Sonoma County Launches Financing Program for Wildfire Safety and Seismic Improvements

The Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP) is now financing wildfire safety and seismic strengthening for both residential and commercial buildings.

Over the last ten years, the program has funded thousands of projects resulting in greenhouse gas emission reductions and job creation countywide.  This expansion adds a resiliency component for property owners to fortify their buildings against disasters, ultimately saving more emissions and further working towards climate saving efforts.

“The evolution of the Program originally implemented to meet climate change goals just made sense,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Susan Gorin. “As climate-related disasters come more frequently along with increased planned power shutoff occurrences, the ability to easily access funding is critical in our resilience as a County. Making our buildings safe and resilient can help protect lives and build sustainable communities to withstand disasters.”

Initially, the Program allowed property owners to finance energy efficiency and water conservation-related improvements through the property tax system as an assessment. The expansion adds dozens of improvements for existing buildings.

“The Sonoma County Energy Independence Program now offers commercial and residential property owners a financing option to increase the safety, resiliency and value of their largest investment and, in doing so, our entire community will benefit,” said the County’s Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector and Program Administrator, Erick Roeser.

For more information about the program and how it can be used to finance the purchase and installation of solar panels, battery back-up technology, and earthquake safety features, call (707) 565-6470 or email GSenergy@sonoma-county.org.

About the Sonoma County Energy and Sustainability Division: The Energy and Sustainability Division promotes and delivers solutions necessary to mitigate environmental impacts and prepare for climate change.