AGENDA ITEM #8
TOWN OF FAIRFAX
STAFF REPORT
October 6, 2022
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Sean Youra, Climate Action Coordinator
SUBJECT: Receive Climate Action Department Quarterly Update __________________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Receive the Climate Action Update report.
BACKGROUND
The quarterly Climate Action Update report details progress made by staff in implementing the Town’s Climate Action Plan (CAP).
DISCUSSION
This report details progress made in implementing the CAP since the last report provided to Council on August 3, 2022. The table below details actions taken by staff during the past quarter to implement the CAP and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The applicable measures from the CAP along with the estimated GHG emissions reduction that would result from achieving the targets for each of the applicable measures are provided for reference for each action taken.
Action CAP Measure Estimated GHG Emissions
Reduction in 2030 (in
MTCO2e)
Drafted a Resolution to
establish a landscape
equipment trade-in and
rebate program to aid in the
community’s transition to
electric landscape
equipment, which was
adopted by Council.
R-6: Electrify All Landscape
Equipment
191
Created a new Landscape
Equipment webpage on the
town website and developed
rebate program instructions
and an online rebate
application as part of
launching the trade-in and
rebate program. The Climate
R-6: Electrify All Landscape
Equipment
191
2 Action Commission (CAC)
and staff also developed
outreach materials to
promote the program.
O-2: Community Outreach N/A
Made progress on getting EV
chargers installed for public
works and police department
use including meeting with
electricians and PG&E staff
to determine needed
electrical panel upgrades at
the public works building to
support EV charging
infrastructure.
T-1: Zero Emission Vehicles 10,648
Met with Transportation
Authority of Marin (TAM) staff
about moving pilot fleet
electrification and charging
infrastructure projects
forward and potentially
launching some of them in
early 2023. TAM also
submitted staff’s pilot project
proposals to the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission
(MTC) to potentially receive
additional funding and
technical assistance for
these projects.
T-1: Zero Emission Vehicles 10,648
I-3: Identify and Secure
Funding Sources
N/A
Volunteered to join the
Fairfax Library’s Community
Resiliency Center (CRC)
team and provided support in
submitting an application to
BayREN’s Resilient Libraries
Network Pilot program.
Wrote a staff report for the
Council to send a letter of
support for the Fairfax
Library application to the pilot
program.
R-4: Renewable Energy
Generation and Storage
164
R-7: Innovative Technologies N/A
I-3: Identify and Secure
Funding Sources
N/A
3 Conducted community
outreach to gather feedback
on the Marin Countywide EV
Acceleration Strategy, which
will help Marin communities
reduce GHG emissions,
lower vehicle operating and
fuel costs, and improve air
quality by encouraging the
use of EVs and transitioning
municipal fleets to EVs.
T-1: Zero Emission Vehicles 10,648
O-2: Community Outreach N/A
Ordered landfill, recycling,
and compost waste
receptacles with signage for
public use outside of Fairfax
food businesses.
W-4: Commercial Organic
Waste
537
Hired the town’s first shared
Climate Action Fellow
through the Climate Corps
AmeriCorps program who will
assist in the implementation
of both Fairfax’s and San
Anselmo’s CAPs.
N/A N/A
Participated in several Green
Building Steering Committee
meetings and community
workshops led by the
County’s Sustainability team
to assist with outreach and
engagement regarding crossjurisdictional building reach code development and
implementation. Continuing
to gather community, staff,
and CAC feedback on the
model reach code.
E-1: Ordinances for
Construction of EnergyEfficient Buildings
17 O-2: Community Outreach N/A
Completed the CalRecycle
Electronic Annual Report
(EAR) for the town that
required collaboration with
public works and other
departments to gather the
necessary SB 1383 and
other waste regulation data.
W-1: Residential Organic
Waste and Waste Diversion
1,201
W-3: Commercial Edible
Food Recovery
46 W-4: Commercial Organic
Waste
537
4 W-5: Mandatory Commercial
Waste Elimination and
Diversion
N/A
Conducted significant
research on SB 1383
requirements and trained
staff on the relevant
requirements. Began
establishing a baseline for
current recovered organic
waste products procurement
and investigating
opportunities to increase
compost/mulch usage to try
to meet the town’s required
procurement target. Staff is
also collaborating with other
Marin jurisdiction staff on
strategies to meet the
procurement targets
including a potential study to
identify compost/mulch
application potential on
public and private lands.
