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Caltrain joins with its local energy providers San Jose Clean Energy (SJCE) and WestLight Energy to celebrate Clean Air Day, and how their partnership has delivered cleaner air to the people of the Bay Area.
The agencies are marking the occasion with On Track for a Cleaner Future Day, a community event at the Tech Interactive in downtown San Jose.
Event details
- What: On Track for a Cleaner Future Day
- When: Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Where: The Tech Interactive, downtown San Jose
- What to expect: Hands-on activities and opportunities to learn more about sustainability through The Tech Interactive’s Solve for Earth exhibit
- Special admission: Guests 17 and younger can enter the museum for $1, in recognition of Caltrain’s $1 youth fare.
The three agencies were recently honored with the Green Power Leadership Award from the Center for Resource Solutions for their innovative partnership powering Caltrain’s electric fleet with 100% renewable energy.
The partnership grew from Caltrain’s adoption of regenerative braking, where the brakes capture energy that would otherwise be lost as heat. This has allowed Caltrain to return 23% of its electricity to the grid, resulting in SJCE and WestLight Energy paying the rail agency $1 million annually.
“Since September 2024, every single one of our trains carrying passengers between San Francisco and San Jose have run on 100% renewable green energy generated right here in the state of California,” said Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard. “Electrifying Caltrain was an investment in future generations that will continue to pay out for decades to come.”
“On Clean Air Day, we’re celebrating what clean energy looks like in action: electric trains replacing diesel, renewable electricity powering the ride, and fewer emissions in the communities along the corridor. This is exactly the kind of practical progress we want to keep building on,” said Shawn Marshall, CEO, WestLight Energy. "We are proud to be the clean energy provider for Caltrain, and to have been a partner in the policy changes that made this financial model possible."
“Clean energy and electric transportation are a powerful combination for reducing emissions and helping our communities breathe cleaner air,” said Lori Mitchell, Director of the City of San José’s Energy Department, which operates San José Clean Energy. “Our partnership with Caltrain and WestLight Energy demonstrates the impact we can have across our region, preventing 71,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.”
Since transitioning from diesel power to renewable electricity, Caltrain has avoided purchasing over 7 million gallons of diesel fuel.
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About Caltrain
Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with commute service to Gilroy. Serving the region since 1863, Caltrain is the oldest continually operating rail system west of the Mississippi and the first railroad to convert from diesel to electric power in a generation.
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About San José Clean Energy
San José Clean Energy (SJCE) is the local, not-for-profit electricity generation provider for homes and businesses in the City of San José. SJCE is operated by the City’s Energy Department and governed by the City Council. SJCE provides more than 350,000 customer accounts with clean energy at fair rates plus the additional benefits of customer choice, community programs, local control, transparency, and accountability. For more information, please visit www.SanJoseCleanEnergy.org. Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About WestLight Energy
WestLight Energy is a public agency and the official electricity provider for the communities of San Mateo County and Los Banos. Founded in 2016 with a mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the agency serves 314,000 households and businesses by providing 50 percent renewable and 100 percent clean energy at a lower cost than PG&E. WestLight Energy makes significant investments in its communities to expand access to sustainable and affordable energy solutions. Over the last decade, WestLight has saved customers $226M, provided $30M in electric vehicles and electric appliance rebates and no-interest loans, reinvested more than $100M into the community, and advocated for statewide green energy policies. In 2026, WestLight Energy marked its tenth anniversary and launched its next decade working toward a fossil-free future where everyone thrives through clean energy that’s accessible and affordable to all. Learn more at WestLightEnergy.org.
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