East Palo Alto City Council
September 5, 2023

DRAFT
2030 Climate Action Plan and
Adaptation Strategies
June 2022
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
2 DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
1 CLIMATE
ACTION
PLAN
&

ADAPTATION

STRATEGIES
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
2 DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Acknowledgements
3 Acknowledgements
City of East Palo Alto Community Review
City of East Palo Alto City Council
Mayor Lisa Gauthier
Vice Mayor Antonio López
Councilmember Ruben Abrica
Councilmember Carlos Romero
Councilmember Martha Barragan
City of East Palo Alto Planning Commission
Javanni Brown-Austin
Ofelia Bello (former)
Robert Allen Fisk
Michael Mashack, Chair
Juan Mendez
Robert Sherrard, Vice Chair
Q. Smith
Uriel Hernandez
Iliana Nicholas (alternate)
City of East Palo Alto Public Works and Transportation Committee Court Skinner
Uhila Makoni
Gary W. Gray
Christoper Kao
Martha Fomby Reed
Deborah Lewis-Virges
Mark Dinan
Climate Resilient Communities (CRC)
Violet Wulf-Saena
Cade Cannedy
Uriel Hernandez
Sharifa Wilson
Mamadee Uhila
Tiffany Hautau
Court Skinner
Robert Jones
Marisela Ramos
Heleine Grewe
Najiha Al Asmar
Roxana Franco
Ofelia Bello
Illiana Nicholas
Deborah Lewis-Virges
Steward Hyland
Jeff Poetsch
Jahkim Hendrix
Caroline Beckman
Cristal Montes
Kenia Najar
Raquel Lima
Fill Zargoza
Cristina Becerra
Julian Garcia
Lidia Garcia
Lesley Lopez
Jennifer Adams
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Acknowledgements
4 Youth United for Community Action (YUCA)
Neighborhood Groups
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Technical assistance from DNV GL & Rincon Consultants, Inc. 5 City of East Palo Alto Staff and Technical Review
City of East Palo Alto City Staff
Michelle Daher, Management Analyst II, Lead
City Manager
Melvin Gaines
Professional Review
Humza Javed, Public Works Director
Fatima Khan, Climate Action Plan Fellow
Anwar Mirza, Senior Engineer
Amy Chen, Community and Economic Development Director
Elena Lee, Planning Manager
Salifu Yakubu, Senior Planner
Romeo Herrera, Chief Building Official
Jeff Lui, Interim Chief of Police
Elizabeth Lam, Community Service Officer
Technical assistance from DNV GL & Rincon Consultants, Inc.

Prepared by Harris & Associates
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Technical assistance from DNV GL & Rincon Consultants, Inc. 6 This Climate Action Plan was developed using the Regionally Integrated Climate Action Planning Suite (RICAPS) template and climate action planning tools.

Original RICAPS template and tools - 2011
Funding: A grant from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and by California utility customers, administered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission and with matching funds provided by the City and County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG).

Steering Committee: Elizabeth Claycomb (Formerly City of Pacifica), Erin Cooke (Formerly City of Cupertino), Brandi de Garmeaux (City of Portola Valley), Shelly Reider (City of Millbrae), Jim Shannon (Formerly City of San Bruno) Updated RICAPS template and tools - 2020
Funding: California utility customers, administered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission and with matching funds provided by the City and County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG).

Ad Hoc Committee and Reviewers: Michael Barber (County of San Mateo), Vanessa Brannon (City of Foster City), Jennifer Chong (City of Half Moon Bay), Hannah Doress (County of San Mateo), Adrienne Etherton (City of Brisbane), Kathleen Gallagher (City of Colma), Kirk Gharda (Formerly of City of Redwood City), Jonathan Kwan (City of Colma), Adam Lokar (City of San Carlos), Rachael Londer (County of San Mateo), Brian Oh (County of San Mateo), Vicky Sherman (City of Redwood City), Veronika Vostinak (City of Half Moon Bay) Project Consultant: DNV GL
Staff: Sandy Wong (C/CAG), Kim Springer (County of San Mateo), Susan Wright (County of San Mateo), John Allan (County of San Mateo), Denise Lin (County of San Mateo) DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Table of Contents
7 Table of Contents
Technical assistance from DNV GL ........................................................................................................................5 Prepared by Harris & Associates............................................................................................................................5 February 2021............................................................................................................................................................1 Executive Summary..................................................................................................................................................9

1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................

Why a Climate Action Plan? .....................................................................................................................................11 Building on a Foundation..........................................................................................................................................11 Vision for a Better Future..........................................................................................................................................15 Benefits of Climate Action.........................................................................................................................................16

2. CAP Overview......................................................................................................................................................17 What’s New in This CAP...........................................................................................................................................17 How the CAP Came Together ..................................................................................................................................18 Document Roadmap.................................................................................................................................................18 Strategies and Focus ................................................................................................................................................19

3. Impacts of Climate Change....................................................................................................................................

4. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions ..................................................................................................................22 Generation-based GHG Inventory ............................................................................................................................23 Future Emissions ......................................................................................................................................................29 Reductions from State-Level Actions........................................................................................................................30 East Palo Alto’s Contribution to the Goal..................................................................................................................31

5. Strategies and Actions.......................................................................................................................................32 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................................33 Strategies to Get Us There.......................................................................................................................................35 Solid Waste...............................................................................................................................................................57

6. Implementation....................................................................................................................................................58 By the Numbers: Meeting the Emissions Goal.........................................................................................................59 Getting It Done: Managing the Strategy ...................................................................................................................60 Better Together .........................................................................................................................................................60 Timeline.....................................................................................................................................................................62 Implementation Budget.............................................................................................................................................62 Monitoring and Improvement ...................................................................................................................................63

7. Impacts of Climate Change and Climate Adaptation ......................................................................................65 Climate Science Overview ........................................................................................................................................66 Climate Change in East Palo Alto.............................................................................................................................67 Future Projections .....................................................................................................................................................67 Social Vulnerability....................................................................................................................................................68 Climate Impacts in East Palo Alto.............................................................................................................................69 Financial Impact of Climate Change.........................................................................................................................78 DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Table of Contents
8 Adaptation Strategies................................................................................................................................................79

8. Environmental Justice and Equity....................................................................................................................87 Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment..........................................................................................88 Environmental Justice Goals and Policies Gap Analysis .......................................................................................103

9. Carbon Sequestration ......................................................................................................................................109

10. Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................................111

11. Appendix..........................................................................................................................................................113 A. Glossary of Abbreviations...................................................................................................................................114 B. Climate Change..................................................................................................................................................115 C. Policy ..................................................................................................................................................................123 D. Partners ..............................................................................................................................................................127 E. Summary of Funding Sources ............................................................................................................................133 F. Adaptation Strategies: Planning for Climate Impacts .........................................................................................135

12. Endnotes..........................................................................................................................................................138 DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Executive Summary
9 Executive Summary
Cities are on the front lines when it comes to climate change. Cities are also leading the world in reducing carbon emissions through aggressive policies and adoption of clean technologies. The City of East Palo Alto’s 2030 Community Climate Action Plan and Adaptation Strategies establishes guidelines for reaching the stated goal of reducing per person (or per capita) carbon emissions 55 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and aspires to reach carbon neutrality by 2045.

The City of East Palo Alto has already exceeded the goals established in the 2011 Climate Action Plan. Between 2005 and 2017, the City reduced total community emissions by 27,362 metric tons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) to achieve 20 percent below 2005 levels, while the goal was 15 percent. This was equivalent to a per capita emissions reduction from 4.62 MT CO2e/person in 2005 to 3.55 MT CO2e/person in 2017. To achieve a 55 percent per capita reduction by 2030, the City of East Palo Alto will need to reduce per capita emissions to 2.09 MT CO2e/person in 2030. This “bending of the carbon curve” is essential to meeting the goal of carbon neutrality before 2045 and avoiding worsened climate change impacts.

To meet this goal, this CAP provides a roadmap to reduce emissions in three sectors: 1) energy and water, 2) transportation and land use and 3) solid waste. The CAP identifies key actions that need to be accomplished within the next decade to stay on pace with achieving the goal. The City does not anticipate any substantial cumulative impacts from implementation of the CAP but will review annual implementation plans for compliance with CEQA.

Even if all emissions were eliminated today, we will continue to see increasingly severe climate change impacts in the future, including sea-level rise, hotter temperatures, and increased fire/smoke risk. East Palo Alto understands the importance of laying out a framework for enhancing the community’s resilience to these impacts. The City engaged experts and community leaders to plan the best path forward for East Palo Alto, and we hope you support our vision. This CAP focuses on programs and policies that seek to equitably improve health outcomes, reduce the cost of future energy use, while enhancing quality of life and wellbeing.

This CAP describes the process East Palo Alto will embark on to develop a climate change resiliency plan moving forward.

The community’s investment to support the CAP will be many times greater than East Palo Alto’s own costs. East Palo Alto will need to support residents’ and businesses’ efforts to find funding to decarbonize their buildings, vehicles, and lifestyles. East Palo Alto may discourage carbon-emitting activities through fee-based systems or carbon taxes to shift community investment away from fossil fuels to clean technologies.

To ensure full implementation of the CAP, an interdepartmental team of City staff, in collaboration with civic and business leaders, must be assembled to maintain momentum and ensure accountability. Staff will provide annual progress reports, including greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, and will prepare an update to the CAP after five years.

This CAP provides a pathway to accelerate our historical success to reduce climate warming emissions by an average of 5 percent per capita annually between March 2017 and reaching carbon neutrality in 2045. a
It is also a
call to action to residents, community organizations, and businesses to take an active part in our transition to a low-carbon future and clean economy. In this process, we will foster a vibrant economy, increase our resiliency, and support East Palo Alto’s vision for a livable and sustainable community for all generations to come.

Lisa Yarbrough-Gauthier
a This assumes that no GHG reductions have occurred between the CAP’s inventory year in 2017 and adoption year in 2022.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Executive Summary
10 Mayor
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Introduction
11 Introduction
Why a Climate Action Plan?
The City of East Palo Alto is pleased to present the following update to our Climate Action Plan (CAP). This 2030 CAP, designed to be a blueprint of our 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.

Our City is a frontline community, with a history of environmental injustice, and in a geographical position that makes it more susceptible to poor air quality and flooding. This adversely affects an already disadvantaged community.

Our city cannot solve the climate crisis alone. This CAP documents how East Palo Alto plans to collaborate with our partners in county, state, and federal government, along with community organizations and local businesses, to create new programs, services, and policies that will support our community in taking actions that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Building on a Foundation
The City of East Palo Alto has already made significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the implementation of the 2011 Climate Action Plan (2011 CAP). In the 2011 CAP, twenty-three actions to address our changing climate were proposed, with a collaborative of executive City staff, the Public Works and Transportation Committee, the Planning Commission and the City Council supporting the adoption. 1 INTRODUCTION
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Introduction
12 City Council has since authorized the following environmental programs to support implementation of the ten general goals posited in the 2011 CAP.

Goal E-1: Become more Energy Efficient:

Goal attained in part through participation in the Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE), a Community Choice Energy program, which was formed in February 2016, when all cities in San Mateo County, plus the County of San Mateo, voted to unanimously form a Joint Powers Authority to administer the program, following years of careful study and development. As a member of PCE, combined resources enable magnification of efforts along with focused staffing support to enable all communities to shift from a carbon-based, emission (greenhouse gas) intensive energy sources, to carbon neutral, zero emission, renewable energy systems throughout San Mateo County.

Goal E-2 Increase Renewable Energy
Goal Attained with the “Building Electrification and Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Reach Codes Ordinance” adopted by the City Council on October 20, 2020. This Ordinance (07-2020) prioritizes solar, electric vehicle charging stations, and all electric buildings (with minor exceptions), and expressly disincentivizes use of natural gas in new buildings.

This goal further enhances AB 2188, wherein housing rehabilitations, or small residential rooftop solar installations for single family owner-occupied homes will have a streamlined approval process. Through a partnership with GRID Alternatives (a non-profit organization that brings the benefits of solar technology to communities that would otherwise not have access to it), we held workshops and installations of solar and electric vehicle charging systems throughout the City.

In 2020, the City installed a solar powered camera system along the City’s new Pedestrian Overcrossing.

In 2021, the City adopted the Reach Codes to support the installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and solar rooftops, as well as all electric appliances on all new projects with minor exceptions for low-income projects and projects that would be otherwise infeasible.

In early 2022, the City Installed new street solar powered lighting along a trail segment (pilot project) and upgraded inground cross walk lighting to solar.

In 2021, the City installed four solar powered traffic speed signs throughout the City.

Goal TL-1 Prioritize Smart Growth Land Use
The adoption of the updated General Plan Vista 2035 (adopted in 2016) as well as the Ravenswood Business District / 4 Corners Specific Plan (RBD) (adopted in 2012) have both proposed the enhancement of dense development throughout the City. The City continues to expand low-income housing with expanded public transportation and active transportation amenities to reduce single vehicle trips. The City is in process of updating the RBD Specific Plan. (https://www.cityofepa.org/planning/page/ravenswood-business-district-4-corners-specificplan-update) Goal TL-3 Encourage Walking and Bicycling
The Bicycle Transportation Plan (adopted in 2011) and subsequent Bicycle Maser Plan (adopted 2017, Reso. 4905) each expanded planned networks of bicycle networks with special emphasis on locations where Class I facilities can be prioritized. The City has further expanded smart growth land use efforts by working in conjunction DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Introduction
13 with the San Mateo County Transit Agency (SAMTRANS) to expand bus routes and realign existing routes to better serve the highest density housing areas of the City, as well as the local destinations serving the residents and updating routes when new high density housing developments are planned. The City has updated Safe Routes to School annually, installed a Pedestrian Overcrossing (the first such Class I facility in East Palo Alto opened in 2019) and prepared and funded an American Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance and Transition Plan to update sidewalks and improve accessibility throughout the community. The City also finalized a comprehensive citywide Mobility Study to better understand the transportation patterns and interactions between motor vehicle traffic and alternative modes of transportation including walking and biking.

In 2012, the City Council Adopted a Complete Streets Policy (Resolution No. 4359) to ensure all users have public street access, via any standard mode of transportation. This policy was incorporated into the General Plan Vista 2035.

Goal TL-4: Increase Urban Green Space
In 2012, Cooley Landing Park was opened to the public, reclaiming a former Brownsfield area previously used as a County dump site. Through implementation of Vista 2035 General Plan, the City has partnered with Grassroots Ecology and Canopy to assist with expanding urban green space by working with local volunteers to plant trees and native vegetation throughout some of the more baren landscapes in the City including trail entrances, parks and private property. Working with public and private partnerships, these two entities have planted thousands of plants and trees throughout the community while enhancing educational awareness within the community.

Goal W-1: Promote Material Re-use
The City of East Palo Alto has hosted one Repair Cafe, bringing residents together to repair damaged household items and link the community with resources to repair their damaged items. The City is working in conjunction with San Mateo County on a Safe Surplus Food Donation program to get unwanted, edible food to people who need it.

In 2013, the City Council adopted a single use plastic bag prohibition to both discourage the use of single use bags while encouraging re-usable bags. The City hosted events which distributed reusable bags as well as enabled community members to make their own reusable bags out of old t-shirts. Live in Peace, a local non-profit partner, has been repairing and providing used fully functional bicycles to the community, having provided over 150 bicycles to residents, to date.

Goal W-2 Increase Recycling
In 2017, the City Council adopted the Clean City Plan which instigated the hiring of City staff to support educational efforts to inform residents about recycling and composting. To date, tens of thousands of contacts have been made with residents to support them in properly sorting their recycling and utilizing recycling bins rather than overflowing trash bins. The City also has an inspection program wherein businesses are inspected to ensure they have adequate recycling and compost service, with escalating enforcement for non-compliance.

Goal W-3 Increase Composting
In 2017, the City Council adopted the Clean City Plan which instigated the hiring of City staff to support educational efforts to inform residents about recycling. To date, tens of thousands of contacts have been made with residents to support them in properly sorting their compost and utilizing compost bins rather than overflowing trash bins. The City also works in conjunction with Recology’s team to provide compost pails to residents living in multi-family housing. Further, the City has a new inspection program which inspects that all businesses that meet mandatory requirements have compost bins and utilize them.

Goal MU-1: Increase Municipal Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Introduction
14 The following are efforts the City made to further this goal:
2012 Replaced roughly 1,000 high pressure sodium street lights and traffic signals with LED lights. 2013 Replaced all interior lights to LED for Annex Building located at 160 Tate Street.

In 2016, San Mateo County, from which the City leases the City Hall facility, has installed photovoltaics/ solar panels and shading frames over the parking lot located at 2415 University Avenue.

In 2017, as a partner of Peninsula Clean Energy, the City participates in a program to purchase 100% carbon-free energy that is more than 50.5% renewable for all City facilities and will be fully renewable by 2025. As of the drafting of this Plan, PCE provides nearly carbon-free energy to all customers. 2018 Replaced one electric pump from the City’s primary pump station to more energy efficient pump.

