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    5.    
AD HOC COMMITTEE ON SUSTAINABILITY
Meeting Date: 10/24/2016  
Subject:    RECEIVE update on Climate Action Plan Implementation.
Submitted For: John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Department: Conservation & Development  
Referral No.:  
Referral Name:
Presenter: Jody London, DCD Contact: Jody London (925)674-7871

Information
Referral History:
At the August 22, 2016 meeting of the Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee, the Committee directed staff to provide an update on work to implement the Climate Action Plan.
Referral Update:
I. Overview

In December 2015, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors adopted a Climate Action Plan (CAP) that applies to all unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County, as well as County facilities. The CAP establishes goals for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that originate from sources that are located in the unincorporated area of the County. There are some areas, like cities, and some stationary sources, like large existing industrial facilities, over which the County does not have jurisdiction. Incorporated cities are responsible for preparing and implementing their own climate action plans. Emissions from stationary sources like refineries and power plants are regulated by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and the Air Resources Board. In some of those situations, there are Climate Action Plan measures calling for collaboration with the appropriate agencies.

The Climate Action Plan includes a GHG emissions inventory, forecast, reduction targets and numerous GHG reduction measures which together comprise the County’s strategy for addressing climate change locally. The GHG reduction measures apply to the following six goal areas, around which this report is organized:

1. Energy Efficiency
2. Renewable Energy
3. Mobility and Land Use
4. Waste
5. Water
6. Government Operations

Only some of the CAP measures are expected to provide the means to achieve a portion of the direct GHG reductions needed to reach the County’s CAP goals. Other measures are purely supportive and not expected to result in GHG reductions that aid the County in achieving CAP goals. It is also worth noting that only one Government Operations measure in the County’s CAP, involving more energy efficient public lighting, is intended to reduce GHG emissions that will count towards the County’s CAP goal. Other Government Operations measures will help reduce overall GHG emissions, however in most cases they will directly contribute towards reaching other jurisdictions’ CAP goals, like the City of Martinez, because the majority of County facilities are located in incorporated areas.

A number of County departments are responsible for implementing the measures in the Climate Action Plan. This is an initial progress report. Staff is prepared to provide another progress report in six months, if so directed by the Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee.

II. Energy Efficiency

a. Residential Buildings

The Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) has the lead for energy efficiency in residential buildings. Much of this work happens through the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN), a collaboration of the nine Bay Area counties, facilitated through the Association of Bay Area Governments. Since the program’s inception in 2013, in Contra Costa County, the BayREN has provided nearly $3 million in incentives for nearly 950 projects in homes. This is the most of any County in the Bay Area. The BayREN also has provided energy efficiency upgrades in 1,600 multi-family residential units, with an anticipated 2,000 more through 2017.

b. Non-residential Buildings

The Department of Conservation and Development is the lead for energy efficiency programs that serve the non-residential sector. Much of this work occurs through the East Bay Energy Watch (EBEW), a partnership of cities in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties, the Counties, and PG&E.

The EBEW programs focus on commercial buildings and provides energy efficiency resources to local governments. DCD is working with PG&E to determine the cumulative number of businesses that have received energy efficiency retrofits through the EBEW since its inception in
2005.

c. Energy Conservation Awareness

As indicated above, the Department of Conservation and Development is building energy conservation awareness through the BayREN and EBEW programs. The Sustainability Coordinator has initiated work with the County’s Office of Communications and Media to explore how the County can increase awareness of energy conservation and overall sustainability issues to both the general population and County employees.

The Sustainability Coordinator has initiated introductions with community organizations that focus on the environment and sustainability. The Sustainability Coordinator will present at an October 20 workshop organized by Contra Costa County Climate Leaders on Cities and Businesses Working on Sustainability Goals. The Sustainability Coordinator also will be speaking at an October 27 Sustainable Enterprise Conference being organized by Sustainable Contra Costa.

