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City of Arcata

Beacon Participant Profile

“Although the City has reduced emissions by 30 percent within the Municipal sector through energy efficiency upgrades and the installation of grid-tied, rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at City Hall and the Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center, overall energy use has not decreased within the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, according to an update inventory of community-wide GHG emissions conducted in 2007. Despite this, the City continues to strive to reduce emissions and is developing additional GHG reduction targets to reflect the community’s efforts.” – City of Arcata Website

About Arcata

  • Incorporated: 1858
  • Population: 17,730 (2014) 
  • Location: 280 miles north of San Francisco, adjacent to the Arcata Bay in Humboldt County
  • Elevation: 23 feet
  • Area: 11 square miles

Climate Action Activities

Climate Action Resources

Awards

Agency Energy Savings

  • Gold Level, 12% (2013)

Agency Natural Gas Savings

  • Silver Level, 8% (2015)

Agency Greenhouse Gas Reductions

Community Greenhouse Gas Reductions

  • Silver Level, 6% (2020)

Sustainability Best Practices

  • Platinum Level (2015)
Resource

Arcata Approves Contract for Marketing Carbon Emission Reduction

In October 2009 the Arcata city council approved an agreement with Pacific Gas & Electric to sell verified emissions reductions.

Post

Arcata’s Innovative Wastewater Treatment Facility Serves as a Wildlife Sanctuary

The City of Arcata’s Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, located on the northern edge of Humboldt Bay, is home to the city’s innovative wastewater facility and 307-acre sanctuary that provides homes and resting places for over 300 species of birds.

Like all other wastewater treatment plants, raw sewage enters the treatment system through a typical mechanical setup where it passes through bar screens, grit separators and digestors to remove solid materials and debris.

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