Goal MU-3: Work towards Zero Waste Government Operations In 2017, City Council adopted the Clean City Plan, which prioritizes recycling and composting education. The City has installed composting, recycling and trash receptacles in all facilities for staff use. Upon hiring, City staff receives overview of the solid waste management practices, to ensure all staff understand the importance of capturing all materials from the waste stream which can be repurposed.

The organization focused on reducing paperwork through a digitization effort from 2011 to present, reducing the amount of paper, ink and energy used for printing, along with the transportation of documents to various City buildings. The organization has furthered the reduction of paperwork throughout the most recent years and intends to be fully electronic processing within the decade, to the maximum extent practicable.

In 2021, the City passed Ordinance 05-2021 to establish an environmentally friendly purchasing policy to support purchasing recycled content items and encourage the use of products that can be composted.

Beyond the Goals
The 2011 Climate Action Plan categorized measures into three priorities based on the expected cost of implementation and the expected GHG reductions, with the highest priority or “Green Light” measures being the highest expected GHG reductions for the cost. Of the twenty-three actions listed in the 2011 Climate Action Plan, the City has met all six of the “Green Light” measures recommended for high priority implementation.

Of the “Yellow Light” measures recommended as a medium priority, the City implemented all but the following:

TL-2.2: Promote education and outreach on pre-tax transit subsidies. (if available) Of the “Red Light” measures, considered a low-priority, the City implemented all items indicated.

Of the 23 measures indicated, the goal was to surpass a reduction goal of 10,557 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. All told, the City managed to reduce more than double this amount of carbon dioxide, over 27,000 metric tons by 2017.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Introduction
15 Vision for a Better Future
If the year was currently 2030, here’s what we’d like to be able to say: We have reduced our per capita carbon emissions at least 55 percent below 2005 levels. All our energy comes from renewable sources and is reliable. Many mobility options are zero carbon, shared and active, and congestion and air pollution are greatly reduced. Nearly all our waste is reused, repurposed, or recycled. All community members have reliable access to affordable, clean water. We have created a culture of awareness and action. We utilize smart city technology and principles to advance efficiency in our energy, water, waste, transportation systems, and infrastructure. Environmental, economic, and social needs are considered and are in balance. Our prosperous economy and quality of life have benefited from this transformation, and we feel safe and resilient in the face of Sea Level Rise. We are now healthier, more connected, more equitable, and resilient.

Adopted 2011
CAP
Expanded the
Safe Routes to
School Program
Instituted a
mandatory
requirement for
businesses to
recycle
Retrofited all
traffic signals,
pedestrial walk
signs, and
streetlights with
LED lights
Provided
recycling and
compost bins to
all City
buildings.

Develop Urban
Forestry Plan
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Introduction
16 Benefits of Climate Action
Beyond the direct benefit of a more stable climate, many climate actions generate additional benefits, such as those listed below.
• Enhanced resilience – Actions that reduce GHG emissions can also bolster resilience to climate hazards. Chapter 7: Impacts of Climate Change summarizes the City’s risk to climate impacts and outlines the City’s commitment to reducing risk through effective climate adaptation strategies and a return towards pre-developed nature-based land use.
• Environmental Justice – Climate actions can foster a more equitable and inclusive community and can improve air quality as well as physical and mental health. Chapter 8: Environmental Justice provides a supplementary analysis of environmental justice topic areas and identifies policy gaps that the City intends to address through the implementation of this CAP to ensure all residents increase in resiliency and adapt together, with improved health outcomes.
• Economic Justice – Climate actions can boost the local economy through local projects, programs, and jobs. Chapter 8: Environmental Justice discusses the importance of growing sustainably and ensuring community members benefit from the region’s economic growth and are not trapped into old infrastructure which results in higher costs for energy in the future. • Carbon Sequestration – Many actions that address climate vulnerability and risk also reverse emissions of GHGs into the atmosphere. As outlined in Chapter 9: Carbon Sequestration, the City is committed to growing its urban forest and other strategies that sequester carbon, reduce stormwater runoff, promote infiltration, prevent soil erosion, and increase ecosystem biodiversity.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
17 2. CAP Overview
What’s New in This CAP
Since the City’s first climate action plan (CAP) was adopted in 2011, much has changed related to climate protection. Consequently, this CAP includes the following updates and additions:
• Incorporates new state policies.
2 CAP OVERVIEW
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
18 • Includes new strategies that will help the City achieve their greenhouse gas reduction goal. • Documents climate change impacts and previews what the City needs to plan for. • Focuses on equity, or how to make sure everyone benefits, especially the most vulnerable members of our community.

Since the process of drafting this CAP began, several state measures have been passed in order to meet California’s climate goals with urgency. In 2022, AB 1279 set a state-wide 40 percent emissions reduction target by 2030, and an 85 percent emissions reduction target by 2045, compared to 1990 levels. In addition, SB 1020 also passed in 2022, will require that 90 percent of California’s electricity comes from clean energy sources by 2035, 94 percent of it by 2040, and 100 percent of it by 2045.

How the CAP Came Together
This Climate Action Plan (CAP) was developed in partnership with the Institute for Local Government, City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG), and the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability through the San Mateo County Energy Watch program and its Regionally Integrated Climate Action Planning Suite (RICAPS) initiative. RICAPS is co-funded by C/CAG and PG&E.

RICAPS assists member jurisdictions and other interested local governments to develop climate action plans that are consistent with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, including both the CEQA Guidelines Amendments effective December 28, 2018, and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)’s CEQA Air Quality Guidelines (updated May 2017). RICAPS tools include a Menu of Measures, forecasting tool, climate action plan template, and technical assistance from DNV GL, an environmental consultant.

Document Roadmap

SUPPLEMENTAL

CHAPTERS
See how climate
change is already
affecting East Palo
Alto, how the City is
addressing
environmental and
economic justice, and
investing in carbon
sequestration.
(page 51)

GOALS AND

TARGETS
Learn how East
Palo Alto's GHG
emissions are
calcuated and about
the goals we have
set for reducing
those emissions.
(page 14)

STRATEGIES AND

ACTIONS
Read about East Palo
Alto's four focus areas.

Within each one, learn
about progress to
date, overarching
strategies, and actions
that will move the
strategies forward.
(page 25)

IMPLEMENTATION
See how we plan to
put the CAP into
action, including the
timeframe of priority
actions, who we plan
to collaborate with,
who is responsible for
accomplishing actions,
and how we plan to
track progress.
(page 43)
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
19 Strategies and Focus
Energy and Water
This includes energy that is used in community and public facilities, as well as in water treatment and transportation. This strategy addresses opportunities to reduce energy use, shift from natural gas to electricity, and reduce water consumption.

Transportation
This includes public transit, commuting, and how we use land. Opportunities to reduce GHG emissions include reducing the number of miles we drive alone in cars and increasing housing near transit.

Waste
This includes emissions from solid waste generation and disposal. The primary goal is to reduce emissions by encouraging the community to reduce waste. The secondary goal is to divert it from the landfill through recycling and composting. In this document, we have included locally produced foods with a goal of reducing the carbon footprint of organics from cradle to grave.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
20 3. GHG Reduction Goal
3 GHG REDUCTION
GOAL
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
The Goal
21 The Goal
Assembly Bill (AB) 32 directed the State to reach 1990 emissions levels by 2020. To meet this goal, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved the Climate Change Scoping Plan in 2008. Municipal governments were asked to reduce emissions by at least 15 percent by 2020 compared with current levels (2008 levels or earlier).

This prompted many cities to adopt community-wide emissions reduction goals of at least 15 percent below 2005 levels. Appendix C.2 describes all applicable laws, regulations, and orders relevant to climate mitigation in detail.

In 2015, Governor Brown issued Executive Order B-30-15 to set the 2030 emissions goal (40 percent less than 1990 levels by 2030). It was codified by California Senate Bill (SB) 32. CARB followed up with an updated California’s 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan.
1 In response, East Palo Alto is joining other municipalities in adopting emissions reduction goals for the community. East Palo Alto has set a community wide goal of reducing per capita emissions 55 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, to correspond to required reductions under SB 32. b
In September 2018, Governor Brown issued California Executive Order B-55-18, setting the goal of achieving carbon neutrality as soon as possible (by 2045 at the latest), and maintaining net negative emissions from that point forward. The following year, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. 2 The most recent update to the Climate Change Scoping Plan was approved in 2022 and outlines the roadmap to comply with recent state-approved emissions targets which aim to reduce anthropogenic emissions to 85 percent below 1990 levels and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.

East Palo Alto recognizes the carbon neutrality goal set by the state and County; however, the City has not formally adopted goals herein to achieve carbon neutrality. The City has set carbon neutrality as a “soft target” as the City continues to fulfill goals set forth in this 2030 CAP. Given the limited resources and significant opportunities for GHG reduction with regards to barriers the City faces in attaining carbon neutrality, the City will emphasize structural supports that will enable realistic goals to reach carbon neutrality as a follow-up to these actions. The City has set per capita target reductions at 55 percent per year to attain carbon neutrality by the year 2045.

While the City recognizes that San Mateo County has set a goal of carbon neutrality for 2040, the City of East Palo Alto is determined to establish local carbon neutrality as a metric of success following the State’s objectives and intends to take actions to reach the goal of carbon neutrality as soon as possible while aligning efforts to cobenefit residents of the community meeting equity, health, quality of life and economic benefits.

With this Climate Action Plan, East Palo Alto is committing to a 55 percent reduction in per capita emissions below 2005 levels by 2030 and 100 percent reduction –carbon neutrality—by 2045. b GHG reduction targets can be set as either an efficiency target (MT CO2e per capita) or as a community-wide mass emissions target (total MT CO2e). With CARB’s 2017 Scoping Plan Update, the state recommends using efficiency metrics for local targets to incentivize growth in a coordinated manner and not penalize cities which are growing at significant rates. [California Air Resources Board. 2017. California’s Climate Change Scoping Plan, p. 99-102.]
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventories
22 4. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
4 GREENHOUSE GAS
(GHG) EMISSIONS
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventories
23 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
Inventories
In this CAP, the City used a generation based greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory consistent with the Community GHG Protocol. Released by Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) in October 2012, the Community GHG Protocol represents a new national standard in guidance to help U.S. local governments develop effective community GHG emissions inventories. It establishes reporting requirements for all community GHG emissions inventories, provides detailed accounting guidance for quantifying GHG emissions associated with a range of emission sources and community activities. The protocol also provides a number of optional reporting frameworks to help local governments customize their community GHG emissions inventory reports based on their local goals and capacities. The State of California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research recommends that California local governments follow the new national Community Protocol when undertaking their GHG emissions inventories. Released by Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) in October 2012, the Community GHG Protocol represents a new national standard in guidance to help U.S. local governments develop effective community GHG emissions inventories. It establishes reporting requirements for all community GHG emissions inventories, provides detailed accounting guidance for quantifying GHG emissions associated with a range of emission sources and community activities. The protocol also provides a number of optional reporting frameworks to help local governments customize their community GHG emissions inventory reports based on their local goals and capacities. The State of California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research recommends that California local governments follow the new national Community Protocol when undertaking their GHG emissions inventories.

The GHG inventory estimates existing, and future levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions based on existing and projected energy use. It includes 1) direct consumption of energy by sector (i.e. transportation), 2) consumption of energy via the electrical grid, and 3) emissions from the treatment/decomposition of waste. This is the industry-accepted methodology for quantifying community GHG emissions, with emissions reported by emission source category.

Generation-based GHG Inventory
East Palo Alto’s first generation-based inventory was completed for 2005 (the baseline year). Beginning in 2010, new community GHG inventories are completed annually by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), enabling East Palo Alto to track progress over time.

In 2005, East Palo Alto emitted an estimated 136,027 metric tons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) from the residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, waste, and municipal sectors (equivalent to 4.62 MT CO2e/person).cIn 2017, East Palo Alto emitted an estimated 108,665 MT CO2e (equivalent to 3.55 MT CO2e/person). In comparison to the base year of 2005, that is a 20 percent decrease in total community emissions and a 23 percent reduction in per capita emissions.

As shown in Figure 4.1 and Table 4.1, the two largest categories of emissions are transportation (including highway travel, local travel, and off-road equipment) and building energy use (including residential and commercial/industrial).
c Carbon dioxide equivalent is a unit of measure that normalizes the varying climate warming potencies of all six GHG emissions, which are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). For example, one metric ton of methane is equivalent to 21 metric tons of CO2e. One metric ton of nitrous oxide is 210 metric tons of CO2e.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventories
24 The residential and commercial/industrial sectors represent emissions that result from electricity and natural gas used in both private and public sector buildings and facilities. The transportation sector includes emissions from private and commercial vehicle. Off-road equipment includes lawn, garden, construction, industrial, and commercial equipment. Figure 4.1 shows the proportion of East Palo Alto’s total GHG emissions from all major sources for 2017.

Figure 4.1: Community Emissions by Sector: 2017
Residential
16%
Commercial/Indus
trial
8%
Transportation:

Off-Road
Equipment
5%
Transportation:

State Highways
50%
Transportation:

Local Roads
18%
Generated Waste
& Wastewater
3%
Water
0%
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventories
25 Table 4.1: 2005 vs. 2017 Community Emissions by Sector Sector 2005 GHG Emissions
(MT CO2e)
2017 GHG Emissions
(MT CO2e)
Percent Change (%)
Transportation – State
Highways 67,286 54,794 -21.0%
Residential Energy Use 24,838 17,467 -29.6%
Transportation – Local Roads 19,715 19,467 -1.2%
Commercial/Industrial Energy
Use 15,692 7,782 -50.4%
Waste
(Generated + Landfill Cover) 3,360 2,153 -36.0%
Direct Access 3,092 234 -92.4%
Transportation – Off-road
Equipment 2,044 5,435 +165.9%
Stationary Sources N/A 396 N/A
Wastewater and Water N/A 937 N/A
Total 136,027 108,665 -20%
Estimated Populationd 29,431 30,641 +4%
Per Capita Emissions (MT
CO2e/person) 4.62 3.55 -23%
As shown in Table 4.1, East Palo Alto’s GHG emissions have declined over time. Major contributors of this decline include a 6 percent reduction in total electricity use and an 18 percent reduction in total natural gas use.

These emissions reductions since 2005 are a good start, but East Palo Alto will have to significantly increase its emission reduction rate to achieve a 55 percent reduction in per capita emissions by 2030.

Emissions are described by category below.

Energy Emissions
Emissions from electricity and natural gas were calculated based on guidance in the Community GHG Protocol.

Electricity and natural gas consumption was provided by PG&E and PCE. The total Direct Access electricity consumption in the County was provided by the California Public Utilities Consumption (CPUC). Direct access is when an end-use customer buys electricity on the wholesale electricity market, rather than from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) or Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE). According to PG&E representatives, all-natural gas usage, regardless of whether it was purchased from PG&E or not, is included in the PG&E totals for natural gas.

PCE was launched collaboratively by the County of San Mateo and all 20 of its cities and towns in 2016 to reduce emissions via 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 95 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.
d Population estimates for 2005 and 2017 are from the California Department of Finance (E-4 Historical Population Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State). Accessed at: https://dof.ca.gov/forecasting/demographics/estimates/ DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventories
26 In 2017, electricity and natural gas emissions accounted for 29 percent of total GHG emissions in East Palo Alto.

East Palo Alto’s total stationary energy consumption (electricity and natural gas consumed by residential, commercial, and industrial buildings) was 19,012,555 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and 3,780,449 therms of natural gas, including direct access electricity customers.

Of the total 26,329 MT CO2e emitted due to energy use in buildings, natural gas accounts for a greater portion (19 percent) of total emissions than electricity (4 percent), primarily due to the City’s participation in PCE. As shown in Figure 4.2 natural gas use from residential, commercial, and industrial uses is responsible for 80 percent of all building emissions, compared to 20 percent from electricity use. The emissions per kWh of electricity generated (the emission factor) can vary considerably from year to year and can depend on the provider of electricity (e.g., PCE, PG&E, and direct access providers). For example, in 2017, PG&E’s emission factor was 210 lbs CO2/MWh, PCE’s ECOplus (50 percent renewable) emission factor was 142 lbs CO2/MWh, and PCE’s ECO100 (100 percent renewable) emission factor was 0 lbs CO2/MWh.

Figure 4.2: Building GHG Emissions by Sector and Fuel Type Transportation Emissions
Transportation emissions are based on VMT estimates. Calculations are done separately for Local Roads VMT and for State Highways VMT. Calculations are also done separately for gasoline fuel usage and VMT and for diesel fuel usage and VMT. The VMT fuel mix is used to determine the portion of VMT that is gasoline, diesel and electric. Average fuel efficiencies are then applied to estimate the gasoline and diesel fuel consumption. CO2 emission factors are applied to the estimated fuel consumption to calculate CO2 emissions, and CH4 and N2O emission factors are applied to VMT to calculate CH4 and N2O emissions. Emission Factors provided by the Bay DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventories
27 Area Air Quality Management District and are based on the EMission FACtor (EMFAC), a model (v1.0.7) that estimates the official emissions inventories of on-road mobile sources in California. This methodology is the same as the methodology that was used for the baseline 2005 inventory.

