CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2024
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5 Climate Action Plan Progress Report
2024
BUILDING ELECTRIFICATION
BE 1 ALL-ELECTRIC NEW CONSTRUCTION
Building Electrification Reach Codes for New Construction In 2022, the City adopted reach codes requiring all new construction to be all-electric beginning January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025 (the end of the triennial code cycle). In 2024, due to a federal court decision, the City suspended the enforcement of its reach codes that prohibit the installation of new gas infrastructure. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California Restaurant Association v. City of Berkeley determined that a local ordinance that generally prohibited the installation of natural gas infrastructure was preempted by federal law, namely the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).
All-electric new construction permits issued
Single
Family
Home
Duplex ADU Multifamily Commercial
2023 12 2 39 0 0
2022 4 1 25 0 5-story office bldg
2021 1 4 23 Kiku Crossing: 225 units 0
2020 0 0 6 Waters Park: 190 units 0
BE 2 ALL-ELECTRIC EXISTING BUILDINGS
In 2023, staff began work the City of San Mateo Sustainable Building Strategy to electrify San Mateo’s existing buildings stock that centers equity and promotes a collaborative pathway to electrification. The City released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to select a technical consultant and selected Rincon for the project. Rincon completed an analysis framework incorporating equity and effectiveness, building inventory and market segmentation, and building electrification cost analysis. At the January 16, 2024 City Council meeting, the project team presented the cost analysis and five building decarbonization policy options for feedback and direction. The City Council directed staff to explore of all five policy options. The project was put on hold due to staffing and in Summer 2024 staff began to reengage Rincon on this work. On March 15, 2023, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) adopted rules to phase out the sale and installation of gas water heaters by 2027 and gas furnaces by 2029. In June 2022, the City launched the Induction Cooktop Loaner Program that offers hands-on experience with a portable induction cooktop. Residents can borrow an induction cooktop and cookware for two weeks. In 2022, 16 residents borrowed the induction cooktop kits and in 2023, 27 residents borrowed the induction cooktop kits.
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5 Building Electrification Reach Codes for Existing Buildings In November 2022, the City Council adopted reach codes impacting residential building upgrades to encourage electric-readiness and require electric equipment. These reach codes went into effect on January 1, 2023 and are summarized as follows:
oElectric readiness panel capacity: Requires panel replacement and panel upgrade projects to include panel capacity and breaker space for future electrification of building systems for all residential buildings.
oElectric-readiness outlets installed: Requires kitchen and laundry area renovations include the installation of an outlet for the use of future electric appliances in single family homes and duplexes.
oHeat pump HVAC: Requires the installation of heat pump HVAC system when new air conditioning is installed ore replaced in single family homes and duplexes. oGas infrastructure: Prohibits the extension of fuel gas infrastructure for new uses such as new fireplaces, fire pits, grills and pools in residential buildings. oHeat pump water heater: Requires heat pump water heater installation in addition and alteration projects that include water heater replacement in single family homes and duplexes.
As stated above, in July 2024, due to a federal court decision, the City suspended the enforcement of its reach codes that prohibit the installation of new gas infrastructure.
Electric Equipment Rebate Data
Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) provides rebates for electrical panel upgrades, heat pump HVAC systems and heat pump water heaters:
PCE Electric Equipment Rebates
Year Electrical Panel Heat Pump
HVAC
Heat Pump
Water Heater
2023 37 161 97
2022 6 3 28
2021 4 - 24
Source: Peninsula Clean Energy
In October 2022, PCE launched the Zero Percent Interest Loan program that helps customers install heat pump water heaters, heat pump HVAC systems and energy efficiency upgrades. The loans are zero percent interest with no money-down for a term of up to 5 years. The payments are conveniently included on your monthly electric bill. In 2023, 78 households participated in the program. Note that the homes that receive loans also receive rebates.
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5 Through the BayREN Home + Program, residents can receive rebates for the installation of electric equipment including, heat pump hot water heaters, heat pump dryers or induction cooktops. The BayREN Single Family Home+ program is expected to sunset by October 31st or until the budget is exhausted, whichever comes first.
