Sonoma County Energy Independence Program now available to City of Santa Rosa property owners

The County of Sonoma’s Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing option - a part of the County’s Energy Independence Program (SCEIP) - is now available to property owners within the City of Santa Rosa for wildfire and seismic structural hardening of  homes and businesses. The Santa Rosa City Council approved the city’s participation in the program on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Incorporated municipalities in Sonoma County must approve of participation before property owners within their communities are allowed to take part in the program.  

The program is managed by Sonoma County’s Energy and Sustainability Division within the General Services Department and has funded thousands of projects over the last 10 years, resulting in a reduction of 105,530 metric tons of carbon emissions over the life of the program. The program also has generated some 1,700 jobs created since 2009. In January of this year, the Board of Supervisors authorized to expand the offering to include a resiliency component for property owners to fortify their buildings against disasters.  

“Financing for home safety improvements is critical when people are ready and willing but unable due to cost”, said Nancy Brown, PhD, the County’s Department of Emergency Management’s Community Preparedness Program Manager.  “Making improvements creates resiliency and helps keep the community safe”.  

Initially, the program allowed property owners to finance energy efficiency and water conservation-related improvements as a property tax assessment. Since its expansion in the County earlier this year, the program has seen an increase in both inquiries and applications for improvements such as Class A roofing, covered gutters, siding, windows, and earthquake retrofitting.  The expansion brings the list of eligible measures to more than 100.     

For more information about the program and how it can be used to finance the purchase and installation of solar panels, battery back-up technology, and earthquake safety features, call (707) 565-6470, or email GSenergy@sonoma-county.org.  

About the Sonoma County Energy and Sustainability Division: The Energy and Sustainability Division promotes and delivers solutions necessary to mitigate environmental impacts and prepare for climate change.