Transportation emissions accounted for 74 percent of total 2017 GHG emissions in East Palo Alto. Travel on local roads accounted for 18 percent of total emissions; travel on state highways within city limits accounted for 51 percent; and emissions from off-road equipment, such as lawn, garden, and construction equipment, accounted for 5 percent. Figure 4.3 shows that transportation on state highways accounted for 74 percent of on-road transportation emissions. While the City of East Palo Alto has limited authority over the state highways passing through the community, due to the equity issues pertaining to community health and impacts on local safety concerns, the community has requested the emissions of pass-through traffic remain for tracking purposes. The emissions will not be included for the City’s reduction goals, however.

Figure 4.3: On-Road Transportation Emissions by Road Type Solid Waste Emissions
Solid waste emissions were calculated using the Community GHG Protocol. In general, waste disposal to the landfill and the amount of Alternative Daily Cover is provided for each jurisdiction in the CalRecycle Disposal Reporting System database. Waste characterization data from the California Waste Characterization Study of 2008 are used to determine what percentages of materials are in the disposed waste stream. For Alternative Daily Cover, the waste characterization is provided in the CalRecycle Disposal Reporting System by jurisdiction.

Tonnages of each waste material disposed are summed, and then multiplied by emission factors in the Community GHG Protocol to determine total emissions from disposed waste.

Waste sector emissions accounted for 2 percent of total 2017 GHG emissions in East Palo Alto. Thirty-nine tons of solid waste were sent to landfills. Emissions from waste sent to landfills accounted for approximately 99 DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventories
28 percent of waste emissions and emissions from the use of alternative daily cover (ADC) accounted for less than 1 percent of waste emissions.

Waste emissions result from organic material decomposing in the anaerobic conditions present in a landfill and releasing methane (CH4) – a GHG 28 times more potent than CO2. Organic materials (e.g., paper, plant debris, food waste) generate methane within the anaerobic environment of a landfill while non-organic materials (e.g., metal, glass) do not. Table 4.2 shows the approximate breakdown of the materials East Palo Alto sent to landfills in 2017. Materials that do not release GHGs as they decompose are included in the “Non-organic Material” category.

Table 4.2: Estimated Waste Composition3
Waste Type Waste Share
Non-Organic Material 56.9%
Organic Material 43.10%
Food Scraps 15.5%
Dimensional Lumber 14.5%
Corrugated Containers 4.8%
Officer Paper 1.9%
Grass 1.9%
Leaves 1.9%
Newspaper 1.3%
Magazines/Third Class Mail 0.7%
Branches 0.6%
Wastewater and Water Emissions
Wastewater Treatment Plant emissions are calculated based on the methodologies in the Community GHG Protocol. The wastewater treatment emissions include methane and nitrous oxide, which are considered process and fugitive emissions sources, as well as stationary sources.

The BAAQMD provides a list of stationary source emissions from wastewater treatment plants; these emissions are from stationary combustion sources such as diesel turbines or generators and are added to each plant's emissions total. If the combustion sources are known to be fired by natural gas, they are excluded from this portion of the inventory to avoid double counting, since natural gas combustion sources are included in Energy Emissions section. The use of electricity at wastewater plants is also excluded from this sector to avoid doublecounting, as electricity use is also included in the Energy Emissions section.

In most cases, wastewater treatment plants serve more than one jurisdiction. Thus, emissions from each plant are allocated to the jurisdictions that are served by each plant, using the population of the jurisdictions multiplied by the average emissions per capita of the plants. Reported GHG emissions for all sources are available for some plants but are not available for all plants in San Mateo County. To estimate the wastewater-related emissions for each jurisdiction, the following methodology was used. The average emissions per capita, in metric tons CO2e/person is calculated for the plants for which data are available, and this average-emissions per-capita rate is used to estimate the emissions associated with wastewater treatment for the cities that are served or partially served by those plants. Emissions are estimated by multiplying each jurisdiction's population by the average emissions per capita.

The Community GHG Protocol, includes energy-related emissions associated with water delivery and treatment.

Some of these emissions may occur within the community boundaries; as explained in the Community GHG Protocol, there is risk of some double counting in this emissions sector.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventories
29 Water emissions are based on the total estimated embedded electricity use associated with each jurisdiction's water use. All embedded electricity related to water use is assumed to come from PG&E, since most water is sourced from areas within the PG&E service area. The emissions are calculated using the PG&E emission factor for CO2 and state grid-average emission factors for CH4 and N2O.

Wastewater and water emissions together account for just one percent of total 2017 GHG emissions in East Palo Alto.

Future Emissions
East Palo Alto developed a forecast of future emissions (Figure 4.3) to understand what reduction measures are needed to meet the 2030 goal. The forecast starts from the last year a community inventory was developed, which is 2017 for East Palo Alto.

The forecast illustrates the following:
• “Business-as-usual” (BAU) emissions – This projection represents the emissions expected if the 2017 patterns of travel, energy and water consumption, and waste generation/disposal were continued throughout time. This projection factors in the expected rate of county population and job growth (0.88 percent/year). The 0.88 percent growth rate is used a baseline in all BAU projections between 2016 and 2050, stemming from the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Plan Bay Area 2040 Final Preferred Scenario and Investment Strategy. This growth rate is an average of the projected population growth (0.7 percent per year) and the expected job growth (1.07 percent per year) to occur across San Mateo County. This projection is considered in the absence of any measures, policies, or actions that would reduce emissions over time, including state legislation and/or any other policies or procedures accepted after 2016. Under the BAU scenario, East Palo Alto emissions are projected to increase by 10 percent in 2030 (10,596 MTCO2e) and 25 percent in 2050 (136,462 MTCO2e), relative to 2017. • Adjusted forecast (State measures plus PCE) – This projection incorporates the same factors as the BAU, but also includes key State policies such as clean car standards, renewable portfolio standard, zero net energy building, and organics recycling. It also includes the effect of Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) operating in San Mateo County. Switching from PG&E to PCE in 2017 gave East Palo Alto an initial 55,538 MTCO2e reduction in energy emissions by providing a cleaner fuel mix for energy generation than the State provided. By 2045, the Renewable Portfolio Standard will have closed that gap by forcing all electricity providers to offer a similarly clean mix of energy. Total emissions are projected to decrease 25 percent from 2017 (26,730 MTCO2e) by 2030 due to state measures plus PCE. It is anticipated this will be exceeded with the goal likely to be reached as early as 2025. • CAP reduction measures – This is the reduction necessary to reach the 2030 goal. In this CAP, East Palo Alto is committing to take the actions needed to meet this goal. Those actions are described in Chapter 5, Strategies and Actions.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventories
30 Reductions from State-Level Actions
In addition to City actions outlined below, regulations aimed at reducing GHG emissions at the state and regional levels will also contribute to emissions reductions in East Palo Alto. For example, the California Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) mandates that 100 percent of the electricity sold by the State’s investor-owned utilities be generated from renewable resources by 2045, with an interim goal of 60 percent by 2030. The impact of statelevel actions on reducing local emissions is significant and is shown in relation to East Palo Alto’s emissions baseline, business-as-usual forecast, and reduction goal in Table 4.3.

A summary of the expected emission reductions from state programs is provided in Appendix C.3.

Table 4.3: Total Emission Reductions from State of California Policies and Programs State Initiative Sector % Emissions reduction from
applicable sector in 2030
2030 reduction in East Palo
Alto emissions
(MT CO2e)
Advanced Clean Cars Program On-road
Transportation 27.3% 22,057
Low Carbon Fuel Standards Off-road
Transportation 15.9% 939
Caltrain Electrification Trains N/A N/A
Renewable Portfolio Standard Electricity (Energy) 19.3% 1,202 100% Zero Net Energy New Residential 2020 Residential Energy 4.0% 783 50% Zero Net Energy Existing Commercial
2030
Commercial
Energy 19.9% 1,950
Organic Waste Diversion SB 1383 Disposed Waste -8.3% -200 Total Statewide Initiative Emissions Reductions: 26,730 DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventories
31 East Palo Alto’s Contribution to the Goal
East Palo Alto is committing to a 55 percent reduction in per capita emissions below 2005 levels by 2030.

Through this commitment, East Palo Alto will be doing its part in helping California achieve the statewide goal of a 40 percent reduction below 1990 levels by 2030. The emissions reduction required by 2030 below business-asusual projected emissions, 49,887 MT CO2e, is the equivalent to taking 10,778 passenger vehicles off the road for an entire year (Table 4.4).

Table 4.4: GHG Emissions Projection and Reduction Goal
Emission Type 2005 Emissions
Emissions Goal
by 2030 2030 BAU Emissions Emissions Reductions Required Total Community
Emissions (MT
CO2e)
136,027 69,374 119,261 49,887
Per Capita
Emissions (MT
CO2e/person)

4.62 2.09 3.59 1.50
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
32 5. Strategies and Actions
5 STRATEGIES

AND ACTIONS
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
33 Strategies and Actions
Introduction
This climate action plan (CAP) is a beginning of a journey towards a more sustainable East Palo Alto.In this document, ,East Palo Alto residents will find policies and programs aimed at reducing emissions, conserving energy, and saving residents money. The goal of this CAP is to ensure that East Palo Alto continues to be a beautiful and healthy place to live, work, and play.

By adopting this CAP, East Palo Alto is committing to take action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The programs and policies described give East Palo Alto a viable path towards reducing emissions that, combined with emissions reductions resulting from state and regional policies, will meet the emissions reduction goals established in Senate Bill 32 (SB 32) (see Appendix C.2 for more information).

Each section below outlines the specific actions (also known as “measures”) to reduce GHG emissions in East Palo Alto. Some measures reduce emissions from the community at large, while others may specifically focus on the operations of East Palo Alto. Most measures lead to an estimated reduction in GHG emissions that is quantifiable. Some measures are not quantifiable and are consequently considered “supporting measures” because they support the achievement of related, quantifiable measures.

Assessing Impact
In considering which strategies to select, the City considered the GHG reduction potential, cost, and ease of implementation. Selected strategies and their GHG reduction potential were assessed using the RICAPS Menu of Measures Tool.

In addition to reducing GHG emissions, many actions will result in the following positive outcomes:

Criterion Description
Environmental Health Action increases local environmental quality Public Health Action increases health in the community
Financial Benefit Action has economic benefit for the community (i.e., cost savings)
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
34 Adaptation Action increases community resilience and ability to adapt to climate change impact and disasters
Equity Action incorporates inclusion and social equity
CAP At-A-Glance
Energy and Water Goal EW.1 Reduce energy emissions, through continued participation in Peninsula Clean Energy, energy efficiency programs, and pilot projects
Goal EW.2 Electrify Building Stock, through new and updated policies for green building and investments in infrastructure that supports deployment of renewable electricity to replace natural gas Goal EW.3 Reduce Water Consumption, through rebates and incentives and enforcement of water conservation ordinances
Transportation
Goal T.1 Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled in the Community, by offering public transit alternatives and promoting farmer’s markets
Goal T.2 Decarbonize Transportation, by promoting deployment of electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure
Goal T.3 Increase Walkability and Bikeability, by making streets safer and better able to accommodate active transportation modes
Goal T.4. Increase housing in transit corridors, by pursuing smart growth development Solid Waste
Goal W.1 Increase Diversion of Materials from Landfills, by establishing and enforcing policies that promote organic composting and waste diversion DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
35 Strategies to Get Us There
The goals and actions presented in this CAP will work together towards achieving East Palo Alto’s goal to attain a 55 percent reduction in per capita emissions below 2005 levels by 2030.

Energy and Water
What Are We Talking About?
In California, buildings account for 70 percent of total electricity use4 and 20 percent of total GHG emissions5. See Appendix B.3 for more information on trends in state emissions. In 2017, buildings in the residential and commercial/industrial sectors accounted for 29 percent of total emissions in East Palo Alto with 80 percent of building emissions resulting from natural gas consumption and 20 percent resulting from electricity consumption.

Electricity and Natural Gas
Electricity and natural gas are the most common energy sources used in buildings. Electricity is primarily used in buildings to provide lighting, refrigeration, ventilation, cooling and to power things like computers, phones, and displays. Natural gas is primarily used in buildings to provide space heating, water heating, and for cooking.

In order to reach East Palo Alto’s 2030 emissions reduction target, natural gas consumption will need to decline significantly through a combination of energy efficiency and electrification. Energy efficiency is simply using less energy to perform the same task; for example, replacing a low-efficiency gas furnace with a high-efficiency gas furnace. Electrification is the practice of replacing equipment in buildings that is powered by natural gas, including gas furnaces and gas water heaters, with electric equipment, such as air source heat pumps and heat pump water heaters.

Connection Between Energy and Water Use
Energy and water use are linked. Energy is needed to transport and to treat water, treat wastewater, and heat hot water in homes and businesses across California. Approximately 20 percent of California’s electricity and approximately 30 percent of natural gas used by homes and businesses across the state is dedicated to pumping, treating, and heating water. Figure 5.1 indicates the 10 percent of energy used to transport and treat water; energy used to heat water is distributed among the various customers.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
36 Figure 5.1: Energy (Electricity and Natural Gas) Used by the Water Sector in California6 How Are We Doing?
Over time, emissions associated with each kilowatt-hour of electricity generation in California have continued to decline as the grid relies less on fossil fuel power generation sources, including coal and natural gas, and more on renewable power generation sources, including solar, wind, and hydropower.

In East Palo Alto, natural gas accounted for 80 percent of building emissions in 2017 while electricity accounted for 20 percent of building emissions. Electricity emissions in East Palo Alto have decreased 68 percent since 2010, primarily due to the City’s enrollment in PCE, and natural gas emissions have decreased 5 percent.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
37 Figure 5.2: East Palo Alto 2005–2017 Building Emissions by Fuel Type With the launch of Peninsula Clean Energy, which has a stated goal of all electricity sales being 100 percent GHG-free by 2021, and the State’s requirement through Senate Bill 100 (SB 100) that utilities procure 100 percent of electricity through renewable resources by 2045, the percent of building emissions associated with electricity will continue to decline.

The State of California remains a leader in implementing policies aimed at reducing water consumption. Assembly Bill 1668 (AB 1668) and Senate Bill 606 (SB 606), adopted in 2018, require urban water providers to establish a target for water use by 2022 and threatens fines for agencies failing to meet their goals beginning in 2027.

Standards will be based on an allowance of 55 gallons per person per day for indoor water use, a to-be-determined amount of residential outdoor use, and a standard for water loss due to leak rates in water system pipes.

What Are We Trying to Achieve?
# Goal Target
EW.1 Reduce energy emissions 50 percent reduction compared to 2005 EW.2 Electrify building stock
90 percent of all new buildings constructed to
all-electric standard; existing residential and
office gas equipment is electrified when due for
replacement
EW.3 Reduce water consumption 10 percent of households receive water efficiency upgrades
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
38 Goal EW.1:

Reduce Energy Emissions
# Action Implementation Considerations Co-benefits Timeframe Lead Community Partner
2030
Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
EW.1.1
Participate in
community choice
aggregation
Through Peninsula Clean Energy, the City
will continue to provide greener renewable
electricity to the community and promote
residents and businesses “opting up” to
PCE’s ECO100 (100% renewable) service.

PCE targets 100% renewable by 2025 for
all customers.
2025
Public
Works -
Environmen
tal
Programs
Peninsula
Clean
Energy
(PCE)
2,598
EW.1.2
Promote
commercial
energy efficiency
programs for
existing buildings
Through marketing and outreach, the City
will promote participation in commercial
energy efficiency programs and demand
response programs offered by SMC
Energy Watch and PG&E that result in
15% of non-residential buildings receiving
energy efficiency upgrades. Programs
include PCE and PG&E’s appliance
rebates, 0% financing for energy efficiency
upgrades, and demand response
programs. The City will provide or
encourage commercial energy audits
during annual Clean City Plan inspections.

The City will consider supplementing
existing efficiency incentives and rebates
by seeking grants and/or partnerships that
support this effort.
2023
Public
Works -
Environmen
tal
Programs
San Mateo
County
(SMC)
Energy
Watch
62 CiEW.1
.3
Promote
residential energy
efficiency
programs for
existing buildings
Through marketing and outreach, the City
will promote participation in residential
energy efficiency programs that result in
5% of residential buildings receiving
energy efficiency retrofits. Programs
include BayREN’s Home Upgrade
program and PG&E’s efficient appliance
rebates. The City will provide or encourage
residential energy audits. The City will
consider supplementing existing efficiency
incentives and rebates and seek grant
partnerships such as Climate Resilient
Communities and Grid Alternatives to
further this effort.
2023
Public
Works -
Environmen
tal
programs
Bay Area
Regional
Network
110
How Do We Get There?
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
39 # Action Implementation Considerations Co-benefits Timeframe Lead Community Partner
2030
Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
EW.1.4
Implement
programs for free
or subsidized
shade trees
The City will continue to implement a
program to reduce energy consumption
associated with cooling homes through the
provision of free or subsidized shade trees
for buildings with eastern, western or
southern exposures, with consideration of
future interest in solar installations and
shading potential. The City is currently
implementing this program with Canopy
contract and CALFIRE grants. Full
implementation would result in 5% of all
households receiving shade trees.