The Climate Action Plan recognizes the Green Business Program as a vehicle for increasing public awareness of energy and sustainability. On April 19, 2016, the Board of Supervisors recognized new Green Businesses for 2016. The Green Business Program is administered by the Health Services Department. Currently there are 340 certified Green Businesses in Contra Costa County. These businesses agree to comply with all environmental regulations; conserve energy, water, and other natural resources; and reduce or eliminate pollution from any hazardous and sold wastes they generate.

d. Urban Forestry and Paving and Roofing Materials

The CAP calls for encouraging the use of higher-albedo materials, parking lots with vegetation or solar panels, low-impact development and impervious surfaces, and cool roof materials. High albedo materials reduce heat gain in the built environment and can be used on surfaces including roofs, streets, sidewalks, school yards, and exposed parking lot surfaces. DCD is developing strategies for implementing this measure.

DCD also has the lead on supporting programs to plant and maintain trees on private property in urban and rural areas. DCD's role pertains to trees on private property and efforts are limited to landscaping associated with development projects requiring land use entitlement approvals. DCD is working on an update to the current tree ordinance, which can be structured to promote planting and maintaining tree species that will be drought tolerant and create shade.

DCD also has the lead on supporting programs to plant and maintain trees in urban and rural areas. The Department of Public Works responsible for landscaping at parks, County facilities, road maintenance (roads, rights of way), and flood control (creeks and channels) A issue to consider with maintaining trees, as well as other aspects of the built environment, is ongoing maintenance costs. Conventional budgeting policies for capital projects tend to consider only first costs, and not ongoing costs to operate and maintain a public works project.

e. Energy Efficiency Capacity Building

Staff in DCD, Public Works, and Health Services are monitoring grants, and pursuing them where appropriate. The Sustainability Coordinator is initiating contact with the Workforce Development Board and the Contra Costa Community College District to encourage and develop workforce training programs for green jobs. Green workforce development is something the County may
also wish to pursue as it considers opportunities with the Northern Waterfront Economic
Development Initiative.

f. Energy Efficient New Buildings

Zero net energy buildings are the next wave of green building technology. Outside the design and sustainability industries, there is not yet a high level of awareness or understanding about zero net energy and the benefits this type of construction can provide. The Department of Conservation and Development will be updating the County’s General Plan in the next few years. This update provides an opportunity to incorporate zero net energy and other green building and sustainability concepts into County policy. Similarly, the upcoming Capital Improvement Plan being developed by the Department of Public Works provides an opportunity to look at zero net energy for new and retrofitted County buildings.

III. Renewable Energy

a. Alternative Energy Installations

The CAP calls for promoting the installation of alternative energy facilities on homes and businesses. Something that would help staff assess these opportunities is an assessment of renewable energy resource potential in Contra Costa County, and what modifications would be required to current zoning code and ordinances to facilitate greater renewable energy resource deployment. Staff is working to identify potential funding source(s) and technical resources to develop a renewable energy resource potential report. The CAP also directs the development of streamlined standards for ministerial approval of rooftop alternative energy installations on commercial buildings. This is an area that will be the focus of future work.

b. Alternative Energy Facilities

This item is specific to alternative energy facilities on public land. As indicated above, DCD will be examining in the coming year renewable resource potential in Contra Costa County. This study will include recommendations on whether and how land use policies should be modified to facilitate more renewable energy facilities on public lands.

c. Alternative Energy Financing

On June 21, 2016, the Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) program began operating in the unincorporated areas of the County. HERO is a property assessed clean energy (PACE) program that provides a low-interest financing option that is repaid through property taxes. As of September 30, County residents have used the program to install 63 energy projects, 25 solar projects, and 1 water project. $1.25 million has been funded through HERO, creating an estimated 11 jobs in the County and reducing emissions by 2.35 tons. See the attached HERO report (Exhibit A) for details.

DCD anticipates another PACE vendor, California First, will soon begin offering PACE financing in the County as well.

