| 100% Renewable Energy for Fremont | | | | Fremont residents are now powered by renewable energy! Today, August 1, the default electricity service plan for residents switched to Renewable 100 through Ava Community Energy (Ava), Fremont's electricity provider. Renewable 100
This plan includes 100% renewable energy from clean sources like wind and solar and marks a major milestone for Fremont, as it is outlined in our Climate Action Plan. It will provide cleaner energy to residents and businesses and achieve the high-priority goal of reducing community-wide greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable 100 is priced slightly above the other available service plans, costing about $3–$6 more per month than Ava's Bright Choice plan (Fremont's default plan since 2018) and $1–$4 more per month than PG&E. Only residents have been transitioned to Renewable 100; commercial customers will be transitioned in August 2026. CARE, FERA, Medical Baseline, and customers who have either elected to stay on Bright Choice or opted out of Ava service to PG&E have not been transitioned. Even with Fremont's transition to Renewable 100, residents can still change their plan at any time by visiting AvaEnergy.org/Fremont. It will take one to two billing cycles for a change to take effect. Ava Community Energy (Ava)
Ava is a not-for-profit public agency that provides electricity generation service for Alameda County and parts of San Joaquin County. While PG&E still handles the delivery of electricity to your home—including maintaining the electric grid, handling billing, and resolving outages—Ava is responsible for sourcing and supplying the electricity that PG&E delivers. For more information, visit AvaEnergy.org/Fremont or contact Ava's customer support team at 833-699-3223 (weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or customer-support@AvaEnergy.org. Ava staff will also be available in person to answer questions during the Fremont Festival of the Arts (August 2-3) and the Festival of India (August 16-17). | | | Federal Tax Credits Ending Soon | | | | The City is sharing the following information about federal tax credits that are set to expire soon. Clean Vehicle Tax Credits
These federal tax credits are still available—but not for long. Buyers can currently save up to $7,500 on new EV purchases or leases and up to $4,000 on used EVs. However, these credits are scheduled to expire on September 30, 2025, due to recent policy changes. Anyone considering an EV purchase is encouraged to act now to take advantage of these savings before they expire. Learn more about the tax credits, including eligibility requirements and qualifying vehicles. EVs remain a smart long-term investment. Although EVs typically have a higher upfront cost, owners often recoup that difference through significant fuel savings and lower maintenance costs. In additional to financial benefits, EVs produce far fewer emissions, making them a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional gasoline cars. Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit
This tax credit offers savings on home upgrades such as heat pumps, insulation, windows, doors, and heat pump water heaters. Due to recent legislation, this credit is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2025. Anyone considering these types of home upgrades is encouraged to act now. Learn more about the tax credit. For incentives specifically for heat pump water heaters, visit Tech Clean California. | | | Countywide Transportation Plan | | | | Provide your feedback on the update of the Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP) for Alameda County! The CTP establishes a transportation vision and goals, as well as identifies transportation needs and priorities for Alameda County. The CTP is managed by the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC), which is responsible for countywide transportation planning, major regional project development/funding/construction, and regional transportation program implementation. Providing your input will help shape the future of the regional transportation system within Alameda County especially for people who walk, bike, roll, drive, and ride transit. You can get involved in the CTP update in the following ways: - Fill out the community survey to provide feedback on transportation needs and priorities;
- Share your personal transportation experiences via the open Share My Story form; and
- Visit ACTC staff at scheduled community events throughout the county, including the upcoming Fremont Festival of Arts on August 2 and 3.
For more information on the CTP update, including a list of upcoming community events, visit the ACTC website. You can also sign up for ACTC's email list to receive notifications of future engagement opportunities. | | | A Safe and Sustainable Return to School | | | | Fremont public schools start school on Tuesday, August 12, and the City is encouraging a safe, healthy, and environmentally conscious start to the school year. Safe Routes to School
Fremont's Safe Routes to School program is aimed at making it safer and easier for students to walk and bike to school. By offering tools like recommended route maps, the program helps families plan safer, more convenient school commutes. Walking or biking doesn't just improve physical health—it's also been linked to greater happiness and better academic performance among students. Fewer car trips also mean less traffic congestion near schools and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which supports Fremont's Climate Action Plan goal of reducing emissions by 30% from 2018 levels by 2030. Learn more about the program. E-Bike Rebate Program
Consider an electric bike for your school commute! Through their new Ava Bike Electric Program, Fremont's electricity provider, Ava Community Energy (Ava), is offering their residential customers and/or Alameda County residents the opportunity to enter a random drawing for a chance to save $400 to $1,500 on a new e-bike. Once you apply and are deemed eligible, you'll be entered into monthly random drawings for a chance to receive an instant rebate. Drawings will be held every month until September 2026. Two Fremont bike shops are participating in the program and accepting the rebates: CentriPEDAL Bikes and The Bicycle Garage. This makes it easy to shop and support local businesses! Learn more and apply. Traffic Safety Tips - Drivers: Be alert and slow down near schools. Watch for students walking, biking, or crossing the street.
