Sonoma Clean Power is a local program that buys and generates electricity for residents and businesses. We call it the biggest change you will never notice — with Sonoma Clean Power your lights will go on the same as ever, but your electricity will be coming from cleaner sources that benefit the local economy and the environment.
Upcoming meetings:
Aug
Bodega Bay Public Informational Meeting Aug 26 2013 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Guerneville Public Informational Meeting Aug 29 2013 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Sep
City of Santa Rosa Public Informational Meeting Sep 4 2013 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Sonoma Clean Power Authority Board of Directors Meeting Sep 5 2013 8:45am - 12:30pm
The Sea Ranch Forum Sep 7 2013 3:00pm - 5:00pm
In March 2011, the Sonoma County Water Agency allocated $150,000 for a feasibility study that concluded that Sonoma Clean Power is viable. In April 2012, the agency voted unanimously to begin developing a business plan for Sonoma Clean Power. The Climate Protection Campaign serves on the official Steering Committee, helping to guide the development of the program.
Sonoma Clean Power is the most powerful local solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Done right, it could provide well over half of our power from local renewables, a dramatic increase over PG&E’s projections – reducing emissions from the electricity sector by 50%-70%. According to the County’s feasibility study, it could also create up to 1500 new jobs in the community.
Can it be done? We know that the answer is yes because examples exist. Here is just one example - a town in Germany that produces more clean power than it needs and sells the surplus to the grid!
Check out our flier on Sonoma Clean Power, En Español: Sonoma Clean Power - Spanish
Sonoma Clean Power Frequently Asked Questions, En Español: Preguntas Frecuentes
Business opportunities of Sonoma Clean Power were the featured topic in a “Clean Power Hour” session featuring Supervisor Efren Carrillo and a panel of local business leaders. The panel was moderated by CPC’s Renewable Energy Implementation Manager Woody Hastings at the Sustainable Enterprise Conference on Friday, April 26 at Sonoma Mountain Village in Rohnert Park.
For information about other upcoming meetings and events, visit the Sonoma Clean Power Calendar.
For even more background, here is a historical timeline of the development of community choice energy and Sonoma Clean Power: Sonoma Clean Power Timeline
Renewable Energy Secure Communities (RESCO)
Another top priority of the Climate Protection Campaign’s renewable energy program is the Renewable Energy Secure Communities research project. The RESCO program takes a very close look at energy use and renewable energy sources available in Sonoma County and analyzes them to determine how to optimize renewable energy deployment. Its purpose is to develop and demonstrate a model for locally owned, cost-effective renewable energy that helps us meet our greenhouse gas reduction goals. It is a multi-year (2009-2013), multi-partner program funded by the California Energy Commission. For more information visit Sonoma RESCO.
Immense Potential of Clean Energy
How we as a society generate and use energy is directly linked to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
Currently, most of our power comes from carbon dioxide-emitting fossil energy, and dangerous nuclear energy. The more rapidly we can transition to cleaner, safer, local renewable energy sources, the more rapidly we will make progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Solar power has been growing, but is nowhere near its capacity. At least 20 percent of our roofs should have solar panels. Wind power is a good option for some carefully selected locations. Sonoma County is blessed with the Geysers geothermal wells, which could produce a majority of our power. We could also be getting power from our waste stream. And we can do much more to modernize our buildings to use less power. Plus, the $225 million we pay every year for electricity currently is a drain on the local economy – it should be employing people and paying for energy projects right here in Sonoma County.
Resources
Sonoma Clean Power Feasibility Study
Sonoma Clean Power Residential Survey
Sonoma Clean Power Commercial Survey
Sonoma County Water Agency web page on Sonoma Clean Power
Other Community Choice Aggregation Programs:
Slides presented by Marin Supervisor Charles McGlashan [12.1mb], February 2011.
Videos of Feb. 2, 2011 McGlashan presentation.
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North Bay Business Journal 4-18-13 - Sonoma Clean Power rate estimates become public
Press Democrat, April 9, 2013 - Eleven Bidders Compete to Provide Power to Sonoma County
Press Democrat, December 4, 2012: Sonoma County Board Votes to Create Power Agency
Press release on Sonoma Clean Power, December 2012, issued when the Sonoma Clean Power Authority was formed. Includes position statements from the Sonoma County Alliance and the North Coast Builders Exchange.
Sonoma County Gazette, April 12, 2012 - County Advances Proposal for Sonoma Clean Power
Press Democrat, April 11, 2012 - Sonoma County Takes Another Step Toward Public Power Agency
Press Democrat, December 19, 2011 - Executive: PG&E Won’t Interfere with Sonoma County Power Plan
Press Democrat, October 18th, 2011 - Sonoma County Pushes Forward with Power Agency Studies
Sonoma Clean Power on the North Bay Report on KRCB in July of 2011 - NPR_07.12.11_SonomaCleanEnergy
North Bay Bohemian, May 25, 2011 Voltage & Violets: How a Public Power Agency in Sonoma County could revolutionize the Grid
Press Democrat, March 22, 2011, Sonoma County May Launch Public Power Agency