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91 census tracts in California. Census tracts in the highest quartile of scores (75 to 100) are considered to be disadvantaged communities, per California law (SB 1000).
As shown on Figure 8.1, two census tracts in the City of East Palo Alto exceed the 75th percentile and, therefore, are considered to be disadvantaged communities. The average percentile score for the City is 75.
Figure 8.1: CalEnviroScreen Scores for City of East Palo Alto Pollution Exposure
Pollutants can be found in the environment in which people live, work, and recreate. Disadvantaged communities, by definition, can often face disproportionate exposure to pollutants. To minimize the potential impact of pollution exposure in the community, the City seeks to 1) identify areas within the City that experience greater exposure to pollution and 2) understand the factors and conditions that contribute to heightened exposure in disadvantaged areas.
Air Quality
The City of East Palo Alto is located in the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) within the San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin. Federal and state ambient air quality standards have been set to protect public health and the climate. “Attainment” status for a pollutant means that the BAAQMD meets the standard set by the
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92 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (federal) or California Environmental Protection Agency (state). The San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin is not in attainment for 1-hour or 8-hour ozone, PM10, PM2.5 ambient air quality standards (BAAQMD 2020). High concentration of PM2.5 can cause various health effects such as respiratory issues and cardiovascular issues. More information on air quality in the region can be found in the 2017 Bay Area Clean Air Plan (BAAQMD 2017). Although air quality is generally regarded as a regional issue, there are also local contributors to air pollution in and near the City of East Palo Alto. Proximity to high-volume roadways, hazardous waste sites, and industrial/agricultural land use types and other high-emission sources can result in adverse health impacts. The City of East Palo Alto is geographically positioned to encounter the worst of this pollution because it sits along one of the main corridors for traffic to get from the east bay to Silicon Valley and back. As a result, residents of East Palo Alto are subjected to adverse air quality due to proximity to polluting activities and are more likely to have underlying medical conditions that may be worsened by pollution.
Poor air quality can result in negative health outcomes ranging from higher rates of asthma to cardiovascular disease and even premature death (CARB 2020). Children living in East Palo Alto are 2.5 times more susceptible to asthma than any other San Mateo county resident (SSV 2020) is. To determine areas with heightened air pollution exposure, the City identified residentially zoned areas in close proximity (500 feet) to major roads and industrial/agricultural activities. The California Air Resources Board recommends siting new sensitive land uses, such as residential housing, 500 feet away from a freeway or urban roads with 100,000 vehicles per day. The Bayshore Freeway near University Avenue averages approximately 217,000 vehicles per day, and University Avenue near the intersection with Bay Rd. averages 30,000, both of which are significantly above the CARB threshold. As shown in Figure 8.2, there are many residential zoned areas within 200 feet of a highway, representing approximately 22 percent of the residentially zoned parcels in the City.
Major alterations to the atmosphere and climate have an impact on the human environment. Increased concentrations of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide have already warmed the planet, causing more severe and prolonged heat waves, temperature variability, increased length and severity of the pollen season, air pollution, forest fires, droughts, and heavy precipitation events and floods, all of which put respiratory health at risk. Respiratory health effects are asthma, rhinosinusitis, COPD and respiratory tract infections. The severity of these impacts are unknown, but will affect individuals with pre-existing cardiopulmonary diseases. Areas of lower economic opportunities and lacking medical care will have increasingly severe impacts and likely to include disadvantaged groups.30
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93 Figure 8.2: Residentially Zoned Parcels within 500 Feet of Major Roadway In addition to mobile sources, East Palo Alto has stationary sources of air pollution, which are usually associated with large manufacturing and industrial facilities. In 1964, Palo Alto annexed land directly to the south of East Palo Alto that was intended to be developed into a golf course, but instead was turned into the Romic Environmental Technologies Corporation (or “Romic”) waste management facility. Figure 8.3 lists the location of the hazardous waste sites, now closed, that were part of the waste management facility. The facility processed hazardous chemicals from semiconductor and hardware production in Silicon Valley for decades. During occasional accidents, the facility leaked or sprayed toxic chemicals in the City of East Palo Alto (Cutler 2015). The Romic facility was shut down after the Department of Toxic Substances Control ordered Romic to cease handling hazardous wastes in 2007, due in part to the advocacy of several environmental justice advocacy organizations (Reimagine 2009).
To assess existing conditions with respect to stationary air pollution, the City identified residentially zoned parcels within 200 feet of an industrial or agricultural land use designated area. As shown on Figure 8.3, there is a significant portion of industrial land use types concentrated in the northeastern portion of the City. Approximately 10 percent of residentially zoned areas are within 200 feet of an industrial or agricultural zoned area. These areas are more likely to be the sites of air-polluting activities, and should be prioritized when implementing pollution exposure reduction policies identified in the Health and Equity Element of the General Plan.
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94 Figure 8.3. Residentially Zoned Parcels within 200 Feet of Industrial and Agricultural Land Uses
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95 Equitable Electrification
Building Electrification
Building electrification is a key piece of the state’s strategy for achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. Aside from greenhouse gas emission reduction, electrification is associated with many co-benefits that intersect with equity, including community health and long-term energy affordability. For example, equitable electrification can improve indoor air quality for communities that are more likely to live in older, energy-inefficient homes with structural deficiencies, outdated appliances, and faulty energy systems.q Equitable electrification also avoids leaving these communities behind to cover increasing costs of the natural gas grid. Natural gas bills are projected to be 3-10 times higher by 2050.r Packaging electrification with other building and community improvements, like improved building insulation, installation of solar, and better access to green space, amplifies the benefits of electrification.
Existing building electrification can come with high up-front infrastructure improvement costs, which presents a hurdle to policy adoption for cities. The building electrification measures in this CAP include multiple programs for addressing equity and cost to make building electrification for residential and non-residential buildings more feasible.
q https://www.greenandhealthyhomes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021-GHHI-Leading-with-equity_wp_Final.pdf r https://www.ethree.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/E3_Residential_Building_Electrification_in_California_April_2019.pdf
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96 Transportation
Reducing GHG emissions in the transportation sector is achieved through improved active transportation, public transit, and electric vehicle access. Building out and upgrading active and public transit systems can make transportation easier in the City. Lowering the accessibility bar for electric vehicles will be key to equitable transportation in East Palo Alto. Community members have pointed to the potential Dumbarton Rail as a tool to support transportation to and from the East Bay and seek advocacy for a rail stop in East Palo Alto to encourage the use.
Water Quality, Accessibility and Affordabilitys
Low-income communities can be disproportionately exposed to drinking water contaminants (VanDerslice 2011).
Hundreds of communities across the state currently lack access to safe and affordable drinking water.
Furthermore, for communities that lack political and economic power, securing adequate supply of water can pose a challenge, as has been the case for East Palo Alto. In addition to providing a sufficient supply of clean water to its residents, the City seeks to ensure water is affordable for all residents.
The City of East Palo Alto Water provides water for about 30,000 residents living in the East Palo Alto area. A private water contractor, Veolia North America, is contracted by the City of East Palo Alto to operate the City’s water utility for about 4,000 connections. East Palo Alto purchases water from the San Francisco Regional Water System, which is owned and operated by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (City of East Palo Alto 2016a). The major water source is the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Hetch Hetchy water is supplemented with surface water from two local watersheds: Alameda Watershed and Peninsula Watershed (Layton and Johnson 2019).
The O’Connor Tract Co-Operative Water Company located in Menlo Park provides ground water service to private accounts from two deep water wells to East Palo Alto properties located on East O’Keefe Street and the even side of Donohoe Street on the west side of the City. Approximately thirty-four multi-family homes and approximately twenty-three single-family homes/duplexes accounts are served by this water company. This water system was noted as having 3,129 violations from 2006-2021 for various analytes.
The Palo Alto Park Mutual Company is located in East Palo Alto and provides ground water service to private accounts from five source wells with thirty-one metered residential accounts and 656 unmetered residential accounts in the service area generally west of University, south of Bay Road and north of highway 101, with some accounts between Donohoe Street and West Bayshore Road on the west side of highway 101. The company’s website indicates 2,900 customers are served by Palo Alto Park Mutual. This water system was noted as having an excessive aluminum violation in 2018.
The State Water Resources Control Board maintains a Human Right to Water portal that includes data, maps, grant programs, and other information that should be considered in local analyses of existing conditions and potential actions to address water quality issues in disadvantaged communities. OEHHA also recently published a Human Right to Water tool for assessing water quality, affordability, and accessibility that should be considered for use by local agencies. The tool provides draft scores for water quality, accessibility, and affordability. Draft scores range from 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating better outcomes. s The Infrastructure, Services and Facilities Element of the City’s General Plan includes an existing conditions assessment of potable water quality and supply, but the following analysis supplements the existing assessment using indicators recommended by OPR’s EJ Element Guidance.
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97 Water Quality
The City of East Palo Alto’s water system scored 3.11 out of 4 for water quality. Table 8.3 lists scores for each indicator with respect to levels of water contaminant concentrations and a high level of compliance with regulatory standards. More information on the methodology for each indicator can be found in the 2019 Achieving the Human Right to Water in California: Assessment of the State’s Community Water Systems (CalEPA 2019).
As shown in Table 8.3, the City had one contaminant violation during the OEHHA study period. In June 2014, the City of East Palo Alto failed to comply with the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for total coliform (California Water Boards 2014). According to the U.S. EPA, total coliforms are not harmful to humans (EPA n/a). From April 2016 to March 2019, the City complied with all drinking water standards. The City of East Palo Alto strives to continue to provide reliably safe drinking water to its residents and businesses.
Table 8.3. OEHHA Right to Water, Water Quality Indicator Scores Sub-Component Indicator Description Score Score Explanation Exposure
High Potential
Exposure
Identifies how many contaminants (out of 19)
had at least one year with an average annual
concentration above MCL.
3 The system had 1
contaminant with
potential high
exposure.
Presence of Acute
Contaminants
Identifies if any of the contaminants for which
there was high potential exposure are acute
contaminants as defined by regulatory
standards.
4 The system had 0
acute contaminants.
Maximum Duration of
High Potential
Exposure
Identifies for how long high potential
exposure occurred for each of the 19
contaminants.
3 The system had a
Maximum of 1 year of
high potential
exposure.
Data Availability
Identifies whether data exists for 14
contaminants that should have data following
monitoring requirements
4 The system had all 14
contaminants with the
minimum required data
in the time period.
Compliance
Non-compliance with
primary drinking water
standards
Counts how many contaminants received an
MCL violation at least once from 2008 to
2016, for 17 out of 19 contaminants.
3 The system had 1
contaminant with at
least 1 MCL violation
in the study period.
Presence of Acute
Contaminants
Identifies if any of the contaminants for which
there was a non-compliance event are acute
contaminants as defined by regulatory
standards.
4 The system had 0
acute contaminants
with relevant MCL
violations.
Maximum Duration
non-compliance
Sums the total number of years for which a
system had at least 1 MCL violation in aa
given year (from 2008 to 2016), across
contaminants.
3 The system had
Maximum of 1-year
non-compliance.
Source: CalEPA 2019.
Water Accessibility
The OEHHA Right to Water Framework also assesses water accessibility, defined by the City’s ability to provide sufficient and continuous amounts of water to meet everyday household needs (CalEPA 2019). The City of East
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98 Palo Alto’s water system scored 2.75 out of 4 for water accessibility. Table 8.4 lists the scores for each indicator, which measures to what extent the City is equipped to meet household demand for all residents.
