Climate Action and Resiliency

Summary of objective implementation status

2021-2023 Initiatives
The County took significant steps toward sustainability through participation in PG&E’s Sustainable Solutions Turnkey (SST) program. This program enabled “investment-grade” audits (IGAs) of energy and water use in County buildings, laying the groundwork for an Energy Master Plan (EMP). The IGAs assessed opportunities for energy reduction, including upgrades to light fixtures, HVAC systems, water heaters, insulation, and sealants. The audits also informed the size and scope of planned microgrids to support County facilities and their future energy needs, with financing options provided for the proposed projects.

Key projects from this period included:

• Los Guilicos Solar Panels and Microgrid Feasibility: The study evaluated consolidating existing panels, refurbishing those under power purchase agreements, and adding battery arrays to shave peak energy usage and provide resilient power to critical facilities like the Juvenile Justice Center and Valley of the Moon Children’s Home.
• Santa Rosa Veterans Building Microgrid Installation: A microgrid was installed to reduce reliance on a diesel-powered backup generator while supporting the building’s role as a shelter and cooling center during emergencies. The generator remains as a backup option for extended emergencies.
• Airport Photovoltaic Canopy Project: Completed in January 2022, this 780 kW system generates 11.08 MWh of electricity monthly, saving 13,400 pounds of carbon emissions.

2024 Initiatives
Building on earlier efforts, the County implemented $28 million in carbon-reducing upgrades to more than 50 buildings. These projects included:

• Transition to LED lighting in 51 buildings.
• Installation of low-flow stainless steel toilets at MADF.
• Deployment of solar arrays at the Santa Rosa Veterans Hall and Main Campus parking lots.
• Replacement of gas water heaters with heat-pump systems at Veterans buildings in Cloverdale, Petaluma, and Santa Rosa.

Additionally, EV charging stations were installed at the Main Campus, further advancing the County’s sustainability goals.

Key milestone update

• Completed Investment Grade Audits in 2024.
• The Board approved $28M in financing Oct 2024 to implement energy improvements; phase one is in play, phase 2 is in planning. Completion target date – 18-24 mos. One time funding

Coordination and partnership update

• CAR 3-1 Design or Retrofit County facilities to be carbon neutral, zero waste and incorporate resilient construction: County Government Center to incorporate CAL Green for building standards with options for greater levels of performance to be presented to the Board. CAL Green is incorporated as a standard to current projects in design.

• RI 2-2 Invest in electric power resiliency projects at County facilities, including Veteran’s Buildings, used for evacuation sites, warming/cooling centers, or as alternate work facilities for delivery of critical services.
• RI 1-1 Design new County Government Center to be carbon neutral: ongoing after the Board selected the existing County Campus for the location.

Community, equity and climate update

Community, Equity and Climate considerations are advancing with the Los Guilicos, Santa Rosa Veterans Building and Airport solar projects. Implementation of the County Center microgrid is delayed pending Board direction on site and cost of the total project.

Objective funding