“Doing something real about the growing threat of global warming requires more than just new laws. We must lead by example,” said Governor Brown. “Greening the state’s buildings will shrink our environmental footprint and save taxpayers millions of dollars.”

Today’s executive order calls for new or renovated state buildings larger than 10,000 square feet to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED “Silver” certification or higher and to incorporate clean, on-site power generation, such as solar photovoltaic, solar thermal and wind power generation and clean back-up power supplies.

The order also sets a target of zero net energy consumption for 50 percent of the square footage of existing state-owned buildings by 2025 and zero net energy consumption from all new or renovated state buildings beginning design after 2025.

Additionally, the executive order directs state agencies and departments to:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10% by 2015 and 20% by 2020, as measured against a 2010 baseline;
• Reduce overall water use by 10% by 2015 and 20% by 2020, as measured against a 2010 baseline; and
• Reduce grid-based energy purchases and other non-building, grid-based retail energy purchases by 20% by 2018, as compared to a 2003 baseline.

Under the directive, state agencies and departments will also purchase and use environmentally preferable products and provide electric vehicle charging stations at employee parking facilities in new and existing buildings.

These measures could save taxpayers millions of dollars. For example, reducing state energy purchases by 20% by 2018 could save $45 million per year and reducing water use by 20% by 2020 could save $7 million per year and a billion gallons of water.

As a result of California’s efficiency policies, the state’s per capita use of electricity has remained virtually flat over the past 30 years, despite rapid economic growth. Since 1978, these policies have created 1.5 million jobs and saved Californians more than $1,000 per household.

California is home to more LEED certified buildings than any other state, with twice as many as the next state, Texas.

Governor Brown’s executive order is copied below:

Executive Order B-18-12

WHEREAS green building practices use energy, water, and materials efficiently throughout the building life cycle, enhance indoor and outdoor air quality, improve the health, productivity, and working lives of state employees, incorporate environmentally preferable products, and substantially reduce the costs and environmental impacts associated with operating State buildings; and

WHEREAS energy and water efficiency improvements in State buildings and operations save the State money and boost California’s economy by investing in green technology companies and green jobs; and

WHEREAS the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 requires the State to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and beyond, and the energy used in buildings accounts for the second largest contribution to California’s greenhouse gas emissions.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Edmund G. Brown Jr., Governor of the State of California, do hereby issue the following orders to become effective immediately:

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that State agencies, departments, and other entities under my direct executive authority (State agencies) take actions to reduce entity-wide greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10% by 2015 and 20% by 2020, as measured against a 2010 baseline.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all new State buildings and major renovations beginning design after 2025 be constructed as Zero Net Energy facilities with an interim target for 50% of new facilities beginning design after 2020 to be Zero Net Energy. State agencies shall also take measures toward achieving Zero Net Energy for 50% of the square footage of existing state-owned building area by 2025.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that State agencies continue taking measures to reduce grid-based energy purchases for State-owned buildings by at least 20% by 2018, as compared to a 2003 baseline, and reduce other non-building, grid-based retail energy purchases by 20% by 2018, as compared to a 2003 baseline.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that State agencies participate in “demand response” programs to obtain financial benefits for reducing peak electrical loads when called upon, to the maximum extent that is cost-effective for each State-owned or leased facility, and does not materially adversely affect agency operations.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that any proposed new or major renovation of State buildings larger than 10,000 square feet use clean, on-site power generation, such as solar photovoltaic, solar thermal and wind power generation, and clean back-up power supplies, if economically feasible.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that new or major renovated State buildings and build-to-suit leases larger than 10,000 square feet obtain LEED “Silver” certification or higher, using the applicable version of LEED.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that new and existing buildings incorporate building commissioning to facilitate improved and efficient building operation.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that State agencies identify and pursue opportunities to provide electric vehicle charging stations, and accommodate future charging infrastructure demand, at employee parking facilities in new and existing buildings.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Department of General Services work with other State agencies to develop by July 1, 2013, policies and guidelines for the operation and maintenance of State buildings to achieve operating efficiency improvements and water and resource conservation, and to continually update and incorporate these into the State Administrative Manual.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that State agencies implement relevant and feasible voluntary measures from Divisions A4.5 and A5.5 of the California Green Building Standards Code, to ensure healthy indoor environments for occupants.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that State agencies reduce overall water use at the facilities they operate by 10% by 2015 and by 20% by 2020, as measured against a 2010 baseline.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that State agencies purchase and use environmentally preferable products that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing goods that serve the same purpose whenever they are applicable, perform well, and are cost-effective per Public Contract Code section 12400.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that State agencies identify and pursue available financing and project-delivery mechanisms to achieve these goals.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that State agencies measure, monitor, report, and oversee progress on measures in this Order.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that State agencies implement the measures described in the accompanying Green Building Action Plan for facilities owned, funded, or leased by the state.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Executive Order S-20-04 is rescinded immediately.

