| Newsletter:
November 2025 | | | Fremont Designated "Charging Smart Gold" for Electric Vehicle Readiness | | | | Fremont is charging ahead toward a cleaner future after earning the top designation in the national Charging Smart program! This Gold designation specifically recognizes the City's success in implementing policies that facilitate the expansion of electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging infrastructure. As a Charging Smart Gold designee, Fremont has adopted nationally recognized best practices to accelerate the deployment of EVs in the community to help achieve economic development and climate action goals. Through the Charging Smart program, led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), local governments achieve designation by meeting established criteria that are based on national best practices for building EV-friendly communities. Those that meet the criteria are designated Gold, Silver, or Bronze. Charging Smart is the sister program to SolSmart, where Fremont proudly became the first city in the country to reach Platinum status in 2023 for solar energy progress. To achieve Charging Smart Gold designation, the City has taken actions including: - streamlining the permitting process for installing EV infrastructure,
- installing public EV chargers across parks, City facilities, and shopping areas,
- expanding the City's electric fleet, reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and air pollutants, and
- completing a fleet electrification study to guide future EV investments.
These efforts aim to facilitate clean driving for the community and promote a climate-ready Fremont. The City looks forward to realizing this vision in partnership with the community and thanks everyone for their continued commitment! | | | Centerville Complete Streets Update | | | | Construction of the Centerville Complete Streets project will be starting a new phase of work along Fremont Boulevard, as major work is concluding on Thornton Avenue. This $11.5 million grant-funded project started construction in May 2025 by building safety and sidewalk improvements in the vicinity of Thornton Middle School. The next phase of work includes pedestrian and bikeway improvements along Fremont Boulevard within the Centerville business district from Thornton Avenue to the Centerville Train Depot. The last phase of construction in summer 2026 will rehabilitate the street pavement along both Fremont Boulevard and Thornton Avenue. Construction will be managed to minimize impacts to the businesses, school community, residents, and commuters in the area. These investments make it safer and more convenient for our community to choose walking and biking. This type of active transportation will help reduce vehicle emissions, improve air quality, and advance the City's climate action goals. | | | As the rainy season begins, residents and business owners can take simple steps to prepare for heavy rain, reduce flooding, and support a more sustainable community. Help Keep Storm Drains Clear
Keeping storm drains clear not only protects homes and streets from flooding but also helps keep local waterways clean and healthy. Before storms arrive, take the following actions: - Check and clear rain gutters on your property to ensure that water can flow freely.
- Collect and dispose leaves using your green organics cart, and avoid leaving piles of leaves on the street or sidewalk.
- Clear debris from storm drain inlets with a rake or shovel, if safe.
Prepare for Heavy Rain - Use sandbags or plastic sheeting to protect flood-prone entrances to your home or business.
- Drive carefully on wet roads, and never enter standing water.
- Stay updated through local news, the City's Storm Updates webpage, and the City's social media accounts.
Adopt a Drain
"Adopt" a storm drain near your home or business to keep it clear of debris, reduce the risk of flooding, and protect our local waterways. To learn more and sign up, visit the City's Adopt-a-Drain webpage. | | | Energy Saving Tips for Winter | | | Winter is coming! Here are three simple ways to save energy and stay warm: - Let the sun warm your home. Open curtains to let in sunlight during the day, and close them at dusk to trap heat inside.
- Set your thermostat to the right temperature. Keep your thermostat at 68°F when you're home. Lower it by 7 to 10 degrees when you're asleep or away. This alone can save 10% on your energy bill.
- Use energy-efficient festive lights. If you plan on decorating for the holidays, switch to ENERGY STAR-certified LED light strings. They use up to 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than old incandescent strands.
One more reminder: Peak hours, when electricity is more expensive, are 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day. Run major appliances outside these hours when possible, and remember to turn off lights and devices when you're not using them. Remember, there's no place like a warm, efficient home for the holidays! | | | Reduce Food Waste This Holiday Season | | | | Did you know that between Thanksgiving and New Year's, more food goes to waste than any other time of year? Don't let your food join the pile! We have some easy ways to celebrate without the excess waste. Where do I put food scraps and expired leftovers?
Toss all food scraps and leftovers into your green compost cart, including any meat and bones. This process creates compost, a valuable resource that helps grow healthy food and reduce greenhouse gases. For a reminder of what's acceptable for your green cart, check out the City's Composting Guide. How easy is it to compost food scraps?
Start composting right from your kitchen by simply gathering your compostable items (food scraps and food-soiled paper) in any container (like a kitchen bowl or countertop pail) and then tossing them into your green cart later. Free countertop kitchen pails are available from Republic Services by completing this online form. Hosting a holiday gathering?
Make it easy for guests to compost by placing composting pails and carts out where everyone can see them. To reduce waste even further, consider choosing reusable plates, silverware, cups, and serving dishes whenever possible. Reusables help cut down on trash and keep plastic out of landfills. If reusables aren't an option, paper plates and certified compostable wooden utensils are a good alternative and can be placed in the green cart. By doing your part to reduce food waste, you can help create a climate-ready Fremont this holiday season. Thank you, and keep up the "green" work! | | | Sustainable Holiday Guide | | | | Are you looking for ways to minimize your waste as you celebrate this holiday season? StopWaste has the ultimate guide with tips for cooking, gifting, and tidying up. | | | ACWD WaterClips Student Video Contest | | | | Lights, camera, action! Alameda County Water District (ACWD) is once again hosting their WaterClips Student Video Contest for Tri-City area students in grades 6 to 12. Students are invited to create a 30-second video that showcases how ACWD water influences, inspires, or supports physical health and wellness. Students could win a share of over $1,500 in student scholarships! Winners will be celebrated at a special awards ceremony and reception at the Fremont Downtown Event Center. Plus, teachers can win too! ACWD will award up to $500 in classroom scholarships to teachers who sponsor winning videos or the most qualified submissions. Students can enter solo or as a team. Videos must be submitted by March 13, 2026. | | | BART Keeps Bay Area Moving Toward a Greener Future | | | | BART recently released its 2024 Sustainability Report, which showed big strides in clean energy and climate resilience. Last year, 86% of BART's contracted electric supply was greenhouse gas-free, and each round-trip ride helped prevent about 25 pounds of CO₂e emissions compared to driving. The agency also invested in station upgrades, earthquake safety, and transit-oriented housing—all part of building a more sustainable Bay Area. | | | Community Classes & Events | | | | Green Friday
Date: Friday, November 28
Location: East Bay Regional Parks
Learn More & Register
Celebrate Green Friday with a free park day in East Bay Regional Parks! Fees are waived for parking, boat launching, and fishing—only state fishing licenses, watercraft inspections, and concession fees apply. Admission to Ardenwood Historic Farm is also waived. Volunteer planting opportunities are also available. Hosted by the East Bay Regional Park District. | | | | Tree Planting Event
Date: Saturday, December 6
Location: Vallejo Mill Elementary School, 38569 Canyon Heights Dr.
Learn More Volunteer for this tree planting event, which focuses on tree planting, tree care, community outreach, and education. Registration opens in late November. Hosted by Urban Forest Friends. | | | | EV Discount Campaign Webinar
Date: Tuesday, December 9
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom Webinar
Learn More & Register
Looking to go electric and save money? Join this webinar to discover how to make the most of today's electric vehicle deals. Hosted by Ride and Drive Clean. | | | Copyright © 2025 City of Fremont, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this newsletter because you expressed interest in the City's Sustainability efforts.
Our mailing address is:
City of Fremont39550 Liberty Street Fremont, CA 94537 | | | |
|
Comments