Table 8.4: OEHHA Right to Water, Water Accessibility Indicator Scores Sub-Component Indicator Description Score Score Explanation Physical
Vulnerability
Physical Vulnerability
to Water Outages
Examines the system’s main water
source and how many permanent and
back up sources a system could use in
the case of emergency
2 The system is a GW,
GW-SW, or SW only
system with 3–4
sources.
Institutional
Vulnerability
Institutional Constraints
This indicator uses the combination of
a system’s size and the economic
resources available to the community
to jointly define a system’s potential
institutional constraints.
3 The system is
medium-sized.
Managerial Constraints
Estimate the system’s managerial
constraints by summing the total
number of monitoring or reporting
violations a system received
4 The system had 0
monitoring and
reporting violations.
Source: CalEPA 2019.
The City of East Palo Alto has historically struggled to provide an adequate supply of water for its residents and community to grow and develop. The City’s water demand has exceeded its available supply several times since 2001. In 2017, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation prepared a case study of East Palo Alto’s Water Supply.
The report detailed how residents of East Palo Alto have historically lacked influence in land-use and waterallocation decisions made by its neighbors. As neighboring jurisdictions continued to grow and develop, the City failed to attract new investments and attract jobs due in large part to the inability to secure adequate water supply (Layton and Johnson 2019).
Even though East Palo Alto’s per capita water consumption was among the lowest in the region and the state, its allocation from the San Francisco Regional Water System, the City’s primary water source, did not provide nearly enough water to meet East Palo Alto’s needs. Meanwhile, nearby jurisdictions had more than enough water to meet demand and would benefit from development projects (often industrial and or/manufacturing) in East Palo Alto. However, agreements governing the allocation of water from the San Francisco Regional Water System made it difficult for these neighbors to share resources.
In September 2016, the City Council appointed two council members to a “water allocation transfer” subcommittee to work with City staff members to coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions on potential water transfers. Many of East Palo Alto’s neighbors do not use their full water allocations. As a result, the subcommittee sought and successfully secured a commitment from Mountain View and Palo Alto to transfer some of their “surplus” to East Palo Alto (Layton and Johnson 2019). The City continues to advocate for its residents in securing sufficient water and seeks to allocate water to grow sustainably and benefit all residents.
The City anticipates future redevelopment of currently vacant or low-density sites. Various efforts are moving forward to determine the future land use density of the Ravenswood Four Corners Specific Plan area, the largest geographic area in the City with vacant sites. The City may intensify efforts to provide new sources of water to areas of new/redevelopment, which may include the use of recycled water.
The City has successfully encouraged construction permittees, along with City Contractors to use reclaimed water for non-potable uses including street sweeping, watering trees (when irrigation is lacking), dust control, and other such uses, with access at the Palo Alto Water Quality Control Plant. The City will continue to support expansion of the reclaimed/recycled water network.
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99 Water Affordability
Another important aspect of environmental justice is ensuring residents can afford to pay for water to meet their household needs, taking into consideration other living expenses (CalEPA 2019). As shown in Table 8.5, the City of East Palo Alto’s water system scored 0 out of 4 for water affordability.
Table 8.5. OEHHA Right to Water, Water Affordability Indicator Scores Indicator Description Score Score Explanation
Affordability Ratio for Median
Household Income (MHI)
Measures the annual system-wide
average water bill for 6 hundred cubic
feet relative to the annual MHI of the
water system
1 The average water
bill ranges from
1.5% to 2% of the
MHI.
Affordability Ratio for County
Poverty Threshold (CPT)
Measures the annual system-wide
average water bill for 6 hundred cubic
feet relative to the County poverty
threshold for the water system’s
County.
0 The average water
bill is greater than
or equal to 2.5% of
CPT.
Affordability Ratio for Deep
Poverty Threshold (DPT)
Measures the annual system-wide
average water bill for 6 hundred square
feet relative to the County deep poverty
threshold for the water system’s County
0 The average water
bill exceeds 2.5% of
the DPT.
Source: CalEPA 2019.
The City’s water system scores lower on water affordability due to the high number of low-income populations in the City. Low-income populations spend a greater percentage of their income on utility bills, and many struggle to afford their water bill. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines water affordability as a rate below 4 percent of median household income (MHI) – 2 percent for water and 2 percent for wastewater. As shown in the Affordability Ratio for Median Household Income, the average water bill ranges from 1.5 percent to 2 percent of the MHI. Therefore, the City is right at the threshold limit for federal water affordability standards.
The City has provided direct support for tenants to the California Rent and Utility Relief Assistance program for low-income households to pay their utility bill. Other resources exist for low-income households. For example, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program serving San Mateo County sends payments to the utility or energy company directly on behalf of eligible families (ESSMC 2017). Additional support from local partnerships is also available through the City’s current “Core Service Provider” Samaritan House South, as well as El Concilio, Ecumenical Hunger Program, One East Palo Alto, The Barbara A. Mouton Multicultural Wellness Center, and Community Legal Services, along with various programs offered through local faith-based programs in the community.
The City endeavors to increase the affordability of water for the community by increasing overall access to economic opportunity for its residents, with the goal of leveraging future development with employment training programs geared at higher wages for those with low incomes.
Safe and Sanitary Homes
The Health and Equity Element of the City’s 2016 General Plan acknowledges the importance and challenge of providing affordable housing to residents in East Palo Alto. However, the OPR EJ Element Guidance recommends conducting an analysis not just of housing affordability, but also the quality of existing housing stock.
The quality of available housing stock has direct health implications. Older housing that has not been maintained or updated can lead to unsafe conditions due to pest infestation, water intrusion, mold, poor insulation, and
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exposure to toxins, such as lead and second- and third-hand smoke. Water intrusion, poor insulation, and mold can exacerbate respiratory illnesses such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Exposure to lead, a known neurotoxin, can have lifelong health consequences for young children. The age of existing housing stock is used as an indicator for housing stock quality. Figure 8.4 maps the residential housing stock by year built.
As shown on Figure 8.4, older residential buildings are scattered throughout the western portion of the City, into the city center. In general, areas with older housing stock are also in areas with higher asthma rates. Excessive moisture and dampness, poor heating and ventilation systems, and deteriorated carpeting, all of which are associated with older, substandard housing, may contribute to asthma prevalence in the City (Krieger 2010).
Residents experience the highest rates of asthma in San Mateo County and report concerns about air pollution associated with traffic and emissions on US 101 Highway (San Mateo County, 2021a). In the survey associated with this project (see Chapter 5), 91% of respondents reported being slightly or very concerned about air pollution in the city. Over 15% of residents reported poor mental health over the previous two weeks in a 2018 survey, the highest of any city in the county, and in the highest 25% for California cities overall (San Mateo County, 2021b).
Trees and other green infrastructure have potential to alleviate some of these health and wellbeing concerns in the city.
t
Figure 8.4: Map representing relative rates of emergency department visits for asthma between 2011 and 2013 (OEHHA, 2017)
t City of East Palo Alto Urban Forest Master Plan, pg 18
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Figure 8.5: Housing Stock, Year Built
Economic Justice
The General Plan acknowledges the history of housing discrimination and community disinvestment that has hampered the City’s ability to develop equitably. And while not mandated by California law, the 2016 General Plan update included an Economic Development Element. The Economic Development Element’s Existing Conditions Assessment addresses employment, workforce skills and education, job access, new development, and municipal fiscal health (City of East Palo Alto 2016b). This assessment provides historical context to the Economic Development Element of the General Plan and acknowledges the role of discrimination in the City’s economic development trajectory.
Central to the discussion of economic development and economic justice in the City of East Palo Alto is the history of housing discrimination. Explicit and legal housing discrimination in the 1950s and 1960s prevented residents of East Palo Alto from securing housing (Moore et. Al 2015). Even with the passage of the State’s first fair housing law in 1963, housing discrimination remained intact, albeit in different forms. For example, for decades the Federal Housing Administration and private banks engaged in a practice of redlining, where they would back mortgage lending to affluent, predominantly white neighborhoods and excluded others that housed minorities.
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Similarly, the late 1960s saw a wave of growth-control movements throughout the Bay Area that limited the number of houses that were built per year and put protections on undeveloped land. Though supporters of the movement purported their intention was to protect the environment, in practice it served to protect property values and prevented affluent suburban governments from having to accommodate lower-income residents with multiunit housing (Cutler 2015). Discriminatory practices including redlining and growth control resulted in East Palo Alto residents facing tremendous barriers to becoming homeowners.
Homeownership is one of the primary ways Americans grow their wealth and governments grow their tax base to support public services. Therefore, discriminatory housing practices in East Palo Alto excluded entire groups of people from capital accumulation and resulted in a stagnant, local economy and under-resourced local government. Underfunded schools, for example, could not prepare kids for an increasingly limited blue-collar job market. And the loss of manufacturing jobs in the 1970s meant that there were few alternative job or economic opportunities in East Palo Alto.
Today, East Palo Alto is highly vulnerable to gentrification as the Silicon Valley region continues to support the growth of the technology sector by enabling the development of new office and tech campuses which has resulted in substantial new high paying jobs, while not providing an equal number of new housing units to the market. The Bay Area jobs to housing ratio has often resulted in East Palo Alto residents being displaced by tech sector employees as Silicon Valley has added one home for every six new jobs in the last decade, resulting in soaring housing costs31.
The City of East Palo Alto represents the last piece of land that is relatively affordable compared to neighboring communities—“an island among a growing plenty” (Cutler 2015). The City’s median home price in 2015 was $534,000, which has since grown to approximately $947,000 in 2020, and remains significantly lower compared to $3 million median home value in Palo Alto, $6.5 million in Atherton, $2.5 million in Menlo Park and $1.7 million in Mountain View. Throughout the Peninsula, ever-increasing home prices continues to place ever-increasing demand on relatively lower-priced, often rent-controlled homes found in East Palo Alto.
Along with cultural values that often prioritize family, residents facing ever-increasing housing costs look to multigenerational living as a means to offset housing costs by way of adding accessory dwelling units, or converting spaces in the home to additional livable bedrooms, generally intensifying the use of single and multi-family dwellings.
While the tech industry ostensibly provides support to the community through philanthropic gifts and job market pipeline opportunities for East Palo Alto residents, it remains unclear the extent to which large tech companies have positively impacted the economic development of the City. For example, Facebook is a major charitable force in East Palo Alto that supports several dozen non-profits. However, its campus presence adjacent to the City may eventually price out the community it intends to help as employees from higher socio-economic classes move in. Similarly, Google, though a high philanthropic donor and employer, relies on extremely low-wage labor in East Palo Alto for Google Shipping Express (Cutler 2015). Furthermore, a 2015 study found that the Bay Area staffs of 33 of the leading Silicon Valley firms on average are about 4 percent black and 7 percent Latino (Anguin et al. 2015).u
Therefore, the City seeks to take a more active role in the development of businesses and economic models that build the wealth of residents, especially people of color, and allow them greater influence in determining the types of economic activity that address the needs of their community, while encouraging intensification of housing to accommodate growing families, multi-generational living, and stabilized housing costs. u Blacks and Latinos make up 8 percent and 14 percent of the Bay Area labor force, respectively.
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Environmental Justice
Goals and Policies Gap Analysis
As indicated above, SB 1000 requires local jurisdictions identify objectives and policies that:
(A) Reduce the unique or compounded health risks in disadvantaged communities by means that include, but are not limited to, the reduction of pollution exposure, including the improvement of air quality, and the promotion of public facilities, locally sourced food access, safe and sanitary homes, and physical activity. (B) Promote civic engagement in the public decision-making process. © Prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged communities.