W-5: Mandatory Commercial
Waste Elimination and
Diversion
N/A
S-1: Urban Forests and
Ecosystems
18 S-2: Habitat Restoration and
Soil Regeneration
N/A
Reviewed and provided
feedback on the town’s 2020
GHG Inventory Report
prepared by Christine
O’Rourke, Sustainability
Coordinator for MCEP. The
inventory shows that
Fairfax’s emissions declined
27% over the period from
2005 to 2020. An additional
29,348 MTCO2e reduction is
required by 2030 for Fairfax
to meet its zero emissions
goal (final inventory report
attached for reference).
I-2: Update GHG Emissions
Inventories
N/A
Submitted a grant application
in collaboration with
ReadySetReplace (RSR) for
R-1: Building and Appliance
Electrification
9,138
5 a TECH Quick Start grant.
Staff and CAC members
have been working with RSR
to develop a Water Heating
Electrification Campaign
Program to help residents in
both Fairfax and San
Anselmo get electric-ready
and install heat pump water
heaters, which the grant
would help fund.
E-4: Energy Efficiency
Programs
1,369
I-3: Identify and Secure
Funding Sources
N/A
Got the town to join as a
sponsor for the Marin Green
Home Tour on October 19
and 20, which is a free virtual
tour event that will showcase
what Marin residents are
doing to combat climate
change, improve air quality,
save water, and make their
homes resilient. Staff will be
promoting the event in the
town’s newsletter and social
media.
O-1: Community Education N/A
O-2: Community Outreach N/A
Replaced the gas stove in
the Women’s Club with a
new electric induction stove.
R-2: Municipal Building and
Appliance Electrification
19 E-6: Municipal Energy
Efficiency Retrofits
7 In addition, staff is continuing to:
• Serve as a staff liaison to the CAC, provide updates on CAP implementation during the CAC monthly meetings, and provide feedback on CAC proposed initiatives. • Identify new climate action funding opportunities and manage existing grant funds (Applicable to CAP Measure O-5: Funding Strategies, and Measure I-3: Identify and Secure Funding Sources).
• Educate community members about climate action-related incentives, programs, events, and regulations through the Town’s newsletter, social media, and website (Applicable to CAP Measure O-1: Community Education, and Measure O-2: Community Outreach).
• Coordinate with MCEP members to discuss and develop plans, policies, programs, and strategies that can assist in CAP implementation across all Marin jurisdictions. • Monitor CAP implementation progress and prioritize projects to meet the CAP goals. 6 • Stay abreast of new climate-related state and federal regulations, technological innovations, and opportunities to further the Town’s climate action efforts.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENT
2020 GHG Inventory Report
TOWN OF SAN ANSELMO
GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY FOR
COMMUNITY EMISSIONS (2016) AND
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS EMISSIONS (2015)
September 2022
Prepared by the
Marin Climate & Energy Partnership
TOWN OF FAIRFAX
GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY FOR
COMMUNITY EMISSIONS FOR THE YEAR 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1
INTRODUCTION 2
PURPOSE OF INVENTORY 2
GENERAL METHODOLOGY 2
COMMUNITY INVENTORY 4
COMMUNITY INVENTORY SUMMARY 4
PER CAPITA EMISSIONS 6
SIGNIFICANT SOURCES OF EMISSIONS 7
BUILT ENVIRONMENT – ELECTRICITY 7
BUILT ENVIRONMENT – NATURAL GAS 7
TRANSPORTATION 8
WASTE DISPOSAL 9
WATER USE 10
APPENDIX A-1
Fairfax Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Fairfax publishes annual community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions estimates through the Marin Climate & Energy Partnership (MCEP). Annual inventories help the Town to monitor its progress more closely in meeting its local GHG reduction goals to reduce emissions to zero by 2030 and to meet the statewide goal to reduce emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. In addition to the community inventories, MCEP periodically prepares inventories for government operations emissions.
This report reviews emissions generated from the community from 2005 through 2020, the most recent year data is available. The inventory shows that the Fairfax community reduced emissions 27% since 2005, which is equivalent to 15% below estimated 1990 levels. Emissions dropped from about 40,468 metric tons carbon dioxide equivalents (MTCO2e) in 2005 to 29,348 MTCO2e in 2020. The community emissions trend and targets are shown below. Fairfax needs to reduce emissions another 8,710 MTCO2e to meet the State target for 2030 and another 22,874 MTCO2e to meet the State target for 2050, which is 80% below 1990 levels.
FIGURE 1: COMMUNITY EMISSIONS TREND
Recognizing the need for a collaborative approach to greenhouse gas reductions, city and county leaders launched the Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP) in 2007. The Town of Fairfax is a member of MCEP and works with representatives from the County of Marin and the other Marin cities and towns to address and streamline the implementation of a variety of greenhouse gas reduction measures. Funding for this inventory was provided by the Marin County Energy Watch Partnership, which administers public goods charges collected by PG&E. Community inventories are available on the MCEP website at marinclimate.org and are used to update the Marin Sustainability Tracker.
