The City of Carlsbad supports the conservation of non-renewable resources. This includes efforts to reduce the use of energy and greenhouse gas emissions, and to find new and more energy efficient methods for delivering city services.  The city’s efforts include:

• Pursuing a hydroelectric power project that will generate enough power to operate the city’s water system and pay for itself in seven years
• Replacing more than 7,000 high-pressure sodium streetlights throughout Carlsbad with high-efficiency induction lights.  The project can save nearly $400,000 a year in energy and maintenance costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from city operations.
• Reducing car emissions through a no idling policy in the Police Department.
• Using hybrid vehicles for 15 percent of the city’s fleet.
• Pursuing the use of solar energy at Maerkle Reservoir and the proposed Alga Norte Pool.
• Working with a statewide committee to develop a protocol to help other cities and organizations calculate their green house gas emissions.
• Supporting the development of building standards that enable the community to design energy saving features such as solar energy systems and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or “LEED,” standards into both public and private buildings.