City of Foster City "Green" Policies and Practices

Policies and Strategies

• Passed Resolution 2006-71, supporting efforts of all governments to develop policies and programs to reduce global warming.
• Passed Resolution 2007-57, supporting the development of an energy strategy for San Mateo County to reduce the impact of global warming and the corresponding climate change.
• Appointed an Ad Hoc Environmental Sustainability Task Force which developed a Recommended Sustainability Action Plan.  City Staff is currently working on a "Next Steps" plan for implementation.
• Appointed an Ad Hoc Transportation Committee which developed a Report and Recommendations for transportation.  City Staff is currently working on a "Next Steps" plan for implementation.

Carbon Emissions

Emissions from City Operations

• In the process of conducting an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions from City operations. Once completed, this inventory will be used to create a prioritized action plan to reduce emissions. The action plan may include the setting of an emissions reduction goal for City operations. The City currently has a number of programs that reduce carbon emissions both from City operations and the community as a whole. Future work will document the estimated reductions from these and new efforts.
• Is in the process of converting to a system by which water meters can be read remotely, eliminating the need to routinely access on-site meters around the city by automobile.

Promotion and Support of Mass Transportation

• As a member of the Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance, works with employers to ensure that trip-reducing alternatives are available, introduced to employees, and publicized on a regular basis.
• Provides funding, along with a matching grant from the City/County Association of Governments, for the Connections Shuttle, a free in-town shuttle service that provides connections to recreational activities, shopping centers, and to other regional mass transit alternatives for Foster City residents and employees of local businesses.
• Promotes the AC Transit transbay bus service.
• Promotes employer-operated shuttles to and from the San Mateo Caltrain Station and the Millbrae Intermodal Station from three areas of town: Lincoln Centre, North Foster City, and Mariners Island.
• Operates a Senior Express Shuttle to transport residents age 55 and older to events and activities in the region.

Bicycle Alternatives

• Requires that bicycle racks be installed at all new commercial/office developments in town. Bicycle racks are also on all shuttles.
• Maintains a bicycle/pedestrian path along the bayfront—a leg of the Bay Trail that connects with trails maintained in neighboring cities and allows for an easy commute by bicycle between Foster City and a number of Peninsula cities.

Foster City Employee Trip Reduction

• Has implemented an alternative schedule for most employees, reducing employee commuter trips from a traditional schedule.
• Has implemented the option for certain employees to telecommute from home, keeping cars off the roadways while still maintaining a productive workforce.

City Fleet Fuel Efficiency

• Is increasing the percentage of hybrids in the City fleet and reviewing other fuel-efficient alternatives as vehicles are replaced.
• Has replaced traditional vehicles with electric options for parks maintenance operations when appropriate.
• Maintains its vehicle fleet in peak condition in order to maximize performance and minimize carbon emissions.

Other Carbon-Reducing Policies

• Reduced speed limits on most City streets to allow for residents' and businesses' use of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) for intra-City transportation.
• Adopted regulations prohibiting the installation or replacement of wood burning appliances unless certain conditions are met to protect air quality.

Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy

• Eliminated permit fees for installation of solar panels.
• Installed high-efficiency, high-pressure sodium vapor street lights that use approximately 35 percent less energy than older mercury vapor or incandescent lights.
• Converted all traffic and pedestrian signals to light emitting diodes (LED’s); these lights use about 20 percent of the electricity of the older, halogen lights.
• Implemented energy conservation practices in building maintenance supplies, parts and systems in City facilities. Computer-controlled heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in some buildings make them more energy efficient, shutting off the systems during times when work areas may not be inhabited.
• Participates in the San Francisco Community Power Demand Response Program, reducing city-wide electricity use on peak demand days. 
• Installed radar-equipped speed safety signs near Bowditch Middle School that utilize solar energy as the only power source. 
• Has converted to energy efficient electronic ballasts in City lighting systems.

Water Conservation

• As a member of the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA), offers incentives for residents and businesses to conserve water, such as rebates for low-flow toilets and high-efficiency clothes washers.
• In collaboration with local schools, provides "home audit" kits to fifth graders who report back water savings as part of a school project and teaches water conservation to students on water utility facility field trips. Follow this link to view the Program Summary Report for 2007-08.
• Offers free informational resources, such as Water-Wise Gardening in the Bay Area CD-ROM for water customers.
• Installed low-flow toilets, state of the art irrigation systems and controllers, and drought tolerant plantings in order to reduce water usage in City facilities and parks.
• Turf grass in selected parks has been replaced with artificial turf which does not require irrigation.
• Installed water fixtures in City buildings that work on a sensor system to conserve water.

Recycling

• As member of South Bay Waste Management Authority (SBWMA), administers programs to meet and sustain a minimum 50% diversion rate mandated by the state.
• Promotes residential and commercial recycling efforts. Foster City has increased its solid waste diversion rate over the last several years.
• Implemented residential curbside collection of batteries and cell phones in addition to providing a collection point at City Hall.
• Sponsors annual electronics recycling event.
• Recycles all used lamps and ballasts from City lighting systems.
• Recycles used printer cartridges.
• Purchases "in-unit" recycling containers that the garbage collection contractor distributes to residents of multi-family dwellings.
• Hosts free compost give-away events during the year utilize green waste collection.
• Fire Department participates in food waste collection program.
• Passed an ordinance requiring a minimum of 50 percent of the debris generated from certain construction and demolition projects be diverted from landfills to recycling facilities.

Habitat Preservation and Protection

• Maintains storm water system in compliance with National Pollution Discharge Elimination System requirements, reducing pollution of Bay waters.
• Through Foster City Lagoon Management Plan, directs the use of environmentally-friendly products and processes, rather than chemical treatment, to manage lagoon water quality whenever possible.
• With Audubon Society, created new seasonal wetlands for bird habitat as part of lagoon dredging project.

Other 

• Is an active member of the Joint Venture Silicon Valley Network Climate Protection Taskforce, Sustainable Silicon Valley and ICLEI-Local Governments For Sustainability, USA in order to pursue regional climate protection alternatives.
• Ensures that janitorial supplies used in City facilities are environmentally friendly: low pH diluted cleaning concentrates and renewable resource paper products.

What else do you think Foster City should be doing?  E-mail us at gogreen@fostercity.org.