From: Milena Furtado
To: Sustainable Foster City
Subject: Climate action plan
Date: Thursday, April 4, 2024 7:46:00 AM
Dear city,
I am 100% committed to sustainable changes, but I believe the city needs to provide incentives to the community.
Most people are way over their heads with bills and cannot afford more expensive measures. A typical example is changing infrastructure and and appliances.
Right now I'm changing all my windows to energy efficient ones. The cost for this is 30k. That's a new car.
The electrical grid from my condo is old and does not support EV charging. The improvement would cost 20k.
These energy saving measures are extremely expensive and the city must pick up some of this bill.
Another suggestion is to install free EV chargers to all public parking lots, not the super expensive ones in the library.
We can also cut down costs by not resurfacing roads every year unnecessarily, and use these savings on green measures. In addition, bringing the community center down and building a whole new structure is also an unnecessary cost that could be saved for green rebates for the community.
I have plenty of other ideas to share on how to improve the quality of life of our community while undertaking sustainable actions.
I would appreciate to hear your thoughts back.
Thanks in advance, Milena
Sent from my iPhone
From: Michael Blakeley
To: Sustainable Foster City
Subject: Re: Climate Action Plan Drop-In Session
Date: Thursday, April 4, 2024 4:55:11 PM
Thanks for publishing and soliciting feedback on the draft Climate Action Plan (CAP) Update for Foster City. As a resident of Foster City since 1993, I have the following thoughts.
1. Page 56: I think "Micormobility" should be "Micromobility"? I'd suggest using "Micro-mobility" throughout, because it's less awkward and the hyphen will work better with spell-check.
2. Residential and commercial electrification: many residents and businesses will point out that PG&E imposes irregular, unpredictable electrical outages on Foster City. The city could partner with PCE to address these stability concerns by adding utility-scale storage to nearby substations. This storage could pay for itself by selling power back to the grid, while helping to avoid outages within Foster City.
3. Page 71: "T-L.2 Decarbonize Transportation". This section is perhaps the most important in the document, because the document asserts that transportation accounts for 50% of Foster City's emissions. I'd like to see more detail on "T-L.2.1" with emphasis on encouraging MUDs to install charging infrastructure, in order to meet the CAP target of 30% EV adoption by 2030.
No one likes to wait around at a charging station, so the best way to make EV ownership easier is to enable charging at home or at work. This is relatively easy for most single-family homes, but residents of apartments and other MUDs usually can't charge at home. Without home charging for apartment-dwellers, I fear that Foster City will struggle to meet its EV adoption target.
Please consider addressing this problem by using both carrots and sticks to encourage offices and other workplaces to install EV charging sufficient for the 30% target, and do the same for apartments and other MUDS. Please consider working intensively with PCE on this: they've done a lot of work in this area already, and probably have ideas for policies that Foster City could adopt.
For example many MUDs could adopt this approach:
https://www.peninsulacleanenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/PCE124_SuccessStory_Tyrone_v1B_bm.pdf PCE chose not to specify, but I believe they used this technology:
https://www.orangecharger.com/oro-products/orange-outlet Many apartments already have service outlets in their parking facilities. Replacing these with smart outlets looks like an affordable way to roll out L1 charging capacity with minimal investment or disruption.
It might also be useful to address the high cost of EV charging. Due to recent price increases, EV charging is almost as expensive as gas. PCE's rate freeze helps, and single-family homes can install rooftop solar + storage. But what can Foster City do to make EV charging more affordable for residents of apartments and other MUDs?
3. Appendix C appears to be blank. Is this intentional?
4. Appendix D appears to be blank. Is this intentional? best,
- Michael
> On Apr 3, 2024, at 21:18, Sustainable Foster City <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Sid Gogi
To: Sustainable Foster City
Subject: Draft Climate Action Plan Comments/Questions/Feedback Date: Monday, April 15, 2024 9:13:14 PM
Hello,
Here are some minor comments on the Draft Climate Action Plan:
1) I noticed that throughout the document, there weren't many references to other cities and their climate goals. If possible, is there any way to add a section comparing Foster City to other cities' Climate Action Plans (specifically those in the Bay Area or in San Mateo County)? This would provide more context.
