Energy and Water

Energy and water are essential for life. Access to water is considered a basic human right by the United Nations, and without energy we cannot do anything. The County is committed to ensuring Contra Costa residents have access to clean, affordable energy and water, as well as providing rebates and programs to help you make your home and business more resource efficient.

Energy Efficiency

All-Electric Buildings

On January 18, 2022, the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 2022/02 requiring new construction of all residential, hotel, office, and retail buildings to be all-electric. Adoption of the All-Electric Building Ordinance provides multiple benefits including:

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from building operations (i.e., by eliminating the use of natural gas-powered space heating, clothes dryers, and stovetops);
Lowering construction costs of new buildings since natural gas infrastructure (plumbing, metering, and venting) are not needed;
Implementing the County Board of Supervisor’s Climate Emergency Resolution (Resolution No. 2020/256);
Advancing the County’s Climate Action Plan greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals; and
Improving indoor air quality, health, and safety.

Learn more about the County’s All-Electric Building Ordinance.

Clean Energy

The County is working to develop more clean energy in Contra Costa County. The Renewable Resource Potential Study will move us toward this goal.

Community Choice Energy

As of April 2018, the majority of Contra Costa residents are buying electricity from MCE, a not-for-profit clean energy provider.

On March 24, 2020, the Board of Supervisors voted to go Deep Green 100% renewable with MCE for the majority of the County’s accounts. This decision went into effect for the County’s 2021-2022 fiscal year budget and is expected to eliminate over 1,500 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year. You can learn more and sign up for Deep Green by clicking here.

Water Policy

Contra Costa County is surrounded by water on its western, northern, and eastern sides. Ensuring that the San Francisco and San Pablo Bays, and the Delta, are healthy and vibrant is important to Contra Costa County’s quality of life and economic vitality. You can learn more about water policy in Contra Costa County.

Clean Water Program

The County Watershed Program and the Contra Costa Clean Water Program are managed by the County’s Public Works Department and make providing clean water and waterways throughout our County. Learn more about the Contra Costa Clean Water.