The State of California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR) is a government agency that operates within the Regional Agencies sector in the United States of America. The CDCR is responsible for overseeing the state's prison system and ensuring the safety and security of inmates, staff, and the public. As a government agency, the CDCR is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices in its operations. In recent years, the CDCR has taken several steps towards decarbonisation, including investing in renewable energy and implementing corporate energy and corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs).

Decarbonisation is the process of reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to a low-carbon economy. The CDCR recognises the importance of decarbonisation in mitigating the impacts of climate change and has made it a priority in its operations. The CDCR has set a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2025, compared to its 2010 baseline. To achieve this goal, the CDCR has implemented several initiatives, including the adoption of renewable energy and the implementation of energy efficiency measures.

Renewable energy is a key component of the CDCR's decarbonisation strategy. The CDCR has invested in several renewable energy projects, including solar and wind power. In 2019, the CDCR entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with a solar energy provider to purchase 150 megawatts of solar energy. This agreement is expected to save the CDCR over $100 million in energy costs over the life of the agreement and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by over 250,000 metric tons per year.

In addition to investing in renewable energy, the CDCR has implemented energy efficiency measures to reduce its energy consumption. The CDCR has installed energy-efficient lighting, heating, and cooling systems in its facilities and has implemented a program to reduce energy use during peak demand periods. These measures have not only reduced the CDCR's energy consumption but have also resulted in significant cost savings.

Corporate energy and corporate PPAs are other strategies that the CDCR has implemented to achieve its decarbonisation goals. Corporate energy refers to the management of energy use and procurement by a company, while corporate PPAs involve a company purchasing renewable energy directly from a provider. The CDCR has implemented both of these strategies to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices.

In 2020, the CDCR entered into a corporate energy agreement with a utility provider to purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset its energy consumption. RECs represent the environmental benefits of renewable energy generation and can be purchased by companies to support renewable energy projects. The CDCR's purchase of RECs is expected to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by over 14,000 metric tons per year.

The CDCR has also entered into several corporate PPAs to purchase renewable energy directly from providers. In addition to the 150 megawatts of solar energy purchased in 2019, the CDCR has entered into a 25-year PPA to purchase wind energy from a provider. These agreements not only support the development of renewable energy projects but also provide the CDCR with a stable and predictable source of energy.

In conclusion, the State of California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation is a government agency that operates within the Regional Agencies sector in the United States of America. The CDCR is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices in its operations. To achieve this goal, the CDCR has implemented several initiatives, including the adoption of renewable energy, the implementation of energy efficiency measures, and the use of corporate energy and corporate PPAs. These strategies have not only reduced the CDCR's carbon footprint but have also resulted in significant cost savings. The CDCR's commitment to decarbonisation serves as an example for other government agencies and organisations to follow in the transition to a low-carbon economy.