Sustainable Silicon Valley was a left-of-center environmentalist group that advocated decarbonization in the San Francisco Bay Area of northern California. The group was initially founded in 2000 as a carbon registry for the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and later established itself as an independent nonprofit organization and advocacy group that focused on water conservation, air quality, and transportation issues, often in alignment with broader left-of-center climate policies. It operated programs that promoted water reuse, clean air initiatives, and sustainable mobility in the Silicon Valley area. The group was acquired by the left-of-center environmental group Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet, a similar organization promoting left-of-center environmental policy in Silicon Valley, in July 2024. ^{1 2}

Background

Sustainable Silicon Valley was a left-of-center environmental group that advocated for decarbonization in the San Francisco Bay Area in northern California. ²

Sustainable Silicon Valley was established in 2000 as a project of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), initially serving as a regional carbon registry. It incorporated as a charitable nonprofit in 2004 and shifted focus toward sustainability projects in the Silicon Valley Area. In 2015, the organization reported a shift in focus to projects with a focus on air quality and mobility, water use, and sustainability. ²

The group was acquired by Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet in July 2024, integrating its programs into Acterra’s broader left-of-center climate advocacy efforts, including electrification and policy work. Drew Clark, former board chair of Sustainable Silicon Valley, joined Acterra as director of air quality following the acquisition. ¹

Acterra was formed in 1970 and promotes several left-of-center environmental programs and policies, including embracing left-of-center diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) ideology. Acterra’s programs include an EV Charging for All Coalition, a pro-electrification coalition, and a food project at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. ^{3 4}

Activities

Sustainable Silicon Valley operated multiple projects promoting left-of-center environmental efforts in the Bay Area. The group ran the Water(Round)Table program, which promoted left-of-center water management policies, and hosted WaterPalooza, an annual event featuring presentations and panels on water use, treatment, and reuse across California. ^{5 6 5}

Following its acquisition by Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet, Sustainable Silicon Valley’s programs integrated with Acterra’s programs on electrification, “climate-friendly” food choices, and youth engagement on environmental issues. ^{7 1}

Acquisition

In 2024, Sustainable Silicon Valley was acquired by Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet, a left-of-center environmental advocacy group based in Palo Alto, California. Acterra promotes electrification, climate education, and policy advocacy, and incorporated Sustainable Silicon Valley’s water and air quality initiatives into its existing programs. The acquisition was effective July 2024, and three Sustainable Silicon Valley staffers joined the Acterra staff, including “Drew Clark … as Director of Air Quality, Dennis Murphy as Senior Manager, Water and Policy, and Kerry Lindholm as Accounting Specialist, to maintain services and partnerships.” ¹

1. “Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet has acquired Sustainable Silicon Valley (SSV).” Acterra. July 8, 2024. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://acterra.org/press-release-acterra-ssv-acquisition.
2. “Sustainable Silicon Valley.” California Local. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://californialocal.com/localnews/santa-clara/ca/community_group/show/662-sustainable-silicon-valley/overview.
3. “About Us.” Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://acterra.org/about-us/
4. https://acterra.org/advocacy/
5. “Sustainable Silicon Valley.” GuideStar. March 28, 2024. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/56-2464045.
6. “Sustainable Silicon Valley Waterpalooza.” Thrive Alliance. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://www.thrivealliance.org/events/sustainable-silicon-valley-waterpalooza
7. “Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet.” Acterra. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://www.acterra.org/.