Energy Conservation
Energy Conservation Projects Here in Arcata
The City has been working to implement energy saving features in its facilities and operations. By implementing several simple and cost-effective measures, the City has effectively reduced consumption by as much as 30% in certain facilities. 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 electrical lighting.
- Installing programmable thermostats to control heating and reduce heating when a building is unoccupied
- Placing photocells in underutilized areas such as hallways to reduce unneccesary lighting
- Upgrading lighting, including switching to T-8 and low ballast factor lighting, converting exit signs to LED, and converting exterior lighting to high-pressure sodium bulbs
Arcata's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan
The City has joined an international effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and has committed to decrease locally generated greenhouse gas emissions by 20% below year 2000 levels by the year 2010. To meet this goal, the City has developed a Community Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan. The Plan focuses on six action areas: Energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transportation, waste and consumption reduction, sequestration and other methods, and cross-cutting approaches. The plan was developed in part by analyzing an inventory of community wide greenhouse gas emissions, and in part by a large community wide public process. The City conducted a second greenhouse gas inventory to track the progress of greenhouse gas reduction efforts, and this second inventory shows a modest reduction of emissions. The City has a long way to go before meeting our targets, however, and community involvement is critical.
Solar Energy
The City of Arcata encourages its citizens to use renewable energy sources wherever possible. In an effort to lead by example, the City has installed two solar electric systems on City facilities. This includes a 12.1 kW system installed on City Hall and a newly installed 2.3 kW system on the Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center.
See the current production from the City Hall photovoltaic system, including the unique side-by-side inverter efficiency comparison.