2) Are there plans to have a shortened, summarized version of the CAP available for people who are intimidated by a long policy document? This way, Foster City's Climate goals will be more accessible to the community. The summary version could be provided in the form of either an engaging video or a one-page abstract.
3) I notice that my name is spelled incorrectly in the acknowledgements section of the document. Instead of "Siddarth Gogi," the name should be "Siddharth Gogi" (an "h" has been added). Fixing this would be much appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to review community feedback.
Best,
Siddharth Gogi
SIERRA CLUB
SIERRA
LOMA PRIETA CHAPTER
CLUB
SAN MATEO, SANTA CLARA & SAN BENITO COUNTIES BAY ALIVE
April 15, 2024
Via email to: sustainable @fostercity.org
Dear Foster City Sustainability Staff,
The Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter thanks you for this opportunity to comment on the draft Climate Action Plan (CAP). We hope you consider the following comments for inclusion in the Draft CAP.
1) Include measures to increase tree canopy and expand biodiversity.
The draft CAP states that "Foster City's tree canopy, which can provide much-needed shade during extreme heat, is limited relative to other cities in the state, covering only seven percent of its land." However, the Draft CAP does not include measures to address this. Tree Canopy coverage and the protection and expansion of biodiversity will help make Foster City a more bikeable, walkable, and resilient city. Please consider introducing a new goal to Sector 4:
Climate Resilience and Leadership that reads as follows. "C-L.3 Increase Tree Coverage and biodiversity."
2) Add to C-L.4.2 language prioritizing nature-based adaptation solutions.
As Foster City engages in climate adaptation planning efforts, the importance and value of nature-based adaptation solutions should be explicitly stated, especially with regards to planning for sea level rise. SB 272 now requires sea level rise plans to include nature whenever possible. Wetlands and living levees are not only more resilient over time than sea walls, but they also provide valuable ecosystem services such as flood protection, clean water, clean air and carbon sequestration.' Groundwater rise is a growing concern because emergent groundwater is anticipated along the County shoreline 2 and Green Stormwater Infrastructure is required to meet clean stormwater goals set by the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Please consider adding the following language to C-L.4.2. "C. Prioritize nature-based adaptation solutions to sea level rise and other climate impacts." 'Linked here is our Sea Level Rise Webinar, including leading experts from many agencies:
https://www.sierraclub.org/loma-prieta/sea-level-rise-why-we-need-nature-based-adaptation-webinar 2 Shallow Groundwater Response to Sea-Level Rise: Alameda, Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties, Pathways Climate Institute and San Francisco Estuary Institute. sierraclub.org/loma-prieta ~ 3921 East Bayshore Road, Suite 204, Palo Alto, CA 94303 3) Estimate resources needed for timely completion of measures.
The Draft CAP does not detail the resources, such as funding and staff capacity, that are necessary to achieve the successful implementation of individual measures in the CAP. Such estimations will be valuable for policymakers in Foster City who must decide which measures to prioritize for completion and how best to accomplish them. 4) Identify a specific VMT % reduction goal for measure T-L.1.
We support the intended goal of T-L. 1 to "reduce vehicle miles traveled in the City". However the target of "reduce vehicle miles traveled commuting to work" lacks a quantifiable target for this reduction. Specific targets could include a target percentage of public transit mode share, such as was identified in Cupertino's Climate Action Plan 2.0, which identified a goal of achieving 29% of public transit mode share by 2030.3
5) Add to E-W.2 a measure including permit and rebate clarification.
We are glad to see that the decarbonization of existing buildings is a prominent source of emissions reductions in the draft CAP. The success of existing building decarbonization programs and policies will depend on the City making the user experience as easy as possible for residents who wish to replace their gas appliances with electric appliances. Please consider introducing a new bullet point to measure E-W.2 that reads as follows. "G. Study approaches to clarify the permit and rebate processes for residents seeking to electrify their buildings."
6) Consider including these recommended resources.
