Napa Chamber’s Green and Sustainable Practices (GaSP) committee meets once a month with the goal of supporting energy and resource sustainability in the Napa business community. The March meeting featured a presentation by Sorel Klein of Solano Napa Commuter Information (SNCI), a public agency program with free information and services for using alternative transportation in Solano and Napa Counties and the surrounding regions.

Klein’s informative presentation opened with the fact that in the Bay Area vehicle traffic is the largest source of emissions, greater even than industry. 636,000 tons of greenhouse gasses are generated per year accounting for 55% of total emissions. If an individual switched to using mass transit to get to work they would save approximately 4800 lbs of CO2, more than any other individual measure. SNCI exists as a partnership between Solano Transit Authority (STA), Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) as a free service in support of promoting mass transit to employer, employees and the general public. Their core mission is to support employers trying to encourage their employees to use mass transit of varying kinds. They have been very successful with many local employers, such as: Wal-Mart, NVV, CIA, Meritage, Carneros Inn, Meadowood, Trinchero, and many more.

Next Klein presented the employer packet of information, which details the features and benefits of using alternative commute systems. From morale to pocketbook it makes sense. SNCI operates as a clearinghouse of information for interested employers, including: the commuter info guide, timetables, email templates for employers to use, website, free consults, and a variety employee of incentives. The variety of services offered by SNCI is far reaching and includes car pool matching via email, phone or web, on-site events to promote commuter information, bike maps, vanpool support, and is part of the larger 511 system.

Vanpools have proven a viable option for many employers and SNCI offers advice, referrals and support to interested parties with answers to FAQ’s on how to organize one, referrals to leasing companies and provides rider/driver referrals. Generally a vanpool consists of 7-15 people including the driver and is operated as a not-for-profit service.

The SNCI Emergency Ride Home program is a free service provided with the goal of encouraging employees to sign up for alternate transportation. It is a voucher system for those that may need an emergency ride home on a day that they took mass or alternative transit.

The folks at SNCI have calculated the dollars and sense of using alternative transit with carpooling in particular shown to save employees who commute approximately $1500 per year. Vanpools can save even more.

In short, SNCI services are free, provide tax and morale benefits and make a lot of sense.

Find out more useful information at SNCI’s website: www.solanolinks.com/commuterinfo.html

The next meeting of the Napa Chamber of Commerce GaSP Committee is April 8 at 8:30 am. Lou Penning will speak on water audits and conservation in the landscaping business. For more information call the Napa Chamber on 707-226-7455.