0 5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
45,000
MTCO2e
THE TAKEAWAY:
COMMUNITY EMISSIONS DOWN
27% SINCE 2005
2030 State Goal
2050 State Goal
Fairfax Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 2
INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE OF INVENTORY
The objective of this greenhouse gas emissions inventory is to identify the sources and quantify the amounts of greenhouse gas emissions generated by the activities of the Fairfax community in 2020. This inventory provides a comparison to 2005 and estimated 1990 emissions and identifies the sectors where significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions have occurred. In some instances, previous year emissions were updated with new data and/or recalculated to ensure the same methodology was employed for all inventory years.
GENERAL METHODOLOGY
This inventory uses national standards for the accounting and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S.
Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, version 1.2 (July 2019) was used for the quantification and reporting of community emissions. Quantification methodologies, emission factors, and activity and source data are detailed in the appendix.
Community emissions are categorized according to seven sectors:
Built Environment - Electricity
Built Environment – Natural Gas
Transportation
Off-Road Vehicles and Equipment
Waste
Water
Wastewater
CALCULATING EMISSIONS
Emissions are quantified by multiplying the measurable activity data – e.g., kilowatt hours of electricity, therms of natural gas, and gallons of diesel or gasoline – by emissions factors specific to the energy source. Most emissions factors are the same from year to year. Emission factors for electricity, however, change from year to year due to the specific sources that are used to produce electricity. For example, electricity that is produced from coal generates more greenhouse gases than electricity that is generated from natural gas and therefore has a higher emissions factor. Electricity that is produced solely from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind has an emissions factor of zero.
This inventory calculates individual greenhouse gases – e.g., carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide – and converts each greenhouse gas emission to a standard metric, known as “carbon dioxide equivalents” or CO2e, to provide an apple-to-apples comparison among the various emissions. Table 1 shows the greenhouse gases identified in this inventory and their global warming potential (GWP), a measure of the amount of warming each gas causes when compared to a similar amount of carbon dioxide. Methane, for example, is 28 times as potent as carbon dioxide over 100 years; therefore, one metric ton of methane is equivalent to 28 metric tons of carbon dioxide. Greenhouse gas emissions are reported in this inventory as metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, or MTCO2e.
Fairfax Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 3
TABLE 1: GREENHOUSE GASES
Gas Chemical
Formula Emission Source Global Warming Potential
Carbon Dioxide CO2
Combustion of natural gas, gasoline,
diesel, and other fuels 1
Methane CH4
Combustion, anaerobic decomposition
of organic waste in landfills and
wastewater
28 Nitrous Oxide N2O Combustion, wastewater treatment 265 Source: IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (2014)
TYPES OF EMISSIONS
Emissions from each of the greenhouse gases can come in a number of forms:
Stationary or mobile combustion resulting from the on-site combustion of fuels (natural gas, diesel, gasoline, etc.) to generate heat or electricity, or to power vehicles and equipment. Purchased electricity resulting from the generation of power from utilities outside the jurisdictional boundary.
Fugitive emissions resulting from the unintentional release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, such as leaked refrigerants and methane from waste decomposition. Process emissions from physical or chemical processing of a material, such as wastewater treatment.
UNDERSTANDING TOTALS
The totals listed in the tables and discussed in the report are a summation of emissions using available estimation methods. Each inventoried sector may have additional emissions sources associated with them that were unaccounted for due to a lack of data or robust quantification methods. For example, greenhouse gas emissions associated with air travel and the production of goods outside the community’s boundary are not included in the inventory. Additionally, the community inventory does not include refrigerants released into the atmosphere from the use of air conditioning in cars and buildings.
Fairfax Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 4
COMMUNITY INVENTORY
COMMUNITY INVENTORY SUMMARY
In 2005, the activities taking place by the Fairfax community resulted in approximately 40,468 metric tons of CO2e. 1 In 2020, those activities resulted in approximately 29,348 metric tons of CO2e, a reduction of 27% from 2005 levels, which is equivalent to 15% below 1990 levels.
The community inventory tracks emissions in seven sectors:
• The Built Environment – Electricity sector represents emissions generated from the use of electricity in Fairfax homes and commercial, industrial, and governmental buildings and facilities. • The Built Environment – Natural Gas sector represents emissions generated from the use of natural gas in Fairfax homes and commercial, industrial, and governmental buildings and facilities. Propane used as a primary heating source is also included, although it represents less than 1% of emissions in this sector. • The Transportation sector includes tailpipe emissions from passenger vehicle trips originating and ending in Fairfax, as well as tailpipe emissions generated by medium and heavy-duty vehicles travelling on Marin County roads based on the Town’s share of certain truck-generating industries. Emissions from buses serving Fairfax while travelling on roads within the jurisdiction are also included. Electricity used to power electric vehicles is embedded in electricity consumption reported in the Built Environment – Electricity sector.
