PROGRESS TO DATE:
Jody London started as the County’s Sustainability Coordinator on June 1, 2016. Ms. London has organized her work thus far as described in the report, below.
1. Facilitate and Support Interdepartmental Collaboration on Countywide Sustainability Programs and Initiatives:
• Staff the Board of Supervisors Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability.
Ms. London has coordinated with the prior staff liaison to the Committee, Lara Delaney, to transition responsibility. Ms. London and DCD staff organized today’s hearing, and are ready to continue to support the Ad Hoc Committee as required.
• Facilitate County staff coordination to County sustainability activities.
Ms. London has initiated meetings with County staff across departments who work on sustainability issues. Ms. London has attended meetings of interdepartmental committees that focus on transportation and on health and wellness. DCD is evaluating the best path for strengthening coordination on sustainability activities across the County (see separate item on this agenda).
• Coordinate multi-departmental implementation of the County’s Climate Action Plan and track progress towards achieving greenhouse gas reduction targets.
This topic will be addressed as a separate item on the agenda for the August 22 meeting of the Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee.
• Develop synergies between departmental programs, exchange information, and coordinate communications to the Board of Supervisors on sustainability issues.
As indicated above, Ms. London is gathering information and working with DCD management to identify the best processes for facilitating interdepartmental collaboration and information exchange and communication with the Board of Supervisors.
2. Coordinating Efforts to Acquire New Funding to Support County’s Sustainability Efforts:
This topic will be addressed as a separate item on the agenda for the August 22 meeting of the Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee.
3. Energy Efficiency Programs:
• Coordinate County programs providing energy efficiency services to the public and represent the County in regional energy efficiency initiatives.
Staff in DCD currently manage a number of energy efficiency programs and initiatives. Ms. London brings considerable experience in this area, and is working with staff to support ongoing work. She also is working with staff to identify areas for new approaches or programs. We look forward to bringing updates to the Committee as this work develops.
4. Policy Development and New Initiatives:
• Develop new policies and initiatives to advance the County’s climate and energy goals.
Ms. London has begun to monitor and participate in regional initiatives that impact climate and energy goals, including the Adapting to Rising Tides Working Group sponsored by the Bay Area Conservation and Development Commission, and the Bay Area Regional Collaborative, sponsored by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. As Ms. London becomes more familiar with key County staff and external stakeholders, DCD expects there will be many opportunities to develop new policies and initiatives to advance the County’s climate and energy goals. We do not have anything specific to report at this time.
We welcome guidance and ideas from the Committee.
• Monitor and participate in development of legislation related to sustainability issues.
Ms. London routinely monitors legislation related to sustainability at the State and Federal levels. She is in communication with the County’s legislative lead on sustainability issues in the County Administrator’s Office. The Board may wish to consider whether its legislative advocates should be instructed to monitor legislation in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. that could impact the County’s climate action and sustainability goals.
Additionally, there are a number of State and regional agencies who manage implementation of sustainability and climate action laws and policies, and control funding opportunities. These include, but are not limited to:
| Agency |
Example of Programs and Policies that Affect Contra Costa County |
Strategic Growth Council
|
Administers the Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities grant, to which the County in June made a $12 million application for the Heritage Point project in North Richmond. |
California Public Utilities Commission
|
Oversees investor-owned utilities, including energy efficiency programs that provide funding to the East Bay Energy Watch and the Bay Area Regional Energy Network in both of which the County participate. Has jurisdiction over exit fees that utilities may charge to community choice energy programs, incentives funds and other programs that deploy small-scale renewable energy like solar and related programs. |
California Energy Commission
|
Provides grants for energy-related research and development. Provides low-interest loans for energy projects. Sets building code. |
| California Environmental Protection Agency |
- California Air Resources Board
|
Sets policies for programs including Cap and Trade; regulates emissions from various sources, including stationary (industrial plants) and mobile (transportation). |
|
|
Funds numerous recycling and reuse programs, including bottles and cans, oil, used tires. |
- Department of Toxic Substances Control
|
Funds cleanup initiatives, including toxic waste and brownfields mitigation. |
- State Water Resources Control Board
|
Sets water quality standards. Administers grant programs. |
| California Department of Transportation |
Developing bike/pedestrian master plan. |
| California Department of Education |
Administers Safe Routes to School program. |
| Metropolitan Transportation Commission |
Determines how state and federal transportation funds are allocated. Develops programs. |
| Bay Area Air Quality Management District |
Determines how state and federal air quality funds are allocated. Develops programs. Sets air quality standards. Leads interagency efforts such as Bay Area Regional Collaborative. |
| Bay Conservation and Development Commission |
Leading work on Adapting to Rising Tides. Other shoreline development issues. |
| Association of Bay Area Governments |
Administers Bay Area Regional Energy Network. Facilitates other regional initiatives. |
There are County staff monitoring some of the above entities, with a focus on specific topics and programs relevant to their work. Ms. London will coordinate with County staff in those areas. She also is tracking State and regional agency activities specific to sustainability and climate action, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Given the breadth of opportunity, if the Committee prefers to see attention focused on specific topics and agencies, that guidance would be helpful.
|