Agenda

Back to Calendar Return

SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	07/11/2022
Subject: RECEIVE Referral from Board of Supervisors Regarding Low-Carbon Concrete Standards and PROVIDE DIRECTION
Submitted For:	John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Department:	Conservation & Development
Referral No.:
Referral Name:	RECEIVE Referral from Board of Supervisors Regarding Low-Carbon Concrete Standards and PROVIDE DIRECTION
Presenter:	Jody London, DCD	Contact:	Jody London (925)655-2815

Information

Referral History:

On April 26, 2022, the Board of Supervisors (Board) received a report from the Sustainability Commission that recommends the County consider establishing standards for low-carbon concrete. The Board referred this topic to the Sustainability Committee.

Referral Update:

The Sustainability Commission has been looking at options regarding the use of low-carbon concrete in County construction projects, as well as in projects approved by the County. The report from the Sustainability Commission describes that concrete accounts for approximately 8 percent of the world's manmade carbon dioxide emissions, and that the concrete industry has available low-carbon concrete mixes.The report states that Marin County and several Bay Area cities have adopted building codes that require the use of low-carbon concrete mixes. It describes different strategies that could be used to reduce the amount of carbon embodied, or captured, in concrete.

The Sustainability Commission recommends that the Board of Supervisors direct staff to study adoption of low-carbon concrete standards. It further recommends that low-carbon concrete standards be implemented through reach codes that would apply to all new construction in unincorporated Contra Costa County.

Staff is prepared to undertake this study and to report back to the Sustainability Committee later this year.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

RECEIVE Referral from Board of Supervisors Regarding Low-Carbon Concrete Standards and PROVIDE DIRECTION.

Fiscal Impact (if any):

At this time, the fiscal impact would be costs associated with staff time required to conduct a study on the adoption of low-carbon concrete standards. Such staff costs are already budgeted.

Attachments
Referral from Board of Supervisors
Sustainability Commission Recommendations re Studying Low Carbon Concrete