• The Waste sector represents fugitive methane emissions that are generated over time as organic material decomposes in the landfill. Although most methane is captured or flared off at the landfill, approximately 25% escapes into the atmosphere.
• The Off-Road sector represents emissions from the combustion of gasoline and diesel fuel from the operation of off-road vehicles and equipment used for construction and landscape maintenance. • The Water sector represents emissions from energy used to pump, treat, and convey potable water from the water source to Fairfax water users.
• The Wastewater sector represents stationary, process and fugitive greenhouse gases that are created during the treatment of wastewater generated by the community, as well as emissions created from electricity used to convey and treat wastewater.
Table 2 shows how emissions in each sector have changed since 2005. The greatest reductions have occurred in the Built Environment - Electricity sector (-5,335 MTCO2e), followed by the Transportation sector (-3,340 MTCO2e). 1 Baseline and historical emissions are recalculated in the annual inventory to integrate new data and improved calculation methodologies and to ensure consistent comparison across each year. For this reason, emission levels may differ from levels reported in previous inventories.
Fairfax Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 5
TABLE 2: EMISSIONS SUMMARY BY SECTOR (MTCO2E), 2005 THROUGH 2020 Year
Built Environment - ElectricityBuilt Environment – Natural Gas TransportationWasteOff-RoadWaterWastewaterTotal
%
Change
from
2005
%
Change
from
19902
1990
(est.)1 34,398
2005 6,513 11,089 19,226 2,450 715 305 170 40,468
2006 6,007 11,461 19,360 2,433 749 267 164 40,442 0%
2007 7,578 11,185 19,042 2,190 881 359 206 41,442 2%
2008 7,593 11,153 18,795 1,825 730 331 211 40,639 0%
2009 7,068 10,970 18,586 1,574 620 334 187 39,339 -3%
2010 5,299 11,246 17,941 1,548 558 192 153 36,937 -9%
2011 4,670 11,753 18,206 1,508 541 136 142 36,956 -9%
2012 4,979 11,277 18,751 1,560 530 146 150 37,394 -8%
2013 4,464 11,278 18,606 1,582 526 170 148 36,774 -9%
2014 3,886 9,430 17,621 1,591 521 152 126 33,327 -18%
2015 3,709 9,582 17,120 1,648 517 119 124 32,820 -19%
2016 3,008 9,787 16,647 1,941 511 89 113 32,096 -21%
2017 1,462 10,464 16,555 2,022 502 26 84 31,115 -23%
2018 1,608 10,260 16,314 1,791 489 9 75 30,546 -25%
2019 1,792 10,335 16,174 1,700 474 10 63 30,548 -25% -11% 2020 1,178 10,186 15,886 1,571 452 12 63 29,348 -27% -15% Change
from 2005 -5,335 -904 -3,340 -879 -263 -293 -107 -11,120 % Change
from 2005 -82% -8% -17% -36% -37% -96% -63% -27%
1 Per California Air Resources Board guidance, 1990 levels are estimated at 15% below 2005 levels. 2 In 2021, Fairfax adopted a Climate Action Plan that established a goal to reduce emissions 100% below 1990 levels by 2030. This column will track that progress over time.
Fairfax Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 6
Figure 2 shows the relative contribution of emissions from these sectors in 2020. The likely reasons for the largest emissions decreases are described in the remainder of this report.
FIGURE 2: EMISSIONS BY SECTOR, 2020
PER CAPITA EMISSIONS
Per capita emissions can be a useful metric for measuring progress in reducing greenhouse gases and for comparing one community’s emissions with neighboring cities and against regional and national averages. That said, due to differences in emission inventory methods, it can be difficult to produce directly comparable per capita emissions numbers. Per capita emission rates may be compared among Marin jurisdictions, although some jurisdictions may have higher rates due to the presence of commercial and industrial uses.
Dividing the total community-wide GHG emissions by residents yields a result of 5.6 metric tons CO2e per capita in 2005. Per capita emissions decreased 31% between 2005 and 2020, falling to 3.9 metric tons per person. Figure 3 shows the trend in per capita emissions over time. It is important to understand that this number is not the same as the carbon footprint of the average individual living in Fairfax, which would include lifecycle emissions, emissions resulting from air travel, the manufacturing and distribution of products and food, etc.