Consider expanded large tree planting
near high traffic corridors including
highway 101 and University Avenue to
buffer from air quality impacts from
traffic.This contract is valid for 2 years
beginning in 2022, with the possibility of
extension.
2022
and
beyond
Public
Works -
Environmen
tal
Programs
Canopy,
CALFIRE 4
EW.1.5
Promote
opportunities for
microgrid
demonstration
projects
The City has started work with
stakeholders, such as local healthcare
facilities, police station, fire department
and other critical facilities, to identify
potential sites for a microgrid
demonstration project. The City will
continue to provide education and
outreach to these stakeholders on the
multiple benefits of developing a microgrid,
including continuity of service in
emergencies, reliability, cleaner energy
and cost savings.

Successful implementation of this measure
would result in 1 microgrid project every 2
years.
2025
Public
Works -
Environmen
tal
Programs
Menlo Park
Fire
Protection
District
357
EW.1.6
Encourage
pairing battery
storage with all
solar PV systems
The City will provide education and
outreach to stakeholders, including
businesses, residents and contractors, on
the benefits of pairing battery storage with
solar PV systems.
2023
Public
Works -
Environmen
tal
Programs
GRID
Alternatives,
Rebuilding
Together,
Climate
Resilient
Communitie
s (CRC)
619
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
40 # Action Implementation Considerations Co-benefits Timeframe Lead Community Partner
2030
Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
EW.1.7
Policy to prohibit
gas powered
lawn equipment
engine exhaust,
all leaf blowers,
and wood/
charcoal burning
devices on
Spare-the- Air
Days
California will ban “small off-road engines”
(SORE) primarily used in gas-powered
lawn equipment, such as leaf blowers and
lawnmowers, in a law signed by Governor
Gavin Newsom, Nov. 2021. The bill, AB
1346, directs California's Air Resources
Board to draw up regulations that will go
into place by 2024. Approximately 20 cities
have banned leaf blowers, outright.

This local policy intends to restrict the use
of those most hazardous noxious
emissions and fine particulate matter for
the protection of those who may
experience respiratory issues on Sparethe-Air days. This policy can serve to bring public awareness regarding such
emissions. The City will encourage usage
of buy-back programs for SORE offered by
county, state, or community organizations,
as well as inform residents of rebates or
incentives offered by CARB to meet goals
outlined in AB 1346.
2024
Public
Works -
Environmen
tal
Programs
San Mateo
County
Public
Health
Supportive
EW.1.8
Participate in
incentive
programs through
Commute.org
Promote bicycle and carpool incentive
programs through Commute.org providing
rewards for commuting via bicycle and/or
carpool with incentives according to
availability.
2024
Public
Works -
Environmen
tal
Programs
Commute.or
g
Supportive
EW.1.9
Support
partnerships that
bring awareness
to air quality
monitoring
Stanford study with Acterra/CRC on indoor
air pollution began with a pilot of 30
families in February 2022, and will expand
to 420 families, with 100 indoor air quality
monitors distributed to individual
households, with personal monitors,
weather stripping, sleep monitors and air
purifiers as supportive solutions.
2022
Public
Works -
Environmen
tal
Programs
Stanford,
Acterra/
CRC,
Nuestra
Casa, El
Comitte
Supportive
EW.1.1
0 Install energy
efficient
streetlighting
City replaces street lighting – including
signal, park and parking lots – with
efficient LED lighting.

Comple
ted 2
EW.1.1
1 Participate in
community choice
aggregation
(Municipal
facilities)
Through Peninsula Clean Energy, the City
will continue to provide greener renewable
electricity to municipal facilities. The City
will also "opt up" to ECO100 service in all
municipal facilities.

Comple
ted 26
EW.1 Sub-total (MT CO2e) 3,779
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
41 Goal EW.2: Electrify Building Stock
# Action Implementation Considerations Co-benefits Timeframe Lead Community Partner
Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
EW.2.1
Expand allelectric
building
policy
The City has updated its building code to
mandate that new residential and commercial
construction projects be built to an all-electric
standard, including electric heating, cooling, and
water heatinge, resulting in a minimum of 50% of
residential and commercial choosing all-electric
path. After the 2023 code cycle, the City plans to
remove exemption for accessory dwelling units
from the existing electrification reach code to
maximize GHG emissions reductions from this
action and ensure low-income residents receive
the benefits of the action.
2023-
2025 CED PCE 2,362
EW.2.2
Develop an
existing
building
electrification
strategy
(EBES) to
aid in
development
of an existing
building
electrification
ordinance for
residential
and office
buildings
The EBES should:

1. Include a detailed existing building analysis to
understand current natural gas end uses and
scenarios to electrify

2.Include an electrification costs analysis that
explores the up-front costs of electrification as
well as ongoing energy costs for the end user
(homeowners, landlords, renters, office building
owners) after electrification

3.Consider impacts to renters, renter/landlord
dynamics

4.Identify potential impacts to electrical grid
resiliency

5.Identify and develop protections against
potential equity concerns/impacts of electrification

6.Identify funding and financing opportunities for
residential electrification

7.Identify the City staff resources needed to
enforce a new electrification ordinance
2023-
2024
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Progra
ms
PCE; SMC Supportive
EW.2.3
Develop
partnerships
for EBES
development
Identify and partner with local community-based
organizations with connections to low-income and
fixed income people, communities of color,
elders, disabled individuals with access needs to
assist in development of the EBES.
2023-
2024
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Progra
ms
Nuestra
Casa, YUCA,
El Concilio,
Samaritan
House South
Supportive
e Assumes “No new gas” policy
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
42 # Action Implementation Considerations Co-benefits Timeframe Lead Community Partner
Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
EW.2.4
Conduct
community
engagement
for the EBES
Conduct engagement efforts for the general
public and targeted to low-income people, fixedincome residents, and communities of color during development of the EBES to understand
the community's concerns around electrification.
2023-
2024
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Progra
ms
Nuestra
Casa, YUCA,
El Concilio,
Samaritan
House South
Supportive
EW.2.5
Adopt an
electrification
ordinance for
existing
residential
and
commercial
buildings
Coordinate with BAAQMD proceeding on rules 9-
4 and 9-6. Ban expansion of gas infrastructure
and require replacement of HVAC systems, hot
water heaters, and other appliances in residential
and small office buildings to be all-electric at time
of replacement and major renovation. Implement
the ordinance through the building permit
process. The City will leverage incentives
provided by PCE to encourage residential and
office buildings to upgrade electric panels to
accommodate all-electric technologies including
solar PV, battery storage, air source heat pumps,
heat pump water heaters, electric dryers, electric
stoves and EV chargersf.
2027
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Progra
ms
PCE,
BAAQMD 7,238
EW.2.6
Define equity
metrics for
existing
building
electrification
ordinance
enforcement
Define equity metrics for ordinance enforcement
based on feedback from low-income and fixedincome residents, and communities of color and structure the ordinance to meet these metrics.

Equity metrics should be designed to prevent
displacement and ensure that end-user energy
costs for low-income populations will not be
greater after electrification than before. Seek
funding through PCE for community outreach.
2024-
2025
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Progra
ms
CRC; PCE;
YUCA Supportive
EW.2.7
Develop
partnerships
to fund
existing
building
electrification
Seek out funding partnerships with local
financiers and work with partners such as PCE
and BayREN to fund a program specifically for
decarbonization retrofits, such as a local turnkey
retrofit program that leverages existing funding,
which offers low-cost financing of electrification
and energy efficiency retrofits for residents and
local businesses.
2022-
2024
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Progra
ms
PCE,
BayREN;
Rebuilding
Together;
GRID
Alternatives,
Etc
Supportive
f Assumes 40 percent of commercial buildings are office space DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
43 # Action Implementation Considerations Co-benefits Timeframe Lead Community Partner
Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
EW.2.8
Develop a
temporary
staff position
to support
existing
building
electrification
Create a new staff position dedicated to
understanding, streamlining, and expanding
energy and electrification turnkey, rebate, and
financing programs (e.g., PACE and utilityoffered incentive programs). Staff would also be responsible for supporting residents with rebate
applications, with a focus on low-income
residents.
2024-
2026
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Progra
ms
PCE Supportive
EW.2.9
Establish a
building
performance
standards
program for
multifamily
and
commercial
building
Develop and implement a building performance
standards program by 2025 for multifamily and
commercial buildings such as in Boston, New
York City, and/or Denver. Introduce annual
energy auditing and reporting requirements,
energy efficiency retrofits, and finally
electrification retrofits over time. Leverage and
publicize resources available through BayREN
and PCE to support the program. This could be
implemented through a partner such as PCE.
2025
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Progra
ms and
CEDD

RICAPS,
BayREN Supportive
EW.2.10
Partner with
PG&E on
infrastructure
pruning
Work with PG&E to identify opportunities for
natural gas infrastructure pruning to reduce the
chance of stranded assets (functional natural
gas infrastructure with ongoing maintenance
costs that has become obsolete due to
electrification)
2023
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Progra
ms
PCE Supportive
EW.2.11
Expand
partnerships
that bring
awareness to
air quality
monitoring
and appliance
replacement
or substitution
Consider potential grants to expand the Stanford
study (EW.1.9) extensive supportive solutions
such as providing air quality monitors and 50
induction stoves for replacement/ substitution in
rental homes with gas appliances to reduce
reliance on gas appliances and provide
alternative solutions with co-benefits of
improved indoor air quality.
2022
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Progra
ms
Stanford,
CRC,
Nuestra
Casa, El
Comitte’
Supportive
EW.2 Sub-total (MT CO2e) 9,600
Want to Electrify Your Home? Plan Ahead
Converting your existing home to all-electric would be an expensive proposition if you did it all at once. That’s why it’s something you should do as natural opportunities arise, such as when appliances like your furnace and hot water heater need to be replaced. When they’re near the end of their life, do some homework so you’re prepared to switch to an electric model when the time comes, and take advantage of electrification incentives from BayREN
(http://www.bayrenresidential.org/). Meanwhile, consider upgrading your electric panel to get ready. You can also opt up to Peninsula Clean Energy’s Eco100 rate. For as little as $4 more per month, you’ll be supporting 100 percent renewable electricity.

Goal EW.3: Reduce Water Consumption
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
44 # Action Implementation
Considerations Co-benefits Time-frame Lead Community Partner Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
EW.3.1
Partner and
promote water
efficiency programs
with local non-profit
entities. Promote
existing residential
water conservation
rebates and
services
The City will promote BAWSCA or Cal
Water residential water conservation
rebate programs that offer rebates for
items including high efficiency washing
machines and toilets, rain barrels,
sprinkler nozzles, irrigation controls and
Lawn Be Gone (drought tolerant
landscapes). The City will consider
supplementing existing rebates and
services.

Successful implementation of this
measure would result in 10 percent of
households receiving water efficiency
upgrades. Partner with Climate Resilient
Communities in partnership with
Grassroots Ecology, for landscape
efficiency upgrades, cisterns and low
water use landscaping to reduce
landscaping irrigation demands. Pilot will
Install 25 raingardens with cisterns as
demonstration sites at low-income
households. Seek further opportunities to
expand programs to reach additional
households with these and other
partners.
2023-2025
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Progra
ms
CRC,
Grassroots
Ecology,
BayRen, SSV
86 EW.3.2
Develop initiative to
ensure enforcement
of Water Efficient
Landscape
Ordinance
The State Department of Water
Resources requires cities in California to
enforce a Water Efficient Landscape
Ordinance or local ordinance that is at
least as effective as the State’s model
ordinance. Provide enforcement and
issues fines to ensure compliance with
ordinance.

Water efficient landscaping policies are
already in place and required on any new
project that requires a permit in the City.

Successful implementation of this
measure would result be a 90 percent
household compliance rate.
2022

COMPLET
ED
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Progra
ms.,
Engine
ering,
Buildin
g
Depart
ment
Plannin
g
Veolia Water 16
EW.3 Sub-total (MT CO2e) 102
Energy and Water Total (MT CO2e) 13,742
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
45 EW.4 Protect low-income residents from extreme heat
# Action Co-benefits Time-frame Lead Community
Partner
Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
EW.4.
1 Conduct an extreme heat study to understand the
potential future impacts of extreme heat on local underserved communities and identify opportunities for extreme heat mitigation in those areas.
2024-
2025
Public
Works -
Environment
al Programs
CRC,
YUCA,
Stanford
Supportive
EW.4.
2 Work with local community-based organizations to
identify and understand the application process
associated with funding and financing opportunities for converting residential furnaces and air conditioners to heat pumps in low-income housing.
2024
Public
Works -
Environment
al Programs,
with consult
by CED
PCE,

SMC, EPA
CanDo,
Eden
Housing,
MidPenn,
etc
Supportive
EW.4.
3 Work with local community-based organizations to
educate local low-income communities about the
dangers of extreme heat, and opportunities for
retrofitting their homes with heat pumps and improving
insulation as ways to avoid the most dangerous
impacts of extreme heat.
2024
Public
Works -
Environment
al Programs
CRC,
YUCA,
Nuestra
Casa,
GRID
Alternative
s,
Rebuilding
Together,
Habitat for
Humanity
Supportive
Dry Up Household Water Waste
Did you know that the energy use related to water — transporting, cleaning, and heating it — consumes 19 percent of California's electricity and 30 percent of its natural gas every year? We’ve all learned the importance of taking shorter showers, and installing lowflow shower heads, low-flow aerators on faucets, and low-flush toilets to save water. But don’t forget outside, too, since half of California’s residential water use goes toward landscaping7 and half of all water wasted in the United States is due to poorly managed and maintained irrigation systems.8 ReScape California (https://rescapeca.org/) is a nonprofit that provides resources for selecting low-water plants, conserving water, and fostering soil health.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
46 Transportation and Land Use
What Are We Talking About?
In California, 41 percent of total GHG emissions stem from transportation. The vast majority of transportation emissions are from on-road vehicles, the cars and trucks that move people and goods through the state. In East Palo Alto, 74 percent of emissions come from transportation sector. Travel on local roads represent 24 percent of total transportation emissions, while travel on state highways make up 69 percent. Off-road emissions (from residential uses) account for the remaining 2 percent of transportation emissions.

Carbon Intensity of Fuels, Vehicle Efficiency, and Vehicle Miles Travelled Reducing emissions from the transportation sector requires addressing three constituent components: 1) reducing the carbon intensity of fuels, 2) increasing vehicle efficiency, and 3) reducing vehicle miles travelled (VMT). The two main fuels, gasoline and diesel, used to power vehicles across the state, have a very high carbon intensity.

Transitioning to lower carbon intensity fuels, especially electricity, is key to reducing emissions in the transportation sector. Similar to electrification of fossil fuel equipment in buildings, as the electricity grid continues to rely more heavily on renewable energy sources for electricity generation, the emissions reduction potential of replacing gasoline and diesel vehicles with electric vehicles continues to increase.

The Challenges of Reducing VMT and Associated Co-benefits Fully understanding the factors that lead to increased VMT is challenging, but the contributors include the following: economic growth, lack of affordable housing near urban cores, urban sprawl, lack of viable public transportation options, cheap gasoline, and streets that discourage pedestrian or bicycle access.

The benefits of integrated planning and sustainable development go far beyond simply reducing the GHG emissions that contribute to climate change and its damaging effects. Communities that are well designed provide housing options for all income and age groups and enable community members to use a range of transportation options that reduce congestion, improve air quality, and increase economic development.

How Are We Doing?
As of 2019, electric vehicles made up 7.8 percent of total new car sales in California.9 Efficiency of gasoline and diesel vehicles, in terms of miles per gallon (MPG), continues to increase. For model year 2017, the average fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the United States reached 24.9 MPG – a record high.10 However, addressing the third component, reducing VMT, is considerably more difficult than the previous two. Californians have driven more and more miles per year over the past five decades. Figure 5.3 demonstrates the growth in VMT within East Palo Alto between 2005 and 2017.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
47 Figure 5.3: East Palo Alto 2005–2017 Total Vehicle Miles Traveled What Are We Trying to Achieve?
# Goal Target
T.1 Reduce vehicle miles traveled in the
community
Reduce VMT by 0.8 percent compared to BAU
by 2030
T.2 Decarbonize transportation
Increase EV ownership and EV charging
stations so EV passenger cars make up 6
percent of total vehicle VMT
T.3 Increase walkability and bike ability 6 miles of bike lanes and bike parking provided in over 50 percent of non-residential locations
T.4 Increase housing in transit corridors

43.1-86 units/ acre or 150 to 300 persons/
acre. Maximum height 7 stories and 75 feet.

