Promoting Clean Energy
Clean Energy in Milpitas
In the past, nearly all of our energy consumption came from fossil fuels in one way or another. Over the previous few years, we have seen dramatic increases in the amount of electricity from renewable energy like solar or wind. Cleaning our electric supply has already reduced our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By replacing fossil fuel sources of energy with clean options, Milpitas residents and businesses can save money and energy while supporting a resilient environment.
Promoting Clean Energy
Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Nearly 97% of Milpitas residents and businesses are receiving carbon-free electricity through Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE). Because generation rates are lower than those of the investor-owned utility, SCVE customers are also seeing savings on their electricity bills.
Check out your clean energy options and opt-up to 100% renewable energy in your supply through Silicon Valley Clean Energy.
Promoting Clean Energy
Cleaner and Greener
SVCE is proving that moving to a world powered by renewable energy protects the planet and the pocketbook. In 2020, the Milpitas community used 10,140 MWh in clean electricity, estimating $48,000 in savings. Read the full report here.
What is Clean Energy?
One of the biggest changes we've seen in out community GHG profile in the impact of moving to cleaner electricity sources. As you can see in this chart, total electricity use rose from 2005 to 2015 but declined by 7%.
In contrast, after implementation of Community Choice Energy through Silicon Valley Clean Energy, the GHGs related to electricity have dropped dramatically by 81% from 2015 to 2019
Promoting Clean Energy
Tracking Building Energy
As can be seen to the left, the energy we use to power our buildings has increased its use of electricity between 2005 and 2019. While the shift to renewable electricity has created significant reductions to date, we won't be able to rely on that trend alone to meet our reduction targets.
The good news is that we used slightly less electricity in 2019 than we did in 2015, indicating some gains in efficiency. However, the use of natural gas increased in both residential and non-residential sectors in 2019. This could in part be related to population increase in our region.
Transitioning to 100% renewable energy will mean replacing natural gas use with electricity. Through this transition, we will see renewable energy sources increase, while total energy use will decrease thanks to the higher efficiency of heat pumps for space conditioning and water heating.
Click the legend in the chart to see specific trends in Residential (R) and Non-Residential (NR) energy use.
Going All-Electric
Benefits of All-Electric
Going all-electric means you’re saving money. You’re also making a low-carbon shift and improving the quality of life in our community. Generating electricity from low-carbon energy sources (like solar and wind) reduces the need for fossil fuel power generation, decreasing emissions of harmful gases like carbon dioxide.
Going All-Electric
Energy Efficiency
An essential element of reaching our climate goals is energy efficiency in new development. Programs such as ENERGY STAR support green building standards, like high-efficiency heating and cooling and comprehensive air sealing of windows and doors. Energy efficiency includes any programs, policies, or sourcing of energy that reduces overall usage while still meeting energy needs.
Furthermore, California Green Building Standards Code (CGSC) is the first-in-the-nation mandatory green building standards code. In 2007, CBSC developed green building standards in an effort to meet the goals of California’s landmark initiative Assembly Bill 32, which established a comprehensive state wide program of cost-effective reductions of GHGs to 1990 levels by 2020. Milpitas also adopted a new Reach Code effective Jan 1, 2020 for new development to encourage electrification.
How You Can Help
Send Us Your Feedback!
Ready to share your thoughts on how we improve performance in Clean Energy? Be sure to visit our Action Plan Feedback page and add your opinions across all the plan sectors.
How You Can Help
Resources for Green Homes and Buildings
Shifting towards clean energy in our homes, offices, and community helps make Milpitas more resilient.