FIGURE 3: EMISSIONS PER CAPITA
Built Environment -
Electricity
4%
Transportation
54%
Waste
5%
Water &
Wastewater
<1%
Off-Road
2%
Built Environment
- Natural Gas
35%
5.6 5.6 5.7 5.5 5.3
5.0 4.9 5.0 4.8
4.4 4.3 4.2 4.1 4.0 4.0 3.9
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 MTCO2e Per Person
Fairfax Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 7
SIGNIFICANT SOURCES OF EMISSIONS
The following sections provide a year-by-year analysis of the changes in GHG emissions from the use of electricity, natural gas, transportation, and water and the disposal of waste. Whenever possible, each section discusses the change in emissions from previous years and the likely influence of state and local programs or policies and external factors on reducing emissions.
BUILT ENVIRONMENT - ELECTRICITY
Purchased electricity use in homes and businesses in Fairfax decreased 12% between 2005 and 2020. Greenhouse gas emissions from purchased electricity consumption decreased 82% since 2005, as shown in Figure 4. This is primarily due to the lower carbon intensity of electricity. PG&E has been steadily increasing the amount of renewable energy in its electricity mix. In 2020, PG&E electricity came from a mix of renewable (31%), large hydroelectric (10%), nuclear (43%), and natural gas (16%) energy sources and was 84% GHG-free.2 MCE Light Green electricity came primarily from renewable (61%) and hydroelectric (36%) sources and was 98% GHG-free.3 In 2020, about 12.7% of MCE electricity purchased by Fairfax customers was 100% renewable Deep Green electricity, including electricty purchased by the Town government.
FIGURE 4: ELECTRICITY USE AND EMISSIONS
BUILT ENVIRONMENT - NATURAL GAS
Natural gas is used in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings to provide space and water heating and power appliances. Use of natural gas is highly variable depending on the weather conditions. This variability has led natural gas use consumption in Fairfax to fluctuate from year to year, from a high of 2.2 million therms in 2011 to a low of 2 PG&E 2020 Power Content Label, https://www.pge.com/pge_global/common/pdfs/your-account/yourbill/understand-your-bill/bill-inserts/2021/1021-PowerContent.pdf. Nuclear and large hydro sources are considered GHG-free.
3 MCE 2020 Power Content Label, https://www.mcecleanenergy.org/energysuppliers/#iLightbox[47d9eefc46030b57d7a]/0. 0 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
21,000,000
22,000,000
23,000,000
24,000,000
25,000,000
26,000,000
27,000,000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 MTCO2e
kWh
Electricity (kWh) Electricity Emissions
Fairfax Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 8
1.7 million therms in 2014. Reduction in energy use may also be attributed to energy efficiency programs and rebates, local green building ordinances, and State building codes.
Natural gas consumption decreased 1% between 2019 and 2020 and was 7% below the 2005 level in 2020. Unlike electricity emissions which reflect the power content mix, natural gas emissions track the amount of natural gas consumed (Figure 5).
FIGURE 5: NATURAL GAS USE AND EMISSIONS
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation activities accounted for approximately 54% of Fairfax’s emissions in 2020. According to the transportation model and annual data the Town uses to calculate passenger and commercial vehicle miles, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) have decreased approximately 2% since 2005 and were flat between 2019 and 2020. However, this data may not accurately reflect recent trends. The transportation model has not been updated for several years (it is currently being revised), and the annual data the Town uses to adjust the model’s output provides vehicle counts on state highways but not local roads, where the pandemic most likely reduced VMT.
Transportation emissions have decreased 17% since 2005 due to the reduction in VMT as well as more fuel-efficient and alternatively fueled cars (Figure 6). As shown in Figure 7, most transportation emissions come from passenger vehicles, accounting for 81% of transportation emissions in 2020. Marin County continues to be a leader in zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) – second only to Santa Clara County – with 9,709 ZEVs in Marin at the end of 2020, or 4.7% of registered automobiles. ZEVs include battery electric cars, plug-in hybrid electric cars, hydrogen fuel cell cars, and zero-emission motorcycles. Fairfax had 303 ZEVs by the end of 2020, or 4.6% of registered light-duty vehicles.
While it is difficult to pinpoint exactly how each land use and transportation policy affects emissions, the Town has undertaken many efforts to reduce transportation emissions. The Town encourages workforce housing and has made it easier for residents to use carbon-free modes of transportation, such as bicycling and walking, through improvements to the transportation network.