We hope you consider including the following resources into the Draft CAP:
- Redwood Energy's Watt Diet Calculator, which can help some residents electrify their homes without needing to perform a panel upgrade. - Model Reach Code recommendations from BayAreaReachCodes.org for EV and building electrification codes, prepared in part by Peninsula Clean Energy." Thank you for this opportunity to review the Draft CAP. We are available to answer any questions you may have regarding our suggestions and look forward to collaborating with you on a robust Climate Action Plan.
3 (pdf page #82) https://www.cupertino.org/home/showpublisheddocument/31683/637964240923930000 4 https://www.redwoodeneray.net/watt-diet-calculator
5 https://bayareareachcodes.org/
sierraclub.org/loma-prieta ~ 3921 East Bayshore Road, Suite 204, Palo Alto, CA 94303 Sincerely,
Gita Dev
Vice-Chair
Sierra Club Bay Alive Campaign
Dashiell Leeds,
Conservation Coordinator
Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter
sierraclub.org/loma-prieta ~ 3921 East Bayshore Road, Suite 204, Palo Alto, CA 94303 September 27, 2024
Foster City Climate Action Plan
Public Comments
Jonathan Sam, PhD
Dear Foster City Council & Citizens Sustainability Advisory Committee, I'd first like to thank all of you for your hard work drafting Foster City's Climate Action Plan. It is important that all citizens are aware of current and future risks posed by climate change and what we, as citizens, can do to help mitigate the effects of these risks.
First, I'd like to introduce myself before getting into some commentary on the CAP. My name is Jonathan Sam, I have lived in Foster City for a little more than three years now and have fallen in love with the city and the community. I hold a doctorate in Environmental Systems and my current work involves modeling risks, hazard, and climate change as they pertain to financial losses both in the United States and globally. I participated in the inaugural Foster City Civics Academy which helped me understand how this city operates from a behind-the-scenes vantage point. My participation in the Academy inspired me to try to be a participating member of this community. I had intentions of applying to the Sustainability Advisory Committee that was listed earlier this year but timing did not work in my favor; I do plan on applying for future open seats.
Overall, I think the CAP is great and hits on all the major impacts of climate change and addresses how the city will aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the actions of individuals. I'd like to point out two things that I hope Foster City can aim to do to better address community-based actions to address climate change and put more onus on the collective of people that reside here and less on the individuals.
First, I'd like to address transportation. I fully agree with all actionable items listed in improving transportation within Foster City and reducing the amounts of carbon emissions of individuals through the encouragement of biking andwalking, and the promotion of zero emission vehicles. I'd like to point out that Foster City is uniquely situated, as it is located at the intersection of two major freeways (101 and 92) with a third not too far away (280). This creates a situation where almost all areas of Hillsdale Blvd become severely congested during commuter hours with people traveling in almost all directions--East, North, and South. This isn't pleasant for residents of Foster City. There needs to be better, more efficient solutions for this influx of cars on the road. CalTrain has recently shifted its entire fleet to electricity. Considering that there are three very close CalTrain Stations, (two of which are serviced by every single CalTrain line), there needs to be a subsidized public transportation option that is EFFICIENT for Foster City residents to use to reach these stations without having to drive and park in these areas. The current option of SamTrans (251) operates September 27, 2024
throughout the city ONCE an hour. This is obviously not enough and does not encourage commuters to utilize this option. Additionally biking and walking to Hillsdale station poses serious inconvenience, with the intersections of Hillsdale and Norfolk and Hillsdale and Saratoga being extremely unsafe for pedestrians and bikers. Foster City should align itself with CalTrain's electrification and offer a local Electric Bus option subsidized for residents that aims to remove cars from our streets. One that runs frequently with ease of access throughout the city would in turn promote more dining, shopping, and exploring of other local businesses as well if planned right. There is already Zoox EV driverless cars driving around parts of the city; perhaps a partnership with them could prove to be beneficial in electrifying larger modes of transportation. There are longer lasting implications that this would provide as well: better zoning laws that could reduce the amount of unused parking spaces around our city (there are a lot), increased tourists for large events such as our 4 of July events and Summer Days. It would also connect us with the larger Peninsula region by giving us easier access to CalTrain stations. These suggestions line up with Foster City's Climate Action Plan by further reducing modes of individual gas-powered transportation and increasing public green transportation.
