SMUD Watch Team
SMUD Watch is a group of concerned 350 Sacramento members who share timely alerts and promote SMUD policy and action that will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
Why SMUD is Important
We are fortunate to have the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) as our community-owned, community-controlled electric utility. But the utility is the biggest contributor to the county’s greenhouse gasses (GHG) – currently 1.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. The emissions come from SMUD’s four major power plants, plus purchased power.
The Environmental Equity Connection
Besides GHG, SMUD’s gas-fired power plants emit pollutants which impact the health of the surrounding community. SMUD Watch believes the power plants in disadvantaged areas should be prioritized for closure.
Other Environmental Equity Policies
Financial Assistance
Electrification programs that financially assist low-income SMUD customers for the installation of replacement heat pumps and access to electric vehicles.
Virtual Net Energy Metering
Creation of Virtual Net Energy Metering (VNEM) which allows builders of multi-family buildings to locate solar panels at a central location on-site and have the resulting credits allocated fairly among the residents. It is particularly useful for low-income developments, but VNEM can also be used for a stand-alone community solar project where the non-profit developer seeks allocation of the solar credits to neighboring low-income renters.
Electrification Resources
For more information about electrification, check out the 350 Sacramento Electrification Team, as well as these helpful electrification guides and resources.
Download the eBooklet (PDF)
“Today I challenge our nation to commit to producing 100% of our electricity from renewable energy and truly clean carbon-free sources within 10 years.”
– Al Gore, Former Vice President of the United States [photo credit: World Resources Institute Staff via Wikimedia]
Learn More About SMUD Watch
If you are interested in learning more about SMUD Watch or would like to sign up, please fill out the volunteer signup form and one of our team members will reach out to you soon.