City of Arcata
“Although the City has reduced emissions by 30 percent within the Municipal sector through energy efficiency upgrades and the installation of grid-tied, rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at City Hall and the Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center, overall energy use has not decreased within the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, according to an update inventory of community-wide GHG emissions conducted in 2007. Despite this, the City continues to strive to reduce emissions and is developing additional GHG reduction targets to reflect the community’s efforts.” – City of Arcata Website
About Arcata
- Incorporated: 1858
- Population: 17,730 (2014)
- Location: 280 miles north of San Francisco, adjacent to the Arcata Bay in Humboldt County
- Elevation: 23 feet
- Area: 11 square miles
Climate Action Activities
- ICLEI member
- HEAL Cities Campaign Participant
- Cities for Climate Protection Campaign member
- U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement Signatory
- Tree City USA
- Resilient Communities for America Agreement Signatory
- Completed Greenhouse Gas Inventory, 2006
- Completed Community Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan, 2006
- Established the Energy Committee in 2000 whose primary function is to make recommendations and provide information to the City Council and Commissions regarding energy efficiency, energy conservation and conversion to greener energy sources.
- Adopted Green Fleet Policy, 2007
- Adopted Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, 2010
- Established Arcata Community Forest, 1955
Climate Action Resources
Awards
Agency Energy Savings
- Gold Level, 12% (2013)
Agency Natural Gas Savings
- Silver Level, 8% (2015)
Agency Greenhouse Gas Reductions
Community Greenhouse Gas Reductions
- Silver Level, 6% (2020)
Sustainability Best Practices
- Platinum Level (2015)
