Menlo Spark
“Thanks to the Sand Hill Foundation, we’re able to reach more low-income households, offering clean electric upgrades and other health and safety improvements for families.” — Diane Bailey, Executive Director
Menlo Spark is community-based organization that partners with businesses, residents, and governments to improve sustainability in Menlo Park and other surrounding communities. Their mission is to help cities adopt a suite of measures by 2025 that are necessary to reach zero carbon by 2030. Their work is guided by a strong sense of equity, and the goal to serve the community with sustainability programs that improve resilience, reduce air pollution, and empower people to take action on climate in their local community.
Sand Hill Foundation partners with Menlo Spark in support of its Fossil Free Buildings Silicon Valley (FFBSV) Campaign. This campaign coalition works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and promote electrification in Silicon Valley. According to the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability, buildings account for approximately 40% of the County’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Menlo Spark’s FFBSV Campaign has achieved significant policy successes, such as the adoption of reach codes in 18 cities on the Peninsula including Daly City, South San Francisco, and Redwood City. Reach codes are local building codes that require new construction or major renovations to exceed State energy efficiency standards. Since 2019, the FFBSV Campaign has helped 27 cities to adopt policies that avoid gas in existing buildings and in new construction. Their advocacy represents half of all such policies in California, making Menlo Park a local leader in addressing the impacts of climate change.
Through a grant from the foundation, Menlo Spark has been able to expand its outreach efforts and engage community members in promoting electrification by organizing workshops on topics such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure and home energy efficiency upgrades. The organization is partnering with Community Choice Aggregation agencies, counties, and cities to develop affordable programs to replace gas in existing homes and buildings, ensuring accessible and affordable energy options for working families in our region.
Initiatives like the Fossil Free Buildings Campaign serve as a model for other cities looking to address climate change at a local level – and help create a healthier and more sustainable San Mateo County for future generations.