IT IS REQUESTED that entities of State government not under my direct executive authority also implement similar measures.

This Executive Order is not intended to create, and does not create, any rights or benefits, whether substantive or procedural, or enforceable at law or in equity, against the State of California or its agencies, departments, entities, officers, employees, or any other person.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Order shall be filed with the Office of the Secretary of State and that it be given widespread publicity and notice.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 25th day of April 2012.

EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor of California

ATTEST:

DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State.

PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Energy

All life on Earth depends on the radiant energy of the sun. Even the energy released when we burn fossil fuels originally came to our planet from the sun millions of years ago.

Air

The atmosphere provides us with the oxygen we need and a climate in which we can thrive. It protects us from the radiation and extremes of temperature that exist in outer space.

Rain

Water moves in a constant cycle from ocean to sky, from sky to land and from land to ocean. There is a finite amount of water, but the cycle goes on forever.

Trees

Our existence is rooted in the soil. All of our food comes from plants converting the energy of the sun into forms our bodies can use. The oxygen in the air we breathe is a product of the same process.

Home

These elements together make Earth our one and only home. If we plan to live here much longer, we must learn from nature and develop ways to live and grow without upsetting the balance of the planet that sustains us.

NOW THEREFORE I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim Sunday, April 22, 2012 as “Earth Day.”

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 19th day of April 2012.

EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor of California

ATTEST:

DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State.

AB 2230 requires new carwashes in California to use at least 60% recycled water. Carwashes are among the biggest users of water around, but they also use water that by its nature (not to be ingested or used for agriculture), could come ideally from a recycled source. A state task force on water conservation estimates that this simple requirement will conserve enough water to supply 46,000 California families with water each year.

AB 2230 is further consistent with the state’s goal, set forth in 2009’s SB 7x 7 (Steinberg), to reduce water use 20% by 2020. California has struggled for years to establish standards to reduce water waste and compel homeowners to install higher efficiency toilets and showers, but AB 2230 is the first step to adopt a sensible policy for a major commercial use. “Rather than spraying gallons of valuable drinking water on a mud-crusted jeep, it makes better sense to use water that has already cycled through a carwash but has been stripped of detergents and dirt,” said Gatto. “This is therefore a sensible and significant way to conserve water.”

Recycled water technology for car washes is readily available and easy to install. 25% of car washes in California have already installed the necessary equipment. Simple on-site water-recycling systems allow conveyor and in-bay car washes to reclaim water used to wash cars, filter it, and reuse it in the early stages of later washes, when the quality of the water is less important.

AB 2230 now moves to the floor of the Assembly for a full vote of the chamber.

Mike Gatto is the Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore of the California State Assembly. He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and parts of Los Angeles, including Los Feliz, North Hollywood, Silver Lake, Toluca Lake, Valley Glen, and Van Nuys.

The Governor also announced that he has signed an executive order laying the foundation for 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on California’s roadways by 2025.

