The County aims to reduce emissions resulting from construction of County projects by replacing fossil fuels used in construction equipment with alternative fuels, such as renewable diesel, renewable natural gas, compressed natural gas, or electricity. This measure will require the use of alternative fuels in all construction equipment in-use during construction of County projects by 2030.

One of the main objectives of the County’s Strategic Energy Plan is to integrate sustainability practices into County operations and minimize water and energy consumption and costs. The Green Fleet Action Plan Implementation Strategy aims to reduce energy consumption in the County vehicle and mobile equipment operations. Through implementation of this plan, the County has transitioned to 100% renewable diesel use in 2020.

In 2019, the County Board of Supervisors adopted the Electric Vehicle (EV) Roadmap which includes strategies to incorporate zero emissions vehicles and equipment in the County fleet as technology improves and becomes cost effective. Through implementation of the Green Fleet Action Plan and EV Roadmap, County projects will continue to transition to cleaner fuels in order to meet CAP 2030 targets.

The County anticipates a reduction of 364 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from replacing fossil fuels used in construction equipment with renewable diesel, renewable natural gas, compressed natural gas, or electricity. Each type of fuel produces a different amount of carbon dioxide equivalent per gallon (or kilowatt hour in the case of electricity). Emissions reductions result when the County replaces conventional fossil-fuel powered construction equipment with cleaner, electric and alternative fuel-powered equipment.

The burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gas emissions, heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere that cause climate change and pollution. Using cleaner, alternative fuels in County construction projects leads to fewer emissions from the extraction, transportation, and delivery of fossil fuels.