BACKGROUND:
On April 17, 2012, the Board of Supervisors directed DCD to prepare a CCAP to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in the unincorporated area. This directive to prepare a CCAP built upon previous climate change initiatives by the Board dating back to 2008, when the Board accepted a report and recommendation from the County’s Climate Action Working Group to approve the Municipal Climate Action Plan (MCAP).
The purpose of the MCAP was to quantify the GHG emissions from County government operations, identify GHG emission reduction measures for County operations, and prioritize implementation of these reduction measures. The MCAP was developed in large part by an interdepartmental working group convened by DCD. The purpose of the CCAP is to address GHG emissions from non-governmental sources and activities.
Responding to the Board’s April 2012 direction, DCD retained Pacific Municipal Consultants (PMC), conducted public outreach, and worked with other County departments to prepare a CCAP that would serve as the County’s roadmap for reducing GHG emissions within the unincorporated areas. Measures in the CCAP to reduce GHG emissions included, but were not limited to, energy retrofits for older buildings, installation of residential alternative energy systems (solar, wind, etc.), conserving water, reducing waste, and providing public information regarding energy efficiency. On December 26, 2012, DCD released a draft CAP for public review. Concurrent with that review, and in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), DCD issued an Initial Study/Negative Declaration. However, a final CAP was never prepared or adopted. Staff recognized that the draft CCAP needed refinement to be more practical to implement, but the federal grant funds used for the draft CCAP were depleted and DCD was not in a position to complete the document due to constrained budget and staff.
In January 2015, in preparation for reporting to the Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee1 on the status of the CCAP, DCD reengaged PMC and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District with the intention of completing the CCAP in 2015. On March 23, 2015, DCD staff went before the Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability to provide an update on the CCAP and receive direction.
On April 28, 2015, DCD reconvened the interdepartmental working group consisting of County departments anticipated to be responsible for implementing the CCAP’s GHG reduction measures. The group consists of DCD, the County Administrator’s Office, Public Works Department, Agriculture Department, and Health Services Department. The meeting included review of the statutes related to GHG reduction efforts in California, discussion of the continued applicability of the GHG reduction measures identified in the 2012 draft CCAP, and discussion of the County’s current GHG reduction efforts.
On May 11, 2015, DCD staff again went before the Ad Hoc Committee to provide an update on the CCAP.
On May 28 and August 19 DCD hosted additional meetings of the interdepartmental working group. The purpose of these meetings was to identify GHG reduction measures and efforts implemented by the County since the 2012 draft CCAP was written and formulate new measures. These meetings resulted in a revised draft CCAP (see Attachment A), highlights of the which include:
- Proposed GHG reduction measures that will allow the County to meet the Assembly Bill 32 target of reducing GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.
- A GHG emissions inventory that has been updated with information from 2013 (the 2012 draft CCAP included information only from 2005).
- Community health-related content that has been integrated more thoroughly. In the 2012 draft CCAP the health-related information was contained in its own chapter and appendix and was not well integrated into document. The 2015 draft CCAP integrates the community health information throughout the document.
- For ease of understanding, each GHG reduction measure includes a summary box indicating the measure’s anticipated 2020 and 2035 GHG reductions; the County departments responsible for implementation; the co-benefits, such as improved public health, energy conservation, money savings, etc.; and public health priority benefits, such as health equity and increased walking and biking.
- Select GHG reduction measures include a text box explaining that measure’s community benefits so that the public can easily understand the tangible benefits of the CCAP.
The draft CCAP was brought to the Ad Hoc Committee on September 14 for review and comment. After incorporating comments received at that meeting, staff released the draft CCAP for CEQA/public review and comment in late October. Comments and suggestions from the Board would be appreciated. The public review period ends in late November, and staff intends to place the CCAP on the Board’s agenda for consideration in December.
1The Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability is composed of Supervisors John Gioia and Federal D. Glover. Note that Supervisor Glover was not in attendance at the March-September meetings.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Many of the GHG reduction measures in the CCAP have co-benefits for the community. For example, retrofitting energy-inefficient buildings will add comfort to homes and save on future utility costs, planting additional trees will beautify urban areas, replacing gas-powered gardening equipment with electric equipment will reduce pollution and noise, and improving pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure will facilitate more active and healthy lifestyles. Thus, the CCAP will support at least three of the community outcomes established in the Children's Report Card: 2) Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood, 3) Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient, and 5) Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.
CLERK'S ADDENDUM
Will Nelson, Department of Conservation and Development, presented the staff report.
Supervisor Andersen requested language be added to the CCAP to reflect the County's exploration of community choice aggregation program possibilities, the County's support for Priority Economic Development Area's in residential areas to achieve lower vehicle miles traveled, and additional information on who the Bay Area Outreach Campaign is and how the County contributes to it.
Chair Gioia requested information on how many cities have adopted a CCAP.
The CCAP is out for public and CEQA review/commentary. The review period will come to a close on November 30 2015. Staff will incorporate all commentary received from those and today’s input from the Board in its next report to the Board at the end of the year.
ACCEPTED the report; and DIRECTED staff to return with the amendments and informational requests made today.