“This executive order strengthens California’s position as a national leader in zero-emission vehicles,” said Governor Brown, “and the settlement will dramatically expand California’s electric vehicle infrastructure, helping to clean our air and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”

The settlement announced today resolves ten-year-old claims against a subsidiary of Dynegy Inc., then a co-owner with NRG of the portfolio of power generating plants currently owned by NRG in California, for costs of long-term power contracts signed in March 2001. NRG assumed full responsibility for resolving this matter in 2006 when NRG acquired Dynegy’s 50% interest in the assets. One hundred million dollars from the settlement will fund the fast-charging stations and the installation of the plug-in units and electrical upgrades, at no cost to taxpayers. The remaining twenty million dollars will be directed to ratepayer relief. For more information on the settlement, please contact the CPUC.

The network of charging stations funded by the settlement will be installed in the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Joaquin Valley, the Los Angeles Basin and San Diego County. This new infrastructure network is a breakthrough in encouraging consumer adoption of electric vehicles and will contribute significantly to achieving California’s clean car goals.

“The settlement will launch a virtuous circle in which ever more Californians will feel comfortable driving EVs, and growing EV sales will in turn attract ever more investment in charging infrastructure to our state,” said CPUC President Michael R. Peevey. “It will create jobs in California, help clean our air, and support attainment of our greenhouse gas reduction goals.”

Added CPUC Commissioner Mike Florio: “This is a truly creative deal that offers tremendous value for California utility customers. In one stroke it closes out an unfortunate chapter in our history and propels us down the road to a clean transportation future. Through the settlement, EVs will become a viable transportation option for many Californians who do not have the option to have a charging station at their residence.”

Mary Nichols, Chair of the California Air Resources Board Chair (CARB), lauded the settlement agreement. “California has the most aggressive clean transportation goals in the nation,” said Nichols. “The automakers are already building clean electric cars. This infrastructure infusion will give consumers the confidence to go out and buy them, which is what needs to happen for us to clean our air, lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our dependence on imported oil.”

In January, CARB voted to require the largest automakers to derive 15 percent, or about 1.4 million, of their annual California sales from electric vehicles and other zero or near-zero emissions vehicles by 2025.

The Executive Order issued today by the Governor sets the following targets:

• By 2015, all major cities in California will have adequate infrastructure and be “zero-emission vehicle ready”;

• By 2020, the state will have established adequate infrastructure to support 1 million zero-emission vehicles in California;

• By 2025, there will be 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road in California; and

• By 2050, virtually all personal transportation in the State will be based on zero-emission vehicles, and greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector will be reduced by 80 percent below 1990 levels.

AB 32, the 2006 Global Warming Solutions Act, calls for a 30 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. The goal of 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 was set by an executive order signed by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Last year, Governor Brown signed SB X1-2, which directed the California Air Resources Board to adopt regulations setting a 33 percent renewable energy target.

Copied below is the full text of the Governor’s Executive Order:

EXECUTIVE ORDER

WHEREAS California is the nation’s largest market for cars and light-duty trucks; and

WHEREAS the transportation sector is the biggest contributor to California’s greenhouse gas emissions and accounts for approximately 40 percent of these emissions; and

WHEREAS California should encourage the development and success of zero-emission vehicles to protect the environment, stimulate economic growth and improve the quality of life in the State; and

WHEREAS California is a leader of technological innovation, including the innovation necessary to produce commercially successful zero-emission vehicles; and

WHEREAS California attracts over half of the nation’s venture capital for clean technology and ranks high among the states in the number of workers and facilities supporting the clean-car industry; and

WHEREAS California is leading the nation in enacting laws and establishing policies and programs that are reducing greenhouse gases, protecting air and water quality, promoting energy diversity and supporting low-carbon alternative fuel technologies; and

WHEREAS zero-emission vehicles provide multiple benefits in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as reducing conventional pollutants, operating quietly and cleanly, allowing home refueling and lowering operating and fuel costs; and