BayREN Electric Equipment Rebates
Year Heat Pump
Clothes Dryer
Heat Pump
Water Heater
Induction
Cooktop
2023 1 70 20
2022 0 22 1
2021 0 30 1
Source: BayREN
RENEWABLE ENERGY
RE 1 PENINSULA CLEAN ENERGY
Peninsula Clean Energy provides clean and renewable electricity.
Peninsula Clean Energy Electricity Usage and GHGs Avoided Year Total PCE Usage
(kWh)
ECOplus Usage
(kWh)
GHGs Avoided
(MTCO2e)
2023 436,935,356 430,173,796 57,097
2022 414,688,681 388,514,576 53,715
2021 414,131,873 383,596,168 54,357
2020 431,559,650 402,980,299 55,175
2019 455,581,927 424,884,661 41,176
2018 448,917,281 425,385,217 34,827
2017 457,510,644 446,960,009 32,170
Source: Peninsula Clean Energy
The City of San Mateo had a total of 91 opt-outs in 2023 and a 97% participation rate to end the year.
Since launching in 2016, Peninsula Clean Energy has been providing cleaner electricity, with a 96% reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions rate for electricity from 2016 to 2023. Peninsula Clean Energy procures 100% clean energy that is at least 50% renewable for our ECOplus service and 100% renewable for ECO100. Their goal is to deliver 100% renewable energy by 2030 while maximizing energy matching on a time-coincident, hourly basis.
RE 2 RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR NEW AND EXISTING RESIDENCES The City provided information to property owners about discounts for solar including the annual Bay Area Sun Shares program and Peninsula Clean Energy’s rebate for solar and battery storage.
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5 Solar and Battery Storage Permits for Residential Buildings Issued* Year # of Solar Permits
Issued
# of Battery Storage
Permits Issued
2023 460 65
2022 384 115
2021 416 92
2020 248 87
*Note: some projects include both solar and battery storage RE 3 RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR NEW AND EXISTING NONRESIDENTIAL
BUILDINGS
Solar Permits for Nonresidential Buildings
Year # of Solar Permits
Issued Total kW
2023 2 47
2022 5 801
2021 3 205
2020 2 11.8
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
EE 1 RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY RETROFITS
The BayREN Home + program provides rebates for energy efficiency upgrades including building air sealing, insulation, duct replacement and sealing, and more. In 2023, 134 single family home upgrade projects were completed and 246 individual measure rebates issued. In 2022, 46 single family home upgrade projects were completed, and 102 individual measure rebates issued. This amounts to 240 home upgrades and 501 individual measure rebates issued since 2020. The BayREN Single Family Home+ program is expected to sunset by October 31st or until the budget is exhausted, whichever comes first.
The Energy Advisors are a resource to residents interested in making an energy upgrade or in the BayREN Home + program. In 2023, there were 54 new Energy Advisor leads and in 2022 there were a total of 35 leads, amounting to 158 leads since 2020. The Bay Area Multifamily Building Enhancements (BAMBE) program provides rebates for saving 15% of the building’s energy usage for project measures that include heating and cooling systems, water heating systems, lighting and appliances, building sealing and insulation and more. 25 units have participated in the program since 2020. The Home Energy Score program provides a score of home energy use on a scale of 1 to 10. It estimates home energy use, associated costs, and provides energy solutions to cost-effectively improve home efficiency. In 2023, there were 32 home energy score rebates and in 2022, there were 26 home energy rebates in San Mateo, amounting to 179 home energy score rebates since 2020.
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5 PCE’s Home Upgrade program serves income-qualified homeowners with home repairs and energy efficiency upgrades at no cost. Eligible improvements include door and window repair, water heating, heating and cooling, cooking, and more. In 2022, 11 households completed the program and in 2022 and 23 households completed the program.
EE 2 NONRESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY RETROFITS
There are 27 certified businesses in San Mateo certified through the San Mateo County Green Business Program.