FIGURE 6: VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED AND TRANSPORTATION EMISSIONS 0 2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
0 500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 MTCO2e
Therms
Natural Gas Use Natural Gas Emissions
Fairfax Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 9
FIGURE 7: TRANSPORTATION EMISSIONS BY VEHICLE CATEGORY
Note: Public transportation represents emissions from Marin Transit and Golden Gate Transit fixed-route buses.
WASTE DISPOSAL
Waste generated by the community decreased 16% between 2019 and 2020 and was 21% below the 2005 level by 2020 as shown in Figure 8 (based on countywide disposal data). Total landfilled waste includes alternative daily cover.
4 Emissions from waste disposal decreased 36% due to the lower organic content of landfilled waste and material used for alternative daily cover.
4 Alternative daily cover is cover material other than earthen material placed on the surface of the active face of a municipal solid waste landfill at the end of each operating day to control vectors, fires, odors, blowing litter, and scavenging. 0 5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
0 5
10 15
20 25
30 35
40 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 MTCO2e
VMT (millions)
Vehicle Miles Traveled Transportation Emissions
Passenger Vehicles
81%
Commercial Vehicles
18%
Public Transportation
1%
Fairfax Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 10
FIGURE 8: DISPOSED WASTE AND EMISSIONS
WATER USE
Per capita water use declined 19% since 2005, as shown in Figure 9 (based on MMWD district-wide data). Emissions, which are based on an estimate of energy used to pump, treat, and convey water from the water source to the Town limits, dropped 96% between 2005 and 2020 (see Figure 10). The additional reduction is due to the lower carbon intensity of electricity. The Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) began purchasing MCE Deep Green electricity in mid-2017. The Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA), which supplied approximately 27% of MMWD’s water in 2020, uses renewable and carbon-free sources for its electricity needs; a small amount of emissions comes from stationary and mobile combustion of fuels used in SCWA’s operations.
FIGURE 9: PER CAPITA WATER USE
0 500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
0 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 MTCO2e
Tons
Waste (tons) Waste (emissions)
142 144 145 146
132 126 124 130
139
117 112
101 106 110 107
116
0 20
40 60
80 100
120
140
160
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Gallons Per Capita Per Day
Source: Marin Municipal Water District
Fairfax Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 11
FIGURE 10: COMMUNITY WATER USE AND EMISSIONS
MMWD provides rebates and programs to reduce water use. Rebates are available to replace fixtures with highefficiency clothes washers and to purchase cisterns and rain barrels. MMWD provides free home and landscape water-use evaluations as well as free high-efficiency showerheads and faucet aerators. 0 50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0 50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 MTCO2e
Million Gallons
Water Use Water Emissions
Fairfax Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Appendix A-1 APPENDIX: COMMUNITY INVENTORY
Community GHG Emissions Summary Table
Jurisdiction: Town of Fairfax Inventory Year: 2020
Population: 7,590 (CA Department of Finance) Date Prepared: July 16, 2022 Number of Households: 3,284 (CA Department of Finance) Reporting Framework: Communitywide Activities ID
Emissions Type
Source
or
Activity
Included,
Required
Activities
Included,
Optional
Activities
Excluded
(IE, NA,
NO or NE) Notes
Emissions
(MTCO2e)
1.0 Built Environment
1.1 Use of fuel in residential and commercial stationary combustion equipment Both ● 10,186
1.2 Industrial stationary sources Source NE
1.3 Power generation in the community Source NO
1.4 Use of electricity in the community Activity ● Includes transmission and distribution losses 1,178
1.5 District heating/cooling facilities in the community Source NE
1.6 Use of district heating/cooling facilities in the community Activity NE
1.7 Industrial process emissions in the community Source NO
1.8 Refrigerant leakage in the community Source NE
2.0 Transportation and Other Mobile Sources
2.1 On-road passenger vehicles operating within the community boundary Source IE Obtained data for preferred activitybased method instead
2.2 On-road passenger vehicles associated with community land uses Activity ● 12,933
2.3 On-road freight and service vehicles operating within the community boundary Source IE Obtained data for preferred activitybased method instead
2.4 On-road freight and service vehicles associated with community land uses Activity ● 2,787
2.5 On-road transit vehicles associated with community land uses Activity ● 166
2.6 Transit rail vehicles operating with the community boundary Source NO
2.7 Use of transit rail travel by the community Activity NE Fairfax Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Appendix A-2