IV. Mobility and Land Uses

a. Mobility and Land Uses

We know that the mobility and land use sectors, especially transportation, are critical to achieving our climate action goals. The passage of SB 32 last month and approval of goals that take California to 40% below 1990 emissions levels make transportation even more important. Achieving many of these goals is contingent on entities with whom the County collaborates, including the Contra Costa Transit Authority, County transit providers, and cities.

The Health Department operates the Safe Routes to School program, and coordinates with the cities in this work.

In July, the Board approved an update to the Complete Streets policy. Public Works and DCD will be working to implement this for County projects, and will be coordinating with cities and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority as needed.

Staff is identifying leads for revising County CEQA guidelines to reflect implementation of SB 743 (infill and transit-oriented development) and establishing a 2020 mode share goal for bicycling by resolution of the Board.

b. Increased transportation alternatives and land use improvements

i. Alternative-fuel infrastructure

Public Works and DCD share the lead on increasing the infrastructure in Contra Costa County for alternative fueled vehicles. The departments have partnered to secure funding for additional EV charging stations. Contra Costa County recently was awarded a grant of $66,000 from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to install seven electric vehicle charging stations at various County facilities – including the Administration Building and the main office buildings for both DCD and Public Works. The County is providing a 25% funding match for this project.

Some of the waste hauling vehicles in fleets owned and operated by companies that have entered into County franchise agreements use alternative fuels, namely compressed natural gas (CNG). Staff are beginning to explore the extent of the County’s authority to require alternative fuels in contracts with other vehicle fleets. As described below, the County’s own fleet is recognized for its use of alternative fuels.

ii. Off-road vehicles and equipment

Reducing emissions from off-road vehicles and equipment is an area that will be the focus of future CAP implementation work.

c. Reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled

Reducing vehicle miles traveled is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Contra Costa County, and across California. Many of the measures named in the Climate Action Plan are under the shared jurisdiction of cities in Contra Costa County and other agencies and special districts. DCD is the County’s lead department in collaborating with BART and other transit providers to increase public transit ridership in the County. DCD is also the lead in working with the County’s franchise waste haulers with regular routes serving unincorporated areas to maximize their routing efficiency where possible. DCD is also the lead in promoting with other agencies transportation demand management (TDM) programs, which support increased use of carpooling services, such as rideshare or casual carpool.

The Climate Action Plan identifies voluntary trip reduction programs, including school buses, Rideshare, Spare-the-Air Days, Bike to Work Day, employee shuttles, and alternative work schedules. While DCD is listed as the lead for promoting these programs, within the County, these goals can only be realized in partnership with the County Administrator’s Office. In the private sector, DCD staff will be working with community organizations to promote these goals.

The Climate Action Plan calls for increasing densities within half a mile of BART and Amtrak stations, and within a quarter of a mile of stops for express bus routes. The unincorporated County has five Planned Development Areas (PDAs), including Contra Costa Centre (Pleasant Hill BART), Downtown El Sobrante, North Richmond, Pittsburg/Bay Point BART Station Area, and the WCCTAC San Pablo Avenue Corridor (includes Montalvin Manor and Rodeo). Approximately 13 percent of the anticipated new housing units in the unincorporated County are within the PDAs. Of the 12 existing or planned BART/eBART and three Amtrak stations in Contra Costa County, only the Contra Costa Centre and Pittsburg/Bay Point BART stations are within one-half mile of areas under the County’s land use jurisdiction. The Contra Costa Centre PDA has densities that exceed 80 units per acre. In 2015, a development adjacent to the BART station received approvals to increase from 100 units to 200 units and is expected to begin construction in late 2017. The Pittsburg/Bay Point BART PDA includes a seven acre site on Bailey Road with planned densities of 60 units per acre.

Few, if any, opportunities currently exist to increase densities in areas proximate to express bus routes because existing routes tend to be contained entirely within the cities and/or bypass unincorporated communities.

The Contra Costa Centre PDA includes completed bicycle and pedestrian improvements (overcrossing) that improves access to the Pleasant Hill BART station. Bicycle parking has also been added to the station. A bicycle station is proposed to be located on the private development site adjacent to the station. This project can serve as a model for future work to prioritize alternative mode access to BART and other transit stations.

