AGENDA REPORT SUMMARY. Community Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Report ATTACHMENTS. Environmental Commission Report

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1 AGENDA REPORT SUMMARY MEETING DATE: May 25, 2010 SUBJECT: Community Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Report RECOMMENDATION: A. Receive Community GHG Survey Los Altos Environmental Commission; and B. Approve modification to the Environmental Commission Work Plan. ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT AMOUNT: BUDGETED: Y NONE N FUNDING SOURCE: ATTACHMENTS Environmental Commission Report Community GHG Survey Los Altos Environmental Commission NONE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Date of Publication PREVIOUS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION July 28, 2009 Finance Director: Russell J. Morreale CEQA STATUS (If Required) NOT APPLICABLE J. Logan Department/Director Name Douglas J. Schmitz, City Manager May 18, 2010 Date Date

2 AGENDA REPORT DATE: May 25, 2010 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: City Council Environmental Commission COMMUNITY GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) INVENTORY REPORT RECOMMENDATION A. Receive Community GHG Survey Los Altos Environmental Commission; and B. Approve modification to the Environmental Commission Work Plan. BACKGROUND On September 22, 2009, Council received the City of Los Altos Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Report. On July 28, 2009, City Council approved the Environmental Commission Work Plan. One of the approved Commission goals was to investigate the feasibility of accomplishing a GHG inventory for the community. The Environmental Commission appointed a sub-committee who investigated the process, deemed it feasible, and Commissioners agreed to begin the Community Greenhouse Gas Survey using ICLEI methodology. The Community Greenhouse Gas Survey is now completed, approved by the Environmental Commission, reviewed with staff, and is now presented to the City Council. DISCUSSION Due to legislative, environmental, and economic reasons, many cities are now trying to reduce carbon emissions. AB32 and SB375 encourage California cities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 15% from current levels by 2020 and achieve an 80% reduction by The above-referenced ICLEI methodology and tools are widely accepted by local governments as an effective means to organize and plan this process. This is also the methodology used by staff to complete the City of Los Altos 2005 Government Operations Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. Following the ICLEI methodology, the Environmental Commission Sub-Committee gathered baseline data for electricity and gas directly from PG&E that is based on actual metered usage; auto transport data that is based on California State Highway Department tracking data, and air transportation data that is estimated based on U.S. averages.

3 We request that the City Council receive this Community GHG Survey Report thereby completing Step 1 of the ICLEI five-step process as defined below: 1. Inventory current level of GHG emissions 2. Establish target for reduction 3. Develop reduction plan 4. Implement reduction plan 5. Monitor/evaluate progress After discussion with staff, the Environmental Commission believes we are now in a position to work together to move forward to Steps 2 and 3 in the ICLEI process. We propose to develop a target and a reduction plan, and request modification of the Environmental Commission Work Plan to reflect this direction. The Commission proposes to set a goal consistent with the majority of cities in California who have already established them. The goals are intended to demonstrate commitment to reducing GHG emissions; there is no legislative or punitive remedy for failing to achieve them. However, the Commission believes that setting goals is instrumental in getting the community focused on a target for reductions. We propose to use ICLEI tools to model potential GHG reduction strategies, costs, and payback, and recommend those with the most positive impact for our city. We anticipate that community outreach and education will comprise the largest part of that Community GHG Reduction Plan. Additionally, we feel there are opportunities beyond GHG emission reductions to address and would like to broaden the scope of the reduction plan to include monitoring and reducing water usage and other natural resources. The resulting recommendations for both target and implementation plans would be brought before Council for approval. FISCAL IMPACT None. It is anticipated that the majority of work will be completed by the Environmental Commission, but some staff time will be required to evaluate alternatives and recommend next steps by the City. ALTERNATIVES Provide direction to the Environmental Commission regarding next steps for community GHG reductions. Attachment(s): Community GHG Survey Los Altos Environmental Commission

4 Community GHG Survey Los Altos Environmental Commission Update 04/12/10 1

5 What is Driving a GHG Emissions Inventory? o AB-32, California s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 Ensure rigorous and consistent accounting of emissions o Specific Targets defined in AB32 - reduce statewide GHG emissions to levels by levels by % below 1990 by 2050 AB32 Scoping Plan Recommends 15% Reduction from Current by 2020 o Many cities are now engaged in GHG inventory activity Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Woodside, San Carlos South San Francisco, Daly City, Monte Sereno, Cupertino, Mountain View, Redwood City, Brisbane, San Bruno, Saratoga, Hillsborough, Foster City, Los Gatos, Half Moon Bay, Los Altos, Campbell, Milpitas, etc. Source: Presentation by ICLEI and Los Altos Hills, LAH GHG Emissions Inventory 2

