2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 07
ʺ Install traffic calming measures on main thoroughfares(i.e., speed bumps, stop signs, roundabouts, flashing lights, narrowing of streets), to slow traffic. ʺ Increase speed e-signage to enforce safe driving practices. ʺ Offer regular bike safety and e-bike safety and skills training workshops. ʺ Research the feasibility of installing cameras at high-traffic intersections. ʺ Sync traffic lights on main roadways for maximum traffic flow. ʺ Proactively communicate planned traffic disruptions, via multiple communication channels, to residents.
ʺ Distribute the County of San Diego’s “Ride Well to Age Well Guide” transportation resource.
ʺ Consider low-cost transportation service designed for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
ʺ Host an Imperial Beach-tailored transportation optionsworkshop for the community in partnership with the County of San Diego.
ʺ Communicate and strategize with MTS to promote andensure adequate bus routes.
Support enhanced tra c
ow to increase safety
throughout Imperial Beach.
Domain 2 Transportation
Goal 1
Expand the mobility choices for older
Goal 2 adults in Imperial Beach.
Action
Steps
Action
Steps
08 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
ʺ Share information related to public transit training courses for individuals who are not comfortable/confident in riding public transit when available. ʺ Invite a community partner to conduct educational courses on safe driving best practices for older adults.
ʺ Consider a shuttle system within IB to connect individuals to public transit and local commerce.
Older adult residents can access public transit and
Goal 3 utilize best practices when driving.
Action
Steps
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 09
ʺ Launch a community walking group.
ʺ Provide programming for residents with different levels of mobility. ʺ Research opportunities to partner with agencies for parks and recreation programs. ʺ Build community by providing space for social clubs that focus on residents’ interests and desires.
ʺ Collaborate with local organizations to host a variety of life-long learning opportunities. ʺ Host an annual Health and Wellness Fair.
ʺ Identify and promote the day/time/location that all health and wellness, recreation, and social activities are available to older adults in Imperial Beach. ʺ Offer First Aid and CPR Certification classes in Imperial Beach when available. ʺ Promote awareness and access to healthy food via the donation-based congregate meal site, offered at the Imperial Beach Senior Community Center, outside nonprofit organization’s food distributions, and farmer’s market.
Action
Steps
Action
Steps
Coordinate and expand active aging programming
o ered in Imperial Beach.
Domain 3 Social, Physical, and Educational Support
Goal 1
Increase opportunities and improve visibility of
Goal 2 health and wellness support services and education.
10 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
ʺ Incorporate the “Dementia Friends USA” training for all necessary city staff and promote to interested community members.
ʺ Offer brain fitness classes/activities for older adults when available. ʺ Collaborate with a local Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) organization to host an educational workshop on ADRD.
Action
Steps
Enhance awareness, prevention, and support for
residents concerned about or experiencing mild
cognitive impairment (MCI). Goal 3
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 11
ʺ Utilize inclusive marketing strategies on all promotional materials, i.e., large print, contrast in colors, and stating, “All ages welcome!”
ʺ Offer residents the ability to sign up to receive regular City Council communications to stay informed.
ʺ Host scheduled opportunities to meet with city officials tolearn about city activities and services.
ʺ Post informational and directional signage for clear accessto City Council meetings. ʺ Host community resource information.
ʺ Enhance the coordination and messaging of communications from the city. ʺ Consider community bulletin boards for information distribution. ʺ Partner with an interested party to create and distribute a comprehensive informational flyer to promote availableresources for residents. ʺ Promote major city events and activities to local media, including the Eagle & Times.
Action
Steps
Action
Steps
Strengthen consideration for residents of all ages
in city activities and services.
Domain 4 Communication & Information
Goal 1
Promote awareness and knowledge of available
Goal 2 resources for older adults in Imperial Beach.
12 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
ʺ Produce both digital and print media outreach materials in both English and Spanish—when feasible.
ʺ Distribute promotion and outreach materials to the community at places they gather and frequent such as markets, restaurants, and the Imperial Beach Senior Community Center.
ʺ Provide community information on the City’s social media platforms. ʺ Promote events to the community and increase frequency of promotion closer to the date.
Action
Steps
Practice comprehensive outreach and
communication techniques to reach all Goal 3 ages in both English and Spanish.
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 13
Support opportunities for residents to create and
Goal 2 expand housing options.
Help ensure all residents have access to housing which
is safe for older adults and accessible for all ability levels.
Domain 5 Housing
Goal 1
ʺ Identify existing housing opportunities and subsequent gaps. ʺ Encourage entities to address the gap areas in housingavailability. ʺ Provide educational materials for homeowners to understand the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development process.
Action
Steps
Action
Steps
ʺ Host educational workshops with interested organizations on home safety modifications for both inside and outside the home.
ʺ Consider increasing community street lighting where feasible. ʺ Host educational workshops on housing issues such as Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and community resources.
ʺ Offer appointment times for personal housing resource consultations subject to staff availability.
ʺ Research the feasibility of developing additional low-income housing units for older adults in Imperial Beach.
14 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
ʺ Emphasize the importance of San Diego County Sheriff’s Department patrols near parks and beaches for an increased sense of safety.
ʺ Host intergenerational community events where people of all ages can enjoy.
Ensure Imperial Beach maintains a neighborly,
Goal 3 small-town beach community vibe.
Action
Steps
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 15
ʺ Create a city-wide volunteer program for all ages. Opportunities can range from community clean-up events to hosting a class/workshop at the Imperial Beach Senior Community Center.
ʺ Encourage neighborhood volunteer-based “Repair Café”- where volunteers mentor individuals who want to learn and complete bike, small appliance, and miscellaneous repairs.
ʺ Hold military appreciation events in conjunction withcommunity partners at Veterans Park.
ʺ Explore the opportunity of offering a shuttle service frombase to event(s) to ease transit/access concerns.
ʺ Collaborate with military partners and school districts to provide information to create a “Welcome Kit” for new residents that is available on the city website. Include local businesses, basic services, events, and contact information.
ʺ Consider creating a Veterans Committee to support outreach efforts that impact military families in Imperial Beach.
Action
Steps
Action
Steps
Imperial Beach residents have opportunities to
share their interests and talents.
Domain 6 Volunteerism, Military, and
Civic Engagement
Goal 1
Celebrate and support the military community. Goal 2
16 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
ʺ Make available the County-developed “Get Connected! A guide to Becoming Engaged in the Community” and “Ways to Engage Guide.” ʺ Host an information table at community events. Consider including information on “Ways to Get Involved” at city events.
ʺ Create cultural exchange opportunities, such as cultural education events, music in the park, and holiday celebrations.
ʺ Research the feasibility of restarting the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) federal volunteer program.
Action
Steps
Imperial Beach o ers a variety of options for residents to get involved and make meaningful connections Goal 3 in the community.
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 17
Introduction to the Action Plan
The City of Imperial Beach, California became part of AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities on October 20th, 2022. The City received a generous grant from the San Diego Foundation Age-Friendly Communities Program, funded by Del Mar Healthcare, Inc, and started working with the San Diego State University Social Policy Institute (SPI) in November 2022.
Together, with the support from the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services (AIS), and AARP, the Age-Friendly Imperial Beach Project Team was formed. Our team’s goal was to engage residents, who are 50 years of age or older, caregivers, and service providers, to assess our current strengths and areas where we can improve to create a dynamic and vibrant Imperial Beach.
The City of Imperial Beach, in partnership with AARP who is an affiliate of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Network of the Age-Friendly Communities, is an international effort launched in 2006 to help cities prepare for the growing population of older adults. The belief of AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities is that “well-designed, age-friendly communities foster economic growth and make for happier, healthier residents of all ages.” What is an Age-Friendly City?
An age-friendly city is a community in which people can grow up and grow old with ease. The WHO determined specific environmental, economic, and social factors that influence the health and wellbeing of older adults. These are called the “8 Domains of Livability,” which can be categorized as both the “built” and “social” environment and are noted as the following:
THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
Civic Participation and Employment
Communication and Information
Respect and Social Inclusion
Social Participation
Community Support and Health Services
THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Housing
Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
Transportation
8 Domains of
Livability
18 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
Age-Friendly Imperial Beach: What does it look like?
Our goal is to improve the quality of life for every resident as demographics change. People of all ages will benefit from the adoption of policies and programs such as making neighborhoods walkable, feature transportation options, enable access to key services, provide opportunities to participate in community activities, and to support housing that is affordable and adaptable. Age-Friendly Imperial Beach looks at equity and aims to work to eliminate disparities to serve all residents. The City of Imperial Beach is committed to providing meaningful and relevant services to residents of all ages, with special attention to keeping older residents active, engaged, and healthy.
City of Imperial Beach Profile
Imperial Beach is a small residential coastal city just over four-square miles in size, that also holds the distinction of being the most southwesterly city in the continental United States. We have four miles of beaches that make up our western border with the Pacific Ocean. That coastline stretches to the south where it meets the United States border with the country of Mexico. Our city’s north side is flanked by the city of Coronado and the southern portion of the San Diego Bay. And, to our east, we are adjacent to the City of San Diego and the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, which houses Border Field State Park.
Imperial Beach is known for its beach-centric, easy-going, laid-back vibe, and has a community that is rich in culture and diversity. This last fact is evidenced by a population in which 45-51% (depending on the source) speak a non-English language at home. The majority of our citizens are year-round residents. The city has strong military roots and houses the Naval Outlying Field Imperial Beach which is a Navy facility for helicopters known as “The Helicopter Capital of the World.” The city hosts miles of separated bike lanes, including a portion of the Bayshore Bikeway along its northern edge. With very little variation in elevation around the city and good walkways throughout, the city is quite walkable and is home to numerous scenic trails including those that go along and through the Tijuana Estuary National Park. The beach is easily accessible, and the seaside vendors represent a variety of local microbreweries, eclectic shops, diverse restaurants, coffee houses, and specialized services. There are places of worship representing most denominations.
Imperial Beach is served by two school districts, South Bay Union School District and Sweetwater Union High School District.
The city is 95 percent developed and the new construction projects are primarily infill development.
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 19
History
The land that Imperial Beach sits on was originally part of an 1846 land grant from the Spanish Crown and sits on the traditional territory of the Kumeyaay people. It was initially known as South San Diego Beach in the late 1800’s. The city’s history is closely tied to the establishment of the Coronado Beach Company, which played a pivotal role in developing the area as a recreational destination. In the early 1900’s, the name was changed to Imperial Beach to reflect its proximity to the Imperial Valley, an important agricultural region in the area. The city incorporated in 1956.
During the early 20th century, the city attracted visitors seeking respite from the bust of city life, leading to the construction of the iconic Imperial Beach fishing pier in 1909. The pier quickly became the centerpiece of the community, attracting locals and tourists alike. The pier has since been rebuilt on several occasions with the latest iteration built in the 1960’s, which was destroyed in a storm and rebuilt in the 1980’s.
The construction of the United States Naval Air Station (now known as the Naval Outlying Field Imperial Beach) during World War II brought further development and population growth to the area. The influx of military personnel and their families contributed to the expansion of the community and the diversification of its population. Just over the city limits to the north, in Coronado, is the Silver Strand Training Complex, the premier training facility for U.S. Special Operations Forces.
In recent years, Imperial Beach has experienced a revitalization and renewed focus on preserving its natural beauty. The city has taken steps to protect its coastline, emphasizing environmental stewardship and maintaining a sustainable coastal ecosystem. The efforts to enhance the city’s infrastructure and promote tourism have resulted in an increased appeal for residents and visitors alike.
20 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
Projected Demographic Changes
Across the United States, by 2035, the number of adults older than 65 will be greater than the number of children and youth under 18 years of age. The City of Imperial
Beach is anticipated to have roughly a 7% increase in
its population by 2050 based on projections calculated
by SANDAG. This future population growth is modest
given that the community is nearly completely built
out. Currently our 55 and older population makes up
approximately 27% of the population. Imperial Beach
currently has a median age in the mid-thirties. This is slightly lower than that of San Diego County, and the
United States, and therefore forecast statistics may trend at a slightly later date than is forecasted for the county and country.
Imperial Beach
Population Trends
Total Population; %55 and older
ʺ 2020- 28,055; 26.8%
ʺ 2025- 29,314; 25.6%
ʺ 2035- 29,522; 27.5%
ʺ 2050- 30,077; 30.5%
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 21
The Strategic Path to an
Age-Friendly Imperial Beach
The City of Imperial Beach is committed to becoming a dynamic Age-Friendly Community through investment in and support of current and future generations of older adults. This age-friendly initiative will bring improvements and innovations to make the city more livable for residents of all ages. The following section maps out how the Blueprint (or process) developed by SDSU’s Social Policy Institute, is being led by city staff to create a more Age-Friendly Imperial Beach.
Impetus for the Plan
Since becoming an incorporated city in 1956, Imperial Beach has experienced a profound transformation. The city has established and maintained a significant level of involvement with civic-minded residents and a large military community. Additionally, Imperial Beach has a longstanding history of big wave surfing, which has contributed to the active lifestyle of many residents and to the desire to improve the environment in the coastal community.
After learning of the range of community enhancements and transformations spearheaded by the Age-Friendly Communities movement, city leadership reached out to learn more about the process and explore partnership opportunities. After careful deliberation, Imperial Beach leadership made the decision to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in November 2022.
The City of Imperial Beach hosted an Age-Friendly Imperial Beach hybrid (in-person and virtual) launch event on January 12, 2023, at the Imperial Beach Library to announce the initiative and gain community awareness and support. Residents and service providers shared their thoughts on what makes Imperial Beach a great place to live—and what would make it even better. Mayor Paloma Aguirre shared her support and vision for Age-Friendly Imperial Beach as a citywide initiative to grow well and age well.
22 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan Page 142 of 352
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 23
San Diego Foundation supports efforts by creating a local peer Age-Friendly network and providing funding to give San Diego County residents the best opportunity to age well, thrive, and feel supported by their community. Del Mar Healthcare, Inc., through the San Diego Foundation, provided funding and support for SDSU’s Social Policy Institute1 to bring their experience in
working with age-friendly communities; network of resources available through the Center for Excellence in Aging & Longevity2
; and considerable expertise and experience in meeting the needs of older adults.
Blueprint For Building Livable Communities
Policy Scan
Survey Baseline
Data
Community
Listening Sessions
Action Planning
Sessions
Action Plan Approved
by Elected O cials
1 SDSU Social Policy Institute, part of the College of Health and Human Services: www.sdsusocialpolicyinstitute.org 2 Center for Excellence in Aging & Longevity (CEAL), an initiative of SDSU Social Policy Institute and SDSU School of Social Work: ceal.sdsu.edu
24 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
How the Action Plan was Developed
The City of Imperial Beach senior staff were instrumental in launching the Age-Friendly Imperial Beach initiative and took the lead in developing, in partnership with the community, the following Action Plan recommendations. The action steps that follow are catered specifically to support and increase equity and access to resources for older adults and residents of all ages throughout the City of Imperial Beach.
The Age-Friendly Imperial Beach team followed the steps required by AARP for certification, as outlined by San Diego State University Social Policy Institute (SPI). SPI was selected to guide the city throughout the Age-Friendly development process, alongside requesting input at multiple junctures from service providers, caregivers, and community members.
The steps of engagement and alignment on the journey were accomplished as follows:
Policy
Scan Listening
Sessions
67 Attendees
3 English Sessions
1 Spanish Session
Action
Planning
Sessions
49 Attendees
3 English Sessions
1 Spanish Session
Age-Friendly
Community
Survey
245
Participants
Online & Paper
2 Languages
English & Spanish
Existing
City Plans’
impact on
domains of
livability to
engage &
build on
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 25
City and Community Involvement
AGE-FRIENDLY IMPERIAL BEACH COMMUNITY BASELINE SURVEY
Launched on December 17, 2022, and closed on January 29, 2023, the Age-Friendly Imperial Beach Community Baseline Survey collected demographic information and provided an opportunity for respondents to provide direct feedback on eight overarching domains of livability.
A “domain of livability” is a specific factor which influences the health and quality of life of older adults. A total of 245 surveys were completed and 158 met the criteria to be analyzed from residents 50 and older. The survey was made available in online and paper versions, and available in English and Spanish, though most surveys that were completed were in English.
Age-Friendly Imperial Beach staff attended various community events to request survey feedback from residents. In addition, outreach was completed through a variety of aging network outlets, including AARP social media blast to City of Imperial Beach members, AIS, Imperial Beach Senior Community Center, SDSU SPI and the city’s website and social media accounts.
LISTENING SESSIONS
A total of four Age-Friendly Imperial Beach Listening Sessions were held throughout February and March 2023. These sessions were a direct follow-up to the Age-Friendly Imperial Beach Community Survey and were designed to allow for direct feedback from stakeholders on the most significant challenges facing them in their community. Over these four sessions, there were 67 total attendees. Sessions were held at Oneonta Elementary School, Fleet Reserve Association, Imperial Beach Library, and Bayside Elementary School.
Notably, Imperial Beach had a high turnout of elected officials and city representatives at these listening sessions, and participants often stayed to continue conversations.
26 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
ACTION PLANNING SESSIONS
The priorities identified throughout the Community Baseline Survey and Listening Sessions were utilized by SDSU SPI and city staff to create an initial draft vision, goals, and sample actions for six community-specific domains of livability. To reaffirm that the Age-Friendly Imperial Beach project team accurately “heard” the community to the fullest extent, community members were invited to provide feedback on the Action Plan recommendations. Community members were able to suggest additional action plan steps, as well as reaffirm those previously indicated. The themes of livability determined through community input were incorporated into the action plan and may be summarized as:
ʺ Safety: Increase lighting and traffic calming measures; e-Bike training; improve the City of Imperial Beach’s walkability with special attention to access to crosswalks and sidewalks; and education on safety as we age, home repairs, and modifications ʺ Outreach and Communication: Utilize a comprehensive marketing strategy; promote services, events, and activities; and increase the visibility and communication from the City of Imperial Beach and elected officials
ʺ Activities: Develop more community events; intergenerational opportunities; and expanded programs and classes for older adults with a varying degree of mobility ʺ Community Building: Offer volunteer opportunities; create a welcoming community for all; increase access to convenient transportation; and promote a clean and healthy environment
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 27
A total of 49 residents attended the sessions, with four sessions hosted in various locations.
To gain as representative a sample as possible given the scope of the project, oversampling was conducted. This included one group conducted in Spanish with eight in attendance. Each session was 90 minutes and had a mix of residents that had previously interacted with Age-Friendly Imperial Beach, first-encounter participants, and community service providers that live in Imperial Beach.
Overall, the recommended vision and suggested goals were agreeable to residents with slight modifications, and many identified which specific ones they felt would impact the community the most. Participants indicated which proposed actions were not aligned, priority actions, and suggested several proposed actions, which can be found in the discussion summary by domain in the following paragraphs.
PUBLIC REVIEW
The draft Action Plan was released for public comment from September 15 - October 1, 2023. This review was intended to confirm and validate the public input gathered through the community survey, listening sessions, and action planning sessions.
Public comments that were specific as to community member or neighborhood needs were passed to the city staff for review and consideration for follow-up. All public comments, other than ones indicating minor typos/grammatical errors, were shared with the City Council for review and consideration when the Action Plan was presented for approval on November 15, 2023. “Imperial Beach has improved
a lot since the 1980s, but the
lifestyle in the area continues
to retain its old, ‘small-town
beach’ feeling.”
-Older Adult Resident from Action Planning Session
28 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
Action Plan Oversight and Accountability
Accountability for and sustainability of carrying out the Action Plan steps involves the following:
1. Approval (by vote) of the City of Imperial Beach City Council
2. Review, adapt, and operationalize Action Steps
3. An “Implementation Team,” comprised of City Staff, Community Providers, and residents will assist with implementation and monitor progress
4. Assign a city staff position (or contract with an external provider) to implement the Continuous Quality Improvement system, adapted to the City of Imperial Beach by SDSU’s Social Policy Institute
5. Calendar and deliver preliminary progress reports after year one and two and a final report to City Council detailing progress made, barriers (if any encountered), unintended innovations, and impact of implementation on residents after year three The Age-Friendly Imperial Beach Action Plan specifies suggested time frames for the steps to be accomplished by elected officials, municipal staff, city residents and numerous community/ civic organizations working together towards the common goal to realize the Age-Friendly vision.
Although the Goals and Objectives/Actions are presented at-a-glance in the Executive Summary (pages 6-7), and elaborated in the context of constituent input, the full Working Plan is found in the Action Plan itself.
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 29
Once approved by the City Council, senior city staff will be accountable to the goals and action steps (with support and assistance as desired by community providers and residents). While many of the potential actions listed were directly suggested by Imperial Beach’s older adults and align with best practices of other Age-Friendly municipalities, they may be adapted, changed, or added to as the needs and resources of the city warrant. Note that some actions are already underway, others are planned for short-term implementation using existing resources, and a few actions may require bold innovation coupled with new staffing and additional resources as feasible.
Upon review, senior city staff may adapt actions and timeline as needed to align with the City’s Master Plans, the California Master Plan on Aging, City of Imperial Beach policy priorities and the annual budget. Essential steps in implementation require city staff to operationalize key tasks and calendar for planning purposes and accountability. This will include developing an evaluation plan for regular progress reporting and tracking of metrics, or measures of success.
An annual progress report will be prepared and delivered to the City Council and AARP in December 2024 and December 2025 with a final report in December 2026.
30 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
Age-Friendly Imperial Beach
Action Plan Overview
The Age-Friendly Imperial Beach Action Plan was developed to increase livability with vitality and equity for people of all ages, with particular attention paid to the City’s evolving needs based on the rapidly increasing percentage of adults 50 years old and older. This plan is intended to complement, rather than duplicate, existing City and County Plans, as well as California’s Master Plan on Aging.3
The Age-Friendly Imperial Beach project team gathered data from the community through a series of community engagement activities, including an Age-Friendly Imperial Beach launch event, community baseline survey, in-person listening sessions, and in-person action planning sessions. Additionally, the team analyzed data from the AARP Livability Index for the City of Imperial Beach, national best practices, and conducted a policy scan from adjacent city documents and plans.
3 CA Master Plan for Aging. https://mpa.aging.ca.gov/
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 31
Domains of Livability
The pages that follow lay out the plans in each domain area using the following template:
Domain De nition
Vision
What We Heard
What We Know
What We Will Do
Details what this domain is/entails; shared
language helps to build shared understanding.
e desired outcome once this plan is
complete; describes future aspirations.
Key ndings from the baseline assessment
survey, community listening sessions,
policy scan and other relevant existing data.
Key assets that are already in place and available to
build on; includes programs, services, city plans
and facts (data) regarding the population.
Goals (what we want to achieve) and action
steps (what will result or be in place) for
each domain.
32 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
Outdoor Spaces & Buildings
Definition Outdoor Spaces & Buildings focuses on the availability of safe and accessible recreation locations and public facilities.
Vision Imperial Beach is a coastal community with well-maintained, enjoyable, and accessible outdoor active and engaging spaces.
