100% Renewable San Diego

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100% Renewable San Diego is a road map for success in making San Diego completely reliant on renewable energy by the year 2035. This road map is based on initiatives that are currently being taken, future projections, and innovative ideas from other cities that are currently 100% renewable.

Greenhouse gas emissions already have consequences on our future -- it will be hotter, drier, with more fires, bluff erosion and rising seas. It's time we focus on making the City, County, and Port of San Diego 100% renewable.

Make sure to take the 100% Renewable Pledge, and you’ll receive our regular updates.

Renters
Homeowners
Small Businesses
Large Businesses
Cities

Bronze

Turn down the temperature on the thermostat and turn up the temperature on the AC
Shut off computers when not in use
Unplug chargers that aren't being used
Wait until you have a full load of clothes before doing laundry
Avoid using high temperature settings when doing laundry
Clean the lint trap before drying clothes
Turn off lights when they aren't in use
Turn your fridge up to 37°F and your freezer to 3°F

Silver

Air/hang dry clothes
Recycle
Switch light bulbs to LEDs
Install a programmable thermostat
Use power strips
Use organic/biodegradable household cleaners

Gold

Use public transportation
Install window shades
Switch to a laptop instead of a desktop computer
Install efficient showerheads

Platinum

Purchase a hybrid, PHEV, or alternative fuel vehicle
Move into a smaller or more energy-efficient place

Bronze

Turn down the temperature on the thermostat and turn up the temperature on the AC
Shut off computers when not in use
Unplug chargers that aren't being used
Wait until you have a full load of clothes before doing laundry
Avoid using high temperature settings when doing laundry
Clean the lint trap before drying clothes
Turn off lights when they aren't in use
Turn your fridge up to 37°F and your freezer to 3°F

Silver

Air/hang dry clothes
Insulate hot water heater
Recycle
Switch light bulbs to LEDs
Install a programmable thermostat
Get an energy audit
Use power strips
Use organic/biodegradable household cleaners

Gold

Switch to low-flow, vacuum assist, or dual-flush toilets
Seal and insulate the house
Use public transportation
Install window shades
Switch to a laptop instead of a desktop computer
Install efficient showerheads
Make landscaping consist of native plants

Platinum

Purchase a hybrid, PHEV, or alternative fuel vehicle
Switch to Energy Star-rated appliances and electronics
Install skylights and more windows to add natural lighting
Install a solar electric system

Bronze

Turn off computers and other equipment when not in use
Turn off lights when they're not needed
Limit printing and print double-sided

Silver

Use power strips to plug in all appliances and electronics
Replace light bulbs with CFLs or LEDs
Buy energy efficient/recycled office supplies
Recycle
Install dimmers and motion sensors on lights
Install a programmable thermostat
Switch to biodegradable cleaners

Gold

Switch from desktop computers to laptops
Incentivize/encourage public transportation for employees

Platinum

Switch to Energy Star-rated appliances and electronics
Use hybrid, PHEV, or alternative fuel vehicles for deliveries
Redesign product packaging to use fewer materials and be more environmentally friendly
Set up an Energy Management System

Bronze

Turn off computers and other equipment when not in use
Turn off lights when they're not needed
Limit printing and print double-sided

Silver

Use power strips to plug in all appliances and electronics
Replace light bulbs with CFLs or LEDs
Buy energy efficient/recycled office supplies
Recycle
Install dimmers and motion sensors on lights
Install a programmable thermostat
Switch to biodegradable cleaners
Get an energy audit

Gold

Get more efficient water coolers
Switch from paper towels to hand dryers
Install motion sensors in bathroom sinks
Switch to low-flow toilets
Incentivize/encourage public transportation for employees

Platinum

Install skylights and more windows to add natural lighting
Replace old water heaters with tank-less systems
Install solar electric systems
Install a water collection system
Use a low energy lighting system
Use thicker drywall to prevent heater/cooling losses
Use hybrid, PHEV, or alternative fuel vehicles for deliveries
Redesign product packaging to use fewer materials and be more environmentally friendly
Offer charging stations for EVs for employees
Implement water recycling
Set up an Energy Management System

Bronze

Energy Efficiency: Increase Energy Efficiency
1. Purchase energy saving appliances when replacing old ones
2. Train building managers and operators to maximize energy efficiency
3. Mandate the use of long-lived, low-maintenance materials for construction for all city projects
4. Use more natural daylighting in buildings
Illumination: Reducing Costs
1. Revise the public lighting operation hours and reduce if possible
Recycling: Reduce Waste and Reuse
1. Increase residential recycling and source reduction
2. Increase commercial recycling and source reduction
3. Recycle in government offices (paper, cans, glass and plastics)
4. Encourage the use of Goodwill and Salvation Army
5. Encourage recycling programs at schools and colleges
6. Purchase manufacturing products from recyclables
7. Ask suppliers to provide reusable shipping containers that have a means of return
8. Use low-VOC products (paints, carpets, sealants, coatings and adhesives)
9. Purchase non-toxic products for cleaning
10. Avoid non-recyclable products like aerosol containers and non-rechargeable batteries
11. Buy supplies in bulk
12. Reuse and recycle materials used to package
13. Purchase reconditioned office equipment and supplies
14. Use biodegradable and compostable packaging and garbage bags
15. Require space for recycling in new buildings
Renewables: Expanding Renewable Energy
1. Accelerate solar permit process
Transportation: Enhancing Public Transport, Prioritizing Pedestrians and Bikes
1. Prioritize mass transportation
2. Retime traffic signals
3. Voluntary no driving days
4. Educate all city employees on fuel-efficient driving practices
5. Provide regular maintenance for all city vehicles
6. Use police and security bicycle patrols
7. Promote walking and biking to work
8. Ridesharing program
9. Encourage businesses to offer transit passes for employees
10. Encourage major employers to provide dressing room, showers, and lockers to facilitate walking, jogging and biking to work

