Gov. Brown extends Sonoma County's lauded climate protection program

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation extending a lauded Sonoma County program to tackle climate change and promote reduction of greenhouse gases.

The Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority was formed in 2009 to help coordinate countywide climate protection efforts. It was the first local government agency in the nation created specifically to address climate change.

“Due to the incredible work of the Regional Climate Protection Authority, Sonoma County is far exceeding its greenhouse gas emission reduction goals,” said state Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg.

In 2014, the White House recognized the program as a national model for battling climate change.

Program directors said it has saved over 9.2 million gallons of water, 288,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, 73,000 therms of natural gas and provided over $1 million in monetary tools to over 700 voluntary residential participants.

The legislation signed by the governor was co-authored by the North Coast’s legislative delegation. It continues the program indefinitely.

You can reach Staff Writer Derek Moore at 521-5336 or derek.moore@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @deadlinederek.