Energy and Water

Energy and water use in County facilities are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, together accounting for 32% of total government operations emissions. These emissions are driven by methane gas and electricity used for heating, cooling, and daily operations, as well as the energy required to pump, treat, transport, and heat water.

To reduce this impact, the County is advancing energy and water efficiency, transitioning to all-electric buildings, and expanding on-site renewable energy. Key efforts include installing solar panels at the Maple Street facility, electrifying the East Palo Alto Government Center with high-efficiency equipment, developing an inventory of methane gas equipment, and updating the Strategic Energy Master Plan to guide phased building electrification. Water-saving actions such as low-flow fixtures, leak repairs, efficient irrigation, and drought-tolerant landscaping further reduce energy demand, emissions, and operating costs while supporting long-term sustainability goals.

Goals:

2030: 80% of existing buildings electrified
2030: 50% reduction in energy emissions compared to 2005
2030: 15% reduction in water consumption compared to 2005
2035: 100% of existing buildings electrified
2035: 100% reduction in energy emissions compared to 2005
2035: 30% reduction in water consumption compared to 2005

Summary of Strategies:

Objective 1: Electrify County-Owned Building Stock

1.1 Convene a Green Facilities Workgroup
1.2 Plan for the Electrification of Existing Buildings
1.3 Prohibit New Natural Gas Infrastructure
1.4 Update the Municipal Green Building Policy for New Buildings
1.5 Phase-out Natural Gas Cogeneration

Objective 2: Increase Energy Efficiency and Maintain Use of Renewable Energy

2.1 Maintain Renewable Energy Procurement
2.2 Standardize Energy Management
2.3 Install Solar and Battery Storage
2.4 Plan for a Microgrid
2.5 Explore Green Lease Agreements
2.6 Empower Employee Green Champions
2.7 Evaluate Back Up Power Options

Objective 3: Reduce Water Consumption

3.1 Reduce Water Use in Landscaping
3.2 Install Smart Water Meters
3.3 Upgrade to High Efficiency Water Fixtures

See Focus Area 1: Energy and Water in the Government Operations Climate Action Plan (PDF) for more details on objectives and actions.

The Latest News & Events

May
16

Fixit Clinic @ East Palo Alto Library

Fixit Clinics are fun community-based workshops where neighbors, friends, and families work collectively to learn how to repair broken items. We’ll provide a workspace, specialty tools, and volunteer Fixit Coaches to help you troubleshoot and provide routine maintenance to your household items and appliances! Register at https://bit.ly/itemcheckin.

Interested in being a Fixit Coach?
It’s easy! Provide participants with 1) guidance on tools and 2) encouragement to investigate their broken item. Let them talk about how they used it and how it broke. That often provides valuable hints as to what’s wrong. See how much you can do without actually handling the item. Empower the item’s owner to do the troubleshooting and disassembly. Register to be a Fixit Coach here.

This event is hosted in partnership with the San Mateo County Libraries.

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