The City’s General Plan already includes goals and policies designed to help the City achieve some environmental justice goals. Table 8.6 lists the General Plan goals relevant to each EJ topic area relevant to SB 1000 and any additional goals this CAP will add, and indicates if the CAP will be adding additional strategies in support of any existing or new goals.
Table 8.6. General Plan Goal Gap Analysis
EJ Topic Area # General Plan Goal New CAP Strategy?
Pollution Exposure
HE-10 Improve respiratory health throughout the City and strive to reduce incidence of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Yes HE-4
Safely and systemically, address toxics, legacy pollutants, and hazardous materials. No
ISF-2 Ensure a sustainable, clean, long-term water supply No Access to public
facilities and
services
ISF-8
Provide high-quality public and civic facilities for the community. No
Access to transit T-5
Continue to work with regional partners to expand access to public transit, enabling ease of access for commuters.
Support local and regional transit that is efficient, frequent, convenient, and safe.
Yes
Access to active
transportation
HE-3
Create land use patterns, a transportation network, and a parks system that encourages physical activity, promotes healthy living, and reduces chronic illnesses.
Yes
T-1
Improve safety through the design and maintenance of
sidewalks, streets, intersections, and other roadway
improvements.
No
T-3
Create a complete, safe, and comfortable pedestrian network for people of all ages and abilities. No
EJ Topic Area # Goal New CAP Strategy?
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Access to health
care
HE-8
Strive for all residents to have access to affordable, quality health care, mental health care and social services. No Access to parks POC.1 Create new parks and expand open spaces throughout the City. No
POC-2 Improve and enhance existing parks and trails. No Access to healthy,
locally-sourced food HE-6
Improve access to healthy locally sourced food for all East Palo Alto Residents. Yes
Access to safe and
sanitary homes HE-13 All housing is designed and built in a way that facilitates health, sustainability, and efficiency. No Access to physical
activity
T-4
Build a comprehensive and well-used bicycle network that comfortably accommodates bicyclists of all ages and skilllevels.Yes POC-2 Improve and enhance existing parks and trails. No Promote civic
engagement
HE-11 Ensure that all citizens, regardless of race or ethnicity, feel welcome and included in the community. No
HE-12 Maintain transparency and integrity in East Palo Alto’s decision-making process. No
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Supplemental Strategies
During the development of the Climate Action Plan, the City identified additional strategies related to climate action and environmental justice that the City would like to add to the City’s General Plan to help achieve the goals listed in Table 8.7.
Table 8.7: HE-10. Improve respiratory health throughout the City and strive to reduce incidence of asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
Strategy IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS TIMEFRAME LEAD COMMUNITY
PARTNER
Expand community-based air
monitoring in EPA for a suite of
industrial pollutants
Installation of 12 blue-air monitors at private
residences throughout the community.
Encourage the installation of additional
devices near highway 101, the Palo Alto
airport, and areas identified by San Mateo
County with highest respiratory disease rates.
Track respiratory disease rates while seeking
strategies to reduce health impacts.
2022-
2030
Environmental
Programs
Homeowners of
EPA and
property
owners of high
density
housing.
Participate in studies opportunities
for residents to track indoor air
pollution.
Participate in study with Stanford, supported
by CRC to enable up to 420 families in East
Palo Alto to monitor indoor air pollution,
providing tools to reduce indoor air quality
emissions, and develop strategies to support
the community with lessons learned through
this project. Track respiratory disease rates
while seeking strategies to reduce health
impacts.
2022-
2025
Environmental
Programs
Climate
Resilient
Communities,
Stanford, with
other local
partners.
Analyze and re-designate truck
routes away from areas with high
asthma rates and sensitive land
Truck Routes have been eliminated
throughout the City including University
Avenue, Bay Road (from Gloria Way to
eastern City limits), East Bayshore Road
(entire length) and West Bayshore Road (from
Newell Road to eastern city limit). The Public
Works Director has further limited truck routes
with signage restricting passage through the
City. Strong consideration will be given to
further limit truck routes through formal
codification.
2019 Public Works
Public Works
and
Transportation
Committee
Include the community in decisions
regarding brownfield site risk
assessment, cleanup alternatives,
and end uses
Ongoing; sites under consideration for
development are currently under public
comment including 1990 Bay Road (former
Catylitica Energy Systems/ Rhone Poulenc
Inc Zoecon Corp, a Superfund site considered
“active”), 2020 Bay Road (former Romic
Environmental Technologies, a Superfund site
considered “active”), and Calmac Chemical (a
superfund site considered “archived” by the
EPA, but if soil is disturbed this site can
become a concern for adjacent residential
and schools)
As predevelop
ment
submittal
s occur
Public Works,
Planning
YUCA, Climate
Resilient
Communities
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Goal T.5: Support local and regional transit that is efficient, frequent, convenient, and safe.
Strategy Implementation Considerations Time-frame Lead Community Partner Implement a local shuttle service
to complement a robust transit
network
Work with local developers/employers
and SamTrans to consider integration
of updated shuttle programs for new
and existing employment sectors,
providing linkages to the Dumbarton
Express, Caltrain, and beyond.
Ongoing
as
developme
nt occurs
Public
Works/
CEDD
SamTrans, Santa Clara
County
Work with appropriate partners
to provide subsidize monthly
passes for low-income riders
and increase accessibility to bus
pass vendors
Work with SamTrans, non-profits, local
employers and developers to support
expansion of subsidized or free
monthly transit passes for various user
groups to reduce local traffic.
2025 Public Works
and CEDD
El Comitte, Ravenswood
Family Health Center,
San Mateo County,
SMC Library, SamTrans,
EPACenter Arts, etc.
HE-3. Create land use patterns, a transportation network, and a parks system that encourages physical activity, promotes healthy living, and reduces chronic illnesses.
Action Implementation Considerations Time-frame Lead Community Partner Place housing of all income
levels in high-opportunity areas
with access to community
gardens, parks, quality schools,
libraries, and health services
Update Parks Master Plan and Martin
Luther King Jr Park, SMC Library
Master Plan, to ensure locations
provide adequate access to all user
groups.
2022-2024
Administrativ
e Services,
City Hall
San Mateo County
Library
Continue to implement and
update the First Source Hiring
Ordinance requiring 20% of the
workforce to be hired from the
pool of residents of East Palo
Alto, connecting residents to
local employment opportunities
in additional sectors that do
business in East Palo Alto.
Ensure the First Source Hiring Policy is
administered correctly; expand to
include City Funded Projects and
Properties in addition to the original
First Source Hiring Ordinance that
included City-supported developments
and the occupants on those sites.
Emissions reduced due to
implementation of this this ordinance
will be quantified by compiling the
annual summary from program
oversight.
2022-2030
Community
and
Economic
Development
Department
All City funded projects
over $250,000.and
subsidized properties
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T-4. Build a comprehensive and well-used bicycle network that comfortably accommodates bicyclists of all ages and skill-levels.
Action Implementation Considerations Time-frame Lead Community Partner Implement the Bicycle Master
Plan (c.2017) by maximizing
Class I facilities and prioritizing
the installation of facilities to
build-out this plan.
Through Affordable Housing and
Sustainable Communities (AHSC)
funds, and other grants, maximize the
bicycle connectivity throughout the City
using the Bicycle Master Plan as a
guideline, implementing best practices.
2022-2025 Public Works
Live in Peace (LIP),
Ravenswood City
School District (RCSD),
large employers.
Support and expand educational
resources and outreach about
safe and active transportation
that represent the preferred
languages and cultures of
residents
Work with Safe Routes to School
Program, all local schools,
Ravenswood City School District, Live
in Peace, and San Mateo County to
expand access to active transportation
options. Increase way-finding
throughout the City to encourage use of
bike/ped facilities.
2023+
Environment
al Programs,
Public Works
SR2S, SMC, RCSD,
LIP, etc.
Provide subsidized bike sharing
programs and low-cost or free
bicycle ownership
Work with Live in Peace and other
partners to expand opportunities that
enable residents and employees to
obtain free or low-cost bicycles through
programs offered. Encourage
employers and low-income housing
programs to support the expansion of
these programs.
2023+ Environment
al Programs
LIP, local colleges, bike
shops, philanthropic.
Work with local schools and
employers to promote bicycle
commuting
Participate in Bike to Work Day and
Bike/Walk to School Day events per
year.
2023-2030
Public
Works,
Admin
Services
LIP, RCSD, Charter
Schools, Private
Schools, Amazon, and
any employer with over
100 employers, etc.
Designate and maintain an
advisory committee to evaluate
planning and implementation of
the City’s bike and pedestrian
goals and plans
Request the City Council designates an
advisory group(s) to evaluate ongoing
implementation of the Bike/Ped Master
Plan, Green Infrastructure Plan,
Climate Action Plan, and Urban Forest
Master Plan.
2023 Public Works
Department
LIP, Schools, RCSD,
churches, etc.
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T-4. Improve access to healthy locally sourced food for all East Palo Alto residents.
Action Implementation Considerations Time-frame Lead Community Partner Establish demonstration gardens,
sponsor classes, and other
educational materials to encourage
the establishment and expansion of
home, community, and school
gardens, as well as edible
landscapes.
Provide guidance with respect to
appropriate species for local
climate, water conservation
measures, and the use or organic
or greener fertilizers and integrated
pest management methods.
Installation of 25 rain garden water
cistern systems for low-income
East Palo Alto residents.
2022-2025 Environment
al Programs
Climate Resilient
Communities, YUCA,
Live in Peace,
Collective Roots
Encourage participation in
community-supported agriculture
and fishing programs by becoming
host sites.
Fish located at Cooley Landing has
a high amount of toxins unhealthy
for human consumption. Partnering
with neighboring locations for
fishing programs along with
establishing community gardens
throughout the City is of broad
interest in the community.
Gardening programs will be hosted
by Collective Roots, Climate
Resilient Communities and likely
other local organizations presently
conducting programs. Consider
adopting a local policy position to
address fishing along local
waterways.
2022-2026 Environment
al Programs
Climate Resilient
Communities,
Collective Roots
Offer incentives and/or reduce
barriers to run a healthy, locally
sourced mobile food business
This may include discounts on
permit fees, reserved spots at
preferred locations, or additional
sites for commissaries and sites to
provide urban agriculture for locally
sourced food, and opportunity for
developers to add as community
benefit at reduced market rate fees
for local businesses.
2023
Community
and
Economic
Development
Department
Developers, local
home-based food
businesses
Encourage residents to share
surplus backyard produce with
others or donate surplus backyard
produce to the local food bank and
other non-profit organizations
Collaborate with other agencies
and non-profits or apps to promote
and provide temporary locations for
residents to share their homegrown
produce with other gardeners and
local food banks
2024 Environment
al Programs
Rethink Waste and
Recology, Fresh
Approach/Collective
Roots, Live in Peace,
CRC
Encourage local businesses and
food serving institutions to adopt
food-purchasing policies that
promote women and minorityowned agricultural businesses and require a percentage of food
purchased to be grown locally from
small to midsize farmers.
The City Council may consider
establishing a local ordinance/
resolution regarding an expanded
sustainable purchasing policy
which can include promoting those
companies identified locally that
meet these CAP goals. The City
can also include a list of local
businesses who have adopted such
policies as a promotional incentive.
