Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Adopted Budget - County of Sonoma

The Environment and Other Resources
Source: Sonoma County Water Agency
Efforts to conserve and recycle water have increased
in recent years. From 1998 to 2008, water
conservation and recycling increased from 3.7% to
19%. In 2008, 17,536 acre-feet of water were
recycled, which is equal to 5.7 billion gallons of
water. Over the last 12 years, total water usage has
increased by just 6 percent, while the county
population has increased by 13.5%.
Air Quality Levels, 2008 (by Days) Air quality in Sonoma County was classified to be of
Good 254
Moderate 11
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups 0
Unhealthy 0
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
Source: Pacific Gas & Electric
17
“good” quality for 254 days of the 265 days monitored
in 2008. The remaining 11 days were classified as
“moderate.” Sonoma County had no days where the
air quality was “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
Sonoma County continues to lead the way
in total installed renewable energy,
demonstrating more capacity than many
nearby and comparable counties. Unique
incentive programs in Sonoma County, such
as the Sonoma County Energy
Independence Program (SCEIP), have
helped bolster the existing California Solar
Incentive and Self-Generation Incentive
Program rebates. Furthermore, PG&E’s
recent 500mw initiative and power purchase
agreement, which allows utility companies
to purchase excess energy from small
producers, has also created a favorable
environment for the installation of
renewable energy.