“The City Council has for years recognized the creation of a Green and Sustainable Strategy as a high priority…. Success will require commitments from residents and businesses to change the way we do things. In some cases this may require hard choices; however in many cases simple changes may actually save money on energy expenses and improve our life styles and health.” Mayor Christopher Cabaldon

About West Sacramento

• Incorporated: 1987
• Population:  48,744 (2010) 
• Location: In Yolo County, contiguous with Sacramento, but separated by the Sacramento River which acts as the county line
• Elevation: 20 feet
• Area:  22.846 square miles

Climate Action Activities

• ICLEI Member
• U.S. Conference of Mayor Climate Protection Agreement Signatory
• HEAL Cities Campaign Participant
• Designated Tree City USA
• Greenhouse Gas Inventory, completed
• Draft Climate Action Plan, currently undergoing revisions to coincide with the City’s FY 13/14 General Plan updates
• Adopted Green Purchasing Policy
• Adopted Green Building Ordinance
• Incorporating sustainable design and construction strategies into new construction projects
• In the process of certifying Community Center as a LEED Silver facility
• In the process of retrofitting existing buildings to incorporate more sustainable features, such as low flow toilets and sinks, photovoltaic cells, motion-activated lighting and the installation of computerized heat and air systems
• New Patwin-Summerfield Bicyclist and Pedestrian Bridge that utilized durable, low emission materials
• Municipal parks and landscapes designed and built over the past two years utilize non-potable water for irrigation
• Construction of the Clarksburg Branch Line Trail used recycled, crushed concrete for over 3.2 miles of pathway improvements
• Implemented grass cycling with mulching mowers for 130 acres of the city parks and chips tree clippings to use as landscaping mulch
• City has planted over 3,300 new trees for tree mitigation along city streets, in city parks, and on open space areas
• Implemented a comprehensive Municipal Urban Forestry Program in 2004 which has become a regional model for tree education, planting and care
• Currently funding three development plans to improve the sustainability of community development
  • West Capitol Avenue Streetscape Plan is an effort to transform the Avenue into West Sacramento’s new downtown and urban core
  • Triangle Plan which is a transit oriented district that includes between five to seven million square feet of office, hotel, and 4,500 residences is planned
  • Downtown/Riverfront Street Car that began in 2006 and will result in the implementation of a Regional Transit Plan and smart growth policies
• New Water-Wise Demonstration Garden at Bridgeway Lake that offers a practical example of different techniques to reduce water use in landscape features
• Opened a bicycle facility in the secured area of City Hall’s parking lot that allows for the safe and convenient storage of commute bicycles and share bikes
• Implemented a Share Bike program that provides a low-impact mode of midday transportation for City employees
• The Port of West Sacramento is in the process of completing an emissions inventory to estimate the amount of air pollutants generated by ships, trucks, trains, harbor craft, and cargo handling equipment
• Converted a majority of city traffic signals to LED and the majority of streetlights have been converted to high-pressure sodium
• Police Department, Public Works and multiple departments located at City Hall have purchased alternative fuel or hybrid vehicles, and the new Police Department vehicles have flexible fueling systems that allow for use of either gasoline or ethanol fuel
• Implemented a Recycled Content Product Purchasing Policy

Climate Action Resources

• City of West Sacramento 2008 Greenhouse Gas Inventory
• City of West Sacramento Green & Sustainable Community website
• Port of West Sacramento Air Emissions/Greenhouse Gas Baseline Inventory

Awards

Agency Energy Savings

Agency Natural Gas Savings

Agency Greenhouse Gas Reductions

Community Greenhouse Gas Reductions

Sustainability Best Practices

• Gold Level (2013)