Regular-General Government # 35.
Board of Supervisors
County Administrator
- Meeting Date:
- 10/21/2025
- Brief Title
- Update on Yolo County Facilities Fossil Fuel Removal Inventory & Feasibility Study
From:
Michael Webb, County Administrator, County Administrator's Office
Staff Contact:
Kristen Wraithwall, Sustainability Manager, County Administrator's Office, x8047
Supervisorial District Impact:
Countywide
Subject
Receive update on Yolo County Facilities Fossil Fuel Removal Inventory & Feasibility Study. (No general fund impact) (Webb/Wraithwall) (Est. Staff Presentation: 5 min)
Recommended Action
Receive Update on Yolo County Facilities Fossil Fuel Removal Inventory & Feasibility Study.
Strategic Plan Goal(s)
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Sustainable Environment |
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Operational Excellence |
Reason for Recommended Action/Background
Scope of Work
On September 2020, the Board of Supervisors (Board) declared a climate crisis through Resolution No. 20-114, creating the Yolo County Climate Action Commission (YCCAC) and setting the stage for development of the County’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). Among the early actions identified by the YCCAC was the need to understand how fossil fuels are used across County operations and to evaluate opportunities for transitioning to electric alternatives.
In July 2023, the Board allocated $300,000 in American Rescue Plan funds to support this effort. Following a competitive Request for Proposals process, the County contracted with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. to conduct a Fossil Fuel Removal Inventory and Feasibility Study. The study focused on cataloging existing fossil fuel use, identifying potential replacement options, and outlining pathways for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the County’s carbon negative by 2030 goal.
AECOM worked with County staff to review energy and fleet data, conduct site visits, and assess 28 County facilities. The study identified 397 pieces of fossil fuel equipment—primarily used for heating, water heating, kitchens, and laundry—and evaluated their potential for replacement with electric alternatives.
Energy Consumption Baseline
Existing utility data provided by the County was reviewed to establish an energy consumption baseline. Electricity and natural gas are supplied by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to Yolo County’s facilities. In 2023, the County purchased the following energy:
On September 2020, the Board of Supervisors (Board) declared a climate crisis through Resolution No. 20-114, creating the Yolo County Climate Action Commission (YCCAC) and setting the stage for development of the County’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). Among the early actions identified by the YCCAC was the need to understand how fossil fuels are used across County operations and to evaluate opportunities for transitioning to electric alternatives.
In July 2023, the Board allocated $300,000 in American Rescue Plan funds to support this effort. Following a competitive Request for Proposals process, the County contracted with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. to conduct a Fossil Fuel Removal Inventory and Feasibility Study. The study focused on cataloging existing fossil fuel use, identifying potential replacement options, and outlining pathways for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the County’s carbon negative by 2030 goal.
AECOM worked with County staff to review energy and fleet data, conduct site visits, and assess 28 County facilities. The study identified 397 pieces of fossil fuel equipment—primarily used for heating, water heating, kitchens, and laundry—and evaluated their potential for replacement with electric alternatives.
Energy Consumption Baseline
Existing utility data provided by the County was reviewed to establish an energy consumption baseline. Electricity and natural gas are supplied by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to Yolo County’s facilities. In 2023, the County purchased the following energy:
- 6,812,357 kilowatt-hour (kWh) (23,243,762 kbtu) of electricity
- 208,525 therms (20,848,323 kbtu) of natural gas
In addition, Yolo County generated 917,282 kWh (3,129,766 kbtu) of electricity from County-owned solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Using PG&E’s published Power Content Mix for 2023, which outlines the greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) per unit of electricity generated, Yolo County’s equivalent GHG emissions based on purchased energy usage were calculated.