Older adults in Imperial Beach enjoy the coastal climate, essence of a classic surf town, and appreciate the access to parks and outdoor activities. When it comes to outdoor spaces and facilities, older adults particularly need level, clearly defined sidewalks (to help avoid fall risk), well-lit areas (to increase sense of safety), and want to have well-maintained and patrolled public spaces.
Aging with Vitality
ʺ The community desires an enhanced and upgraded Imperial Beach Senior Community Center to accommodate larger groups and programs. ʺ People love that the weather in Imperial Beach is conducive to enjoying the outdoors nearly year-round; they want access to additional public spaces and activities that are appropriate for older adults.
ʺ Residents would like to utilize outdoor amenities, such as a swimming pool, pickleball/tennis courts, comfort stations, and easier ADA access to the beach.
Enhance the Community Function and Design with Age-Friendly Principles ʺ Lack of sidewalks or walkways in poor condition, are a major concern for personal safety and accessing the outdoors, especially given increased fall rise for older adults.
ʺ Consistent lighting, seating, wayfinding signage, and shade on thoroughfares greatly increases a sense of safety and creates a supportive environment for older adults.
What We Heard
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 33
ʺ Crossing the streets in Imperial Beach is a concern. Residents would like to see additional crosswalks, stop signs, and extended crossing times and visual/audio cues to allow for varying degrees of mobility.
ʺ The on-going Imperial Beach transboundary pollution crisis from the Tijuana River negatively impacts the community.
The City of Imperial Beach is the southernmost beach town in California with 3.5 miles of uncrowded, white-sand beaches and big waves that are great for surfing! The Tijuana River National Estuary4
is located in the city and is the largest coastal wetland in Southern California. It features a visitor center, pathways, and is great for birdwatching, biking, and hiking.
The City of Imperial Beach Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department began in June 2021.5
The department was established to serve residents and visitors in improving their health, wellness, and quality of life through programs and services. It operates a Senior Community Center; Sports Park Community Recreation Center which includes a skate park, play structure, and baseball/softball fields; and a variety of parks- both beach front and inland. Imperial Beach also boasts a newly remodeled public library and an iconic wood pier that extends into the Pacific Ocean. In addition to contracting city law enforcement with the San Diego County Sheriff Department, the city has a team of Community Park Rangers who actively patrol parks, trails, recreation facilities, and beach areas across the city.
City Infrastructure in Place
ʺ The City of Imperial Beach operates seven different parks with picnic areas, playgrounds, fitness equipment, and walkways for all residents to enjoy. ʺ Two Community Centers- Imperial Beach Senior Community Center and the Sports Park Community Recreation Center.
ʺ The Parks, Rec & Community Services Department assists residents and visitors with obtaining permits for special events taking place in the city’s public areas.
What We Know
4 Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve. www.trnerr.org 5 Imperial Beach Parks, Rec & Community Services. https://imperialbeachca.gov/168/About-Us
34 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
ʺ Several popular outdoor community events are hosted in collaboration with the city annually, such as: 4th of July Celebration, National Night Out, Symphony by the Sea, and Spooktacular Trunk or Treat.
ʺ There is a dog park between Veterans Park near the upper soccer field. ʺ San Diego County operates the Imperial Beach Branch Library, MondaySaturday, in conjunction with the Friends of Imperial Beach Branch Library. ʺ Imperial Beach Fire-Rescue Department has one station located at 865 Imperial Beach Boulevard.6 It responds to over 3,000 calls each year.
Goal 1: Imperial Beach Senior Community Center: Increase opportunities, access, and improve the visibility.
ʺ Research and apply for capital improvement/development grant(s) to update the physical space and function of the Imperial Beach Senior Community Center. ʺ Increase variety of programming during the hours of operation of the Imperial Beach Senior Community Center.
ʺ Create an outdoor patio space for older adults to gather within the Imperial Beach Senior Community Center.
ʺ Allow community members to reserve and rent various spaces within the Imperial Beach Senior Community Center.
Goal 2: Residents will have well-maintained, safe, and active public spaces near where they live.
ʺ Offer outdoor fitness programming, such as dance and Tai Chi, in Veterans Park. ʺ Host age-friendly and accessible outdoor events in various locations throughout the city.
ʺ Create an intergenerational community garden with special consideration for pollinators where feasible.
What We Will Do
Action
Steps
Action
Steps
6 Imperial Beach Fire-Rescue Department. www.imperialbeachca.gov/272/About-Imperial-Beach-Fire-Rescue
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 35
ʺ Enforce and educate against public intoxication.
ʺ Educate residents and visitors on dog leash laws in Imperial Beach. ʺ Create a small dog park area at Veterans Park.
Goal 3: Make Imperial Beach more walkable for all ages and abilities. ʺ Review and increase pedestrian safety on main thoroughfares and near bus stops. ʺ Identify potential areas to install additional benches and wayfinding signage throughout the city.
ʺ Create wider sidewalks meeting ADA requirements, where feasible. ʺ Consider “Slow Zones” with appropriate signage for increased safety and walkability near the Senior Community Center and Senior Housing developments.
ʺ Encourage older adult community volunteers, with varying degrees of functionality, to complete a “Walk Audit” from AARP, compile the information and provide data to the City of Imperial Beach to inform future improvements.7 Goal 4: Promote a clean and healthy environment in Imperial Beach. ʺ Facilitate community clean-up volunteer event(s) annually. ʺ Provide information, demonstrations, and opportunities for coaching to the older adult community on how to utilize the City of Imperial Beach’s non-emergency incident reporting, complaints, and service requests app, “My Imperial Beach App,” to report maintenance concerns. ʺ Promote and provide free trees for residents to increase the shade canopy in Imperial Beach when available.
ʺ Offer free community shredding, electronic, large item(s), paint disposal, and/or hazardous waste events.
Action
Steps
Action
Steps
7 AARP Walk Audit. https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/getting-around/aarp-walk-audit-tool-kit.html
36 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
Transportation
Definition Transportation focuses on safe and affordable modes of private and public transportation.
Vision Imperial Beach is a coastal community where all people have access to transportation options and infrastructure so they can safely travel for leisure and to access needed services.
Many older adults in the City of Imperial Beach currently drive themselves to places they want and need to go. The most pressing issue for residents is that people are driving too fast in their community, which presents a safety concern for both driving and walking. Residents would like to have speed limits enforced and traffic calming measures installed. Overall, residents are concerned about having available, affordable, and accessible mobility options going forward as they age.
Older Adult Mobility Concerns
ʺ A majority of older adults currently drive themselves in private automobiles and have concerns about the lack of transportation options available to them when they are no longer able to drive safely.
ʺ As mobility declines, accessing public transportation becomes increasingly difficult.
Older adults want specialized transit available for door to door, on-demand transit. ʺ Residents have safety concerns about electric bicycles (e-bikes) and the limited availability of bike parking and bike lanes makes biking challenging. ʺ Driving longer distances and freeway driving can be difficult. Older adults expressed an interest in organized field trips, both locally and beyond San Diego County.
What We Heard
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 37
Inclusive Transportation System
ʺ Adapting the environment to the increase in older drivers should include additional lighting, easy to read signs, and a variety of traffic calming measures. ʺ Transit education, including hands-on training, is needed to increase awareness and confidence in the mass transit system.
ʺ Speeding through Imperial Beach creates safety concerns for all. ʺ Residents would like to see a community-based shuttle/electric cart to move them around the city and help to bridge their access to bus stops.
The City of Imperial Beach has limited transportation options and many residents rely on a private automobile to move about the city. A few older adult transportation options exist within the city, but often, individuals are unaware of the services that may be limited by hours of operation, type of ride, and the need for enrollment, etc.
Transit Infrastructure & Mobility Strategies
ʺ There are three main points of entry/exit to Imperial Beach: Palm Avenue, Imperial Beach Boulevard/Coronado Avenue, and Silver Strand Boulevard. ʺ Interstate 5 runs north and south on the east side of Imperial Beach. ʺ Highway 75 (Palm Avenue) connects Imperial Beach to Coronado via Silver Strand Boulevard.
ʺ The crash rate in Imperial Beach is getting worse. In 2015, there were 4.5 fatal crashes per 100,000 people per year and it rose to 6.9 fatal crashes per 100,000 people in 2022, as noted in the AARP Livability Index.8 ʺ The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition offers a variety of educational opportunities for awareness building and bike safety.9
ʺ The City of Imperial Beach General Plan outlines mobility strategies in the Circulation Element which are designed to enhance pedestrian, rider, and driver experiences. assist older adults.
What We Know
8 Imperial Beach- AARP Livability Index. livabilityindex.aarp.org 9 San Diego County Bicycle Coalition. www.sdbikecoalition.org
38 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
Mass Transit
ʺ San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) provides bus and light rail (Trolley) services in San Diego County. They have a 15-member Board of Directors which includes one appointed member from Imperial Beach City Council.10 ʺ Three main MTS bus lines support Imperial Beach: 901, 933, and 934. The 932 route will soon be modified to service the east side of the City. ʺ The UC San Diego Blue Line Trolley has a stop on Palm Avenue and connects La Jolla to San Ysidro/ Mexico border.
ʺ The SANDAG Coordinated Transportation Plan outlines many goals towards strengthening the availability and improving the transit experience. A key overarching goal is to “Provide safe, secure, healthy, affordable, and convenient travel choices between the place where people live, work, and play.”11 Transit Designed for Individuals with Specialized Mobility Needs ʺ MTS offers Seniors discounted rates of $1.25 each way for individuals over the age of 65 to ride public transit.12
ʺ MTS provides a paratransit option, MTS Access. MTS Access is for customers with disabilities who are unable to use the MTS fixed route bus. Eligibility certification is mandatory prior to use.13
ʺ A limited variety of older adults specialized transportation options exist within Imperial Beach. Often, they are limited by hours of operation, type of ride, enrollment, etc.
ʺ The Consolidated Transportation Service Agency (CTSA) in San Diego County is FACT.14 They are available to match transit services to individuals’ personal needs. 10 MTS Operations. www.sdmts.com/about/about-mts
11 San Diego Association of Governments. 2020 Coordinated Plan. (2020). sandag.org/-/media/SANDAG/Documents/PDF/projects-and-programs/transit/coordinated-plan/2020-coordinated-plan-short-range-transitplan-coordinated-public-transit.pdf 12 MTS Public Transit Fares. www.sdmts.com/fares/reduced-fares 13 MTS Access-Paratransit and ADA Certification. www.sdmts.com/transit-services/mts-access-paratransit 14 FACT- Facilitating Access to Coordinated Transportation, County of San Diego CTSA. www.factsd.org
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 39
Goal 1: Support enhanced traffic flow to increase safety throughout Imperial Beach. ʺ Install traffic calming measures on main thoroughfares (i.e., speed bumps, stop signs, roundabouts, flashing lights, narrowing of streets), to slow traffic. ʺ Increase speed e-signage to enforce safe driving practices. ʺ Offer regular bike safety and e-bike safety and skills training workshops. ʺ Research the feasibility of installing cameras at high-traffic intersections. ʺ Sync traffic lights on main roadways for maximum traffic flow. ʺ Proactively communicate planned traffic disruptions, via multiple communication channels, to residents.
Goal 2: Expand the mobility choices for older adults in Imperial Beach. ʺ Distribute the County of San Diego’s “Ride Well to Age Well Guide” transportation resource.15
ʺ Consider low-cost transportation service designed for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
ʺ Host an Imperial Beach-tailored transportation options workshop for the community in partnership with the County of San Diego.
ʺ Communicate and strategize with MTS to promote and ensure adequate bus routes.
Goal 3: Older adult residents can access public transit and utilize best practices when driving.
ʺ Share information related to public transit training courses for individuals who are not comfortable/confident in riding public transit when available. ʺ Invite a community partner to conduct educational courses on safe driving best practices for older adults.
ʺ Consider a shuttle system within IB to connect individuals to public transit and local commerce.
What We Will Do
Action
Steps
Action
Steps
Action
Steps
15 County of San Diego, Aging & Independence Services- Ride Well to Age Well. www.livewellsd.org/i-want-to/learn-more/aging/age-well-san-diego/transportation
40 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
Social, Physical, and Educational Support
Definition Social, Physical, and Educational Support focuses on individual connection to leisure and educational activities, including opportunities for all residents to socialize, have access to wellness services, and participate in lifelong learning.
Vision Imperial Beach is a coastal community which offers a variety of activities that support one’s ability to engage in social interaction, participate in physical activity, and lifelong learning.
Older adults enjoy and would like more options for leisure and cultural activities, at varying times for varying ability levels, within Imperial Beach. Most individuals interact with friends, family, or neighbors at least once a day and are thankful for the community connections.
Access to a Variety of Activities is Highly Desired
ʺ Older adults desire an upgraded Imperial Beach Senior Community Center to gather for dynamic active aging programming—offered both inside and outside. ʺ Residents want an increased variety of lifelong learning opportunities, social activities, fitness, intergenerational involvement, brain fitness, and creative arts. ʺ 99% of respondents said that affordability is a key factor to participation. Low cost or free activities are desired.
ʺ The reported current top 3 locations for participating in activities are: Online programs (39%), library (37%), and through a university/community college (25%). ʺ Residents are interested in a community garden, for all ages, to enjoy the outdoors and grow their own produce.
What We Heard
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 41
Health and Wellness Support Services and Education
ʺ About 1/3 of the survey respondents have heard of the free lunch program offered at the Senior Community Center, but only 1/10 use it.
ʺ Access to healthy food is a challenge for a significant number of residents: 26% sometimes or often worry about running out of food.
ʺ Older adults would like the opportunity to participate in wellness events with health screenings/services at community locations.
ʺ Fall prevention education, nutrition education, resource navigation, and healthy aging are presentation topics requested.
ʺ There is a perception that there are not enough service professionals (medical and community) that are knowledgeable in memory and cognitive impairments to meet the growing demand and shift in our society. Older adults also want to be better informed to prevent, support, and care for individuals with memory and cognitive impairments.
The City of Imperial Beach, along with several community organizations, offers a range of activities and services for older adults throughout the city. to The Senior Community Center offers programs that enhance the lives of seniors that promote active aging and essential engagement between residents.
What We Know
42 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
Availability of Community Recreation Services and Programming ʺ The Parks, Rec & Community Services Department supports healthy aging through programming that includes a lunch service, that is offered at the Imperial Beach Senior Community Center.
ʺ Several service/community clubs are available in Imperial Beach, such as: Kiwanis International, Imperial Beach Woman’s Club, Imperial Beach Athletic Club, I.B. Beautiful, Boys and Girls Club, and Suncoast Co-Op.
ʺ The Imperial Beach Fire-Rescue Department offers CPR classes and regular safety videos via social media.
ʺ A weekly Farmer’s Market is offered on Friday afternoons at the Imperial Beach Pier Plaza and the Suncoast Farmers Market is held every 3rd Saturday at Veteran’s Park. ʺ AIS provides a plethora of programming and works in conjunction with community partners to host classes, such as the: Feel Fit Club, Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance, and a series of Healthier Living evidencebased self-management programs.16 Health Information
ʺ There is limited access to health services in Imperial Beach. Most residents must leave the city to access healthcare.
ʺ Social determinants of health impact both the quality and longevity of life. The social determinants that frequently impact older adults are isolation and loneliness.17 ʺ Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the third leading cause of death in California and San Diego County.
ʺ The City of Imperial Beach has a slightly lower prevalence rate of smoking (16%) as compared to the Median US Neighborhood (18%), as noted in the AARP Livability Index. ʺ The City of Imperial Beach has a lower obesity rate (27.2%) as compared to the Median US Neighborhood (32.2%), as noted in the AARP Livability Index. 16 County of San Diego, Aging & Independence Services-Healthy Living sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/ais/health_promotions 17 Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD, The Potential Public Health Relevance of Social Isolation and Loneliness: Prevalence, Epidemiology, and Risk Factors, Public Policy & Aging Report, Volume 27, Issue 4, 2017, Pages 127–130, academic.oup.com/ppar/article/27/4/127/4782506?login=true
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 43
What We Will Do
Action
Steps
Action
Steps
Goal 1: Coordinate and expand active aging programming offered in Imperial Beach. ʺ Launch a community walking group.
ʺ Provide programming for residents with different levels of mobility. ʺ Research opportunities to partner with agencies for parks and recreation program. ʺ Build community by providing space for social clubs that focus on residents’ interests and desires.
ʺ Collaborate with local organizations to host a variety of life-long learning opportunities.
Goal 2: Increase opportunities and improve visibility of health and wellness support services and eduation.
ʺ Host an annual Health and Wellness Fair.
ʺ Identify and promote the day/time/location that all health and wellness, recreation, and social activities are available to older adults in Imperial Beach. ʺ Offer First Aid and CPR Certification classes in Imperial Beach when available. ʺ Promote awareness and access to healthy food via the donation-based congregate meal site, offered at the Imperial Beach Senior Community Center, outside nonprofit organization’s food distributions, and farmer’s market.
Goal 3: Enhance awareness, prevention, and support for residents concerned about or experiencing mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
ʺ Incorporate the “Dementia Friends USA” training for all necessary city staff and promote to interested community members.
ʺ Offer brain fitness classes/activities for older adults when available. ʺ Collaborate with a local Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) organization to host an educational workshop on ADRD.18
Action
Steps
18 The Alzheimer’s Project. Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias in San Diego County, (April 2018). sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/CHS/Reports/FINAL_2018_ADRD_Prevalence_4.13.2018.pdf
44 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
Communication & Information
Definition Communication & Information focuses on the distribution of information, personto-person communication, printed information, media, access to and use of technology and the internet.
Vision Imperial Beach is a coastal community where all residents know about resources, services, and opportunities for engagement.
Residents value the ability to stay connected to the Imperial Beach community and would like clear pathways to access information. Older adults want to gain more awareness of support services, are mindful of safety, and desire to have service professionals trained and systems designed with them in mind. Overall, there was minimal awareness of 2-1-1 and the variety of services provided through AIS.
Distribution of Information
ʺ Many older adults in Imperial Beach are comfortable and frequently use the internet to communicate and gather information (82% Very Comfortable; 16% Somewhat Comfortable). Individuals identified Facebook and the city website as two primary on-line sources.
What We Heard
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 45
ʺ While the city website was recently updated, residents find it confusing to navigate and inconsistent in content and updates which vary by department. ʺ There is still a strong desire to have printed information delivered to the home (49% Very Important; 39% Somewhat Important) and residents also identified the local community newspaper, Eagle & Times, as a go-to information source. ʺ Conversations about resources and recommendations on where to find them from peers proved to be a dynamic exchange. More structured informational sessions, support, and resource brokerage for older adults will be helpful.
ʺ Older adults would appreciate regularly scheduled distribution of resource information and upcoming events/activities by the city in an e-newsletter, via text message, and/or an e-blast specifically for older adults.
ʺ Residents value communications offered in both English and Spanish.
Limited Awareness of Services & Events
ʺ A majority of older adults in Imperial Beach are not aware of the two main resource brokers in San Diego County: 2-1-1 and AIS Call Center. ʺ Outreach and marketing for older adult resources must be conducted by multiple methods, as older adults access information in a variety of ways. Electronic (Internet), print, social media, in-person communication, community centers, library, parks, electric street signs, and word-of-mouth were all cited as sources. ʺ Specific areas of interest that were identified include information on food resources/ security, home maintenance/ modification services, and shared housing opportunities. ʺ Almost a quarter (22%) of older adults do not feel welcome and included in community activities. 47% said sometimes and 31% said usually they feel included.
Imperial Beach is a South County coastal community with access to a county-wide resource network.
The information and referral services strive to connect people to resources and promote a high quality of life for older adults.
What We Know
46 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
Community Resources
ʺ The city hosts a comprehensive website, including information on city departments, links on how to engage in city business, a community events calendar, and residents can stay connected by signing up for specific notifications. ʺ The Imperial Beach Library and Senior Community Center have free access to computers.
ʺ 2-1-1 San Diego is a free service that connects people of all ages with community, health, and disaster services. Trained call center representatives are available 24 hours per day by calling 2-1-1 or more than 6,000 community services can be accessed on-line.19
ʺ AIS operates the AIS Call Center, 1-800-339-4661, which provides over the phone assistance and resources for older adults and persons with disabilities.20 ʺ County of San Diego, Office of Emergency Services actively monitors and promotes safety and preparedness for all residents. There is a website with valuable information and an app is available to download for emergency notifications and updates.21 Goal 1: Strengthen consideration for residents of all ages in city activities and services. ʺ Utilize inclusive marketing strategies on all promotional materials, i.e., large print, contrast in colors, and stating, “All ages welcome!”
ʺ Offer residents the ability to sign up to receive regular City Council communications to stay informed.
ʺ Host regularly scheduled opportunities to meet with city officials to learn about city activities and services.
ʺ Post informational and directional signage for clear access to City Council meetings.
What We Will Do
Action
Steps
19 211 San Diego. What is 211? https://211sandiego.org/ 20 County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. Aging & Independence Services. https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/ programs/ais.html
21 County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services. www.readysandiego.org
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 47
Goal 2: Promote awareness and knowledge of available resources for older adults in Imperial Beach.
ʺ Host community resource information.
ʺ Enhance the coordination and messaging of communications from the city. ʺ Consider community bulletin boards for information distribution. ʺ Partner with an interested party to create and distribute a comprehensive informational flyer to promote available resources for residents. ʺ Promote major city events and activities to local media, including the Eagle & Times.
Goal 3: Practice comprehensive outreach and communication techniques to reach all ages in both English and Spanish.
ʺ Produce both digital and print media outreach materials in both English and Spanish—when feasible.
ʺ Distribute promotion and outreach materials to the community at places they gather and frequent such as markets, restaurants, and the Imperial Beach Senior Community Center.
ʺ Provide community information on the City’s social media platforms. Promote events to the community and increase frequency of promotion closer to the date.
Action
Steps
Action
Steps
“In Imperial Beach, the
community is strengthened
through various communication
channels as its residents
embrace open dialogue in both
English and Spanish.”
48 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
Housing
Definition Housing looks at the availability of home modification programs for aging in place as well as a range of age-friendly housing options.
Vision Imperial Beach is a coastal community that supports one’s ability to safely age in place with a “small-town, laid-back” feel.
Many Imperial Beach older adults are long-time residents who enjoy the community they live in and primarily desire to age in their own homes. Housing concerns include affordability, accessibility, and livability of the limited housing stock available in the city. Residents look to Imperial Beach as an example of what San Diego used to be—an example of tight-knit neighborhoods filled primarily with families in single-family homes and a laid-back community.
Prefer to Age in Own Community
ʺ A large majority of individuals want to remain in their own homes to age (also known as Aging in Place) within the communities they are familiar with and connected to (82% very important, 16% somewhat important). ʺ Perception of living in Imperial Beach varied (59% said it was adequate, 37%) excellent, and 7% rated Imperial Beach as poor.
ʺ Residents identified that having access to a variety of in-home services could be very helpful to remain at home as daily functioning begins to decline. ʺ Increased density, environmental concerns, and congestion were identified as elements that negatively affect community enjoyment.
Older Adults Need Greater Access to Appropriate Housing ʺ Individuals want support identifying affordable housing resources, such as singlestory housing options, home modification services, financial assistance, and ADA accessible homes.
