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 2009-17, adopting the San Mateo County Energy Strategy to reduce the impact of global warming and the corresponding climate change.  (Previously adopted Resolution 2007-57, supporting the development of the strategy.)
• 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

• Conducted an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions from City operations. This inventory will be used to create a prioritized action plan to reduce emissions. The City currently has a number of programs that reduce carbon emissions both from City operations and the community as a whole.
• 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: 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 bay front—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

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

City Fleet Fuel Efficiency

• Increasing the percentage of hybrids in the City fleet and reviewing other fuel-efficient alternatives as vehicles are replaced.
• 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 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. Working on a project to convert some street lights to Light Emitting Diode (LED).
• Converted all traffic and pedestrian signals to 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 systems 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 solar powered speed safety signs near Bowditch Middle School. 
• Converted to energy efficient electronic ballasts in City lighting systems.
• Joined CaliforniaFIRST and Retrofit Bay Area programs to encourage energy efficiency and water conservation retrofits by Foster City property owners. 

Water Conservation

• As a member of the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA), offers rebates for low-flow toilets and high-efficiency clothes washers as incentives for water conservation.
• 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.
• 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.
• Replaced turf grass in selected parks with artificial turf which does not require irrigation.
• Installed water fixtures in City buildings that work on a sensor system to conserve water.
• Developing conservation-based water rates to encourage water conservation in the community.

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.
• 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 used lamps and ballasts from City lighting systems.
• Recycles used printer cartridges.
• Purchases "in-unit" recycling containers for 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.
• Is developing a web page with links to resources to help residents "go green."  Follow this link to visit the "Go Green" page (still under development)

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