San Mateo recognized for leading in energy efficiency

San Mateo took another top spot in the nation this week when the city was recognized as one of 50 communities throughout the country that are leading the way on energy efficiency.

At a press event in Washington D.C., it was announced that San Mateo officially advanced to the semifinal round of the Georgetown University Energy Prize.

“It is an honor to reach the semifinalist round of this national competition,” says San Mateo Mayor, Maureen Freschet. “San Mateo has been addressing climate change since 2006. We are in the process of updating our Climate Action Plan that identifies specific incentives and goals for meeting energy efficiency measures. Our community is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and the Georgetown Energy Prize helps to elevate all we are doing.”

Nueva School at Bay Meadows is on the cutting-edge in design for energy efficiency.

Nueva School at Bay Meadows is on the cutting-edge in design for energy efficiency.

Bay Meadows is an integral part of San Mateo’s sustainability story. With Caltrain conveniently adjacent to our village, residents and workers have easy access to public transit, which helps minimize reliance on automobiles, the single greatest contributor to greenhouse gases.

Our streets and public spaces are designed with walkability and bikability at top of mind. Bay Meadows’ 18 acres of parks at Bay Meadows encourage an active, healthful and engaged lifestyle. In addition, Bay Meadows’ state-of-the-art construction and design are as energy-efficient as possible – minimizing fossil-fuel consumption, recycling concrete and asphalt, replanting trees, employing advanced storm-water systems and using sustainable materials.

With San Mateo’s focus on innovating in environmental sustainability, it is no wonder that the city is one of only five Bay Area communities competing for the Energy Prize. Other cities are Sunnyvale, Fremont, Palo Alto and Berkeley.

Bay Meadows’ resident Rafael Reyes chairs San Mateo’s newly created Sustainability Commission. “We are thrilled to be a semifinalist for the Georgetown Energy Prize and see it as a great opportunity for our community to demonstrate our leadership and innovation in the realm of municipal and residential energy efficiency.”

For more information about San Mateo’s efforts, please visit the sustainability pages on the City’s website, or contact Kathy Kleinbaum at (650) 522-7153.

Conveniently located between San Francisco and Palo Alto in San Mateo, Bay Meadows offers new homes for sale and for rent within walking distance of Caltrain. Ease of transportation is only one of the many amazing aspects of Bay Meadows. Beautiful, new, clean homes sit among 18-acres of parks, a community garden, and within walking distance of Whole Foods, Chipotle, Crunch Fitness and more. Learn more about our ‘hood by following our Facebook page.