What We Heard
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 49
ʺ Older adults are concerned with not having enough income to keep up with rising costs of living in Southern California.
ʺ Some residents are interested in exploring living with a roommate but said that fears for their personal safety is a deterrent.
ʺ Home safety modifications are necessary in adapting a home to changing needs, yet older adults report there are not enough trusted and affordable service providers.
The City of Imperial Beach is one of the smallest cities, both in population and land, within the County of San Diego. Being a coastal city with near perfect temperatures year around, Imperial Beach offers an authentic surf-town with a small-town vibe at a fraction of the cost of other beach communities.
Livability Factors
ʺ Imperial Beach had a 2021 estimated population of nearly 28,000. Of those, 8,652 are over the age of 50, representing 31% of the population. ʺ The city covers approximately a total of 4.4 square miles along the southern California coast on the border of Mexico.
ʺ The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has a YANA (You Are Not Alone) program which is a free service where Senior Volunteer Patrol members completes a safety visit to older adults weekly.22
ʺ The SANDAG Coordinated Transportation Plan identified creating “Healthy and Complete Communities” as an overarching vision. These complete communities include a supply and variety of housing types, affordable for people of all ages and income levels, in areas with frequent transit service and with access to a variety of services.
Housing Resources
ʺ According to the 2021 estimated census data, there are 10,007 housing units available in the city.
What We Know
22 San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, YANA. www.sdsheriff.gov/community/you-are-not-alone
50 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
ʺ Median household income adjusted for inflation is nearly $50,000. Many older adults are longtime residents (30% reported 35 years +) who own their own homes (65%).
ʺ The City of Imperial Beach General Plan- Housing Element includes policies which strive to create and promote an array of housing options and support programs for vulnerable and special needs populations.
Goal 1: Help ensure all residents have access to housing which is safe for older adults and accessible for all ability levels.
ʺ Host educational workshops with interested organizations on home safety modifications for both inside and outside the home.
ʺ Consider increasing community street lighting where feasible. ʺ Host educational workshops on housing issues such as Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and community resources. ʺ Offer appointment times for personal housing resource consultations subject to staff availability.
ʺ Research the feasibility of developing additional low-income housing units for older adults in Imperial Beach.
Goal 2: Support opportunities for residents to create and expand housing options. ʺ Identify existing housing opportunities and subsequent gaps. ʺ Encourage entities to address the gap areas in housing availability. ʺ Provide educational materials for homeowners to understand the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development process.
Goal 3: Ensure Imperial Beach maintains a neighborly, small-town beach community vibe. ʺ Emphasize the importance of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department patrols near parks and beaches for an increased sense of safety. ʺ Host intergenerational community events where people of all ages can enjoy.
What We Will Do
Action
Steps
Action
Steps
Action
Steps
Acknowledgements
Thank you to San Diego Foundation for administering the funding for the Age-Friendly Imperial Beach Action Plan and the community engagement process.
City of Imperial Beach
Mayor, Paloma Aguirre
Shannon Bullock, Parks and Recreation Director
Meagan Openshaw, Community Development Director
Tony Rolfe, Housing & Neighborhood Services Manager
AARP
Israel Hernandez, Associate State Director
Bob Prath, AARP CA, Livable Communities Advisory Team
County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services
Melissa Hernandez, Community Health Program Specialist
Jana Schwartz, Transportation Equity & Livable Community Specialist San Diego State University- Social Policy Institute
Brenda Bothel-Hammond, Aging Specialist Lori Clarke, Co-Director Masha Keller, Evaluator Clorinda Merino, Program Specialist Special Thanks
To all of the City of Imperial Beach residents, organizations, businesses, and the city staff who provided valuable time and input to this process. Special thanks to the following organizations and leadership for co-hosting engagement events and supporting the age-friendly journey. ʺ Fleet Reserve Association #289- Ellen Sherman
ʺ Imperial Beach Library- Nickolia Ortega
ʺ Imperial Beach Woman’s Club- Joyce Ward & Nancy Dayton ʺ South Bay Union School District- Barbara Gutierrez
ʺ St. James Plaza- Carolina Marroquin
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 51
Volunteerism, Military, and
Civic Engagement
Definition Many older adults find value in contributing to their communities including volunteering time and talent, serving in the Armed Forces, or working locally.
Vision Imperial Beach is home to military operations that actively appreciates the service members and encourages civic engagement.
Imperial Beach is uniquely influenced and mindful of the military community, both active duty and veterans. Individuals seek meaningful connections and want to facilitate positive interactions and create a welcoming community. Community members appreciate access to elected officials, civic engagement, and would like additional volunteer opportunities.
Sharing of Culture, Time, and Talents
ʺ Residents want more volunteer opportunities that are appropriate for older adults and clear directions on how to find them.
ʺ Intergenerational activities, connecting with various ages (not just children), are viewed as important and older adults would like opportunities to share their life experiences and feel connected with the larger community. ʺ Community members recognize and celebrate that people, regardless of age, can learn from each other.
ʺ Most residents reported they sometimes feel valued in their community (51%) and 29% said usually, and 21% said never.
Military Presence
ʺ Residents expressed a deep respect and appreciation for the military presence in Imperial Beach and want them to feel welcomed. “We love our Military!” ʺ Many individuals identify as a veteran, active duty, or spouse/family member of a service member and choose to reside in Imperial Beach.
ʺ The military community represents a wealth of information, cultural experiences, and world travel that many like to share.
What We Heard
52 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
Imperial Beach is a diverse community with a vast amount of knowledge and experience held by the residents. There are limited opportunities for volunteering and civic engagement and the military presence is strong.
Civic Engagement
ʺ The voting rate for City of Imperial Beach residents is very similar (61.4%) to the Median US Neighborhood (61.9%), as noted in the AARP Livability Index. ʺ Residents of the City of Imperial Beach have less access to high-speed, competitively priced internet access (88.5%), compared to Median US Neighborhood (93.7%), as noted in the AARP Livability Index.
ʺ The City of Imperial Beach offers three different Board and Committees for residents to participate in: Design Review Board, Tidelands Advisory Committee, and Parks & Recreation Committee.
ʺ The City of Imperial Beach actively recruits community volunteers for the Sheriff’s Department Senior Volunteer Patrol Program.
ʺ The County of San Diego, through the Age Well San Diego Action Plan, adopted several social participation goals in 2018.23
ʺ Create policies and practices that facilitate intergenerational engagement and the development of shared spaces for intergenerational activity. ʺ Implement and expand recreational and educational programming that is safe, dementia-friendly, and diverse.
ʺ Create and implement a targeted social support outreach, engagement, and education plan, especially for those who are isolated.
ʺ Develop leadership and empowerment opportunities for aging adults.
What We Know
23 County of San Diego. Age Well San Diego Action Plan. (2018). https://www.livewellsd.org/home/showpublisheddocument/752/637962550075530000
What We Will Do
Active Duty & Veteran Connections
ʺ Imperial Beach is home to the Naval Outlying Landing Field and is very close to the Silver Strand Training Complex, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Naval Air Station North Island, and Naval Base San Diego.
ʺ Imperial Beach American Legion’s (Post #820) mission is, “To enhance the wellbeing of America’s veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.”24
ʺ Imperial Beach Fleet Reserve Association represents the interest of enlisted members of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.25 ʺ Imperial Beach Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW) mission is, “To foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military, and our communities. To advocate on behalf of all veterans.”26 Goal 1: Imperial Beach residents have opportunities to share their interests and talents. ʺ Create a city-wide volunteer program for all ages. Opportunities can range from community clean-up events to hosting a class/workshop at the Imperial Beach Senior Community Center.
ʺ Encourage neighborhood volunteer-based “Repair Café”- where volunteers mentor individuals who want to learn and complete bike, small appliance, and miscellaneous repairs.
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 53
“We love our Military!”
-Older Adult Resident from Action Planning Session
Action
Steps
24 American Legion- Veterans Strengthening America www.legion.org/vsa 25 Fleet Reserve Association www.fra.org
26 Veterans of Foreign Wars www.vfw.org/about-us
Goal 2: Celebrate and support the military community.
ʺ Hold military appreciation events in conjunction with community partners at Veterans Park.
ʺ Explore the possibility of offering a shuttle service from base to event(s) to ease transit/access concerns.
ʺ Collaborate with military partners and school districts to provide information to create a “Welcome Kit” for new residents that is available on the city website. Include local businesses, basic services, events, and contact information. ʺ Consider creating a Veterans Committee to support outreach efforts that impact military families in Imperial Beach.
Goal 3: Imperial Beach offers a variety of options for residents to get involved and make meaningful connections in the community.
ʺ Make available the County-developed “Get Connected! A Guide to Becoming Engaged in the Community” and “Ways to Engage Guide.”27 ʺ Host an information table at community events. Consider including information on “Ways to Get Involved” at city events.
ʺ Create cultural exchange opportunities, such as cultural education events, music in the park, and holiday celebrations.
ʺ Research the feasibility of restarting the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) federal volunteer program.
54 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
27 County of San Diego, Aging & Independence Services- Get Connected! www.livewellsd.org/i-want-to/learn-more/aging/age-well-san-diego/ social-participation
Action
Steps
Action
Steps
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 55
Closing
Call to Action: Age-Friendly Imperial Beach
Our Action Plan outlines the goals, steps, and potential activities that we endeavor to accomplish over the next few years. To achieve this, we envision our elected officials, municipal staff, city residents, and numerous community/civic organizations working together for a common goal—to make the City of Imperial Beach an even more vibrant and equitable place to live for all ages.
The Age-Friendly Imperial Beach Team feels so fortunate that our city has so many assets upon which to draw, including all our capable and dedicated community leaders, plus an engaged older adult population dedicated to bringing the vision to reality. We realize that many of the action steps in this plan will rely on a community effort to fully implement and require support and interest from all levels of residents in Imperial Beach, we are hoping you are both excited and supportive of this effort and ready to actively participate.
“A vibrant, equitable, and
livable Imperial Beach will
serve all ages today, tomorrow
and in the years to come.”
56 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
What happens next and how can YOU help build an
Age-Friendly Imperial Beach?
Once the Age-Friendly Imperial Beach Action Plan is approved by the City Council, it will be time to move from discussing and planning to collaborating and doing! Some actions that we have discussed over the last year may already be underway, while others will need to be planned for, with strategic implementation to follow. It will be essential for city partners and staff to work collaboratively on the wide variety of tasks, along with community residents, to make this action plan a reality.
Residents of all Ages Can:
ʺ Get involved in community activities
ʺ Keep informed - sign up for updates
ʺ Continue to offer your own Age-Friendly ideas
ʺ Advocate for what you need
ʺ Listen to and acknowledge the voice of older adults in Imperial Beach Your voice is valuable, make it heard!
Be on the lookout for meeting announcements so you are informed and can participate in making change happen. Announcements will be posted online on the City of Imperial Beach’s website, www.imperialbeachca.gov, via the city’s social media outlets, Imperial Beach Senior Community Center, and the Imperial Beach Library.
We encourage everyone to share this Age-Friendly Imperial Beach Action Plan with family, friends, neighbors, and any others that may have interest. This plan has the potential to shape a fulfilling, optimistic future for all Imperial Beach residents.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to San Diego Foundation for administering
the funding for the Age-Friendly Imperial Beach Action
Plan and the community engagement process.
City of Imperial Beach
Paloma Aguirre, Mayor
Shannon Bullock, Parks and Recreation Director
Meagan Openshaw, Community Development Director
Tony Rolfe, Housing & Neighborhood Services Manager
AARP
Israel Hernandez, Associate State Director
Bob Prath, AARP CA, Livable Communities Advisory Team
County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency,
Aging & Independence Services
Melissa Hernandez, Community Health Program Specialist
Jana Schwartz, Transportation Equity & Livable Community Specialist San Diego State University- Social Policy Institute
Brenda Bothel-Hammond, Aging Specialist Lori Clarke, Co-Director Masha Keller, Evaluator Clorinda Merino, Program Specialist Special Thanks
To all of the City of Imperial Beach residents, organizations, businesses, and the city staff who provided valuable time and input to this process. Special thanks to the following organizations and leadership for co-hosting engagement events and supporting the age-friendly journey. ʺ Fleet Reserve Association #289- Ellen Sherman
ʺ Imperial Beach Library- Nickolia Ortega
ʺ Imperial Beach Woman’s Club- Joyce Ward & Nancy Dayton ʺ South Bay Union School District- Barbara Gutierrez
ʺ St. James Plaza- Carolina Marroquin
2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan 57 Page 177 of 352
58 2023 Imperial Beach Action Plan
City of Imperial Beach
Brenda Arguelles
Reyna Ayala
AARP
Karen Prath
County of San Diego Health and
Human Services Agency, AIS
Vilma Poroj
SDSU Social Policy Institute
Damariz Huerta
Michelle Matter
Elana Metz
Elvira Ruiz
Jakob Schmall
Prepared for:
Prepared by:
The following individuals assisted with facilitation, notetaking, and hospitality for the Listening and Action Planning Sessions:
Social Policy Institute
School of Social Work
Appendices will be available on-line.
www.imperialbeachca.gov/agefriendly
ʺ Policy Scan
ʺ Age-Friendly Imperial Beach Community Survey
ʺ Age-Friendly Imperial Beach Community Survey Results
ʺ Age-Friendly Imperial Beach Outreach Materials
Age-Friendly Imperial Beach
2023 Action Plan
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November 15, 2023
ITEM TITLE: RAIN BARREL AND CISTERN GUIDELINES FOR IMPERIAL BEACH. (0230-70) ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT:
Community Development
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On May 3, 2023, the City Council directed staff to research and schedule for future discussion, a city-wide ordinance related to the conservation of the City’s water resources, with an emphasis on rain barrels as a water conservation method.
On August 2, 2023, staff presented research findings to the City Council on existing rain barrel and rainwater harvesting ordinances that have been adopted by other public agencies.
Staff found that to promote and incentivize the use of rain barrels as a rainwater harvesting method, many agencies and conservation organizations have adopted guidelines for the installation and maintenance of rain barrels and instituted rebate programs. Rain barrel guidelines enhance the available water conservation resources for residents, help ensure that rain barrels are being installed in accordance with best practices and provide solutions to help mitigate common issues associated with rainwater collection systems.
After the council’s discussion at the August 2nd meeting, the City Council directed staff to develop guidelines for Imperial Beach residents. The proposed Imperial Beach Rain Barrel & Cistern Guidelines are provided as Attachment 2 of this report.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receive the report and adopt Resolution 2023-103 Recommended Rain Barrel and Cistern Guidelines.
OPTIONS:
In addition to receiving this report and adopting staff’s recommendations, the City Council can:
Request that staff conduct further research and schedule the item for a future City Council meeting; or
Not adopt the recommended guidelines
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BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
On May 3, 2023, the City Council directed staff to research and schedule for future discussion, a city-wide ordinance related to the conservation of the City’s water resources, with an emphasis on rain barrels as a water conservation method.
Rainwater harvesting laws vary greatly by state, and in most states, rainwater harvesting is either not regulated, or it is encouraged. In California, rainwater harvesting is regulated through the Division of Water Rights. In 2012 Assembly Bill 1750, known as the “Rainwater Capture Act of 2012” authorized residential, commercial, and governmental landowners to install, maintain, and operate rain barrel systems and rainwater capture systems for specified purposes, provided that the systems comply with specified requirements.
In recent years, an increasing number of southern California residents are now harvesting rainwater to irrigate their gardens or landscaping. Rainwater harvesting is the process of capturing, storing, and making use of rain as close as possible to where it falls. Rainwater harvesting is not a new concept, however, due to population growth, urban sprawl, and the establishment of municipal water supplies, the practice of rainwater harvesting as a primary water supply has become lesser known.
Rainwater harvesting benefits communities and the environment in many ways. Replacing municipal water use with rainwater reduces energy use and thus carbon emissions. Because collected rainwater can be used for outdoor applications that do not require filtration, energy is not used on filtering water that does not need it. Rainwater harvesting prevents water treatment plants from using excess electricity, pumping stations from using extra power, and sewer and water line repair machines from burning more fossil fuels than necessary. In addition, rainwater harvesting reduces the amount of pollutants that are typically present and picked up by stormwater flows off roofs, streets and storm drains that are then carried into groundwater, streams, and the ocean. Collecting rainwater before it reaches the ground prevents some chemicals, sediment, and debris from entering water sources.
Rainwater harvesting also allows for the slow down, spread, and infiltration of water, which can replenish groundwater supplies, improve the health of soil and plants, and reduces flood risks.
On an individual level, rainwater harvesting can reduce water bills and make people less reliant on imported water sources.
On August 2, 2023, staff presented research findings to the City Council on existing rain barrel and rainwater harvesting ordinances that have been adopted by other public agencies.
Staff found that to promote and incentivize the use of rain barrels as a rainwater harvesting method, many agencies and conservation organizations have adopted guidelines for the installation and maintenance of rain barrels and instituted rebate programs. Rain barrel guidelines enhance the available water conservation resources for residents, help ensure that rain barrels are being installed in accordance with best practices and provide solutions to help mitigate common issues associated with rainwater collection systems. While staff was not able to locate an adopted rain barrel ordinance, research showed that many agencies adopt guidelines and rebate programs consistent with the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA), which follows building codes.
The proposed Imperial Beach Rain Barrel & Cistern Guidelines are provided as Attachment 2 of this report and provide reference to the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) while also incorporating best practices commonly found throughout various resources including that the barrels/cisterns incorporate the following:
The manufacturer’s installation and maintenance instructions must be followed.
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Rain barrels/cisterns should be connected to a rain gutter downspout. Rain barrels/cisterns must not block emergency access routes around the home. Ensure that barrels/cisterns are placed on a level surface so that the weight of the water is equally distributed across the tank.
The containers used for water catchment should be large enough to capture the minimum rain harvest volume for the relevant impervious area, or all the overflows must infiltrate into adjacent landscaping.
Openings must be protected from pests, unintentional entry by humans, and tampering.
Barrels/cisterns must have a secured lid (for example, a lid secured by screws or clips, a threaded lid, or similar). All open inlets and outlets must be screened with at least 1/16 inch screen or other equivalent method to prevent mosquito entry and breeding. To reduce algae growth and protect the barrel/cistern from degradation, the barrel/cistern must be constructed of opaque, UV resistant materials (e.g. heavily tinted plastic, metal barrel/cistern with lining, concrete, etc.) or must be protected by specially constructed sun barriers (e.g. installed under a shed, shade structure etc.). Overflow from the barrel/cistern must be directed away from buildings and/or adjacent properties. Routing overflow to a vegetated area, swale, or rain garden where overflow can soak into the soil is preferred.
Barrels/cisterns shall be labeled “NONPOTABLE RAINWATER – DO NOT DRINK.” Rain barrels/cisterns must not be connected to the potable water irrigation system. Water from the rain barrel/cistern must be distributed through a hose or bucket only and must not be connected to a spray or overhead irrigation system.
Additionally, the guidelines provide a method for calculating how much water can be collected, guidance on when a permit would be required, and a recommended maintenance schedule based on the California Plumbing Code, including tips to prevent mosquito breeding.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
Not a project as defined by CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report and guidelines.
ATTACHMENTS:
ATT 1 - Resolution 2023-0103
ATT 2 - Imperial Beach Rain Barrel & Cistern Guidelines
ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-0103
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IMPERIAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA,
RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE IMPERIAL BEACH RAIN BARREL AND CISTERN GUIDELINES.
WHEREAS, on May 3, 2023, the City Council directed staff to research and schedule for future discussion, a city-wide ordinance related to the conservation of the City’s water resources, with an emphasis on rain barrels as a water conservation method; and WHEREAS, on August 2, 2023, staff presented research findings to the City Council on existing rain barrel and rainwater harvesting ordinances that have been adopted by other public agencies; and
WHEREAS, staff found that to promote and incentivize the use of rain barrels as a rainwater harvesting method, many agencies and conservation organizations have adopted guidelines for the installation and maintenance of rain barrels and instituted rebate programs; and WHEREAS, rain barrel guidelines enhance the available water conservation resources for residents, help ensure that rain barrels are being installed in accordance with best practices and provide solutions to help mitigate common issues associated with rainwater collection systems; and
WHEREAS, creating Rain Barrel & Cistern Guidelines are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act since it is not a project by definition; and WHEREAS, the Imperial Beach Rain Barrel & Cistern Guidelines are consistent with California Plumbing Code Chapter 16 and the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Imperial Beach that the City Council approve Resolution 2023-0103 adopting the Imperial Beach Rain Barrel & Cistern Guidelines.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Imperial Beach at its meeting held on the 15
th day of November 2023, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
PALOMA AGUIRRE, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JACQUELINE M. KELLY, MMC
CITY CLERK
Attachment 2
For questions, contact the Community Development Department Planning Division at (619) 628-0858.
Imperial Beach Rain Barrel & Cistern Guidelines
Value of Rain Barrels and Cisterns
When it rains, stormwater flows from roofs, sidewalks, and other urban surfaces onto city streets, picking up pollution and trash along the way. Water that enters the stormwater system flows untreated directly into our creeks, rivers, bays, beaches and, ultimately, the ocean. Instead of letting this rainwater flow off your property, you can collect it in rain barrels and cisterns (also referred to as rain tanks) for usage onsite. Collecting rainwater from your roof before it washes across the landscape and storing it in rain tanks can provide the following benefits:
• Rainwater that you collect during the rainy season can be used to irrigate your plants, reducing the need to use potable municipal water for irrigation and contributing to water conservation efforts.
• Keeping rainwater onsite helps protect water quality with our local waterways by reducing the volume of stormwater and pollutant flows to our storm drains, creeks, bays, and beaches. • Collecting rainwater in a rain tank can help reduce flooding around your property and neighborhood.
Recommendations for Installation
Rainwater catchment systems for collecting precipitation from rooftops shall comply with the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association ASPE 63. Installed rain barrels and cisterns should also incorporate the following:
• The manufacturer’s installation and maintenance instructions must be followed. • Rain barrels/cisterns should be connected to a rain gutter downspout. • Rain barrels/cisterns must not block emergency access routes around the home. • Ensure that barrels/cisterns are placed on a level surface so that the weight of the water is equally distributed across the tank.
• The containers used for water catchment should be large enough to capture the minimum rain harvest volume for the relevant impervious area, or all the overflows must infiltrate into adjacent landscaping.
• Openings must be protected from pests, unintentional entry by humans, and tampering.
Barrels/cisterns must have a secured lid (for example, a lid secured by screws or clips, a threaded lid, or similar). All open inlets and outlets must be screened with at least 1/16 inch screen or other equivalent method to prevent mosquito entry and breeding. • To reduce algae growth and protect the barrel/cistern from degradation, the barrel/cistern must be constructed of opaque, UV resistant materials (e.g. heavily tinted plastic, metal barrel/cistern with lining, concrete, etc.) or must be protected by specially constructed sun barriers (e.g. installed under a shed, shade structure etc.).
• Overflow from the barrel/cistern must be directed away from buildings and/or adjacent properties.
Routing overflow to a vegetated area, swale, or rain garden where overflow can soak into the soil is preferred.
