Oakland, September 26, 2023
EBMUD updates energy policy to become carbon neutral by 2030
OAKLAND – The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) this week accelerated its sustainability efforts with an update to its energy policy that will see the water and wastewater services provider become carbon neutral by 2030. Three years ago, EBMUD adopted a goal to be carbon neutral for the water system by 2030. Today’s action aligns that goal with its wastewater operations.
The EBMUD Board of Directors unanimously adopted the updated Energy Policy at its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. The update outlines a framework of actions within the agency’s water and wastewater systems, service area and watersheds to meet this goal. This update follows with the annual Climate Week in New York City, during which industry leaders from around the globe come together to address issues on this pivotal topic.
To achieve carbon neutrality, EBMUD will reduce the output of greenhouse gas emissions in both the water system that serves 1.4 million customers and the wastewater system that serves 740,000 customers.
“Climate change is causing more frequent and severe droughts, wildfires, and weather extremes. As a municipal utility, the action taken by the EBMUD Board of Directors is more than just a policy update. It is an actionable response to transition from reliance on fossil fuels to a clean energy future, and help the San Francisco Bay Area and California address the climate crisis,” said EBMUD Board President Andy Katz. “We stand by our promise to build a sustainable future for our community. Now in our 100th year of service, we want to be an example of how successful solutions can be implemented to address our planet’s climate crisis.”
Gains toward carbon neutrality
Since 2000, EBMUD has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 54 percent by generating solar energy, hydro energy, and biogas, as well as purchasing renewable energy sources, installing energy-efficient equipment and machinery, and purchasing zero or low emission vehicles.
EBMUD has constructed 11 photovoltaic projects that have offset approximately 2 percent of the agency’s annual energy consumption. A 12th project known as the Duffel Project, is currently underway in Orinda. When online in 2024, this project will add 5 megawatts of energy to EBMUD’s system, representing nearly 10 percent of the EBMUD’s energy use.
EBMUD is also constructing two additional photovoltaic projects in Stockton and Oakland to generate an estimated 360,000 kWh of energy and offset about 80 percent of the onsite electric load annually at those locations. In addition, EBMUD is constructing an in-conduit hydroelectric facility in Piedmont to generate 30 kilowatts of energy from the energy in the water within its underground water pipes. And, EBMUD is studying the feasibility of installing large battery storage units at Camanche Dam in the Sierra Nevada Foothills and near other hydroelectric turbines elsewhere in the water system to store energy.
EBMUD will continue to convert its fleet from standard gas and diesel fueled vehicles to vehicles with lower or zero carbon emissions. EBMUD has been an early adopter of clean vehicle technologies and was a founding agency member of CalSTART.
“It is a certainty that humans will continue to expel carbon and create greenhouse gases,” said General Manager Clifford Chan. “However, fundamentally, EBMUD is an environmental and public health agency. That means prioritizing above all else practices that protect both for the next 100 years.”
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The East Bay Municipal Utility District has a proud history of providing high-quality drinking water for 1.4 million customers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. EBMUD’s wastewater system serves 740,000 customers and helps protect the ecosystem of San Francisco Bay. EBMUD is a not-for-profit public agency established in 1923.
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