Up to 2.5 FAR with increases allowed to
permitted density/intensity and height for
projects that provide income-restricted
affordable housing targeted to the income
levels of current residents and in excess of
requirements in current regulations.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
48 How Do We Get There?
Goal T.1: Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled in the Community # Action Implementation Considerations Co-benefits Timeframe Lead Community Partner
2030 Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
T1.1
Support the
establishment or
expansion of local
shuttle service
The City will encourage establishment of a
local shuttle service. The City work with
partners to apply for grant funding from
C/CAG and work with the County
Transportation Authority (Alliance) to fund
local shuttles, as applicable.

Successful implementation would expand
the City’s transit network coverage by 50%.

This action is being considered on a
regional basis with the City's transportation
consultants and future developers.
2026
Public
Works,
CEDD

SAMTRAN
S/ Alliance/
C/CAG
258
T1.2
Encourage and
incentivize e-bike
and e-car sharing
companies to
operate in the City
The City will develop policies and incentives
that attract e-bike and e-car sharing
companies to establish or expand service in
the City, ensuring that there is an e-bike
and e-car sharing program in place in 2030.

Focus on placing hubs near neighborhood
entry points.
2030 Public
Works
C/CAG/
SAN
Mateo
County
217
T1.3a
Enhance
infrastructure to
promote shared
electric bikes and
scooters
Modify existing city infrastructure to
accommodate shared electric bikes and
scooters that provide last-mile solutions to
residents and commuters. Infrastructure
enhancements including dedicated offstreet parking spaces and on-street corrals to accommodate shared electric bike and
scooter parking and prevent conflicts with
pedestrians.
2023-
2030
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Program
s
SMC 385
T1.3b
Enhance City
policies to promote
shared electric bikes
and scooters
Modify existing city policies to specifically
accommodate shared electric bikes and
scooters to utilize public infrastructure.
2023-
2025
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Program
s
SMC
RICAPS Supportive
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
49 # Action Implementation Considerations Co-benefits Timeframe Lead Community Partner
2030 Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
T1.4
Expand programs
that provide bicycles
at free or reduced
costs to residents,
with bicycle safety
training
The City will support programs, such as the
Live in Peace Bike Shop Program,
supporting bicycle repair, community bike
rides, bike rodeos, bike clubs and bike
racing team, giving away more bicycles and
training additional residents to be certified in
bike mechanics, along with program
expansion to expand residents access to
bicycles in the community and supporting
schools to reduce ICE trips.
2023
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Program
s
LIP,
C/CAG/
SAN
Mateo
County,
RCSD
Supportive
T1.5 Free public transit
program
Expand free public transit Clipper Card pilot
program that provides free public transit to
students, foster youth, and unhoused youth
in East Palo Alto.
2024-
2025
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Program
s, CEDD
El Concilio,
Samaritan
House
South,
SamTrans,
etc
Supportive
T1.6
Adopt ordinance to
require employers to
develop TDM plans
Adopt ordinance to require medium to
large-sized employers (25 employees or
more) to develop a Transportation Demand
Management (TDM) Plan. TDM plans
should include subsidies for employees to
bike, walk, or carpool, and provide free
transit passes for all employees
2022
COMPL
ETED
Public
Works,
CEDD
Developer
s
Supportive
T1.7
Encourage free
micro-mobility in new
multi-family
development
Encourage new multi-family development
projects to install a car share, bike share, or
scooter share for residents to use freely as
a part of their comprehensive TDM Plan.

The TDM Plan shall be required for all new
development that meets the threshold in the
City’s TDM Ordinance. The City has hired a
TDM coordinator that will begin enforcing
the program.
2024
Public
Works,
CEDD
Developer
s
Supportive
T1.8 Free e-bike pilot
Pilot a program to provide free or reducedprice access to e-bikes or other micro mobility options to low-income residents
and students.
2024-
2027
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Program
s
PCE, El
Concilio,
Samaritan
House
South,
SamTrans,
etc
Supportive
T.1 Sub-total (MT CO2e) 860
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
50 Goal T.2: Decarbonize Transportation
i Assumes the fee per mile ICE TNC trip is $0.80
#
Action Implementation
Considerations Co-benefits Time-frame Lead Community Partner 2030 Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
T2.1
Increase electric
vehicle
ownership
The City will establish an overarching
community target for adoption rate of
electric vehicles that results in 6% of all
community VMT from electric vehicles.

The City can encourage use of the State
Cash for Clunkers program & PCE rebates
for new/used EV purchasing.
2022-2030
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Program
s

CRC, PCE,
Grid
Alternatives,
Rebuilding
Together
11 T2.2
Encourage
expansion of EV
charging
infrastructure
through
incentives and
partnerships
Leverage incentives from PCE and
develop public and private partnerships to
fund expanding charging infrastructure in
existing public properties, multi-unit
dwellings (20%) and workplaces (10%).

Goal: 100 publicly accessible Level 2 and
3 EV charging stations by 2030. All
publicly accessible charging stations
should be accessible to City residents.
2030
Public
Works -
Environ
mental
Program
s, CEDD
PCE 4,129
T2.3
Survey EV
charging
network
Conduct a survey of existing publicly
accessible electric vehicle chargers and
their locations and identify a prioritized list
of locations for new electric vehicle
charging stations with particular
consideration for equitable distribution of
chargers to residents of multi-family
homes, low-income people, people on a
fixed income, and communities of color.
2024
Public
Works,
Dept.

Environ
mental
Program
s
PCE Supportive
T2.4
Establish
commercial and
residential EV
charging
ordinance
Update residential and commercial
building code to increase the mandated
percentage of EV parking spaces.

Adopt the current Title 24 CalGreen Tier 2
EV Charging Requirements.

Reach
Code
adopted in
2020 (new
buildings)
Commu
nity and
Economi
c
Develop
ment
Departm
ent -
Building
Division
PCE 1,090
T2.5
Develop policies
to encourage the
use of EV TNCs
in the
community
Create a program that will utilize funds TBD
Public
Works
and
Transpor
tation
Departm
PCE,
commute.or
g
1,177i
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
51 g
Internal combustion engine vehicle. ICE vehicles are usually powered by fuels such as gasoline or diesel. h Transportation network company. Lyft and Uber are two examples. generated by fees on ICEg TNChrides to
provide discounts on EV TNC rides.

Provide designated drop-off ADA
accessible locations and charging
locations for EV TNCs to facilitate EV
adoption. Include in Capital Improvement
Plan; Implementation of EV Charging.
ent
T2.6 Advocate for EV
car share
Support electric vehicle (EV) car share
companies in coming to East Palo Alto;
collaborate with neighboring jurisdictions
and the County to do the same to create a
larger connected network of EV car share.
2023
Public
Works
and
Transpor
tation
Departm
ent
PCE Supportive
T2.7
Pursue EV car
share for priority
housing
Pursue affordable, electric vehicle (EV) car
share to serve affordable housing and/or
multifamily developments with a priority to
target low-income, fixed-income, renters,
residents in multi-unit housing, and
communities of color.
2023
Public
Works
and
Transpor
tation
Departm
ent
Supportive
T2.8
Review and
improve local EV
adoption rates
Review electric vehicle (EV) adoption rates
based on demographics of East Palo Alto
to identify ways to improve EV adoption
(e.g., renters, low-income communities,
communities of color). Based on the
results, conduct targeted outreach to
groups to identify barriers and concerns of
potential EV drivers. Work with
community-based organizations to target
outreach and program planning to reduce
barriers for EV adoption among groups
with low participation rates.
2023-2025
Public
Works
and
Transpor
tation
Departm
ent
Supportive
T2.9
EV education for
priority
communities
Review electric vehicle (EV) adoption rates
based on demographics of East Palo Alto
to identify ways to improve EV adoption
(e.g., renters, low-income communities,
communities of color). Based on the
results, conduct targeted outreach to
groups to identify barriers and concerns of
potential EV drivers. Work with
community-based organizations to target
outreach and program planning to reduce
barriers for EV adoption among groups
with low participation rates.
2023-2030
Public
Works
and
Transpor
tation
Departm
ent
PCE Supportive
T2.10 EV on-bill
financing
Work with PCE and PG&E to incentivize
electric vehicle charger installations
through on-bill financing.
2023-2030
Public
Works
Departm
ent,
Environ
PCE, PG&E Supportive
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
52 mental
Program
s
T2.11 Commercial EV
incentives
Identify and implement incentives for
commercial fleet electrification. This could
include local tax breaks.
2023-2030
Public
Works
Departm
ent,
Environ
mental
Program
s
Supportive
T.2 Sub-total (MTCO2e) 6,406
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
53 Goal T.3: Increase Walkability and Bikeability
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
54 # Action Implementation Considerations Co-benefits Timeframe Lead Community Partner
Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
T3.1
Develop
walkable
and
bikeable
street
landscape
locations
Modify landscaping to make walking and biking more
desirable. Include a green slow safe street network
where feasible.

Install bike lanes, bike parking, traffic calming
measures, along 100% of all new or significantly
updated major arterial, arterial, and collector roadways, when roadway widths accommodate plant with native
and habitat-friendly tree canopy/ shade cover,
whenever feasible, etc.j
Actions are included in, and will be implemented
through, the Green Infrastructure Plan and the Bicycle
Master Plan.

Ongoing Public
Works
Private
Developm
ent
Live in
Peace
1,099
T3.2
Establish
parking
policies
that
encourage
public
transit,
biking, and
walking
The incoming Sustainability Coordinator will survey
current City parking policies and draft a plan to
implement new parking policies including metered
parkingkreducing parking requirements for new
development to encourage alternative forms of transit,
and "unbundling" sales/leases of parking space from
building space to increase use of public transit, biking, and walking.
2026
Public
Works,
CEDD -
Planning
MFD
owners 1,494
T3.3
Support
Safe
Routes to
School
Program
Support the City's Safe Route to Schools program by
investing in enhancing bike trails and safe pedestrian
routes to local schools.l Promote the program through
collaboration with schools, hosting of events and
outreach to increase volunteer participation.

Action will be implemented through the Bicycle Master
Plan.

Ongoing
Public
Works,
Commu
nity
Services
Live in
Peace,
Safe
Routes to
School,
Silicon
Valley
Bicycle
Coalition,
Ravenswo
od City
School
District
30 T3.4
Equitable
bicycle and
pedestrian
network
Plan for equitable access to safe bicycle and
pedestrian infrastructure in all areas of the city.

Prioritize bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects in low-income communities and areas in the city with
less existing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure,
especially sidewalks.
2023-
2030
Public
Works -
Engineer
ing
Supportive
T3.5
Bike
parking
improveme
nts
Improve the bike/e-bike parking network to reduce theft and increase rider attraction. This would include
surveying existing bike parking facilities throughout the city and developing a plan to improve these with
preference given to improving bike/e-bike parking
facilities near public transit stops to improve and
expand access to transit (i.e., first- and last-mile
access)
2023-
2025
Public
Works -
Engineer
ing
Supportive
T.3 Sub-total (MT CO2e) 2,623
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
55 What Would It Be Like?
Many of us drive our cars for short trips. We drive three blocks to work out at the local gym, we drop off our teenager at a friend’s house in the neighborhood, or we move our car to park near the entrance of the next store on our list of errands. Some short car trips are necessary; for example, health and mobility issues might limit our ability to walk. Other times, driving is convenient: when we’re in a hurry, if it’s cold or raining, or if we have a lot of groceries to carry. However, some short car trips might be easily made by foot or bike. What if we all chose to walk or bike for just half of our car trips of under a mile?
If we all chose to power half of these short trips with our feet instead of petroleum, assuming an average fuel economy of 22 mpg and an average fuel price of $2.50/gallon, we would save about $575 million in fuel costs and about 2 million metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. That’s like taking approximately 400,000 cars off the road each year. The total financial savings are even bigger — almost $900 million dollars — when you include savings on maintenance and tire replacement.11 j Assumes calming measures and bike parking in place and 12 miles of bike lanes per City’s 2017 bike master plan k
Including a 25 percent increase in on-street parking and $25 monthly parking fee l Assumes roundtrip distance from residential to school is 2 miles DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
56 Goal T.4: Increase Housing in Transit Corridors
# Action Implementation
Considerations Co-benefits Time-frame Lead Community Partner Emissions Reduction
(MT CO2e)
T4.1
Establish and
implement smart
growth development
policy
Continue to
enforce and
pursue the City’s
smart growth
policy, outlined
in the City
General Plan.

Smart Growth
prioritizes infill,
higher density,
transportationoriented
development
and mixed-use
development.

This policy leads
to walkable
neighborhoods
that do not rely
on personal
automobiles as a
primary mode of
transit.
2022
Communi
ty and
Economic
Develop
ment
Departme
nt
Developers 15
T.4 Sub-total (MT CO2e) 15
Transportation and Land Use Total (MT CO2e) 9,904
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Strategies and Actions
57 Solid Waste
What Are We Talking About?
In California, 2 percent of total GHG emissions are generated from the disposal of waste. While it may not be immediately obvious, reducing the amount of waste deposited into the landfill through material reuse, reduction, and recycling is an important strategy East Palo Alto residents can take to reduce GHG emissions.

When organic material, including food and wood products, are sent to landfills they release methane as they slowly decay over time. While some landfills capture as much methane as possible and combust it for electricity generation, many landfills leak or “flame” methane, a potent GHG, directly into the atmosphere.

How Are We Doing?
Although composting programs have begun to decrease the amount of organic material sent to landfills, organic material still accounts for 37.4 percent of all materials sent to landfills in California. Because organic materials sent to landfills release methane directly into the atmosphere, increasing the percentage of organic materials that are sent to dedicated composting facilities is critical to reducing emissions in the waste sector.

What Are We Trying to Achieve?
# Goal Target
W.1 Increase diversion of materials from landfills Achieve 85% diversion rate by 2030 How Do We Get There?
Goal W.1: Increase Diversion of Materials from Landfills # Action Implementation Considerations Co-benefits Timeframe Lead Community Partner
2030 Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
W1.1 Achieve a higher
waste diversion rate
Achieve 85% diversion rate by
establishing mandatory residential
organics recycling ordinance,
ensuring enforcement of State’s
Mandatory Commercial Organics
Recycling Ordinance, and establishing
sustainable vendor policy for public
events. May need to institute penalties
for non-compliance.
2030
Public
Works -
Environm
ental
Programs
CalRecycl
e Recology
ReThink
Waste
27 Solid Waste Total (MT CO2e) 27
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Implementation
58 6. Implementation
6 IMPLEMENTATION
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Implementation
59 Implementation
The preceding chapters describe the principal sources of East Palo Alto’s GHG emissions and related goals and actions for achieving the community’s goal of reducing per capita emissions 55 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. This section outlines the main components of the process for putting this CAP into action and identifies specific actions from earlier sections that are recommended for implementation (Table 6.1).

By the Numbers: Meeting the Emissions Goal
Table 6.1: Meeting the 2030 Emissions Goal
State Initiative Sector Impacted 2030 BAU Emissions in
Sector (MT CO2e)
% Reduction from
2030 BAU in Sector
Reduction in City’s
Emissions by 2030
(MT CO2e)
Reduction in City’s Per
Capita Emissions by 2030
(MT CO2e/person)
Advanced Clean
Cars Program Transportation 80,656 27.3% 22,057 0.66
Low Carbon Fuel
Standard Transportation 5,903 15.9% 939 0.03
Renewable
Portfolio
Standard
Electricity (Energy) 6,240 19.3% 1,202 0.04
ZNE 100% New
Residential
Construction by
2020
Residential Energy 19,442 4.0% 783 0.02
ZNE 50%
Existing
Commercial
Construction by
2030
Non-Residential
Energy 9,806 19.9% 1,950 0.06
Organic Waste
Diversion SB
1383
Disposed Waste 2,403 -8.3% -200 -0.01
A. Total Expected Statewide Initiative Emissions Reductions 26,730 0.81 B. Total Expected East Palo Alto’s Climate Action Plan Reductions Measures 23,412 0.71 Energy and Water Emissions Reduction 13,742 0.41
Transportation Emissions Reduction 9,904 0.30
Solid Waste Emissions Reduction 27 <0.01
C. Total Expected Emissions Reductions by 2030 (A+B) 50,142 1.52 D. East Palo Alto’s Emissions Reduction Requirement for 2030 49,887 1.50 G. Meets/exceeds CAP goals? (F > E) YES YES
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Implementation
60 Getting It Done: Managing the Strategy
Support will be needed to direct the implementation of the CAP measures. This section details how the city will organize itself to put this CAP into action.
• Expand Environmental Programs – The City will expand staffing capacity of the Environmental Programs, to include dedicated responsibility for implementation of this CAP as 0.50 full time equivalent position for CAP-related business.
• Establish a Climate Action Task Force (CATF) – Create an environmental/sustainability committee to provide input for the implementation of the Climate Action Plan, Clean City Plan, Green Infrastructure Plan, and Sea Level Rise, along with related vulnerability issues. Potential to utilize the Community Climate Change Team which has been involved in these efforts for multiple years. Other avenues include expansion of the Public Works and Transportation Committee (i.e. update jurisdiction to Public Works, Transportation and Sustainability) to provide and expanded purview to include these matters pertaining to sustainability.
• Roles and Responsibilities—The responsibilities of the efforts regarding environmental sustainability practices and climate action require direct action to implement. Reviewing projects in a comprehensive manner to ensure all aspects are implemented into future developments, new city streets, and updated and new parks.