WHEREAS California should support and encourage car manufacturers’ plans to build and sell tens of thousands of zero-emission vehicles in California in the coming years.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Edmund G. Brown Jr., Governor of the State of California, do hereby issue the following orders to become effective immediately:

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that all State entities under my direction and control support and facilitate the rapid commercialization of zero-emission vehicles.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the California Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission, the Public Utilities Commission and other relevant agencies work with the Plug-in Electric Vehicle Collaborative and the California Fuel Cell Partnership to establish benchmarks to help achieve by 2015:
• The State’s major metropolitan areas will be able to accommodate zero-emission vehicles, each with infrastructure plans and streamlined permitting; and
• The State’s manufacturing sector will be expanding zero-emission vehicle and component manufacturing; and
• The private sector’s investment in zero-emission vehicle infrastructure will be growing; and
• The State’s academic and research institutions will be contributing to zero-emission vehicle research, innovation and education.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that these entities establish benchmarks to help achieve by 2020:
• The State’s zero-emission vehicle infrastructure will be able to support up to one million vehicles; and
• The costs of zero-emission vehicles will be competitive with conventional combustion vehicles; and
• Zero-emission vehicles will be accessible to mainstream consumers; and
• There will be widespread use of zero-emission vehicles for public transportation and freight transport; and
• Transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions will be falling as a result of the switch to zero-emission vehicles; and
• Electric vehicle charging will be integrated into the electricity grid; and
• The private sector’s role in the supply chain for zero-emission vehicle component development and manufacturing State will be expanding.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that these entities establish benchmarks to help achieve by 2025:
• Over 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles will be on California roads and their market share will be expanding; and
• Californians will have easy access to zero-emission vehicle infrastructure; and
• The zero-emission vehicle industry will be a strong and sustainable part of California’s economy; and
• California’s clean, efficient vehicles will annually displace at least 1.5 billion gallons of petroleum fuels.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that California target for 2050 a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector equaling 80 percent less than 1990 levels.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that California’s state vehicle fleet increase the number of its zero-emission vehicles through the normal course of fleet replacement so that at least 10 percent of fleet purchases of light-duty vehicles be zero-emission by 2015 and at least 25 percent of fleet purchases of light-duty vehicles be zero-emission by 2020. This directive shall not apply to vehicles that have special performance requirements necessary for the protection of the public safety and welfare.

This Order is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, against the State of California, its agencies, departments, entities, officers, employees, or any other person.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Order be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given to this Order.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 23rd day of March 2012.

EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor of California

ATTEST:

DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State.

“Companies like carbonLITE are revolutionizing the recycling industry and dramatically reducing the huge amount of plastic dumped in California landfills every year,” said Governor Brown.

Governor Brown was joined at the ribbon-cutting ceremony by executives from PepsiCo and Nestlé Waters, along with representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Riverside County and the City of Riverside.

“We’re committed to being the leading bottle-to-bottle recycler, preserving resources and reducing the carbon footprint from PET bottle production,” said Leon Farahnik, carbonLITE’s chairman. “We’re honored to have the support of Governor Brown and U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld, among the many others who came out to our grand opening and experienced our state-of-the-art recycling facility.”

In October 2011, the Governor signed Assembly Bill 1149, which provided subsidies, known as “market development payments,” to manufacturers who use recycled plastic and to processors – such as carbonLITE – who fabricate it.

Today, most plastic bottles collected in California are exported to China, where they are used to make polyester for clothes and other commodities. carbonLITE takes Californians’ used plastic bottles and turns them back into bottles here in California, using a pellet technology that preserves natural resources and reduces landfill waste.

It is a by-product of many regular activities. Landfills, water-treatment plants, and livestock farms all produce biogas. It can be burned instead of natural gas in electricity-producing facilities, natural-gas-powered vehicles, and home appliances, and it has a quarter of the lifetime emissions of “regular” natural gas, a fossil fuel.

