HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD STANDING COMMITTEES - 04222019 - Sustainability Cte Min Pkt (2)CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
An Advisory Body to the Board of Supervisors
April 22, 2019
5:00 P.M.
30 Muir Road, Martinez
Nick Despota, Vice-Chair, Member, District 1
Shoshana Wechsler, Alternate, District 1
Victoria Smith, Member, District 2
Ryan Buckley, Alternate, District 2
John Sierra, Member, District 3
Gretchen Logue, Alternate, District 3
Wes Sullens, Member, District 4
Travis Curran, Alternate, District 4
Charles Davidson, Member, District 5
Vacant, Alternate, District 5
Harry Thurston, At-Large, Community Group
Vacant, At-Large, Business
Vacant, At-Large, Business
Vacant, At-Large, Environmental Justice
Kim Hazard, At-Large, Education
Vacant, At-Large, Community Group
Agenda
Items:
Items may be taken out of order based on the business of the day and preference of the
Committee
1. Call to Order and Introductions
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Comment
4. APPROVE Record of Action for February 25, 2019 meeting.
5. RECEIVE Presentation on Emissions Inventory for 2019 Climate Action Plan Update
6. CONSIDER proposal from Member, District 1, to Recommend the Use of Carbon-Neutral
Building Materials in County Projects.
7. ADOPT Environmental Justice Rubric Developed by the Commission’s Environmental Justice
Working Group and RECOMMEND Its Use in Updating the County’s General Plan.
8. DISCUSS Community Organizations to Consult in Preparation of the County’s General Plan
Update and PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS to Staff.
9. RECEIVE Reports from Sustainability Commission members and alternates, and PROVIDE
DIRECTION as needed.
10. RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Coordinator.
11. RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Commission Chair and IDENTIFY TOPICS for next
report to Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability.
12. The next meeting is currently scheduled for June 24, 2019.
13. Adjourn
The Sustainability Commission will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities planning to attend
Commission meetings. Contact the staff person listed below at least 72 hours before the meeting.
Any disclosable public records related to an open session item on a regular meeting agenda and distributed by the County to a
majority of members of the Commission less than 96 hours prior to that meeting are available for public inspection at 30 Muir
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Road, Martinez, CA during normal business hours. Staff reports related to items on the agenda are also accessible on line at
www.co.contra-costa.ca.us.
Public comment may be submitted via electronic mail on agenda items at least one full work day prior to the published
meeting time.
For Additional Information Contact: Jody London, Commission Staff jody.london@dcd.cccounty.us
Phone (925) 674-7871 · Fax (925) 674-7250
Glossary of Acronyms, Abbreviations, and other Terms (in alphabetical order): Contra Costa County has a
policy of making limited use of acronyms, abbreviations, and industry-specific language in meetings of its
Board of Supervisors and Committees. Following is a list of commonly used abbreviations that may appear
in presentations and written materials at meetings of the Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee:
AB Assembly Bill
ABAG Association of Bay Area Governments
ACA Assembly Constitutional Amendment
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
BAAQMD Bay Area Air Quality Management District
BART Bay Area Rapid Transit District
BAYREN Bay Area Regional Energy Network
BGO Better Government Ordinance (Contra Costa County)
BOS Board of Supervisors
CALTRANS California Department of Transportation
AO County Administrative Officer or Office
CAP Climate Action Plan
CARB California Air Resources Board
CCA Community Choice
CCE Community Choice Energy Aggregation
CCWD Contra Costa Water District
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CSA County Service Area
CSAC California State Association of Counties
DCC Delta Counties Coalition
DCD Contra Costa County Dept. of Conservation &
Development
DPC Delta Protection Commission
DSC Delta Stewardship Council
DWR California Department of Water Resources
EBEW East Bay Energy Watch
EBMUD East Bay Municipal Utility District
EIR Environmental Impact Report (a state requirement)
EIS Environmental Impact Statement (a federal requirement)
FTE Full Time Equivalent
FY Fiscal Year
GHG Greenhouse Gas
GGRF Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds
GIS Geographic Information System
HSD Contra Costa County Health Services Department
IPM Integrated Pest Management
JPA/JEPA Joint (Exercise of) Powers Authority or Agreement
LAMORINDA Area of Lafayette-Moraga-Orinda
MAC Municipal Advisory Council
MBE Minority Business Enterprise
MOA Memorandum of Agreement
MOE Maintenance of Effort
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
MTC Metropolitan Transportation Commission
NACo National Association of Counties
NEPA National Environmental Protection Act
PDA Priority Development Area
PV Photovoltaic
PWD Contra Costa County Public Works Department
RDA Redevelopment Agency or Area
RFI Request For Information
RFP Request For Proposals
RFQ Request For Qualifications
SB Senate Bill
SGC Strategic Growth Council
SR2S Safe Routes to Schools
TWIC Transportation, Water, and Infrastructure Committee
U.S. EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
WBE Women-Owned Business Enterprise
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Contra Costa County
Sustainability Commission
4.
Meeting Date: 4/22/2019
Subject: APPROVE Record of Action for February 25, 2019, Sustainability Commission
Meeting.
Department: Conservation & Development
Presenter: Jody London, DCD Contact: Jody London, (925) 674-7871
Referral History:
County Ordinance (Better Government Ordinance 95-6, Article 25-205, [d]) requires that each County
Body keep a record of its meetings. Though the record need not be verbatim, it must accurately reflect
the agenda and the decisions made in the meeting.
Referral Update:
Any handouts or printed copies of testimony distributed at the meeting will be attached to this meeting
record. Links to the agenda and minutes will be available at the Committee web page, to be announced.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
Staff recommends approval of the attached Record of Action for the February 25, 2019, Sustainability
Commission Meeting with any necessary corrections.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
N/A
ATTACHMENT(S)
02-25-19 Record of Action
02-25-19 Record of Action Item #6 Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge & Presentation
02-25-19 Record of Action Item #7 Built Environment
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Record of Action
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
An Advisory Body to the Board of Supervisors
Monday, February 25, 2019
5:00 P.M.
