County to Use 100% Renewable Energy in 7 Local Facilities

Sonoma County has entered into a one-year agreement with a Southern California company to use 100 percent renewable power at seven facilities in Santa Rosa and Petaluma, the county announced yesterday.

A mix of electricity generated by 85 percent wind and 15 percent biomass will power the facilities throughout 2012, according to the one-year direct access agreement with 3 Phases Renewables of Manhattan Beach.

The company, founded in 1994 by Michael Mazur, has been a renewable Energy Service Provider since 2000. 3 Phases Renewables services only California customers, according to their website.

“Direct access service” is energy purchased from a third-party supplier but delivered thorough PG&E distribution systems, which became an option available for commercial power customers due to a 2009 state law.  

“We are furthering the county’s ambitious climate protection goals by eliminating an estimated 1,383,190 pounds of CO2 annually – the equivalent of avoiding the use of 70,337 gallons of gasoline,” said

“The power purchase agreement represents a cost savings for the county at a time when budgets are tight, while also utilizing renewable energy sources,” Zane added.

The affected facilities include: North County Detention Facility near the county airport; Sonoma County Animal Shelter; a mental health facility off Chanate Road; and four offices in Santa Rosa and Petaluma, according to the Press Democrat.

Renewable energy is expected to play a significant role in achieving the county’s community greenhouse gas reduction target of 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2015.

That goal was adopted by the County Board of Supervisors and all its incorporated cities in 2004.