SMUD recognized for its leadership in transitioning to a clean economy
Commits to zero carbon emissions by 2030
SMUD was recognized for its leadership in transitioning to a clean energy economy on the Smart Electric Power Alliance’s (SEPA) Utility Transformation Challenge leaderboard – a comprehensive assessment of U.S. electric utilities progress toward modern, carbon-free energy systems.
“We’re proud to be leading the way in decarbonizing our economy,” said SMUD CEO and General Manager Paul Lau. “We’re at a point where we must commit to ambitious goals in order to achieve meaningful carbon reductions that benefit our community and the world. Creating an inclusive, clean, green economy will improve economic, health and environmental outcomes, as well as drive a new, clean workforce and that’s something everyone can be excited about,” said Lau.
SMUD joins the leaderboard along with nine other utilities including Austin Energy, Consolidated Edison of New York, Green Mountain Power, Holyoke Gas and Electric Department, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric, Seattle City Light and Southern California Edison
The leaderboard was determined through a series of surveys designed to measure meaningful progress across utility infrastructure, programs, strategy and operations. Insights derived from these survey results form the basis for SEPA’s new report: the 2021 Utility Transformation Profile, which includes findings and recommendations for other utilities.
SEPA received survey responses from 135 utilities, representing more than 83 million customer accounts, or approximately 63 percent of all U.S. electric customer accounts. The report examines the utility industry’s transition to a clean and modern energy system by exploring four dimensions of utility transformation: Clean Energy Resources, Corporate Leadership, Modern Grid Enablement, and Aligned Actions and Engagement.
"These leaders stand out due to their comprehensive efforts to transition to a carbon-free energy future, and most importantly, their results," said SEPA President & CEO Julia Hamm. "We applaud the leaders for their progress and recognize that much work remains. The world does not have the luxury of time on carbon reduction."
SMUD has a long history of environmental leadership including its most recent plan to eliminate all carbon from electric utility generation by 2030. You can learn more about SMUD’s Zero Carbon by 2030 plan at smud.org/ZeroCarbon.
SMUD helped to pioneer renewable energy programs and standards. In 2018, SMUD successfully reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent from 1990 levels, the equivalent of removing 377,000 vehicles from the road. SMUD has reduced the carbon intensity of its power mix, which is now 50 percent carbon free on average, and also partnered to plant more than 600,000 shade trees throughout the Sacramento region to improve air quality, sequester carbon and reduce customer bills.
SMUD helped grow the local solar market by providing $130 million in customer incentives to install solar on over 15,000 local rooftops.
Furthermore, SMUD has led the way in electric vehicle development and deployment having worked with automakers and technology companies for the past 30 years to help test and optimize EVs and vehicle charging equipment. SMUD’s efforts and partnerships have already brought electric vehicles to underserved communities; electric school buses to local districts; clean public transportation; mobile battery charging stations and more.
About SEPA
The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) is dedicated to helping electric power stakeholders address the most pressing issues they encounter as they pursue the transition to a clean and modern electric future and a carbon-free energy system by 2050. We are a trusted partner providing education, research, standards, and collaboration to help utilities, electric customers, and other industry players across three pathways: Electrification, Grid Integration, Regulatory and Business Innovation. Through educational activities, working groups, peer-to-peer engagements and advisory services, SEPA convenes interested parties to facilitate information exchange and knowledge transfer to offer the highest value for our members and partner organizations. For more information, visit sepapower.org.
About SMUD
As the nation’s sixth-largest, community-owned, not-for-profit electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity to Sacramento County for nearly 75 years. SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. SMUD’s power mix is about 50 percent non-carbon emitting. For more information, visit smud.org.