DCD is working to explore funding transit with development applications and other alternative transportation finance methods. Frontage improvements (curb, gutter and sidewalk) are proposed for new development. Particular attention is being given to installing these improvements in North Richmond job centers, thereby providing employees safe pedestrian access to and from transit stops.

The Climate Action Plan calls for continuing the County’s policy of encouraging the establishment of Priority Economic Development Areas. The County is encouraging the Association of Bay Area Governments to establish a Priority Production Areas program (formerly Priority Industrial Areas) in Contra Costa County. The Northern Waterfront Economic Development Initiative, involving nearly 55 miles of Bay shoreline from Hercules to Oakley, has been the focus of collaborative economic development efforts by Contra Costa County and participating cities. Designating Priority Production Areas along the Northern Waterfront would advance efforts to improve the Jobs-Housing balance in the County.

d. Agricultural Land Uses

The Climate Action Plan calls for continuing support for local farmers markets, community gardens, school gardens, and other urban agricultural practices. The County has appropriated Park Dedication funds to the Urban Tilth (urban farm) Project in North Richmond. The project is beginning development in 2016, and can serve as a model for similar projects in other parts of the County. To help combat blight on vacant lots in North Richmond, the County, in partnership with the City of Richmond, continues to jointly fund a number of community garden projects established and maintained by local non-profit organizations.

DCD’s work program for 2017 includes amending the General Plan to include a policy that encourages community gardens in new residential developments. DCD will also begin to explore how to amend the Zoning Code to allow urban agriculture in appropriate areas. It is not clear which County department has take the lead on encouraging partnerships between local food growers and local retailers, as well as local institutions such as schools, hospitals, colleges, and correctional facilities.

DCD continues work to discourage schools from being sited in agricultural areas. The County has actively pursued legislative and administrative fixes with no success. An upcoming California Department of Education update to Title 5 siting regulations provide a new opportunity to pursue this measure.

V. Waste

a. Waste Reduction and Recycling

Aggressive State requirements mandating that cities and counties to reduce landfill disposal continue to be pivotal in helping the County achieve its waste reduction and recycling goals. DCD is the lead department responsible for promoting participation in existing waste diversion and prevention programs; often, this is done in coordination with waste management companies and other public agencies.

DCD and the Environmental Health Division of the Health Services Department have regulatory and permitting authority for privately owned and operated solid waste transfer stations and landfills located in the unincorporated area. Like wastewater treatment facilities, these operations are prime locations to site and establish anaerobic digesters, which are an increasingly popular method of diverting food scraps and certain other organic wastes from landfills, unlike composting. They also offer the co-benefit of generating alternative energy, an area that will hopefully gain momentum in the future.

DCD periodically updates waste diversion programs originally established through the County’s Source Reduction and Recycling Element and Household Hazardous Waste Element as circumstances warrant, using the annual reporting system administered by CalRecycle, the state department responsible for overseeing waste management programs and regulations. No additional changes have been identified as necessary to support the waste reduction and recycling measures in the County’s CAP.

DCD staff has learned that there is an association of sanitary districts responsible for wastewater treatment in the Bay Area which provides a forum for regular collaboration and communication for the purpose of identifying best management practices, among other things. This includes exploring options that would reduce the amount of sewer sludge and other wastewater treatment byproducts that need to be disposed of in landfills. These types of operations could benefit from partnership with waste management companies in order to secure Cap and Trade funding for building and operating anaerobic digester facilities that can be used to manage waste from wastewater treatment as well as organic wastes, such as food scraps, collected from businesses or residences.

b. Landfill Management

Although DCD and Environmental Health have regulatory oversight of landfills operating in the unincorporated area, it is the Bay Area Air Quality Management District that has the regulatory responsibility and expertise necessary to ensure compliance with landfill methane control measures. DCD’s monitoring of the Keller Canyon Landfill provides a means to make the County aware if the landfill fails to submit the required reports that demonstrate landfill methane control measure compliance to the Air District. We expect to be on target for this measure.