• Barrels/cisterns shall be labeled “NONPOTABLE RAINWATER – DO NOT DRINK.” • Rain barrels/cisterns must not be connected to the potable water irrigation system. Water from the rain barrel/cistern must be distributed through a hose or bucket only and must not be connected to a spray or overhead irrigation system.
Attachment 2
For questions, contact the Community Development Department Planning Division at (619) 628-0858.
Calculate Your Rainwater Harvest Volume
You can estimate the amount of rainwater that can be harvested from a catchment surface – that is, any surface used to collect rainwater such as a roof – by using this simple calculation provided by the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA):
1 square foot of catchment area
x 1 inch of rainfall
= 0.6 gallons of water
For example, if you have a 1,000-square foot roof, for every inch of rain that falls you could yield 600 gallons of water (1,000 x 0.6 = 600). An additional resource for calculating minimum harvest volume is available through the County of San Diego Waterscape Rebate Program.
Permits Required
In accordance with California Plumbing Code Chapter 16, section 1601.3 Permit. It shall be unlawful for a person to construct, install, alter, or cause to be constructed, installed, or altered a nonpotable rainwater catchment system in a building or on a premise without first obtaining a permit to do such work from the authority having jurisdiction.
Exceptions:
(1) A permit is not required for exterior rainwater catchment systems used for outdoor non-spray irrigation with a maximum storage capacity of 5,000 gallons where the tank is supported directly upon grade and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1 and it does not require electrical power or a makeup water supply connection. (2) A permit is not required for exterior rainwater catchment systems used for spray irrigation with a maximum storage capacity of 360 gallons.
Maintenance Schedule
Following is a recommended maintenance
schedule based on Table 1601.5 Chapter 16 of the
CA Plumbing Code.
• Place gutter guards and/or screens on top of
the roof downspouts and on top of the barrel to
keep leaves and debris from entering the rain
barrel.
• Inspect, clean, and repair filters and screens
every 3 months.
• Inspect and clear debris from the roof, rainwater
gutters, downspouts, and roof washers every 6
months.
• Clean the barrel. Drain and clean the system
annually.
• Consider mosquito larvicide. Time‐release
tablets or “mosquito dunks” may be used in a
rain barrel. These contain bacteria that kill
mosquito larvae, but do not harm people,
animals, or plants.
• Regularly inspect for cracks or leaks. Ensure
that all fittings and seals are intact. Make sure
no water is accumulating on the ground around
the barrel.
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November 15, 2023
ITEM TITLE: CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE REPORT. (0620-30) ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT:
Community Development
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On July 17, 2019, the City of Imperial Beach adopted its Climate Action Plan (CAP) through adoption of Resolution 2019-8054. The CAP requires an initial report on the progress of the CAP in 2020 and thereafter, biennial monitoring and reporting with an informal update provided to the City Council during the interim years. From the date of adoption, staff has implemented the CAP measures and actions in accordance with the adopted CAP. Staff provided the City Council with the Climate Action Plan Year 2 Report in 2022 with a comprehensive summary of the activities completed within the second reporting year to implement the City’s adopted CAP. At that time, 2020 emissions data was not available, so was not included in the Year 2 Report. This report is an interim year report provided to the City Council as an update on the City’s CAP Progress and to provide the 2020 emissions data that was not available at the time of the Year 2 Report.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receive the Climate Action Plan Report.
OPTIONS:
Receive the Climate Action Plan report; or
Reject the Climate Action Plan report and provide direction to the City Manager; or Continue the item to a future meeting and request additional information.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
The Climate Action Plan (CAP) was approved and adopted by Resolution 2019-8054 on July 17, 2019. The CAP is a strategic framework for measuring, planning, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and includes an inventory of existing emissions, sets reduction goals or targets, and identifies analyzed and prioritized mitigation measures to achieve the reduction targets. The purpose of the CAP is to describe how greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated in municipal and community‐wide activities in the areas of building and community energy use, transportation and land use, waste reduction and diversion, water conservation, and green infrastructure enhancement within the City of Imperial Beach will be reduced in accordance with statewide targets. The statewide targets used for the CAP are derived from the Governor's Executive Order
P a g e | 2
S-3-05 (EO S-3-05) and the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32). The CAP is not intended currently to be used as a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) mitigation document per CEQA Guidelines § 15183.5.
Implementation and monitoring of the CAP is required by the Final Draft of the Updated 2019 General Plan/Local Coastal Program Conservation and Ecotourism Element Policy 4.1.1-P.CE4, which states, “Adopt and implement a Climate Action Plan (CAP) that is aligned with state requirements for greenhouse gas emission reductions, while achieving local co‐benefits." Also, the Conservation and Ecotourism Element Policy 4.1.2-P.CE-5 states: " Monitor implementation of the Climate Action Plan (CAP) to ensure its effectiveness over time, and adjust measures as needed to achieve mandated targets." Implementation of the CAP strategies is a reflection of the City’s commitment to climate action planning as a process through which it plans for and invests in progressively more aggressive GHG reductions and a more sustainable, adaptable, and resilient community.
Staff has made considerable progress in CAP implementation since the adoption of the CAP. The attached CAP Report (Attachment 1) contains a detailed description of those activities. In summary, the City’s accomplishments included:
• Ongoing coordination with San Diego Community Power within the City of Imperial Beach to continue making clean energy available to its residents • Adopted Rain Barrell Guidance
• The City has continued to opt in to Power 100 for Clean Municipal Energy • Obtained a Clean California Grant to implement the 10th Street Improvement Project • Obtained an Active Transportation Program Grant to make improvements and install bike lanes on 9th Street
• Obtained an Active Transportation Program Grant for the Palm Avenue Master Plan • Adopted an ordinance implementing the requirements of Senate Bill 9 requiring each new lot created requires at least one new tree planted per new resulting lot created • Obtained an additional Ocean Protection Council Grant and a State Coastal Conservancy Grant to develop 100% plans for improving the Bayshore Bikeway with the Bayshore Bikeway Resiliency Project
• Have maintained the City’s electric bicycle municipal fleet reducing vehicle miles traveled by 1,033 miles in 2022
• In collaboration with EDCO, launched a public outreach campaign to increase awareness of existing waste management services and drive behavioral change • Planted at or around 300 Trees within the City right of way in 2022 and obtained an additional CAL Fire grant to plant an additional 400 trees in the right of way of the underserved areas within the City
• The City continues to partner with TRNERR on design and implementation of the Tijuana Estuary Tidal Restoration Project
• The City continues to partner with the Port of San Diego on the restoration of approximately 84 acres along San Diego Bay in Pond 20
• Staff has continued to encourage energy saving features with new developments • Staff has continued to encourage the planting of shade trees with new development projects
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• The City is coordinating with regional partners, such as SANDAG, other local jurisdictions, San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative and SDG&E Staff has amended the CAP Year 2 Report for this interim CAP Report with the 2020 GHG inventories provided by SANDAG. In addition, staff will continue to implement the CAP and provide any pertinent reporting. The GHG inventories for 2012 (data utilized in the adopted CAP), 2016, 2018, and 2020 are included as attachments (Attachments 3, 4, and 5).
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21065, receiving this annual report does not constitute a "project" within the meaning of CEQA in that is has no potential to cause either a direct or indirect physical change in the environment, or a reasonable foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and, therefore, does not require environmental review.
FISCAL IMPACT: This is an informational item with no direct fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS:
ATT 1 - Climate Action Plan Report
ATT 2 - Adopted Climate Action Plan
ATT 3 - ReCAP Snapshot 2016
ATT 4 - ReCAP Snapshot 2018
ATT 5 - ReCAP Snapshot 2020
`
City of Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan Report
November 15, 2023
Attachment 1
This page intentionally left blank.
Resilient Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan i
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction 2
2.0 Background for Climate Action Plan 2
3.0 Emissions Reduction Measures Implementation 6
4.0 GHG Emissions Inventory 11
5.0 Summary 12
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Imperial Beach 2012 GHG Emissions Inventory by Category ...................................................................................4
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 Emissions Projection, Reduction Targets, and Emissions Reduction Needed ...........................................................4 Table 2 Measures and Quantified Reductions to meet CAP 2030 GHG Emission Reduction Target ......................................5
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A – Consolidated Measure Implementation Matrix Appendix B – Consolidated ReCAP Summaries
Resilient Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan Report 2
1.0 Introduction
The purpose of this document is to provide an update on the status of the Climate Action Plan (CAP) implementation. The CAP requires that the City monitor and report on CAP implementation activities on a biennial basis after an initial report in 2020 and include informal reports to the City Council during the interim years. Due to the impacts related to the unprecedented pandemic, COVID-19, there was a delay in reporting on the CAP implementation. The initial report was completed in 2021 and the subsequent year 2 CAP report was provided in 2022 on a biennial basis in conformance with the timeline outlined in the adopted CAP. During the previous CAP Year 2 Report, the 2020 emissions data was not available.
The interim year CAP report amends the CAP Year 2 Report to include the 2020 emissions data and additional implementation efforts made since the previous report.
2.0 Background for Climate Action Plan
The Climate Action Plan (CAP) was approved and adopted by Resolution 2019-8054 on July 17, 2019. The CAP is a strategic framework for measuring, planning, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and includes an inventory of existing emissions, sets reduction goals or targets, and identifies analyzed and prioritized mitigation measures to achieve the reduction targets. The purpose of the CAP is to describe how greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated in municipal and community‐wide activities in the areas of building and community energy use, transportation and land use, waste reduction and diversion, water conservation, and green infrastructure enhancement within the City of Imperial Beach will be reduced in accordance with statewide targets. The statewide targets used for the CAP are derived from the Governor's Executive Order S-3-05 (EO S-3-05) and the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32). The CAP is not intended currently to be used as a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) mitigation document per CEQA Guidelines § 15183.5.
Implementation and monitoring of the CAP is required by the Final Draft of the Updated 2019 General Plan/Local Coastal Program Conservation and Ecotourism Element Policy 4.1.1-P.CE-4, which states, “Adopt and implement a Climate Action Plan (CAP) that is aligned with state requirements for greenhouse gas emission reductions, while achieving local co‐ benefits." Also, the Conservation and Ecotourism Element Policy 4.1.2-P.CE-5 states: " Monitor implementation of the
Resilient Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan Report 3
Climate Action Plan (CAP) to ensure its effectiveness over time, and adjust measures as needed to achieve mandated targets." Implementation of the CAP strategies is a reflection of the City’s commitment to climate action planning as a process through which it plans for and invests in progressively more aggressive GHG reductions and a more sustainable, adaptable, and resilient community.
Chapter 1 of the CAP contains information about the baseline emissions and reduction strategies. The City’s CAP utilizes the 2012 baseline inventory. A GHG inventory identifies the major sources and overall magnitude of GHG emissions in the city using standard modeling methods and protocols. Typical inputs include: electricity consumed, natural gas consumed, vehicles miles traveled, solid waste disposed, wastewater treated and potable and recycled water used. The Chapter shows the baseline emissions and the target emission levels for Imperial Beach.
Chapter 2 of the CAP contains information on the City of Imperial Beach’s Climate Action Plan Goals. The areas of focus are transportation, energy and energy efficiency, waste, and carbon sequestration. Additionally, the chapter outlines and describes the purpose of the City’s CAP as well as a summary of the legislation and executive actions that were adopted for California’s climate protection efforts.
Chapter 3 of the CAP contains detailed information regarding GHG emissions and the methodology used in the emission target selection. The chapter also includes the business as usual emission projections, targets, and information on the local emissions gap.
Chapter 4 of the CAP summarizes the emissions reduction measures for the following categories: on-road transportation, energy emissions, waste emissions, and carbon sequestration.
Chapter 5 of the CAP provides the timeline for CAP monitoring and reporting and details on the projected updates.
The CAP was developed as a part of the overall Resilient Imperial Beach General Plan/Local Coastal Program Update.
Technical support was provided by SANDAG through the services of EPIC of the University of San Diego Law School. EPIC continues to work with SANDAG on SANDAG’s Regional Climate Planning Framework (ReCAP), which provides regionally consistent approaches, methodologies, and data sources. This data is made available on a biennial basis, which is consistent with the City’s reporting schedule. In 2022, the City was unable to include the 2020 GHG emission information in the CAP Year 2 Report due to delays in the data becoming available. The data was made available in 2023, and this report has been revised to include the 2020 emissions data. Of note, due to the impacts related to COVID-19, the 2020 GHG Emissions inventory does not include 2020 on-road transportation data. A discussion related to the COVID-19 impacts on available data has been provided within this report.
The 2012 inventory consists of 96,400 Metric Tons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). Figure 1 below shows Imperial Beach 2012 GHG emissions inventory by category and Table 1 shows the emissions projection, reduction targets, and emissions reduction needed to meet emissions reduction targets at the State level. Of the total emissions in 2012, 98 percent are attributed to on-road transportation, electricity, natural gas, and solid waste. The emissions profile is typical of other cities, and therefore, similar to most other CAPs, the City of Imperial Beach’s CAP focuses primarily on the GHG emission reduction strategies in these sectors.
To be consistent with AB 32 and SB 32 emissions reduction targets at the State level, the target emission levels for Imperial Beach are set at 4% below the 2012 emissions level by 2020 and 42% below the 2012 emissions level by 2030 (Table 1). These targets are consistent with State targets under AB 32 and SB 32. Emissions reductions that would be needed to meet the long-term goals set in EO S-3-05 are also included; however, the strategies and measures are geared towards achieving reductions through the CAP’s 2030 horizon year (Table 2). The 2020 target will be met without the need for any local actions.
Resilient Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan Report 4
As a result, the measures and strategies are only listed with their estimated contribution towards achieving the 2030 CAP target.
Of the 26,300 MT CO2e reductions needed to meet the CAP’s 2030 target, 6,454 MT CO2e are estimated to come from local efforts included in the CAP strategies and measures. This amounts to approximately 25% of total reductions while the other 75%, 19,992 MT CO2e, are estimated to result from federal and state actions.
Figure 1 Imperial Beach 2012 GHG Emissions Inventory by Category Table 1 Emissions Projection, Reduction Targets, and Emissions Reduction Needed Year
Business-as-usual
Projection
(MT CO2e)
Target
Emission Level
(% below
baseline)
Target Emission
Levels
(MT CO2e)
Emissions Reduction
Needed to Meet Target
(MT CO2e)
2012 96,400 - - -
2020 81,100 -4% 92,700 -11,500
2030 82,200 -42% 55,900 26,300
*Emissions values are rounded.
*Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018
On-road
Transportation
Electricity 57%
23%
Natural Gas
16%
Solid Waste
2%
Water
2% Wastewater
<1%
Percentage may not add to totals due to rounding.
Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018
Resilient Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan Report 5
Table 2 Measures and Quantified Reductions to meet CAP 2030 GHG Emission Reduction Target 2030
Emissions Category Reduction Strategies and Measures MT CO2e % of Local Reductions
On-Road Transportation Strategy: Clean and Efficient Transportation T.1 Increase Citywide Electric Vehicle
(EV) Charging Stations
751 11%
T.2 Clean Municipal Fleet 48 1%
Strategy: Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)
T.3 Increase Mass Transit Ridership 687 10%
T.4 Improve Pedestrian and Bicycle
Facilities
342 5%
T.5 Reduce Municipal Employee VMT 13 <1%
Energy Strategy: Increase Renewable Electricity
E.1 Increase Grid-Supply Renewables 1,204 17%
E.2 Increase Commercial Solar
Photovoltaic (PV)
59 1%
Waste Strategy: Zero Waste
W.1 Divert Waste from Landfill 3,318 51%
Carbon Sequestration Strategy: Carbon Sequestration
S.1 Tree Planting 31 <1%
Total GHG Reductions Needed
to Reach 2030 Target
6,454 MT CO2e
Total Potential GHG Reductions
from Local Measures
6,454 MT CO2e
*Percentages are rounded and may not sum.
Resilient Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan Report 6
3.0 Emissions Reduction Measures Implementation
The IB CAP adopted targets to reduce emissions 4% below 2012 levels by 2020 and 42% below 2012 levels by 2030 (55,900 MTCO2e). As shown in Table 2, each reduction measure includes the estimated GHG reductions, co-benefits, general description and background information, and identified implementation actions. The measures represent actions and issues with direct City influence and are intended to achieve emissions reductions within the community. The Consolidated Measure Implementation Matrix table for the CAP shows the action, description, responsibility and timeline for each of the CAP implementation measures. The matrix has been included as Appendix A.
The strategies and measures are organized under four categories:
On-Road Transportation
Energy and Energy Efficiency
Waste
Carbon Sequestration
Transportation
The 2012 inventory identified that 57 percent of the total emissions are generated by on-road transportation. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation requires a broad range of strategies at a regional, state, and federal level with policies and plans that focus on areas including increasing vehicle efficiency, lowering the carbon content of fuels, and reducing vehicle miles of travel. The areas that the City addressed, considering its limited capacity, were to increase the number of citywide electric vehicle charging stations, creating a clean municipal fleet, increase mass transit ridership, improve the Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities, and reduce employee VMT (Measures T.1 – T.5).
While on-road transportation emissions data was unavailable for 2020 due to impacts from COVID-19, the City continues to implement the CAP and works to reduce on-road GHG emissions. Staff has made considerable progress in implementing the transportation related measures since the adoption of the CAP in 2019. The City, in collaboration with SANDAG’s “Power
Resilient Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan Report 7
your Drive for Parks” program, installed four new electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) at Sports Park, and through the collaboration with the Port of San Diego repaired the Blink Charging station on Seacoast Drive. Additionally, the City has identified parking spaces at City Hall that will be future EVCS locations. To enable the ease of EVCS installation once funding becomes available, the City will be installing the necessary conduit for EVCS. City staff is continuing to partner with other agencies and jurisdictions such as SANDAG and the Port as well as monitoring available funding opportunities such as the SANDAG Regional Electric Vehicle Charging Program, which provides grants and regional support for installation of new EVCS, to finance resources to support EVCS installation.
To further the goal of developing a municipal fleet assessment and conversion plan, the City is in the process of engaging with a consultant team to complete an assessment of existing Municipal facilities and the existing Municipal fleet. Once the assessment is completed, the next steps would be to identify funding opportunities for implementation of Municipal Fleet and Facilities electrification.
To facilitate the goal of increasing mass transit ridership, the City has coordinated with SANDAG to ensure that the Regional Transportation Plan included transit investments that would improve transit service and connectivity, and this plan has been adopted. Additionally, the City coordinated with MTS to install new rapid transit stops throughout the City and issued the temporary encroachment permit for the construction of additional transit stops as well as improved bus shelters.
To improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities throughout the city, the City has identified, planned, and implemented a suite of bicycle and pedestrian projects that are expected to be completed by 2030. These projects include the completed projects:
Imperial Beach Boulevard (IB Blvd.) Enhancement Project, Border to Bayshore Bike path adjacent to Bayside Landing, the bike path along SR-75, and the painted high visibility green bike paths on Palm Avenue and 15th Street. The IB Blvd. enhancement project incorporated green infrastructure, which provided the two-fold benefit of both mitigating the production of GHG emissions and providing extra resilience against the effects of global warming in the City. The project scope included the reconstruction of the bulk of Imperial Beach Boulevard between Seacoast Drive and 14th Street, including the narrowing and reallocation of vehicle lanes to promote traffic calming and installation of Class II Bike Lanes, controlled crosswalks with flashing beacons, ADA compliant pedestrian ramps, additional amenities to bus stops, low impact development planters, wider sidewalks, improved aesthetic features along the Tijuana Estuary, and a unified design theme to enhance the user experience. Similar to the completed IB Blvd Enhancement project, the City obtained an Active Transportation Program Grant to make improvements and install bike lanes on 9th Street, a Clean California Grant to make improvements on a segment of 10th Street, obtained an Active Transportation Program Grant to implement the Palm Avenue Master Plan, obtained an additional Ocean Protection Council Grant and a State Coastal Conservancy Grant to
Resilient Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan Report 8
develop 100% plans for improving the Bayshore Bikeway. On an ongoing basis, the City assesses all development projects to evaluate the feasibility of Class IV bicycle lanes and to expand the number of bike parking facilities at commercial establishments throughout the City.
To increase the City’s clean municipal fleet and reduce employee vehicle miles traveled (VMT), the City purchased 70% of the City’s projected electric bicycle fleet to be utilized as City vehicles. Through the utilization of the electric bicycles as the Municipal fleet, the total vehicle miles traveled was reduced by 1,033 miles in 2022. To better understand and analyze data regarding active transportation patterns and needs throughout the City, the City is collecting transportation counts along improved roadways and is exploring partnerships as well as opportunities to participate in programs that further alternative transportation measures such as the now completed Lime Bike program.
Resilient Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan Report 9
Energy and Energy Efficiency
The Energy category, consisting of electricity and natural gas emissions resulting from use in buildings, accounts for approximately 39% of the 2012 baseline inventory. As such, the City placed a heavy emphasis on clean and renewable energy (Policies T.1 and T.2). Renewable energy provides both environmental and economic benefits through the generation of energy that produces no greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, reducing air pollution, and reduces the dependence on imported fuels.
In FY 2020, the City in partnership with the cities of Chula Vista, Encinitas, La Mesa, and San Diego established the San Diego Community Power as a non-profit energy provider to establish a local community choice aggregation (CCA) program. San Diego Community Power (SDCP). SDCP provides more local control over Imperial Beach’s energy landscape. In January of 2022, the City of Imperial Beach became the first City to launch this program and make clean energy available to its residents. Furthermore, the City opted in to the “Power 100 Program” to ensure that the City is using clean Municipal Energy.
Resilient Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan Report 10
The City is currently taking proactive actions towards planning on Municipal Fleet and Facilities electrification by looking in to completing an assessment to determine the needs and potential opportunities for the electrification of the existing Municipal Fleet and Facilities.
Waste
Reduction of solid waste and promoting the recycling of materials is a powerful way to save energy and reduce GHG emissions. The City’s current franchise waste hauler is EDCO. The City, EDCO, and local community must be active participants to achieve waste reductions, especially since the included waste reduction measure is anticipated to account for over half of all CAP measure emission reductions to meet the 2030 target. Measure W.1 to divert waste from the landfill is intended to be met through the diversion of commercial organics. On February 19, 2020 the City adopted an ordinance to amend Chapter 8.36 of the Imperial Beach Municipal Code to require mandatory organics recycling. Staff has been collaborating with EDCO in the implementation of a public outreach campaign to increase awareness of existing waste management services and drive behavioral change.
Carbon Sequestration
Carbon sequestration is also an important strategy included in the CAP. Compared to the regional average, Imperial Beach has fewer trees and a lower proportion of the City covered by tree canopies. Trees are effective at sequestering GHG emissions and provide a range of additional benefits that include reducing temperature and energy use and improving air and water quality, aesthetics, and general quality of life. Measure S.1 Tree Planting is an ongoing effort. The City planted a total of at or around 300 trees in 2022. The City obtained an additional Cal Fire Grant to partner with the San Diego Urban Corps to plant an additional 400 trees in 2023. Most of the trees that will be planted in 2023 will be planted in the underserved
Resilient Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan Report 11
areas of the community. For private development, staff continues to emphasize developers to incorporate trees in development projects and has recently adopted an ordinance implementing the requirements of Senate Bill 9 (SB 9). This ordinance requires that a new tree be planted on each newly created lot, created through the provision of the ordinance implementing SB 9. Additionally, the City increased the maintenance budget and has adopted a maintenance schedule for all City trees located within the right of way.