6 Los Altos GHG Inventory Progress 2009: Los Altos completes Government Operations GHG Inventory July 2009: EC includes investigate feasibility of accomplishing GHG Inventory for the Community on FY Goals and Work Plan. City Council Approves Work Plan at meeting on July 28, Aug 2009: EC establishes subcommittee to investigate feasibility of completing Community GHG Inventory Sept 2009: Subcommittee recommends moving ahead; EC approves motion unanimously Oct 2009: Staff arranges ICLEI access for GHG subcommittee Feb 2010: Preliminary Community Inventory Results presented to EC Apr 2010: Community Inventory Results reviewed with Staff May 2010: Request approval for modification of EC work plan 3

7 ICLEI s Recommended Process We are here 4

8 Los Altos Community GHG Inventory Milestone #1 ICLEI Method Milestone #1 Los Altos 2005 Community Emissions 209,440 tonnes CO2e 5 5

9 How confident are we in the current inventory? 1. ICLEI methodology is widely used and accepted. 2. High confidence levels: > 80% of data based on actual usage 3. Comparison with other municipal inventories* passes the reasonableness test. High Level Estimates (Air Transportation) Actual Usage Data (Gas, Electric, Waste) Actual Usage Data and State Models (Auto) * Community GHG inventory from Los Altos Hills, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and Mountain View 6

10 Recommendation Milestone #1: That the LA City Council receive the Los Altos Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report. 7

11 ICLEI s Recommended Process Our next Step 8

12 Milestone #2: Establishing a target what have other cities done? Formal Targets Approved Decision Pending by City Council Informal, non-binding Goals Alameda Benicia Berkeley Burlingame Fremont Hayward Los Altos Hills Millbrae Morgan Hill Mountain View Palo Alto Richmond San Carlos San Francisco San Leandro San Mateo San Rafael Santa Cruz Hillsborough Foster City Redwood City Portola Valley Sunnyvale Source: Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network 9

13 Milestone #2: Establishing a target what have other cities done? Current Community GHG Reduction Targets Legend Note: AB32 goals are - 80% from 1990 Solid shape = formal goal Dotted border = informal goal, or currently under consideration for formal goal Source: Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network 10

14 Los Altos Gas & Electricity Use is on the rise Ratio of Gas / Electricity has remained fairly constant Gas GHG Since 2005, Los Altos GHG Footprint has increased in all categories Commercial +6.5% Electricity GHG Electricity +4.4% Overall +3.8% Residential Footprint is ~ 71% of total Gas +3.0% Residential +2.7% Commercial Residential 11

15 Community Footprint Significantly Larger than Municipal Operations Footprint Municipal Operations GHG Inventory = 1% of Total Community GHG Footprint = 99% Largest overall opportunities for GHG reduction are in community energy use and transportation 12

16 Recommendation That the LA City Council approve modification of Environmental Commission 2010 work plan 13

17 ICLEI s Recommended Process And then 14

18 Climate action Plan: What does it take? Basic Los Altos Hills: a slide deck More Complex Palo Alto: a book Residential Electricity Home Audits & Educational Programs Continued promotion of Residential Solar PV Greening of Grid Electricity by PG&E Availability of Green Energy option by 2012 Natural Gas Home Audits & Educational Programs Commercial Gas & Electric: Outreach to Foothill College, etc. Residential Solid Waste: Switch to Green Waste 10 Full Chapters on Utility Programs Sustainable Purchasing Transportation and Land Use Green Building Zero Waste Education Strategies 15

19 Summary of recommendations #1: That the LA City Council receive the Los Altos Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report. #2: That the LA City Council approve modification of Environmental Commission 2010 work plan 16

20 Backup Slides 17

21 How are GHG Inventories Calculated? Source: City of Los Altos 2005 Government Operations Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 18

22 Some GHG Conversion Factors... not all kwh s are Equal! Source: AltaTerra Research Analysis 19

23 Data on Community Energy Use,

24 Auto Transportation Data using ICLEI Method This process may undercount for Los Altos; assuming 2 cars/household, average annual mileage per car would be 8,395 (vs ~15,000) 21

25 Air Transportation Data Estimation Method Sources: RITA US Air Carrier Traffic Statistics, Jan-December 2005, GHG Protocol Mobile Combusion Tool 22

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