2.8 Inter-city passenger rail vehicles operating within the community boundary Source NO
2.9 Freight rail vehicles operating within the community boundary Source NO
2.10 Marine vessels operating within the community boundary Source NO
2.11 Use of ferries by the community Activity NE
2.12 Off-road surface vehicles and other mobile equipment operating within the community boundary Source ● 452
2.13 Use of air travel by the community Activity NE
3.0 Solid Waste
3.1 Operation of solid waste disposal facilities in the community Source NO
3.2 Generation and disposal of solid waste by the community Activity ● 1,571
4.0 Water and Wastewater
4.1 Operation of water delivery facilities in the community Source IE Energy use is included in 1.1 and 1.4.
4.2 Use of energy associated with use of potable water by the community Activity ● 12
4.3 Use of energy associated with generation of wastewater by the community Activity ● 0
4.4 Process emissions from operation of wastewater treatment facilities located in the community Source NO
4.5 Process emissions associated with generation of wastewater by the community Activity ● 63
4.6 Use of septic systems in the community Source NE
5.0 Agriculture
5.1 Domesticated animal production Source NE
5.2 Manure decomposition and treatment Source NE
6.0 Upstream Impacts of Communitywide Activities
6.1 Upstream impacts of fuels used in stationary applications by the community Activity NE
6.2 Upstream and transmission and distribution (T&D) impacts of purchased electricity used by the community Activity IE Transmission and distribution losses included in 1.4.
6.3 Upstream impacts of fuels used by water and wastewater facilities for water used and wastewater generated within the community boundary
Activity IE
Included in 4.2 and 4.3.
6.4 Upstream impacts of select materials (concrete, food, paper, carpets, etc.) used by the whole community. Activity NE Legend
IE – Included Elsewhere: Emissions for this activity are estimated and presented in another category of the inventory. The category where these emissions are included should be noted in the explanation.
Fairfax Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Appendix A-3 NE – Not Estimated: Emissions occur but have not been estimate or reported (e.g., data unavailable, effort required not justifiable).
NA – Not Applicable: The activity occurs but does not cause emissions; explanation should be provided.
NO – Not Occurring: The source or activity does not occur or exist within the community.
Fairfax Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Appendix A-4 Community Emissions Data Sources and Calculation Methodologies Sector/ID Emissions Source Source and/or Activity Data Emission Factor and Methodology
1.0 Built Environment
1.1 Stationary
Combustion
Stationary Combustion
(CO2, CH4 & N2O)
Known fuel use (meter readings by PG&E) and estimated fuel use (American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, and U.S.
Energy Information Administration Household Site Fuel
Consumption data).
Default CO2, CH4 & N2O emission factors by fuel type (U.S.
Community Protocol v. 1.1 Tables B.1 and B.3). U.S. Community Protocol v. 1.1, Appendix C, Method BE.1.1 and BE.1.2.
1.4 Electricity Use
Electricity Use (CO2, CH4
& N2O)
Known electricity use (meter readings by PG&E and MCE) and estimated direct access electricity consumption.
Verified utility-specific emission factors (PG&E and MCE) and eGrid subregion default emission factors. U.S. Community Protocol v. 1.1, Appendix C, Method BE.2.1.
Electric Power
Transmission and
Distribution Losses
(CO2, CH4 & N2O)
Estimated electricity grid loss for Western region from eGrid. U.S. Community Protocol v. 1.1, Appendix C, Method BE.4.1.
2.0 Transportation and Other Mobile Sources
2.2 On-Road
Passenger
Vehicle
Operation
On-Road Mobile
Combustion (CO2)
Estimated passenger vehicle miles traveled associated with origin and destination land uses (Metropolitan Transportation Commission, http://capvmt.us-west2.elasticbeanstalk.com/data).
CO2 for on-road passenger vehicles quantified in the EMFAC2021 v.1.0.1 model. Passenger vehicle emissions calculated according to U.S. Community Protocol v. 1.1, Appendix D, Method TR.1.A.
On-Road Mobile
Combustion
(CH4 & N2O)
Estimated vehicle miles traveled associated with origin and destination land uses (Metropolitan Transportation
Commission, http://capvmt.us-west2.elasticbeanstalk.com/data).
CH4 and N2O for on-road passenger vehicles quantified in the EMFAC2021 v.1.0.1 model. Passenger vehicle emissions
calculated according to U.S. Community Protocol v. 1.1, Appendix D, Method TR.1.A.
2.4 On-Road
Freight and
Service Truck
Freight
Operation
On-Road Mobile
Combustion (CO2)
Estimated commercial vehicle miles traveled within the
boundary (Metropolitan Transportation Commission utilizing the 2017 Regional Transportation Plan).
CO2 for on-road commercial vehicles quantified in the
EMFAC2021 v.1.0.1 model. Emissions allocated utilizing LEHD data according to U.S. Community Protocol v. 1.1, Appendix D, Method TR.2.A.
On-Road Mobile
Combustion
(CH4 & N2O)
Estimated commercial vehicle miles traveled within the
boundary (Metropolitan Transportation Commission utilizing Plan Bay Area 2040 and the 2017 Regional Transportation Plan).
