Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 18, 2025
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: SUNAYANA THOMAS, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PREPARED BY: BENJAMIN KOFF, ASSOCIATE PLANNER
SUBJECT: CLIMATE ACTION PLAN STATUS REPORT
SUMMARY
City Council adopted the Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2012 with The Fullerton Plan update. The CAP includes goals and policies to guide the approach to climate change, including guidelines for preparing inventories, plans and general reduction strategies. This report includes initiatives, practices, policies and programs in the 2012 update.
PROPOSED MOTION
Receive and file.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
No recommendation.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
Not applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The City of Fullerton prepared a Climate Action Plan to address global climate change and provide a framework for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The CAP recommended GHG emission targets consistent with state reduction targets, presenting several strategies to meet the recommended targets. The CAP guides action development, enhancement and implementation to reduce City GHG emissions by about 15% (from 2009 levels). The effects of climate change have a global nature with locally identified effects including sea level rise, water supply availability, wildfires and other extreme weather events.
The CAP separated GHG emissions into community-wide and government-related emissions. This “emissions inventory” included direct sources (e.g., fossil fuel combustion) and indirect sources (e.g., emissions from electricity generation and waste disposal), in establishing baseline GHG emissions. The largest source, primarily from on-road vehicle travel came from transportation, accounts for approximately 66.2% of GHG emissions.
Fullerton secured a $799,000 grant in 2024 though the Clean California Transit Enhancement Program. The funds, designated for enhancing and beautifying areas in and around the Fullerton Transportation Center, will replace the signage system with a more comprehensive wayfinding program to help residents and visitors navigate Downtown more effectively, direct visitors to various attractions around town and provide bike route information.
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) owns and operates all bus transit in the City. The City used a $4.6 million OC Go allocation and state funds to upgrade the Fullerton Transportation Center elevators. This project installed two new elevators and modernized equipment to improve transit user accessibility and reliability. These investments improve Fullerton Transportation Center functionality, accessibility and sustainability, enhancing the experience for commuters and supporting the City transit infrastructure.
Residential energy use contributes the second largest community-wide GHG emissions, accounting for 16.3% of GHG emissions resulting from electricity and natural gas consumption in homes. Commercial and institutional energy use, including universities, offices and retail, accounted for 8.8% of baseline emissions.
Alternative energy use, specifically solar, offers an important factor in greenhouse gas reduction. The Governor signed AB 2188 in 2014 mandating a standardized, streamlined solar permitting process for small rooftop solar systems. Fullerton implemented this streamlined process and issued approximately 4,500 permits for residential and commercial solar systems since 2013, with the annual number of permits issued increasing each year. This accounts for over 105,000 square feet of photovoltaic systems.
The City simplifies procedures for residential solar installations, making it easier for homeowners to adopt solar energy. The City partnered with NORESCO to implement projects to reduce energy consumption and operational costs. The City celebrated this project on November 9, 2023 with a “Flip-the-Switch” ceremony as part of the City strategy to enhance sustainability and reduce its carbon footprint. The City funded the project entirely from energy savings, leveraging guaranteed energy savings to pay for additional renewable energy, replace old and inefficient HVAC systems and place additional electric vehicle charging stations.
The partnership included:
ground-mounted photovoltaic system at the main water plant carport-mounted photovoltaic systems at City Hall and Police Department 15 dual port integrated electrical vehicle chargers throughout the City public access to clean transportation fuel and revenue generation for the City upgraded approximately 7,700 lighting fixtures with new LEDs.
The project provided decarbonization benefits expected to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 2,793,572 pounds. The total expected reduction in greenhouse gases equates to planting 1,306 acres of trees, providing air quality improvements to the community.
The CAP promotes efficiency through public education, stating “education is by far the most powerful and affordable tool” to increase chances of implementing a successful plan and demonstrating tangible progress. Schools offer a powerful instrument for change and staff considers working with schools on climate change education programs an essential strategy.
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) has actively promoted sustainability through its annual Energy and Sustainability Summit, first hosted in October 2022, serving as a platform to discuss clean energy initiatives, climate goals and innovative research. The Summit features CSUF alumni, industry experts, local elected officials and representatives from organization like the U.S. Department of Energy. The event included panel discussions addressing topics such as funding opportunities for sustainability projects and resources for local governments investing in clean energy.
The CAP included initiatives to manage solid waste generation and diversion to help facilitate a zero-waste future. Waste sent to landfills accounts for 1.9% of community-wide, baseline GHG emissions. Reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills would reduce transportation costs, landfill tipping fees and methane gas production. The City actively participates in the Orange County Recycling Market Development Zone (OCRMDZ), a program that merges recycling initiatives with economic development, supporting businesses utilizing recycling materials. Fullerton offers several services to encourage waste reduction and promote sustainable business practices.
The City provides a complementary business site selection tool to help businesses identify optimal locations within industrial zones and offers forms of technical support, including assistance with permits, business planning and industry networking. The OCRMDZ initiative includes a program providing direct loans to business and nonprofits located in a Recycling Market Development Zone which promotes market development for waste materials. Fullerton engages with the OCRMDZ and demonstrates commitment to environmental sustainability and economic development, aiming to reduce landfill waste while fostering business growth within the community.
Staff will continue pursuing opportunities and grant funding for projects and programs that support the Climate Action Plan goals and policies and the City will continue to provide environmental stewardship leaders. The Community and Economic Development Department will encourage green building practices and principles for projects, policies or programs as applicable.
Attachments:
• Attachment 1 – The Fullerton Plan, Appendix H: Climate Action Plan • Attachment 2 – Climate Action Plan Status Report
cc: City Manager Eric J. Levitt
Climate Action Plan Status Report
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