30 Muir Road, Martinez
Victoria Smith, Member, District 2, Chair
Howdy Goudey, At-Large, Community, Vice Chair
Nick Despota, Member, District 1
Shoshana Wechsler, Alternate, District 1
Ryan Buckley, Alternate, District 2
John Sierra, Member, District 3
Gretchen Logue, Alternate, District 3
Wes Sullens, Member, District 4
Travis Curran, Alternate, District 4
Charles Davidson, Member, District 5
Mark Thomson, Alternate, District 5
Harry Thurston, At-Large, Community Group
Kathy Cutting, At-Large, Business
Nicholas Snyder, At-Large, Business
Doria Robinson, At-Large, Environmental Justice
Kim Hazard, At-Large, Education
Agenda Items: Items may be taken out of order based on the business of the day and preference of the Commission
DRAFT
Present: Victoria Smith, Member, District 2, Chair
Howdy Goudey, At-Large, Community Group, Vice Chair
Nick Despota, Member, District 1
Ryan Buckley, Alternate, District 2
John Sierra, Member, District 3
Wes Sullens, Member, District 4
Travis Curran, Alternate, District 4
Charles Davidson, Member, District 5
Kathy Cutting, At-Large, Business
Nick Snyder, At-Large, Business
Harry Thurston, At-Large, Community Group
Kimberly Hazard, At-Large, Education/Research
Doria Robinson, At-Large, Environmental Justice
Absent: Shoshana Wechsler, Alternate, District 1
Gretchen Logue, Alternate, District 3
Mark Thomson, Alternate, District 5
Staff Present: Jody London, Sustainability Coordinator
Demian Hardman, Senior Energy Planner
Michael Kent, Hazardous Materials Ombudsman
Gayle Israel, Chief of Staff for Supervisor Andersen
Chris Wikler, Field Representative for Supervisor Mitchoff
Attendees: Devin Jackson, Richard Jackson, Marti Roach, Jacenda Davis, Jana Corey, Shirley Shelangloski,
Gabrielle Lichtenstein, Carol Weed, Jan Warren
1.Call to Order
2.Pledge of Allegiance
3.Public Comment
Gabrielle Lichtenstein from MCE announced that MCE is holding an inclusion period through
June 30, 2019, for the six Contra Costa cities that are not MCE members. Due to changes in
regulations, cities that elect to join now will be eligible to transfer service in 2021.
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4.APPROVE Record of Action for December 10, 2018.
The Record of Action was unanimously approved.
MOTION: Despota SECOND: Thurston
5.ELECT Officers for 2019
The Commission unanimously elected Howdy Goudey as Chair and Nick Despota as Vice
Chair for 2019.
6.RECEIVE Presentation on the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge (SEE ATTACHMENT)
Jacenda Davis, Outreach Coordinator for Sustainable Contra Costa, provided an overview of
the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge. The purpose of the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge is to
encourage County residents to create a cleaner, healthier community and empower residents to
help stop damage to the climate. The project is being operated through a two-year grant from
the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. During the pilot period, the project will test
outreach and engagement strategies in Antioch, Walnut Creek, and San Pablo. Davis
demonstrated the online platform that residents will use to participate in the Challenge, and
discussed the goals and strategies for the program.
7.RECEIVE Presentation on Sustainability, Health, and Planning for the Built Environment
(SEE ATTACHMENT)
Dr. Richard Jackson, Professor Emeritus in the UCLA School of Public Health, discussed how
planning for sustainability can have positive impacts on public health. The slides he presented
are attached.
8.RECEIVE Update on Electric Vehicle Readiness Blueprint
Jody London, County Sustainability Coordinator, provided an overview of the Electric Vehicle
(EV) Readiness Blueprint. The Blueprint is being developed with a grant from the California
Energy Commission. The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is the lead agency
for the project, which is due to be completed by July 1, 2019 so CCTA can apply for Phase 2
implementation funds. Sustainability Commission members asked whether the Blueprint would
include an assessment of jobs created from EV deployment, and expressed interest in attending
project workshops and also seeing more outreach directly to community members.
9.RECEIVE Report from the Commission’s Environmental Justice working group.
Nick Despota provided an update and recommendations from the working group focused on
environmental justice and the Climate Action Plan (see report published with the agenda). The
working group recommends that the County use a rubric for assessing whether projects and
policies meeting the County’s environmental justice goals, adopted in 2007. The working
group is particularly interested in seeing this rubric used in development of the County’s
updated General Plan. The Commission agreed to review this more carefully and discuss
again at its April meeting.
10.RECEIVE Report from the Commission’s outreach working group.
Travis Curran and Ryan Buckley reviewed a draft presentation on sustainability and the
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Climate Action Plan that Sustainability Commissioners could deliver to community and
business groups. The Commission’s outreach working group will provide an update to the
Commission on its continued work at a future meeting.
11.RECEIVE Report on Co-Hosting Workshop on Environmental Justice and General Plans, and
PROVIDE DIRECTION, as needed
Michael Kent, County Hazardous Materials Ombudsman, reported that the Hazardous
Materials Commission is going to host a workshop with the Governor’s Office of Planning and
Research on new regulations regarding environmental justice and general plans. The
workshop will likely be at the end of March. Kent invited the Sustainability Commission to co-
host the workshop. The Sustainability Commission voted unanimously to co-host the workshop.
Motion: Kim Hazard Second: Wes Sullens
12.RECEIVE Reports from Sustainability Commission members and alternates, and PROVIDE
DIRECTION as needed.
Charles Davidson reported on an event at Rodeo Hills Elementary School, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30
p.m., March 7, regarding the proposed expansion of the Phillips 66 refinery.
13.RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Coordinator.
Jody London referred the group to the written report provided in the agenda. London
announced that three at-large seats and the appointed seats and alternates in District 1 and 4
expire March 31, 2019. Applications for the at-large seats have closed, and candidates will be
interviewed at the March 25 meeting of the Sustainability Committee. London announced that
Kathy Cutting, who held the Business, At-Large seat that expires March 31, 2021, resigned that
day. The position will be advertised after the Board of Supervisors declares the vacancy, which
will happen next month.
14.RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Commission Chair and IDENTIFY TOPICS for next
report to the Sustainability Committee
The group suggested the next report to the Board of Supervisors Sustainability Committee
include information on the presentation from Dr. Jackson, potential updates to the County’s
sustainability web pages, the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge, and the recommendations about
environmental justice.
15.The next meeting is currently scheduled for April 22, 2019
16.Adjourn.