Silver

Energy Efficiency: Increase Energy Efficiency
1. Use smart irrigation controllers and timers
2. Increase recycled water for irrigation and industrial use
3. Repair leaky HVAC ducts
4. Incorporate Home Energy Rating System (HERS) for new buildings
5. Replace old inefficient toilets in city buildings to dual flush
6. Install automatic control thermostats in government offices
7. Offer rebates to retrofit residential buildings
8. Urban tree planting
Recycling: Reduce Waste and Reuse
1. Separate trash into organic, recyclable and non-recyclable
2. Adopt a plastic bag ban reduction ordinance
3. Compost on public parks (grass and leaves)
4. Recycle program for organics
5. Improve recycling of electronic waste for all city IT products
Renewables: Expanding Renewable Energy
1. Solar hot water
Transportation: Enhancing Public Transport, Prioritizing Pedestrians and Bikes
1. Offer and promote Car share programs to city departments
2. Preferred parking for fuel efficient and electric vehicles
3. Bike-sharing program—universities campuses, harbors, beaches, parks, etc.
4. Bike map for tourists showing the routes for the major attractions in the city
5. Increase bike lanes, routes and paths connecting neighborhoods
6. Improve and expand parking facilities for bicyclists
7. Create shower facilities for bicyclists
8. Create pedestrian centers
9. Taxis and city's vehicle fueled by biodiesel, compressed gas or electricity
10. Provide electric vehicle charging infra-structure
11. Provide preferential space and lower cost for car pool and van pool public parking
12. Encourage housing developments close to transportation stops
13. Offer bus pass discount for city employees

Gold

Energy Efficiency: Increase Energy Efficiency
1. Implement smart meters
2. Increase the number of LEED certified Green Buildings
3. Get an energy auditing for all city buildings
4. Use peak demand reduction program during stage 3 emergency
5. Create rebates for energy efficient appliances, windows, lighting, heating and cooling systems
6. Rebate for high efficient toilets, shower heads, faucets, and clothes washer machines
7. Green roofs
8. Roof top gardens
9. Increase green and open spaces
Illumination: Reducing Costs
1. LED street lighting
2. Replace incandescent traffic light controls with LED lights
3. Curfew dimming at city proprieties
4. Install grid-connected PV-powered lighting
5. Install stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) powered lighting
6. Provide motion sensors controls at public schools, restrooms, etc.
7. Provide occupant sensing controls at public parking garages
Recycling: Reduce Waste and Reuse
1. Revise city solid waste disposal structure to enhance waste diversion
2. Recycle construction and demolition debris
3. Provide recycling bins next to trash cans
Renewables: Expanding Renewable Energy
1. Buy energy credits
2. Micro grid generation on campuses
3. Provide credits program to city residents & commercial building owners for solar and micro wind
4. Onshore and/or offshore wind parks
5. Use animal waste and landfill gas to produce energy
6. Install solar heating for city-owned pools and buildings
Transportation: Enhancing Public Transport, Prioritizing Pedestrians and Bikes
1. Design the streets to make safer and more pedestrian and bicycle friendly
2. Implement express bus lines to major work centers
3. Tourist shuttle system from the airports
4. Support program to retire old vehicles

Platinum

Energy Efficiency: Increase Energy Efficiency
1. Retrofit old city buildings for all energy efficient technologies
2. Net zero energy buildings for new city construction
3. Use recycled water to ground replenish parks and golf courses
Recycling: Reduce Waste and Reuse
1. Hazardous waste collection program
Renewables: Expanding Renewable Energy
1. Install PV on public buildings
2. Micro or mini wind turbines on high buildings
Transportation: Enhancing Public Transport, Prioritizing Pedestrians and Bikes
1. Convert city collection trucks and street sweepers to alternative fuels
2. Switch city buses to hybrid
3. Purchase vehicles for the city fueled by biodiesel, compressed gas or electricity
4. Provide solar carports with solar powered stations
5. Expand regional light rail network
Energy Academy: Education
1. Provide case studies
2. Educate consumers
3. Conduct short polls for decisions of the city
4. Realize pilot projects
5. Convene workshops to the community
6. Landscape training
7. Compost guidance for population
8. Educate builders about recycle construction debris
Food: Avoiding Food Waste
1. Urban agriculture—Locally grown
2. Community farms