2024 CEDD Local Businesses
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9. Carbon Sequestration
9 CARBON
SEQUESTRATION
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Carbon Sequestration
Our forests and oceans are natural carbon sinks, each
absorbing 25 percent32 of the carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere.
v The process of capturing and storing this
atmospheric carbon is known as carbon sequestration, and it is a strategy that – when combined with other efforts – can help combat climate change.
There are several processes that can capture and store carbon:
• Biological Sequestration: The process of planting trees and other vegetation in forests, grasslands, and rangelands. Reforestation is one of the cheapest sequestration processes and helps support biodiversity.
In our cities, encouraging residents, businesses, and parks to maintain or plant new trees can help to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The City’s Urban Forest Master Plan promotes biological sequestration and is expected to achieve increased canopy cover from 13.5% to 40% by 2122. • Biochar: This process involves the burning of organic materials to create biochar, a compound that can hold carbon for long periods, rather than releasing it into the atmosphere as it degrades. Research shows that biochar will not break down for at least 100 years and possibly up to 1,000 years. 33 This type of
carbon sequestration may be a solution for landfill and wastewater treatment applications. • Biogas: A methane and carbon dioxide gas produced from anaerobic digestion of agriculture waste products, landfills, and wastewater systems. Biogas can be used for heating, electricity, or transportation fuel; it is currently widely used in wastewater treatment plants in California. • Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): CCS is a three-part process that involves capturing carbon dioxide, transporting the carbon dioxide, and storing it underground typically through geologic sequestration.
• Geologic Sequestration: Carbon is captured and injected into underground rock formations for longterm or permanent storage. • Technological Sequestration: Scientists are working to develop new and innovative ways to capture carbon. Some technologies are looking at capturing carbon directly from the air. Other potential technologies include repurposing carbon for use in other technologies. • Trees End of Life Sequestration: A portion of the carbon dioxide trapped in trees during growth is released after they are cut down during the decomposition process. To avoid releasing this carbon dioxide, carbon can be stored for longer timeframes by locking carbon into wood products, such as lumber or furniture, or creating biochar. When urban trees fall or are purposefully removed, residents and local municipalities should consider these end-of-life use cases to prevent the carbon dioxide from being re-emitted into the atmosphere.
It’s not yet clear what role carbon sequestration will have in East Palo Alto’s long-term climate action strategy, but it’s something the city will evaluate and support moving forward. For the time being, the City has passed a Local Tree Protection Ordinance to keep existing trees in the ground and expand the urban tree canopy. v A healthy ocean has what is known as positive and negative “flux;” the former when CO2 from the ocean is released into the atmosphere, and the latter when CO2 is absorbed. Today, in large part due to human activity, the oceans absorb more CO2 than they release. It is projected that by 2100, the oceans will be a CO2 sink. The increase of CO2 from fossil fuels is significantly impacting the acidity of the ocean, ultimately affecting not only the sea life, but also the air we breathe.
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▪
10. Conclusion
10 CONCLUSION
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Conclusion
The challenge of preparing for and mitigating the effects of climate change is unprecedented in its scale and potential disruption to our way of living. Recent climate disasters have given us a preview of what could become the “new abnormal.”
We must act now. Climate change waits for no one. However, in the face of daunting headlines, we remain hopeful and resolved, and know what we need to do to move forward. We have the solutions to reduce emissions, increase efficiency, promote economic vitality, and improve our quality of life.
This CAP provides an overarching, strategic framework for East Palo Alto to achieve the goal of reducing per capita GHG emissions by 55 percent by 2030. While developing and publishing this CAP is an important step, it’s even more critical that this CAP remain a living document, to be updated as technology and policies progress.
This CAP not only supports the City’s efforts to manage its own GHG emissions, it’s a call-to-action to residents, community institutions, and businesses to take an active part in our transition to a low-carbon future and clean economy. In this process, East Palo Alto will foster a vibrant economy, increase its resiliency, and support a collective vision for a livable and sustainable community for generations to come.
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11. Appendix
11 APPENDIX
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Appendix
A. Glossary of Abbreviations
AB 32 Assembly Bill 32, The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 BAAQMD Bay Area Air Quality Management District
CARB California Air Resources Board
CAP Climate action plan
CEC California Energy Commission
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CO2 Carbon dioxide
CO2e Carbon dioxide equivalent
CPUC California Public Utilities Commission
EV Electric vehicle
GHG Greenhouse gas
ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
KPI Key performance indicator
kWh kilowatt hour
MT Metric ton
MMT Million metric tons
PCE Peninsula Clean Energy
PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company
RPS Renewable portfolio standard
TOD Transit-oriented development
U.S. EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
VMT Vehicle miles traveled
WRI World Resources Institute
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B. Climate Change
B.1 Global Goal to Limit Warming to 1.5°C
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the leading international scientific body on climate change, released a report34 in mid-2018 shifting the threshold at which significant and potentially irreversible climate change impacts occur from 2°C to 1.5°C of average global temperature increase above pre-industrial levels. The IPCC report promotes immediate actions to meet the 1.5°C threshold to prevent or slow these impacts. Many of the impacts of warming up to and beyond 1.5°C, and some potential impacts of mitigation actions required to limit warming to 1.5°C, fall disproportionately on low income and socially vulnerable people.
Substantial changes in regional climate occur between 1.5°C and 2°C of global average temperature increase.
For example, the number of people exposed to severe heat waves triples. Keeping temperatures at 1.5°C as compared to a 2°C warming would result in global reductions in risk, including:
• Sea level rise: Decreasing global rate of rise by approximately 3.9 inches • Heat waves: Decreasing the number of people being frequently exposed by 420 million worldwide • Heavy precipitation and drought: Reducing intensity and frequency worldwide • Drinking water: Lowering the number of people without access to drinking water by 50 percent Limiting warming to 1.5°C will require changes by 2050, including:
• Eliminating GHG emissions in our cities
• Deep reductions in global emissions of non-CO2 climate pollutants, particularly methane • Reducing oil use by 32–74 percent
• Reducing natural gas use by 13–60 percent
• Leveraging renewables to supply 36–97 percent of energy • Making buildings and transportation energy efficient
• Implementing adaptation options through mandatory policy, including coastal defense and hardening, efficient irrigation, green infrastructure, and disaster risk management B.2 State and Local Goals
California has some of the most aggressive climate action goals in the United States. The State has set a goal of emissions reductions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 (or 49 percent below 2005 levels). To achieve this, California has created the following strategies:
• Increase renewable electricity production to 50 percent • Reduce petroleum use by 50 percent in vehicles
• Double energy efficiency savings at existing buildings • Reduce GHG emissions from natural and working lands
• Reduce short-lived climate pollutants such as black carbon, methane, tropospheric ozone, and fluorinated gases
• Make California more resilient to climate change in accordance with California’s 2018 Safeguarding California Plan
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B.3 Trends in National and State Emissions
National Emissions
According to the U.S. EPA, gross total U.S. GHG emissions in 2017 were 6,456.7 million metric tons (MMT) of CO2 equivalent (CO2e), representing a 12 percent decrease below 2005 levels.35Emissions have also decreased
4.5 percent since 2014, largely driven by transitioning power plants from using coal to natural gas, as well as warmer winter conditions. CO2, the largest component of man-made GHGs, made up 81.6 percent of total U.S.
GHG emissions in 2017, followed by methane at 10.2 percent, nitrous oxide at 5.6 percent, and fluorinated gases at 2.6 percent (Figure 11.1).
Figure 11.1: Gross U.S. GHG Emissions by Gas: 1990–201836 In 2018, the industrial sector contributed the largest share of GHG emissions (29.1 percent), followed by transportation (27.9 percent), commercial (16.2 percent), residential (15.6 percent), and agriculture (10.5 percent).
Land use and forestry offset 11 percent of total gross emissions. Of the five main sectors, transportation has seen the largest increase in emissions since 1990 (22 percent increase), while industrial emissions have seen the largest decrease (15.5 percent decrease) (Figure 11.2).
Figure 11.2: U.S. GHG Emissions by Economic Sector37
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California Emissions
Similar to the national trend, total GHG emissions in California have decreased in recent years. According to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), total California GHG emissions in 2017 were 424 million metric tons (MMT) of CO2e, representing a 2 percent decrease below 1990 levels and a 13 percent decrease below 2005 levels (Figure 11.3).
38 Figure 11.3: California GHG Emissions by Sector: 2000–20178 California has seen an overall decrease in carbon intensity of electricity generation, driven by a large increase in zero-GHG and renewable energy resources due in part to California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)39 and Cap-and-Trade Program.
40 In 2017, the transportation sector contributed the largest share of GHG emissions (41 percent), followed by industrial (24 percent), in-state electricity (9 percent), agriculture and forestry (8 percent), residential (7 percent), imported electricity (6 percent), and commercial (5 percent) (Figure 11.4).
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Figure 11.4: California 2017 GHG Emissions by Sector 8
B.4 Four Scenarios Show What Climate Change Will Do to the Earth, From Pretty Bad to Disaster
The following is a reprint of an article that was published in Fast Company on August 26, 2014.41 Four Scenarios Show What Climate Change Will Do To The Earth, From Pretty Bad To Disaster
Climate change is going to do a lot of damage. How bad that damage will be is still under debate.
The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report left no doubt about the future of the world if we don’t slow the rate at which we release heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. In a word, it’s going to get bad.
But exactly how bad is still an open question, and a lot depends not only on how we react, but how quickly. The rate at which humans cut down on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions–if we do choose to cut them–will have a large bearing on how the world turns out by 2100, the forecasts reveal.
This graphic from the World Resources Institute gives a sense of the dynamics at play. It presents four “emissions pathways,” ranging from the very optimistic to the highly pessimistic.
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WE ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE
The first “Low Emissions” scenario is for a 66 percent drop in greenhouse emissions by 2050 compared to 2010 levels. It’s what we might call a soft landing, because under those conditions scientists believe we’ll be relatively safe. The world would have warmed only by 2 degrees C over pre-industrial levels (the level set by various international agreements). Still, almost of the quarter of the world would suffer depleted groundwater supplies by 2080, and many more people will face extreme flooding, the WRI says. So, life wouldn’t be peachy.
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WE KEEP DOING WHAT WE’RE DOING
The “Medium Emissions” scenario sees increases in emissions until 2040 and the world exceeding its “carbon budget”–the level at which it should stay within the 2 degrees limit–by 2056. By 2100, the planet has warmed by
2.9 degrees, and economic productivity has fallen by 20 percent. By the 2080s, six times as many people are experiencing catastrophic flooding as the 1980s.
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WE REV THE ENGINES
The “High Emissions” scenario doesn’t see emissions peaking until 2080, while global temperatures jump 3.7 degrees C by 2100. The carbon budget is exhausted in 2057. The impact on agricultural production is so heinous that adaption is no longer viable, the WRI predicts.
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WE DESTROY THE PLANET
As if that’s not bad enough, there’s one last “Highest Emissions” scenario (they should have called it the Doomsday Scenario, really). It sees the carbon budget obliterated in 2045 and global temperatures increasing a whopping 4.8 degrees by century’s end. Many animals have become extinct and farming in some places, like southern Brazil, has become impossible.
But won’t we adapt to the new conditions, you might ask? Well, maybe. The scenarios here assume flat technology development, not the leaps forward in innovation that we can hope for. We could have droughtresistant crops and new ways of recycling and desalinating water, for instance, that could make these predictions less forceful. One instance includes trees in East Palo Alto, which reduce runoff by intercepting about 700,000 gallons of water per year; the value of this benefit is directly tied to the annual amount of precipitation in East Palo Alto, which was 3.5 inches in 2016. As East Palo Alto increases the canopy cover, this amount will also increasew. w East Palo Alto Urban Forest Master Plan, page 49
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The easier course, though, is to cut emissions. To have a fighting chance of coping with climate disorder, we have to cut greenhouse gases quickly, not just wait until it’s convenient.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ben Schiller is a New York staff writer for Fast Company. Previously, he edited a European management magazine and was a reporter in San Francisco, Prague, and Brussels.
