The City of Sacramento is committed to making Sacramento the most livable city. Over the last year, we made great strides to achieve our sustainability goals. From clean transportation to renewable energy, the City is hard at work improving air quality, providing innovative public infrastructure, leading in climate mitigation, and enhancing the quality of life for all residents.
Earth Day is a chance to celebrate our community’s efforts to build a more sustainable and resilient Sacramento. Here are the City’s top “green” achievements for 2017-2018:
ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE INITIATIVES
- Electrify America designated Sacramento as the first Green City, featuring a $44 million in zero emission vehicle (ZEV) programs. At least 35 percent of the investment will serve low income and disadvantaged communities.
- Adopted in December 2017, the Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy sets the vision to accelerate ZEV use to achieve a total of 75,000 ZEVs in Sacramento by 2025
- In partnership with the City, EVgo is installing Sacramento’s first “curbside” electric vehicle chargers at Southside Park, with up to six 150-kilowatt high-power chargers capable of fully charging newer EV models in 20 to 30 minutes.
GREEN FLEET
- Fleet Services added 35 new Chevrolet Bolts and an all-electric refuse truck to our fleet, featuring zero tailpipe emissions and significant cost savings
- Recent amendments to the Fleet Sustainability Policy establish a “Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) First” commitment, including a pledge for significant increases in ZEV purchases over the next two years, with a minimum of 50% of annual light-duty purchases to be ZEV annually
ACTIVE AND SHARED TRANSPORTATION
- An electric-assist bicycle sharing program is launching in Sacramento in May 2018
- Public Works is developing a policy framework to support new ZEV car share opportunities throughout Sacramento, including the Green City car share program (expected to launch by 2019)
WATER CONSERVATION
- Mayor Darrell Steinberg is participating in the nationwide Mayor’s challenge for Water Conservation by asking Sacramentans to take a pledge to save water and energy while helping Sacramento win the title of the “Most Water Wise” in the nation.
- The City launched ‘Leak Free Sacramento’ in March 2018, which is a no-cost direct install leak repair assistance program offered to disadvantaged communities.
- The City partnered with Regional Water Authority to replace older interior water fixtures in disadvantaged communities with high efficiency plumbing fixtures. The City replaced 2092 toilets, 2693 showerheads and 3729 faucet aerators for a water saving of 2712 Acre Feet or 883 million gallons.
- The City’s Meters Matter program sends out automatic leak notification letters to residences where leaks have been identified; which results in leak investigations and repairs resulting in water savings of approximately 10 million gallons last year.
OTHER SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS
- Municipal electricity use is now 57 percent carbon-free through SMUD’s SolarShares program, with the City receiving a 2018 Renewable Energy Leadership Award with SMUD for the effort
- The City secured $3.8 million in Urban Greening Grants to implement new bike lanes, plant trees, and improve irrigation at the Railyards and the Sacramento Northern Parkway & Bike Trail
We want to hear your green stories. Please join the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities at the ECOS Earth Day celebration on April 22nd at Southside Park. Come chat with us from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is FREE and open to all ages.
Have a safe and happy Earth Day!