Santa Clara VTA unveils 2017 sustainability report

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has released a report that charts the agency's sustainability efforts in 2017.

Last year, the agency used 4 percent less traction power energy for its light-rail system, registered a 2 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and logged a 13 percent reduction in waste, the report states.

The agency also reported an 11.5 percent increase in electricity usage at its facilities, as well as an 11 percent increase in natural gas use.

Going forward, VTA will continue to replace light fixtures with LEDs and install bus shelters that use solar power for lighting and advertising. The agency also aims to increase ridership by making service more accessible for pedestrians and bicyclists.

"I am particularly excited about VTA's future as we introduce various additions to public transit to proactively reduce the consumption of natural resources, minimizing the creation of greenhouse gases to help protect the environment for future generations," wrote VTA General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Nuria Fernandez in the report's introduction.

For example, Bay Area Rapid Transit's planned Silicon Valley extension will provide an alternative to driving for "tens of thousands" in the San Francisco Bay Area, said Fernandez. VTA is overseeing construction for that project.

In 2016, the American Public Transportation Association awarded VTA with gold level recognition for its sustainability efforts.