Better Together
Meaningful climate planning and action is grounded in the needs and priorities of community residents and stakeholders. COVID-19 has brought about significant changes to our daily lives and work and shifted individual focus. From paying rent and taking care of families to managing health care and other urgent priorities, community members have little time to focus on climate planning. Nevertheless, it remains critical to continue engaging with the public to ensure their input informs decisions that will impact our community for years to come.

The City of East Palo Alto partnered with the Institute for Local Government (ILG) to carry out public participation approach to engage a community grappling with economic hardship and health crisis. Comprised of city staff with minimal bandwidth to co-lead this engagement and ILG staff, the project team implemented the approach over a short timeline and with a small budget provided through ILG’s in-kind services.

Public engagement methods included a combination of online surveying, phone interviews with key stakeholders, ongoing dialogue with the Community Climate Change Team (CCCT) and other community leaders, an analysis of community input from recent planning efforts and surveys related to sustainability, clean mobility, energy, health, equity and more. Specifically, ILG and city staff team looked at the community data from the CCCT, a local group of diverse stakeholders and residents engaged in the community vulnerability and adaptive capacity project a year prior. A one-year-old Climate Planning Survey conducted by Stanford University and the city’s mobility study survey further identified community climate planning preferences, needs and opportunities.

This effort builds upon the extensive public engagement that was conducted for the city’s 2011 Climate Action Plan. To better understand the current priorities of our community in this dynamic environment and to fill gaps in data needed to inform CAP strategies and programs further, the project team worked with community-based organizations (CBOs) and partners to design the questions and ensure the language was user friendly for a wide diversity of community members. The online survey was made available on the East Palo Alto website, WhatsApp, Facebook in English and Spanish. City and school district newsletters expanded the survey’s reach.

The survey asked participants questions about climate action programs and projects around transportation, energy, waste, healthy locally sourced foods, clean air and more.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Implementation
61 During a time in which not all could prioritize participation, targeted interviews with community leaders and stakeholders helped make engagement more inclusive. The interviews provided another opportunity to add to existing community data to better understand diverse community values and climate planning opportunities.

Serving as a neutral third-party nonprofit, ILG conducted a series of phone interviews with • education sector representatives,
• business sector representatives,
• residents working and living in the city of East Palo Alto, • faith leaders,
• CBOs leaders that serve a diverse East Palo Alto population, • public works and planning commissioners,
• regional stakeholders, including the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability.

As part of the ongoing dialogue and collaboration, the project team stayed committed to process transparency while acknowledging engagement and timing challenges. Part of this commitment was to have continuing conversations with a small group of community leaders and stakeholders, including CCCT, Acterra and Nuestra Casa, share preliminary rough drafts and ask for specific suggestions.

The project team thanks participants for their time and effort while recognizing the difficulty and uncertainty the pandemic has brought about for so many community members. The City of East Palo Alto looks forward to the opportunity to engage with and learn from the community on climate action planning more deeply.

Key Takeaways
Public engagement activities helped to shape the direction and policies of the Climate Action Plan. Just as all California cities are very different, the ways that we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions can also be different in every community. The City of East Palo Alto has environmental challenges because of our location to freeways and our proximity to the rising sea levels. We also have many opportunities because of committed community leaders and passionate residents who strive to call East Palo Alto “our home” for many years to come.

The community’s values, efforts and choices help the city decide how to fund and prioritize projects and programs that help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our community.

Engaging the community not only helped to identify needs and priorities around climate planning; it also illuminated the opportunity for more collaborative engagement, increased education and ongoing action with the community on climate and sustainability topics. We heard loud and clear that affordable housing, disaster preparedness, safe biking and walking, access to healthy locally sourced foods, and clean energy are essential to address in order to increase the health, safety and resilience of our city. Our youth and the Community Climate Change Team are motivated and eager to take action on these climate topics and represent emerging and active community leaders. We strive to continue engaging our community leaders, residents and CBOs and foster partnerships with the city to make progress on our climate goals together. We look forward to building a more sustainable, healthy and equitable East Palo Alto.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Implementation
62 Timeline
The following timeline lists the major milestones in the CAP implementation process. Progress and updates to this schedule should be submitted to the City Council and the public as part of an annual Plan Implementation Report (Table 6.2).

Table 6.2. Climate Action Plan Implementation
Milestone Target Date
GHG Inventory Completed 01/14/2021
GHG Reduction Goal Established 02/15/2022
Draft CAP Published 03/09/2022
Community Comment Period 03/09/2022-05/01/2022
Council Review
CAP Adoption
Sustainability Coordinator Begins Implementation [08/2023] 1 st Annual CAP Implementation Report 06/2024
Community Comment Period 02/2024-03/2024
2 nd GHG Inventory Completed [MM/YYYY]
1 st CAP Update [06/2023]
Implementation Budget
Staff has evaluated the resource impacts across City departments and identified resources needed to implement this CAP for the next 7 years.

Some of the actions will be absorbed and integrated into existing departmental operating or project budgets, we anticipate coordination of these programs to be .25 FTE of staff time in the Public Works, Transportation, and Community and Economic Development departments. Additional resources needed over the next 7 years includes 0.5 additional full time equivalent staff positions and augmenting the City’s ongoing budget for CAP implementation. Resources allocated to implementing the CAP will be refined and finalized as part of the annual process for budget development and approval by the City Council.

In order to implement the CAP, the City will need to add one FTE 2-year contract staff position to Environmental Programs who will serve as the Sustainability Coordinator. This contract may need extension or renewal for the duration of implementation up to and including 2030. The future Environmental Program Manager may be able to fulfill part or all of this role, depending on other duties assigned. This position is currently slated to be partially filled by an incoming Fellow serving as a Sustainability Coordinator paid in part by the City, pending City Council approval, and procured through the Sustainability Service Corps, a program of Bay Area Community Resources.

This Fellow’s term will begin in September 2023 and conclude in July of 2024, with the possibility of extension.

This contract staff member will create an Implementation Plan to further develop and begin implementing the listed measures and Adaptation Strategies as well as identify and secure sources of funding for the following:

EW4.1 - Conduct an extreme heat study to understand the potential future impacts of extreme heat on local under-served communities and identify opportunities for extreme heat mitigation in those areas.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Implementation
63 T.1. - Establish or expand local shuttle service
T1.3a - Enhance infrastructure to promote shared electric bikes and scooters T1.4 - Expand programs that provide bicycles at free or reduced costs to residents, with bicycle safety training.

T1.5 - Free public transit program
T1.8 - Free e-bike pilot program
The City’s strategy to finance implementation of current and future actions will evolve over time. Strategies the City may consider could include:
• Leveraging partnerships and collaborative projects, particularly through Peninsula Clean Energy and Office of Sustainability programs and Grant programs available through utilities, Federal and State opportunities.
• Charging carbon impact fees for development projects, for example, as a traffic mitigation or if a waiver of electrification requirements is sought due to special circumstances • Implementing user fees for selected activities and services, where a nexus exists • Implementing paid parking in selected locations
• Adding transportation impact fees to requirements for new construction projects and/or mitigation of offroad vehicles with higher emissions impacts Monitoring and Improvement
East Palo Alto envisions that the core strategies will remain constant as we move forward. As we live in an age and place of abundant technological innovation, more advanced technologies and creative innovations may be integrated into the CAP in the future.

Generation-based inventories provide a consistent way to track progress over time. But these inventories have two shortfalls:

1. Annual GHG generation-based inventories lag about two years behind. For instance, the 2021 became available in February 2023. This makes it difficult to get immediate feedback on changes to programs and policies.

2. Generation-based inventories don’t tell the whole story. Our goal is to achieve 55 percent reduction of per capita GHG emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. It will be difficult to meet the carbon neutrality goal without calculating and tracking emissions from the consumption of goods and services in addition to generation of emissions.

East Palo Alto’s monitoring and ongoing improvement program addresses these shortfalls:
• East Palo Alto will establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for each action listed in Chapter 5, Strategies and Actions, Strategies to Get Us There section, including actions to reduce consumptionbased emissions. Progress on KPIs will be posted on the City’s website and updated annually, at minimum.
• Through the RICAPS program, East Palo Alto will consider participating in a countywide goal for KPIs agreed to by all cities in the county. Those KPIs will be posted and tracked on the County’s website.

Examples of common KPIs are number of solar installations, number of EV charging stations installed, number of homes retrofitted, number of EVs purchased, number of heat pump water heaters and/or space heaters installed, etc.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Implementation
64 • Every year, the Sustainability Coordinator will issue an Annual Climate Action Plan Update Report to update the City Council, residents, and other interested stakeholders on progress made implementing the CAP actions, with the opportunity for the community to provide input. The ACAPUR will detail lessons learned and make recommendations for changes to the implementation strategy or the CAP itself. East Palo Alto will review the newest community GHG inventory provided by the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability through the San Mateo County Energy Watch program and conduct a municipal GHG generation-based inventory to track progress on reducing the City’s own emissions which will be included the ACAPUR.
• The Sustainability Coordinator will track the emissions, resource savings, equity and inclusion impact, and any other effects of each implemented action, as well as estimate costs to government, residents, and businesses. Each action will be summarized in the ACAPUR and made available for public review. • This CAP may need to be updated based on the results of the GHG inventories. East Palo Alto may modify and/or add new actions to ensure that the City is on track to meet its GHG reduction goals. • In partnership with the County Office of Sustainability, East Palo Alto will explore a collaboration with a research institution to include questions about climate protection behaviors in an annual countywide survey of community members. Responses from the survey could be used to track progress on community actions related to consumption-based emissions.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
65 7. Impacts of Climate Change and
Climate Adaptation
7 IMPACTS OF

CLIMATE CHANGE

AND CLIMATE

ADAPTATION
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
66 Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo
Alto
Climate Science Overview
Climate change presents one of the most significant challenges of our time. As levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions increase in the atmosphere, the Earth’s climate system is being destabilized. GHG emissions are invisible, and include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and three man-made gasses:
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

As more greenhouse gasses are trapped inside the Earth’s atmosphere, more of the sun’s energy is trapped as heat, which means temperatures keep getting hotter. In fact, the world has already become nearly 1°C warmer since 1880, and we’re seeing extreme consequences because of it, including more intense storms, greater wildfire risk, and rising sea levels.

Although we’re already seeing impacts of climate change, there’s a range of how relatively mild or devastating the future impacts might be, depending on how aggressively we take action to address it (see Chapter 7, Impacts of Climate Change and Climate Adaptation, Future Projections section). Scientists have laid out four pathways, or scenarios, based on future levels of GHG emissions. The pathways range from the very optimistic to the highly pessimistic. In accordance with state guidance, this CAP uses the RCP 8.5 (“business as usual” scenario) for future climate projections out to mi-century (2050), and both RCP 8.5 and RCP 4.5 (“mitigating” scenario) for endof-century (2100) projections. For more information about the four pathways, see Appendix B.4.

The Earth Has a Fever
Atmospheric scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe has a simple way to explain the impact of rising global temperatures: “When we say the planet is warming by one or two or three degrees Celsius, often we think, ‘Well, that’s nothing.’ But if our body’s temperature goes up one and a half to three or even four degrees Fahrenheit, we are running a fever. We go to the doctor. If it was three or four degrees, we go to the hospital. And that’s what’s happening to our planet. It is running a fever. And that fever is affecting us.”
—Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Professor and Director,
Climate Science Center, Texas Tech University
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
67 Climate Change in East Palo Alto
Climate change has already affected and will continue to affect East Palo Alto in significant ways. Climate change will have many different effects on the community and on the natural world. The following section documents historical and projected changes to climate.

The city’s annual average maximum temperature increased 1.4°F from 1950 to 2004.

Coastal fog, which is critical to the region’s climate and ecosystems, is less frequent than ever before.

Sea level has risen over 8 inches in the last century.

The forceful 2015–2016 El Niño weather pattern, which was one of the three largest in history, resulted in unprecedented outer coast beach erosion due to winter wave energy that was more than 50 percent greater than a typical winter.

The 2012–2016 statewide drought led to the most drastic moisture shortages in the last 1,200 years, resulting in a 1-in-500-year low in Sierra snowpack. This drastically reduced snowpack resulted in $2.1 billion in economic losses, 21,000 jobs lost statewide in agricultural and recreational sectors, and a continuing exhaustion of groundwater sources.

Future Projections
Under an RCP8.5 emissions scenario, the City’s annual average maximum temperature will increase by up to

5.6°F from a 2005 baseline of 69.9°F to 75.5°F by mid-century. By end-of-century, temperature rise will be between 7.6°F and 11.8°F dependent on the emissions scenario. The East Palo Alto community is at heightened risk during extreme temperature days due to a lack of existing air conditioning in many homes and businesses.

Precipitation frequency and severity will continue to vary each year. The differences between wet and dry years are projected to become more extreme and damaging in the coming decades. If no action is taken to combat climate change, the Sierra snowpack, a critical source of water for the State, will decrease by an average of 64 percent by the end of the century.12 East Palo Alto residents are at higher risk from flooding related to higher precipitation events. During drought conditions, water cutbacks will be challenging due to low per-capita use.

As temperature continues to increase, it is anticipated to cause longer and more intense California droughts, posing major problems for government operations, water supplies, ecosystems, agriculture, and recreation.

Studies suggest that even with significant emissions reductions, it is inevitable that there will be at least 6 feet of sea-level rise over the next several centuries due to the delayed effects of climate change. East Palo Alto is at direct risk of sea-level-rise and related impacts.

As a highly urbanized, built-out City, East Palo Alto is not at direct risk of wildfires. However, increased frequency and severity of wildfires in San Mateo and neighboring counties will likely impact air quality for residents.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
68 Social Vulnerability
Social vulnerability refers to populations with greater sensitivity to climate impacts because of social inequities, physical characteristics, or baseline conditions. These include, but are not limited to:
• Children and the elderly
• People with limited English proficiency
• Low-income communities
• Communities of color
• LGBTI and/or gender non-conforming community
members
• Undocumented immigrants
• Women
• Community members who practice a minority
religion
• Community members with limited education or
literacy
• Residents with unstable economic or housing
situations
• People with disabilities or physical and mental health conditions
• Outdoor workers and others whose workplace
conditions expose them to disproportionate risk,
including people in the informal workforce
• People whose housing conditions expose them to
disproportionate risk
• People who are disproportionately exposed to pollution and toxic hazards or natural hazards
• Community members without access to the internet or
phone service
• Transit-dependent populations
• Community members who face multiple areas of
vulnerability or intersectional vulnerability
The County of San Mateo developed a Community Vulnerability Index (CVI) to demonstrate the geographical distribution of the overall vulnerability of the residents of the county. The index is composed of seven indicators:
health insurance coverage, education, supplemental security income, gross rent as a percentage of income, poverty, unemployment, and disability status. The indicators that have been standardized and combined to create dimension scores, on a scale from zero to 100 (higher value represents greater social vulnerability), for each of the census tracts within San Mateo County.

The CVI is mapped at the census tract level for the City in Figure 7.1. As shown on Figure 7.1, the northeastern portion of the City has the greatest vulnerability relative to other areas in the City. This index can help the City equitably allocate resources to protect vulnerable communities from climate impacts.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
69 Figure 7.1: Community Vulnerability Index
Climate Impacts in East Palo Alto
Following are some of the key climate impacts, including those on the built, social, and natural environment that the City will likely experience in the future.

Impacts
on people
Climate change could have broad impacts to communities and people – hitting those most vulnerable first and worst. High levels of socioeconomic inequity in the bay area create large differences in the ability of individuals to prepare for and recover from heat waves, floods, and wildfires.

Direct effects include a broad spectrum of heat-related diseases, ranging from heat exhaustion to heat stroke to death, and injuries and fatalities that result from severe weather. Indirect effects of climate change on human health arise from the connection of climate and weather conditions with health responses. Examples include air pollution, pollen and allergens, decreases in water quality and more extensive harmful algal blooms, and changes in supply of water and food.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
70 Rising Temperatures
The City’s average annual maximum temperature increased by 1.4°F from 1950 to 2004. Even as the City takes action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, global emissions are projected to continue rising. East Palo Alto will likely see annual average warming of approximately 2.4°F by midcentury and as much as 6.8°F under the high-emissions scenario compared to a 2005 baseline. By the end of the century, temperatures could rise by 4°F to 6.8°F.14
Extreme heat events occur when air temperatures reach or exceed 92.4°F.

Historically, East Palo Alto has experienced an average of 3 heat events per year. Under the high-emissions (“business as usual”) scenario, extreme heat events may occur more than 3 times as frequently, up to 10 per year by mid-century and 14 to 23 per year by end-of-century.