However, under current law, biogas producers in California are banned from selling their fuel. The law prohibits landfill gas from being injected into the pipelines that carry natural gas across the state, and imposes such strict testing requirements on other forms of biogas that it effectively prohibits them as well. Thus, California’s producers of biogas are forced to either “flare” (burn) it, or let it escape into the atmosphere, both of which, ironically, pollute the air.

“Go outside and light a huge fire so that the smoke blocks your solar panels,” said Gatto. “That’s the effect of our policies in the biogas arena. We not only force producers to waste their natural energy source, but we force them to pollute as well.”

Because of California’s ban, many utilities purchase biogas from non-California sources. This means the jobs from this burgeoning industry are created outside the state. AB 1900 would protect current relationships with biogas producers around the country, but set up a new system within California to foster local industry and local jobs. The bill would also allow California producers of biogas, whether big landfills or small farmers, to sell it to utilities in the state, as long as it is demonstrably clean, pure, and safe. It would also prevent utilities from having to raise rates by expressly allowing them to make good on their existing contracts to buy biogas, regardless of the source.

Thus, the bill will make California’s air cleaner, give municipal utilities the security they need to keep rates low while complying with the state’s tough renewable laws, and remove inconsistencies in state policy. “We can produce renewable power in our state, from sources that occur naturally,” said Gatto. “We can put Californians to work, clean our air, keep utility bills low, and we can stop the insanity of requiring existing producers of biogas to burn it while they use fossil fuels for electricity. Or we can maintain the status quo, wasting a naturally occurring product, causing greater pollution, and ignoring a tool for diversifying our state’s domestic-energy portfolio. It’s about time we choose the former.”

AB 1900 has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Rules and is pending referral to a policy committee in the Assembly, where it will enjoy its first full hearing this Spring. It has garnered substantial bipartisan interest in the few hours since its introduction.

Mike Gatto is the Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore of the California State Assembly. He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and parts of Los Angeles, including Los Feliz, North Hollywood, Silver Lake, Toluca Lake, Valley Glen, and Van Nuys.

Representatives from the Environmental Media Association (EMA), Southern California Edison (SCE) and Green Seal – founding partners in California Green Communities – presented the honor to the Claremont City Council at the Claremont Chamber of Commerce “State of the City Luncheon” on Tuesday, January 24. The annual Chamber event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Candlelight Pavilion, 455 Foothill Blvd. in Claremont.

“We created California Green Communities to showcase what cities are doing to improve the quality of life for their residents,” said EMA President Debbie Levin. “Claremont is a leader among southern California cities who are modeling sustainable practices for others.”

California Green Communities is a community-based effort that encourages cities to adopt environmentally sound practices involving energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, renewable and alternative fuels, efficient transportation and other activities. Cities develop unique action plans to identify projects and activities they will implement to reach Silver, Gold and Platinum status in the program.

Among the many efforts it took to reach the Silver level, Claremont committed considerable resources to a broad variety of sustainability related projects and programs. Efforts included: making energy efficiency and water conservation improvements to city facilities, converting its fleet to cleaner fuels, encouraging bicycling and walking through education and new construction, and encouraging water wise landscaping and local gardening efforts.

One of the City’s more innovative programs is a homeowner assistance program designed to encourage home energy retrofits. Nicknamed CHERP (Claremont Home Energy Retrofit Project), the program helps homeowners upgrade older homes with energy-saving measures such as insulation, HVAC optimization, lighting upgrades and even solar panels. The City is practicing the policies recommended by the CHERP program, retrofitting many of its facilities and recently installing solar panels at its City Yard.

“The City takes its commitment to sustainability seriously. It is a priority for the City Council and is a consideration in every project and program we provide. Achieving the Silver level status validates the tremendous work this community has done,” remarked Mayor Sam Pedroza.

Created in November 2009, California Green Communities is an environmental recognition program that fosters innovative ways for participating cities to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption, while building vibrant, sustainable communities.

Other cities participating in the program – Culver City, Los Angeles, Redlands, San Gabriel, Santa Monica, Simi Valley and Ventura – are making progress in the program as well. City action plans can be viewed at www.CaGreenCom.org. More cities in Southern California are expected to join the program in 2012.

