We Want To Hear From You!  

San Benito County was provided a subaward from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to complete its own climate action plan (Roadmap). The San Benito County Climate Roadmap is focused specifically on San Benito County and will work to align with the overall Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP), a regional plan developed jointly with Santa Clara County. The Roadmap measures and actions are based on the CCAP but focus on how San Benito County can support the overall CCAP goals locally. The Roadmap includes strategies, policies, and actions, and to support climate resilience within the Community.

After more than a year of community engagement and technical analysis, the Draft Roadmap is now ready for final community review and adoption. We invite your feedback to help finalize the Roadmap ahead of its planned adoption in early 2026. 

Please review the Public Draft Roadmap and email CCAP@sanbenitocountyca.gov with any comments or questions by December 8, 2025.

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 have 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.  

Download the PCAP Above

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

Taking our commitment further, San Benito and Santa Clara Counties are creating 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 an expected completion date of December 2025. Community engagement will be 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 Feb 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. 

                                             Download the Public Draft Roadmap 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.

February 2026: Board of Supervisors adoption scheduled. 

How Can I Engage? 

Project Questions?  

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