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1.
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Introductions |
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Attachments: |
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Sign-in Sheet
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2.
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Public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Committee and not on this agenda (speakers may be limited to three minutes). |
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There was no public comment. |
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3.
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Staff recommends approval of the attached Record of Action for the September 23, 2019, meeting of the Sustainability Committee.
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The Record of Action was approved by unanimous vote. |
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Attachments: |
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09-23-19 Mtg Minutes
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4.
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RECEIVE Report on Enrolling County Facilities in MCE’s Deep Green Program.
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Warren Lai, Deputy Director, Public Works, and Frank DiMassa, Energy Manager, Public Works, reviewed the options for enrolling County facilities in MCE's Deep Green (100% renewable) electricity project. The difference between the current MCE basic electricity product and Deep Green is about one cent per kilowatt hour (kwh). For all County facilities to enroll, this would increase electricity costs by about $400,000. Because a number of County facilities currently have solar or are in the process of installing solar, another option would be to enroll only those facilities that do not have solar. This would be about $290,000. Other details of the options are described in the staff report.
During public comment, Marti Roach asked if the County's solar installations provide 100% of the building use, and suggested that because they do not, the gap should be addressed by enrolling in Deep Green. Howdy Goudey said that the County needs both solar on its facilities and Deep Green participation. He said that the one cent/kwh premium that MCE currently offers to customers who participation in the Net Energy Metering program if they have solar panels that are selling excess power back to MCE will in the future only be available to Deep Green customers. Goudey suggested savings from the solar facilities could fund County participation in Deep Green. Goudey said the Sustainability Commission has looked at other areas where the County could realize potential savings, for example, eliminating the use of disposable foodware. Rose Jackson said the County needs to move quickly and set an example for the public. Other members of the public agreed. Karen Perkins said in the long run the County should consider the cost of not doing as much as possible to combat climate change.
In discussion the Committee clarified that additional electricity costs for Deep Green participation would be borne by the County department(s) that are in the participating buildings. In some cases these costs come out of the General Fund, in others they come out of programs funded from other sources. The Committee discussed the many priorities the Board must balance, including health care, social services, justice programs. The Committee voted to recommend to the Board that the County enroll in MCE's Deep Green program those facilities that do not have and will not be receiving solar panels. The Committee also voted to review this decision in one year. |
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Attachments: |
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Attachment A: Quote for All Accounts - Deep Green
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Attachment B: Quote For All Accounts Except Those with Solar - Deep Green
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Attachment C: Contra Costa Jurisdictions that Have Joined MCE
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Attachment D: Map of MCE Jurisdictions that Have Opted Up to Deep Green
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5.
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ACCEPT report on Employee Commute Survey and RECOMMEND ACCEPTANCE by Board of Supervisors.
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Jody London, County Sustainability Coordinator, reviewed the results of the County Employee Commute Survery, which was prepared as part of the ongoing update to the County's Climate Action Plan. The survey shows that most employees drive alone and are spending 40-45 minutes on average commuting each day. Primary factors that inform current commute choices are travel time, cost, and flexibility.Two-thirds of County employees would consider alternatives to their commute, particularly telecommuting and carpools. There is also significant interest in electric vehicles and the ability to charge at County facilities.
Corinne Dutra-Roberts, Executive Director of 511 Contra Costa, which works to reduce traffic congestion, observed that the current survey results are nearly identical to the results of surveys from many years ago. Dutra-Roberts recommends the County consider more immediate actions, including an update to the telecommuting policy, which dates from 1993, job assignments closer to where employees live, and shuttle services to BART and other transit.
The Committee discussed some of the challenges it perceives with telecommuting, including that not all jobs lend themselves to telecommuting, and telecommuting policies would have to be negotiated with bargaining units. The Committee voted to forward the report to the Board for acceptance with a recommendation that the Board consider establishing a process to address how the County can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and congestion from employee commutes, and other alternatives to help the County achieve its climate goals. |
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Attachments: |
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2019 Employee Commute Survey
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6.
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ACCEPT the memo from the Executive Assistant to the Hazardous Materials Commission and CONSIDER adding an environmental justice seat on the County’s Hazardous Materials Commission.
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Michael Kent, Hazardous Materials Ombudsman, reviewed the current representation on the Hazardous Materials Commission. George Smith, from the Hazardous Materials Commission, said that last week the Commission voted its preference to replace one of the existing seats with an environmental justice seat.
