BART releases Sustainability Report highlighting its commitment to green energy
BART has released its annual Sustainability Report this week, highlighting BART's 100% GHG-free electricity sourcing and other commitments to sustainability.
"Our commitment to providing safe, affordable, equitable, and environmentally friendly public transportation will guide us toward our goals," said BART General Manager Bob Powers in his introductory statement. "If you are a BART rider or employee, consider yourself part of the solution."
BART's highlight in the 2021 Sustainability Report was the District is now powered by 100% GHG-free electricity with further plans to rely on renewable energy in the near future. In 2021, BART onboarded two new renewable energy projects, Sky River Wind (30 megawatts) and Slate Solar (50.5 megawatts) that will provide electricity under long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs). Both projects are expected to provide nearly half of BART's total annual electricity supply for the next few decades. BART transitioned to 100% greenhouse gas-free contracted electric supply in 2020 using a diverse mix of hydroelectric and solar generation.
BART also accomplished new goals in 2021 to make progress in its sustainability goals. BART's new BART headquarters building in Oakland is on track to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification. In addition, BART's Antioch Maintenance Facility received LEED Silver Certification.
In 2021, the BART Board unanimously adopted its first ever electric vehicle (EV) charging policy to assist the District in providing and maintaining EV charging infrastructure for stakeholders and riders for years to come. The new EV Charging Policy supports federal and state goals for zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption, charging infrastructure installation, and clean energy integration to assist California and the United States reduce carbon emissions from transportation.
For Earth Day, BART profiled riders and measured their carbon footprint taking BART versus driving to the same spot. As the report notes: Taking BART to the same place every day for one month emits less CO2 than driving the same route just once.