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The Cleaner Contra Costa ChallengePurpose ƔEncourage County residents to take action to create a cleaner, healthier community and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.ƔBuild stronger communities and empower residents to help stop damage to the climate. 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 7 of 82
Platform WalkthroughWebsite Links:ƔDemo site: https://mycity.communityclimate.org/ƔBackup site presentation slide deckƔIncrease the number of users on the platformƔIncrease participation by providing engaging and educational resources ƔAdd new community groups as affiliations ƔPromote collaboration amongst teams by coordinating community events and outreach04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 8 of 82
ƔIdentify interested community groups ƔCoordinate soft-launch presentations and training sessions ƔTrain community groups on how to use the platformƔProvide additional support to community groupsƔIdentify successful engagement strategies to use for county wide expansionCurrent Timeline ƔDevelop sample messaging & reach out to community groups in target cities (MMarch 8th)ƔCoordinate soft-launch presentations and platform trainings(March 15th- week of April 19th)ƔStudent internship coordination @ Alhambra High School in Martinez, CA (Ongoing, Student “Launch” Event is Wednesday, April 24th)04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 9 of 82
Questions?Jacenda DavisCommunity Engagement CoordinatorSustainable Contra Costajacenda@sustainablecoco.org(925)206-1821 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 10 of 82
Richard J JacksonMD MPH FAAP HonAIA HonFASLAdickjackson@ucla.eduProfessor Emeritus UCLA Fielding School of Public Health/Our Future Cannot be Healthy in Unhealthy Environments. Greta Thunberg from Sweden at Climate Summit in Katowice 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 11 of 82
We have “rigged” the “environment” against our children… …And the rest of US. 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 12 of 82
Contra Costa CountyAmazing Assets• Intellectual Capital• Good Medical Assets• One of the State’s wealthiest counties• Green space access• Bike and walking route access 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 13 of 82
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 14 of 82
Contra Costa CountyChallenges• Health, Economic and Racial Inequities• Transportation• Proposition 13• Air Pollution• Long term climate issues• Our Children Are (Rightly) Very WorriedMedical Care Is Not Health CareLife Expectancy at Birth and Health Spending-- 2011 OECD 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 15 of 82
Life Expectancy at Birth and Health Spending 2011• “Even under the most optimistic estimates, of the 30 years of increased life expectancy achieved between the 1890s and 1990s, only 5 years can be attributed to medical care.”Bunker cited in Prescription for a Healthy NationFarley and Cohn 2004 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 16 of 82
Institute of MedicineThe purpose of public health is to fulfill society’s interest in assuring the conditions in which people can be healthyInstitute of MedicineThe purpose of public health is to fulfill society’s interest in assuring the conditions in which people can be healthyRichard Jackson Sworn in by CDC Director David Satcher as Director, National Center for Environmental Health September, 1994 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 17 of 82
CDC Headquarters - AtlantaJuly 6, 1999 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 18 of 82
• Thinking about the healthfulness of what we have builtThe United States has now paved over the equivalent area of the entire state of Georgia60,000 square milesAnd Photosynthesis is our friend! 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 19 of 82
Two houses, adjoining back yards(From Streetsblog, 02/28/2013) Temperature Effects of Asphalt “Meadows” Atlanta May 11-12, 1997Hartsfield Airport, Concrete Runway 84.2ºTurner Field, Aged Asphalt Parking Lot 98.6ºTurner Field, New Asphalt Parking Lot 102.2ºQuattrochi DA, Luvall JC, Rickman DL, et al.NASA Thermal and Land Application Sensor. Remote Sensing TargetTemperature 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 20 of 82
The Heat Island 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 21 of 82
The Physical Determinants of HealthThe Built Environment is…Social Policy in ConcreteSitting in a Car is Mostly Not Good for You.Traffic along LA freeways and Wilshire Blvd. 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 22 of 82
Environmental Regulations That Improved HealthLessons from Air PollutionState Public Health Chief2004 -2005 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 23 of 82
David B Allen MDNew England Journal of Medicine April 29, 2012“[over 30 years in the Pediatric Diabetes Clinic] the percentage of new-onset type 2 diabetes in adolescence has increased from 3% to ~50% today”. 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 24 of 82
Overall Health Status USPersons Aged 46-64NHANES 1988-1994 NHANES 2007-2010Report “excellent” health32% 13%Limitations to Life Functions9% 14%Using Walking Assist (wheelchair, cane, etc)3% 7%JAMA Internal Medicine February 4, 2013“Lifestyle Factors” USPersons Aged 46-64 (NHANES)1988-19942007-2010Smoking28% 21%Obesity 29% 39% 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 25 of 82
“Lifestyle Factors” USPersons Aged 46-64 (NHANES)1988-19942007-2010No Regular Physical Activity17%52%04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 26 of 82
The Built Environment: Designing Communities to Promote Physical Activity in ChildrenPolicy Statement American Academy of Pediatrics June 2009 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 27 of 82
Charlotte, NC, Light Rail Opened November, 2007After 2 Years…Light Rail Transit Users Had• An average reduction of 1.18 BMI points – For a person who is 5’5” --equivalent to a weight loss of 6.45 lbs.• An 81% reduced odds of becoming obese over time. 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 28 of 82
Two Cities -- 5 million+ populationAtlanta Barcelona 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 29 of 82
Ten Principles for Building Healthy PlacesThe Urban Land Institute 2013 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 30 of 82
Institute of Medicine ReportAccelerating Progress in Obesity PreventionMay 8, 2012Surgeon General’s Call to ActionPromote Walking 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 31 of 82
“…the appropriate assessment of Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Health Effects in Environmental Impact Assessment Under the National Environmental Policy Act is a Matter of Law and Not Discretion.” 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 32 of 82
Richard J JacksonMD MPH FAAP HonAIA HonFASLAdickjackson@ucla.eduProfessor Emeritus UCLA Fielding School of Public Health/Our Future Cannot be Healthy in Unhealthy Environements. 04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 33 of 82
4
Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg.10 of 13
Contra Costa County
Sustainability Commission
5.
Meeting Date: 4/22/2019
Subject: RECEIVE Presentation on Emissions Inventory for 2019 Climate Action Plan
Update
Department: Conservation & Development
Presenter: Tammy Seale, PlaceWorks Contact: Jody London, DCD
Referral History:
On August 27, 2018, the Sustainability Commission received a presentation from Will Nelson,
Advance Planner for Contra Costa County, on the update to the County’s General Plan that will occur
in 2019 and 2020. On December 10, 2018, the Sustainability Commission received a report from
PlaceWorks, the consultant working on the General Plan Update, on an update to the Climate Action
Plan that is occurring as part of the General Plan Update.
Referral Update:
The Emissions Inventory is the first step in preparing a Climate Action Plan. The attached report and
presentation describe the Emissions Inventory for the 2020 Climate Action Plan.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
RECEIVE Presentation on Emissions Inventory for 2019 Climate Action Plan Update.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
N/A.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Emissions Inventory Memo
Emissions Inventory Presentation
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MEMORANDUM
DATE April 16, 2019
TO Jody London, Sustainability Coordinator, Contra Costa County
FROM Tammy L. Seale, Associate Principal, Climate Action and Resilience, PlaceWorks
Eli Krispi, Associate Planner, Climate Action and Resilience, PlaceWorks
SUBJECT Climate Action Plan Update – Summary of updates to GHG emissions inventory,
forecasts, state reduction actions, and reduction targets
This memo summarizes the results of the updated 2017 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
inventory, emissions forecasts, assessment of state GHG emissions reduction activities, and
reduction targets. This work is prepared as part of the existing conditions analysis for the Contra
Costa County General Plan Update, and it will support an update to the Climate Action Plan (CAP).
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
The first step to preparing an updated CAP is to prepare an updated GHG inventory, which is a
measurement of the GHG emissions that are attributed to the unincorporated areas of Contra
Costa County. The inventory identifies the major sources of the community’s emissions and
establishes a foundation for the forecast and other climate action planning activities. Contra Costa
County’s adopted CAP includes a 2005 (baseline) inventory, which sets the “starting conditions”
for measuring GHG emission changes, and a 2013 (interim) inventory, which shows how emissions
have changed since the baseline year. For the CAP update, the team has prepared a second interim
inventory for 2017, which is the most recent calendar year with available data.
The 2017 GHG inventory identifies emissions from the following sources, or sectors, in the
unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County:
Residential energy: Electricity (both PG&E and MCE) and heating fuels (natural gas, propane,
kerosene, and wood) used in residential buildings
Nonresidential energy: Electricity and heating fuels used in nonresidential buildings, including
offices, retail stores and restaurants, industrial sites, and government and institutional
facilities.
Solid waste: Waste thrown away by community members.
Landfill: Waste that has accumulated in landfills.
On-road transportation: Personal and commercial on-road vehicle trips.
BART: Energy use from BART trips taken by community members.
