Concord Citywide Climate Action Plan

City Council July 23, 2013

What is a Climate Action Plan?

Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Improve health, safety, mobility, and livability across Concord.

Adapt to climate change.

Why a Climate Action Plan?

Streamline CEQA review: qualified GHG reduction plan. Take credit for Concords existing policies. Support Concord Reuse Project implementation. Demonstrate Concords contribution to meeting state/regional GHG reductions.

Key Features of the Citywide Climate Action Plan

Baseline greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory.

Business as Usual (BAU) forecasts for key years.

GHG targets for key years.

Strategies and implementation to meet GHG targets.

- Building Performance - Transportation Systems and Land Use - Both of the above include Municipal Operations

Adaptation and Participation strategies.

Concord can meet its targets!

4

GHG targets for key years

Strategies and implementation to meet GHG targets

Building Performance Transportation Systems and Land Use
Above include Municipal Operations

Adaptation
Participation
6

Key Building Energy Performance Strategies

BE3 Energy Audits for Existing Buildings
- Building Energy Asset Rating System (BEARS); gradual implementation over time.

BE5 Efficient Appliances

Outreach to local appliance retailers to promote EnergyStar qualified products; provide information on available rebates.

BE6 Renewable Energy Facilitation

- Promote renewables for new and existing buildings; permit streamlining.

BE6 Renewable Energy Facilitation

Facilitate the installation of onsite renewable energy through permit streamlining, installing visible public projects, and education programs.
BE6: Renewable Energy Facilitation
Metric Tons CO2e Reduced from Baseline
Commercial and Residential City facilities* 2020 9,350 44 2030 30,062 44 2035 57,780 44

Implementation Actions

1. 1. 1. 1.

Streamline permit process for renewable energy installation. Post information on City website. Perform educational outreach activities. Install a 191.5 kW photovoltaic system to offset the majority of the electrical consumption at the Community Pool.

Responsible Department

Community and Economic Development, Building Division and Planning Division, Public Works Department, Facility Operations and Programs 700 by 2020 700 by 2020 80% by 2015

Progress Indicator with Target & Horizon Number of photovoltaic installations

Number of solar thermal installations Percent of electrical consumption offset at the Community Pool by photovoltaic system All Development Types

Applicability

Energy Performance Strategies Cost Savings and Success Stories for Businesses
Energy Efficiency Retrofits (EnergyStar)
- EnergyStar appliances can result in energy savings of >25%

Green Building Design (USGBC, Capital E Analysis)

- The average cost for LEED building design is slightly < 2%, or $3-5/ft2 additional cost compared to conventional design - Energy, water, operations and maintenance, plus productivity and health benefits = $50-$65/ft2 net benefit over 20 yrs.

Renewable Energy Systems (PG&E)

- PG&Es California Solar Initiative (CSI) rebates, plus a 30 percent federal tax credit and accelerated depreciation, can reduce the system energy costs for businesses by >50%.

Key Transportation & Land Use Strategies

TL2 Programs and enforcement for safe active transportation
- Develop and implement training program to help drivers, cyclists and pedestrians share the road.

TL4 Bicycle Master Plan

Develop citywide bicycle master plan. Grant received from MTC; project anticipated to begin by January 2014.

TL5 Bike parking installations

- Provide secure and convenient bicycle parking at City Hall and other city employment and services entrances; update Development Code to include bike parking.

TL4: Bicycle Master Plan

Develop a bicycle master plan to make it more convenient and safe to ride bicycles throughout the City.
TL4: Bicycle master plan
Metric Tons CO2e Reduced from Baseline Implementation Actions
2020 2030 2035
Bicycling Group* 1,957 4,879 5,190 1. Develop scope for Bicycle Master Plan 1. Secure funding to develop the Bicycle Master Plan 1. Establish baseline bicycle mode share by 2015 1. Develop the plan and CEQA analysis 1. Implement plan recommendations 1. Establish bike-sharing for City staff Community and Economic Development, Engineering Division Bicycle mode share 2% annual increase over base 25% by 2017 50% by 2020 75% by 2025 100% by 2030

Responsible Department Progress Indicator with Target and Horizon

Implementation of Plan recommendations

Applicability

All Development Segments

Complete Streets (Preview)

Changes to the Citys General Plan Transportation Element

Policy and street design guidance that responds to the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, and other users
Will help qualify Concord for grant funds from the State and region, assisting with implementation over the long-term. Will help meet the following CAP Strategies:
- TL2. Programs and enforcement for safer active transportation - TL10. Prioritizing active modes in engineering and design

Key Adaptation Strategies

A4 Cooling centers for heat waves
- Work with CCCo Office of Emergency Services to designate and operate cooling centers during heat waves, and publicize precautions for preventing heat-related illness.

A6 Flexible peak-period energy use

- Work with PG&E to encourage residents and businesses to enroll in energy Demand Response Programs to avoid higher costs of peak energy use.

A8 Resilient urban forest

- Keep an up-to-date list of preferred tree species that will thrive in current climate and survive in hotter, drier future conditions.

Key Participation Strategies

P1 Applauding Private Climate Action
- Offer official recognition through City proclamations to winners of GHG competitions.

P2 Climate-friendly reminders
- Develop public information materials the inform the public about
decisions that can help reduce GHG emissions, and opportunities for cost-effective choices they can make.

P3 Inviting Local Leaders Input

- Invite community groups to meet and identify knowledge gaps or other barriers to making climate-friendly choices, and provide feedback to City staff.

CAP Implementation Schedule

CAP Implementation Schedule (continued)

Questions/Comments?