Climate Change
County of Sonoma
Climate Change Initiatives
 

The County of Sonoma is recognized for its efforts to address its greenhouse gas emissions footprint, improve the sustainability of county operations, and provide a regional and collaborative approach to climate change. The County’s internal Climate Protection Action Plan addresses energy use in the built environment and “greening” the county’s fleet, as well as looking at how employee commutes impact the environment. The planned installation of a 1.4 megawatt natural gas fuel cell will allow the county to more efficiently use natural gas for electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by a net 4,000 plus tons annually. Addressing the fleet component of the Climate Action Plan, the county has replaced 160 conventional sedans with hybrid vehicles to date, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 400 tons annually and saving thousands of gallons of gasoline. Recognizing that greenhouse gas emissions extend across political boundaries, a regional climate partnership composed of all cities and agencies within the county as well as the Climate Protection Campaign, produced a Regional Climate Action effort, addressing the community-wide reductions goals shared by all partners. A partnership with Nissan Motor Corporation will result in the additional purchase of 50 all-electric vehicles, and the installation of up to 100 or more charging stations in the county, and will facilitate the public’s transition to electric vehicles. The county has also initiated a program under AB 811 authority that will provide funding for energy efficiency projects for residents and businesses that will be repaid through property taxes.