Off-road equipment: Fuel use from equipment and vehicles not used for on-road
transportation, such as construction vehicles or landscaping equipment.
Water and wastewater: Energy used to transport and treat water and wastewater, and direct
emissions associated with wastewater treatment.
Agriculture: Fertilizer use for crops, fuel use for agricultural equipment, and activities
associated with raising livestock.
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This inventory also includes stationary sources, which are large, non-mobile sources of GHG
emissions such as power plants, oil refineries, manufacturing sites, and other large industrial
facilities. While these emissions occur within the unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County,
local government has little control over these facilities once they are constructed. Instead, these
emissions are regulated at the state level by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) through
programs such as the state’s cap and trade program. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District
(BAAQMD) also regulates these facilities by issuing permits and enforcing air quality standards. The
inventory reports the emissions from these sources, but does not include them in the total, and
these emissions do not affect projections of future emissions or GHG reduction targets. Consistent
with community GHG inventory protocol, these sources are called “informational sources”,
because they are reported but excluded from the community-wide inventory as they do not affect
Contra Costa County’s local climate action efforts. This allows the CAP update to focus on local GHG
emission sources that the County can influence more directly. The CAPs of many other
communities with large industrial facilities, such as the City of Richmond, the City of Benicia, the
City of Torrance, and the City of Santa Clara, similarly exclude the emissions from these sites.
The 2017 inventory mostly follows the same methods as used in the 2005 and 2013 inventories to
allow for a more accurate comparison with previous years. Changes have been made to the
methods to account for new best practices, and for data that are currently available but may not
have been in 2015 when the adopted CAP was prepared. These changes include:
Adding emissions from burning propane, kerosene, and wood as a residential home heating
fuel.
Modeling off-road equipment emissions using updated software.
Using new data on BART ridership that allows emissions to be assigned based on the
communities where riders originate, rather than the communities where the stations are
located.
Adding emissions from landfill flaring.
The 2017 inventory, along with previous year inventories, follows the guidance in the U.S.
Community Protocol for the Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, which the
Governor’s Office of Planning and Research recommends for community-wide GHG inventories in
California.
Excluding the stationary sources, on-road transportation is the largest source of unincorporated
Contra Costa County’s 2017 GHG emissions, accounting for almost half (47%) of the inventoried
emissions. Residential energy is the next largest source of emissions (22%), followed by landfill
emissions (17%). These three sectors collectively account for approximately 86% of Contra Costa
County’s emissions. The other sectors are nonresidential energy (6%), agriculture (4%), solid waste
(2%), off-road equipment (2%), water and wastewater (less than 1%), and BART (less than 1%).
Due to its interpretation of state privacy regulations, PG&E has not released most of the
nonresidential energy use data, particularly energy use associated with large facilities. Based on
previously-released data, the PlaceWorks team estimates that approximately 60% of
nonresidential electricity use and at least 95% of nonresidential natural gas use is not included in
the data provided by PG&E. This is a challenge for many communities in the region, and this year
the East Bay Energy Watch plans to explore ways to estimate these missing data in a regionally
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consistent way. As an interim measure, the PlaceWorks team has used the nonresidential
electricity and natural gas use numbers from 2013 as a proxy for 2017 data. The 2013 data were
the last set of information before PG&E changed its interpretation of state privacy regulations, and
so there is greater confidence in the accuracy of the data.
Table 1 shows the GHG emissions for unincorporated Contra Costa County by sector. All emissions
are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e), a standard unit of
measurement in climate planning. The 2017 GHG emissions are lower than the 2005 and 2013
emissions reported in the adopted CAP. Table 2 shows the 2017 emissions compared to those from
previous years.
Table 1: Unincorporated Contra Costa County 2017 GHG Emissions
SECTOR 2017 MTCO2E PERCENT OF TOTAL
Residential energy 252,730 21%
Nonresidential energy 122,040 * 10%
Solid waste 25,570 2%
Landfill 197,710 16%
On-road transportation 550,490 45%
BART 1,350 <1%
Off-road equipment 17,580 1%
Water and wastewater 5,690 <1%
Agriculture 46,180 4%
Total 1,219,340 100%
Stationary sources (informational) 17,889,770 -
* 2013 nonresidential electricity and natural gas data is used as a proxy.
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Table 2: Unincorporated Contra Costa County GHG Emissions – 2005, 2013,
and 2017
SECTOR 2005
MTCO2E
2013
MTCO2E
2017
MTCO2E
PERCENT CHANGE,
2005 - 2017
Residential energy 274,690 258,420 252,730 -8%
Nonresidential energy 118,740 125,350 122,040* 3%
Solid waste 48,450 26,540 25,570 -47%
Landfill 193,950 196,500 197,710 2%
On-road transportation 628,200 651,130 550,490 -12%
BART 2,300 2,680 1,350 -41%
Off-road equipment 71,880 66,230 17,580 -76%
Water and wastewater 8,080 7,400 5,690 -30%
Agriculture 57,320 58,200 46,180 -19%
Total 1,403,610 1,392,450 1,219,340 -13%
Stationary sources (informational) 17,327,030 16,900,060 17,889,770 28%
* 2013 nonresidential electricity and natural gas data is used as a proxy.
Most sectors showed significant decreases in GHG emissions from 2005 levels, due to several
factors:
Nonresidential energy emissions are based on current emissions factors and 2013
nonresidential electricity and natural gas use numbers as a proxy for 2017 data. PG&E’s
increased its use of renewable energy resources in 2017 compared to 2005 and 2013 which
resulted in a small decrease in associated GHG emissions since 2005.
On-road transportation emissions declined due to improved vehicle fuel efficiency, although
total vehicle miles traveled have increased.
BART emissions declined due to changes in how BART trips are attributed to individual
communities, although overall BART ridership has increased.
Off-road equipment emissions have fallen in large part because the 2017 inventory estimated
these emissions using updated CARB software, and the updated software calculates emissions
at a lower rate than the previous version. This also accounts for the decline in agricultural
emissions, as the agriculture sector includes agricultural off-road equipment.
Community members are producing less trash and using less water, causing declines in the
solid waste and water and wastewater sectors.
The on-road transportation emissions are based on the data modeled as part of the 2015 CAP,
updated for 2017. As part of the General Plan update, the PlaceWorks team will prepare traffic
data that uses more updated models. The inventory will be revised to use these new traffic data
when they become available.
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Greenhouse Gas Emissions Forecast
After completing the GHG inventory, the next step in preparing the CAP update is to project future
GHG emissions, called a forecast, for the calendar years 2020, 2030, and 2050. The forecast shows
how unincorporated Contra Costa County’s GHG emissions are expected to change, assuming there
is no action taken to reduce emissions and all changes in emissions are due to changes in the
community’s demographics. This approach is sometimes called a Business as Usual (BAU) forecast.
The forecast uses unincorporated Contra Costa County’s 2017 demographics as reported by the
California Department of Finance and estimates of future demographics as projected by the
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). These are the same demographic indicators being
used throughout the Envision Contra Costs 2040 General Plan update. Table 3 shows the
demographic indicators used in the forecast.