C. Policy
C.1 Global Policy
United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #13: Climate Action The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries—developed and developing—in a global partnership. Goal #13 is “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.”42 C.2 State Policy and Regulatory Context
The State of California has been a leader in developing and implementing policies and regulations to directly address the risk of severe climate change. Below we summarize the key statewide legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to climate impacts. There are many supporting pieces of legislation and other related initiatives that are sector specific.
Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32), California Global Solutions Act, 2006 In September 2006, the California legislature passed Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32), which set the goal of reducing GHG emissions back to 1990 levels by 2020. AB 32 finds and declares that “global warming poses a serious threat to economic well-being, public health, natural resources and the environment of California.” The legislation granted authority to the Air Resources Board to establish multiple mechanisms (regulatory, reporting, voluntary, and market) to achieve quantifiable reductions in GHG emissions to meet the statewide goal.
Senate Bill 97, CEQA Guidelines for Addressing GHG Emissions, 2007 In August of 2007, Senate Bill (SB) 97 was signed into law, expressly recognizing the need to analyze GHG emissions as a part of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process. SB 97 required the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to develop, and the California Natural Resources Agency to adopt, amendments to CEQA Guidelines addressing the analysis and mitigation of GHG emissions. Those amendments became effective in March of 2010. Proposed projects that must comply with CEQA regulations include General Plans, Specific Plans and specific types of development projects.
Senate Bill 350, Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act, 2015 In October of 2015, Senate Bill 350 (SB 350) was signed into law, establishing new clean energy, clean air and greenhouse gas reduction goals for 2030 and beyond. SB 350 codified Governor Jerry Brown’s aggressive clean energy goals and established California’s 2030 greenhouse gas reduction goal of 40 percent below 1990 levels.
To achieve this goal, SB 350 increases California’s renewable electricity procurement goal from 33 percent by 2020 (legislation originally enacted in 2002) to 50 percent by 2030. Renewable resources include wind, solar, geothermal, wave, and small hydroelectric power. In addition, SB 350 requires the state to double statewide energy efficiency savings in electricity and natural gas end uses by 2030.
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Senate Bill 100, the 100 Percent Clean Energy Act, 2018 In September of 2018, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 100 (SB 100), requiring the State’s load serving entities (including energy utilities and community choice energy programs) to achieve 50 percent renewable resources target by December 31, 2026, to achieve a 60 percent target by December 31, 2030 and supply 100 percent of retail sales of electricity to California end-use customers and 100 percent of electricity procured to serve all state agencies by December 31, 2045. At the same time, Governor Brown also signed Executive Order B-55-18, requiring California to achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible, and no later than 2045, and to maintain negative emissions thereafter.
Senate Bill 1477, Low Emissions Buildings and Sources of Heat Energy, 2018 In September 2018, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 1477 (SB 1477), that requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to oversee two new low-carbon heating programs, investigate potential pilot programs to build all-electric, zero-carbon buildings in areas damaged by wildfires, coordinate with the California Energy Commission on updates to the State’s building (Title 24) and appliance (Title 20) energy efficiency standards, and establish a building decarbonization policy framework. The bill authorizes $200 million over four years to be invested in programs to advance low-carbon space and water heating technologies in both new and existing buildings. Funding for the programs is slated to come from natural gas utility carbon allowance proceeds from California’s cap-and-trade program.
Bay Area Air Quality Management District CEQA Guidelines The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) encourages local governments to adopt a GHG Reduction Strategy that is consistent with AB 32 goals. The GHG Reduction Strategy may streamline environmental review of community development projects. According to the BAAQMD, if a project is consistent with a GHG Reduction Strategy, then it can be presumed that the project will not have significant GHG impacts.
This approach is consistent with the following CEQA Guidelines, Section 15183.5.a:
“Lead agencies may analyze and mitigate the significant impacts of greenhouse gas emissions at a programmatic level, such as…a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Later project-specific environmental documents may tier from and/or incorporate by reference that existing programmatic review. Project-specific environmental documents may rely on an [Environmental Impact Report] containing a programmatic analysis of greenhouse gas emissions.” This CAP provides a foundation for future development efforts in the community. It is expected that environmental documents for future development projects will identify and incorporate all applicable voluntary and mandatory actions from CAP for projects undergoing CEQA review.
C.3 State-Level Programs
The City is not expected to make all the reductions on its own. The following programs help cities meet their climate goals.
California Advanced Clean Cars Program
In 2012, CARB adopted a set of regulations to control emissions from passenger vehicles, collectively called Advanced Clean Cars. The program was developed in coordination with the U.S. EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and combines the control of smog-causing pollutants and GHG emissions into a single coordinated package of regulations. ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/advanced-clean-cars-program
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California Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program
The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) is designed to encourage the use of low-carbon fuels, encourage the production of those fuels, and therefore, reduce GHG emissions. Currently, the LCFS calls for a 20 percent decline in the carbon intensity of diesel fuels below 2010 levels by 2030. ww3.arb.ca.gov/fuels/lcfs/lcfs.htm Caltrain Electrification
Caltrain Electrification is a key component of Caltrain Modernization Program (CalMod). The current project will electrify the corridor from San Francisco to San Jose, including all track in San Mateo County, and will replace 75 percent of Caltrain’s diesel service with electric. The project will lower GHG emissions, improve regional air quality, and reduce noise. https://calmod.org
California Renewable Portfolio Standard
The Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), originally established in 2002, required 20 percent of electricity retail sales to be served by renewable sources by 2017. The program was accelerated in 2015 with SB 350, which mandated a 50 percent RPS by 2030. SB 100, enacted in 2018, accelerated the program further, establishing renewable energy targets of 50 percent by 2026, 60 percent by 2030, and 100 percent by 2045. www.cpuc.ca.gov/rps
California Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan
Published in 2008 and updated in 2011, the California Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan outlines goals and strategies for key market sectors (i.e., commercial, residential, industrial, and agricultural) and crosscutting initiatives (e.g., heating, ventilation and air conditioning, codes and standards, research, and technology). While the Plan has not been updated since 2011, it is still referenced in numerous State documents and reports. The Plan embraces four specific programmatic goals, known as the Big Bold Energy Efficiency Strategies. These goals are:
• All new residential construction in California will be zero net energy by 2020. • All new commercial construction in California will be zero net energy by 2030. • The Heating, Venting and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry will be re-shaped to deliver maximum performance HVAC systems.
• All eligible low-income customers will have an opportunity to participate in the LIEE program and will be provided all cost- effective energy efficiency measures in their residences by 2020.
More information on California’s zero net energy goals can be found online at: www.cpuc.ca.gov/ZNE Organic/Food Waste Diversion
In 2016, Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) established methane emissions reduction goals in a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants in various sectors of California’s economy. SB 1383 establishes target to achieve a 50 percent reduction in the level of statewide disposal of organic waste from 2014 levels by 2020 and a 75 percent reduction by 2025. The law grants CalRecycle the regulatory authority required to achieve the organic waste disposal reduction targets. More information about SB 1383 can be found online at:
https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/climate/slcp
The City intends to move this further by seeking opportunities for urban agriculture throughout the community to ensure as much as possible, food in East Palo Alto is locally sourced.
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C.4 Local Policy
In September 2019, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution declaring a climate emergency in San Mateo County to highlight the increasingly urgent need for action to address the climate crisis.
The County of San Mateo joined over 1,000 national, international, and local jurisdictions with similar declarations.
The resolution calls for the County to create climate action plans (CAPs) for its government operations and unincorporated community that will achieve carbon neutrality in advance of the State of California’s 2045 goal, and coordinate with the cities and other local partners in addressing the climate crisis.43
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D. Partners
In addition to the partners listed here, the newly launched Bay Area Climate Action Mapping Project (https://www.bayareaclimateactionmap.org/) lists additional organizations actively working on climate action.
D.1 Public Sector
Organization Description
Bay Area Regional Energy
Network (BayREN)
Led by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), BayREN provides regionalscale energy efficiency programs, services, and resources for single-family and multi-family homes, and small and medium-size businesses. BayREN supports cities in developing reach codes, and local building departments in complying with the Energy Code through trainings, events, and compliance tools. A water bill savings program is launching in 2020.
In San Mateo County, the program is administered by the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability. www.bayren.org
CALFIRE
The mission of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's Urban Forestry Program is to lead the effort to advance the development of sustainable urban and community forests in California. Trees provide energy conservation, reduction of stormwater runoff, extend the life of surface streets, improve local air, soil and water quality, reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide, improve public health, provide wildlife habitat and increase property values. In short, they improve the quality of life in our urban environments which, increasingly, are where Californians live, work, and play. The program also administers State and Federal grants throughout California communities to advance urban forestry efforts.
CALTRANS
Caltrans manages more than 50,000 miles of California's highway and freeway lanes, provides inter-city rail services, permits more than 400 public-use airports and special-use hospital heliports, and works with local agencies. Caltrans carries out its mission with six primary programs: Aeronautics, Highway Transportation, Mass Transportation, Transportation Planning, Administration and the Equipment Service Center.
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City/County Association of
Governments of San Mateo
County (C/CAG)
C/CAG is a council of governments consisting of the County of San Mateo and its 20 cities and towns. The organization deals with topics such as transportation, air quality, stormwater runoff, hazardous waste, solid waste and recycling, land use near airports, abandoned vehicle abatement, and issues that affect general quality of life. C/CAG supports several sustainability initiatives including:
San Mateo County Energy Watch. A local government partnership between PG&E and C/CAG to promote energy efficiency in municipal and non-profit buildings. It is managed and staffed by the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability. https://smcenergywatch.org/
Congestion Management Agency. C/CAG serves as the Congestion Management Agency for San Mateo County to identify strategies to respond to future transportation needs, develop procedures to alleviate and control congestion, and promote countywide solutions. https://ccag.ca.gov/programs/transportation-programs/congestion-management/ Sustainable Communities Strategy/Regional Transportation Plan. C/CAG is collaborating with local governments and regional agencies to develop a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) in compliance with the requirements of SB 375. The SCS will facilitate more focused development in priority development areas near public transit stations. The aim of the San Mateo County SCS is to better integrate land use with public transportation in order to reduce GHG emissions. The San Mateo Countywide Transportation Plan was adopted by the C/CAG Board of Directors in February 2017. The Plan can be found online at: https://ccag.ca.gov/programs/countywide-transportation-plan/ San Mateo County Energy and Water Strategy 2025. This Plan provides a comprehensive roadmap for addressing challenges in the energy and water sectors in San Mateo County through 2025. It was developed by the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability and the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG) with extensive input from expert local stakeholders from other public agencies, community-based organizations, and the private sector.
San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program (SMCWPPP). The program is a partnership of C/CAG, each incorporated city and town in the County, and the County of San Mateo, which share a common National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The goal of the collaboration is to reduce the pollution carried by stormwater into local creeks, the San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. Permittees developed Green Infrastructure Plans to prompt specific reductions in mercury and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) from entering the Bay via stormwater by 2040.
