In addition to inspiring and incubating the technologies of the future, San José has a long history of adopting sustainable practices to confront environmental challenges. Across the nation, our city is respected for its environmental innovation and stewardship. Noteworthy accomplishments include highly successful recycling, water conservation, and wastewater management programs; forward-thinking design and development standards; and establishment of the first environmental incubator in the United States.

Recent actions by the San José City Council provide a solid foundation for achieving the goals of the Green Vision. In 2005, San José adopted the goal of becoming a ‘Global Sustainable City’ and meeting the standards of the U. N. Urban Environmental Accords. In 2007, after the City Council signed on to the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement, it went one step further and adopted the most aggressive municipal greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in the nation. As part of San José’s ongoing environmental leadership, the City is working with residents, business leaders, and government officials to develop a climate action plan for Silicon Valley.

For more than a decade, environmental sustainability has been a guiding principal for the City of San José. We are a national leader in adopting and promoting practices that improve the quality of our air and water and that conserve land, soil, water, energy and ecosystems. To achieve our Green Vision, we must go farther. We will become a global leader in energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building, water conservation and recycling, and waste reduction.

Energy Efficiency

Every year, San José homes, businesses, and public operations consume nearly 6.5 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, which contribute 40 percent of our community’s 4.2 million total tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Through efficiency measures alone, San José residents and companies can significantly reduce our energy usage and collectively save billions of dollars that could be invested elsewhere.

Since 2001, San José government has significantly reduced its energy consumption by 200 million kilowatt hours through institution of basic efficiency efforts, resulting in an estimated savings of $20 million. It’s an excellent start, but we can do much more.

We’ve set a goal of reducing our per capita energy consumption by half in the next 15 years and to convert to using 100 percent renewable electrical power. The City of San José will lead the way in this effort, but we haven’t set the goal for government alone. Everyone, from residents to businesses, can cut consumption and reduce reliance on foreign fossil fuels.

We will encourage everyone to adopt innovative and smarter energy devices, and to change habits or employ applications that will reduce energy consumption needs and operating expenses. We will demonstrate that energy efficiency saves money and is worth the upfront investment.

The City of San José will partner with residents, private sector entrepreneurs, and civic organizations to become more efficient and to encourage the adoption of innovative efficiency products, including efficient lighting, energy monitoring systems, cool and green roofs, insulation, and smart cooling systems.

The City will also partner with the United States Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and other organizations to measure our energy consumption and develop implementation strategies for efficiencies. As a result of these efforts, we believe that the San José community will reduce its electrical energy consumption by 50 percent per capita in 15 years.

Renewable Energy

Currently, only 12 percent of the electrical power used in San José comes from renewable sources. At 6.5 billion kilowatt hours a year, switching to 100 percent clean renewable energy sources will drastically reduce San José’s carbon footprint.

Providing affordable renewable options to all electricity users in San José is an ambitious goal, and it will require both innovation and investment. One means of achieving this goal is through solar energy. Governor Schwarzenegger has set a goal of 1 million solar roofs for California, and we believe that San José can supply 10 percent of this total. We have the sunshine, and the solar technology innovations are being developed here.

The City of San José can both save money and help the environment by installing solar on our City facilities, and we can make it easier for individuals and business to do the same. We will support power purchase agreements, helping to facilitate the procurement of solar energy technology. Through partnerships with residents, private sector leaders, and civic organizations, San José will become a national solar showcase with cutting-edge demonstration projects, residential and commercial bulk purchasing arrangements, and solar-powered public buildings. In addition to harnessing solar power, San José will also support the development of innovative technologies and evaluate the use of other clean energy sources, such as wind, water, geothermal, hydrogen, electrochemical and fuel cell technologies, and biomass.

Green Buildings

Ensuring sustainable construction and promoting green building practices are an essential component of our Green Vision. An estimated 40 percent of the community’s total energy use and 16 percent of its water goes to buildings. We can change this by building green or retrofitting our existing buildings to reduce energy and water use and incorporate sustainable construction materials. This will significantly reduce our carbon impact. Our goal is big: In 15 years, San José will be home to 50 million square feet of green buildings – the equivalent of nearly 100 buildings the size of San José City Hall.

Whether new construction or retrofitted structures, these buildings will meet high environmental standards, such as achieving a U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LED™) certification. These energy efficient buildings will provide a showcase for local Clean Tech products as well as innovations in green building materials, local commitment to sustainable practices, and the fiscal benefits of building green. The City of San José has already started at home. We recently opened the first green community center, the Starbird Teen Center, and plan to do more. The City also has adopted aggressive standards for requiring green building practices for City facilities and will work with private-sector partners to ensure sustainable commercial and residential construction.

In addition to facilitating new green construction, we will work towards reducing energy use and carbon emissions of existing buildings by encouraging owners to upgrade air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems, retrofit lighting systems, and adopt other green building practices. We will also support innovation in green building materials and systems technology, raise awareness of the benefits of green practices, and provide incentives for individuals who want to build green and use Clean Tech products.

Waste Reduction

We want San José to become a zero waste city. Instead of sending 712,000 tons of garbage to our landfills annually, we will work to divert 100 percent of the waste we generate. Currently, we recycle 62 percent of our garbage and trash citywide. San José residents recycle 286,000 tons each year through the curbside Recycle Plus program alone. First, we’ll start by reducing the quantity of waste we create. We will increase the amount we recycle, and we’ll reuse more products. In addition, San José will become a world leader in adopting cutting-edge technologies that transform waste into usable energy. Through partnerships with innovative companies, San José will convert solid waste and biosolids into biodiesel, methanol, biogas, and electricity that will power municipal operations and be available to other users.

Water Conservation & Recycling

As California grows, having a reliable water supply becomes even more critical. San José is already a world-leader in water recycling, but we can do more. We must lead by example, not only by maximizing water conservation efforts, but by increasing the quantity of recycled water we produce and distribute. Recycled water has proven its value for irrigation, cooling and manufacturing, and there are many opportunities for growth in these uses.

Today, San José’s South Bay Water Recycling recycles about 11 million gallons per day, reaching customers through 110 miles of dedicated piping. By connecting new users to the pipelines and by expanding the system, San José can double the amount of recycled water delivered to major businesses, City parks and landscaping, and school grounds.

Over the next 15 years, we will achieve 100 percent beneficial reuse of the wastewater we capture and treat – 100 million gallons per day – through a combination of water conservation, expanded use of recycled water, and habitat protection. By making the most of this reliable water source, we will ensure that San José and surrounding communities have a sustainable water supply for future generations