NAPA, CA— Napa County has made big “green” strides in reducing impacts on the local environment and having a smaller carbon footprint through greater utilization of alternative energy sources and the implementation of composting programs at County facilities.
County efforts include joining MCE’s “Deep Green” program that uses only wind and solar energy, gradually replacing fleet vehicles that use gasoline with alternative fuel and hybrid cars, installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at county facilities, and encouraging county employees to compost food waste.
“Napa County is committed to making our world a healthier place to live, and that’s why we’ve made investments in alternative technologies, energy sources and programs that lessen our impacts on our natural environment,” said County Supervisor and Board Chair Ryan Gregory, who represents District 2. “Reducing our Climate Change impacts is a top priority for the County, and we’re making progress towards this important goal.”
In September 2016, Napa County joined the Deep Green program by alternative energy provider MCE and began powering County facilities with 100% renewable energy from California produced wind and solar power. As a result of committing to Deep Green and other actions taken by the Board of Supervisors, County government has reduced carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 20%.
County Fleet & EVs
The County has also been replacing its fleet of gasoline-powered vehicles with alternative fuel, hybrid or electric vehicles (EVs) as a part of our Climate Action Plan objectives. Six years ago (FY 2013/14), the County fleet consisted of only 22% alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles. Today, that number is up to 38%, and by FY 2029/30, alternative fuel/hybrid cars will make up two-thirds (or 67%) of the fleet.
Thanks in part to grants from MCE and PG&E, Napa County will install 18 charging stations for electric vehicles by fall 2020 at the South Campus facility, 2751 Napa Valley Corporate Drive. This project will be supported by $84,000 in funding from the County’s General Fund.
Fourteen of the charging stations will be available for public use, and four will be devoted for County vehicles. Additionally, the County is in the process of installing two EV charging stations at its Equipment Yard for county use.
Composting
In 2018, the County began introducing composting of food waste in addition to existing garbage and recycling options. Today, most major County facilities offer some level of composting, including composting bins in office breakrooms, with additional rollouts still to come.
The County’s commitment to recycling food waste led to being honored in 2019 with the JD Fullner Recycling Award from the City of Napa.