County of San Mateo Office
of Sustainability
The Office of Sustainability (OOS) strives to improve the sustainability of the County’s operations and the greater community by administering programs and developing policies in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency, water conservation, alternative transportation, affordable housing, waste reduction, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. OOS also leads the following regional collaborations:
Climate Ready SMC. Brings together leaders from across sectors and jurisdictions to foster collaboration and collectively find solutions to make San Mateo County climate ready. The Collaborative is facilitated by the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability.
The Collaborative seeks to help leaders from non-profit and community-based organizations local government, businesses, and other key partners. https://www.smcsustainability.org/climate-ready
Home for All Initiative. Builds on the work and momentum of the Closing the Jobs/Housing Gap Task Force. Led by Supervisors Don Horsley and Warren Slocum, the Home for All Initiative is working to inspire community action and promote closure of the County’s 16:1 jobs/housing gap. The Initiative’s members include representatives from all sectors of the community and are focused on creating a future where everyone in San Mateo County has an affordable home. https://homeforallsmc.org/ Regionally Integrated Climate Action Planning Suite (RICAPS). A set of tools and a collaboration of all 20 incorporated cities and the County in climate action planning and implementation. https://smcenergywatch.org/local-governments/
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OneShoreline
OneShoreline The San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District is a coordinated, cross-jurisdictional collaborative to face impending coastal erosion, sea-level rise, and flooding threats as we look toward 2100. Comprised of the 20 incorporated cities, City/County Association of Governments, and the County of San Mateo, the purpose of this entity is to create a unified voice, to cost-effectively implement resilient infrastructure to face these challenges. The District initiates new countywide efforts to address sea-level rise, flooding, coastal erosion, and large-scale stormwater infrastructure improvements through integrated regional planning, project implementation and long-term maintenance. https://oneshoreline.org/
ICLEI – Local Governments for
Sustainability
ICLEI is an international organization of local and regional governments that have made a commitment to sustainable development. They provide guides and frameworks that support climate action. https://icleiusa.org/
Institute for Local Government
ILG empowers local government leaders and delivers real-world expertise to help them navigate complex issues, increase their capacity, and build trust in their communities. With a mission for a California where all local government leaders are trusted by the people they serve because of exceptional leadership and an endless pursuit towards thriving and resilient communities in which to live and work Local Government
Commission (LGC) LGC works to build livable communities and local leadership by connecting leaders via innovative programs and network opportunities, advancing policies through participation at the local and state level, and implementing solutions as a technical assistance provider and advisor to local jurisdictions. https://www.lgc.org/ Metropolitan Transportation
Commission
This Public Agency oversees the following agencies relevant to Climate Action in the City of East Palo Alto:
Bay Area Housing Financing Authority, a regional authority created to address the Bay Area’s chronic housing challenges
Bay Area Infrastructure Financing Authority: oversees the financing, planning and operation of MTC Express Lanes and related transportation projects.
Peninsula Clean Energy
Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) was launched collaboratively by the County of San Mateo and all 20 of its cities and towns in 2016 to help the environment through cleaner energy, while helping customers save money through lower rates. PCE currently offers two electricity options to all residents, businesses, and municipalities in San Mateo County.
Customers are automatically enrolled in the ECOplus rate that consists of 50.5 percent renewable and 99 percent greenhouse gas-free energy and can “opt up” to the ECO100 rate that consists of 100 percent renewable energy that is Green-e certified. PCE has a stated goal of sourcing 100 percent of electricity from California Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) eligible renewable energy by 2025. PCE is also supporting programs that reduce GHG emissions and deliver benefits to San Mateo County communities. www.peninsulacleanenergy.com
RethinkWaste
Also known as the South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA), RethinkWaste is a joint powers authority formed by 12 local government jurisdictions: Town of Atherton, City of Belmont, City of Burlingame, City of East Palo Alto, City of Foster City, Town of Hillsborough, City of Menlo Park, City of Redwood City, City of San Carlos, City of San Mateo, the County of San Mateo and the West Bay Sanitary District. SBWMA owns and manages the Shoreway Environmental Center in San Carlos, California, which receives all the recyclables, green waste, and garbage collected from the Member Agencies. https://rethinkwaste.org/
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San Mateo County Public
Health, Policy and Planning
(HPP)
This County department protects the health of everyone who lives, works, learns, and plays in San Mateo County by preventing the spread of communicable diseases, delivering targeted health care services, providing public health laboratory testing, and building communities that make it easy to stay healthy. HPP is happy to partner with local governments working on climate action planning processes. https://www.smchealth.org/division-public-health-policy-and-planning San Mateo County Transit
District (SamTrans) SamTrans provides public transit and transportation programs in San Mateo County:
SamTrans bus service, including Redi-Wheels and RediCoast paratransit service, Caltrain commuter rail, and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. https://www.samtrans.com/
San Mateo County’s
Transportation Demand
Management Agency
(Commute.org)
This public agency aims to reduce the number of drive-alone vehicles traveling to, from, or through San Mateo County. Its goal is to help residents and commuters find alternatives to driving alone that are less stressful, less costly, and better for the environment. The agency provides information and commute planning assistance to employees, offers employer programs, and supports city transportation demand management partnerships. https://commute.org/
D.2 Non-Profit Organizations
Organization Description
Acterra Acterra builds alliances between community residents, local government programs, and community-based organizations in low-income areas in San Mateo County to create resilience against the coming impacts of climate change. https://www.acterra.org/ , and Climate Resilient Communities hosting the Community Climate Change Team (CCCT).
Building Decarbonization
Coalition
The Building Decarbonization Coalition unites building industry stakeholders with energy providers, environmental organizations, and local governments to help electrify California's homes and workspaces with clean energy.
Through research, policy development, and consumer inspiration, the BDC is pursuing fast, fair action to accelerate the development of zero-emission homes and buildings that will help California cut one of its largest sources of climate pollution, while creating safe, healthy, and affordable communities. www.buildingdecarb.org/
Business Council on
Climate Change (BC3)
The Business Council on Climate Change (BC3) is a San Francisco-based multi-sector partnership dedicated to incubating, scaling, and sharing worldleading solutions to address climate change. It helps companies pool their buying power to move markets and improve the economics of sustainable purchasing decisions, share knowledge about sustainability programs that work, coordinate multi-company or multi-sector partnerships, and create opportunities for cross-sector dialogue to advance Bay Area climate policy. https://www.bc3sfbay.org/
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Canopy A non-profit based in Palo Alto with a mission is to grow urban tree canopy in Midpeninsula communities for the benefit of all. Their vision is a day when every resident of the Midpeninsula can step outside to walk, play, and thrive under the shade of healthy trees. Canopy prioritizes tree planting and stewardship, education, and advocacy in communities where people do not have a thriving urban forest due to limited resources, competing priorities, and historical development and urbanization patterns.
Grassroots Ecology Grassroots Ecology is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for public lands and waters across Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. In collaboration with public landowners, governments, schools, corporations, and other nonprofits, each year GRE engages thousands of people in hands-on education and service that improves our local environment. Core programs are Habitat Restoration, Community Science, Urban Ecology, Environmental Education, and our Native Plant Nursery.
GRID Alternatives The nation’s largest nonprofit solar installer, GRID develops and implements solar projects that serve low-income households and communities. The organization partners with affordable housing organizations, job training groups, government agencies, municipalities, utilities, tribes, and local communities to make solar a win for everyone. https://gridalternatives.org/ Joint Venture: Silicon Valley
Network
Established in 1993, Joint Venture provides analysis and action on issues affecting the Silicon Valley economy and quality of life. The organization brings together established and emerging leaders—from business, government, academia, labor, and the broader community—to spotlight issues, launch projects, and work toward innovative solutions. Joint Venture is actively involved in Silicon Valley's regional response to climate change. It is engaged with dozens of regional and local public and private agencies, municipalities, businesses, and other stakeholders in programs and activities designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, promote sustainable energy, and improve the quality of life for all. www.jointventure.org Peninsula Interfaith Climate
Action
Peninsula Interfaith Climate Action (PICA) is a Regional Working Group of California Interfaith Power and Light. To carry forward this local interfaith approach, PICA was formed in 2014 with members from about a dozen congregations from the San Francisco Bay Peninsula area, including Trinity Episcopal in Menlo Park and the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City. PICA members work to reduce the carbon footprint at their facilities by sharing information and best practices on energy, water, and resource conservation. https://www.interfaithpower.org/get-involved-3/pica/ Rising Sun Center for
Opportunity
Rising Sun runs Climate Careers, a summer youth employment and residential water and energy efficiency program in the Bay Area. Climate Careers hires young people (ages 15 to 22) to become Energy Specialists, serving their communities with a free Green House Call. Energy Specialists perform audits, install free energy and water saving devices, and provide personalized recommendations and education for further savings in the home. Climate Careers was designed to serve hard-to-reach residents including renters, nonEnglish speaking households, and low- to moderate-income households. https://risingsunopp.org/
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San Mateo County
Association
of Realtors (SAMCAR) SAMCAR is a trade association organized to ensure professionalism, protect property rights, promote the ownership of real property, and help members achieve success. https://www.samcar.org/
San Mateo County
Economic Development
Agency (SAMCEDA) SAMCEDA was founded in 1953 to promote business issues that enhance and sustain the economic prosperity of our region and its local communities. https://www.samceda.org/
Sustainable San Mateo
County (SSMC)
SSMC supports multiple programs to promote energy efficiency, alternative transportation, and education on sustainability concepts that focus on the intersections of the environment, economy, and social equity. SSMC’s core programs include an Indicators Report that has been produced annually since 1997 and the Sustainable San Mateo County Awards Event, which has been held annually since 1999. The most recent Indicators Report can be found online at: https://sustainablesanmateo.org/home/indicators/ Sustainable Silicon Valley
(SSV)
SSV is a collaboration of businesses, governments, and non-governmental organizations that are identifying and addressing environmental and resource pressures in Silicon Valley. As its first initiative, SSV engages Silicon Valley organizations to work towards a goal of reducing regional carbon dioxide emissions 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2010. SSV’s Net Positive Bay Area 2050 goals are to: 1) produce more renewable energy than we consume, 2) sequester more carbon than we emit, and 3) optimize water resources to ensure water resilience. Their current strategy focuses on facilitating measure projects, education, events, and polices that deliver solutions by activating SSV’s member network to reach the Net Positive Bay Area goals. www.sustainablesv.org
Thrive, The Alliance for
Nonprofits of San Mateo
County
A robust, trusted network of 200+ nonprofit organizations, government entities, foundations, businesses, and community leaders with a shared commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector, thereby improving the quality of life in San Mateo County. Thrive unites the voice and influence of nonprofits, helps build their capacity, and enables effective cross-sector collaboration. https://www.thrivealliance.org/
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E. Summary of Funding Sources
For implementation of the CAP, East Palo Alto must evaluate strategies for financing climate protection actions and provide adequate, reliable, and consistent long-term program funding. This appendix provides an overview of available funding sources to help determine appropriate potential program funding sources and funding levels to support existing and new programs outlined in this plan. Other funding sources may be available that are not listed here.
E.1 Federal Funding
Inflation Reduction Action Electrification Rebate Savings Calculator via Rewiring America - https://www.rewiringamerica.org/app/ira-calculator
Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants program https://www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants
Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced that in fiscal year 2020 over $1 billion will be available for transportation projects that “have significant local or regional impact.” Cities can apply for a BUILD grant to fund road, rail, transit, and port projects. In the first two years of the BUILD Grants Program, other cities in California were awarded grants for zero-emission, battery-electric buses and chargers, as well as roadway improvements to enhance walkability and bikeability.