Table 3: Unincorporated Contra Costa County Demographic Indicators,
2017 – 2050
DEMOGRAPHIC
INDICATOR 2017 2020 2030 2050 SOURCES
Population 172,080 169,380 184,590 214,770 CA Department of
Finance and ABAG
Households 59,760 59,480 64,200 71,330 CA Department of
Finance and ABAG
Jobs 37,910 38,460 39,900 42,320 US Census and ABAG
Service population * 209,990 207,840 224,490 257,090
* Service population is the number of residents plus the number of jobs.
If no action is taken, unincorporated Contra Costa County’s GHG emissions are forecasted to
increase by approximately 11 percent by 2050 relative to 2017 emission levels. The forecast
assumes that each person in the unincorporated area will continue to contribute the same amount
of GHGs in future years as they did in 2017, so the level of GHG emissions changes in proportion
to the amount of demographic change. The one exception is the off-road equipment sector, which
is driven in part by the rate of new housing construction.
The forecasted decrease in the residential and nonresidential energy sectors is due to MCE, which
provided a very limited amount of electricity to the community in 2017 but became much more
widespread in 2018. During MCE’s 2017-2018 enrollment period, most electricity customers in the
unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County switched from PG&E to MCE, and the forecast
assumes full implementation of MCE throughout the community (except for the approximately 10
percent of customers who opted to remain with PG&E). As electricity from MCE is significantly less
carbon-intensive than electricity from PG&E, emissions associated with electricity (and by
extension the energy sectors) are lower in future years than in 2017. The decrease in off-road
equipment emissions is due to a projected decrease in the rate of new construction. Agricultural
emissions are kept constant, as agricultural activities and resulting emissions are driven by market
forces that are difficult to feasibly predict in the long term.
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This is a draft forecast, meant to help inform early discussions of the CAP update and existing
conditions reports for the General Plan update. PlaceWorks will revise the forecasts when updated
VMT, land use, and demographic projections become available later in the planning process.
Table 4 shows unincorporated Contra Costa County’s forecasted community-wide GHG emissions.
Table 4: Unincorporated Contra Costa County Business-as-Usual GHG
Emissions Forecast, 2017 – 2050
SECTOR 2017
MTCO2E
2020
MTCO2E
2030
MTCO2E
2050
MTCO2E
PERCENT CHANGE,
2017 – 2050
Residential energy 252,730 202,550 218,630 242,900 -3%
Nonresidential energy 122,040* 95,030 98,580 104,570 -28%
Solid waste 25,570 25,310 27,330 31,310 22%
Landfill 197,710 200,560 203,170 222,570 13%
On-road
transportation
550,490 544,850 588,500 673,960 22%
BART 1,350 1,340 1,440 1,650 22%
Off-road equipment 17,580 11,260 15,990 16,700 -5%
Water and wastewater 5,690 5,640 6,080 6,970 22%
Agriculture 46,180 46,180 46,180 46,180 0%
Total 1,219,340 1,132,720 1,205,900 1,346,810 10%
* 2013 nonresidential electricity and natural gas data is used as a proxy.
Notes: The forecast includes customers who have switched from PG&E to MCE once community-wide enrollment began in
April of 2018. It also assumes MCE’s opt-out rate does not change and that MCE’s energy sources are consistent.
Due to rounding, totals may not equal the sum of the individual numbers.
State GHG Emissions Reductions
The State has adopted and implemented policies and programs that decrease GHG emissions from
several different sectors. Many of these policies are included in the State’s Scoping Plan, which was
first adopted in 2008 by CARB in response to the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006
(also called AB 32). The Scoping Plan presents regulatory and market-based solutions to achieve
California’s GHG reduction goals. CARB adopted updates to the Scoping Plan in 2014 and 2017,
which contain revisions to these state policies and identify additional opportunities to reduce GHG
emissions. The 2017 Update includes actions to achieve the State’s 2030 GHG reduction goal
adopted by SB 32.
While there are numerous policies, programs, and projects to reduce statewide GHG emissions,
the adopted CAP focuses on those that have the most direct and apparent benefit to
unincorporated Contra Costa County. The updated CAP will continue this approach. The
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 40 of 82
PlaceWorks team has identified four state efforts that have direct local benefits that Contra Costa
County can receive “credit” for in the CAP. These four actions are:
The Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS), which mandates a minimum percent of electricity
from renewable and carbon-free sources.
Clean Car Standards, which increase the fuel efficiency of new vehicles and decreases the
carbon intensity of vehicle fuels. This includes a forecasted increase in the adoption of electric
vehicles.
Improvements to the Title 24 standards that require new buildings to be more energy
efficient, and in some cases to include renewable energy systems.
The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), which reduces the carbon intensity of fuels used in off-
road equipment.
The Clean Car Standards have the largest GHG reduction benefit of any of the state actions as cars
in the unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County are replaced with zero-emission or more fuel-
efficient models. The RPS savings are relatively small at first because PG&E and MCE have already
made progress in meeting their short- and mid-term goals, but there is greater long-term reduction
potential after RPS mandates carbon-free electricity by 2045. The Title 24 standards, which
strengthen energy efficiency standards every three years and will work toward new buildings being
zero-net energy for electricity, contribute meaningfully toward mid- and long-term reductions. The
LCFS also has a substantive impact in reducing off-road equipment emissions. Table 5 shows the
GHG reductions from these state actions and their contribution toward reducing the County’s total
GHG emissions.
Table 5: GHG Reductions from State Actions, 2017 – 2050
2017
MTCO2E
2020
MTCO2E
2030
MTCO2E
2050
MTCO2E
PERCENT
CHANGE
2017 TO
2050
Community emissions without state
actions 1,219,340 1,132,720 1,205,900 1,346,81
0 10%
Reductions from RPS - 180 5,230 69,880 -
Reductions from clean car standards - 42,080 177,040 261,420 -
Reductions from Title 24 - 0 7,880 21,300 -
Reductions from LCFS (off-road only) - 830 1,190 1,230 -
Reductions from all state actions - 43,100 191,340 353,830 -
Community emissions with state actions 1,219,340 1,090,450 1,015,750 994,210 -18%
Note: Due to rounding, totals may not equal the sum of the individual numbers.
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 41 of 82
GHG Reduction Targets
Contra Costa County’s currently adopted CAP establishes GHG reduction goals for the community:
15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, and
50 percent below the 2020 target by 2035.
The 2020 target is consistent with AB 32 and CARB’s guidance. The 2035 target is consistent with
the executive orders that were in place at the time the CAP was adopted. These executive orders
established a goal of 40 percent below the 2020 target by 2030, and 80 percent below the 2020
target by 2050. Since the CAP was adopted, the 2030 target of 40 percent below the 2020 target
has been formally codified into state law. The targets in the adopted CAP remain consistent with
state law. The updated CAP can convert the 2035 target to a 2030 one for better alignment with
state and regional efforts and can identify a 2050 target as a long-term GHG reduction goal.
The California 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan presents how the state will achieve the 2030
target and recommends that local governments adopt per-capita targets of 6.0 MTCO2e per person
by 2030 and 2.0 MTCO2e by 2050. Communities can use percent reduction or per-capita targets or
adopt both. Table 6 shows the percent reduction targets compared to unincorporated Contra Costa
County’s forecasted GHG emissions with the benefit of state actions. Table 7 shows the per-capita
targets compared to Contra Costa County’s projected emissions.