Extreme heat events pose a threat to human lives, especially socially vulnerable groups (see page 17). Even temperatures as low as 80°F can cause fatigue after prolonged exposure, and heat exhaustion may follow.

When a person’s internal temperature reaches 105°F, organ failure and even death can result. Heat also intensifies smog and air pollutants that can contribute to and exacerbate respiratory disease and result in more asthma and heart attacks.

Only 10 percent of homes in the Bay Area currently have air conditioning.15 Warming trends are expected to cause more people to install and use air conditioning, resulting in an increase in GHG emissions. The largest increase in summer energy demand is expected in coastal cities as air conditioning adoption grows. The amount and location of new air conditioning needed can be predicted through a metric called “cooling degree days” (CDD). This value quantifies how much the air temperature exceeds 65°F on a single day or period of days. As the temperature rises above 65°F outside, occupants inside get increasingly uncomfortable and will typically turn on air conditioning if it is available, so a larger CDD indicates a higher likelihood of increased energy consumption to cool homes and businesses. Some solutions to the effects of CDD discussed in this CAP include the expansion of urban tree canopy, improving building insulation, and the replacement of impermeable ground surfaces with green space in order for residents to feel more comfortable on these days. In East Palo Alto, CDDs are projected to double or triple between present day and 2070. Figure 7.2 shows average CDDs for East Palo Alto relative to other jurisdictions in the County.

Impact of Heat on People
In a heat wave, the most dangerous
places can be the ones where people
spend the most time: inside houses and
apartments. In poorly insulated
buildings, heat can build up and not
even dissipate at night. In 2018, a KQED
investigation found that bay area homes
without air conditioning were as much as
15 to 20 degrees hotter inside than
outside overnight.13
These risks are compounded for lowincome communities. A September 2017 bay area heat wave overwhelmed the
protective and social infrastructure in
San Francisco, resulting in 6 deaths and
38 hospitalizations. Members of socially
vulnerable communities may not be able
to afford to cool their work or living
spaces or may be forced to choose
between air conditioning and paying for
basic necessities (e.g., food and rent).

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
71 Figure 7.2: Average Cooling Degree Days (CDD) by Jurisdiction Sea-Level Rise
East Palo Alto is one of the top hotspots for sea-level rise in the nation. Average sea level in the Bay Area has risen 8 inches in the past 100 years, based on the San Francisco tide gauge.16 In 2018, the County of San Mateo finalized a Sea-Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment17 for the County in coordination with cities, agencies, businesses, community groups, and others. Sea-level rise impacts include flooding, increased wave action, rising groundwater tables and saltwater intrusion, increased erosion (i.e., landward shoreline retreat) and changes in sediment supply. The Assessment assessed the risk of sea level rise with respect to three scenarios:

1. Baseline Scenario: 0 feet of sea level rise + 1 percent annual chance flood (present-day extreme flood also known as the 100-year flood)

2. Mid-Level Scenario: 3.3 feet of sea level rise + 1 percent annual chance flood

3. High-End Scenario: 6.6 feet of sea level rise + 1 percent annual chance flood In 2018 the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) released updated Sea-Level Rise Guidance, which uses “probabilistic-based”m projections and lays out an approach for developing adaptation strategies. The OPC recommends using extreme risk projections in planning for larger and more complex infrastructure projects such as roads, wastewater treatment plants, and hazardous waste sites. The extreme risk projections indicate that the City may experience the mid-level scenario (3.3 feet of sea level rise) as early as 2060 and the high-end scenario by 2080.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
72 According to the County’s Assessment, the City of East Palo Alto has 335 acres of land at risk in the baseline scenario, 714 acres in the mid-level scenario, and 992 acres in the high-end scenario. Nearly 60 percent of East Palo Alto’s population and almost all of the City’s wetlands are vulnerable to sea level rise under the mid-level scenario, as shown on Figure 7.3. Critical infrastructure and community-serving facilities included energy and water infrastructure, local roadways, schools, emergency shelters, and parks would also be impacted by sea level rise, as shown on Figure 7.3.

Figure 7.3: East Palo Alto Natural Asset Exposure to Sea Level Rise Source: County of San Mateo 2018
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
73 Figure 7.4: East Palo Alto Critical Infrastructure Exposure to Sea Level Rise Source: County of San Mateo 2018.

As shown on Figure 7.4, under a mid-level scenario, the following critical infrastructure would be exposed to sea level rise:
• 1 electric substation
• 1.4 miles of transmission lines
• 5 water outfalls (many submerged by Bay mud)
• 1 stormwater pump station requiring upgrades
• 4 miles of storm drains (many lack positive
hydraulic flow)
• 0.9 miles of natural gas pipeline
• 14.6 miles of road
• 1 underground chemical storage tank
The following facilities would also be impacted under a mid-level scenario:
• 7 emergency shelters,
• 6 schools
• 39 hazardous material sites
• 1 outpatient health care facility
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
74 Increased Fire Risk
Fire risk is a reflection of accumulation of wood or fuels in a forest combined with changes in the length and frequency of the fire season due to warmer climate, changing precipitation, lower humidity, higher winds, and soil drying from droughts. Fire suppression in the area has increased as fuel reserves have built up in unmanaged forests and woodlands. Though wildfires are unlikely to directly impact East Palo Alto, the City’s proximity to dry upland vegetation on the bayside does present a vulnerability to brush fires. There is a non-zero risk of impact to nearby homes and infrastructure, as well as a local air quality.

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of wildfire events impacting San Mateo County.

Wildfires are most likely to impact the City of East Palo Alto in two primary ways: 1) mass evacuations may result in an influx of displaced persons after a wildfire event, and 2) city residents may be exposed to unhealthy levels of smoke for days to weeks at a time. Older housing stock may be inadequately sealed, which can reduce the residents’ opportunity to seek isolation from the smoke by remaining sheltered in place at home. Between 1995 and 2030, the model projects an increased risk of wildfire in San Mateo County from nine to 13.4 percent. In addition, by 2070, the projected burn area nearly doubles to 25 percent. Simulations of large wildfires using statistical models developed for the Fourth California State Climate Assessment18 show that the probability of a large fire—which burns more than 1,000 acres – in San Mateo County increases rapidly with a warming climate, with an eight-fold increase in the probability of a large wildfire by 2070. By 2070, the chance that large wildfires or those over 1,000 acres will occur increases to 4 percent per year.

Figure 7.5 shows the areas that are most at risk of wildfire in the future. The “average annual area burned” is the modeled annual mean area
burned in hectares for 1970–1979.

Impact of Wildfires and Poor Air
Quality on People
Most Californians are not aware of
recent statistics that suggest that
California is home to the worst air quality
in the nation, with over 90 percent of
Californians breathing unhealthy air.

According to the California air resources
board, unhealthy levels of ozone (smog)
and particulate matter annually
contribute to 19,000 premature deaths
and 9,400 hospital admissions for
respiratory and cardiovascular disease.

Wildfires exacerbate the air quality
problems, causing temporary large
increases in outdoor airborne particles,
and substantial increases in gaseous air
pollutants such as carbon monoxide.

Socially vulnerable residents may be
more affected by wildfires if they have
existing health issues, less access to
social services and internet, and fewer
economic resources to respond.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
75 Figure 7.5: Average Percent Burned Area in San Mateo County Increased Frequency and Intensity of Storms
The City’s largest winter storms will likely become more intense, and potentially more damaging, in the coming decades. Flooding is a significant threat in the City and is expected to increase as a result of climate change. According to flood modeling that integrates the impacts of sea-level rise and inland flooding throughout the County, a flood with a one percent chance of occurring in 2030 would increase to a two percent chance of occurring under 2070 climate conditions. The higher probability of extreme flooding means that creeks and municipal storm sewers are more likely to be overwhelmed, potentially resulting in damage to infrastructure and even loss of life. The largest individual storms are becoming more intense with climate change. In addition, more frequent “whiplash” events that swing from extremely dry to extremely wet conditions in California could become the new normal.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
76 In the last century, storms tracked in East Palo Alto have shown a higher incidence of increasingly intense rainfall events, with higher tidal influence, doubly exacerbating flooding impacts as rainwater is restricted from entering the San Francisco Bay or San Francisquito Creek in tidally influenced areas.

Decreased Availability and Quality of Water
The 2012–2016 California drought led to the most severe moisture deficits in the last 1,200 years and a 1-in-500-year low in Sierra snowpack. The record low snowpack resulted in $2.1 billion in economic losses and exacerbated an ongoing trend of ground water overdraft.19 While the total amount of precipitation in the Bay Area is not projected to change significantly (models project an additional 2 to 5 inches), the amount and timing of water available as drinking water may change. The City of East Palo Alto receives
approximately 90 percent of local drinking water from the Hetch Hetchy water system, operated by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). The Hetch Hetchy system is located in the Sierra mountain range. Under a high emissions scenario, average Sierra Nevada snowpack is projected to decline by nearly 20 percent in the next two to three decades, 30 percent to 60 percent in mid-century and by over 80 percent in late century.20 At the time of this document preparation, California and the Southwestern United States is in the middle of a 22-year drought, with a 75 percent chance of the drought extending another eight years. A study has recently determined that the extended drought has a 42 percent chance to have been exacerbated by human activities such as global warming emissions.21
Rising bay water and groundwater levels will also increase salinity intrusion and subsurface flooding inland.

Climate change will require improved storm water management in the Bay Area as extreme storm events increase in size and frequency.

In East Palo Alto, the City has one active emergency well at Gloria and Bay Rd, and a second emergency well expected to be onboard in 2023 at “Pad D” located at the corner of Clarke and E Bayshore Road. Sea Level Rise has a high potential of saltwater intrusion into the local aquifer, known as the San Francisquito Subbasin, due to the proximity to tidally influenced areas.

The O’Connor Tract Mutual Water Company is located on the central-west portion of the City of East Palo Alto.

Only a portion of the service territory is located within city limits. The remaining portion is in Menlo Park. The O’Connor Tract consists of approximately 340 connections, of which many are for multifamily residences. About 35 of these connections are metered. This drinking water is pumped from the groundwater aquifer and is not regulated by the City of East Palo Alto.

The Palo Alto Park Mutual Water Company is located on the central-west portion of the City of East Palo Alto.

The Palo Alto Mutual Water Company consists of approximately 677 unmetered residential connections, 20 unmetered commercial connections, and two metered residential connections. This drinking water is pumped from the groundwater aquifer and is not regulated by the City of East Palo Alto.

As climate changes and drought becomes more prevalent the primary reliance on Hetch Hetchy will become more restricted, with ever-increasing calls for conservation as the greater Bay Area relies on this vital resource as a continued reliable drinking source. With increased restrictions on the Hetch Hetchy system, increased pressures to supplement drinking water with groundwater resources will become more commonplace. Due to conflicts with potential saltwater intrusion into the groundwater aquifer, the City must support increased recharge of the groundwater aquifer by partners such as the City of Palo Alto, Santa Clara Valley Water District, West Bay Sanitary District, South Bayside Waste Management Authority, and San Mateo County to ensure the system DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
77 continues in equilibrium, without subsidence pressures. Increased subsidence pressure will increase the likelihood of salt-water intrusion into the system.

The City will address ongoing water needs through the City’s Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) to address changing conditions related to water sources, water availability, water demands, and water reliability for the next 20 years, and to update its UWMP every five years. During drought years, the City will rely on the Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) which outlines the City’s drought response and plan for changes or shortages in water supplies. These documents were most recently updated and adopted in June 15, 2021.

Decreased Fog
Coastal fog, critical to the City and region’s climate, has decreased as much as 33 percent in some areas over the past 60 years.22 Across the state of California, fog is expected to decline by an additional 12–20 percent by 2070.23 In addition to being affected by changes in local and global atmospheric patterns due to climate change, fog is reduced in urban areas due to urban land use and pollution. Warmer nighttime temperatures, as a result of impervious surfaces and the urban heat island effect, can reduce fog, highlighting the importance of land use policies and urban tree canopies in maintaining fog cover, and thus lowering temperatures.

Plants and wildlife depend on fog and redwood forests obtain as much as a third of their water from fog.

Increased Impact on Energy Systems
The Bay Area electrical grid, on which the City relies, is vulnerable to power outages during wind and wildfire events such as Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) – planned power outages to prevent occurrences of electrical equipment starting wildfires.24 Many of our natural gas pipelines are located along waterways and will be impacted by flooding from sea-level rise and extreme storm events.

California’s transportation fuel sector, which distributes oil from refineries to end users, will be increasingly exposed to extreme weather events such as flooding and wildfire.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
78 Financial Impact of Climate Change
As climate-related natural disasters become more frequent and intense, costs for disaster response and relief are anticipated to increase. With flooding, storms, droughts, wildfires, and other climate-related natural disasters becoming more common, flood insurance and flood prevention costs will grow.25 Climate change is anticipated to impact public buildings, storm water infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, community services, and land-use planning and development. Climate damage to homes and businesses could negatively impact the economy and reduce East Palo Alto’s income from property and sales taxes, not to mention damage the quality of life for all community members.

If East Palo Alto allocates resources and invests in climate-protecting strategies now, it will be insurance against some of the most costly effects of a hotter planet in the future.

Working with the San Mateo County Health System
The San Mateo County Health System, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control, serves a number of functions to reduce health risks related to climate change. These include informing cities about the risk to public health from climate change, creating tools that support decision-making and capacity building related to mitigating adverse health outcomes from climate change, and serving as a credible leader in planning for the public health impacts of climate change. East Palo Alto intends to work with the San Mateo County Health System to mitigate public health dangers and maintain or improve long-term health by encouraging residents and workers to be part of the solution.

Research shows that individuals who live in mixed-use and walkable communities have a 35 percent lower risk of obesity.26 Another study estimates that the walking associated with transit use saves an individual $5,500 over the course of their life by reducing obesity-related medical costs.27 East Palo Alto and the San Mateo County Health System will support programs that promote more walkable and bikeable cities, which not only promote healthier lifestyles, but also decrease reliance on vehicles that contribute to climate change.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
79 Adaptation Strategies
As noted earlier in Chapter 7, Impacts of Climate Change and Climate Adaptation, the climate is changing rapidly.

In 2019, the average temperature across global land and ocean surfaces was 1.71°F (0.95°C) above the 20th century average. This was the second highest among all years in the 1880–2019 record and just 0.07°F (0.04°C) less than the record value set in 2016. The five warmest years have occurred since 2015; nine of the 10 warmest years have occurred since 2005.28
Even if we stopped emitting greenhouse gasses tomorrow, the climate would continue to change due to the length of the carbon cycle — the ability of the Earth to absorb excess carbon in the ocean and plants. Therefore, climate change is inevitable, and our communities must adapt.

Adaptation planning is most effective at the local level. The City of East Palo Alto intends to prioritize adaptation planning over the next five years. Already, the City has recognized the threat of extreme heat on its residents, and has begun to prepare for the increased intensity and frequency of heat by developing an Urban Forest Master Plan to manage and expand its tree canopy. A tree protection ordinance has also been developed to achieve target canopy cover rates. 100 trees will be planted by the City in partnership with Canopy, a local nonprofit organization. Over the next 5 years, the City will seek to reduce the community’s risk to climate change by pursuing the following adaptation strategies:

Table 7.1: AJ-1 Update Environmental Justice Element to incorporate Adaptation Strategies.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
80 Action Implementation Considerations Time-frame Lead Community Partner Consider updating the General
Plan Safety and Health & Equity
Elements and zoning codes
based on California Ocean
Protection Council sea level rise
projections and incorporate
known climate change risks to
East Palo Alto, along with
adaptation strategies the City
will implement to support
community members in the
event of an anticipated climate
change hazard.

The OPC recommends using mid-high
risk projections in planning for larger
and more complex infrastructure
projects such as roads, wastewater
treatment plants, and hazardous waste
sites. The extreme risk projections
indicate that the City may experience
the mid-level scenario (3.3 feet of sea
level rise) as early as 2060 and the
high-end scenario by 2080. Alternative
evacuation and/or shelter sites may be
required in areas not subject to
inundations; due to the substantial
risks present in East Palo Alto, and
facilities that are potentially to be
impacted, this may require support
from outside agencies, such as the
One Shoreline (San Mateo County
Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency
District). More details noted * below.
2025 Public Works
One Shoreline,
Developers, San Mateo
County
Recommend the City adopts a
resolution declaring a climate
emergency in East Palo Alto to
highlight the increasingly urgent
need for action to address the
climate crisis.

Over 1,000 national, international, and
local jurisdictions have prepared similar
declarations. The resolution can be
prepared to call for a City climate
action plan (CAPs) for government
operations to achieve carbon neutrality
in advance of the soft Citywide target
of 2045 and expand coordination with
local partners in addressing the climate
crisis. This can include direction to City
Staff to develop a more extensive
environmentally preferable purchasing
policy to align with the proposed goals
to be established by the City Council,
along with an outreach campaign to
bring awareness to the community.
2023 Environment
al Programs
Provide outreach through City
Manager Office, the City’s
website, and other
communication channels about
how the City is preparing for
climate change and ways the
community can get involved in
reducing emissions and
personally preparing for the
impacts of climate change.

