What the City is Doing
The City continuously works to implement energy saving features in its facilities and operations. By implementing several simple and cost-effective measures, the City has effectively reduced energy consumption by as much as 30% in certain facilities since 2006. Some of these measures include:
- Replacing desk incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs in several City departments
- Upgrading water pump motors with energy efficient motors
- Installing skylights throughout City Hall to reduce the need for artificial lighting
- Installing programmable thermostats to control and reduce heating, particularly when a building is unoccupied
- Placing photocells in underutilized areas such as hallways to reduce unneccesary lighting
- Lighting upgrades:
- Installation of high efficiency T-8 linear fluorescent lighting with low ballast factors
- Installation of light-emitting diode (LED) exit signs
- Installation of high-pressure sodium bulbs in exterior lighting
Other energy- and climate change-related activities that the City has undertaken:
- Community Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan (2006)
- Greenhouse Gas Inventory (2006)
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan (2010)
- Installation of elecric vehicle charging station in downtown Arcata (2008) - Installation of solar electric systems at City Hall and Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center (2005, 2008)
- Implementation of energy efficiency measures at City-funded low-income housing
- Installation of solar electric and solar hot water systems at City-funded low-income housing
- Waste reduction/diversion of 51 percent since 1990
- Participation in annual Plan It Green Conference
- Carbon Sequestration:
- Arcata Community Forest management - Management Plan emphasizing carbon sequestration by growing trees on extended rotations, designating reserves and adding forest acres that could otherwise be developed.
- Riparian forest establishment - Established more than 100 acres of new riparian forest along creeks and bottomlands.
- Salt Marsh Project - The McDaniel Slough Marsh Restoration Project expects to sequester additional carbon on a 240-acre site. This project is a case study that will be used to help develop sequestration protocols for salt marsh restoration activities.
- Urban Forestry Program - Active program to expand planting of trees in the urban landscape including parks, roadside greenways, and the downtown area (i.e. The Plaza).