The Committee discussed options for the Hazardous Materials Commission to use in defining eligibility for a new environmental justice seat. The Committee agreed the representative should be someone from an impacted community, who will be able to represent community interests. The person should not have to be an expert. The Committee forwarded to the Board of Supervisors a recommendation for the Hazardous Materials Commission to add an environmental justice seat, and that the seat be filled by a layperson from a community impacted by hazardous material facilities. |
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Attachments: |
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CAP Community Meetings Announcement
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HMC attachment
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7.
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RECEIVE REFERRAL from Board of Supervisors to deliberate on adoption of a Climate Emergency Resolution, as recommended by the Sustainability Commission.
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The Committee discussed options for structuring a climate emergency resolution. Supervisors expressed their opinion that resolutions have greater value when they identify tangible actions we can take. They cited to the recent State Executive Order N-19-19 on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating impacts of climate change in State government as an example. The Committee expressed interest in seeing the County take action on those issues where it can have the greatest impact. The Committee recognized that the County must balance priorities, it cannot invest in everything people might want at this time.
Community members offered many ideas for a climate emergency resolution. They stressed that this is an emergency and the County should provide bold leadership and action. Community members urged the Board include in any resolution deadlines or dates by which action can be expected. Community members expressed interest in the Board taxing the refineries located in Contra Costa County and determining how the County should plan for a situation where the refineries and other fossil-fuel based industries are not viable.
The Committee directed the Sustainability Coordinator to develop a draft climate emergency resolution that would be reviewed by the Sustainability Commission, and come back to the Committee. |
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Attachments: |
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Attachment A: Sonoma County Climate Emergency Resolution
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Attachment B: Austin, TX Climate Emergency Resolution
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Attachment C: San Mateo County Climate Emergency Resolution
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Attachment D: City of Alameda Climate Emergency Resolution
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Attachment E: State of California Climate Executive Order
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Attachment F: Richmond, CA Climate Emergency Resolution
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Attachment G: Hayward, CA Climate Emergency Resolution
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8.
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RECEIVE REPORT on potential participation in California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP), and RECOMMEND to the Board of Supervisors that the County participate in same.
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The Committee received a presentation from Jody London, County Sustainability Coordinator, on the CALeVIP program, a State program that is providing tens of millions of dollars to regions across the state to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure. MCE, the County’s community choice aggregator, is putting together a proposal to include the MCE member jurisdictions in the 2021 CALeVIP cohort. The Committee discussed its interest in participating. There is a question about the financial commitment that is being requested. Brett Wiley, MCE, said the County contribution could potentially come from planned projects. Wiley said the MCE Board has committed to provide $5.5 million over four years toward CALeVIP and is asking MCE members to participate. The contribution requested for Contra Costa County - the County and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority combined - is $2.8 million over four years. The total amount that would become available for electric vehicle infrastructure in the County would be $11.5 million over the four year term of the program.
The Committee voted to bring to the Board a resolution endorsing County participation with MCE in the CALeVIP application, acknowledging that a funding source is not immediately available, and directing staff to continue to work with MCE on funding options. |
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Attachments: |
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Attachment A: CALeVIP Projects Funded Through 2019
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Attachment B: CALeVIP Project in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties
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Attachment C: Presentation re CALeVIP to MCE Board
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9.
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RECEIVE REPORT on modifications to County Administrative Bulletins to reflect greater reliance on electric vehicles in the County fleet.
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Joe Yee, Public Works, reported that the changes to the Administrative Bulletins are being made. |
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10.
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RECEIVE REPORT on benefits of building electrification and PROVIDE DIRECTION as appropriate.
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This item was continued to the January 27, 2019 meeting. |
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Attachments: |
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Jurisdiction Building Electrification Matrix
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City of Oakland Memo
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City of San Jose Staff Report
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San Mateo Building Electrification Agenda Item
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11.
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RECOMMEND SUPPORT for the federal Green Act.
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This item was continued to the January 27, 2019 meeting. |
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Attachments: |
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Item 11. Attachment A - Green Act Overview Memo
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Item 11. Attachment A - Green Act Overview Memo
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12.
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RECEIVE report from Sustainability Commission Chair.
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Howdy Goudey, Sustainability Commission Chair, reported that the Commission is advising staff on the General Plan and Climate Action Plan updates and participating in community engagement meetings. The Commission recently made the recommendation for the County to adopt a Climate Emergency Resolution. |
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13.
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RECEIVE REPORT from County Sustainability Coordinator.
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Jody London, Sustainability Coordinator, referred to the staff report included with the agenda. |
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14.
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The next meeting is currently scheduled for January 27, 2019, 12:30 P.M. in Room 101, 651 Pine Street, Martinez, CA. |
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15.
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Adjourn |