E.2 State Funding
Energy Conservation Assistance Act (ECAA) Program Loans http://www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/financing/index.html Since 1979, more than $399 million has been allocated to more than 850 recipients through ECAA Program Loans. The program offers loans with a one percent interest rate to finance energy efficiency improvements. The maximum loan amount is $3 million per application. Eligible projects include lighting system upgrades, pumps and motors, streetlights and LED traffic signals, energy management systems and equipment controls, building insulation, energy generating infrastructure including renewable and combined heat and power projects, HVAC equipment, water and waste water treatment equipment, and load shifting projects.
E.3 Utility Programs
Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) offer a full suite of energy efficiency rebates to support its customers in saving energy and money.
Rebates
For households: https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/save-energy-money/savings-solutions-andrebates/rebates-by-product/rebates-by-product.page? PCE’s income-qualified Home Upgrade Program (average of $6,500 for home repairs, energy efficiency, and electrification measures): https://www.pencleanenergy.com/home-upgrade-program PCE’S heat pump water heater rebate (up to $3,500 for new heat pump water heaters and electrical panel upgrades): https://www.pencleanenergy.com/heat-pump-water-heater
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PCE & Sunrun’s solar + battery backup (up to $500 incentive): https://www.pencleanenergy.com/POPhomeowner PCE’s Used EV Rebate Program (income-qualifying residents can get up to $6000 for the purchase of a used electric vehicle. All residents, regardless of income, are eligible for a rebate of up to $1000):
https://pencleanenergy.com/usedEV
For small and medium businesses: https://www.pge.com/en_US/business/save-energy-money/businesssolutions-and-rebates/product-rebates/product-rebates.page For large businesses: https://www.pge.com/en_US/large-business/save-energy-and-money/business-solutionsand-rebates/product-rebates.page Zero Percent Interest Financing
PCE’S Zero Percent Loan Program (customers who install electric appliances and energy efficiency improvements in their homes may be eligible for loans of up to $10,000, at zero percent interest with no money down, for a term of up to 10 years, and no credit check required. To qualify, actions taken must include either a heat pump water heating or a heat pump space heating measure): https://www.peninsulacleanenergy.com/zero/ For businesses: https://www.pge.com/en_US/small-medium-business/save-energy-and-money/energy-efficiencyfinancing.page E.4 Other Funding Opportunities
American Forests Global ReLeaf Grant Program
http://www.americanforests.org/discover-american-forests/our-work/ American Forests is a non-profit organization founded in 1875 that promotes forest conservation. American Forest’s Global ReLeaf Program provides grants to fund tree-planting projects in urban and natural areas.
Large Landscape Audit
http://bawsca.org/conserve/programs/audits
BAWSCA and its participating member agencies offer this audit program to select large landscapes within the service area free of charge. This program includes the development and monthly distribution of landscape water budgets for selected accounts and actual large landscape surveys to assess landscape watering needs. A key component of the program is ongoing monitoring/tracking of actual water use and estimated water savings for the sites surveyed. For water conservation related questions, please call (650) 349-3000 or send an email to [email protected]. Also check with your local water company; some offer water audits for no charge.
Waste Audits by Recology
https://www.recology.com/index.php/commercial-beyond-the-cart/84-commercial Recology offers a free waste audit to its business customers. A Waste Zero Specialist will come to your facility to advise you on the size/type of bins you could use and make other recommendations to help you reduce the amount of waste generated. To make an appointment, call (650) 595-3900.
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F. Adaptation Planning for Climate Impacts
Effective adaptation planning and management entails dealing with uncertainty. It is a long-term process that should allow immediate action when necessary and adjust to changing conditions and new knowledge. East Palo Alto plans to initiate an inclusive planning process that ensures the resulting actions are feasible and widely accepted. Adaptation will likely be an ongoing process of planning, prioritization, and specific project implementation.
Five important steps to effective adaptation planning are summarized below:
1. Increase Public Awareness, Engage and Educate the Community It is critical that the public understand the magnitude of the challenge and why action is needed. It is also important for the community to be aware of win-win opportunities that can improve quality of life, protect community members, and potentially generate more jobs. The planning process should be inclusive of all stakeholders. Local outreach campaigns are needed to promote awareness of the dangers of heat exposure, flooding, and recommend low-cost and low-GHG adaptation strategies. These efforts should leverage similar efforts undertaken at the regional, state, and federal levels. The efforts should be inclusive of community organizations (especially those with socially vulnerable community members), and include community needs early on in the process.
2. Assess Vulnerability
Understanding vulnerability to sea-level rise and other climate change impacts is critical to developing adaptation effective strategies. In 2020, Acterra, a non-profit partner of the City of East Palo Alto, in conjunction with Urban Permaculture Institute, the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability, and Ecology and Environment, Inc. prepared the “Acterra Community Based Vulnerability Planning Pilot Project Report to understand specific vulnerabilities and adaptive strategies related to climate change in the diverse East Palo Alto community. The Pilot found compelling evidence that East Palo Alto (EPA) is among the most vulnerable communities in San Mateo County to climate change and sea-level rise.
Further, it found that the community is facing many challenges from displacement to environmental problems. The rapidly increasing housing costs have had a detrimental impact, and the rise of the sea will add to the burden and exacerbate vulnerabilities.
To understand community vulnerability and adaptive capacity, Acterra, with support from San Mateo County Office of Sustainability and guidance from the East Palo Alto Climate Change Community Team, enabled a unique project to engage the community to assess vulnerabilities and identify adaptation strategies through a community-based planning methodology. The Pilot Project sought to empower socially vulnerable communities in EPA to respond to climate change, sea-level rise, and other climate change-driven stressors, to develop the
following outcomes:
a. Increase the commitment of key stakeholders to taking roles and responsibilities in sea level rise and climate change-driven vulnerability planning by and for the East Palo Alto community. b. Increase representation of socially vulnerable EPA community members in sea-level rise and climate change adaptation planning efforts by county and city. c. Identify preliminary community-defined priorities and adaptation strategies.
This Pilot Project leveraged a previous San Mateo County Community Resilience Grant, which created a Community Climate Change Team (CCCT) for East Palo Alto. The CCCT is a cross-sector group of community and city leaders responsible for advising on climate change issues through Acterra’s Climate Resilient Communities Program.
The Pilot Project resulted in community-noted vulnerabilities which projected change for East Palo Alto centered around flooding due to rainfall and sea-level rise. The city has already been experiencing flooding from rainfall and this is projected to increase with climate change. With sea level rise, the city is
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exposed and vulnerable to flooding and inundation with some areas expected to be covered by 3 to 6 feet by 2030. Warmer and high heat days are projected to increase in the coming decades from annually experiencing 2 to 3 heat days by 2030 to as high as 6 heat days by 2070 (Climate Ready SMC Web Visualization Tool).
A predicted increase in flooding and high heat days will directly affect human health not only from heat stress but also because of the amplified vulnerability to possible outbreaks of vector borne and water-borne diseases. Flooding and increased rainfall events result in increased exposure to mold and poor air quality. Coastal flooding and erosion can greatly impact coastal areas and threaten the inundation of homes and increase displacement. The high heat days may trigger heat-related health problems for the elderly population.
The community recognizes that there are issues that need addressing to help their community to address vulnerabilities to both climate change and the current social, economic circumstances.
To take action to curb the impacts and build resilience, the CCCT noted efforts and investment should focus on housing, water insecurity, transportation, food security, locally sourced foods, safety, education, and economic opportunities for the local population. To successfully address the insecurities, the CCCT noted
a greater need and ask to help heal and build trust between the community leaders and the project in East Palo Alto through a deep public engagement process.
To address capacity building and awareness, community planning fatigue, the project took action to implement a demonstration project to address flooding, drought, and food security with Youth United for Community Action. The demonstration was successful as it now stands as a hub for the community to learn, see, and touch small, but meaningful, adaptation strategies that can be community-driven and can be implemented at a household level.
The pilot recognizes the role and value of community organizations in EPA. Across the focus groups, community organizations are supporting families and providing services for the most vulnerable families with fewer resources. In this frame, it is critical for the community to be informed and have a deeper understanding of climate change and how it can impact their lives and further burden their ability to respond to extreme events and impacts of climate change. Based on the pilot, it is evident that the community-level approach to assessment is crucial in
understanding vulnerabilities, building trust when and where necessary and as a window to organize and build collaboration in the community to plan for climate change. So, this process needs more time and financial support to continue the conversation while elevating community capacity and expertise to build consensus on adaptation priorities.
While the report is an excellent beginning at understanding vulnerabilities and assessing strategies to a more resilient East Palo Alto, a detailed vulnerability analysis has been further explained in the 2021 Multijurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan vol 2. Planning Partner Annexes (Reso. 161-2021)44, a collective document which details a countywide identification of hazards within the San Mateo County boundary, with which East Palo Alto reaches the southeastern terminus. Updated to assess potential climate change impacts to infrastructure and natural systems. With the support of Climate Ready SMC an interactive map of climate impacts for all cities and unincorporated County was developed and integrated into the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Of the Hazard Risk Rankings, Climate Change/ Sea Level Rise was identified as the first (and highest risk) item for hazards in East Palo Alto, with flooding ranked second.
Future goals should include climate-change specific vulnerability analysis that integrates the EPA CAP 2030, the Hazard Mitigation Plan, and incorporates the work from the “Acterra Community Based Vulnerability Planning Pilot Project Report” to further implementation of resilience building.
Establish Goals, Criteria, and Planning Principles
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Engage with stakeholders to establish planning priorities, determine decision criteria, and build community support for taking action. Include community-based organizations in this process to ensure that these priorities and criteria will reflect their needs as well. Rank physical and natural assets for preservation efforts. Where possible, look for situations where a mitigation action has adaptation cobenefits (e.g., planting trees to reduce urban heat islands while sequestering carbon and providing habitat). Develop Adaptation Plan
Identify specific strategies, develop actions and cost estimates, and prioritize actions to increase local resilience of City infrastructure and critical assets, including community-identified and natural systems like wetlands and urban forests. Look for synergies between natural processes and engineering solutions.
There is a continuum of strategies available to manage climate change impacts. An adaptation plan should include a prioritized list of actions (e.g., projects) with a timeline, capital expenditure plan, and framework for monitoring and adaptive management. Efforts should be made to integrate capital projects, existing infrastructure, emergency planning, and community services.
3. Ongoing Monitoring and Adaptive Management
Reassess climate change vulnerabilities on a regular basis and modify actions accordingly. This includes monitoring the effectiveness of current policies, strategies, and actions, and keeping up with changing science, funding opportunities, and regulatory actions. When reassessing, consider the most updated science available, and the timing of the impact.
Climate Ready SMC has developed a set of climate adaptation strategies and tools for use in planning.
These tools will continue to be updated as new ones are available, including tools for developing climate adaptation plans, incorporating climate adaptation into General Plans, Local Hazard Mitigation Plans, Capital Improvement Plans, and community engagement and social equity. For the latest information on climate impacts and adaptation strategies, visit the Climate Ready SMC site:
https://www.smcsustainability.org/climate-ready.
