Most environmentally conscious towns in California? (Los Angeles, San Diego: best cities, sales, 2009)

[ballcorn]

What do you think are the most environmentally conscious towns in CA?

By environmentally conscious I mean recycling, alternative energy, hybrid cars, farmers markets, ect.

[coyoteskye]

Originally Posted by ballcorn

What do you think are the most environmentally conscious towns in CA?

By environmentally conscious I mean recycling, alternative energy, hybrid cars, farmers markets, ect.

We're pretty hip in that regard here in Santa Cruz county.
Those little smart cars are running all over the place.
In the last year i see so many more than ever before.
Recycling is easy and comprehensive.
It's a farm conscious place ... lots of organics, etc.
I live on land with people who hardly ever put garbage in the container.
I'll be embarrassed with mine 'cause i do generate some trash although living with them encourages me to be super conscious.
They've got their main house solar panelled.
They grow lots of organics and have chickens for the eggs.
It's kinda common around here to have properties that are similar.

[FresnoFacts]

Mens Health Magazine did a ranking based on recycling rates for 2006.

California cities in the national top 10 in their study were:
1. Fresno
2. Fremont
5. Anaheim
8. San Diego
Metrogrades: The Best Cities for Recycling: Men's Heath.com

The California Integrated Waste Management Board's most recent info is 2006. That year Fresno and Huntington Beach tied for highest recycling rates for larger California cities tied at 71% of solid waste diverted away from dumps.

I have seen San Francisco now claims a 72% waste diversion rate for 2007, but all other cities have not reported their rates yet. So I don't know if that is the best in the state or not.

Hybrid Cars? I haven't seen an exact ranking of ownership, but this study is pretty good.
California's Green Market Geography,* UCLA Institute of the Environment
Done by an institute at UCLA it includes maps of hybrid ownership by county. The Bay Area as a whole has the highest percentage of hybrid ownership. See this California map summarizing the data:
http://www.ioe.ucla.edu/media/images...ybrid1-lrg.jpg

[hydro]

Mendocino county is very enviro friendly. Only solar powered brewery in country I believe. Other brewery is 1st cert. organic brewery in country.

north bay are (marin and sonoma co.) see progressive in this area as well.

[FresnoFacts]

Originally Posted by hydro

Mendocino county is very enviro friendly. Only solar powered brewery in country I believe. Other brewery is 1st cert. organic brewery in country.

north bay are (marin and sonoma co.) see progressive in this area as well.

Just FYI, Sierra Nevada brewery in Chico uses solar power.

Here is the most recent rankings of solar power usage in California cities:

Based on total kilowatts installed.
1. San Diego - 19,452 kilowatts
2. San Jose - 15,818 kilowatts
3. Fresno - 15,005 kilowatts
4. Los Angeles - 13,442 kilowatts
5. San Francisco - 12,763 kilowatts

More cities are ranked using other criteria like watts per capita or number of residential roof top systems at:
California's Solar Cities - Environment California

[hydro]

had to look this up... wikipedia said
The company is highly environmentally conscious, and has installed an $860,000 photovoltaic array which provides half of the company's electrical needs with a peak of 125 kilowatts of solar power.[1] The array is the largest photovoltaic array north of San Francisco and is believed to be the largest photovoltaic array of any brewery.[1] The brewery also operates its own wastewater treatment plant and uses its spent yeast to grow mushrooms and as cattle feed.

[FresnoFacts]

Nice info on Anderson Valley Brewing. I think wikipedia is a little behind the latest information though.

Sierra Nevada Brewing in Chico recently completed a 1.4 megawatt solar array, which makes it larger than Anderson's. They previously completed a 442 kw array. Sierra Nevada also has a fuel cell plant.

Sierra Nevada's waste goes to make ethanol. They also just added car charging points for electric vehicles owned by employees and customers.

Sierra Nevada News Releases
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Environmental Stewardship
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. goes electric with charging stations

Good to see both being environmentally aware.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by ballcorn

What do you think are the most environmentally conscious towns in CA?

By environmentally conscious I mean recycling, alternative energy, hybrid cars, farmers markets, ect.

I would say Davis. They are really into riding their bikes there.

[FresnoFacts]

mysticaltyger, you might be interested to know that Fresno will be spending $25 million over the next 20 years to increase its bike trail/lane network. (money is from a transportation sales tax) The money will be used to complete gaps in current sections (particularly between current off-street segments) and add new trails such as along irrigation canals.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by FresnoFacts

mysticaltyger, you might be interested to know that Fresno will be spending $25 million over the next 20 years to increase its bike trail/lane network. (money is from a transportation sales tax) The money will be used to complete gaps in current sections (particularly between current off-street segments) and add new trails such as along irrigation canals.

That is cool. I'm glad they're doing that. I hope they'll be planting shade trees along those trails!