Sac Metro Air District Efforts

Climate change is a critical part of the Sac Metro Air District vision of clean air and a low-carbon future for all. Adopted in 2006, the Sac Metro Air District Climate Change Protection Program provides outreach and education, data analysis and research, and support for local, regional, state, and federal initiatives to address climate change. Efforts focus on both reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as helping the Sacramento region to prepare for the effects of climate change.

Home Energy Conservation Program

Utilities are a significant cost burden for low-income families. Energy efficiency retrofits can help families save on their energy bills and enjoy a more comfortable living environment while reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. We are working with Rebuilding Together Sacramento and the Sacramento Association of REALTORS to provide Tier 1 energy-efficiency retrofits to low-income homeowners, often elderly residents who are among the most at risk to climate change.

Land use planning

Sac Metro Air District staff reviews and provides comments on new construction and development projects in Sacramento County to reduce the project’s emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants. Solutions such as bicycle racks, bike lanes, solar panels, and street trees can help projects reduce their environmental footprint and greenhouse gas emissions, and foster a healthier living environment.

Electric vehicle car share for low income communities

Sac Metro Air District is partnering with ZipCar, Mutual Housing California, and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency to bring electric vehicle car share to multi-family low income housing. Our Community CarShare is a pilot project will enable low-income residents to improve their lives through the use of zero-emissions vehicles, reducing emissions while enabling better access to jobs, health care, schools, fresh food, and more.

Wood stoves and wood fireplace replacements

Did you know that burning wood produces black carbon? More commonly known as soot, black carbon also contributes to global warming. It has a short lifespan in the atmosphere, so reducing black carbon emissions can help have an immediate effect on climate change. The Sac Metro Air District may provide financial assistance for residents to replace older wood burning stoves with more efficient or natural gas options, including funding especially for low income residents. Learn more.

Urban Heat Project

Extreme heat has always been an issue in the urban and suburban areas of the Sacramento region, but the length, frequency, and intensity of extreme heat days are predicted to worsen as a result of our changing climate. SMAQMD’s Urban Heat Report offers an evaluation of how local and regional mitigation choices can reduce the heat burdens faced by communities in the Sacramento Region. Solutions like urban forestry and cool roofs not only help to build resilience, but they also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support healthier neighborhoods.

CivicSpark: Building capacity and serving the community

The Sac Metro Air District is proud to support the CivicSpark program since its launch in 2013. A Governor’s Initiative AmeriCorps program, CivicSpark helps local governments build capacity to address climate change and water management in California. CivicSpark Fellows have tracked Yolo County’s progress on its Climate Action Plan, provided outreach for the Sac Metro Air District Home Energy Conservation Program in low income communities, developed a climate adaptation action plan for the regional transportation infrastructure, and more.

A 2017 CivicSpark project involved compiling measures that small Central Valley cities have included in their climate action plans. Although this effort was undertaken to assist the City of Galt, the report, A Compilation and Analysis of Local Climate Action Plan Measures, supports initial climate action plan development and updates for all smaller jurisdictions in the Sacramento region. Contact Brianna Moland for more information on this report.

Reducing our carbon footprint

The Sac Metro Air District works to ensure that its operations are sustainable and supportive of its mission. Here are some of the things we do to reduce our carbon footprint.

Track greenhouse gas emissions: The Sac Metro Air District is a founding member of the Climate Registry and has been providing third-party verified inventories of its GHG emissions since 2005.
Buy clean electricity: The Sac Metro Air District is a member of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s Greenergy program to offset its electric usage with renewable resources.
Drive a clean fleet: The Sac Metro Air District fleet is composed of nearly all hybrid vehicles, as well as two bicycles. Employees use these vehicles for work-related trips, including inspections and meetings.
Support alternative commuting: The Sac Metro Air District provides incentives to its employees to encourage them to commute using a sustainable mode of transportation, such as walking, cycling, public transit, or a carpool.