Numerous other companies and organizations, such as Toyota, the Alliance for Climate Education, Clean Environment Company, e-Recycling of California, The Energy Coalition, Kellogg Garden Products, Lifecycle Global and the Los Angeles Conservation Corps have joined SCE as California Green Communities partners to support participating cities. Southern California Edison provides advanced incentives for energy efficiency measures to cities – including Claremont – that participate in SCE’s Energy Leader Partnership program.

The program concept originated in the Office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who serves as Chair of the Metro Board of Directors and who views continuous technological innovation in our transit system as vital to the public health and economy of the City and County. The Mayor championed the program alongside County Supervisors and fellow board members Don Knabe and Michael Antonovich.

“We aren’t waiting for the State to tell us that LA should be looking into the next generation of buses,” said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “With this Zero Emission Bus pilot program we are beginning to lay the foundation for not only a healthier and more sustainable environment, but also tomorrow’s cleantech economy and the jobs it will create in Los Angeles.”

The pilot program will test emerging technologies such as electric, fuel cell, and next-generation hybrid and alternative-fueled propulsion systems as part of Metro’s regular fleet to evaluate the suitability for wider adoption in coming years. By putting these technologies into operation now, LA will begin to build a knowledge base, technical infrastructure, and a trained workforce to support wider adoption of such technologies in coming years.

Metro has been a national leader in the transition to compressed natural gas (CNG), with the largest fleet of CNG buses in the US and without a single diesel bus in their directly operated fleet since 2010. With this request for proposals, Metro is at the forefront of the transition to emerging technologies that offer the potential for super low or zero emissions. The pilot program puts Metro out in front of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which is scheduled to issue new guidance to transit operators later this year on the procurement of Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs) for public transit operators.

The pilot program will be funded by the Advanced Transit Vehicle Consortium (ATVC), a joint venture between Metro, the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Registered as a 501.C.3, ATVC has invested over $10 million in research and development projects involving new transit technologies that can reduce emissions, improve operating efficiencies or provide enhancements in the quality of Metro’s transit services.

Proposals to the RFP will be accepted until April 9, 2012. For more information on submitting a proposal, please contact Susan Dove, Senior Contract Administrator at (213) 922-7451. All current Metro solicitations can be found online at: www.metro.net/EBB/bids1.asp

For general information on the pilot program, please contact Victor Ramirez, Director, Contract Administration at (213) 922-1059.

“San Francisco’s clean taxi program has exceeded all expectations,” said Mayor Lee. “San Francisco taxicabs are the cleanest in the U.S. and a model to other taxi fleets around the world. The vision and leadership of Mayor Newsom and the Taxi Commission on this ground-breaking program set us on this path, and the taxi companies and taxicab drivers have embraced this program to make San Francisco a model for the rest of the world.”

“When I announced this goal, many people didn’t think it could be done,” said Lieutenant Governor Newsom. “The clean taxi program has shown that aggressive action is possible at the local level to make major reductions in carbon emissions, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate a new green economy. Now we are here today recognizing San Francisco as the ‘Greenest Taxi City in America.’”

The 2008 Green Taxi Ordinance specified a reduction of average per-vehicle GHG emissions by 20 percent below 1990 levels. The San Francisco taxi fleet was comprised of 821 eligible vehicles in 1990 and has grown to 1,432 today. Meanwhile overall emissions from the taxi fleet have been reduced by 10 percent. Thus, San Francisco has almost doubled the size of its taxi fleet while achieving a 10 percent total reduction in GHG emissions. Phasing in hybrid electric and compressed natural gas (CNG) taxis into the taxi fleet has resulted in 35,139 metric tons of GHG emissions savings the equivalent of taking 6,890 passenger cars off the road every year and saved taxi drivers an estimated $11 million in fuel costs annually.

