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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04172012 - C.81RECOMMENDATION(S): ACKNOWLEDGE that the Board of Supervisors previously approved a GHG Emissions Inventory Report and long-term regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target of 80% by 2050 consistent with the U.S. Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration resolution. ACKNOWLEDGE that the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) is developing a Communitywide Climate Action Plan (CCAP) for the unincorporated area that will be consistent with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Guidelines, requiring incorporation of an updated greenhouse gas emissions inventory and near-term greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target for 2020. DIRECT the Department of Conservation and Development to return to the Board of Supervisors with the recommended Communitywide Climate Action Plan and associated greenhouse gas emissions inventory and near-term reduction target upon completion in the Fall of 2012. APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 04/17/2012 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor ABSENT:Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor Contact: Patrick Roche, DCD-Advance Planning, (925) 674-7807 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: April 17, 2012 David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: C.81 To:Board of Supervisors From:Catherine Kutsuris Date:April 17, 2012 Contra Costa County Subject:Status Report on Preparation of the Communitywide Climate Action Plan FISCAL IMPACT: No impact to the General Fund. The cost of developing the Communitywide Climate Action Plan and updated greenhouse gas emissions inventory is being covered by a portion of the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding the U.S. Department of Energy awarded to the County. BACKGROUND: The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors originally formed a Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) in May 2005. The CCWG has been comprised of the Agricultural Commissioner, the Deputy Director of Building Inspection, the Director of Conservation and Development, General Services, Health Services, and Public Works. Since the CCWG was formed, five major milestones were outlined that are generally accepted by local governments involved in climate protection, which are listed below. Climate Protection Milestones 1. Conducting an emissions inventory; 2. Adopting an emissions reduction target; 3. Develop a Climate Action Plan; a. Municipal Climate Action Plan (MCAP); and b. Communitywide Climate Action Plan (CCAP); 4. Implementation of the Climate Action Plan(s); and 5. Monitoring of the results. The Climate Protection milestones accomplished by the County with the CCWG are the following: Milestone 1 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report: A revised “Contra Costa County Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report” was accepted by the Board in July 2008. The report summarizes the results of the County’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory for municipal and unincorporated communitywide emissions. Approval of an updated greenhouse gas emissions inventory for the County will be recommended in conjunction with the County’s Communitywide Climate Action Plan currently being developed. Milestone 2 Communitywide Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target: In October 2007, Contra Costa County adopted the U.S. Cool counties Climate Stabilization Declaration resolution establishing a long-term greenhouse gas reduction target, which calls for the County to work with local, state, and federal governments and other local leaders to jointly reduce countywide GHG emissions to 80% below baseline levels by 2050. Approval of a near-term 2020 GHG emissions reduction target for the County will be recommended in conjunction with the County’s Communitywide Climate Action Plan currently being developed. Milestone 3(a) Municipal Climate Action Plan (MCAP): In December 2008, the Board adopted a MCAP, which includes municipal emissions reduction targets, quantifies greenhouse gas reductions from existing municipal programs as well as potential reductions from the implementation of additional programs, intended to prioritize potential future actions that the County could implement to achieve the most cost-effective reductions. Next Steps: Updated GHG Emissions Inventory, Near-Term GHG Reduction Target for 2020 and Communitywide Climate Action Plan An updated GHG emissions inventory and establishment of a reduction target for 2020 are critical elements of a CCAP in order to ensure consistency with AB32 and Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Guidelines. A CCAP that is consistent with BAAQMD Guidelines would provide County staff the opportunity to utilize a new streamlined approach to address potential environmental impacts resulting from greenhouse gas emissions generated by new development projects in compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). It is anticipated that this approach will reduce the level of effort and associated cost to conduct the environmental analysis for new development projects pursuant to the requirements of CEQA. In order to utilize a CCAP to help streamline compliance with CEQA, the CCAP must include the minimum standard elements of a “Qualified GHG Reduction Strategy” as specified by the BAAQMD. The BAAQMD’s Guidelines specify that the following minimum standard elements must be included in order for a Climate Action Plan to serve as a “Qualified GHG Reduction Strategy”: a) Community-wide GHG emissions inventory and “business-as-usual” forecast addressing all required emission sources; b) 2020 GHG reduction target consistent with AB 32; c) Local and state policies and actions (reduction measures) that may impact GHG emissions within the jurisdiction; d) Quantification of feasible GHG reduction measures demonstrating that, if fully d) Quantification of feasible GHG reduction measures demonstrating that, if fully implemented, the GHG reduction target will be met; e) Implementation and monitoring strategy, including identification of responsible parties, approach and schedule; and f) Environmental review. Completion of the CCAP is expected to occur sometime in the Fall of 2012. Upon completion, the recommended CCAP, 2020 reduction target and updated GHG emissions inventory will be presented for consideration by the Board of Supervisors. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: If the action is disapproved, the Board of Supervisors would not: (1) acknowledge its previous approval of a long term emissions reduction target for the County; nor (2) acknowledge DCD's efforts to develop a Communitywide Climate Action Plan consistent with regional air quality guidelines; nor (3) direct DCD to submit a recommended Communitywide Climate Action Plan in Fall 2012. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: Not applicable.