An existing inventory of the County’s fleet was also reviewed to determine existing greenhouse gas emissions associated with fleet operations, which accounted for almost half of the County’s energy-consumption GHG emissions in 2023. Yolo County’s total emissions from energy consumption in 2023 is summarized below:
An existing inventory of the County’s fleet was also reviewed to determine existing greenhouse gas emissions associated with fleet operations, which accounted for almost half of the County’s energy-consumption GHG emissions in 2023. Yolo County’s total emissions from energy consumption in 2023 is summarized below:
| Table 1: Yolo County 2023 Energy Consumption GHG Emissions Summary by Emission Source | 2023 GHG Emissions (kgCO2e) |
| Electricity | 965,492 |
| Natural Gas | 1,105,182 |
| Vehicle Fleet | 2,083,592 |
| Total | 4,154,266 |
Facility Analysis
A total of 28 facilities were audited to inventory fossil fuel-consuming equipment, including equipment capacity. End uses for different fossil fuel equipment identified included space heating, domestic water heating, cooking, and laundry. Based on this inventory, fossil fuel equipment replacement options were identified based on type of equipment and capacity. A total of 397 pieces of fossil fuel equipment were identified to be replaced with electric alternatives.
An electrification feasibility assessment was then conducted to determine if existing electrical infrastructure at each facility can accommodate new electric equipment. Five buildings were found to not meet the electrical feasibility requirements with decarbonization efforts applied and would require infrastructure upgrades, however the remaining County buildings can accommodate electrification with existing infrastructure. Buildings that would require electrical infrastructure upgrades include 70 Cottonwood Street, Ag. Extension, Animal Shelter and Annex, and Boat and Evidence Storage.
Cost Benefit Analysis
A cost benefit analysis was conducted to determine the most cost-effective electrification projects. It was estimated that it would cost the County approximately $12.8 million to completely replace all fossil fuel equipment, including the necessary electrical upgrades. It was found that for all facilities there are limited operational cost savings when compared to the Business-As-Usual (BAU) scenario, due to the current cost of electricity in comparison to natural gas. However, the overall net energy consumption (natural gas and electricity) would decrease due to increased efficiencies of electric heat pump equipment compared to fossil fuel equipment. By converting to more electric energy supply and reducing the overall energy consumption, there will be a corresponding reduction in GHG emissions.
Using results from the cost benefit analysis a prioritization matrix was developed that ranked each project type per building against (6) key evaluation criteria, including:
- Remaining Useful Life (RUL) of equipment.
- Electrical capacity/upgrade needs.
- Facility priority (critical operations, safety).
- Upcoming remodel schedule.
- Refrigerant type (phase-out needs, high vs. low GWP).
- GHG Reduction potential.
Through scoring each project against these County priorities, each project type by building was ranked and prioritized implementation.
Implementation Scenarios
To evaluate the emissions, energy and financial impact of implementing electrification projects overtime, scenario modeling was done using three different scenarios developed as potential implementation pathways:
Implementation Scenarios
To evaluate the emissions, energy and financial impact of implementing electrification projects overtime, scenario modeling was done using three different scenarios developed as potential implementation pathways:
- Scenario 1: Electrification projects are implemented when systems reach the end of their useful life.
- Lower upfront cost; favorable finances.
- Does not meet 2030 net-negative goal.
- Scenario 2: Electrification projects are implemented based on the priority matrix and all projects are implemented prior to 2030 to ensure the County meets its net negative carbon goal.
- Meets climate goal.
- High capital cost; requires significant external funding
- Scenario 3: Electrification projects are implemented based on the prioritization matrix, but capital expenditure is assumed to be only up to $375,000 per year.
- Slower, more affordable.
- Fails to meet 2030 goal; natural gas equipment remains on-line beyond 2050.
Results for each scenario included GHG emissions reduction, energy consumption impact, utility cost impact, total cost of ownership (TCO), and the County’s expected energy consumption mix (electricity vs natural gas) in the targeted decarbonization year of 2030. Scenarios 1 and 3 offered an approach that aligned equipment replacement with existing system RUL, and had more favorable financials versus Scenario 2, but do not result in the County’s net negative goal being achieved. Thus, securing funding or financing opportunities that will reduce capital cost requirements will help ensure that the decarbonized scenarios have a lower TCO for financial effectiveness of decarbonization.
Tracking Dashboard
A Yolo County Municipal Portfolio Fossil Fuel Removal Dashboard was developed for the County to track and record County energy consumption and emissions toward meeting a net negative carbon goal. Staff also have the ability to develop their own scenarios, assigning implementation years to electrification projects, based on building location and equipment type, to serve as a planning tool. This can help the County determine a preferred list of high priority projects that can enter planning and design phases in the near term toward making progress in meeting its net negative carbon goal.