“The collaboration between the SFMTA, the Department of the Environment, our funding partners and the taxi industry is an important part of creating a comprehensive transportation system that is environmentally sustainable and supports our Transit First policy,” said SFMTA Director of Transportation Edward D. Reiskin. “We will continue to work with the taxi industry to improve taxi service while advancing our environmental goals.”

“Cutting global carbon dioxide emissions is the most crucial issue of our time, and the San Francisco taxi experience has shown that taking aggressive, collaborative action at the local level can be both profitable and effective,” said taxi driver and former Taxi Commission President Paul Gillespie. “I know the San Francisco taxi industry will continue to play the role of pioneering, early adopters of the cleanest vehicle technology available.”

Today 92 percent of the taxi fleet is comprised of hybrid or CNG vehicles. There are 1,318 alternative fuel vehicles out of a total of 1,432 eligible vehicles. CNG vehicles account for 89 of those and the hybrids account for 1,229. San Francisco currently has 1,521 taxis in service. Of these, 89 are ramp taxi vehicles that are not subject to clean air vehicle requirements due to the lack of good alternative fuel wheelchair accessible vans available on the market.

The number of alternative fuel vehicles continues to rise because the hybrid and CNG vehicles, while contributing to cleaner air for San Francisco, are also very popular with taxi drivers. Although the fee charged to a taxi driver to take out an alternative fuel vehicle is a bit higher, filling up a hybrid vehicle costs about half what it costs to fill up gasoline-fueled vehicle. The hybrid vehicles provide an additional economic benefit to taxi companies in that they require less time and money for brake repairs.

The SFMTA, in coordination with the Department of the Environment, encouraged companies and drivers to purchase alternative fuel vehicles by providing a Clean Air Taxi Grant incentive. Grants of $2,000 provided by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and the San Francisco Transportation County Authority (SFCTA) were issued to purchasers on a first come-first served basis. A total of $518,670 in grant funds was dispersed to help purchase 251 hybrid vehicles.

The Green Taxi Ordinance was passed in 2008 and originally published as Police Code Section 1135.3. The SFMTA re-enacted the requirement as Transportation Code, Division II, Sections 1106(m) (emissions reductions) and 1114(e)(9)(A) (annual reporting requirement).

“San Francisco is taking on problems all cities face, such as congestion and the need for clean transportation and open space, and finding innovative solutions that are being modeled throughout the country,” said Mayor Lee.

San Francisco was recognized for “capturing imaginations locally and around the world” for its SFpark program, a federally funded pilot project that uses smart parking management technologies and pricing policies to make it easier and faster to park in San Francisco, and its Pavements to Parks program that reclaims unused street spaces and quickly and inexpensively turns them into public plazas and parks. San Francisco was also acknowledged for upgrading and expanding the City’s bike network to attract riders of all ages and setting an ambitious target of 20 percent of all trips by bicycle by 2020. The award also highlighted implementation of slow speed zones around schools and the popular Sunday Streets program.

“As the SFMTA takes a balanced approach to our limited street space, we will continue to strategize to encourage sustainable transportation options,” said SFMTA Board of Directors Chairman Tom Nolan.

“The success of the Pavement to Parks program is largely due to its ability to creatively enhance streets with minimal impact and cost, said San Francisco Planning Director John Rahaim. “We are pleased that this program continues to provide popular public spaces in many communities throughout San Francisco.”

The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) works with cities worldwide to bring about transport solutions that cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce poverty and improve the quality of urban life.
Every year the Steering Committee selects a city from around the world that has made profound advancements in sustainable transportation innovations. Both San Francisco and Medellin were selected based on four criteria: increasing mobility for residents, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from transportation, improving safety, and increasing access for cyclists and pedestrians.

“San Francisco and Medellin are setting the example by working on various fronts – giving people opportunities through high quality transport options,” said ITDP CEO Dr. Walter Hook. “We are excited that this is the first year a parking program, San Francisco’s SFpark, is being recognized. Parking is the next wave of powerful tools to control congestion, fight climate change, and redefine urban form.”