Energy Efficiency

The City has successfully converted approximately 4,500 streetlights to energy-efficient LED’s, saving our community more than $100,000 annually in maintenance and energy costs. The streetlights not only save money and energy but they reduce light pollution by directly light right where it is needed.

Renewable Energy

All City electricity accounts are powered with 100% clean energy (MCE Deep Green) from renewable sources, and the City generates its own renewable electricity via solar arrays at City Hall, Corporation Yard, Hill Gymnasium, Margaret Todd Senior Center, South Hamilton Park South, and Novato Gymnastics Center. These arrays are generating local, clean renewable electricity that offsets a significant portion of energy costs for these facilities each year.

Recycled Water 

In an effort to conserve water and to continue to provide safe, well-irrigated green spaces in our parks, the City partners with the North Marin Water District (NMWD) on their Novato Recycled Water Program to convert public irrigation systems from potable water to recycled water, whenever feasible.

Novato’s recycled water system is projected to reduce peak summer potable water demand throughout Novato by approximately 2 million gallons per day (or 15%). To learn more visit: www.nmwd.com.

City Fleet

A significant portion of emissions from City operations are generated by fleet vehicles, and the City is committed to reducing these emissions whenever possible by prioritizing the procurement of zero- and low-emission vehicles. The City's current fleet includes five electric vehicles, five electric bikes, and two plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The majority of Novato Police Department's patrol vehicles are hybrid models, saving both gas and reducing emissions.

Sustainability Policies & Ordinances

The City continues to adopt policies and ordinances aimed at protecting the environment, supporting our local economy, and streamlining certain permitting processes. Ordinances include city-wide bans on the use plastic bags, single-use, plastic foodware, Styrofoam containers, gas-powered leaf blowers and new gas stations. Other ordinances include recycling and reuse requirements for construction and demolition projects, local vendor purchasing preference, urban runoff pollution prevention, and streamlined permitting for small residential rooftop solar and electric vehicle charging systems.

The City also has a number of internal administrative policies that are helping to reduce the impact of city operations including an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and a Fleet Replacement Policy. 

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