4.0 GHG Emissions Inventory
A key component of CAP implementation is the monitoring of actual GHG emissions. To draft the Imperial Beach CAP, technical support was provided by SANDAG through the services of EPIC of the University of San Diego Law School. EPIC provided the baseline emissions for the City of Imperial Beach which were the 2012 GHG emissions. EPIC continues to work with SANDAG on SANDAG’s Regional Climate Planning Framework (ReCAP), which provides regionally consistent approaches, methodologies, and data sources. One of the services offered by SANDAG includes conducting GHG inventories for local jurisdictions. This data is updated on a biennial basis, which is consistent with the City’s reporting schedule. As can be seen from the ReCAP Snapshot 2016 (Attachment 3), ReCAP Snapshot 2018 (Attachment 4), and ReCAP Snapshot 2020 (Attachment 5) the City’s efforts over time to reduce GHG emissions have had a direct impact in reducing the City’s GHG emissions and that the additional work and commitment that the City has made with the CAP adoption and implementation has furthered these reductions. The 2012 inventory consists of 96, MT CO2e, the 2016 inventory consists of 81 MTCO2e, and the 2018 inventory consists of 79 MT CO2e. Due to the impacts of COVID-19 skewing the data related to GHG emissions, the overall emissions were not able to be provided, however, what can be observed year over year on a two year basis, are:
reductions in community-wide energy use, an increase in the percentage of waste diverted, a decrease in the wastewater produced, and a decrease in the water used per person, per day. Overall showing areas of progress for GHG emissions reductions and areas of opportunities where the City can focus on for the next CAP update.
Covid-19 GHG Emissions Data Impacts:
Resilient Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan Report 12
The Covid-19 pandemic impacted our day-to-day activities in 2020. Variations/changes in lifestyles and behaviors caused by the Covid-19 have skewed GHG emissions data in a manner that varies from what would have been typical in previous and/or future years; for example, increased time spent indoors and decreased usage of vehicles.
The 2020 GHG emissions inventory was prepared using the best available data for each emissions category and does not include on-road transportation. The activity data for electricity, natural gas, solid waste, water sectors are based on actual tracked and observed usage for the year and therefore, correctly reflect the changes due to Covid-19. However, for on-road transportation, the activity data is vehicle miles traveled (VMT), a proxy for fuel use. VMT data is derived for each jurisdiction from the SANDAG activity based model (ABM). The most recent SANDAG activity based model, ABM2+, was last calibrated with observed data in 2016 and forecasts 2020 VMT. While transportation historically accounts for the largest share of GHG emissions in an inventory, the VMT forecast does not take into account the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and cannot be updated to provide 2020 VMT data for each jurisdiction. In addition, the model cannot be updated for sudden changes in activity in any particular year as it is based on data from a baseline year and projects future years based on land use, population, and housing forecast. Therefore, using the VMT forecast for 2020 with a baseline year of 2016 would be inappropriate as the model cannot reflect the impacts of the pandemic in 2020. Instead, state Caltrans PeMS data provides regional VMT in 2020 from sensors and observations on the freeways which help to estimate the regional change in VMT.
Image 1 compares the observed VMT on freeways in the San Diego region for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021. The observed data is only available for freeways and cannot be scaled down to individual jurisdictions which have different configurations of roads. While other sources of data and anecdotal experience show lower VMT in 2020, there is no data for how each jurisdiction’s VMT changed during 2020. The Caltrans PeMS data set shows similar VMT trends in 2021 as in 2019 which suggests that lower VMT in 2020 is likely due to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and may not sustain long term.
5.0 Summary
From CAP implementation on July 17, 2019, the City has continued to make considerable progress in reducing GHG emissions in Imperial Beach. During the first reporting period, the City exceeded the forecasted 2020 GHG reductions shown in the CAP. During the following reporting periods, staff has continued to address and implement the policies to reduce GHG emissions and coordinate and collaborate with regional partners, such as SANDAG, other local jurisdictions, San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative and SDG&E.
Resilient Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan
Appendices
Appendix A
Consolidated Measure Implementation Matrix
1 Appendix D. Consolidated Measure Implementation Matrix Consolidated Measure Implementation Matrix
Emissions
Category
Reduction
Strategies and
Measures
Action Description Responsibility Timeline
On-Road
Transportation
Strategy: Clean and Efficient Transportation
T.1 Increase
Citywide EVCSs
1 Encourage and incentivize
EVCSs at new and
redeveloped multifamily
and commercial
developments through the
development review
process
City Near-term
2 Identify a list of priority
public facility installation
sites on City sites and in
collaboration with relevant
partner agencies
City Near-term
3 Identify and pursue
funding and financing
resources to support EVCS
installation
City Near- and
Mid-term
T.2 Clean Municipal
Fleet
1 Work with CSE’s EV Expert
to develop a municipal
fleet assessment and
conversion plan
City Mediumterm
2 Utilize fleet assessment
and conversion plan to
decide when to replace
vehicles
City Mediumterm
3 Work with other agencies
and jurisdictions to
identify potential joint EV
procurement options
City Near-term
Strategy: Reduce VMT
T.3 Increase Mass
Transit Ridership
1 Coordinate with San Diego
MTS to identify transit
connectivity opportunities
that improve transit access
and mobility
City Near-term
2 Work with San Diego MTS
to increase awareness of
the Rapid 925 and existing
bus routes as a means to
increase ridership
City Near-term
SE.1
Collaborate with
SANDAG to ensure that
the RTP includes transit
investments that
improve transit service
and connectivity
City Near-term
2 Consolidated Measure Implementation Matrix
Emissions
Category
Reduction
Strategies and
Measures
Action Description Responsibility Timeline
T.4 Improve Bicycle
and Pedestrian
Facilities
1 Complete the suite of
planned bicycle and
pedestrian projects by
2030
City Mediumterm
2 Evaluate the feasibility of
Class IV bicycle lanes in all
project review procedures
City Near-term
3 Work to expand the
number of bike parking
facilities at commercial
establishments
throughout the City
City Mediumterm
4 Work with scooter and
bikeshare and other
emerging companies to
analyze data and better
understand active
transportation patterns
and needs throughout the
City
City Mediumterm
T.5
1 Purchase 10 electric
bicycles City Near-term
2 Track the number of trips
and VMT avoided through
usage of the bicycles
City Mediumterm
Energy
Strategy: Increase Renewable Electricity
E.1 Increase GridSupply of
Renewable and
Zero Carbon
Electricity
1 Explore the potential to
join a regional CCE
through a partnership with
other jurisdictions
City Near-term
2 Work with identified
partnership jurisdictions to
conduct a feasibility study
and other related research
and administrative efforts
necessary to establish a
CCE
City Mediumterm
3 Evaluate the need for
additional resources to
increase to 100% gridsupplied renewable
power by 2030
City Mediumterm
3 Consolidated Measure Implementation Matrix
Emissions
Category
Reduction
Strategies and
Measures
Action Description Responsibility Timeline
SE.1
Work with SDG&E to
publicize energy efficiency
rebates and subsidies to
increase the efficiency of
Imperial Beach’s existing
building stock
City Near-term
E.2 Increase
Commercial
Behind-the-Meter
PV
1 Establish requirements or
incentives through the
development review and
approval process to spur
installation of commercial
solar PV
City Near-term
2 Develop a directory of
solar PV funding sources,
rebates, and incentives,
and leverage existing
efforts and materials from
the CSE, California Solar
Initiative, SDG&E, and
other organizations.
City Near-term
3 Review/revise applicable
building, zoning, and other
codes/ordinances to
encourage the
development of solar
ready commercial
developments.
City Mediumterm
SE.1
Identify opportunities to
install solar PV on public
facilities such as municipal
buildings, schools,
libraries, and parking lots.
City Mediumterm
Waste
Strategy: Reduce Solid Waste
W.1 Divert Waste
from Landfill
1 Adopt a Zero Waste by
2050 policy City Near-term
2 Work with the City’s waste
service company and
stakeholders to develop a
public outreach campaign
to increase awareness of
existing waste
management services and
drive behavioral change
City Mediumterm
Carbon
Sequestration
Strategy: Carbon Sequestration
S.1 Tree Planting 1 Plant 300 trees within City
ROW by 2030 City Mediumterm
4 Consolidated Measure Implementation Matrix
Emissions
Category
Reduction
Strategies and
Measures
Action Description Responsibility Timeline
2 Make changes to the City
code to require tree
planting in new and
redeveloped residential
and commercial
developments
City Near-term
SE.1
Identify opportunities to
enhance or conserve
habitat that would
sequester carbon in
collaboration with relevant
state and federal agencies
City Mediumterm
SE.2
Identify and pursue
funding to develop an
Urban Forest Management
Plan
City Mediumterm
SE indicates that the action is a Supporting Effort
Resilient Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan
Appendices
Appendix B
Consolidated ReCAP Summaries
59%
18%
17%
3%
2%
<1%
ON-ROAD TRANSPORTATION
ELECTRICITY
NATURAL GAS
SOLID WASTE
WATER
WASTEWATER
81,300 MT CO2e
Total GHG emissions
estimated for 2016
*This GHG inventory is based on 2016 data.
GHG INVENTORY*
27,901
population in 2016
4.4 square miles
9,510
occupied housing
units in 2016*
Current CAP progress:
In Progress
Subregion:
South Bay
JURISDICTION
QUICK FACTS
* Occupied housing does not include
group quarters.
RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1 Completed sea-level rise study in 2016.
2 Installed energy e cient windows at City Hall in 2017. 3 Replaced existing lighting with light-emitting diode (LED) lighting and occupancy sensors in 2019.
4 Received Coastal Commission grant in 2017 to support Local Coastal Program Update and CAP development.
5 Received a grant to help plant 200 trees.
The ReCAP Snapshot is prepared for the City as a part of the SANDAG Regional Climate Action Planning Framework (ReCAP) to support, but not replace, cities’ monitoring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and/or climate action plan (CAP) implementation over time. Climate planning activities vary by jurisdiction and are dependent on a variety of factors, such as funding and sta capacity. As the first edition of Snapshots
(November 2019), this document will set a baseline for monitoring trends into the future. More information, including a FAQ document and Methods and Data Sources Summary, is available at www.sandag.org/climate.
SNAPSHOT
CITY OF IMPERIAL BEACH
CAP
Re
City of Imperial Beach | ReCAP Snapshot – November 2019 Edition * Snapshot activity data is from the years 2016 through 2018, depending on the most recently available year for each activity. Activity data represents a single year.
43% renewables in
grid electricity supply
3.1 MW PV online
55,490 MWh
of electricity consumed
2.6 million therms
of natural gas consumed
2,176 MWh electricity saved
through SDG&E programs
1,362 MWh
of electricity consumed
5,200 therms
of natural gas consumed
1 energy e ciency projects
installed, which resulted in
first-year reductions of:
39,174 kWh
3 public electric
vehicle chargers
1,723
clean vehicles registered
(9% total registered vehicles)
7 total miles of bike lanes
2,808
passengers on and o
transit per weekday
1 local business participating
in SANDAG iCommute
program events
112 gallons
water used/person/day
75 gallons wastewater
produced/person/day
3.3 lbs waste disposed
in landfill/person/day
59% waste diverted
COMMUNITY-WIDE (DATA YEAR: 2016-2017) COMMUNITY-WIDE (DATA YEAR: 2016-2017) MUNICIPAL (DATA YEAR: 2018)
COMMUNITY-WIDE (DATA YEAR: 2016)
COMMUNITY-WIDE (DATA YEAR: 2016)
COMMUNITY-WIDE (DATA YEAR: 2016-2018)
TRANSPORTATION ENERGY EFFICIENCY
WATER + WASTEWATER
SOLID WASTE
RENEWABLE ENERGY
=
These select activity data represent best available data* for common GHG reduction activities included in local CAPs across the SANDAG region and may not align precisely to GHG reduction measures and/or the metrics identified within a jurisdiction’s CAP. Community-wide activities occur within a jurisdiction's boundaries; municipal activities occur at City-owned facilities. For more information on data sources, the Methods and Data Sources Summary is available at www.sandag.org/climate.
ReCAP ACTIVITY DATA FOR THE
CITY OF IMPERIAL BEACH
CAP
Re
The ReCAP Snapshot is prepared for the City as a part of the SANDAG Regional Climate Action Planning Framework (ReCAP) to support, but not replace, cities’ monitoring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and/or climate action plan (CAP) implementation over time. Climate planning activities vary by jurisdiction and are dependent on a variety of factors, such as funding and staff capacity. As the second edition of Snapshots (November 2020), this document builds upon the baseline set by the first edition Snapshots published in November 2019 to support monitoring trends into the future. More information, including a FAQ document and Methods and Data Sources Summary, is available at sandag.org/climate.
GHG INVENTORY*
*This GHG inventory is based on best available data, which includes 2016 VMT data for the on-road transportation sector and 2018 data for all other sectors. See below for additional detail.
The 2018 GHG emissions inventory was prepared using the best available data for each emissions category.
The best available data for vehicle miles traveled (VMT) at this time continues to be estimates for the year 2016, based on the SANDAG Series 14 forecast and ABM2 transportation model. This same VMT dataset was used to prepare the 2016 inventory included in the first edition Snapshots (published in November 2019). As a result, the VMT used in the 2018 GHG emissions inventory is the same as that in the 2016 GHG emissions inventory
Estimated changes in VMT since 2016 will be reflected in the forthcoming 2020 GHG emissions inventory.
For the next ReCAP Snapshots, VMT estimates will be based on the forecast and land use used in the 2021 Regional Plan.
GHG emissions inventories are one tool for use in monitoring CAP implementation. Together, a GHG emissions inventory and activity data reflect CAP implementation progress. Until updated VMT estimates are available, performance of VMT-related CAP measures can be monitored based on activity data.
Additional information about the SANDAG transportation model is included in the Snapshot FAQ document, and further detail about CAP monitoring and reporting can be found in the ReCAP Technical Appendix VI.
SNAPSHOT
ON-ROAD TRANSPORTATION
ELECTRICITY
NATURAL GAS
SOLID WASTE
WATER
WASTEWATER
OFF-ROAD TRANSPORTATION
JURISDICTION
QUICK FACTS
27,202
population in 2018
4.4 square miles
9,106
occupied housing
units in 2018*
Current CAP progress:
Adopted 2019
Subregion:
South Bay
CITY OF IMPERIAL BEACH
*Occupied housing does not
include group quarters.
Total GHG emissions
estimated for 2018
79,300 MT CO2e
58%
18%
18%
2%
3% <1%
RECAP ACTIVITY DATA FOR THE
These select activity data represent data for the year 2018 for common GHG reduction activities included in local CAPs across the SANDAG region and may not align precisely to GHG reduction measures and/or the metrics identified within a jurisdiction’s CAP. Community-wide activities occur within a jurisdiction’s boundaries; municipal activities occur at City-owned facilities. For more information on data sources, the Methods and Data Sources Summary is available at sandag.org/climate.
CITY OF IMPERIAL BEACH
TRANSPORTATION ENERGY EFFICIENCY
WATER + WASTEWATER
RENEWABLE ENERGY
SOLID WASTE
CARBON SEQUESTRATION
3 public electric
vehicle chargers
1,794 clean
vehicles registered
(10% of total registered vehicles)
8 total miles of bicycle lanes
3,022 passengers on and
off transit per weekday
1 local business participating
in SANDAG iCommute
program events
54,675 MWh
of electricity consumed
2.6 million therms
of natural gas consumed
2,249 MWh electricity saved
through SDG&E programs
1,362 MWh
of electricity consumed
5,200 therms
of natural gas consumed
Energy efficiency projects have
resulted in first year reductions of:
39,174 kWh
COMMUNITY-WIDE COMMUNITY-WIDE
MUNICIPAL
121 gallons
water used/person/day
88 gallons wastewater
produced/person/day
COMMUNITY-WIDE
43% renewables in
grid electricity supply
3.1 MW PV online
COMMUNITY-WIDE
3.0 lbs waste disposed
in landfill/person/day
63% waste diverted
COMMUNITY-WIDE
15 trees planted
MUNICIPAL
City of Imperial Beach – 2018 ReCAP Snapshot
=
City of Imperial Beach Re
CAP SNAPSHOT
Image 1: Total Freeway Vehicle Miles Traveled in
San Diego Region (2019, 2020, 2021) The ReCAP Snapshot is prepared for the City as 1.4 a part of the SANDAG Regional Climate Action 1.2
Planning Framework (ReCAP) to support, but
not replace, cities’ monitoring of greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions and/or climate action plan (CAP)
implementation over time. The 2020 Snapshots are
unique as the Covid-19 pandemic had impacts on
our day-to-day activities in 2020. More information,
including a FAQ document is available at
FAQ (sandag.org).
2019
2020 1.0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Billion Miles
2021
0.8 0.6
0.4 Region wide peak
period highway
travel was down
-16.7% in 2020
from 2019
0.2 -
Month
Source: PeMS, Caltrans. SANDAG 2020 State of the Commute Report 2020 GHG
Inventory*
*This GHG inventory is based on MT CO2e
best available data from 2020
for all listed sectors and excludes 20,000
on-road transportation
IMPERIAL BEACH
QUICK FACTS
28,055 population
17,200 in 2020
ELECTRICITY 14,500
2,300
1,400
300 NOT
AVAILABLE
Image 2
4 square miles NATURAL GAS
9,646 occupied
SOLID WASTE 10,000 housing units in 2020
WATER Current CAP progress:
Adopted 2019
WASTEWATER
Subregion:
ON-ROAD South Bay TRANSPORTATION 0-
The 2020 GHG emissions inventory was prepared using the best available data for each emissions category and does not include on-road transportation. The activity data for electricity, natural gas, solid waste, and water sectors are based on tracked and observed usage for the year and therefore, correctly refect the impacts of Covid-19. However, for on-road transportation, the vehicle miles traveled (VMT) data are estimates from the SANDAG activity based model (ABM). The most recent SANDAG activity based model, ABM2+, was last calibrated with observed data from 2016 and forecasts 2020 VMT. While transportation historically accounts for the largest share of GHG emissions in an inventory, the forecasted VMT does not take into account the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and cannot be updated to provide 2020 VMT data for each jurisdiction. Caltrans PeMS data provides observed regional VMT on freeways for 2020. Image 1 compares the observed VMT on freeways in the San Diego region for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021. The observed data is only available for freeway and it cannot be scaled down to individual jurisdictions which have different confguration of roads. While other sources of data and anecdotal experience show lower VMT in 2020, there is no data for how each jurisdiction’s VMT changed during 2020. The Caltrans PeMS data set shows similar travel trends in 2021 as in 2019 which suggests that lower VMT in 2020 is likely due to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and may not sustain long term.
GHG emissions inventories are one tool to support, but not replace, monitoring of CAP implementation at the local level. Together, a GHG emissions inventory and activity data refect CAP implementation progress. Page 213 of 352
7 trees planted
MUNICIPAL
2.7 lbs waste disposed
in landfll/person/day
66% waste diverted
COMMUNITY-WIDE
Carbon Sequestration
31% renewables in SDG&E
electricity supply
4.6 MW PV Capacity
COMMUNITY-WIDE
Solid Waste
54,472 MWh of electricity
consumed
2.7 million therms
of natural gas consumed
COMMUNITY-WIDE
Renewable Energy
COMMUNITY-WIDE
115 gallons
of water used/person/day
73 gallons of wastewater
produced/person/day
ReCAP Activity Data for the
City of Imperial Beach
These select activity data represent data for the year 2020 for common GHG reduction activities included in local CAPs across the SANDAG region and may not align precisely with GHG reduction measures and/ or metrics identifed within a jurisdiction’s CAP. Community-wide activities occur within a jurisdiction’s boundaries; municipal activities occur at City-owned facilities. For more information on data sources, the Methods and Data Sources Summary is available at sandag.org/climate.