There are one closed landfill and two operating landfills in the County which already have on-site plants that generate energy from landfill gas (primarily methane). The CAP calls for amendments to the General Plan and zoning code to allow renewable energy generation, such as solar and wind, on closed landfill areas. The General Plan and Zoning Code currently allow for utility-scale wind power generation, upon issuance of a land use permit, in areas with agricultural designations only. Closed landfill areas are currently located in other zoning districts, such as P-1 or Heavy Industry, and the applicable General Plan land use designations include Open Space (OS) and Heavy Industry (HI). The County does not have ordinances regulating other types of utility-scale renewable energy projects, so not having ordinances may in some circumstances complicate or prohibit such projects. DCD’s work program for 2017 includes studying the County’s renewable energy potential and amending the General Plan and Zoning Code as necessary to take advantage of that potential.

The Climate Action Plan calls for marketing renewable energy on closed landfill areas to potential stakeholders. The renewable resource potential study can look at the potential for this opportunity. While DCD can encourage the owners of these properties, the ultimate decision to install renewable energy facilities rests with the property owners. Should the County pursue community choice energy, that could create additional markets for such local renewable energy.

VI. Water

The Climate Action Plan contains measures related to water conservation and alternative water supplies. Staff leads have not yet been identified for the water supply specific measures, but both of these areas are expected to receive attention in the coming year.

VII. Government Operations

a. Public Lighting

All traffic signals in the unincorporated County area have been converted to LED technology, and street light upgrades are nearly complete. The County works in collaboration with PG&E on this, as PG&E owns many of the street lights. This is the one Government Operations measure which will derive GHG reductions that will directly contribute to the County reaching its CAP reduction goals.

b. Promote energy-saving tools and practices

The County is performing facility audits to explore the potential for cost-effective energy reduction projects using Interior LED lighting. A project to replace all exterior lighting at the West County Detention Facility is pending. The County has also been using a State-funded program that uses software and data to mine efficiency gains from HVAC systems in selected facilities.

The County recently completed its latest effort to expand solar-generated electricity to six facilities. These recent installations added 1.74 MW of solar capacity, bringing the total County solar capacity to 5 MW. This recent set of solar sites has generated 2.28 GWh of electricity, thereby avoiding 3.58 million pounds of CO2 emissions (the most common greenhouse gas) since coming on line. Ongoing efforts include examining use of the RES-BCT tariff as a means to build a central solar facility on County land, and use the power a solar facility would generate to offset electricity consumption in County buildings that are not suitable sites for solar installations. Attached as Exhibits C & D are two aerial photos of County facilities on which solar has been installed.

The Capital Projects group in Public Works is beginning construction on upgrades to the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system at 40 Douglas. This project will include an energy management system. Public Works is designing an 18,000 square foot expansion of the West County Health Center in San Pablo that will be certified as a LEED Silver building. Similarly, new fire stations in Lafayette and San Pablo are proposed to be LEED Silver.

The CAP calls for Public Works to develop policies related to powering off lights and appliances after hours and after dark in County facilities. Some facilities, like DCD’s main office, have automatic lighting controls which power off lights when there are periods of inactivity during the day as well as overnight. This is an area that is expected to receive additional focus for 2017.

These facility upgrades have been funded with zero-interest loans from PG&E, low-interest loans from the California Energy Commission, and various incentives and programs funded by the public purpose program surcharge on PG&E bills. The County has funded some energy efficiency projects in the past by taking advantage of grant funding made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

The CAP also calls for the County to site facilities that have more than 50 personnel in close proximity to infrastructure and services that support alternative commute modes. This may be something to consider in the upcoming Capital Improvements Plan.

