Based on “City of Fresno’s Journey to ZNE” by Ann Kloose, Smart Energy Decisions.
Achieving Zero Net Energy (ZNE) is a bold goal for any city—but for the City of Fresno, the journey has been defined not by aspirational targets, but by practical, measurable action. In a recent column for Smart Energy Decisions, Ann Kloose, Sustainability Division Manager for the City of Fresno, shared how the city transformed financial constraints, operational complexity, and competing stakeholder priorities into one of the most successful municipal clean-energy transitions in California.
Below are the key insights from the City of Fresno’s journey—and what other public agencies can take away as they plan their own paths.
1. Resetting the Goal: Make ZNE Realistic and Actionable
The City of Fresno began with a 2030 ZNE goal but lacked the upfront capital to make that achievable. What unlocked progress was a strategic reframing:
- Focus on cost savings rather than just emissions dashboards
- Connect clean energy to what residents care about most—like improving air quality
- Allow flexibility to reset objectives as the city learned and conditions evolved
This shift away from rigid targets toward meaningful action set the foundation for all future work.
2. Building Support by Aligning Interests
Political leaders wanted guaranteed savings.
Residents wanted cleaner air.
City staff wanted reliable infrastructure.
The City of Fresno succeeded by identifying these shared objectives and positioning energy projects as a solution to all three. This paved the way for collaboration across departments and ongoing leadership support, two critical components of long-range success.
3. Start with Efficiency to Build Momentum
Before adding solar, the City of Fresno tackled inefficiencies across 76 municipal facilities, including major buildings like City Hall and the wastewater treatment plant.
Upgrades included:
- LED lighting
- HVAC modernization
- Controls optimization
- Transformer replacement
- Wastewater aeration improvements
The city also converted 43,000 streetlights to LEDs, using interest-free on-bill financing.
Impact:
More than 21 million kWh saved annually and over $108 million in projected 20-year savings from efficiency upgrades alone..
4. Scaling Solar Through Strategic Partnerships
The City of Fresno made its biggest gains not alone, but through collaboration.
Working through SPURR’s Renewable Energy Aggregated Procurement (REAP) Program, and the awarded energy developer ForeFront Power, the city pursued one of California’s largest municipal behind-the-meter renewable deployments:
- ~34 MW of solar and storage added across 10 sites
- A flagship 19.4 MW-DC solar + battery system at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility
- Solar offset increased from 1.7% to more than 46% in just five years
This model demonstrates how public agencies can leverage Joint Powers Authorities (JPAs), such as SPURR, to access competitive pricing, streamlined procurement, and long-term energy stability—without requiring new capital budgets.
5. Real Savings, Real Impact
Across all efficiency and renewable initiatives combined, the City of Fresno is projected to achieve:
- $298 million in total savings over 20 years
- 190+ local, prevailing-wage jobs created
- Emissions reductions equivalent to:
- Removing 12,000+ cars from the road
- Planting 875,000+ trees over 10 years
- Avoiding 50,000+ metric tons of CO₂
This is what it looks like when sustainability and fiscal responsibility work hand in hand..
6. Failure, Learning, and Course Correction Are Part of the Process
Kloose is clear: the city faced “unimaginable challenges.” But rather than derail progress, these setbacks reinforced the importance of:
- Long-term partners
- Adaptable planning
- Transparent stakeholder communication
- A willingness to reset goals as needed
The City of Fresno’s ZNE strategy shows that success is not linear—what matters is sustained momentum.
The Work Isn’t Finished—But the Path Is Clear
Though the City of Fresno acknowledges it isn’t fully ZNE yet, it’s far closer than many cities with larger budgets and more resources. By combining pragmatic planning with innovative procurement and strong partnerships, the city has built a model that other public agencies can follow.
SPURR is proud to have supported the City of Fresno’s progress—and we look forward to helping more local governments accelerate their clean energy transitions.