Transportation Energy Use
=
COMMUNITY-WIDE
3 public electric
vehicle chargers
1,756 alternative fuel
vehicles (9% of total registered
vehicles)
164 zero emission vehicles
(1% of total registered vehicles)
9 total miles of bicycle
lanes
2,146 passengers on and off
transit per weekday
1 local business
participating in SANDAG
iCommute program events
MUNICIPAL
1 clean vehicle in feet
Water + Wastewater
City of Imperial Beach | 2020 ReCAP Snapshot - April 2023 Edition
City of Imperial Beach
Local Coastal Program
Resilient Imperial Beach Climate Action
Plan
Attachment 2
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Resilient Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan i
CONTENTS
Acronyms & other abbreviations iii
1. Executive Summary 1
1.1 Baseline Emissions and Reduction Strategies................................................................................................................2
1.2 CAP Structure....................................................................................................................................................................4
2.0 Planning for Climate Change 5
2.1 The Purpose of Imperial Beach’s Climate Action Plan................................................................................................... 7
2.2 California Climate Protection Efforts and Actions.........................................................................................................8
2.3 State of California Climate Emissions Targets...............................................................................................................9
2.4 Regional Efforts...............................................................................................................................................................10
3.0 Greenhouse Gas Emissions 12
3.1 Imperial Beach GHG Inventory and BAU Projections.................................................................................................. 13 Emissions Sectors and Baseline Inventory...................................................................................................................14
3.2 Business-as-Usual (BAU) Projections, Targets, and Local Gap...................................................................................16 BAU Projections..............................................................................................................................................................16 Selecting CAP 2020 and 2030 Targets and 2050 Goal................................................................................................ 17 Local Emissions Gap.......................................................................................................................................................18 2050 Emissions Planning................................................................................................................................................19
3.3 Relationship to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)............................................................................19
4.0 Emissions Reduction Measures 20
4.1 Emission Reduction Strategies......................................................................................................................................20
4.2 Reduction Measures........................................................................................................................................................21
4.3 The On-Road Transportation Emissions Category......................................................................................................23 Clean and Efficient Transportation Strategy...............................................................................................................24 Reduce VMT Strategy....................................................................................................................................................27
4.4 The Energy Emissions Category.................................................................................................................................... 31
4.5 The Waste Emissions Category......................................................................................................................................34
4.6 The Carbon Sequestration Category.............................................................................................................................36
5.0 CAP Monitoring and Updates 38
Resilient Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan ii
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1 Imperial Beach 2012 GHG Emissions Inventory by Category.........................................................................................2 Figure 2.1 Statewide GHG Reduction Targets................................................................................................................................10 Figure 3.1. California Emissions by GHG Type and by Economic Sector......................................................................................13 Figure 3.2 % of Imperial Beach GHG Emissions by Emissions Category (2012)...........................................................................14 Figure 3.3 Imperial Beach BAU Projections.....................................................................................................................................16 Figure 3.4 Statewide Reductions Adjusted for a 2012 Baseline*..................................................................................................18 Figure 3.5 Imperial Beach GHG Reduction Local Gap....................................................................................................................19 Figure 4.1 % of CAP Reductions by Emissions Category to Meet 2030 Target............................................................................21
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.1 Emissions Projection, Reduction Targets, and Emissions Reduction Needed ..............................................................3 Table 1.2 Measures and Quantified Reductions to meet CAP 2030 GHG Emission Reduction Target .......................................3 Table 2.1 Imperial Beach Climate Action Plan Goals........................................................................................................................5 Table 2.2 Potential Co-benefits from CAP Implementation............................................................................................................8 Table 2.3 Key California Climate Change Regulations and Legislation..........................................................................................9 Table 2.4 Regional Climate Frameworks and Efforts.....................................................................................................................11 Table 3.1 Defined GHG Compounds................................................................................................................................................12 Table 3.2 MT CO2e GHG Emissions by Emissions Category*........................................................................................................14 Table 3.3. Imperial Beach BAU Projections*...................................................................................................................................17 Table 3.4 Statewide Reduction Targets Adjusted for a 2012 Baseline.........................................................................................17 Table 3.5 Emissions Projection, Reduction Targets, and Emissions Reduction Needed ............................................................18 Table 4.1 Measures and Quantified Reductions to meet CAP 2030 GHG Emission Reduction Target ....................................22 Table 4.2 On-Road Transportation Category Strategies and Measures......................................................................................23 Table 4.3 Clean and Efficient Transportation Strategy Emissions Reduction Potential............................................................ 24 Implementation Table T.1:................................................................................................................................................................25 Implementation Table T.2:.............................................................................................................................................................. 26 Table 4.4 Reduce VMT Strategy Emissions Reduction Potential..................................................................................................27 Implementation Table T.3:............................................................................................................................................................... 28 Implementation Table T.4:.............................................................................................................................................................. 29 Implementation Table T.5: ...............................................................................................................................................................30 Table 4.5 Energy Category Strategy and Measures.......................................................................................................................31 Implementation Table E.1:................................................................................................................................................................32 Implementation Table E.2:...............................................................................................................................................................33 Table 4.6 Waste Category Strategy and Measure..........................................................................................................................34 Implementation Table W.1:..............................................................................................................................................................35 Table 4.7 Carbon Sequestration Category Strategy and Measure................................................................................................36 Implementation Table S.1:................................................................................................................................................................37
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A –Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projections Appendix B –Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions in the Imperial Beach Climate Action Plan Appendix C –CAP Measure Cost Overview
Appendix D –Consolidated Measure Implementation Action Matrix
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Acronyms & other abbreviations
Acronyms Definition
AB Assembly Bill
ARB Air Resource Board
BAU Business as Usual
CAP Climate Action Plan
CARB California Air Resources Board
CCE Community Choice Energy
CEC California Energy Commission
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CH4 Methane
CSE Center for Sustainable Energy
CO2 Carbon Dioxide
CO2e Carbon dioxide equivalent
EMFAC Emission Factors
EO Executive Order
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
EPIC Energy Policy Initiatives Center of the University of San Diego EV Electric Vehicle
EVCS Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
GHG Greenhouse Gas
GWP Global warming potential
HFCs Hydrofluorocarbons
LCP Local Coastal Program
LIDAR Laser Identification Detection and Ranging
MMTCO2e Million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent MPOs Metropolitan Planning Organizations
MT Metric Ton
MTS Metropolitan Transit System
N2O Nitrous Oxide
NF3 Nitrogen Trifluoride
PFCs Perfluorocarbons
PHEVs Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles
PV Photovoltaic
ROW Right of Way
RPS Renewable Portfolio Standard
RTP Regional Transportation Plan
SANDAG San Diego Association of Governments
SB Senate Bill
SCS Sustainable Communities Strategies
SDG&E San Diego Gas and Electric
SDUPD San Diego Unified Port District
SE Supporting Effort
SF6 Sulfur Hexafluoride
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TIRCP California’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program TRNERR Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve UC University of California
U.S. United States
USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
VMT Vehicle Miles Traveled
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1.0 Executive Summary
The City of Imperial Beach Climate Action Plan (CAP) includes the 2012 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) baseline inventory, forecasted emissions for 2020, 2030, and 2050, and measurable strategies and actions the City will strive to implement to achieve emission reductions. The CAP targets emission reductions below 2012 levels of 4% by 2020 and 42% by 2030, consistent with state guidance in support of state efforts under Assembly Bill (AB) 32 and Senate Bill (SB) 32. The CAP also serves to align the City’s reduction efforts with Executive Order (EO) S-3-05 which sets a goal of reducing statewide emissions by 80% by 2050. This CAP establishes a roadmap to meet the 2030 reduction target but only represents the first step in the City’s long-term efforts to meet and exceed state targets and goals. Following adoption, the City will identify and pursue resources to accelerate and expand implementation of existing measures and identify additional measures for inclusion in the next CAP update. The City is committed to climate action planning as a process through which it plans for and invests in progressively more aggressive GHG reductions and a more sustainable, adaptable, and resilient community.
While the core impetus behind a CAP is to reduce GHG emissions, it will also have a positive impact on multiple other important factors including the health of the Imperial Beach economy, people, and natural resources. These impacts, referred to hereafter as co-benefits include, but are not limited to, improved air and water quality, energy efficiency, water conservation, grant opportunities, and cost savings. In total this will position Imperial Beach to contribute to state and global efforts to reduce GHG emissions and become more resilient in the face of climate change impacts.
The CAP has been developed in parallel with an update of the City of Imperial Beach General Plan and Local Coastal Program (LCP). This update establishes the CAP as one of the components in the City’s vision to become more sustainable, expand its eco-tourism and recreational economy, and support state goals to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and 40% and 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 2050 respectively. It is also consistent with the City’s broader emphasis on establishing policies and pursuing investments that preserve and enhance the economy, environment, and community character of Imperial Beach. In formulating the CAP, the City focused on reasonable targets and measures that are expected to be locally achievable.
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1.1 Baseline Emissions and Reduction Strategies
This section provides an overview of the City’s GHG emissions profile, 2012 GHG baseline inventory, selected reduction targets, and measures and strategies that have been identified to meet those targets. The 2012 inventory consists of 96,400 Metric Tons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e),with transportation, electricity, and natural gas emissions collectively accounting for approximately 96% of the total (Figure 1.1). To be consistent with AB 32 and SB 32 emissions reduction targets at the State level, the target emission levels for Imperial Beach are set at 4% below the 2012 emissions level by 2020 and 42% below the 2012 emissions level by 2030(Table1.1). These targets are consistent with State targets under AB 32 and SB 32. The methodology utilized in the target selection process is detailed more fully in Chapter 3 and the technical appendices. Emissions reductions that would be needed to meet the long-term goals set in EO S-3-05 are also included; however, the strategies and measures are geared towards achieving reductions through the CAP’s 2030 horizon year (Table
1.2). The 2020 target will be met without the need for any local actions. As a result, the measures and strategies are only listed with their estimated contribution towards achieving the 2030 CAP target.
Of the 26,300 MT CO2ereductions needed to meet the CAP’s 2030 target, 6,454 MT CO2eare estimated to come from local efforts included in the CAP strategies and measures. This amounts to approximately 25% of total reductions while the other 75%, 19,992 MT CO2e, are estimated to result from federal and state actions.
Figure 1.1 Imperial Beach 2012 GHG Emissions Inventory by Category On-road
Transportation
Electricity 57%
23%
Natural Gas
16%
Solid Waste
2%
Water
2% Wastewater
<1%
Percentage may not add to totals due to rounding.
Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018
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Table 1.1Emissions Projection, Reduction Targets, and Emissions Reduction Needed Year
Business-as-usual
Projection
(MT CO2e)
Target
Emission Level
(% below
baseline)
Target Emission
Levels
(MT CO2e)
Emissions Reduction
Needed to Meet Target
(MT CO2e)
2012 96,400 - - -
2020 81,100 -4% 92,700 -11,500
2030 82,200 -42% 55,900 26,300
*Emissions values are rounded.
*Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018
Table 1.2 Measures and Quantified Reductions to meet CAP 2030 GHG Emission Reduction Target 2030
Emissions Category Reduction Strategies and Measures MT CO2e % of Local
Reductions
On-Road Transportation Strategy: Clean and Efficient Transportation T.1 Increase Citywide Electric Vehicle
(EV) Charging Stations
751 11%
T.2 Clean Municipal Fleet 48 1%
Strategy: Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)
T.3 Increase Mass Transit Ridership 687 10%
T.4 Improve Pedestrian and Bicycle
Facilities
342 5%
T.5 Reduce Municipal Employee VMT 13 <1%
Energy Strategy: Increase Renewable Electricity
E.1 Increase Grid-Supply Renewables 1,204 17%
E.2 Increase Commercial Solar
Photovoltaic (PV)
59 1%
Waste Strategy: Zero Waste
W.1 Divert Waste from Landfill 3,318 51%
Carbon Sequestration Strategy: Carbon Sequestration
S.1 Tree Planting 31 <1%
Total GHG Reductions Needed
to Reach 2030 Target
6,454 MT CO2e
Total Potential GHG Reductions
from Local Measures
6,454 MT CO2e
*Percentages are rounded and may not sum.
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1.2 CAP Structure
Including this Executive Summary the CAP has a total of five chapters and 4 appendices:
Chapter 1 –Executive Summary
Chapter 2 –Planning for Climate Change
Chapter 3 –Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Chapter 4 –Emission Reduction Measures
Chapter 5 –CAP Monitoring and Updates
Appendix A –Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projections Appendix B –Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions in the Imperial Beach Climate Action Plan
Appendix C –CAP Measure Cost Overview
Appendix D –Consolidated Measure Implementation Action Matrix
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2.0 Planning for Climate Change
Table 2.1 Imperial Beach Climate Action Plan Goals
1. Analyze Imperial Beach’s 2012 baseline GHG emissions and 2020, 2030, and 2050 projected Business as Usual (BAU) Emissions.
2. Establish GHG emissions targets for 2020 and 2030 consistent with state goals identified in Assembly Bill (AB 32) and Senate Bill (SB 32).
3. Identify a set of quantifiable measures and supporting efforts to meet the established GHG emission reduction targets.
4. Outline a discrete set of tasks to implement the CAP measures.
5. Provide a framework for monitoring and verifying the effectiveness of CAP measures and making necessary changes to meet the established GHG emission reduction targets and maximize co-benefits.
6. Align with 2050 statewide GHG emission reduction goal set under EO S-3-05.
Imperial Beach is the most southwesterly city in the continental United States. The City is almost entirely built out and very little vacant developable land remains that has not been permanently preserved. As a result, future growth is expected to occur as property redevelops in accordance with the existing land uses.
The City has experienced relatively little population growth since 1990, effectively adding less than 1,000 people for a total population of 27,418 as of 2016. The City also does not have a large employment base. Instead it is primarily a residential and visitor-serving community that offers residents and visitors access to the classic Southern California small beach town
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lifestyle and an abundance of natural resources to enjoy. As a result, there is no meaningful industrial or heavy commercial activity in Imperial Beach or emissions from those sources. According to the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and the United States (U.S.) Census, the education, healthcare, and retail/leisure sectors comprise more than two-thirds of the employment base within the City. Approximately 95% of the Imperial Beach workforce commutes to jobs outside of the City. Overall, 75% of employed residents drive alone to work, 11% carpool, 4% use public transportation, 4% walk or bike, and 4% work at home. The combined lack of energy intensive industrial activities, high commute rate outside of the City, and single occupancy commute rate results in an emissions profile that is heavily skewed towards transportation and residential energy sources, with transportation emissions forming the largest portion.
Transportation
Imperial Beach has already taken numerous steps to address transportation emissions. The City has continued to expand its network of bicycle routes and improve the safety and condition of its sidewalks and streets to promote more active methods of transportation. The City has taken additional efforts to expand its eco-tourism, recreational, and visitor-serving economy that are expanding the local employment base, effectively providing more residents the opportunity to work in their own community and avoid longer commutes.
Despite these efforts, Imperial Beach has limited authority and fiscal capacity to significantly reduce transportation emissions. There are four primary methods to reduce transportation emissions:
Deploy clean vehicles and support clean transportation infrastructure Reduce driving and shorten commutes through mixed use development and smart growth Increase public transit ridership
Increase biking, walking, and other first mile/last mile modes While the City can and does play a role in each of these, regional, state, and federal policies, plans, and investments are the core drivers of large-scale transportation sector GHG reductions. Adoption of clean vehicles is largely driven by macroeconomic trends, policies, and funding at the national and state levels. Public transit planning is handled at the regional level through SANDAG and the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), and while Imperial Beach is served by two bus lines with strong ridership, with an additional line in the planning stages, dramatic increases in transit ridership are not likely given the City’s limited employment and population density. The CAP includes measures intended to improve connections to transit, continue efforts to make the City more walkable and bikeable, and expand clean vehicle infrastructure, such as EV charging stations.
Energy and Energy Efficiency
GHG emissions from electricity and natural gas use in buildings comprise the bulk of the remaining emissions in the City.
Imperial Beach currently receives its energy from San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), 33% of which is required to consist of renewables by 2020, 60% by 2030, and 100% by 2045. To achieve its emissions reductions targets, the community will need to reach higher shares of renewables and become more energy efficient. The two main mechanisms for increasing the renewable content of the community’s electricity supply are to ensure grid-supplied electricity contains more renewable energy or to increase the generation of renewable power within the City. Community Choice Energy (CCE) or changes to SDG&E’s energy portfolio are the most likely frameworks for increasing grid-supplied renewable energy. Additional solar systems on buildings within the community and distributed energy storage systems provide the second avenue to increase the quantity of local renewable energy used in the community. Beginning in 2020, the California Energy Commission (CEC) will require new residential units to include solar with limited exceptions. The CAP complements this residential requirement with a measure to install solar on new and remodeled commercial development. Finally, while there is no measure directed
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at energy efficiency, the City is committed to ensuring that available resources and funding from SDG&E and state programs are invested in residential and commercial energy efficiency projects in the community.
Waste and Carbon Sequestration
Reduction of solid waste is the primary mechanism that is included in the CAP to decrease GHGs from this category. The State has aggressive targets for diverting waste and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from landfills. The City’s current franchise waste hauler is EDCO. The City, EDCO, and local community must be active participants to achieve waste reductions, especially since the included waste reduction measure is anticipated to account for over half of all CAP measure emission reductions to meet the2030target.
Carbon sequestration is also an important strategy included in the CAP. Compared to the regional average, Imperial Beach has fewer trees and a lower proportion of the City covered by tree canopies. Trees are effective at sequestering GHG emissions and provide a range of additional benefits that include reducing temperature and energy use and improving air and water quality, aesthetics, and general quality of life. The City is also surrounded on three sides by valuable natural resources that can be enhanced or restored to sequester carbon. The Imperial Beach coastal shoreline, the San Diego Bayfront, and the Tijuana Estuary present future opportunities to sequester carbon through habitat conservation, restoration, and/or enhancement. Additional work is necessary to quantify the carbon sequestration benefits of these natural areas, however, the potential sequestration benefit could be substantial. Because of this potential it is included in the CAP as a supporting effort rather than a quantified measure.
Sequestration is recognized as an important part of the State’s climate change approach. Governor Brown’s Executive Order (EO) B-55-18 set a goal of carbon neutrality by 2045 which can likely only be achieved with a major expansion of carbon sequestration efforts. Given it is likely that that this EO will be codified into law within the next several years, Imperial Beach will play a small but important role in meeting this objective through expansion of its urban forest and enhancement and conservation of habitat both within its boundaries and adjacent to the City.
2.1 The Purpose of Imperial Beach’s Climate Action Plan The purpose of the CAP is to establish a roadmap for the City to meet the 2020 and 2030 GHG reduction targets and become more sustainable, adaptable, and resilient. While the core impetus behind a CAP is to reduce GHG emissions, it will also have a positive impact on multiple other important factors including the health of the Imperial Beach economy, people, and natural resources. These impacts, referred to hereafter as co-benefits include, but are not limited to, improved air and water quality, energy efficiency, water conservation, grant opportunities, and cost savings. In total this will position Imperial Beach to contribute to state and global efforts to reduce GHG emissions and become more resilient in the face of climate change impacts. While the City of Imperial Beach CAP is intended to be a strategy for reducing emissions, it is not currently intended to be used as a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) mitigation document. As in other communities throughout the state, the Imperial Beach CAP is a mechanism to support the State’s climate protection efforts. The City does however, as part of its ongoing implementation process, commit to identifying and pursuing the resources necessary to adapt the CAP into a CEQA mitigation document by 2025. Potential sources of funding to achieve this include grants and funding from the City’s FY22-23 and FY23-24 municipal budgeting and CIP process, or a combination of both.
The 2019 CAP has been developed in parallel with a targeted update of the City’s General Plan and LCP. It is the result of a collaborative process between City of Imperial Beach staff, the City Council and various commissions, the community, SANDAG, the Energy Policy Initiatives Center of the University of San Diego (EPIC), and the Resilient Imperial Beach LCP and General Plan Update Steering and Stakeholder Committees.
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Outreach to the public was conducted through a series of public meetings and workshops and a community survey.
The CAP contains:
A summary of the City of Imperial Beach 2012 GHG baseline missions Inventory, which identifies the major sources and quantities of GHG emissions attributable to the City and forecasts how these emissions may change over time
The identified emissions gap the City will need to close through CAP measures in order the meet its targets consistent with AB 32 and SB 32 and related legislation, and in alignment with the long-term goal identified in EO S-3-05
CAP GHG reduction measures, implementing actions, and a recommended monitoring and update framework to verify the effectiveness of CAP measures and make adjustments and changes moving forward, if necessary In addition to reducing emissions, the CAP will result in a range of additional co-benefits such as those listed in Table2.2.
Many of these potential co-benefits will also ensure that the City is better able to adapt to current and future climate change impacts such as increasing temperatures and sea level rise that manifest themselves in the form of more frequent and severe flooding, more intense heat waves and exacerbated urban heat island effects, severe droughts, and deteriorating air quality among others. The City of Imperial Beach completed its Sea Level Rise Assessment in 2016 to identify future sea level rise scenarios and associated impacts that could occur without additional adaptation strategies.
The City’s General Plan and Local Coastal Program Update includes policies and a framework for the City to identify and select the most appropriate strategies to adapt to sea level rise, as well as policies to adapt to other climate change impacts. The City intends to address climate adaptation more robustly in the first update to the CAP.
Table 2.2 Potential Co-benefits from CAP Implementation Improved/increased natural habitat Improved water quality Improved air quality Reduced traffic congestion
Reduced energy use Reduced water run-off
Reduced urban heat island effect Reduced waste
Improved public health More local jobs
Improved safety Improved mobility
2.2 California Climate Protection Efforts and Actions
In 2006, the State passed AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, which laid the foundation for future efforts. Since that time a number of key pieces of legislation and executive actions, including SB 32 and EO S-3-05, have reinforced and accelerated state efforts to reduce GHG emissions. SB 32, adopted in 2016, effectively requires a 40% reduction of statewide GHG emissions below 1990 levels by 2030. These and other important cornerstones of California climate policy that are most applicable to the City’s CAP are included in Table 2.3 along with an explanation of their importance.
The state established an initial Scoping Plan in 2008 and undertook two updates in 2014 and 2017. These documents function as the road maps for meeting the State’s emission reduction targets. The original 2008 Scoping Plan recognized the important role of local governments in meeting these targets and recommended a reduction in communitywide and municipal operations to levels that would parallel the State’s AB 32 target.
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Table 2.3 Key California Climate Change Regulations and Legislation Regulation/Legislation Title/Issue Description
AB 32 Global Warming Solutions
Act of 2006
Requires the state to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and led to other companion legislation and regulations
SB 32 Amends the Global Warming
Solutions Act of 2006
Requires the state to reduce emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030
EO S-3-05 Executive Order Establishes a goal of reducing statewide emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050
EO B-55-18 Executive Order to Achieve
Carbon Neutrality
Establishes a goal of achieving carbon neutrality as soon as possible and no later than 2045
SB 375 Sustainable Communities
and Climate Protection Act
of 2008
Requires regional targets for GHG reductions from passenger vehicles through better land use and transportation planning and a Sustainable Communities Strategy
SB 535 and AB 1550 Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Fund Investments in
Disadvantaged and LowIncome Communities
Requires the identification of disadvantaged and low-income communities throughout the state and sets minimum targets for overall investments
SB 350 Clean Energy and Pollution
Reduction Act
Set 2030 targets for increasing the state renewable energy mix to 50%, doubling of energy efficiency in existing buildings, and a modernized electric grid
SB 100 California Renewables
Portfolio Standard Program
Increased 2030 targets for increasing the state renewable energy mix to 60% by 2030 and 100% by 2045
Executive Order S-01-07 Low Carbon Fuel Standard Established a target to reduce the amount of carbon in transportation fuels by 10% by 2020
Advanced Clean Cars
Program
Passenger Vehicle GHG
Emissions
Set emission standards for vehicles and targets for deployment of zero-emissions vehicles
SB 379 Climate Adaptation and
Resiliency Planning
Requires cities and counties to incorporate climate adaptation and resiliency into core local planning documents and processes California Energy
Commission
2019 Building Energy
Efficiency Standards
Requires solar PV on new residential units with limited exceptions The 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) outlines strategies for achieving these target reductions and encourages local jurisdictions to develop their own targets to reduce communitywide emission by 40% and 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 2050 respectively. It should be noted however that the State’s 2050 goal is driven by EO S-3-05, which is not codified law, and that establishing specific measures to achieve such a goal is highly speculative and not realistic given the changes in public policy, technology, and demographics that are expected to occur.
As a result, CAPs generally focus on achieving interim reductions consistent with SB 32’s 2030 target or through 2035 in alignment with progression towards the 2050 goal.
2.3 State of California Climate Emissions Targets
Statewide emissions targets and associated trajectories needed to meet those targets in are shown in Figure 2.1. Imperial Beach selected its own CAP reduction targets to be consistent with the reductions in this graphic. Again, as noted earlier Imperial Beach does not have a 1990 emissions inventory so reductions below 2012 levels that would be equivalent with achieving 1990 emissions levels by 2020 per AB 32 and a 40% reduction by 2030 per SB 32 were calculated. To do this, statewide reductions needed to achieve AB 32 and SB 32 targets using 2012 as the baseline year were calculated. This
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requires a 4% reduction in statewide emissions by 2020 to comply with AB 32 and a 42% reduction to comply with SB 32.
The application of these targets to the CAP establishes consistency with the statewide targets.
Figure 2.1 Statewide GHG Reduction Targets
Source: CARB
2.4 Regional Efforts
There are a variety of regional efforts to reduce emissions. Through SB 375, the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008, regional targets for GHG emissions reductions from passenger vehicle use were established. This requires Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), including SANDAG, to adopt Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS) as part of their regional transportation plans (RTP). This includes identifying land use, housing, and transportation strategies that will achieve the regional GHG reduction targets through a reduction in per-capita emissions.
