Hoping to inspire energy conservation, the San Luis Obispo City Council declared Thursday, June 21 Net Zero Energy Day. The date marks the Summer Solstice, which has more daylight than any other day of the year. The proclamation aligns with City actions to address climate change, one of the City’s major goals for 2017-19.

“The City of San Luis Obispo is committed to cutting carbon emissions to combat global climate change,” said Mayor Heidi Harmon. “We recognize the positive impacts net zero energy will have on our economy, environment and community.”

The term “net zero energy” has been gaining in popularity and often refers to energy-efficient buildings. A zero-energy building produces enough renewable energy to meet its own annual energy consumption requirements, thereby reducing the use of non-renewable energy in the building sector.

The City’s proclamation recognizes and celebrates governments and organizations that are committed to advancing energy efficiency, energy management and sustainability. The City also hopes to provide education and outreach about net zero energy.

Based on substantial community interest, the City Council made climate action a major city goal for the next two years. To make this goal successful, the City hired a Sustainability Manager, Chris Read, earlier this year. Read joined the City from SLO County, where he served as a Senior Sustainability and Energy Program Coordinator.

As GHG emissions from fossil fuels in on-road vehicles account for approximately 50 percent of the City’s 2006 baseline emissions inventory, the City is taking steps to install five electric vehicle chargers at the new Park and Ride Lot on Calle Joaquin in 2019.

In partnership with the City of Morro Bay, the City is also moving forward with launching a Community Choice Energy program by 2020. The goal of a CCE program is to promote greater use and development of renewable energy such as solar and wind – at potentially more cost-effective rates – while driving local economic development.

Community members are encouraged to register with the SLO Green Challenge to find out more about reducing their usage. More information about the City’s efforts to conserve energy and become more sustainable is also available here.