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SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	01/28/2019
Subject: RECEIVE REPORT from Sustainability Coordinator.
Submitted For:	Jody London, Sustainability Coordinator
Department:	Conservation & Development
Referral No.:
Referral Name:
Presenter:	Jody London, DCD	Contact:	Jody London (925)674-7871

Information

Referral History:

The Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability has requested an update at each meeting on sustainability work by County staff.

Referral Update:

Since the Committee’s last meeting, staff who work on sustainability and climate issues have accomplished the following:

Completed the Renewable Resource Potential Study report in November. Briefed the Board of Supervisors in December, at which time the Board directed staff to prepare and analyze draft amendments to the County General Plan and Zoning Code that would expand the area within which an applicant could apply for a Land Use Permit for ground-mounted solar. The Board also directed staff to implement other recommendations in the staff report. Staff needs to complete analysis of challenges with California’s rules for community solar and wind projects, and submit a final report to the State by March 1.
Worked with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) in developing the Electric Vehicle Readiness Blueprint. The team held a first stakeholder meeting in December. The project is moving quickly; a second stakeholder meeting on February 6 will focus on the best practices toolkit.
Executed agreements for the Cleaner Contra Costa, an online engagement program, with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the cities of Antioch, San Pablo, Walnut Creek, Sustainable Contra Costa, and Community Climate Solutions. The team is building out the online platform, with an anticipated platform launch of March 2019.
Submitted a grant application with MCE to receive technical assistance to develop a business plan for an in-home asthma trigger assessment program that we hope to grow into a healthy homes initiative in Contra Costa County.
Initiated bi-monthly collaboration meetings with MCE.
Submitted six applications to PG&E for the Electric Vehicle Charge Network grant, after working with County Counsel on contractual and easement agreements. Public Works is working with PG&E to further vet the sites and prepare preliminary designs for County review.
Public Works is recommending the County participate in the Low Carbon Fuel Standard program administered by the California Air Resources Board (see earlier agenda item).
Public Works is continuing to work with SunPower, its solar partner selected through an RFP process, to identify the optimal solar photovoltaic portfolio of projects to be financed through a Power Purchase Agreement. Staff will present the initial proposed package to the Board’s Transportation, Water, and Infrastructure Committee in February.
Hosted a team of journalists from Kyrgyzstan who are making a documentary about renewable energy. The team is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. The documentary is expected to be used to educate Kyrgyz policy makers and the general public.
Transportation planning staff are working on a number of projects that fulfill Climate Action Plan goals around increasing bike/pedestrian access in the County. These include an Accessible Transportation Plan that is studying the state of paratransit operations in the County, identifying opportunities to improve mobility and access for the disabled and elderly; a Vision Zero policy to reduce the number of severe/fatal traffic collisions to zero by a given year by radically changing our approach to traffic safety; a Bike Share and Micromobility ordinance and potential license agreements with shared mobility operators that would will allow the County to run shared mobility pilots and fairly regulate and encourage shared mobility operations; a Marsh Creek Corridor Multi-Use Feasibility Study that will study the feasibility of a proposed multi-use trail for active modes between Downtown Concord and Oakley; and an Iron Horse Corridor Active Transportation Study which is analyzing how to improve active transportation connection to and within 18.5 miles of the Iron Horse Corridor. Staff recently completed a study of the I-680/Treat Blvd corridor that recommends installing buffered bike lanes to help improve bicycle safety and access to the Pleasant Hill BART station.
Presented on County sustainability work at the Leadership Contra Costa program. The last week of January, staff will facilitate a panel hosted by MCE on electric vehicles and present to the Environment and Manufacturing Committee of the East Bay Leadership Council.
Supported the Sustainability Commission, including preparing and submitting the annual report and work plan and working with Commission members on developing an equity framework and community outreach.
Collaborated with County staff working on topics including land use and transportation, hazardous materials, green business program, green infrastructure, economic development, Planning Integration Team for Community Health (PITCH), codes, solid waste, energy.
Participated in regional activities.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

RECEIVE REPORT from County Sustainability Coordinator.

Fiscal Impact (if any):

None.

Attachments
No file(s) attached.