EE 3 RESIDENTIAL TREE PLANTING
In addition to tree plantings in City parks, 150 trees are planted in City streets annually. Not all tree plantings are in residential areas but nonetheless help reduce the urban heat island effect and reduce cooling loads.
MUNICIPAL ENERGY EFFICENCY
ME 1 ENERGY EFFICIENCY FOR NEW BUILDINGS
No new municipal facilities to report.
ME 2 ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT EXISTING MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS
The City completed the City Hall Staff restroom remodeling project which included the installation of water efficient plumbing fixtures and low voltage lighting with automatic timers and vacancy sensors.
The City completed Indian Springs Park and is in construction at Casanova Park, Shoreview Park and Lakeshore Park for the Phase IV and Phase V upgrades to restrooms at park locations with water efficient plumbing fixtures and low voltage lighting with automatic timers and vacancy sensors.
The City completed the construction of a new accessible family changing room at the King Swim Center with efficient plumbing fixtures and low voltage lighting with automatic timers and vacancy sensors. The City updated one of the King Center kitchens to include energy efficient appliances. The City is in construction to install a Fire Alarm System at the King Recreation Center that includes low voltage instruments and controls. Part of the project includes replacing an existing air handling unit with a new energy efficient unit. The City is in construction for the elevator controls at two City parking garages, the 2 nd and El Camino Garage in 2023 and the Central Garage in 2024. The modernization project includes the installation of resilient materials and efficient components such as low voltage lighting, vacancy sensors and timers.
The City is in construction at Beresford Park for the ADA improvement project that includes low voltage pathway lighting.
ME 3 ALL-ELECTRIC MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS
The City participated in PG&E’s Government program administered by Willdan Energy Solutions to replace gas water heaters with electric equipment. City staff and Willdan assessed 17 City facilities to identify existing equipment and evaluate space for siting new electric equipment.
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5 Beginning February 2024, the project team installed 13 electric heat pump water heaters at seven City facilities including City Hall, Main Library, Senior Center, Fire Station 21, Fire Station 23, Fire Station 26 and Fire Station 27. The City received a total incentive of over $200,000 from PG&E to offset 100% of project costs.
In 2022, PCE expanded their Solar and Storage for Public Buildings program and is working with jurisdictions across the region to identify sites for solar and battery storage installation. PCE will provided energy and savings analyses, vendor selection via public solicitation, management, and facilitation of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). A PPA provides the City with a fixed price for electricity without any capital outlay. Staff coordinated with PCE to identify Beresford Park Recreation Center to install a solar carport system in Spring 2025. The City is part of a public/private partnership to construct a new residential building and parking garage on two City-owned parcels Downtown. The project was completed in Spring 2024 and included the development of an all-electric seven-story affordable housing project, known as Kiku Crossing, and all-electric five-story parking garage with 27 Level 2 charging ports and solar PV, in compliance with the City’s reach code requirements.
CLEAN TRANSPORTATION FUELS
CF 1 ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE
In April 2022, the City completed installation of 13 Level 2 EV charging ports at the Main Street Garage in Downtown San Mateo. The project includes the installation of Powerflex equipment utilizing CALeVIP rebate funding, greatly reducing project costs. In April 2023, the City completed installation of 14 Level 2 charging ports at the 2 nd and El Camino Garage in Downtown San Mateo. The project also included the installation of Powerflex equipment utilizing PCE funding to greatly reduce project costs. In Spring 2024, the City completed construction of the new Kiku Public Parking Garage that includes the installation of 27 Level 2 charging ports. The project included the installation of Chargepoint equipment using PCE funding to reduce project costs. There are 70 EV charging ports at City-owned facilities, this includes 2 DCFC charging ports and 68 Level 2 charging ports. Additionally, there are 168 charging ports that are publicly available in the city; this includes 20 DCFC charging ports, 104 Level 2 charging ports and 44 Tesla charging ports.
In 2022, the City adopted a reach code requiring a higher percentage of electric vehicle (EV) readiness in all new construction. These requirements went into effect on January 1, 2023.
