BACKGROUND:
In September 2016, Governor Edmund Brown Jr. set methane emission reduction targets for California (SB 1383 Lara, Chapter 395, Statutes of 2016) in a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants.
CalRecycle, in consultation with the California Air Resources Board, has adopted regulatory requirements (Regulations), consistent with the mandate of Senate Bill 1383 (Lara, 2016), that are designed to achieve the organic waste reduction goals established in Section 39730.6 of the Health and Safety Code through a 50 percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020 and a 75 percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2025.
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 42652.5, CalRecycle is authorized to review and approve notifications of intent to comply from local jurisdictions facing continuing violations that commence during the 2022 calendar year.
DISCUSSION:
Due to COVID-19 and various other unforeseen circumstances, the City of Cathedral City will need additional time to implement programs to comply with SB 1383.
October 5, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 619 which provides an opportunity for jurisdictions that will not meet the compliance timelines set forth in SB 1383 to submit a compliance plan to avoid enforcement penalties assessed by CalRecycle. The City of Cathedral City is a local jurisdiction authorized by SB 619 to submit a Notification of Intent to Comply for CalRecycle approval.
Exhibit A of this report is Cathedral City’s Notice of Intent to Comply application. By submitting the Notice of Intent to Comply, Cathedral City represents that it intends to implement the proposed actions in accordance with the proposed schedule as approved by CalRecycle and in accordance with SB 619 and SB1383 Regulations.
Staff is requesting that the Council Adopt a Resolution authorizing the submittal of a Notice to Comply with SB 1383 to the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle); and authorize the City Manager or his designee, to execute the Notice of Intent to Comply application.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Adoption of the Resolution will not result in any additional cost to the city. If the Notice of Intent to Comply application and proposed implementation schedule is accepted by CalRecycle, and the city implements the proposed plan, CalRecycle is required to waive any administrative penalties that would have been issued during the 2022 calendar year.