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12. Endnotes
12 ENDNOTES
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Endnotes
1 California Air Resources Board. (2017). The 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update: The Proposed Strategy for Achieving California's 2030 Greenhouse Gas Target. Retrieved from https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/2030sp_pp_final.pdf. 3 California Integrated Waste Management Board (2009, Aug). California 2008 Statewide Waste Characterization Study. Retrieved from www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/WasteCharacterization/PubExtracts/2009023/Summary.pdf. 4 California Energy Commission. (2018). Energy Consumption Database Management System. Retrieved from http://www.ecdms.energy.ca.gov/elecbyutil.aspx
5 California Air Resources Board. (2019) California Greenhouse Gas Emissions for 2000 to 2017. Retrieved from https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/cc/inventory/pubs/reports/2000_2017/ghg_inventory_trends_00-17.pdf 6 PPIC Water Policy Center. (2016). Energy and Water Use in California are Interconnected. Retrieved from https://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/report/R_1016AER.pdf
7 Woody T. (5 May 2015). The Billions of Gallons of Water Wasted by Accident Every Year. Take Part. Retrieved from http://www.takepart.com/article/2015/05/05/huge-amount-water-california-wasting-every-year 8 Lai, J. G. Why Landscape Aesthetics Will Be the Key to Our Water Future. AHBELAB. Retrieved from https://ahbelab.com/2018/06/28/whylandscape-aesthetics-will-be-the-key-to-our-water-future/ 9 California Air Resources Board. (2019). Sales of electric cars breaking records in California. Retrieved from https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/news/sales-electric-cars-breaking-records-california 10 EPA. (2019). The 2019 Automotive Trends Report. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/automotive-trends/highlights-automotive-trendsreport 11 United States Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Green Vehicle Guide. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/what-if-wekept-our-cars-parked-trips-less-one-mile 12 UCLA Center for Climate Science. (2018). Climate Change in the Sierra Nevada. Retrieved from https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/wpcontent/uploads/UCLA-CCS-Climate-Change-Sierra-Nevada.pdf 13 Ibid.
14 California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment: San Francisco Bay Area Region Report. 2019. Retrieved from https://climateassessment.ca.gov/regions/
15 Peterson, M. (2018, Oct 22). Investigation Finds Home Can Be the Most Dangerous Place in a Heat Wave. KQED. Retrieved from https://www.kqed.org/science/1933237/investigation-finds-home-can-be-the-most-dangerous-place-in-a-heat-wave 16 California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment: San Francisco Bay Area Region Report. 2019. Retrieved from https://climateassessment.ca.gov/regions/
17 Sea Change San Mateo County. (n.d.). Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment – Sea Change San Mateo County. Retrieved from http://seachangesmc.org/vulnerability-assessment/.
18 State of California. (2018). California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment. Retrieved from http://climateassessment.ca.gov/ 19 Ibid.
20 Ibid.
21 A. Park Williams, Benjamin I. Cook and Jason E. Smerdon (2022, Jan 29) Rapid Intensification of the Emerging Southwest North American Megadrought in 2020-2021. Retrieved from nature.com/articles/s415558-022—1290-z.epdf 22 Ibid.
23 Ibid.
24 Pacific Gas and Electric Company. (n.d.). Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). Retrieved from https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/emergency-preparedness/natural-disaster/wildfires/public-safety-power-shutoff-faq.page. 25 American Meteorological Society. (2018). Explaining Extreme Events from a Climate Perspective. Retrieved from https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/index.cfm/publications/bulletin-of-the-american-meteorological-society-bams/explaining-extreme-events-from-aclimate-perspective/. 26 Lawrence, D.F., et al. (2004, Aug). Obesity relationships with community design, physical activity, and time spent in cars. Am J Prev Med.27(2):87–96. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15261894/. 27 Sallis, J.F., Linton, L.S., Kraft M.K., et al. (2009, Feb 1). Active Living Research Program. Am J Prev Med. Retrieved from https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/research/2009/02/the-active-living-research-program.html.
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28 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. (2020, Jan 5). Assessing the Global Climate in 2019. Retrieved from https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/global-climate-201912.
29 County of San Mateo: Office of Sustainability. (n.d). Climate Ready. Retrieved from https://www.smcsustainability.org/climate-ready. 30 European Respiratory Review. Retrieved from https://err.ersjournals.com/content/23/132/161 31 Niksa, M (2021, Jun 06) Silicon Valley added only 1 home for every 6 new jobs last decade, helping send housing costs soaring. Silicon Valley Business Journal. Retrieved from https://bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2021/06/16/silocn-balley-had-new-jobs-new-housingimbalance.html 32 NOAA. (n.d.). Ocean-Atmosphere Co2 Exchange. Retrieved from https://sos.noaa.gov/datasets/ocean-atmosphere-co2-exchange/. 33 Uhlenhuth K. (2015, Jan 27). How crop waste could become carbon-negative energy. Energy News. Retrieved from https://energynews.us/2015/01/27/midwest/how-crop-waste-could-become-carbon-negative-energy/ 34 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).(n.d.). Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report: Global Warming of
1.5ºC. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/.
35 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2018). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2018. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-02/documents/us-ghg-inventory-2020-chapter-2-trends.pdf. 36 Ibid.
37 Ibid.
38 California Air Resources Board. (2019). California Greenhouse Gas Emissions for 2000 to 2017. Retrieved from https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/cc/inventory/pubs/reports/2000_2016/ghg_inventory_trends_00-16.pdf. 39 California Energy Commission. Renewables Portfolio Standard – RPS. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.energy.ca.gov/programs-andtopics/programs/renewables-portfolio-standard. 40“ California Air Resources Board. (2020). Cap-and-Trade Program. Retrieved from https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/capandtrade.htm. 41 Schiller, B. (2014, August 26). 4 Scenarios Show What Climate Change Will Do To The Earth, From Pretty Bad to Disaster. Fast Company.
Retrieved from: https://www.fastcompany.com/3034316/4-scenarios-show-what-climate-change-will-do-to-the-earth-from-pretty-bad-todisaster 42 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. (n.d.). Sustainable Development Goal 13. Retrieved from https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg13.
43 County of San Mateo. (2019). Retrieved from https://cmo.smcgov.org/blog/2019-09-17/board-supervisors-declare-climate-emergency-sanmateo-county. 44 County of San Mateo. (2021-10-19)_Retrieved from http://cmo.smcgov.org/sites/ cmo.smcgov.org/sites/files/2021-10- 19/SanMateoHMP_Vol2_AdoptionDraft.pdf
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Packet Pg. 377 Attachment: Draft EPA 2030 Community CAP and Adaptation Strategies (3) (2756 : Draft Community Climate Action Plan and Adaptation ____________________________________________________________________________________ Addendum To An Initial Study/Negative Declaration
City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan 2030
______________________________________________________________________ Purpose of the Addendum and Background
Per California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines 15164, a lead agency can prepare an addendum to a previously adopted Negative Declaration if only minor technical or additions are necessary or none of the conditions described in Section 15162 calling for the preparation of a subsequent negative declaration have occurred.
Section 15162 states that no subsequent EIR or Negative Declaration shall be prepared unless the lead agency determines one or more of the following:
1. Substantial changes are proposed that will require major revisions due to new significant environmental effects.
2. Substantial changes occur with respect to the circumstances under which the project is undertaken which will require major revisions to the Negative Declaration.
3. New information of substantial importance, which were not known, would show the following:
a) The project will have one or more new significant effects; b) Significant effects previously examined would be substantially more severe; c) Mitigation measures or alternatives previously found not be feasible would be in fact be feasible; and
d) Mitigation measures or alternatives which are considerably different from the original Negative Declaration and would substantially reduce one or more significant impact.
If none of the above are found, a lead agency can prepare an addendum. The addendum need not be circulated but can be included or attached to the adopted negative declaration. The decision-making body would consider the addendum prior to making a decision on the project. A brief explanation of the decision to not prepare a subsequent Negative Declaration would be prepared with the required findings in the record.
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Packet Pg. 378 Attachment: CAP 2030 Addendum (2756 : Draft Community Climate Action Plan and Adaptation Strategies 2030) The City Council approved an Initial Study and Negative Declaration prepared for the Climate Action Plan (CAP) on September 20, 2011 in compliance with the requirements of Section 15074 of the State CEQA Guidelines. The Plan is a policy-oriented, programmatic document that describes a series of actions and programs that, when conducted by the City and its partners, can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and its effects within the City of East Palo Alto. No significant environmental impacts that would require mitigation were identified. Any development occurring after the adoption of the proposed CAP, including development or expansion of recreational facilities, would be considered a separate “project” and would be subject to individual environmental review as well as compliance with all existing City and State standards (General Plan Land Use and Open Space Elements; General Plan EIR; Zoning Ordinance Chapters 24, 25, and 26; PRC 2100 et seq.). The CAP was amended in 2014 to update baseline year emissions and adjust future projections. No policy or program changes were proposed. It was determined that the proposed changes were non-substantive in nature and did not provide substantial evidence for new significant environmental effects or new mitigation measures compared to the original Negative Declaration. Accordingly, no new CEQA analysis or process was required.
Project Description
The City Council adopted the CAP in 2011, with a minor amendment in 2014, to be a blueprint of the community’s response to challenges posed by climate change and is a living document reflecting the ongoing efforts and challenges our community faces as the impacts from climate change grow more frequent, severe, and urgent. The CAP documented how East Palo Alto plans to collaborate with partners in county, state, and federal government, along with community organizations and local businesses, to create new programs, services, and policies to support the community in taking actions that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The 2030 CAP amendment and Adaption strategies 2030 (Draft Plan) was prepared to reflect the significant progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the implementation of the 2011 CAP and to identify new environmental programs to continue the process. The CAP was also updated to reflect changing conditions and new legislative changes at the State, regional and local levels.
The goal of the updated Draft Plan is to detail specific strategies the community will utilize to reach the California GHG reduction goals equitably and sustainably, while developing a comprehensive strategy to ensure the community is prepared to adapt to a changing climate to minimize disruptions due to climate change and maximize resilience.
Analysis for Draft Climate Action Plan 2030 Amendment
The proposed Draft Plan includes fifteen new programs: EW.1.5, EW.19, EW.2.10, EW.4.1, EW.4.3, T.2.1, T.2.2, T.2.3, T.2.5, T.2.6, T.2.7, T.2.8, T.2.9, T.2.10, and T.2.11.
The draft plan continues to be a policy oriented programmatic plan intended to lead to the reduction in GHG. All of these programs are programmatic in nature and intended primarily to facilitate basic data collection, education, research, experimental
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Packet Pg. 379 Attachment: CAP 2030 Addendum (2756 : Draft Community Climate Action Plan and Adaptation Strategies 2030) management, and resource evaluation activities, including for existing programs which would not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. The programs will not result in physical development. If the resulting analysis identifies a need for a future project, the actual implementation would be subject to an independent approval process, including environmental review. Any development occurring after the adoption of the proposed Draft Plan, including development or expansion of recreational facilities, would be considered a separate “project” and would be subject to individual environmental review as well as compliance with all existing City and State standards (General Plan Land Use and Open Space Elements; General Plan EIR; Zoning Ordinance Chapters 24, 25, and 26; PRC 2100 et seq.).
Findings
Upon analysis of the Draft Plan, staff found that: (1) the changes non substantive in nature; (2) that none of the conditions in Section 15162 [Subsequent EIRs and Negative Declarations] of the State CEQA Guidelines are present; (3) that the proposed changes do not provide substantial evidence for new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects; and (4) the proposed changes do not require mitigation measures or alternatives which are considerably different from the original Negative Declaration and would substantially reduce one or more significant impact.
Accordingly, the preparation of a new Negative Declaration is not required for the proposed Draft Plan.
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Packet Pg. 380 Attachment: CAP 2030 Addendum (2756 : Draft Community Climate Action Plan and Adaptation Strategies 2030)