San Benito County Climate Roadmap Moving Toward Adoption  

San Benito County developed the Climate Roadmap with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Roadmap focuses on local strategies to advance climate sustainability and resilience in San Benito County and aligns with the regional Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) developed with Santa Clara County.

Following more than a year of community engagement and technical analysis, the Roadmap is now being considered for adoption by the San Benito County Board of Supervisors. A public hearing will be held at the Board’s regular meeting:

Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
(or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard)
County of San Benito Board of Supervisors Chambers
County Administration Building
481 4th Street, Hollister, CA

The Roadmap can be viewed here or in person during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) at the County Resource Management Agency, 2301 Technology Parkway, Hollister, CA.

How Can I Engage? 

Written comments may be submitted to CCAP@sanbenitocountyca.gov and will become part of the public record. Oral testimony may also be presented at the public hearing. 

Project Questions?

For questions related to the CCAP or Roadmap, please email: CCAP@sanbenitocountyca.gov

Support Climate Resiliency in San Benito County

We are already seeing the effects of climate change in San Benito County, including heat waves, drought, and wildfires. The County is taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a climate-resilient San Benito County to protect our residents, businesses, and natural and agricultural lands from the impacts of climate change.  

San Benito County and neighboring Santa Clara County are making strides together to address climate change in our communities through a regional planning effort through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program. These planning grants are the foundation for accessing billions of dollars of federal funding for climate action, which will be described in the section below. Planning for climate action at the regional scale across California is critical to San Benito County’s ability to address climate change and unlock the potential of community-centered climate action to achieve net-zero emissions. It also offers an opportunity to invest in our communities by building resiliency and adopting green technologies like solar, battery storage, composting, high-efficiency electric heating and cooling, and carbon farming.  

About the Project 

Funding Overview:  EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG)  

The CPRG program provides $5 billion in grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Authorized under Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act, this two-phase program provides $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants, and approximately $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants.

Project Scope 

San Benito County and neighboring Santa Clara County are working together to address harmful air pollution, combat climate change, and bring in funding to support our communities. Through the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program (CPRG), we successfully secured a grant to create ambitious plans focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality, for all communities throughout San Benito County and Santa Clara County.  

Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) [Finalized] 

The PCAP includes a regional greenhouse gas emissions inventory, and high-impact, near-term priority projects that directly benefit both our communities and the environment. We collaborated with public agencies and local community-based organizations (CBOs) throughout the MSA region to coordinate efforts and gather valuable input. The PCAP is San Benito County’s first dedicated climate action planning document.  

Here is the finalized PCAP for the Santa Clara and San Benito County MSA (metropolitan Statistical Area), completed March 1, 2024.  

Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) [Final Draft Submitted Dec 2025] 

Taking our commitment further, San Benito and Santa Clara Counties created a long-term comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce pollution, and benefit our communities through increased efficiency and job creation. 

The CCAP process is currently underway, with the CCAP submitted in December of 2025. Community engagement was essential to inform the strategies brought forward under the CCAP, which will include strategies to sequester carbon in our natural and working lands, electrify and improve resiliency in our built environment, and increase pollution-free transportation options.  

San Benito County Climate Roadmap (Adoption anticipated April 2026)

San Benito County has developed its own climate roadmap as part of this grant initiative. Building on the foundation established by the CCAP, the Roadmap outlines specific measures and actions to accelerate climate action in the unincorporates areas of the county. These efforts aim to promote sustainable growth, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support a transition away from fossil fuels. The Roadmap can be viewed here. 

Project Calendar 

July 2025: Draft CCAP due to EPA. We delivered the draft CCAP to the EPA on July 11, 2025, presenting our regional strategy for climate action across San Benito and Santa Clara Counties. 

Spring-Fall 2025: Community feedback on draft Roadmap and final list of strategies to reduce emissions, build community support and input on long-term implementation.

November-December 2025: Public comment period for Roadmap.

December 2025: Final CCAP due to EPA.

April 28, 2026: Board of Supervisors Roadmap adoption scheduled.