CF 2 ELECTRIC VEHICLE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
City staff promoted Peninsula Clean Energy’s incentives for electric vehicles. Some programs are ongoing including the PCE Used EV Rebate Program that offers rebates for San Mateo County residents for the purchase of a used EV. PCE also offers an EV rental discount for those interested in experiencing an EV.
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5 CF 3 CLEAN CITY FLEET
The City Council prioritized evaluation of the feasibility of a Green Fleet by 2030 for the FY 2021- 22 Strategic Plan. As part of this effort, the City purchased electric fleet units and applied for grant funding for electric replacements. The City is also working with PCE and PG&E to install charging infrastructure at municipal facilities.
The City operates a fleet of 233 units, 34 units are CNG or electric.
City Fleet by Fuel Type
Fuel Type # of Units
Bi-fuel (CNG/Gas) 1
CNG 19
Electric 15
City fleet electric units include:
o4 Chevrolet Bolt passenger cars
o2 Ford Lightning trucks
o2 Ford E-Transit vans
o6 electric utility vehicles
o1 electric forklift
CF 4 CLEAN FUEL AND VEHICLE EMISSIONS
In 2022, the City implemented traffic signal optimizations on the Fashion Island Blvd corridor from Delaware Street to Norfolk Street, and on a short segment of Humboldt Street from 3 rd Avenue to 4 th Avenue. Traffic signal optimizations help reduce vehicle emissions related to vehicle idling.
The California Energy Commission 1 provides data on new zero-emission vehicle sales in San Mateo County. Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) includes battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles.
Sale of Light-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles in San Mateo County Year Sale of Light-Duty
ZEV
Percent of Total
Light-Duty Sales
2023 16,403 32.38%
2022 14,624 34.45%
2021 7,005 17.32%
2020 5,489 12.23%
Source: California Energy Commission
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
ST 1 BICYCLE MODE SHARE
The City completed construction of the 2nd and 4th highest priority projects in the 2020 Bike 1 California Energy Commission (2024). New ZEV Sales in California. Data last updated June 30, 2024. Retrieved September 17, 2024 from https://www.energy.ca.gov/zevstats.
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5 Master Plan in Spring 2022, which consists of Class II bike lanes and a bicycle boulevard on Poplar Avenue, Delaware Street, Indian Avenue, and Humboldt Street. The project was funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
The City completed construction of a bicycle boulevard on Sunnybrae Boulevard from Delaware Street to South Amphlett Boulevard in Winter 2023. The project also included traffic calming elements and pedestrian improvements.
The City completed construction of Class II bike lanes on 5 th Avenue between South B Street and Railroad Avenue in November 2023.
The City was awarded $1.66M from the 2021 Regional ATP Cycle 5 to fund the design and construction of a Safe Routes to School corridor comprised of a new Class IV separated bike lane and bicycle boulevard on Delaware Street from 19 th Avenue to Pacific Boulevard. The City collected feedback from the community on the proposed bikeway design through an online survey and pop-up events in Spring 2024. The project is anticipated to be constructed in Summer 2025.
The City received $153,000 in grant funding to design a new bike facility on 28 th Avenue from Edison Street to El Camino Real that will close a gap in the bicycle network and connect bicyclists to the Caltrain station at 28th Avenue. The project scope was extended to Kyne Street in January 2024 to design a fully connected bikeway on 28 th Avenue. The City held a community meeting and an online survey in Fall/Winter 2023 to collect feedback from the community on three proposed bikeway designs. Additional outreach will be conducted in Fall 2024 to inform the preferred bikeway design.
The City is working on a joint project with SamTrans and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority to design a Class IV separated bikeway on 19th Avenue and Fashion Island. Community outreach was conducted in Summer 2023 that consisted of pop-up stations, a community workshop, and an online survey. Feedback from the community is being incorporated into the final design and implementation strategy, which is anticipated to be complete in Summer/Fall 2024.
The City is constructing a bicycle boulevard on South Grant Street from Concar Drive to 16 th Avenue as part of a pavement management project. The bike facility is anticipated to be constructed in early Fall 2024.
