Go Renewable

MCE offers affordable renewable electricity products for businesses in Novato. These clean energy products are only marginally more expensive than electricity from fossil fuels and are helping to reduce carbon and create green jobs.

If you want to go solar and generate your own electricity, the Marin Solar Program (administered by the County of Marin) is a great place to get free, unbiased advice. Program staff can help you begin the process of evaluating whether solar is suitable for your business and can answer questions before you contact a contractor. For inspiration see Buck Institute and Cooley Quarry.

Energy Efficiency

The Marin Energy Watch Partnership (EnergyWatch) provides resources and incentive funds to help residents, businesses, and public agencies become more energy efficient. The Partnership is funded by California utility ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Marin County-based businesses of all sizes that are currently PG&E or MCE customers can participate in the program.

Go Green Financing is a one-stop-financing-shop and was created by the State of California to work with private lenders to increase the availability of special financing for energy efficiency projects. The website allows California residents and businesses to browse a continuously updated database of financing solutions and filter the various options down to a more manageable number, making it easy to get in touch with a lender that fits your own unique needs and preferences.

Water Wisdom

It takes a significant amount of energy to distribute and treat water (19% of total energy use in California!), so when you conserve water you save energy AND you save money! North Marin Water District, the local water utility that serves Novato offers a whole range of programs and incentives to reduce commercial water use including a FREE Water Smart Survey, toilet rebates, water saving fixtures, landscape rebates, and a hot water recirculation rebate.

Green Transportation

Emissions from vehicles are one of the largest contributors to air pollution in the Bay Area but there are lots of alternatives available to address this issue.

Marin Transit and Golden Gate Transit have an extensive networks of bus routes in Novato and throughout Marin, there are numerous carpooling apps available, SMART has three train stations serving Novato and Novato is also home to many bike lanes.

Bay Area employers with 50 or more full-time employees within the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) geographic boundaries are required to register and offer Commuter Benefits Program to their employees in order to comply with Air District Regulation 14, Rule 1.

Green Business Program

The California Green Business Network (CGBN) leads the state and nation in working with small-to medium-sized businesses to create a vibrant green economy. Led by a coalition of cities and counties, CGBN helps to make our communities healthier and more livable, while also conserving resources and saving money. Join the green business movement and get your business certified green today!

Food Waste Prevention & Food Recovery

On average, 40% of all edible food in the U.S. is wasted and if global food waste were a country, it would rank third in greenhouse gas emissions after the U.S. and China. Businesses have an important role to play, not only in reducing the amount of wasted food (which really is wasted money!) but by also in ensuring that excess edible food is recovered and redistributed to those in need rather than being thrown away. Despite being one of the most affluent counties in the U.S., it is estimated that 1 in 5 Marin residents are food insecure.  Your business can help by donating excess food to organizations like ExtraFood or the SF-Marin Food Bank.

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