CH4 and N2O for on-road commercial vehicles quantified in the EMFAC2021 v.1.0.1 model. Emissions allocated utilizing LEHD data according to U.S. Community Protocol v. 1.1, Appendix D, Method TR.2.A.
2.5 On-Road
Transit
Operation
On-Road Mobile
Combustion (CO2)
Estimated vehicle miles traveled within the boundary (Marin Transit and Golden Gate Transit) and estimated diesel fuel efficiency for transit fleet (Golden Gate Transit). Fuel type provided by Marin Transit and Golden Gate Transit.
Renewable diesel emission factor provided by NEXGEN. U.S.
Community Protocol v. 1.1, Appendix D, Method TR.4.A.
On-Road Mobile
Combustion
(CH4 & N2O)
Estimated vehicle miles traveled within the boundary (Marin Transit and Golden Gate Transit) and estimated diesel fuel Renewable diesel emission factor provided by NEXGEN. U.S.
Community Protocol v. 1.1, Appendix D, Method TR.4.B.
Fairfax Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Appendix A-5 efficiency for transit fleet (Golden Gate Transit). Fuel type provided by Marin Transit and Golden Gate Transit.
2.12 Off-Road
Vehicles and
Equipment
Off-Road Mobile
Combustion (CO2)
Estimated fuel use from OFFROAD 2021 v.1.0.1 for Lawn and Garden and Construction equipment. All categories are
allocated by share of countywide households.
CO2 emissions calculated according U.S. Community Protocol v.
1.1, Appendix D, Method TR.8. Emission factors provided in Table TR.1.6.
Off-Road Mobile
Combustion
(CH4 & N2O)
Estimated fuel use from OFFROAD 2021 for Lawn and Garden and Construction equipment. All categories are allocated by share of countywide households.
CH4 and N2O emissions calculated according to U.S. Community Protocol v. 1.1, Appendix D, Method TR.8. Emission factors provided in the Local Government Operations Protocol Table G.11 and G.14.
3.0 Solid Waste
3.2 Solid Waste
Generation
and Disposal
Fugitive Emissions from
Landfilled Waste (CH4)
Estimated landfilled tons based on reporting to CalRecycle by Marin County Solid and Hazardous Waste JPA and allocated to jurisdiction based on share of countywide population. Waste characterization based on the Statewide Waste
Characterization Study (2008, 2014 and 2018) and Alternative Daily Cover by Jurisdiction of Origin and Material Type as reported to CalRecycle.
Emission factors calculated utilizing U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Report of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Version
1.1, July 2013, Appendix E, Method SW.4.
4.0 Water and Wastewater
4.2 Water Supply
&
Conveyance,
Treatment
and
Distribution
Electricity Use (CO2) Water consumption (district-wide gpcd) and electricity consumption provided by Marin Municipal Water District
(MMWD). Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) water
delivery amount provided by SCWA.
Verified utility-specific emission factors (PG&E, MCE and SCWA).
Emissions calculated according to U.S. Community Protocol v. 1.1, Appendix F, Method WW.14.
Electricity Use
(CH4 & N2O)
Water consumption (district-wide gpcd) provided by Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD). Electricity consumption data provided by MMWD.
eGrid subregion default emission factors. Emissions calculated according to U.S. Community Protocol v. 1.1, Appendix F, Method WW.14.
4.5 Treatment of
Wastewater
Stationary Emissions
from Combustion of
Digester Gas
(CH4)
Known amount of digester gas produced per day and known percent of methane in digester gas provided by Central Marin Sanitation Agency.
Emissions calculated according to U.S. Community Protocol v. 1.1, Appendix F, Method WW.1.a.
Stationary Emissions
from Combustion of
Digester Gas
(N2O)
Known amount of digester gas produced per day and known percent of methane in digester gas provided by Central Marin Sanitation Agency.
Emissions calculated according to U.S. Community Protocol v. 1.1, Appendix F, Method WW.2.a.
Fairfax Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Appendix A-6 Process Emissions from
Wastewater Treatment
Plant without
Nitrification or
Denitrification
Estimated population served by wastewater treatment plant provided by Central Marin Sanitation Agency.
Emissions calculated according to U.S. Community Protocol v. 1.1, Appendix F, Method WW.8.
Fugitive Emissions from
Effluent Discharge
(N2O)
Estimated population served by wastewater treatment plant provided by Central Marin Sanitation Agency. Assumed
significant industrial or commercial input.
Emissions calculated according to U.S. Community Protocol v. 1.1, Appendix F, Method WW.12(alt).