ST 2 PEDESTRIAN MODE SHARE
The Transit-Oriented Development Pedestrian Access Plan was adopted in November 2022. This Plan strives to improve pedestrian conditions within one-half mile radius to the City’s Caltrain three stations and high-quality transit stops. The City received $75,117 in grant funding to develop this Plan.
The City is modifying the traffic signals at the Poplar Avenue and Humboldt Street intersection where there is a history of collisions involving pedestrians and left-turning vehicles. The project will improve pedestrian safety and walkability by restricting vehicle left turn movements except when a green left turn arrow is displayed, also called a protected left turn. The project is expected to be constructed in Fall 2024.
The City is constructing pedestrian safety improvements at the entrance and exits of three downtown parking garages: Central Parking Garage, Main Street Parking Garage, and 2 nd and El Camino Real Parking Garage. Improvements include protected walkways, wayfinding signage, and warning devices and will make pedestrians and exiting vehicles aware of each other where CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2024
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5 the driveway and sidewalk intersect. Construction at Central and Main Street Parking Garage is anticipated to begin in Fall 2024.
ST 3 MICROMOBILITY AND SHARED MOBILITY
The City updated its shared mobility permit program to allow shared mobility operators to submit applications on an on-going basis. No applications were received when the program was initially launched in 2019. The permit program continues to be available to interested parties. Staff continues to participate in a Shared Mobility Working Groups coordinated by San Mateo County and Caltrain to facilitate regional partnerships and share best practices as related to shared mobility.
ST 4 PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICE
City staff participate in Reimagine SamTrans effort to assess existing transit service and evaluate options for future mobility services.
City staff worked with SamTrans to implement signal priority on El Camino Real that was installed in 2020 through the length of the City.
The City was awarded $253,800 grant funding in May 2024 for designing a new pedestrian and bicycle entrance on the northeast side of the San Mateo Caltrain Station to reduce the barrier to transit for transit riders coming from north of the station. The project will also improve pedestrian access to the new entrance on Cypress Avenue to make biking and walking to transit safer and more comfortable. City staff begin the bid process to procure a consultant in Winter 2024.
ST 5 COMMUTER PROGRAMS
San Mateo County’s Transportation Demand Management Agency, Commute.org maintains a suite of programs aimed at reducing vehicle miles traveled. Commute.org provides carpool incentives to employers and conducts outreach campaigns about available shuttle and vanpool options.
Commute.org has maintained shuttle services in San Mateo and pivoted to providing employer resources focused on telework. The City contributes funding to Commute.org shuttles including the Campus Drive and Norfolk shuttle routes.
ST 6 TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
The City was awarded grant funding to develop a citywide Transportation Demand Management ordinance. Focus group meeting with local developers and the Chamber of Commerce were held in February 2024 to review the draft TDM guidelines. The TDM ordinance is anticipated to be adopted in Winter 2024.
ST 7 TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
Transit-Oriented Development projects approved in:
o2020: Kiku Crossing, Concar Passage, and 2600 S. Delaware Street (Bay Meadows Phase II, RES 6)
o2021: 1919 O’Farrell, 2600 S. Delaware Street (Bay Meadows Phase II, MU 2 and MU 3) CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2024
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5 o2022: 500 E. 3 rd Ave (Block 21 mixed-use development), 222 E. 4th Ave (Draeger’s Market), 401 Concar Dr (Hayward Park Caltrain Station parking lot) o2023: 435 E. 3rd Ave, 616 S. B St. (Nazareth Vista)
Transit-Oriented Development projects that are currently under construction include Station Park Green development and 2600 S. Delaware Street (Bay Meadows Phase II). In 2023, Kiku Crossing and RES 6 were under construction but were completed in 2024 by the time of this report.
SOLID WASTE
SW 1 COMPOSTING PROGRAM
Currently there are 749 multi-family dwellings (MFDs) with 5 units or more. Of the 749 MFDs, 610 are participating in the organics collection program. The Waste Zero team is working diligently to reach out to those accounts that remain non-compliant with Senate Bill 1383.
