Climate Registered™ Accelerator Spotlight:
California Department of Water Resources

By: Elsie Andreyev

California Department of Water Resources

Recognition Tier: Hero

The Climate Registry’s Climate Registered™ Accelerator Program celebrates organizations demonstrating leadership in comprehensive emissions accounting and reduction. One standout member is the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), recognized at the Hero level for its carbon neutrality goal and consistent, verifiable progress toward that vision. We commend DWR’s innovative engineering, renewable energy procurement, and operational efficiency improvements — all of which have propelled the agency toward its ambitious carbon neutrality goal by 2035.

DWR has demonstrated its commitment to climate leadership through transparent reporting, verified inventories, and a long-term decarbonization strategy. As of 2014, DWR achieved its interim target of reducing GHG emissions to 60% below 1990 levels by 2030 — 16 years ahead of schedule, and has maintained that progress annually.

“Our achievement of a Hero recognition level for the Climate Registered Accelerator under The Climate Registry highlights DWR’s commitment to sustainable operations,” said Natasha Nelson, DWR Sustainability Coordinator. “Our teams have gone beyond diversifying electrical supply and are always looking for innovative solutions to meet our next GHG reduction target. DWR continually strives to become nationally recognized for sustainable water management and environmental stewardship.”

 

Advancing Carbon Neutrality

DWR’s 2023 Climate Action Plan Update outlines a bold commitment to:

  • 100% zero-carbon electricity procurement for operations by 2035
  • Achieve carbon neutrality by 2035

 

Infrastructure Modernization

DWR is investing in additional measures in updating the State Water Project (SWP) through maintaining and improving unit efficiency and clean energy procurement.  Key achievements include:

1. Hydropower Efficiency Projects

Comprehensive turbine system upgrades including runner replacement and rehabilitation of turbine casing, generator, and associated ancillary equipment:

    • Annual GHG reduction: 2,296 mtCO₂e

2. Renewable Energy Portfolio

Executed contracts to increase the use of renewable energy to operate the SWP:

    • Solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and landfill gas power
    • Verified GHG Reductions in 2022: 93,000 mtCO₂e reduction

3. Local Renewable Programs

Purchased renewable energy from local utilities’ retail energy programs:

4. Zero-Carbon Power Supply

DWR operates its own fleet of hydro facilities, as part of its water supply operations, that total over 1500 MW of capacity.  It also has contracts for other hydro facilities and their energy.

 

Emissions Management & Energy Efficiency

DWR has also taken critical steps to reduce non-CO2 emissions and improve energy performance:

  • SF₆ Emission Reduction Program
    • Inventory tracking
    • Scale calibration and leak inspection
    • Canister reduction and regulatory compliance
  • Facility Energy Efficiency
    • Energy audits of all owned facilities
    • Developing inventory of fossil-fuel burning equipment and developing a 10-year plan to transition to electric alternatives
    • Implementation of building envelope, lighting, and HVAC upgrades

 

Members can submit an application today to be recognized as a Climate Registered™ Accelerator! Applications for the Climate Registered Accelerator are accepted year-round. If you missed our webinar detailing the criteria for the new program and how to apply, the recording and slide deck are available.