Sonoma County plans fuel cell power plant

After determining that two dozen Sonoma County government buildings are big producers of greenhouse gas emissions, officials are embarking on a $22.3 million reduction plan that includes installing a fuel cell power plant.

The plant, which takes hydrogen from natural gas to create an electrochemical reaction that produces electricity, will cost about $9.8 million and will be key to achieving reduced energy usage, officials said.

"This is a huge, big deal" said Supervisor Mike Reilly. "It is a cutting-edge project that marks a major milestone in exceeding our goals."

Two years ago, county supervisors and administrators agreed to Climate Protection Action Plan goals of reducing emissions to 20 percent below 2000 levels by 2015. A concrete way to achieve those goals, however, wasn't clear until general services administrators proposed the fuel cell power plant.

"Three-quarters of our greenhouse gas emissions is produced by our own buildings," general services director José Obregón told supervisors.

The power plant would take the county administration center off the electrical power grid, though the complex could be reconnected in an emergency.

Similar fuel cell power generators are used by the city of Santa Barbara, the Turlock Irrigation District, Cache Creek Casino and the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Chico.

Obregón said the greenhouse gas reduction project also will involve replacing fluorescent lamps with higher-efficiency fixtures at 20 buildings, replacing heating and cooling equipment at four buildings and installing water flush controls at the jail and at the juvenile justice center. Flush controls prevent anything other than human waste from entering the treatment system, which officials said is necessary to prevent inmates from abusing and clogging the system.

The project will be funded with about $3.5 million in PG&E rebates and with $18.7 million in loan financing in which lease payments will be offset by energy and water savings.

Over the 25-year life span of the equipment, the county expects to save more than $80.6 million in energy costs. County officials expect to see an annual reduction in electricity usage of 13 million kilowatt-hours and a decrease in water costs of more than 19 million gallons.

"It benefits the environment and the taxpayers in Sonoma County," said Supervisor Paul Kelley.

Kelley noted that the project is one of several efforts undertaken by county government, which aims to establish a leadership role in greenhouse gas reductions.

The Sonoma County Water Agency, he said, has installed solar panels at pumping stations and sewage treatment plants and is developing a net-zero energy usage project at an airport office park.

In 2006, the county set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings by 6,348 tons, from its employees' commuting by 1,670 tons and from use of its fleet of vehicles by 436 tons.

County officials also are working on plans to build a "green fleet" of vehicles using alternative fuels, including vehicles powered by electricity.

Jim Leddy, the county's community and governmental affairs manager, said county workers now use 152 hybrid vehicles and, two months ago, began using more efficient plug-in hybrids. Last month, the county began negotiating with Nissan for purchase of all-electric vehicles in 2010, Leddy said.

"These all-electric vehicles reduce fuel use, greenhouse gas production and save money," Leddy said.

To lessen greenhouse gas production by employees who commute to work, Leddy said the county is working on a system of van pools, emergency rides, ride sharing and bike use for employees.

You can reach Staff Writer Bleys W. Rose at 521-5431 or bleys.rose@pressdemocrat.com.