Compost Diverted
Year Compost Diverted
(tons)
Total Diversion Rate
2023 20,984 48.82%
2022 19,004 47.67%
2021 18,699 47.35%
2020 18,573 47.77%
Source: Recology San Mateo County
SW 2 EXPANDED RECYCLING SERVICE
Recology’s Waste Zero team helps to educate the community of proper sorting by providing trainings, presentations on different platforms, as well as conducting site visits and handing out educational outreach materials such as posters and stickers.
SW 3 WASTE AWARENESS AND SOURCE REDUCTION
The City of San Mateo is partnering with OKAPI Reusables, thanks to leadership and funding from the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability. OKAPI is a simple borrow and return cup service featuring trendy insulated stainless steel cups for hot drinks and glass tumblers for iced drinks.
The program launched in December 2022.
The Team Up to Clean Up program continues to unite San Mateo residents and neighborhoods in the shared goal of preserving our waterways. Our annual Bayfront cleanup mobilizes up to 600 volunteers, who collectively removed approximately 12.5 cubic yards of litter from the bay this past year. In addition to our annual event, our staff organize monthly cleanups in various locations throughout San Mateo. In 2023, these efforts resulted in an average of 1.5 cubic yards of trash collected per cleanup, along with the diversion of approximately 26 gallons of recyclable materials. These cleanups, which attracted an average of 20 volunteers per event, are crucial in maintaining the cleanliness and environmental health of our community.
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5 Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance
The City Council adopted the “Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance” modeled after the County of San Mateo’s ordinance. The ordinance requires food facilities distribute disposable items that are fiber-based and compostable. The ordinance went into effect in October 2022. The San Mateo County Sustainability Department continues to engage and educate food facilities in San Mateo on the Disposable Food Ware Ordinance requirements. In 2023, the team notified all 657 facilities of the requirements and had direct one-on-one contact with 67% of those facilities. The SMC Sustainability Department provided funding to 13 food facilities for the purchase of compostable single-use foodware and provided funding to 28 food facilities for reusable foodware in San Mateo.
The Ordinance is enforced through complaints. The SMC Sustainability Department logs all complaints and follows up by emailing the food facility. The email explains the nature of the complaint and introduces the consultant team. The consultant team contacts the food facility to ensure they understand the Ordinance requirements and offer assistance if needed. The team will email the food facility three times and then attempt an on-site visit. If contact cannot be made, the County will try to reach the food facility. A complaint is considered "resolved" when the County confirms the food facility's understanding of the Ordinance and necessary changes for compliance. Inspections are not part of the complaint process. The SMC Sustainability Department received 23 complaints for food facilities in the City of San Mateo. There were 2 pending complaints and 21 resolved complaints at the time of County’s 2024 report.
WATER AND WASTEWATER
WW 1 WATER EFFICIENCY RETROFITS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
Cal Water provides rebates for high-efficiency toilets and high-efficiency clothes washers for residents. Cal Water provides rebates for high-efficiency toilets and high-efficiency urinals, for commercial customers.
Cal Water Rebates for Washers and Toilets in Mid-Peninsula* High-Efficiency Clothes Washer Rebates High-Efficiency
Toilet
Year Residential Multifamily Residential
2023 153 9 21
2022 214 2 33
2021 214 9 25
2020 162 8 21
Source: Cal Water, *Cal Water does not provide data on city-level and thus Mid-Peninsula data is provided; Mid-Peninsula includes San Carlos, San Mateo and adjacent unincorporated areas WW 2 WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING
Rain Barrels
On November 6, 2023, Flows to Bay hosted a rain barrel rebate event at the City Corp Yard. San CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2024
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5 Mateo County residents were able to reserve and purchase discounted 50-gallon rain barrels. The City of San Mateo continues to provide matching funds for rain barrel rebates for residents.
Data in this table reflects the number of rain barrels distributed, residents can receive a maximum of two rebates per household.
