Sustainability and Conservation Initiatives

Los Alamos County Sustainability Manager Angelica Gurule is heading up a sustainability initiative. This initiative aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and advance other sustainable practices county-wide.

This effort is guided by the many recommendations presented by the Los Alamos Resiliency, Energy and Sustainability (LARES) citizen task force in February 2022 (See the below for additional information on this task force and their final report). 

Help shape future electric vehicle charging infrastructure

All who live, work, or play in Los Alamos County are invited to take part in an important community survey to help shape the future of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure across the community. The survey can be accessed at lacnm.com/EVSurvey and will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, July 31.

Community feedback will directly inform decision-making around where to install new chargers and how to prioritize features such as accessibility, charging speed, and location types (e.g., parks, retail areas, or workplaces).

The survey takes only a few minutes to complete and includes questions about driving and charging habits, current barriers to EV adoption, and preferred charging locations. More information about the survey and the project is available on the Fleet Conversion and EV Charging Plan webpage. Results from the survey will be posted on the same site once available.

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Climate Action Plan

2024 Nov 12 at 6 p.m.: The Los Alamos County Council adopted the Climate Action Plan.  (Watch the recording and read the agenda documents.)   Public engagement for the process to develop the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and the subsequent Climate Action Plan were guided by Public Information and Involvement Plan(PDF, 251KB).

Final Climate Action Plan(PDF, 9MB)

• Appendix-A.-Sector-Based-GHG-Emissions-Inventory-Report.pdf (PDF, 1MB)
• Appendix-B.-Consumption-Based-GHG-Emissions-Inventory-Report.pdf (PDF, 3MB)
• Appendix-C.-Baseline-Policy-Assessment-Memo.pdf (PDF, 2MB)
• Appendix-D.-Zero-Waste-Strategy.pdf (PDF, 1MB)
• Appendix-E.-Survey-Summary.pdf (PDF, 4MB)
• Appendix-G.-Focus-Groups-and-Individual-Interviews-Summary.pdf (PDF, 1MB)
• Appendix-H.-County-Commuting-Survey-Results.pdf (PDF, 937KB)
• Appendix-I.-GHG-Reduction-Strategies-Quantification-Methodology-Findings.pdf (PDF, 1MB)
• Appendix-J.-Implementation-Matrix-by-Timeframe.pdf (PDF, 970KB)

(CAP Action Analysis excel workbook - multiple worksheets)

 

2024 Aug 10: The comment period for the DRAFT Climate Action Plan has closed. Thank you to those who took the time to submit a comment. We are reviewing comments and will begin working on a final Climate Action Plan to take to the Council in the Fall.  You can still view and read the DRAFT CAP(PDF, 16MB).

2024 Jul 09 - Aug 09 at 11:59 p.m.: Los Alamos County and Cascadia are accepting comments on the DRAFT Climate action plan.  Visit https://losalamosCAP.konveio.com to leave your comments.  Need assistance?  We've recorded some instructions on how to leave your comments. 

2024 Jul 09: Los Alamos County's consultant Cascadia presented the DRAFT Climate Action Plan to the County Council.  Watch the July 9th council meeting.  

2024 Apr 02: Los Alamos County held a interactive Community Workshop regarding the Climate Action Plan (what actions and strategies should be included in the development of the draft Plan). Download the meeting summary notes(PDF, 760KB), the April 2, 2024 PowerPoint presentation(PDF, 3MB).

2024 Mar 05:  View the recorded video of Cascadia's presentation to the County Council.  Download the PowerPoint presentation(PDF, 5MB) on the findings of the recently completed greenhouse gas inventory that analyzed the sources and levels of greenhouse gases emitted(PDF, 1MB)  within the county and the possible actions and strategies(PDF, 706KB) that may need to be added to the Climate Actions Plan to achieve the council goals. 

2023 Dec: Read the GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS INVENTORY (Los Alamos Greenhouse Gas Study)

Projects

The following projects are currently underway.  These strategies are identified in the adopted Climate Action Plan to help Los Alamos County reduce its carbon emissions.

• Fleet Conversion Plan and Community-Wide EV Charging Plan
• Municipal Food Composting Project

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Carbon Footprint Calculator

Do you know what your carbon footprint looks like? Try out this calculator through UC Berkley!

Cool Climate Carbon Footprint Calculator

Questions and Comments

>Questions or Comments?

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Additional Resources

Find out more about how the Eco Station is being proactive to address sustainability, and learn about building sustainably on the Environmental Services Waste and Recycling page.

Don't forget to visit the Dept. of Public Utilities Conserve and Reduce webpage or the Zero Waste Los Alamos webpage for ways to be proactive in your own home.

            

Lower Your Carbon Footprint

What steps can you take to positively impact climate change? Utilize tools available now to help calculate your current carbon footprint, take steps in your day-to-day activities to make an impact, and plan for ways to increase your impact at home. A wide variety of resources are available right at your finger tips. Start with the links below!

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Climate Action Plan

Los Alamos County is creating an official plan will help achieve the County Council’s strategic goal of Environmental Stewardship and keep Los Alamos County on target to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Natural Gas Reduction

Los Alamos County is creating an official plan will help achieve the County Council’s strategic goal of Environmental Stewardship and keep Los Alamos County on target to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Electricity

Los Alamos County is creating an official plan will help achieve the County Council’s strategic goal of Environmental Stewardship and keep Los Alamos County on target to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Transportation and Mobility

Los Alamos County is creating an official plan will help achieve the County Council’s strategic goal of Environmental Stewardship and keep Los Alamos County on target to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Waste, Consumption & Natural Resources

Los Alamos County is creating an official plan will help achieve the County Council’s strategic goal of Environmental Stewardship and keep Los Alamos County on target to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Los Alamos Resiliency, Energy and Sustainability (LARES)

The Los Alamos Resiliency, Energy & Sustainability Task Force (a citizen task force in 2021) that created greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and climate change resiliency recommendations to the Council. View their final report and recommendations.