Table 6: GHG Reduction Targets (Percent Reduction), 2020 – 2050Targets
2020
MTCO2E
2030
MTCO2E
2050
MTCO2E
Forecasted emissions with existing State actions 1,090,450 1,015,750 994,210
Updated percent reduction targets consistent
with State targets 1,193,070 715,840 238,610
Remaining emissions to reduce - 299,910 755,600
Table 7: GHG Reduction Targets (Per-Capita), 2020 – 2050
TARGETS 2020
MTCO2E
2030
MTCO2E
2050
MTCO2E
Forecasted per-capita emissions with existing
State actions 6.4 5.5 4.6
Updated per-capita targets consistent with State
targets - 6.0 2.0
Remaining per-capita emissions to reduce - - 2.6
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Regardless of which set of targets the County includes in the updated CAP, Contra Costa County
will need to reduce its remaining GHG emission to meet the 2030 and 2050 targets. The County
can revise and combine existing measures in the adopted CAP to increase participation and
incorporate new best practices, and add new measures to address reductions that were not
considered in the adopted CAP.
The next step will be to identify the GHG reductions from existing and planned local and regional
efforts. These actions will help close the gap between Contra Costa County’s projected GHG
emissions and targets and will serve as a foundation for new measure development.
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Climate Action Plan Update
Sustainability Commission | April 22, 2019
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 44 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
Envision Contra Costa
Zoning code CAP Environmental Impact ReportGovernment
operations
Community
Visioning and
engagement General Plan
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 45 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
CAP Update Process
Inventory Forecast Target setting
Existing
accomplishments
New and
revised
measures
Implementation
Outreach and engagement
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 46 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
Resiliency and adaptation
»Resiliency and adaptation
will be integrated into
the General Plan update.
»A stand-alone vulnerability
assessment is in progress.
»Draft will be presented at
next meeting.
»The CAP will address
GHG reductions.
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 47 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
Vulnerability Assessment Approach
»13 hazards.
»64 populations and
assets.
»Persons.
»Infrastructure.
»Buildings.
»Economic assets.
»Ecosystems.
»Community services.
V1 Minimal
vulnerability
V2 Low vulnerability
V3 Moderate
vulnerability
V4 High
vulnerability
V5 Severe
vulnerability
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 48 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
Community GHG Inventory
»Measurement of
emissions attributed
to the
unincorporated
county for the 2017
calendar year.
»Identifies major
sources (sectors) of
emissions.
Residential
energy
Nonresidential
energy Solid waste
Landfill On-road
transportation BART
Off-road
equipment
Water and
wastewater Agriculture
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 49 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
Past Inventories
»2005 and 2013.
»Included in 2015 CAP.
»Same sectors.
»Method changes to
account for best
practices and new
data.
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 50 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
Community Inventory Results
Sector 2005 MTCO2e 2013 MTCO2e 2017 MTCO2e Percent
change
Residential energy 274,690 258,420 252,730 -8%
Nonresidential energy 118,740 125,350 122,040 *†3%
Solid waste 48,450 26,540 25,570 -47%
Landfill 193,950 196,500 197,710 2%
On-road transportation 628,200 651,130 550,490 †-12%
BART 2,300 2,680 1,350 -41%
Off-road equipment 71,880 66,230 17,580 -76%
Water and wastewater 8,080 7,400 5,690 -30%
Agriculture 57,320 58,200 46,180 -19%
Total 1,403,610 1,392,450 1,219,340 -13%
* 2013 data used as a proxy.
† Subject to potential revisions as new data become available.
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 51 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
Key Changes: 2005 – 2017
»Cleaner electricity from PG&E and MCE.
»Addition of propane, kerosene, and wood fuel.
»Reduction in waste generation.
»More fuel-efficient cars, even though vehicle
miles traveled has gone up.
»Changes in off-road equipment and BART
methods.
»Reduction in water use.
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 52 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
Stationary Sources
»Major industrial facilities.
»Limited local control after
construction.
»Emissions regulated by
CARB through cap and
trade program.
»Not required to be counted
toward community total.
»Excluded in 2015 CAP.
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 53 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
Stationary Sources
»Criteria for inclusion:
Activity is common across U.S. communities.
Activity is significant in magnitude.
Data needed to estimate emissions is
reasonably available.
Local governments have significant influence
over the emissions generating activity.
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 54 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
Stationary Sources
0
2,000,000
4,000,000
6,000,000
8,000,000
10,000,000
12,000,000
14,000,000
16,000,000
18,000,000
20,000,000
2005 2013 2017MTCO2e
All included sources Stationary sources
93%92%94%
7%8%6%
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 55 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
2005 –2017 GHG Emission Trends
1,100,000
1,150,000
1,200,000
1,250,000
1,300,000
1,350,000
1,400,000
1,450,000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017MTCO2e1,403,610 MTCO2e 1,392,450 MTCO2e
1% below 2005 levels
1,219,340 MTCO2e
13% below 2005 levels
2020 reduction goal
15% below 2005 levels
1,193,070 MTCO2e
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 56 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
GHG Forecast
»Estimate of future GHG
emissions.
»Business as usual
(BAU) approach.
»Does not include
benefits from existing
and planned actions.
»Projects emissions for
2020, 2030, and 2050.
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 57 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
GHG Forecast
»Uses population projections from ABAG.
»Forecast will be revised with General Plan projections.
»Assumes per-person emissions remain constant.
»Switch to MCE is included.
»Changes in demographics lead to changes in emissions.
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Climate Action Plan Update
GHG Forecast
»Example: Emissions from nonresidential
natural gas use.
2017 37,910 jobs73,380
MTCO 2 e
1.94 MTCO2 e
per job
2030 1.94 MTCO2 e
per job 38,460 jobs 74,440
MTCO 2 e
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Climate Action Plan Update
Demographic Indicators
»Indicators will be revised as part of the General Plan update process.
Indicator 2017 2020 2030 2050
Population 172,080 169,380 184,590 217,770
Households 59,760 59,480 64,200 71,330
Jobs 37,910 38,460 39,900 42,320
Service
population *209,990 207,840 224,490 257,090
* Service population is unincorporated county population plus jobs.
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Climate Action Plan Update
GHG Forecast Results
0
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
1,400,000
1,600,000
2017 2020 2030 2050MTCO2e
Baseline Forecast
Baseline: 1,403,610 MTCO2e
1,219,340
MTCO 2e 1,132,720
MTCO 2e
1,205,900
MTCO 2e
1,346,810
MTCO 2e
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 61 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
Forecast Results
Sector 2017
MTCO2e
2020
MTCO2e
2030
MTCO 2e
2050
MTCO2e
Residential energy 252,730 202,550 218,630 242,900
Nonresidential energy *122,040 †95,030 98,580 104,570
Solid waste 25,570 25,310 27,330 31,310
Landfill 197,710 200,560 203,170 220,700
On-road transportation *550,490 544,850 588,500 673,960
BART 1,350 1,340 1,440 1,650
Off-road equipment 17,580 11,260 15,990 16,700
Water and wastewater 5,690 5,640 6,080 6,970
Agriculture 46,180 46,180 46,180 46,180
Total 1,219,340 1,132,720 1,205,900 1,346,810
Percent change from 2017 --7%-1%10%
* Subject to potential revisions as new data become available.
