Most experts think we have already reached the end of the era of cheap oil. CEC has thus drawn a line in the sand: Fossil Free by ’33. Sure it’s a cute slogan — but with monumental consequences. Because our economy is energy, we are challenging the tri-county region to set an example for our nation and the world by ending its dependence on fossil fuels — primarily oil and coal — and meeting its needs through conservation and renewable resources, such as solar, wind and wave energy.

1. Read CEC's Energy Blueprint
CEC has created a Blueprint that will map out the steps this region needs to take to reduce our carbon emissions and completely replace the current and projected energy needs with sustainable energy resources. This will include all energy needs: commercial, governmental, institutional, and residential energy, as well as energy associated with transportation. Read about it in CEC's A New Energy Direction: A Blueprint for Santa Barbara County.

2. Learn what you can do at home with CEC's Get Started series

>> Get started with better lighting
>> Get started with solar
>> Get started with easy home conservation

3. Learn what you can do 'on the road' with CEC's latest transportation report

Transportation Energy Plan for
Santa Barbara County
CEC has expanded the transportation portion of our Blueprint to better explore the choices we can make in our daily lives, as well as highlight what businesses and local governments can do.

Transportation accounts for 48 percent of the total energy used in the Santa Barbara region, so we must tackle transportation energy head on in order to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.



Executive Summary

Chapter 1: Ridesharing

Chapter 2: More Efficient Vehicles

Chapter 3: Biofuels

Chapter 4: Buses and Public Transit

Chapter 5: Bicycles and Electric Bicycles

Chapter 6: Electric Vehicles and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Chapter 7: Flexible Work Arrangements

Chapter 8: Building Livable Communities

Chapter 9: Regional Commuter Rail

Chapter 10: True Cost Pricing for Transportation

Chapter 11: Facilitators and Enhancers

Chapter 12: Natural Gas and Hydrogen Cars