Energy / Santa Cruz, California: 2010 Smarter City - Energy

The city council’s energy-saving efforts are also deserving of recognition. A high percentage of EPA-defined green power, low per capita electricity consumption, and efforts to track city-associated greenhouse gas emissions,  have earned  Santa Cruz the title of 2010 Smarter City for Energy.

 

Green Homes

The city’s recently updated climate action plan requires that after 2030, all new development be carbon neutral. To get the ball rolling, in 2007 Santa Cruz implemented an ordinance whereby all residential building projects above 350 square feet pass through the Green Building Program to receive permits. “It’s not just focused on energy,” says Charlie Lewis, Climate Action Analyst for the City of Santa Cruz, “but sustainability overall.” To get the go-ahead for construction, residents have to earn points, “based on using renewable and sustainable materials, water conservation, renewable energy, efficiency in design, low-VOC paints, etcetera,” says Lewis.

The program connects participants with a green building coordinator who helps plan and coordinate projects based on each participant’s unique goals and resources, and “if they go above and beyond,” says Lewis, “then they get a green building award presented in front of city council.” About 100 projects have been completed thus far, 20 of which have been award recipients. According to Lewis, “people seem to really enjoy it, which reflects the culture here.”

To help residents reach their own energy goals, Santa Cruz is participating in the soon-to-launch CalforniaFIRST pilot program, which will provide financing for residential clean energy projects. Through CaliforniaFIRST, loan payments are attached to the home’s property taxes and stay with the home in the event of new ownership. Payments are low and fixed for twenty years and will be offset in part by utility savings.

 

Santa Cruz CATs

To truly rally the troops, Santa Cruz began the Climate Action Teams program in 2008.
The program brings together small groups of friends and neighbors who each calculate the carbon dioxide missions associated with their personal behaviors, and pledge to reduce that number 30 percent by 2020. Climate Action Teams (CATs) consist of five to eight people who come together and, during the six-week program, educate and support each other in their efforts and design plans to reach their goals.

To date, twelve teams have completed the program, including the Charismatic Carbonistas, the Climate Crusaders and the Low Power Rangers. If all team members stick to their pledge and follow their plan, the teams will collectively reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 276,641 pounds a year.