Success Stories from the Sacramento Region
Innovative projects to clean the air and spark economic growth
The Sacramento Region continues to meet federal soot (particulate matter) standards, thanks to efforts throughout the region to reduce wood smoke in the winter season. The Sacramento region met the federal daily standard for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) in 2014. An EPA approved redesignation to attainment would preclude additional regulatory burdens on existing and prospective businesses.
There is tremendous support for the region’s Farm-to-Fork-to-Fuel-to-Farm movement. Among our successful efforts are local innovators Clean World, using an innovative biodigester technology to turn food waste into high quality renewable natural gas for use as a vehicle fuel and to produce renewable electricity; and Atlas Disposal Industries, operating a compressed natural gas refueling station. Both Atlas and Republic Services work aggressively to recycle food waste and both companies operate a significant portion of their refuse truck fleets on renewable natural gas made from food waste. Renewable natural gas made from food waste has been certified by the California Air Resources Board as having a negative carbon intensity.
The Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative is a network designed to promote greater resilience coordination at the regional and local level across the Sacramento region. Through greater coordination and collaboration, the region can adapt to known and predicted impacts; creating stronger, sustainable, and more economically viable communities.
Efforts are underway to launch a Sacramento regional bike share system in 2017. The effort aims to encourage bicycle use as an appealing, convenient, active, healthy, environmentally friendly, and congestion-reducing transportation option that also serves as an attractive civic amenity. The program will leverage existing regional transportation investments and provide a network of bike share stations and bikes that increases multi-modal transportation options throughout the Sacramento region.
The system will feature a comprehensive Equity Action Plan to engage and serve users in minority and low-income communities and improve their access to key destinations, such as jobs and recreation.
The Home Energy Conservation program performs minor energy saving measures on low-income owner-occupied homes for around $250 per home, on average; removes up to one ton of CO2 per home annually; and saves homeowners up to $360 per year on utility bills. Through a partnership with the Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, Rebuilding Together Sacramento, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, and U.C. Davis, this program has upgraded nearly 400 homes and benefits air quality while providing improved home comfort and cost savings to the homeowner.
To address the risk of catastrophic wildfire and improve air quality, the Placer County Air Pollution Control District has teamed with other stakeholders to pilot a range of Forest Biomass Energy Initiatives. These efforts are restoring overgrown forests to a fire resilient condition and using excess forest biomass to produce renewable energy and biochar instead of burning it in the open. They are providing significant air pollution and greenhouse gas reductions, enhancing upland watersheds, protecting wildlife habitat and human health, and providing economic support of rural communities.