Recognizes climate emergency and commits to working towards carbon neutrality by 2030
The SMUD Board of Directors adopted a climate emergency declaration that commits to working toward an ambitious goal of delivering carbon neutral electricity by 2030. The declaration recognizes the immediate risks to our community and demands bold action to achieve results.
The Board’s adoption of the Climate Emergency Declaration acknowledges the ambitious steps SMUD has already undertaken and will continue to take to reduce the carbon footprint in our region, while continuing to deliver safe, reliable and affordable power,” said SMUD Board President Rob Kerth. “This resolution commits SMUD to finding reductions in the quickest way possible and investing in our most vulnerable communities.”
SMUD has a long history of environmental leadership, helping to pioneer renewable energy programs and standards. In 2018, SMUD successfully reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent from 1990 levels, the equivalent of removing 377,000 vehicles from the road. Furthermore, SMUD has reduced the carbon intensity of its power mix, which is now 50 percent carbon free on average. SMUD has also partnered to plant more than 500,000 shade trees throughout the Sacramento region to improve air quality, sequester carbon and reduce customer bills.
We're proud to be known as the City of Trees and proud that we have planted more than 500,000 trees in partnership with the Sacramento Tree Foundation. Learn more about our shade tree program at https://t.co/apbe6aGLIF pic.twitter.com/HWMvSa1nLc
— SMUD (@SMUDUpdates) July 9, 2020
SMUD also helped grow the local market for solar development by providing $130 million in customer incentives to install solar on over 15,000 local rooftops.
We're committed to safety. Learn about our wildfire preparedness plans at https://t.co/mlOKOHlQFK. pic.twitter.com/yw5ZjOJf44
— SMUD (@SMUDUpdates) July 16, 2020
Building on its success, SMUD adopted its most recent Integrated Resources Plan in 2018 that set a roadmap to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040, five years ahead of the state. The plan, approved in January 2020 by the California Energy Commission, focuses on local renewables and includes a $7 billion investment to achieve the following aggressive goals:
- Nearly 2,900 megawatts (MW) of new carbon-free resources including
- 670 MW of wind
- 1,500 MW of utility-scale solar, of which, nearly 300 MW will be built in the next 3 years
- 180 MW of geothermal
- 560 MW of utility-scale energy storage
- An aggressive strategy to expand demand-side resources including
- Nearly 600 MW of installed rooftop solar
- The equivalent of 900,000 local electric vehicles and 400,000 all-electric homes
- Nearly 200 MW of demand response programs
- Over 200 MW of customer-installed batteries
The resolution indicates a strong commitment to finding additional opportunities to accelerate decarbonization, and staff will work to immediately support the goals of the resolution. Learn more about SMUD’s commitment to clean energy.
About SMUD
As the nation’s sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for almost 75 years to Sacramento County (and small adjoining portions of Placer and Yolo Counties). SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies, and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. SMUD’s energy is about 50 percent carbon-free and is on track to deliver 100 percent carbon neutral electricity by 2040, ahead of California’s 2045 goal.
Courtesy of SMUD press