- Cyclists: In California, cyclists under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet on bikes and e-bikes. Also, safe cycling includes lights and reflective gear on bikes and riders and maintaining a safe speed.
- Parents/guardians: Set aside time to talk with your kids about safety before the first day. Practice walking or biking the route together.
- All commuters: If you must drive, consider parking further from school and walking a few blocks; it reduces congestion and gives you a few extra steps.
- View the City's Back to School Safety Tips Flyer.
- Join Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools for Walking Together: A Webinar on Community-Led Safe Routes Program Implementation on Thursday, August 7 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. The webinar will highlight community-led program implementation and how community members are making streets safer for students. Learn more and register.
Zero-Waste Tips - Take inventory of what you already have at home.
- Use tins or reusable containers instead of plastic lunch boxes or bags.
- Buy secondhand supplies and books when possible.
- Choose eco-friendly, non-toxic, or recycled materials.
- Pack reusable bottles and plan meals to reduce waste.
Remember to join My Climate Ready Fremont to track all the actions you're taking to reduce your carbon footprint and support a climate ready Fremont! | | | Mark Your Calendar for Coastal Cleanup Day | | | | The City is excited to participate in National Coastal Cleanup Day again this year on Saturday, September 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We'll be hosting various volunteer cleanup events throughout Fremont to keep our local creeks and waterways free from litter and debris. This year's event will include a Trashure Hunt! Special "trash" items will be hidden at cleanup sites all across the state, including one site in Fremont. If you find one of these items, you'll be able to redeem it for a valuable prize. Mark your calendar for Wednesday, August 20 at 6:00 a.m. Registration for our cleanup events will open at this time, and spots can fill up quickly. To register, visit our webpage. To receive registration information by email, sign up for our interest list. Join us to make a significant impact! By reducing waste and protecting our natural resources, we can make a real difference. Last year, 247 volunteers collected 920 pounds of trash, 300 pounds of recyclables, and 180 pounds of compost. Let's make this year's "trash talk" even more impressive! | | | Community Classes & Events | | | | Community Programs and Events at Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Date: August through October
Location: San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 2 Marshlands Rd.
Learn More & Register
Take part in several different community programs, events, and volunteer opportunities at Don Edwards from now until October. Take a family walk to learn more about nature. Immerse yourself in nature and give back to the community. Engage in hands-on activities to help maintain and improve the wildlife habitat. Registration is required to participate. Hosted by the Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge. | | | | Water Conservation Q & A Sessions
Date: Tuesdays & Thursdays
Time: Varies
Location: Online
Learn More & Register
Chat with an Alameda County Water District (ACWD) Water Use Efficiency Specialist during drop-in Zoom sessions to ask questions about the Lawn Be Gone! Rebate Program and other water conservation topics. Hosted by ACWD. | | | | Niles Antique Faire and Flea Market
Date: Sunday, August 31
Time: 6:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Niles Town Plaza,
37482 Niles Blvd.
Learn More
Go green while you shop! Buying secondhand conserves energy and resources by giving items a new life. Explore hundreds of vendors offering antiques, collectibles, art, crafts, and more. Hosted by Niles Main Street Association. | | | | Talkin' Dirt! Growing Sweet Onions & Potatoes
Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Fremont Main Library,
2400 Stevenson Blvd.
Learn More
Discover how to successfully grow sweet onions and potatoes during the cold months. This is part of the workshop series from LEAF. Hosted by Fremont Main Library. | | | Copyright © 2025 City of Fremont, All rights reserved.
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