The City will also conduct outreach
through these communication channels
during the implementation process so
community members may provide
ongoing feedback.
2023
City Hall,
Environment
al Programs
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
81 Update the City’s local Hazard
Mitigation Plan to incorporate
climate change and adaptation
strategies strengthening the
City’s response to climate
emergency preparedness
detailing discrete projects such
as microgrid facilities, upgrades
at critical emergency response
and government facilities, and to
prepare facilities with
appropriate equipment required
to provide support to residents in
jeopardy under climate change
related hazards.

Such climate emergencies may include
floods, extreme heat, low water
pressure/ SFPUC system collapse,
smoke from fires and utility
failures/damage. More details noted **
below.
2025
Continue to implement Urban
Forest Master Plan and consider
amendments that increase tree
coverage on an earlier
timeframe as funding sources
allow.

To reduce urban heat, prioritizing
disadvantaged neighborhoods,
expanding the urban forest to the
maximum feasible, restore native trees
where possible, and reduce impervious
surfaces to provide for rainfall
absorption and reduced runoff and
shading areas where active
transportation can be safely utilized, to
reach the City Council adopted 100-
year goal of 30% tree cover.
2023
Implement the updated Tree
Protection Ordinance to retain
existing and expanded trees.

Consider expanded community
outreach strategies to reduce the
incidence of unnecessary tree removal
including those identified in the
updated ordinance, and more
specifically implement a robust
community information program and
enhanced educational materials to
ensure that community members are
aware of the protections in place and
the penalties for unpermitted removal
of a protected tree.
2023
Implement the Green
Infrastructure Plan (adopted by
Resolution 82-2020),
Update Parks Master Plan and specific
park master plans with stormwater
detention opportunities, along with all
new development projects to reduce
impervious surfaces throughout the
community and providing shading in
areas where active transportation can
be safely accessed, while improving
riparian habitat along San Francisquito
Creek and the Bay Trail to expand
resilience to sea level rise.
2023
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
82 The Safer Bay project, in
conjunction with San
Francisquito Creek Joint Powers
Authority, through set policy,
consider prioritizing the design
and installation of a horizontal
levee, as feasible.

TBD Public Works OneShoreline
Develop climate resilient
infrastructure
Upgrade existing infrastructure to meet
anticipated and current San Francisco
Bay and San Francisquito Creek water
intrusion. This includes updating
stormdrain outfalls to exclude water
intrusion into the public stormdrain
systems, and working with private
property owners, Caltrans, BCDC and
other jurisdictions to update outfalls
currently on properties where the City
does not have land use authority.

Develop maintenance easements for
such sites.
2024
Public
Works,
CEDD
Prioritize expansion of and
access to the Bay trail, and
installation of trails along other
public properties
The City will continue to increase
pedestrian access along eastern
portions of the Bay Trail and develop
linear parks along San Francisquito
Creek, as well as improve access to
restrooms and water bottle refill
stations where feasible. This will
improve public access to active
transportation and enhance the
resilience capacity of these waterways
and baylands (ie Blue Carbon
Storage).
2024
Public Works
and
Transportatio
n Dept. ,
Community
Services
MidPeninsula Open
Space Preserve
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
83 Develop or adopt waste
reduction ordinances to reduce
emissions through transportation
of waste and waste biproducts.
a. Reduce plastic single use packaging
including polystyrene ban for take-out
foods at restaurants, such as adoption
of a Disposable Food Service Ware
Ordinance consistent with the San
Mateo County Ordinance No. 4860 to
align with State laws.
b.Consider the reduction of trash bin
size and larger organic/compost and
recycling bins to accommodate higher
diversion rates from the landfill to align
with State laws while maximizing
capture of emission biproducts.
c.Expand local community access to
hazardous waste disposal options
including increased drop-off events
within the jurisdiction of East Palo Alto
to reduce the incidence of illegal
dumping of toxic substances and
related emissions.

D.Consider Move-in move-out solid
waste drop-off vouchers in-lieu of bulky
waste drop-off to reduce the incidence
of illegal dumping due to housing
transitions.
2024 Environment
al Programs
Partner with local non-profit
entities and public agencies to
expand and develop projects
and programs geared at
enhancing local use of organic
compost from post-consumer
content, including local
gardening programs with
educational components about
full-system cycling and locally
grown food.
2024 Environment
al Programs
ReThink Waste,
Recology, Collective
Roots
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
84 Partner with local organizations
to remove impervious surfaces
on private property.

Support the installation of pervious
driveways and walkways that drain to
landscaping, install cisterns, and raised
garden beds, expand urban agriculture,
tree, and native plant installations to
expand the availability of stormwater
absorption and/or capture with a goal
of 40% of the City’s geography being
pervious by 2050, in alignment with the
Urban Forest Master Plan.
2024
Partner with local organizations
to expand the community’s
access to indoor and outdoor air
quality monitoring
Encourage education to interpret and
reduce local air quality impacts and
support the replacement of indoor
sources of poor air quality such as gas
appliances and installation of air
purifiers and weather stripping.
2022 Environment
al Programs
Climate Resilient
Communities,
Sustainable Silicon
Valley
Expand drought resilience.

Within the City’s drinking water system,
expand local water storage, encourage
the use of residential emergency water
storage, expanded conservation
strategies that implement Phase II of
the City’s Water Shortage Contingency
Plan as a standard practice.
2022 Public Works
Consider resiliency strategies
such as expansion of local
wetlands and geographic land to
buffer the community from rising
San Francisco Bay water.

Consider potential sites for horizontal
levees, wetland expansion and
recreational amenities that will
maximize to feasible extents the
availability of blue carbon action and
land absorbency. More details noted
*** below.

TBD Public Works
Develop plans for responding to
the likelihood of sea water
intrusion into local water wells
Develop exclusion practices to
eliminate contamination of emergency
water resources as increased sea level
rise results in saltwater intrusion into
groundwater aquifers; support
programs that enable testing of local
residential wells to address the
potential for salt-water intrusion and
potential suspension of currently
encapsulated contaminants.

TBD
Public Works
and
Transportatio
n Dept.

OneShoreline
Note *:
*a. The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is a State council that was created pursuant to California Ocean Protection Act (COPA) in 2004. The mission of the OPC is to maintain healthy, resilient, and productive ocean and coastal ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations. In addition, they provide guidance to decision makers in planning for resilient infrastructure as sea level rises in California.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
85 *b. Include the critical infrastructure along with plans for microgrids for critical emergency response and government facilities.
*c. The following facilities would also be impacted under a mid-level scenario:
• 7 emergency shelters,
• 6 schools
• 39 hazardous material sites
• 1 outpatient health care facility
Note **:
**a. Update the O’Connor Pump Station to accommodate Ocean Protection Council sea level rise projections, utilizing high efficiency pumps with low GHG emissions and/or expansion of the electric pumps.
**b. Consider working jointly with San Mateo County and One Shoreline to establish zoning and design strategies for waterfront properties along the East Palo Alto and San Mateo County shoreline to maximize building and infrastructure resilience and reduce the climate change impact on buildings, in coordination with BCDC to support countywide standards and consideration of adoption of zoning similar to Burlingame’s Zoning Ordinance “25.12.050 – Public Access, Flood and Sea Level Rise Performance Guidelines” to set minimal best management practices as a comprehensive approach is developed; see . https://www.burlingame.org/document_center/Planning/25.12.050%20-%20Adopted.pdf **c. Consider that the Ravenswood Specific Plan Update integrates best practices into development opportunities via mandatory policy and funding to enhance the coastal ecosystem and build nature-based features such as:

1. Expansion of Green Infrastructure along all new and existing roadways (where not presently included).

2. Consider creating buffer zones with transition zone appropriate habitat between new development and the San Francisco Bay to detain stormwater and suppress peak flooding with co-benefits that encourage active transportation.

Note ***: Blue Carbon
The City will refer to the following integrated set of policies and tools as it continues to develop adaptation strategies that effectively prepare residents for the impacts of climate change:
• California Adaptation Planning Guide from the California Office of Emergency Services (still in draft form: https://www.caloes.ca.gov/HazardMitigationSite/Documents/APG2-FINAL-PRDRAFTAccessible.pdf) • Safeguarding California Plan: California’s Climate Adaptation Strategy (2018 Update) • 1 electric substation
• 1.4 miles of transmission lines
• 5 water outfalls (many submerged by Bay mud)
• 1 stormwater pump station requiring upgrades
• 4 miles of storm drains (many lack positive
hydraulic flow)
• 0.9 miles of natural gas pipeline
• 14.6 miles of road
• 1 underground chemical storage tank
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
86 • Cal-Adapt 2.0 (released October 2017 and updated regularly, most recently in January 2020) • California’s Climate Change Assessment (most recently updated in 2018) • State of California General Plan Guidelines (updated periodically, most recently updated in 2017) • Adaptation Clearinghouse
• State Hazard Mitigation (2018 Update)
In addition, the County of San Mateo has embarked on a multi-sector adaptation strategy, Climate Ready San Mateo County, to plan, assess, and implement strategies to address sea-level rise and flooding, changes in precipitation, extreme heat, and wildfires in San Mateo County.29East Palo Alto plans to coordinate closely with the County on adaptation planning efforts.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Impacts of Climate Change on East Palo Alto
87 8. Environmental Justice
8 ENVIRONMENTAL

JUSTICE
DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Environmental Justice and Equity
88 Environmental Justice and Equity
California law defines “Environmental Justice” as the fair treatment of people of all races, incomes, and ethnicity with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies (California Government Code, Section 65040.12[e]). In California, environmental justice includes, but is not limited to, the availability of a healthy environment for all people and the reduction of pollution burdens for populations that are disproportionately experiencing the adverse effects of that pollution(California Government Code, Section 65040.12[e]).

The same inequitable systems (economic, transportation, land use, etc.) that result in higher greenhouse gas emissions (which contribute to climate change) similarly contribute to poor health outcomes and health disparities.

Low-income communities and communities of color are more likely to live in polluted areas and face climate change impacts that exacerbate existing vulnerabilities (OEHHA 2010). Most East Palo Alto residents are members of a historically disadvantaged community. Recognizing these inequities, the City of East Palo Alto seeks to strategically direct investments in improving living conditions for communities that experience disproportionate health impacts due to environmental conditions.

In 2016, the State of California passed Senate Bill 1000 (SB 1000)—the Planning for Healthy Communities Act— requiring cities and counties to address environmental justice in their general plans. Cities and counties may choose to adopt a separate stand-alone environmental justice element (EJ Element) or address environmental justice throughout other elements of the General Plan. The purpose is to develop objectives and policies to minimize pollution and its effects on all communities and to ensure residents are provided the opportunity to provide input in decisions that affect their quality of life. In 2016, the City of East Palo Alto updated its General Plan to fulfill the requirements of SB 1000 by adding a Health and Equity Element. This chapter of the Climate Action Plan seeks to provide a gap analysis of the Existing Conditions Assessment of the General Plan with respect to environmental justice topic areas, and provide supplemental strategies and policies aimed at reducing GHG emissions and promoting environmental justice.

The City of East Palo Alto seeks to 1) understand existing conditions with respect to environmental justice topic areas, 2) develop effective policies and strategies that reduce pollution burden for residents, improve public health outcomes, and promote environmental justice. In addition, the Climate Action Plan aims to prepare and protect East Palo Alto residents, prioritize nature-based solutions where possible, and promote community resilience.

Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment
Gap Analysis
In June 2020, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) released updated guidelines (OPR’s EJ Element Guidelines) for the preparation of EJ elements in compliance with SB 1000. The OPR EJ Element Guidelines recommend that local agencies prepare an existing conditions assessment to understand unique or compounded health risks experienced by the community by analyzing the community’s access to environmental justice topics, listed in Table 8.1 (OPR 2020). In the City’s 2016 General Plan update, the City assessed existing conditions with respect to several environmental justice topics throughout several elements, as listed in Table 8.1.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Environmental Justice and Equity
89 Table 8.1: Existing Conditions EJ Gap Analysis
Environmental Justice Topic General Plan Element
Access to clean air and water (i.e. pollution exposure) n/an Access to public facilities and services Infrastructure, Services and Facilities Access to transit Transportation
Access to active transportation Transportation
Access to health care Health and Equity
Access to parks Parks, Open Space and Conservation
Access to healthy locally sourced food Health and Equity Access to safe and sanitary homes n/ao
Access to physical activity and recreational opportunity Parks, Open Space and Conservation As shown in Table 8.1, General Plan does not provide an existing conditions assessment with respect to pollution exposure (access to clean air and water) or housing quality (access to safe and sanitary homes). Pollution exposure is not only a central environmental justice topic, but also highly relevant to the discussion of climate action, as policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions often have the co-benefit of reducing air and water pollution. Similarly, housing quality is central to the discussion of climate action, because adequate and reliable housing protects residents from air pollution, heat, inclement weather, and reduces the risk of fire/particulate matter by removing the need for unhoused residents to build fires for cooking and warming.

Residents that do not have their basic needs met are less likely to pursue strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, housing improvements can include those that make residences more energy efficient.

This Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment seeks to fill the gaps of the General Plan’s existing conditions assessments by providing an analysis of pollution exposure and housing quality consistent with OPR’s EJ Element Guidance. In addition, the City has conducted a supplementary analysis on economic justice, that while is not required by SB 1000, is relevant to the community of East Palo Alto.

Disadvantaged Communities
Per OPR EJ Element Guidance, the first step in preparing an Existing Conditions assessment is to screen for, identify, and characterize disadvantaged communities. The State of California defines “disadvantaged communities” as low-income areas that are disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and other hazards that can lead to negative health effects, exposure, or environmental degradation (California Government Code, Section 65302[h][4][A]). To identify disadvantaged communities within a city or county, the OPR recommends cities utilize the computer mapping tool CalEnviroScreen.

CalEnviroScreen
CalEnviroScreen is a computer-mapping tool published by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) that identifies communities that are most affected by pollution and are especially vulnerable to its adverse effects (OPR 2020). CalEnviroScreen uses several factors, called “indicators” to determine whether a community is disadvantaged and disproportionately affected by pollution. These indicators fall into two main categories labeled “pollution burden” and “population characteristics.” Pollution burden n The Health and Equity Element includes goals and policies to reduce pollution exposure, but the existing conditions analysis does not identify areas with heightened exposure to air and water pollution. Additionally, 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. o The Health and Equity Element includes discussion of affordable housing, but not quality of housing.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Environmental Justice and Equity
90 indicators include exposure indicators that measure different types of pollution that residents may be exposed to, and the proximity of environmental hazards to a community. Population characteristics represent characteristics of the community that can make them more susceptible to environmental hazards (such as poverty, low educational attainment, and linguistic isolation). These main categories can be separated into four distinct subcategories: 1) Exposure, 2) Environmental Effect, 3) Sensitive Population, and 4) Socioeconomic Factor. A summary of the CalEnviroScreen indicators and how they relate to environmental justice is outlined in Table 8.2.

Table 8.2: CalEnviroScreen Categories and Indicators
Category Rationale Sub-Category Indicator
Pollution Burden Exposure to hazardous
substances can cause and/or
worsen certain health
conditions.

Exposure
Ozone concentrations in air
PM 2.5 concentrations in air
Diesel particulate matter emissions
Drinking water contaminants
Use of high-hazard, high-volatility pesticides
Toxic releases from facilities
Traffic Density
Environmental Effect
Toxic cleanup sites
Groundwater threats from leaking
underground storage
Hazardous waste facilities and generators
Impaired water bodies
Solid waste sites and facilities
Population
Characteristics
People with lower income
levels, educational attainment
and fluency in English tend to
live in areas that are more
affected by air pollution and
other environmental toxins. In
addition, certain health
conditions may be caused or
worsened by toxins in the
environment.

Sensitive Population
Asthma emergency department visits
Cardiovascular disease (emergency
department visits for heart attacks)
Low birth-weight infants
Socioeconomic Factor
Educational attainment
Housing burdened low-income households
Linguistic Isolation
Poverty
Unemployment
Source: CalEPA 2017.

CalEnviroScreen uses a weighted scoring system to derive average pollution burden and population scores for each census tract, and arrives at the final CalEnviroScreen score by multiplying the pollution burden and population characteristics components together.p CalEnviroScreen converts indicator scores to percentiles that provide an indication of how the census tract compares with other areas throughout the state. In general, the higher the score or percentile, the more impacted a community is compared to other areas of the state. For example, a 75th percentile score means that the census tract is higher (more burdened) than 75 percent of other p The CalEnviroScreen website can be found at https://oehha.ca.gov/calenviroscreen.

DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
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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 DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
Environmental Justice and Equity
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 DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
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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 DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
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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 DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
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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 DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
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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 DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
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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 DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
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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 DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
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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/ DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
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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 DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
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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 DRAFT City of East Palo Alto Climate Action Plan
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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