The most recent SANDAG RTP/SCS, San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan, was adopted in October of 2015 and establishes the regional strategy to exceed SB 375 targets by achieving per-capita reductions of 15% and 19% respectively by 2020and 2035 compared to a 2005 baseline. The two components for achieving this reduction are reducing per-capita VMT in combination with cleaner vehicles.1 There are no local government requirements resulting from SB 375. Instead the planning process itself is intended to result in a prioritization of land use and transportation projects, investments, and policies that would put the region on a path to achieve these targets. Improved and expanded public transit, biking and walking infrastructure, mixed use transit-oriented development and communities, and related programs and projects all form part
1 ARB’s EMFAC model provides vehicle emissions factors for California by county that are multiplied by per-capita VMT to estimate progress towards SB 375 targets.
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of the regional SB 375 toolbox. While there are no concrete penalties for falling short of these targets, projects that are consistent with an approved SCS that are also categorized as transit priority projects receive incentives under CEQA.
In addition to the SANDAG RTP/SCS, there are several other regional climate programs and coordination frameworks that intersect with the Imperial Beach CAP. These include multiple SANDAG resources such as the Regional Climate Action Strategy, Regional Climate Action Planning Framework, Energy Roadmap Program, and Regional Plug-In Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan. Other resources and frameworks include the San Diego Regional Clean Cities Coalition, the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative, and tools and technical assistance offered by the San Diego Foundation. Collectively these provide Imperial Beach with resources and avenues for coordination and collaboration that can help the City achieve its own emission reduction targets, contribute to regional GHG targets, and ensure that regional efforts benefit the City. Table2.4 includes descriptions of several of these programs and frameworks.
Table 2.4 Regional Climate Frameworks and Efforts
Frameworks/Efforts Description
SANDAG
Regional Climate Action Strategy Guidance document that includes potential climate policies for local governments to inform updates to long range
planning documents such as general plans
Regional Climate Action Planning Framework Identifies best practices and guidance for preparing CAPs and monitoring their implementation over time
Energy Roadmap Local government partnership with SDG&E. Development of Roadmaps to identify energy savings, cost savings, and GHG reductions for municipal buildings and parks
Regional Plug-In EV Readiness Plan Addresses barriers to EV adoption through best practices, resources, and recommendations.
San Diego Regional Clean Cities Coalition Targets reduced petroleum use in transportation through increased use of alternative fuel and alternative fuel
vehicles, and other measures that improve fuel economy.
Focus is primarily on planning, education, and outreach San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative Network to share expertise, leverage resources, and advance solutions to facilitate climate planning
Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
(TRNERR)
Preserves, protects, and manages the natural and cultural resources of the Tijuana River Estuary by focusing on
research and education with compatible recreation and
resource use.
Center for Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Provides research, education, and collaboration opportunities on climate change impacts and adaptation, including partnering with Imperial Beach to monitor sea level rise.
South Bay Energy Action Collaborative (SoBEAC) Collaboration of South Bay cities focused on energy and climate issues.
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3.0 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The state of California defines GHGs as being any of seven compounds. Table 3.1 details the approximate atmospheric lifetime and global warming potential (GWP) value of each compound. GWPs are used to convert emission values into carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) units.
Table 3.1 Defined GHG Compounds
Atmospheric Lifetime (years) Global Warming Potential
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) 5 to 200 1
Methane (CH4) 12 25
Nitrous Oxide (N2O) 114 298
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) 1 to 270 124 to 14,800
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) 2,600 to 50,000 7,390 to 12,200 Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) 3,200 22,800
Nitrogen Trifluoride (NF3) 740 17,200
Source: California Health and Safety Code Section 38505(g). *Listed in the 2009 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Proposed Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for GHGs under the Clean Air Act (Endangerment Finding) in the Federal Register.
California groups the shaded rows into one category called High Global Warming Potential Gases, nearly all of which is comprised of HFCs.2
Figure3.1 illustrates the breakdown of California emissions by GHG type as estimated in the State’s 2018 Edition of the GHG Emission Inventory Report (released July 11th, 2018) and the emissions by economic sector. At a statewide level, transportation emissions account for the largest portion of overall GHG emissions by economic sector (41%) followed by
2 California Air Resources Board. High Global Warming Potential Gases. https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/inventory/background/hgwp.htm
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industrial (23%) and electricity (16%). The proportion of emissions by economic sector varies considerably by community depending on the mix of uses and economic activities that occur within them.
Figure 3.1. California Emissions by GHG Type and by Economic Sector Source: CARB
Cities such as Imperial Beach that do not have industrial, heavy commercial, or agriculturally oriented economies generally have little or no emissions from these sectors and consequently generally low per capita emissions. This results in other sectors and activities such as transportation and electricity and natural gas use accounting for the vast majority of GHG inventory emissions. In order to meet their GHG reduction targets, cities like Imperial Beach must develop realistic, achievable, local CAP measures. The development of these measures begins with a thorough understanding of baseline and future estimated community-wideemissions levels. This chapter includes a detailed breakdown of the source and quantity of emissions generated by activities associated with emissions categories within Imperial Beach, and expected emissions levels through the CAP target years of 2020 and 2030 as well as the 2050 alignment year. This information forms the foundation for developing local CAP measures that can be implemented and have achievable GHG reduction targets.
3.1 Imperial Beach GHG Inventory and BAUProjections
A baseline GHG inventory for 2012 was calculated to provide a snapshot in time of community-wide quantity and sources of emissions. BAU emissions projections were then calculated for 2020, 2030, and 2050. BAU projections estimate future communitywide emissions growth absent any new policies or programs or future impacts of already adopted federal and State of California policies. The impacts of already adopted federal and State policies are then incorporated into these projections and referred to as the Legislatively Adjusted BAU emissions projections.
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Emissions Sectors and Baseline Inventory
The baseline inventory is comprised of six emissions categories (Figure 3.2). The on-road transportation sector alone accounts for the majority of emissions (57%), followed by electricity (23%), and natural gas (16%). Emissions from the transportation sector in particular form a much larger portion of the City’s inventory than the state as a whole. Again, this is a result of the lack of industrial and heavy commercial economic activities in Imperial Beach.
Figure 3.2 % of Imperial Beach GHG Emissions by Emissions Category (2012) Table 3.2 MT CO2e GHG Emissions by Emissions Category*
Emissions Category
2012
GHG Emissions (MT CO2e)
On-Road Transportation** 54,400
Electricity *** 21,900
Natural Gas*** 15,600
Solid Waste 2,300
Water 1,900
Wastewater 300
Total 96,400
*Sums may not add up to totals due to rounding. GHG emissions for each category are rounded to the nearest hundreds. Values are not rounded in the intermediary steps in the calculation. **Based on SANDAG Series 13 VMT estimates. 2012 is the Series 13 Base Year.
Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018.
*** Electricity and Natural Gas have been consolidated into an Energy category in Chapter 4. Emission reduction Measures.
On-road
Transportation
Electricity 57%
23%
Natural Gas
16%
Solid Waste
2%
Water
2% Wastewater
<1%
Percentage may not add to totals due to rounding.
Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018
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Climate Action Plan 15
The following list includes the six categories and the associated activities that contribute to their emissions (note that electricity and natural gas are listed jointly since they are both utilized in buildings and in similar activities):
Transportation:Passenger cars; light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks; buses; mobile homes; and motorcycles Electricity and Natural Gas: Buildings and infrastructure Solid Waste: Disposed organic and mixed waste from City residences and businesses Water: Treatment, transport, and distribution of water
Wastewater: Treatment and transportation of wastewater
Transportation sector emissions were developed using SANDAG VMT estimates for Imperial Beach and then quantified based on the CARB Emission Factors (EMFAC) 2014 model, which incorporates statewide transportation sector GHG reduction programs. In order to estimate an emission factor per mile, it was assumed that Imperial Beach has the same EMFAC distribution of vehicle class types as the San Diego Region. This was then multiplied by the annual VMT forecast to estimate annual GHG emissions.
Emissions from electricity use and natural gas in Imperial Beachwere estimated using the Built Environment (BE.2)and Built Environment (BE.1) methods from the U.S. Community Protocol. Similar to transportation, electricity emissions were calculated by multiplying a city-specific electricity emission factor by the adjusted net energy for load (electricity sales + transmission losses). The electricity emissions factor is derived from the mix of bundled power supplied from SDG&E.
Natural gas emissions estimates were calculated by multiplying annual natural gas use by a natural gas emission factor based on CARB data. The detailed methodologies for estimating emissions from all six emissions sectors are included in Appendix A.
Emissions from solid waste were estimated using method Solid Waste (SW.4) from the U.S. Community Protocol. To estimate emissions, the amount of waste disposed in a given year is multiplied by an emission factor for mixed solid waste.
Emissions from water use were estimated using the Wastewater and Water (WW.14) method from the U.S. Community Protocol. California American Water Company (CalAm) Southern Division, a privately owned utility company provides potable water to the City. The energy and emissions used to supply potable water to the City varies by the source of the water and were calculated based on the percentage of potable water supplied from each source and then aggregated.
The emissions from wastewater generated by Imperial Beach were estimated by multiplying the total amount of wastewater generated annually by the emission factor of the wastewater treatment process. The City’s Public Works Department operates and maintains the wastewater collection system within the City. The wastewater is delivered to the City of San Diego Metropolitan Sewerage System and treated at its wastewater treatment plants.
While the CAP is a critical vehicle for reducing GHG emissions, it should only be viewed as a foundation for reducing overall community-wide emissions. Separate and complementary actions by residents and businesses in addition to CAP strategies and measures would result in additional reductions. For example, residents can make behavior changes such as biking, walking, taking transit, and altering their consumption patterns. Businesses can make many similar changes to reduce their own emissions. The CAP measures are intended to facilitate and support these changes through investments in biking, walking, and transit infrastructure and programs, and other actions such as publicizing information on rebates and incentives, but there are many additive actions that residents and businesses can take. Such actions can further reduce community wide emissions.
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3.2 BAUProjections, Targets, and Local Gap
BAU Projections
With the baseline inventory established, community-wide BAU and Legislatively Adjusted BAU emissions forecasts were completed to estimate the quantity of emissions that would need to be reduced through local actions to meet the City’s emissions targets consistent with AB 32 in 2020 and SB 32 in 2030.
BAU projections were first completed to demonstrate emissions growth in the absence of any new policies and programs that would be expected to further reduce emissions (Figure 3.3 and Table 3.3). With no additional actions emissions are estimated to decrease through 2020 due to federal and state actions and then begin increasing thereafter. The gradual increase through 2050 is estimated to be attributable to factors such as population growth and full impact of existing federal and state policies occurring earlier. The Legislatively Adjusted BAU projections, are included in the Local Emissions Gap section and include estimated future emissions reductions from existing legislation and regulations.
Figure 3.3 Imperial Beach BAU Projections
-
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
2012 2014 2020 2030 2050
metric ton CO2e
On-Road Transportation Electricity Natural Gas Solid Waste Water Wastewater Inventory Year Business-as-usual
Projection Year
Source: Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018
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Table 3.3. Imperial Beach BAU Projections*
Year
On-Road
Transportation Electricity Natural Gas Solid Waste Water Wastewater Total MT CO2e
2012 54,400 21,900 15,600 2,300 1,900 300 96,400
2020 46,900 15,100 14,200 2,800 1,700 400 81,100
2030 45,300 16,200 15,400 3,100 1,900 400 82,200
2050 45,600 17,000 16,200 3,200 2,000 400 84,400
*GHG emissions have been rounded to hundreds. CO2e; Inventory years: 2012 and 2014; business-as-usual projection years without policy change: 2020, 2030 and 2035.
.
Source: Energy Policy Initiatives Center
Selecting CAP 2020 and 2030 Targets and 2050 Goal
There are many options for cities to consider in selecting reduction targets that are consistent with State objectives. There is no State guidance however that directs cities to choose specific targets. The Imperial Beach CAP targets have been selected to be consistent with State targets. Since Imperial Beach does not have a 1990 inventory the State targets need to be recalculated using a 2012 baseline to correspond to the City’s baseline inventory. This allows the setting of local targets that are consistent with State GHG targets (Table 3.4 and Figure 3.4). Based on this recalculation, statewide reductions of 4%, 42%, and 81% below 2012 levels are needed to meet 2020 and 2030 targets and align with the 2050 goal.
Table 3.4 Statewide Reduction Targets Adjusted for a 2012 Baseline Year
Statewide
Inventory
(MMT
CO2e)
Statewide 2020 Target
(AB 32) Statewide 2030 Target (SB 32) Statewide 2050 Goal (EO S-3-05) Emissions
Level = 1990
(MMT CO2e)
% Reduction
from
Inventory
Year
Emissions Level
= 40% < 1990
(MMT CO2e)
% Reduction
from
Inventory
Year
Emissions
Level =
80% < 1990
(MMT CO2e)
% Reduction
from
Inventory
Year
2012 448 431 -4% 260 -42% 86 -81%
MMT CO2e: million metric ton CO2e
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Figure 3.4 Statewide Reductions Adjusted for a 2012 Baseline* These percentages were then applied to the Imperial Beach BAU Projections to calculate local emissions targets. Table3.5 shows the emissions levels that would need to be achieved for the respective target and goal timeframes. The reductions correspond to each time period. No local actions are needed for the City to reach its 2020 target. In 2030, a reduction of 26,300 MTCO2eis needed for the City to meet its 2030 target.
Table 3.5Emissions Projection, Reduction Targets, and Emissions Reduction Needed Year
Business-as-usual
Projection
(MT CO2e)
Target Emission
Level
(% below baseline)
Target Emission Levels
(MT CO2e)
Emissions Reduction
Needed to Meet Target
(MT CO2e)
2012 96,400 - - -
2020 81,100 -4% 92,700 -11,500
2030 82,200 -42% 55,900 26,300
*Emissions values are rounded.
Source: Energy Policy Initiatives Center 2018
Local Emissions Gap
With the targets selected, the local emissions gap to be met through CAP measures was then estimated. In order to do this, Legislatively Adjusted BAU Projections were first estimated. These projections account for the anticipated impact of federal -
100
200
300
400
500
600
2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
annual GHG Emissions (MMT CO2e)
2012 GHGEmission
= 448 MMT CO2e
2030 Target =
260 MMT CO2e
2050 Goal =
86 MMT CO2e
81% below
2012 by 2050
42% below
2012 By 2030
2020 Target =
431 MMT CO2e
(4% below 2012)
*Figure adapted from California's 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan Figure 6 that shows a linear, straight-line path to the 2030 target.
The 2050 goal is calculated based on 80% below 1990 level (80% below 431 MMT CO2e).
Source: CARB Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory (2017 Edition) and 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan
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and state regulations and are represented in Figure 3.5 by the various colored bands. The remaining quantity of emissions that need to be addressed through the CAP is referred to as the Local Gap. Without any local actions Imperial Beach would meet and exceed its 2020 reduction target of 4% below 2012 levels. To meet the 2030 target of 42% below 2012 levels, the CAP would need to achieve reductions of 6,454 MT of CO2e. The CAP measures are designed to achieve these reductions.
Figure 3.5 Imperial Beach GHG Reduction Local Gap
2050 Emissions Planning
As noted previously, EO S-3-05 set a long-term GHG reduction goal of 80% below 1990 levels by 2050; however, this has not been codified as state law and remains a goal rather than a target. Estimating the reduction potential from federal, statewide, and local actions through 2050 is highly speculative. A number of variables that cannot reliably be assessed through 2050 will have a substantial impact on emissions levels over the coming decades, including new technology, changing market dynamics, population growth, and other demographic changes. Additionally, state GHG reduction actions and strategies are expected to continue to evolve substantially. The current Scoping Plan Update for example, only provides an outline for actions through 2030. As the 2030 target year approaches, the State is expected to prepare additional Scoping Plan updates that outline actions beyond 2030. Also, it is likely that additional legislation will be passed that would have additional impacts on emissions through 2050.
As a result, it will be important that the Imperial Beach CAP be a living document that ismonitored and updated periodically to respond effectively to the changing landscape. Regular monitoring and implementation reports are recommended beginning in 2020. These reports will include updated inventories and projections, assessment of the effectiveness of the individual measures, and eventually development of forecasts, measures, and targets beyond 2030.
3.3 Relationship to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) The Imperial Beach CAP is a mechanism to reduce GHGs and not currently set up to be used for CEQA review of plans and projects. As noted in section 2.1, the City will pursue adapting it into a CEQA mitigation document by 2025.
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4.0 Emissions Reduction Measures
The IB CAP emission reduction strategies, measures, targets, and actions are presented in this chapter. As detailed in Chapter 3, the City has adopted targets to reduce emissions 4% below 2012 levels by 2020 and 42% below 2012 levels by 2030 (55,900 MTCO2e). Each measure includes the estimated GHG reductions, co-benefits, general description and background information, and identified implementation actions.
The measures represent actions and issues with direct City influence and are intended to achieve emissions reductions within the community. Progress towards implementing each of the CAP measures and their correspondent emission reductions targets will be assessed on an ongoing basis. If necessary,modifications will be proposed to achieve reduction targets.
The strategies and measures are organized under four categories:
On-Road Transportation
Energy
Waste
Carbon Sequestration
4.1 Emission Reduction Strategies
A total of five reduction strategies and 9 measures fall under these categories. The strategies include:
Clean and Efficient Transportation:Requires expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and cleaner municipal vehicles
Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT): Requires continued investments in biking and walking infrastructure and public transit. Also includes City investment in a fleet of electric bicycles for staff use for official City business
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Increase Renewable Electricity: Requires the City to explore options to increase grid-supplied renewable electricity which could include joining a regional CCE program. Also requires new solar PV on new and redeveloped commercial projects and consideration of solar PV at existing public facilities Zero Waste: Requires the adoption of a “Zero Waste” policy to be achieved by 2050 and collaboration with the City’s waste service provider to achieve statewide waste diversion targets Carbon Sequestration:Requires planting of new trees as part of new development and redevelopment, increased treeplanting along streets, parking lots, other public places, and tracking of tree planting and tree canopy coverage. This also requires the City to explore habitat enhancement and conservation opportunities
4.2 Reduction Measures
The reduction measures selected for inclusion in the CAP were developed with community input, a review of actions taken in other comparable jurisdictions, incorporation of State and regional laws, guidelines, and recommendations, and identification of corresponding emission reduction activities in the community. Anticipated emission reductions have been calculated for each of the measures and then compared to the 2030 target. Comparisons to the City’s 2020 target have not been included since no actions are necessary to meet it.
Some measure components do not have quantified emission reductions associated with them. These are indicated as supporting efforts. In future updates they may be quantified as part of existing or stand-alone measures.
Figure 4.1 illustrates the percentage of CAP emissions reductions by categories. Reductions from diverting waste account for approximately 51% of measure reductions, while On-Road Transportation and Energy would account for 29% and 20% respectively. Table 4.1 shows the anticipated GHG reductions by measure that collectively add up to the 6,454 MT CO2e needed to meet the 2030 target.
Figure 4.1 % of CAP Reductions by Emissions Category to Meet 2030 Target Source: AECOM, 2018
29%
20%
51%
0.5%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
On-Road
Transportation
Energy Waste Carbon Sequestration
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Table 4.1 Measures and Quantified Reductions to meet CAP 2030 GHG Emission Reduction Target 2030
Emissions Category Reduction Strategies and Measures MT CO2e % of Local
Reductions
On-Road Transportation Strategy: Clean and Efficient Transportation T.1 Increase Citywide Electric Vehicle
(EV) Charging Stations
751 11%
T.2 Clean Municipal Fleet 48 1%
Strategy: Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)
T.3 Increase Mass Transit Ridership 687 10%
T.4 Improve Pedestrian and Bicycle
Facilities
342 5%
T.5 Reduce Municipal Employee VMT 13 <1%
Energy Strategy: Increase Renewable Electricity
E.1 Increase Grid-Supply Renewables 1,204 17%
E.2 Increase Commercial Solar
Photovoltaic (PV)
59 1%
Waste Strategy: Zero Waste
W.1 Divert Waste from Landfill 3,318 51%
Carbon Sequestration Strategy: Carbon Sequestration
S.1 Tree Planting 31 <1%
Total GHG Reductions Needed
to Reach 2030 Target
6,454 MT CO2e
Total Potential GHG Reductions
from Local Measures
6,454 MT CO2e
*Percentages are rounded and may not sum.
Source: Energy Policy Initiatives Center
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4.3 The On-Road Transportation Emissions Category
The On-Road Transportation Sector accounts for approximately 57% of the 2012 baseline inventory. These emissions are a combination of vehicle fuel-efficiency, fuel carbon content, vehicle operations, and the quantity of VMT. State and federal fuel efficiency and technology standards will spur a large reduction in transportation sector emissions. They will not be enough alone however to meet the State’s 2030 target and the EO S-3-05 2050 goal. Sustained and significant reductions in per capita VMT will also be needed to achieve the State’s 2030 reduction target and put it on track to meet the 2050 goal.
Planning and investment decisions to achieve VMT reductions fall primarily to the regional and local level and can be achieved by increased multi-modal transportation options and travel and closer proximity between travel origins and destinations.
The CAP has two strategies and five transportation emission reduction measures that focus on clean transportation and VMT reductions.
Table 4.2 On-Road Transportation Category Strategies and Measures Strategy Measures Description
Clean and Efficient Transportation
T.1 Increase Citywide EV Charging
Stations (EVCSs)
Increase the number of stations at
public and private facilities
citywide
T.2 Clean Municipal Fleet Gradually replace the City
municipal fleet with EVs
Reduce VMT
T.3 Increase Mass Transit Ridership Achieve increased transit ridership through the planned MTS Rapid
Bus 925
T.4 Improve Pedestrian and Bicycle
Facilities
Expand and improve the City’s
active transportation network
T.5 Reduce Municipal Employee VMT Purchase electric bicycles for City staff to utilize for City business
% of Total 2030 Emission Reductions
from Local Measures
29%
Total 2030 Emission Reductions from
Category
1,841
These CAP measures are anticipated to achieve around one-quarter of total CAP emission reductions from local measures by 2030.
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Clean and Efficient Transportation Strategy
CAP measures included in this strategy are focused on increasing the number of EV charging stations (EVCSs)throughout the City and replacing older City municipal vehicles with EVs over time. EVCSs at both public and private facilities and developments will support the deployment of EVs as more options come to market. The City will examine options to install them at its own facilities and collaborate with other agencies such as the San Diego Unified Port District (SDUPD) and local schools to increase the number at public facilities. It will also identify ways to work with developers to install EVCSs at new and redeveloped multifamily residential and commercial developments. Gradual replacement of the City municipal fleet will also result in meaningful reductions and result in savings from reduced fuel, operations, and maintenance costs.
Table 4.3 Clean and Efficient Transportation Strategy Emissions Reduction Potential Target Year
Total Emissions Reduction Potential
(MT CO2e)
Percentage of Total Local Reduction
Potential
2030 799 12%
Source: Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018
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T.1: INCREASE CITYWIDE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS (EVCSS) Support, encourage, and incentivize the installation of 100 EVCSs at private and public facilities throughout the City by 2030. 2030 GHG Reduction Potential: 751 MT CO2e
Co-benefits: Improved Air Quality, Energy Savings
Methodology: See Appendix B, pages 20 –22
In regions with cleaner electric grids such as California EVs produce fewer GHGs than traditional fossil-fueled vehicles. As technologies continue to advance they are becoming increasingly popular options to reduce fuel costs and emissions. Even as the number of EV options increases however, there is a need for accompanying charging infrastructure to support EV charging. The lack of sufficient charging infrastructure is often one of the primary concerns cited by consumers that deters them from purchasing EVs. Local governments can play a role in the expansion of the EV charging network by supporting cost-effective opportunities to install EVCSs at public and private facilities.