Second, I'd like to address an issue that is plaguing all of California. Insurance companies are refusing to write new policies in California. There is no reason to believe that Foster City is an exception. As noted in the CAP, increased heat risk, pollution, but most dominantly flood risk could be real reasons why insurance companies fail to offer insurance policies for both residential and commercial properties in Foster City. Foster City has already taken a community-based approach in protecting and mitigating the effects of Sea Level Rise with the creation of the Levee project. This drastically improved the recreational foot traffic of our city IN ADDITION to protecting our community from rising sea levels. I'd like to see further community-based action through the purchasing or acquiring of community-based disaster insurance. (Linked is further information on what this exactly is). The goal of a community-based disaster insurance plan is in the event of catastrophic storms, floods, earthquakes, and other perils, Foster City would have an insurance plan that ensures the community at large continues to operate business as usual for its citizens and protects itself from the largest economic disasters while quickly promoting recovery.
Thank you for considering my comments. I hope the opinions and suggestions provided have a positive impact on the Climate Action Plan either now or in the near future. Foster City is my home, and I hope to continue to participate in its growth and protection.
Thank you,
Jonathan Sam, PhD
From: Michael Blakeley
To: Sustainable Foster City
Subject: comments on Foster City draft climate action plan (CAP) Date: Tuesday, October 1, 2024 11:33:50 AM
I'm writing to comment on the draft CAP at https://sustainable.fostercity.org/climate-action-plan-update/ This draft is clearly the product of significant work and reflects well on Foster City. I'd like to thank everyone concerned for their efforts.
Looking at T-L.2.1.6 and T-L.2.1.7 I'm concerned that these targets would only add a total of 200 new EV charging stations in MUDs by 2030. Looking at EV ownership growth rates, 200 new stations won't be nearly enough for the number of apartment-dwellers and other MUD residents who will own EVs by 2030. To maintain growth in EV ownership and meet state climate goals, Foster City must do more to encourage development of EV charging for MUDs.
Please consider adding reach codes that require every permit for parking lot paving or re-paving to also add copious amounts of EV charging. It may be sufficient to add conduit and wiring for future use, and to encourage use of L1/L2 outlet-based solutions such as Orange Charger (https://www.orangecharger.com/).
Thank you for your attention.
best,
- Michael Blakeley
> Hello Sustainability Enthusiasts! You're receiving this email because you previously participated in either giving feedback to help the City develop its Climate Action Plan Update or attended one of our sustainability events over the past year. We're excited to announce that Foster City's Draft Climate Action Plan Update is now available for public review and comment. A Climate Action Plan (CAP) is a comprehensive roadmap designed to guide the city in addressing climate change. It outlines specific strategies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience to climate change impacts. These plans are often tailored to the unique circumstances and needs of the area or entity creating them, taking into account local environmental, economic, and social factors. > Join us tomorrow, Thursday, April 4 at 7 pm for our online Drop-in Climate Action Plan Workshop. REGISTER > Also, Earth Day is April 22, but we're celebrating all month! Check out our Earth Day Events Pageto learn about the:
• Month-long Cleanup Competition where you can win weekly prizes! • "Earth Day, Everyday" Faire on April 27 at the Foster City Library! • Calendar of Earth Day/Sustainability Events happening in the County during the month of April! > We need your help! You can assist the Citizens Sustainability Advisory Committee (CSAC) and the City of Foster City with our Earth Day Events in three ways! Please sign up to be a volunteer below. Email us with any questions or comments.
> • Click here to volunteer to create buzz with your friends, promote on social media, and post flyers around town for our Earth Day Events
> • Click here to volunteer to help set up/cleanup, take photographs, or assist with kids' activities at our Earth Day Faire on Saturday, April 27 at the Foster City Library
> • Click here to help monitor the Waste to Art Competition inside the Library at our Earth Day Faire on Saturday, April 27 at the Foster City Library
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