Rain Barrel Rebates
Year
Number of Rain
Barrel Rebates
Distributed
2023 68
2022 82
2021 37
2020 8
Cal Water Rebates
Cal Water provides Smart Landscape Tune-Up Direct Installation Program Evaluations. Through this program irrigation system efficiency evaluations were conducted by professional landscape contractors to customers. Irrigation system improvements included leak repairs and installation of a smart irrigation controller and/or high-efficiency sprinkler nozzles. The Program is available at no charge to customers.
Cal Water provide rebates for weather-based irrigation controllers were offered as part of Cal Water's standard rebate program portfolio and as a direct installation through the Smart Landscape Tune-Up Program.
Through Cal Water’s Spray-to-Drip Rebate Program, eligible participants received a rebate of $0.50 for every square foot of landscape area converted from a standard spray irrigation system to a drip irrigation system. The program requires a minimum of 250 square feet to be converted to a drip system. Drip irrigation uses 20-50% less water than spray irrigation and delivers water directly to the root zone of plants.
Through the “Lawn-to-garden” (turf replacement) rebate program, Cal Water incentivized customers to replace their lawn with drought-tolerant and water-wise landscaping with a rebate of up to $3 and $5 per square foot for residential and commercial customers, respectively. Cal Water provides rebates for smart irrigation controllers and high-efficiency sprinkler nozzles for residential customers.
Cal Water Rebates for Landscaping in Mid-Peninsula*
Spray-to Drip Rebate (Sq. Ft.) Lawn-to Garden Turf (Sq. Ft.) Year Residential Commercial Residential Commercial
2023 7,110 41,210 14,600 1,210
2022 14,046 8,726 19,658 0
2021 0 0 1,400 0
Source: Cal Water;*Cal Water does not provide data on city-level and thus Mid-Peninsula data is provided; Mid-Peninsula includes San Carlos, San Mateo and adjacent unincorporated areas CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2024
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5 City Operations
Parks updated 21 irrigation controllers to improve communication and operations of the central irrigation control system. Parks is in the process of replacing 20 more outdated irrigation controllers.
In 2023, Parks made landscape improvements at the entrance to Ryder Park to reduce water use by improving irrigation, installing drought tolerant plants and adding mulch for conservation of moisture. In 2022, Parks made similar landscape improvements at Beresford Park along Alameda de las Pulgas and at the Senior Center.
WW 3 WATER EFFICIENCY IN NEW CONSTRUCTION
City staff ensure compliance with the State of California’s Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) that applies to all new construction projects with landscape area greater than 500 square feet. This ordinance was created to reduce water usage and ensure landscapes are constructed to allow for the efficient use of water.
OFF-ROAD EQUIPMENT
OR 1 ALTERNATIVE FUEL LAWN AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT
In October 2021, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1346 that requires most newly manufactured small off-road engines (SORE) such as those found in leaf blowers, lawn mowers and other equipment be zero emission starting in 2024. Californians can continue to operate their current CARB-compliant gasoline-powered SORE equipment; there will be no “ban” on using older models or used equipment purchased in the future. Older models on store shelves can also be purchased even if they are gasoline-powered. The City launched an electric leaf blower equipment rebate in July 2021. Landscaping businesses can receive a rebate of up to 75% of the purchase price of an electric leaf blower, maximum $500 rebate. Residents can receive a rebate of up to 50% of the purchase price of an electric leaf blower, maximum $100 rebate.
Electric Leaf Blower Rebates
Year Rebates Distributed
to Businesses
Rebates Distributed
to Residents
2024 (as of September) 4 24
2023 4 10
2022 5 9
2021 3 22
City Operations
Staff purchased a variety of electric equipment (backpack leaf blowers, handheld leaf blowers, chainsaws, and multi-tools) to use at City parks and during Spare the Air days. The Parks team developed a transition plan for replacing gas equipment with electric equipment. In 2023, an electrical upgrade was completed at the Park Yard for equipment charging. Additionally, a Multihog Compact Sweeper was purchased to reduce the need for CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2024
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5 blower cleanup work of parking lots and some pathways. The City owns a total of 26 gas- powered blowers and staff plan on a phased replacement approach replacing all within a two- year period.