Sonoma commits to net zero emissions by 2030

Sonoma city council members made a commitment on Tuesday to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions to net zero in less than a decade.

“I was proud to see council pass a climate emergency resolution with specific recommendations and a council subcommittee that I am honored to serve on,” said Mayor Logan Harvey.

The City of Sonoma has decreased its building-related gases by 27 percent since 1990 through the use of energy-efficient technology and use of such things as LED lighting, smart thermostats, appliances that use less energy, and improved building materials. Now officials want to focus on is clean electricity.

Buildings are the second largest source of energy use in Sonoma, following transportation, which accounts for the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, according to a press release from the City of Sonoma.

“Climate change is the great challenge of our time and even small cities like Sonoma must play their part for the future of our children, the planet, and so much more,” Harvey said.

To that end, Sonoma is encouraging residential and commercial customers to enroll in Sonoma Clean Power, a nonprofit agency that produces energy through clean and renewable resources. The agency has been serving customers in Sonoma County since 2014 as an alternative to PG&E.

Signing up with Sonoma Clean Power will help the city reach its net zero emissions goal, the statement said.

Almost 87 percent of electricity customers in Sonoma are signed up with Sonoma Clean Power, but not all are signed up with the EverGreen program. Among municipalities in the county, the City of Sonoma comes in eighth for participation in Sonoma Clean Power, but tallies fourth in number of residents and businesses participating in EverGreen. Sonoma was the first city in the county to enroll its municipal operations in the program.

Customers are eligible for discounts through Sonoma Clean Power for energy-saving products such as smart thermostats, heat pump water heaters, and may be able to receive a free electric vehicle charging station.

The energy company is on track to open early next year its Advance Energy Center in downtown Santa Rosa. The center will offer free educational classes and events, see new clean energy technology, and find a selection of products for homes and businesses offered at discounted prices.

Contact Sonoma Clean Power to find out whether you are a current customer or would like to upgrade to EverGreen. Call 855-202-2139, email info@sonomacleanpower.org, or visit sonomacleanpower.org.

Contact Anne at anne.ernst@sonomanews.com.