Energy Use
Reduce Energy. Increase Renewable Sources
The City aims to increase the use of renewable energy and thus, reduce the community’s total amount of greenhouse gas emissions and consumption of fossil fuels. In a region where the sun shines an average of 310 days per year, solar energy is a viable option to increase the amount of energy supplied by renewable sources in Santa Monica. most renewable energy technologies produce little or no pollution and have a low reliance on fossil fuels to support their operations. Increasing the amount of electricity generated from solar energy will help to improve air quality, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and provide a sustainable energy supply for the future. An increase in solar generation will also help meet the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) which aims for a 33% total renewable energy portfolio in California by 2020.
Although the City procures green power through renewable energy credits (RECs), reducing municipal power consumption helps lower utility and maintenance costs and provides a signal to the energy efficiency market. As an operator of major community institutions and critical facilities, like water supply and public safety, reducing municipal energy demand will substantially improve the City’s ability to operate independently from the grid and lower costs. In order to demonstrate leadership, the City must commit to aggressively reducing electricity consumption.
How is Santa Monica doing?
Energy conservation measures have been largely successful and energy use in the city remains stable, despite increases in population and development. Electricity use was steadily declining until 2013, due to improvements in lighting technology and energy-efficient equipment, but has since been on the rise due to an increase in electricity used in large commercial buildings. Natural gas use has remained constant over the years, as gas-related equipment and systems are typically larger investments with longer lifespans.
The City of Santa Monica has taken additional measures to ensure renewable energy access for all residential and commercial energy utility customers. In 2018, the City of Santa Monica joined the Los Angeles Clean Power Alliance. Clean Power Alliance service began on February 1, 2019, for residential customers and May 1, 2019, for commercial customers. While the Clean Power Alliance has not been servicing customers for a full year yet, so far the percentage of customers receiving 100% renewable energy has been staying above 90% in the first six months.
The expansion of services and facilities will challenge the City's ability to reduce its own energy use, however, the net gain from the community benefits or other sustainability initiatives, like water self-sufficiency, will be much larger.
Citywide Energy Demand
This graph shows the total annual community-wide electricity use (kWh) inlcuding the residential, commercial municipal, and industrial sectors.
The City reached the 2020 target by reducing consumption by 10% reduction target. In 2021, the City reduce electricity use by 12% from 2018. The City will continue to promote energy conservation strategies and incentivizing efficient energy sources and appliances.
Municipal Energy Demand
This graph shows total electricity used in municipal operations in kilowatt hours. This includes electricity demand from City facilities, streetlighting, traffic controls, EV charging, and water distribution and treatment. The last couple of years municipal electricity use has been declining. The City experienced a significant decrease in electricity use in 2020. This decrease could be attributed to some facilities closed during the pandemic and telecommuting options implemented. In 2020, the City consolidated office spaces that were previously leased with the opening of City Hall East building.
How can I reduce my energy demand?
- Choosing the default 100% Renewable Energy option with Clean Power Alliance.