San Diego, CA

The City of San Diego serves a population of approximately 1.4 million residents within 320 square miles and is the eighth-largest city in the United States. It strives to promote a well-managed, fiscally-sound city government that provides effective services to its residents and visitors. The City sets and pursues energy reduction milestones independently, as well as in collaboration with its local energy provider.

In 2022, the City of San Diego signed on to the Better Climate Challenge, committing to a 50% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030. The City of San Diego's new Climate Action Plan establishes a community-wide goal of net zero by 2035, committing San Diego to an accelerated trajectory for greenhouse gas reductions. The city’s portfolio consists of over 740 public facilities and the Climate Action Plan's strategies include 100 percent renewable electricity; water and energy efficiency; zero waste; bicycling, walking, transit and land use; and resiliency measures.

As a Better Buildings Challenge Partner, the City will meet its energy efficiency goals in part by building on work completed through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. Through EECBG, the City has made boiler upgrades to its Administration Building complex, implemented city gym lighting improvements, and completed broad-spectrum street lighting retrofit projects, all of which is expected to save about 18 million kilowatt-hours annually. Moving forward, the City will implement measures including but not limited to sustainable policies and provisions, completing retrofits and retro-commissioning, installing renewable energy, and conducting various education and outreach activities.

PORTFOLIO-WIDE LEADERSHIP COMMITMENTS

50% emissions reduction by 2030

10% reduction in energy intensity

Implementation Model

San Diego: More Efficient Street Lighting with Smart Technologies and Utility Support

Tools

Analysis of Street Light Life Cycles

Tools

San Diego Light Pollution Ordinance

Tools

The City of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan

Tools

San Diego’s Selection of Street Light Technology

Tools

San Diego City Council Approval of Lighting Conversion Project

Tools

San Diego Advanced Street Lighting Technologies Assessment Project

Tools

Street Lighting Report to San Diego City Council

Performance Data

Solutions

Leadership Commitments

Better Climate Challenge

Goal

Commitment

Progress

DOE Program Participation