Renewable Energy

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The sun gives us the power to generate electricity, keep your shower hot, and heat, cool and light your home in a way that is clean, safe, and sustainable. Solar energy – radiant energy from the sun – is one of the cornerstones of the City’s plan to achieve a 100% renewable electricity supply, and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels for heating.
Wind energy is an excellent and abundant renewable resource. The same winds that rustles leaves and turn umbrellas inside out can be harnessed to spin turbines and produce electricity. Learn about the wind resources in and around San Francisco, how wind turbines work, and what role wind energy can play in helping San Francisco achieve its renewable energy goals.
Hydropower is the use of water to power machinery or make electricity. Anyone who has listened to the rushing streams of the Sierra Nevada mountains or stood in the surf of the Pacific Ocean knows the power of moving water.
Geothermal energy is the heat from the Earth. This heat can come from molten rock (“magma”) deep inside the earth, or very hot rock and ground water a few miles below the Earth’s surface, and can be used for direct heating or to produce electricity through a steam turbine.
Biomass and Biofuels are all domestically produced renewable energy sources that can be used as a sustainable feedstock for the production of transportation fuels, heat and power.
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Energy
A dynamic city like San Francisco requires the efficient use of clean, renewable energy to meet the needs of today and future generations. Our innovative policies and programs help San Franciscans use energy wisely, while saving money and reducing environmental impacts.
Transportation
SF Environment aims to reduce travel-created carbon by getting people out of cars and instead traveling by walking, biking or public transit. We also are greening the City fleet of vehicles and encourage the public to reduce their impact by supporting cleaner fuels and vehicles.
Zero Waste
Imagine a world in which nothing goes to landfills or to incinerators. We think it is achievable, and SF Environment is doing everything we can to make it happen.
Toxics & Health
As the first city to adopt the Precautionary Principle, San Francisco strives to protect the health of its residents, visitors and the local environment. SF Environment develops programs and policies to help individuals and businesses make safer choices in products, practices and services.
Buildings & Environments
San Francisco is habitat for 800,000 people – meeting needs for space to work, play, and learn; for food, water, and air; for community with local flora and fauna. SF Environment provides support for urban agriculture and forestry and green buildings, helping residents and businesses harness environmental opportunities.
Education & Equity
SF Environment focuses on building community capacity - engaging people throughout the City’s neighborhoods and providing them with the tools, education, and job opportunities to ensure that the places where we live, play, learn, and work are safe and healthy.
Climate Change
Reducing carbon emissions is central to ensuring a sustainable future for San Francisco. Climate change will bring unstable weather, rising sea levels and damage to our city’s natural habitat and infrastructure. SF Environment is committed to mobilizing the City to deal with Climate Change.