiency Water Fixtures

See Focus Area 1: Energy and Water in the Government Operations Climate Action Plan (PDF) for more details on objectives and actions.

The Latest News & Events

Mar
22

Fixit Clinic @ Half Moon Bay Library

Fixit Clinics are fun community-based workshops where neighbors, friends, and families work collectively to learn how to repair broken items. We’ll provide a workspace, specialty tools, and volunteer Fixit Coaches to help you troubleshoot and provide routine maintenance to your household items and appliances! Register at https://bit.ly/itemcheckin.

Interested in being a Fixit Coach?
It’s easy! Provide participants with 1) guidance on tools and 2) encouragement to investigate their broken item. Let them talk about how they used it and how it broke. That often provides valuable hints as to what’s wrong. See how much you can do without actually handling the item. Empower the item’s owner to do the troubleshooting and disassembly. Register to be a Fixit Coach here.

This event is hosted in partnership with the San Mateo County Libraries.

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