Renewable Energy

SCP_altlayout1Sonoma 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

Background

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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News Coverage:

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

 

 



Latest Updates

Congressman Huffman Says Congress Stymied on Climate

Congressman Jared Huffman spoke to the Business for Clean Energy Group meeting about climate and energy measures in Congress. The group of about 40 business leaders was hosted by Labcon, an international medical labware manufacturer located in Petaluma that has a large solar installat
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Sonoma Clean Power Authority Holds First Meeting

The Sonoma Clean Power Authority board met this Tuesday, making several decisions to advance the enterprise during its start-up phase. Windsor Council member Bruce Okrepkie was seated on the board, as Supervisor Susan Gorin came off. She now serves as  alternate. The Board approved th
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Another Important Legislative Victory for Community Choice Energy

A two-year struggle to defeat an insidious piece of legislation in Sacramento, Assembly Bill 976, has come to a happy conclusion. On September 27 Governor Brown vetoed AB976 and added a brief signing statement (see below). In this statement the Governor echoed what community choice pr
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