GHG Emissions, Utilities, Sourcing Renewables  -  July 21, 2020

Sacramento Municipal Utility District commits to carbon-neutral electricity

Sacramento Municipal Utility District adopted a climate emergency declaration July 17 that committed them to a goal of carbon-neutral electricity by 2030.

This adoption follows SMUD’s Integrated Resources Plan, which was approved in January 2020 by the California Energy Commission and includes a $7 billion investment into carbon neutrality. Under the plan, SMUD would achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, five years ahead of the state of California. 

SMUD’s carbon neutrality investment would include:

• 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

Previously, SMUD reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 50% between 1990 and 2018 and reduced the carbon intensity of their power mix, which now includes an average of 50% carbon-free electricity.

“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,” Rob Kerth, SMUD Board President, said in a statement. “This resolution commits SMUD to finding reductions in the quickest way possible and investing in our most vulnerable communities.”

Read These Related Articles:

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• Solar for SMUD, City of Santa Clara Begins Operation
• Battery Storage to Power SMUD’s Path to 2030 Net Zero
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District Could Reach 2030 Carbon Neutrality With New Tech

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