c. Water Conservation

Some County facilities, like DCD’s main office, already have water-efficient landscaping. Public Works is identifying opportunities to install additional water-efficient landscaping on County facilities and remove turf. A pilot project is the Pittsburg Health Clinic, where the County is savings millions of gallons of water through planting drought tolerant landscaping and removing turf. Additional funding for turf removal at other locations would offer the County the opportunity to realize similar water savings.

d. Waste Reduction

Public Works operates varying recycling programs in most County facilities. Paper recycling is most prevalent, however recycling of bottles and cans is also relatively widespread. Organic wastes from County buildings do not yet have organics recycling programs in place, due in part to challenges associated with storing, handling and transporting those types of wastes in a safe and cost effective manner. However, there are new state laws in effect which will apply to an increasing number of County facilities as the 2017 and 2019 thresholds take effect, which will mandate implementation of organics recycling programs. This is an area that will require heightened attention in 2017. The Public Works Department will most likely lead this direction, with support from the Sustainability Coordinator and other DCD staff, all bearing in mind the goal of zero waste County operations by 2035.

e. Climate Action Plan Implementation Support

The Board adopted the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy on April 15, 2008. That policy contains specifications that consider source reduction, recycled content, energy and water savings, green building, landscaping, toxics and pollutants, forest conservation, and bio-based products.

The County’s fleet just received a Clean Champion award from the East Bay Clean Cities Coalition. The County was recognized for its use of cleaner fuels and fuel efficient vehicles. Fleet Services expects that the changes the County has made in its fleet will reduce greenhouse gas emissions up to 65%, or 5,000 tons annually, as well as reduction of NOx and particulate matter emissions. The County has been actively changing out its fleet to more efficient vehicles, and is reducing the number of vehicles in its fleet. Specific actions include switching to renewable diesel fuel, compressed natural gas, and plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles; obtaining grants to install electric vehicle chargers; and implementing policies to reduce idling time and save fuel. The County is piloting technology that can assist in these efforts. See attached fact sheet (Exhibit B) for details.

A future work item for DCD and the County Administrator’s Office will be to evaluate the target from the 2007 Municipal Climate Action Plan for 30% of employees to telecommute two days a week. The Climate Action Plan states that if this goal has not been achieved, the County will establish policies to further support telecommuting and flexible work hours for employees, and if it has been achieved, the County will consider increasing the target to 40% employee participation.

As indicated above, the Sustainability Coordinator is developing a process for educating the public, as well as employees, on government operations’ energy and water use efficiency and conservation measures.

The Climate Action Plan calls for the CAO and DCD to advocate for regional, state, and federal activities that support GHG emissions reduction in the County. The Sustainability Coordinator is providing support in this area, helping staff analyze opportunities to influence the County’s legislative agenda, and helping craft written comments on the Air Resources Board’s 2030 Scoping Plan Update Concept Paper, the California Energy Commission’s research and development grant process, and CalEPA’s proposed update to CalEnviroScreen, which defines which areas qualify as “disadvantaged communities”.

The forthcomingupcoming update of the County’s Capital Improvements Plan provides an opportunity to consider the policies in the Climate Action Plan. Similarly, work to develop new housing for the County’s main administrative office and Emergency Operations Center may present opportunities to explore implementation of sustainability principles.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
VIII. Next Steps

The Climate Action Plan provides a roadmap for Contra Costa County to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in unincorporated areas, and lead by example in County operations. The County is making progress, and there is more we can do. Staff looks forward to reporting back to the Board in six months, if so directed.
Fiscal Impact (if any):

The cost to implement all of the measures in the Climate Action Plan is not known. However, the measures are intended to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and contribute to increased public health. To the extent that public health improves, there are fewer demands on the health care system and residents have more funds to spend for other purposes that can stimulate other sectors of the economy. Numerous measures offer potential savings opportunities, such as reducing energy use and therefore lowering utility bills for County facilities as a result of making them more energy efficient.

Attachments
Presentation
Exhibit A: HERO Financing
Exhibit B: Fleet Awards
Exhibit C: Aerial Photo 1 of solar on County facilities
Exhibit D: Aerial Photo 2 of solar on County facilities

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