† 2013 data used as a proxy.
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 62 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
Forecast Results
»Short-term decrease in
emissions.
»Switch to MCE means
cleaner sources of
electricity.
»ABAG numbers show a
small, short-term drop in
population.
»Emissions increase after
2020.
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Climate Action Plan Update
State GHG Reductions
»Existing or planned
actions carried out by
state agencies.
»Renewables Portfolio
Standard.
»Title 24 energy
efficiency standards.
»Clean car standards.
»Low Carbon Fuel
Standard.
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 64 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
State GHG Reductions
0
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
1,400,000
1,600,000
2017 2020 2030 2050MTCO2e
Baseline Forecast Emissions with state reductions
Baseline: 1,403,610 MTCO2e
1,219,340
MTCO 2e 1,090,450
MTCO 2e 1,015,750
MTCO 2e 994,210
MTCO 2e
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 65 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
GHG Reduction Targets
»Communities have
flexibility in setting targets.
»Need to comply with state
law and guidance to be
used for CEQA purposes.
»Targets can be absolute or
per-capita.
»Update will build on targets
in existing CAP.
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Climate Action Plan Update
GHG Reduction Targets
»Existing targets:
»15% below 2005 levels by
2020.
»50% below the 2020 target
by 2035.
»Consistent with state efforts.
»Recommend moving 2035 to
2030 and adjusting target
level accordingly.
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Climate Action Plan Update
GHG Reduction Target - Absolute
0
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
1,400,000
1,600,000
2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050MTCO2e
Emissions Baseline Reduction targets
Baseline: 1,403,610 MTCO2e
Emissions to be reduced
by updated CAP
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Climate Action Plan Update
GHG Reduction Target –Per Capita
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050MTCO2e/personEmissions Baseline Reduction targets
Baseline: 8.79 MTCO2e per person
Emissions to be
reduced by
updated
CAP
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 69 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
Next Steps
»Prepare government
operations inventory.
»Identify reductions from
existing and planned
local/regional actions.
»Revise existing
measures and develop
new ones.
»Update CAP document.
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 70 of 82
Climate Action Plan Update
CAP Timeline
GHG inventory: January 2019
Forecast and target setting: Spring 2019
Measure development: Summer and autumn 2019
CAP development: Winter 2019/2020
CAP adoption: End of 2020 (same as General Plan)
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04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 72 of 82
Contra Costa County
Sustainability Commission
6.
Meeting Date: 4/22/2019
Subject: CONSIDER proposal from Member, District 1, to Recommend the Use of
Carbon-Neutral Building Materials in County Projects
Department: Conservation and Development
Presenter: Nick Despota, Sustainability Commission Contact: Jody London, DCD
Referral History:
One part of the Sustainability Commission’s mission is to “Advise the Board of Supervisors and staff on
successful implementation of the Climate Action Plan, including suggestions on how that work can be
performed more efficiently and effectively.” Climate Action Plan Measure EE 6: Energy-Efficient New
Buildings, includes as an action item “Explore making new and significantly retrofitted County buildings
zero net energy.”
Referral Update:
Nick Despota, Sustainability Commission member representing District 1, would like the Sustainability
Commission to propose to the Board of Supervisors that County-funded construction projects specify the use
of manufactured limestone aggregated, containing captured and sequestered carbon dioxide (CO2).
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
CONSIDER proposal from Member, District 1, to Recommend the Use of Carbon-Neutral
Building Materials in County Projects.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
None.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Carbon-Neutral Concrete Proposal
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 73 of 82
DRAFT PROPOSAL TO CONTRA COSTA BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. DO NOT CIRCULATE.
Contact: Nick Despota, nick@lumina-media.com
PROPOSAL OVERVIEW
Standard concrete typically comprises the largest embodied CO2 footprint in a building or
infrastructure project.
Almost three-quarters of the aggregate used today in concrete is limestone, which is 44% CO2
by mass, present in the form of calcium carbonate (CO3).
We propose using Contra Costa County’s procurement process to specify the use of
manufactured limestone aggregates, containing captured and sequestered CO2, for concrete
in county-funded construction projects. By promoting the use of these aggregates, emission
of CO2 into the Earth’s atmosphere can be drastically reduced, helping the county achieve its
greenhouse gas reduction targets. Use of the aggregates will also allow for Carbon neutral, or
even Carbon negative, concrete, helping the county to achieve its “greener” building targets.
POTENTIAL GLOBAL SCALE OF CO2 MITIGATION
•With the exception of water, aggregate is the most transported material on Earth.
•Approximately 50 billion tons (50 Gigatons) of rock is mined every year worldwide.
•The level of CO2 released into our atmosphere is about 35 billion tons (35 Gigatons) per
annum, and growing.
•If all the mined rock was replaced with manufactured limestone, then more than half of
this CO2 (22 billion tons per annum) could be mitigated.
In addition to the mitigation provided by capture/sequestration of CO2 emitted from
industrial flue gas (or Direct Air Capture), and avoidance of energy-intensive mining, the use
of manufacture aggregates could save enormous transportation cost if aggregate production
facilities are located close to the places where it will be used.
TECHNOLOGY
Carbon-sequestered aggregate is produced using the carbon mineralization process, same as
in nature. A variable coating thickness of synthetic limestone (CaCO3) is crystallized on the
surface of a natural quarried, recycled, or man-made substance, to meet the specified
requirements of the finished aggregate. Each ton of CO2-sequestered limestone coating
permanently traps 440 kilograms of carbon dioxide, preventing it from accumulating in the
atmosphere.
One company that produces Carbon-sequestered aggregates, San Francisco Bay Aggregates
LLC, a subsidiary of Blue Planet Ltd, is in the process of establishing a production facility in
Pittsburg, CA. Production is expected to start later in 2019 and ramp into high volume in
2020. For more information please visit the website of Blue Planet, http://www.blueplanet-
ltd.com/, or contact Ken Hines, VP Business Development, at 650-823-8355.
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Contra Costa County
Sustainability Commission
7.
Meeting Date: 10/22/2018
Subject: ADOPT Environmental Justice Rubric Developed by the Commission’s
Environmental Justice Working Group and RECOMMEND Its Use in
Updating the County’s General Plan.
Department: Conservation and Development
Presenter: Doria Robinson, Nick Despota, Wes Sullens, Sustainability Commission
Contact: Jody London, DCD
Referral History:
At the August 2018 retreat, the Sustainability Commission discussed its responsibility to advise the Board of
Supervisors on opportunities to realize equity and fairness across the diverse communities of Contra Costa
County in sustainability programs that support the Climate Action Plan. The Sustainability Commission had
a presentation at its October 2018 meeting from Vivian Huang of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network
on environmental justice.
