Foster City Wins Silver Beacon Award and Platinum Sustainability Best Practices Award

For Immediate Release: September 15, 2017
Contact: Vanessa Brannon, Management Analyst, (650) 286-3354, vbrannon@fostercity.org

At the 2017 League of California Cities Annual Conference, Foster City was pleased to be one of only two cities in San Mateo County to receive a Beacon Award from the Institute for Local Government for its Environmental Sustainability Programs. Achieving the Silver Level Beacon Award overall, Foster City was recognized for the following achievements:

  • Platinum Level Award for 23% Agency Greenhouse Gas Reductions
  • Platinum Level Award for 20% Agency Energy Savings
  • Gold Level Award for 13% Natural Gas Savings Reductions
  • Silver Level Award for 8% Community Greenhouse Gas Reductions
  • Platinum Level Award in Sustainability Best Practices (achieving at least six in each of 10 categories)

Foster City was one of only nine California cities or counties to receive a full 2017 Beacon Award of the 125 cities or counties that participate. Mayor Bronitsky said, "Through innovation and leadership, Foster City has taken on big, bold ideas to affect real change in terms of environmental sustainability."

Many people know that Peninsula Clean Energy supplies cleaner power to energy users in San Mateo County, but they may not know that Foster City was one of the first cities to "opt-up" all municipal buildings to 100% renewable energy! The award program highlighted over 50 actions that the City has taken to promote and achieve environmental sustainability. Here are just a few examples of Foster City's sustainability activities which helped earn those awards:  

  • Enrolled all municipal facilities into Peninsula Clean Energy's Eco100 program to supply 100% renewable power.
  • Adopted its first Climate Action Plan, outlining measures the City will take to reduce its climate impact.
  • Offered carpooling subsidies through public-private partnership with Scoop carpooling app to reduce traffic congestion.
  • Authorized funds for expanding bike and pedestrian mobility access and approving bicycle facility improvements. Secured shuttle agreements and promoted employer-operated shuttles to offer alternative commute options.
  • Planted drought tolerant landscaping and converted lawns at Catamaran Park.
  • Appropriated funds towards new recycling projects, including the replacement and addition of recycling bins.
  • Implemented energy efficiency upgrades for City buildings.
  • Authorized $1,000 rebates for residential single-family solar installations.
  • Banned single-use carry-out plastic bags and polystyrene disposable food containers.
  • Sponsored community compost giveaways, electronics recycling, and paper shredding.
  • Purchased fuel efficient and alternate fuel vehicles for city fleet.

The Beacon Award Program is a cumulative, on-going program and Foster City plans to continue to take actions and promote programs in sustainability until we achieve Platinum.

The Institute for Local Government promotes good government at the local level with practical, impartial and easy-to-use resources for California communities. The Beacon Award Program is a statewide program recognizing cities and counties that are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy, and adopt policies and programs that promote sustainability.

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