NPS photo

The park vehicle fleet will be replaced by electric vehicles.

Golden Gate is taking steps to join other parks in the Pacific West Region in becoming carbon neutral by 2016, the centennial of the National Park Service.

A carbon neutral park would generate no greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations, those of its partners and concessionaires, and eventually its visitors. Achieving this goal will require a major rethinking of park operations, as well as the advancement of new technologies.

The first step in becoming a carbon neutral park is to conduct a carbon emissions audit, in order to understand our greenhouse gas sources and how they can be reduced and eliminated. The park has completed this audit as part of becoming a Climate Friendly Park.

With this information, Golden Gate is now taking the most important step, which is energy efficiency and conservation. Park buildings are being upgraded with energy-efficient lighting and heating technologies. Insulation and weather-stripping will retain heat in the many historic buildings. The park’s vehicle fleet will be upgraded with fuel-efficient vehicles and eventually electric vehicles.

The next step will be the development of clean renewable energy within the park. This will provide “green” electrons to the park’s electrical grid, and further reduce its carbon footprint. Solar panels have already been installed at the Cavallo Point Lodge at Fort Baker, as well as small systems in the Marin Headlands and Muir Woods. The most ambitious project under development is a Sustainable Alcatraz, which will include a large solar system and on-site treatment of wastewater.

The final step in becoming a carbon neutral park will be the purchase of “green” electricity from renewable energy projects throughout the state. As an interim measure, this will allow the park to offset the current emissions generated by its power mix. Purchase of Renewable Energy Credits, or RECs, help promote the development of new renewable technologies that benefit everyone.