Referral Update:
Nick Despota, Doria Robinson, and Wes Sullens have collaborated to better understand the history of
environmental justice initiatives in Contra Costa County. The Sustainability Commission discussed the
rubric at its February 25, 2019 meeting.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
ADOPT Environmental Justice Rubric Developed by the Commission’s Environmental Justice Working
Group and RECOMMEND Its Use in Updating the County’s General Plan.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
None.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Environmental Justice Policy Recommendation
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 75 of 82
TO: Contra Costa Sustainability Commission
FROM: Nick Despota, Doria Robinson, Wes Sullens
SUBJECT: Draft Proposal for Environmental Justice Rubric
DATE: February 25, 2019
In 2007, Contra Costa County has passed an Environmental Justice Policy. The Sustainability
Commission recommends adoption of a simple rubric, or assessment tool, that can be applied to any
program or initiative to test its compliance with principles of the county’s EJ policy.
The purpose of the rubric (an example is attached) is to bridge the gap between broad statements of
principles and day-to-day operations within each department.
Our recommendation is to incorporate this assessment tool within the General Plan. Rather than
consigned to an appendix, separate from each of the document’s elements, we envision that the
rubric be woven throughout the General Plan.
After reviewing the proposed rubric (next page), please consider these questions:
Framing: Does the reference to the County’s Environmental Justice policy tacitly exclude
departments whose work is not “environmental,” such as the Probation Department or Veterans
Services? Does framing this as “Environmental Justice” let some departments off the hook for inviting
public participation and engagement? Should this rubric be framed and titled differently?
Positioning: How do we position this document on the mountain of policy statements that govern
operations so they are most likely to be woven into a department’s standard operating procedures?
How can we cultivate a disposition to think in the Justice perspective, not just a requirement to do so?
We’re talking culture.
Timing: How can we insure that the public is engaged early on in the process of developing a project
or initiative, and not after its most fundamental features have already been nailed down.
Accountability: Without adding to the burden of paperwork and reporting, is there a way to insure
that this rubric is really being used to guide the development of policies and initiatives?
Do our county’s projects and policies meet environmental justice goals?
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The following is a rubric for assessing the degree to which environmental justice goals are being met,
or neglected, by a proposed project or policy.
1.Are public materials and workshops presented in the languages of residents who may be
affected by a project or policy?
2.Are meetings and workshops scheduled at times and locations that enable participation by
working people and those without cars? Are notices of these events distributed through
diverse media, not just online media?
3.Do all neighborhoods have opportunities to engage in decision-making conversations?
4.Has data collection reflected the economic, gender and racial diversity of the affected
population?
5. Are the costs and benefits of a project or policy shared equally by all who may be affected, or
are there disproportionate impacts?
6.Are economic opportunities concentrated within one segment of a population or area, or are
they available to all who may wish to take advantage of them?
7.What will be the indirect or unintended impacts on the quality of life of residents within
different communities?
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 77 of 82
Contra Costa County
Sustainability Commission
8.
Meeting Date: 4/22/2019
Subject: DISCUSS Community Organizations to Consult in Preparation of the County’s General Plan
Update and PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS to Staff.
Department: Conservation & Development
Presenter: Jody London, DCD Contact: Jody London (925)674-7871
Referral History:
At its August 27, 2018 meeting the Sustainability Commission received a report on the General Plan Update.
Referral Update:
During the discussion at the August meeting, the Sustainability Commission offered to provide suggestions
to County staff on community organizations that could be consulted in the process of updating the General
Plan. Because the General Plan outreach has started, it would be useful for the Sustainability Commission to
provide suggestions as soon as possible.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
DISCUSS Community Organizations to Consult in Preparation of the County’s General Plan Update and
PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS to Staff.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
None.
ATTACHMENT(S)
No file(s) attached.
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 78 of 82
Contra Costa County
Sustainability Commission
9.
Meeting Date: 10/22/2018
Subject: RECEIVE reports from Sustainability Commission members and alternates, and
PROVIDE DIRECTION as needed
Department: Conservation & Development
Presenter: Jody London, DCD Contact: Jody London (925)674-7871
Referral History:
This is a standing item of the Commission.
Referral Update:
Commission members and alternates will provide updates to the full Commission.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
RECEIVE reports from Sustainability Commission members and alternates, and PROVIDE DIRECTION as
needed.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
None.
ATTACHMENT(S)
No file(s) attached.
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 79 of 82
Contra Costa County
Sustainability Commission
10.
Meeting Date: 4/22/2019
Subject: RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Coordinator
Department: Conservation & Development
Presenter: Jody London, Sustainability Coordinator Contact: Jody London, DCD
Referral History:
This is a standing item of the Commission.
Referral Update:
This report provides an update to the Sustainability Commission on the work of the County’s Sustainability
staff since the Committee last met in February 2019. Key activities during this period are listed below.
Collaborated with staff from the cities of Antioch, San Pablo, and Walnut Creek, as well as Sustainable
Contra Costa and Community Climate Solutions on building out the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge
platform. The platform is slated to launch on April 22.
County staff worked with staff from Contra Costa cities to advocate to the California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC) about the value of the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN). The
CPUC issued a ruling in March seeking comments on future policy on the Regional Energy Networks
(RENs), both existing (such as BayREN), and proposed. The BayREN provides energy efficiency
rebate programs for single-family and multi-family buildings as well as resources to local building
departments on Title 24 energy building code compliance to all of the cities throughout the Bay Area,
which supports the County’s Climate Action Plan efforts as well as the State’s environmental goals.
The CPUC ruling raises the specter that the CPUC could opt to stop funding the RENs, which would
eliminate a primary channel for local governments to offer energy efficiency programs to the
community. Several Contra Costa cities have submitted letters to the CPUC, based on a template
developed by County staff.
Continued working with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority on the Electric Vehicle Readiness
Blueprint.
Continued working with a team from the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy that is
developing recommendations on governance and finance options to implement the Adapting to Rising
Tides studies.
Advertised the opportunity to apply for the At-Large, Business seat on the Sustainability Commission,
which expires at the end of March 2021, and declared the vacancy in the District 5, Alternate seat (that
position is filled by the District 5 Supervisor).
Collaborated with County staff working on topics including land use and transportation, hazardous
materials, green business program, economic development, Planning Integration Team for Community
Health (PITCH), codes, solid waste, energy.
Participated in regional activities.
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 80 of 82
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
RECEIVE report from Sustainability Coordinator.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
None.
ATTACHMENT(S)
No file(s) attached.
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 81 of 82
Contra Costa County
Sustainability Commission
11.
Meeting Date: 4/22/2019
Subject: RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Commission Chair and IDENTIFY
TOPICS for next report to Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability
Department: Conservation & Development
Presenter: Nick Despota, Vice Chair Contact: Jody London, DCD
Referral History:
This is a standing item of the Commission.
Referral Update:
The Sustainability Commission Chair provides an update at each meeting to Commission members on the
administration of the Commission, meetings of the Board of Supervisors Ad Hoc Committee on
Sustainability, and other issues of interest to the Commission.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
RECEIVE report from Sustainability Commission Chair.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
None.
ATTACHMENT(S)
No file(s) attached.
04-22-19 Sustainability Commission Mtg. Agenda Packet - Pg. 82 of 82