Summary and Next Steps
Tracking Dashboard
A Yolo County Municipal Portfolio Fossil Fuel Removal Dashboard was developed for the County to track and record County energy consumption and emissions toward meeting a net negative carbon goal. Staff also have the ability to develop their own scenarios, assigning implementation years to electrification projects, based on building location and equipment type, to serve as a planning tool. This can help the County determine a preferred list of high priority projects that can enter planning and design phases in the near term toward making progress in meeting its net negative carbon goal.
Summary and Next Steps
- AECOM's report highlights that removing fossil fuels from County operations by 2030 will be extremely difficult, as full electrification is very costly (estimated at $12.8 million dollars).
- Given the implementation scenarios above and the County's current budget reality, it is unlikely that we will meet net-negative emissions by 2030 for our municipal operations.
- It is critical to note that this is separate from the Community-wide goal of reaching net-negative emissions by 2030 (as set forth by Resolution No. 20-114).
- Progress on the overall Community-wide emission reduction goal will be reassessed in 2027.
- The good news is that forward progress is still being made, as is outlined below. Furthermore, AECOM's report identifies that low-hanging fruit (certain facilities/equipment) still exist, and staff will coordinate to identify projects to move forward.
- CAO and Department of General Services staff will work together to identify key projects to integrate into the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
- The new Energy Manager will play a critical role in coordinating with Sustainability Division staff on these discussions moving forward.
- Already Implemented by the General Services Department (GSD):
- Redesigned the new construction of the Agriculture Department Corporation Yard to be all-electric with two fleet electric vehicle chargers.
- Designed the new construction of the Walnut Park Library to be all-electric plus above-minimum building code requirements for energy efficiency and distributed generation technology.
- Applied for and received a California Energy Commission grant as part of a consortium of UC Davis and the City of Davis to implement demand response strategies at County facilities with partial funding support for an energy manager.
- Installed 13 public-facing electric vehicle charging stations on County property.
- Applied for and received a Pacific Gas & Electric grant with the Department of Community Services' Fleet Division to design and build a Fleet Yard electric vehicle charging station consisting of two fast chargers and seven level-2 chargers.
- Near-term (2025–27):
- CAO and GSD staff will refine project list to align with/integrate into CIP, beginning with high-priority facilities (based on RUL + feasibility).
- Staff will coordinate with the incoming Energy Manager to identify distributed generation opportunities and improvements (including new solar, updating existing arrays, improving aging solar trackers, etc.).
- Staff to pursue grant/funding opportunities.
- Mid-term (2027–30):
- Staff to scale fleet electrification (target high-mileage vehicles first).
- GSD staff will identify opportunities to bundle projects (i.e., removing gas-powered hot water heaters) with major remodels.
- Ongoing:
- Staff will use FF Removal Dashboard for project tracking.
- Staff will work to integrate electrification into all future facility and fleet planning.
Collaborations (including Board advisory groups and external partner agencies)
Department of Community Services, General Services Department, County Administrator's Office, Committee on Capital Investments, Climate Action Commission.
Fiscal Impact
No Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact (Expenditure)
- Total cost of recommended action:
- $ 0
- Amount budgeted for expenditure:
- $ 0
- Additional expenditure authority needed:
- $ 0
- On-going commitment (annual cost):
- $
Source of Funds for this Expenditure
- General Fund
- $0
Attachments
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Pistochini | Ryan Pistochini | 10/15/2025 02:03 PM |
| Mark Bryan | Mark Bryan | 10/15/2025 04:16 PM |
| Michael Webb | Mark Bryan | 10/16/2025 12:52 PM |
| Yen Nguyen | Yen Nguyen | 10/16/2025 02:07 PM |
| Mark Bryan | Mark Bryan | 10/16/2025 04:07 PM |
| Mark Bryan | Mark Bryan | 10/16/2025 04:15 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Kristen Wraithwall
- Started On:
- 10/02/2025 01:40 PM
- Final Approval Date:
- 10/16/2025