According to a range of studies, the majority of EV charging takes place at home. As such, one focus of this measure is to increase home charging availability at multifamily developments. The City intends to work with developers through its development review process to encourage installation of charging stations in multifamily developments. As EVs become adopted more broadly there will also be an increased need for stations at commercial developments. The City will work to encourage an increased number of charging stations at new and redeveloped commercial developments as well. The CAP includes a target to install stations in 5% of parking spaces at new and redeveloped multifamily and commercial development by 2030.
Installations at public facilities that have high concentrations of employment, recreational, and civic activity will be another focus of this measure. Potential locations could include City Hall, the Imperial Beach Library, schools, parks, and other similar facilities.
Implementation Table T.1:
Action Description Responsibility Timeline
1 Encourage and incentivize EVCSs at new and
redeveloped multifamily and commercial
developments through the development review
process
City Near-term
2 Identify a list of priority public facility
installation sites on City sites and in
collaboration with relevant partner agencies
City Near-term
3. Identify and pursue funding and financing
resources to support EVCS installation
City Near- and Mid-term
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T.2: CLEAN MUNICIPAL FLEET
Replace fossil fuel vehicles with Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and EVs by 2030, when feasible. 2030 GHG Reduction Potential: 48 MT CO2e
Co-benefits: Improved Air Quality, Energy Savings
Methodology: See Appendix B, pages 22 –24
Municipal fleets are increasingly transitioning to cleaner fleets as a mechanism to meet long-term sustainability goals and reduce operations and maintenance costs. An initial consultation through the Plug-in San Diego EV Expert, a partnership between SANDAG and the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE), was conducted to estimated potential reductions associated with transitioning municipal fleet vehicles to EVs by 2030.
In order to implement this measure the City will continue working with the EV Expert to develop a comprehensive fleet assessment and implement a fleet conversion plan. Measure T.1 will complement these efforts through the expansion of EV charging infrastructure. The City will also track vehicle performance, usage, and characteristics such as mileage, fuel consumption, operations and maintenance costs, and any additional information that is deemed relevant Implementation Table T.2:
Action Description Responsibility Timeline
1 Work with CSE’s EV Expert to develop a municipal fleet assessment and conversion plan
City Medium-term
2 Utilize fleet assessment and conversion plan to decide when to replace vehicles
City Medium-term
3 Work with other agencies and jurisdictions to identify potential joint EV procurement options
City Near- and Mid-term
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Reduce VMT Strategy
CAP measures T.3 – T.5 reduce VMT by targeting an increase in transit usage and biking and walking and a reduction in single-occupancy vehicle use. As previously noted, Imperial Beach is not an employment center. As a result, the majority of the City’s workforce commutes to other cities in the region for their jobs and well over nine out of every 10 do so in their personal vehicles. The addition of a new San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Rapid Bus Route will provide the community with additional transit connectivity, and the City’s continued efforts to expand and improve its active transportation network will enhance connections to transit service and community destinations.
Table 4.4 Reduce VMT Strategy Emissions Reduction Potential Target Year Total Emissions Reduction Potential
(MT CO2e)
Percentage of Total Local Reduction
Potential
2030 1,042 16%
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T.3: INCREASE MASS TRANSIT RIDERSHIP
Reduce VMT through new MTS 925 Rapid Bus Route.
2030 GHG Reduction Potential: 687 MT CO2e
Co-benefits: Improved Air Quality, Energy Savings, Reduced Traffic Congestion, Improved Mobility Methodology: See Appendix B, pages 24 –25
In spring of 2018 MTS received a $40.9 million grant from California’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) for its planned Rapid 925 line. TIRCP is funded by proceeds from the cap-and-trade program and SB 1. The Rapid 925 will consist of a 25-mile round trip route between the Otay Mesa Transit Center and Imperial Beach with a direct connection to the University of California (UC) San Diego Blue Line. It will also be operated using zero-emission buses,effectively combining clean vehicles and reducing VMT. The City will not be responsible for providing any direct funding to support the purchase of the zero-emission buses or the operations of the route. While the City does not have a core planning or design role,it is in a position to help ensure the new route is implemented successfully. This includes coordination with MTS to ensure that its own circulation network provides excellent transit connectivity, especially for car-lite and transit-dependent households, vulnerable user groups, and active transportation users.
Implementation Table T.3:
Action Description Responsibility Timeline
1 Coordinate with MTS to identify transit connectivity
opportunities that improve transit access and mobility
City Near-term
2 Work with MTS to increase awareness of the Rapid 925
and existing bus routes as a means to increase
ridership
City Near-term
Supporting Effort
1 Collaborate with SANDAG to ensure that the RTP
includes transit investments that improve transit
service and connectivity
City Near-term
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T.4: IMPROVE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES
Install 11 miles of Class II or better bicycle lane miles. 2030 GHG Reduction Potential: 342MT CO2e
Co-benefits: Improved Public Health, Improved Safety, Improved Air Quality, Reduced Traffic Congestion, Improved Mobility
Methodology: See Appendix B, pages 25 –27
The City has continued to expand its active transportation network to support its efforts to support health, safety, overall quality of life, and economic development vision. Its current network consists of the Bayshore Bikeway, a portion of the California Coastal Trail, an internal bicycle lane network, and an extensive network of sidewalks and trails for pedestrians.
The City’s topography, weather, and bevvy of natural and recreational resources make active transportation an ideal way for residents and visitors alike to enjoy the community in a safe, health, and fun manner. The City plans to add at least 11 miles of bicycle lanes by 2030 and will prioritize Class IV bicycle lanes wherever it is feasible. The City also plans to improve pedestrian infrastructure as part of Measure T.4, though the GHG emissions reductions for these improvements are not quantified because majority of the improvements include sidewalk widening and improvements to landscape, lighting, and benches.
While these plans were in place before the City elected to establish a CAP, they would also result in meaningful GHG reductions. The most significant projects, Palm Avenue Master Plan and Imperial Beach Boulevard Enhancement Project, would substantially improve two of the City’s most prominent thoroughfares and focus on multimodal circulation.
Implementation Table T.4:
Action Description Responsibility Timeline
1 Complete the suite of planned bicycle and pedestrian
projects by 2030
City Medium-term
2 Evaluate the feasibility of Class IV bicycle lanes in all project review procedures
City Near-term
3 Work to expand the number of bike parking facilities at commercial establishments throughout the City
City Medium-term
4 Work with scooter and bikeshare and other emerging
companies to analyze data and better understand active
transportation patterns and needs throughout the City
City Medium-term
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T.5: REDUCE MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEE VMT
Obtain 10 electric bicycles for short-intracity trips.
2030 GHG Reduction Potential: 13 MT CO2e
Co-benefits: Improved Public Health, Improved Air Quality, Reduced Traffic Congestion, Improved Mobility Methodology: See Appendix B, pages 27
Due to its relatively small size and flat topography Imperial Beach bicyclists can navigate from one side of the city to the other in a relatively short amount of time. The continued expansion of the bicycle network and related improvements are expected to enhance bicycle mobility and improve safety. In conjunction with the expanding network it is increasingly feasible for City staff to shift some of its trips from single-occupancy vehicles to electric bicycles. Trips could include inspections and community meetings and events among others. In addition to the GHG reductions from this shift, the City would be taking an additional leadership role in setting the stage for long-term adoption of bicycling, walking, and other related forms of transportation
Implementation Table T.5:
Action Description Responsibility Timeline
1 Purchase 10 electric bicycles City Near-term
2 Track the number of trips and VMT
avoided through usage of the bicycles
City Medium-term
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4.4 The Energy Emissions Category
The Energy category, consisting of electricity and natural gas emissions resulting from use in buildings, accounts for approximately 39% of the 2012 baseline inventory. State efforts to reduce emissions from this category have focused on increasing grid-supplied renewable energy through the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), incentives and requirements to increase distributed behind the meter renewables such as Solar PV, and energy efficiency for existing and new buildings.
As noted in Table 2.3, the passage of SB 100 recently increased RPS requirements to 60% by 2030 and 100% by 2045. The California Energy Commission also adopted a requirement for new residential developments to include solar PV beginning in 2020 as part of its 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards. Additionally, they require a variety of energy efficiency measures for new residential and non-residential buildings that will reduce building energy use. As a result, new residential units built in 2020 and after will be highly energy efficient, demand less energy, and are likely to meet a considerable amount of their remaining demand through electricity generated by on-site solar.
It should not be overlooked however that Imperial Beach is built out and much of its building stock was built before 1978 prior to the adoption of California’s energy code, Title 24 Part 6. This includes the vast majority of residential buildings, approximately 75% of which were built before 1980 according to the U.S. Census. While there are no industrial or heavy commercial land uses within Imperial Beach, there is a variety of light commercial uses such as retail and office that represent opportunities to increase commercial energy efficiency. Subsidies and rebates are available through SDG&E and other state funding sources to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions from the existing Imperial Beach building stock. The City is committed to connecting its residents and businesses to these resources to improve energy efficiency in existing residential units and commercial uses.
The CAP measures in this cateogry are focused on increasing grid-supplied and behind-the-meter renewable energy and includes two measures.
Table 4.5 Energy Category Strategy and Measures
Strategy Measures Description
Increase Renewable Electricity
E.1 Increase Grid-Supply of Renewable
and Zero Carbon Electricity
75% of grid-supplied electricity is
renewable by 2030
E.2 Increase Commercial Behind-theMeter PVIncrease Solar PV at new and redeveloped commercial
developments
% of Total 2030 Emission Reductions
from Local Measures
20%
Total 2030 Emission Reductions from
Category
1,263
Before the passage of SB 100, SDG&E was on track to meet the previous RPS target of 50% renewables by 2030 and is expected to meet the increased 60% standard. It has not yet however indicated that it will exceed it by 2030. As a result, the City will need to explore alternative mechanisms to meet measure E.1’s 75% by 2030 target, which could be done through CCE or a similar alternative structure. Measure E.2 focuses on solar PV installation at new and redeveloped commercial developments would be complement the state’s requirement that all new residential units include solar PV beginning in 2020.
CAP measures E.1 and E.2 are anticipated to achieve around 20% of total CAP emission reductions from local measures by 2030.
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E.1: INCREASE GRID-SUPPLY OF RENEWABLE AND ZERO-CARBON ELECTRICITY Partner with neighboring jurisdictions to evaluate the potential to join a regional CCE program and increase the share of renewables of grid-supplied renewable power to 75% by 2030, while striving for 100%. 2030 GHG Reduction Potential: 1,204MT CO2e
Co-benefits: Improved Air Quality, Energy Savings
Methodology: See Appendix B, pages 27 –28
Many jurisdictions that have recently adopted CAPs in California have included measures targeting a higher percentage of grid-supplied renewable energy than what is required under SB 100. In many cases achieving these targets will require the establishment of a CCE or similar structure. Under a CCE jurisdictions purchase power from suppliers or even own generation facilities, although the former is more common. The utility, in this case SDG&E, still owns the transmission and distribution infrastructure. Residents and businesses would be automatically enrolled in the program but would have the option to opt out and continue their existing relationship with SDG&E.
CCEs can range in size from just one jurisdiction to multiple jurisdictions in a regional framework. A number of other jurisdictions within San Diego County are either studying the establishment of a CCE or are in the process of est ablishing one, including large entities such as the City and County of San Diego and smaller ones such as Solana Beach and La Mesa.
Imperial Beach will identify options to meet the 75% target that can also be expanded upon to potentially achieve 100% gridsupplied renewable power before 2030.The City will take all necessary steps to accomplish this 100% goal by 2030. This will include evaluating additional needed resources to support any additional staffing and/or capital investments as part of the FY22-23 and FY23-24 municipal budgeting and CIP process. Additionally, the City will evaluate the potential costs and benefits of different CCE structures and alternative structures and technologies as they become available. This will also require a detailed analysis of energy demand, efficiency opportunities, and available clean electricity sources available for purchase. Given Imperial Beach’s small size, it is expected that a partnership with other cities will provide the best path forward for optimizing the benefits and minimizing the local costs from a CCE or similar alternative. Exploration and establishment of a CCE, or alternative structure,will take time and require careful consideration and diligent study. Citywide energy efficiency improvements will also help reduce energy demand and contribute to the meeting of the measure emission reduction targets. As a result, working with SDG&E to increase resident and business awareness of available rebates and subsidies is included as a supporting effort that is not quantified but will contribute to emissions reductions.
Implementation Table E.1:
Action Description Responsibility Timeline
1 Explore the potential to join a regional CCE through a partnership with other jurisdictions
City Near-term
2 Work with identified partnership jurisdictions to conduct a feasibility study and other related research and
administrative efforts necessary to establish a CCE
City Medium-term
3 Evaluate the need for additional resources to increase to 100% grid-supplied renewable power by 2030
City Medium-term
Supporting Effort
1 Work with SDG&E to publicize energy efficiency rebates and subsidies to increase the efficiency of Imperial Beach’s existing building stock
City Near-term
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Climate Action Plan 33
E.2 INCREASE COMMERCIAL BEHIND-THE-METER PV
Increase solar PV on certain new and redeveloped commercial projects. 2030 GHG Reduction Potential: 59 MT CO2e
Co-benefits: Improved Air Quality
Methodology: See Appendix B, pages 28 –29
The State does not currently have requirements for new non-residential commercial properties to have solar PV or other onsite renewable energy generation. With the substantial decline in solar prices commercial solar PV is an increasingly costeffective means to increase behind-the-meter renewable energy, reduce emissions, and achieve long-term cost savings for property owners.
Not all commercial properties will be ideal candidates for solar PV however. Solar may not currently be cost-effective on some buildings due to a variety of factors including size and orientation. The measure assumes an additional .3 MW of commercial solar PV by 2030. The City will need to either identify size thresholds for requiring solar PV on new and redeveloped commercial projects or create a mechanism through the development approval process to establish strong incentives. Given the rapidly declining costs of solar PV, buildings that may not be candidates for solar now may become ideal candidates in the future. Ensuring that new buildings are solar ready to accommodate this potential will be important as well. Finally, buildings and properties, especially parking areas, under the jurisdiction of the City and other public agencies may be ideal candidates for solar PV.
Implementation Table E.2:
Action Description Responsibility Timeline
1 Establish requirements or incentives through the
development review and approval process to spur
installation of commercial solar PV
City Near-term
2 Develop a directory of solar PV funding sources,
rebates, and incentives, and leverage existing
efforts and materials from the CSE, California
Solar Initiative, SDG&E, and other organizations.
City Near-term
3 Review/revise applicable building, zoning, and
other codes/ordinances to encourage the
development of solar ready commercial
developments.
City Medium-term
Supporting Effort
1 Identify opportunities to install solar PV on public
facilities such as municipal buildings, schools,
libraries, and parking lots.
City Medium-term
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Climate Action Plan 34
4.5 The Waste Emissions Category
The Solid Waste category, accounts for 2% of the emissions in the Imperial Beach inventory. Emissions in this category are generated when organic waste is buried in landfills, anaerobic digestion takes place, and methane is emitted. While methane has a much shorter atmospheric lifespan than CO2, it has a much more powerful greenhouse gas effect. Currently, EDCO is the solid waste service company for Imperial Beach and has the primary responsibility for complying with State waste reduction targets and achieving the CAP emissions reductions targeted from this category. EDCO’s efforts are already aligned with the long-term objective of achieving Zero Waste and CAP measure SW.1’s specific target of 80% waste diversion by 2030 and 90% diversion goal by 2050.
While EDCO is the protagonist in achieving these targets, success will require the City to be a strong partner. This will include the adoption of a Zero Waste by 2050 policy, community outreach and education, and related efforts.
CAP measure W.1 is estimated to account for 51% of emissions (3,318 MT CO2e)reductions from local measures by 2030.
Table 4.6 Waste Category Strategy and Measure
Strategy Measure Description
Reduce Waste SW.1 Divert Waste from Landfill 80% waste diversion by 2030 % of Total 2030 Emission
Reductions from Local Measures
51%
Total 2030 Emission Reductions
from Category (MT CO2e)
3,318
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Climate Action Plan 35
W.1: DIVERT WASTE FROM LANDFILL
Adopt a Zero Waste by 2050 policy and work with the City’s waste service company (currently EDCO) to achieve 80% landfill diversion by 2030.
2030 GHG Reduction Potential: 3,798 MT CO2e
Co-benefits: Reduced Waste, Improved Water Quality
Methodology: See Appendix B, page 30
In 2011 Assembly Bill (AB) 341 was adopted establishing a policy goal that 75% of statewide solid waste should be reduced, recycled, or composted by 2020. This is an expansion of previous State goals to divert 50% of community-wide waste (1997 Source Reduction and Recycling Element),with the two metrics measured in different ways.
The emissions reductions for this measure would result from an 80% diversion rate of waste from landfills by 2030. During the development of this measure the City confirmed with EDCO, the City’s waste provider, that this in alignment with company goals. This measure alone would account for approximately 51% of needed emissions reductions to meet 2030 CAP targets. As a result, the City and the community will need to partner effectively with the City’s waste service company to successfully implement this measure and the CAP. The City will need to adopt a Zero Waste by 2050 policy and then work with the City’s waste service company and other stakeholders to conduct outreach so that there is a strong community-wide understanding of the waste management service offerings and overall behavioral change focused on lifecycle of materials.
Implementation Table W.1:
Action Description Responsibility Timeline
1 Adopt a Zero Waste by 2050 policy City Near-term
2 Work with the City’s waste service company
and stakeholders to develop a public outreach
campaign to increase awareness of existing
waste management services and drive
behavioral change
City Medium-term
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Climate Action Plan 36
4.6 The Carbon Sequestration Category
In contrast to the other CAP measures which will focus their efforts on reducing emissions, measure S.1 will focus on taking CO2 out of the air, also known as sequestration. Trees and other plants utilize photosynthesis to capture CO2 and convert it into oxygen, effectively capturing carbon and storing it. In urban areas trees are generally the most feasible means for carbon capture and storage. They also provide a range of other health, economic, environmental, and aesthetic co-benefits that positively impact the community. According to SANDAG’s 2015 Laser Identification Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) study Imperial Beach has the lowest tree canopy coverage, 6%, of the 18 surveyed cities in the region.
Measure S.1 would sequester carbon via a net increase of trees in the community. It is also important to recognize that a substantial portion of the City consists of estuary and wetlands habitat that perform this function, as well as other land in the Tijuana Estuary and along the San Diego Bay. The City already recognizes the value of these lands to its economy and quality of life, and moving forward there may be opportunities to further conserve and enhance habitat that could also help the City meet goals both in this CAP and future updates. To take advantage of this potential the City will need to collaborate with entities such as Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRNERR), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), SDUPD, and other agencies to identify conservation and enhancement opportunities that can be pursued.
CAP measure S.1 is estimated to account for .5% of emissions (31 MT CO2e)reductions from local measures by 2030.
Table 4.7 Carbon Sequestration Category Strategy and Measure Strategy Measure Description
Carbon Sequestration S.1 Tree Planting Plant 866 trees by 2030 % of Total 2030 Emission Reductions
from Local Measures
.5%
Total 2030 Emission Reductions from
Category (MT CO2e)
31
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Climate Action Plan 37
S.1: TREE PLANTING
Plant an additional 866 trees citywide by 2030.
2030 GHG Reduction Potential: 31 MT CO2e
Co-benefits: Improved Water Quality, Reduced Water Run-off, Reduced Temperature Methodology: See Appendix B, pages 30 – 31
In addition to the carbon sequestration and other co-benefits mentioned in the strategy description,trees enhance overall community resiliency. The additional 866 trees would be achieved through a combination of the City planting 300 trees within its own Right of Way (ROW) and an additional 566 from new and redeveloped residential and commercial projects.
In order to ensure that this measure results in a net increase of trees, the City will need to develop a monitoring program to regularly assess the condition of the urban forest. It will also need to revise its code to require one tree per new or redeveloped residential dwelling unit and one per every three parking spaces in new or redeveloped commercial use, as well as make any changes to encourage planting of trees along streets, parking lots, and public spaces. In particular, prioritizing tree planting along active transportation corridors has been shown to increase biking and walking.
The City will also identify and pursue opportunities to enhance and conserve habitat within City boundaries, the Tijuana Estuary, and along the San Diego Bay in collaboration with the partnering agencies mentioned in the Carbon Sequestration Category discussion section preceding this measureor other stakeholders.Such efforts could also result in meaningful sea level rise adaptation benefits. For now this has been included as a supporting effort in this measure due to the lack of currently identified opportunities. As projects are identified the City could create a separate measure with quantified reductions that would contribute to meeting the 2030 targets or to meet post-2030 reduction goals. This would occur as part of future CAP updates. The City also intends to pursue fundingto establish an Urban Forest Management Plan. This would enable the City to better maintain and manage its urban forest and its role in sequestering GHG Implementation Table S.1:
Action Description Responsibility Timeline
1 Plant 300 trees within City ROW by 2030 City Medium-term 2 Make changes to the City code to require
tree planting in new and redeveloped
residential and commercial developments
City Near-term
Supporting Effort
1 Identify opportunities to enhance or
conserve habitat that would sequester
carbon in collaboration with relevant state
and federal agencies
City Medium-term
2 Identify and pursue funding to develop an
Urban Forest Management Plan
City Medium-term
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Climate Action Plan 38
5.0 CAP Monitoring and Updates
This document is the City’s first effort to assess and reduce its community-wide emissions consistent with State policy. It should be utilized as a living document, be regularly monitored for effectiveness, and updated as necessary to ensure that targets are met. The two main components of monitoring will be progress towards the overall 2030 GHG emissions reduction target and the reduction targets of the individual measures.
Regular GHG inventory updates will provide the best method to evaluate progress towards meeting the overall 2030 targets.
Direct comparisons of inventories from one year to the next can be challenging. The state of climate science is constantly evolving which leads to methodology revisions. Relatedly, emissions factors which play an important role in GHG quantifications are regularly refined by agencies such as the CARB, and others. Finally, as noted previously, the State’s approach to reducing emissions will continue to evolve and is expected to include additional legislation and regulations which will need to be accounted for. The passage of SB 100 and the accelerated of renewable grid-supplied energy provide the most recent example of an evolving regulatory and policy landscape. To best adapt to these changes the City should build its own institutional knowledge and continue to work with SANDAG and other agencies that provide technical assistance so that inventory updates are comparable and can be used to track progress towards CAP targets.
Assessments of the effectiveness in implementing each of the measures will also be necessary. City staff will need to track progress towards meeting the actions included in the implementation tables for each measure. A Consolidated Measure Implementation matrix has been included in Appendix D to facilitate implementation action tracking. This will serve to evaluate whether the necessary policy framework is in place to implement each measure. Additionally, City staff will need to track the primary target metrics for each measure since these are linked to their corresponding GHG reductions. As an example, measure S.1 has a target of planting an additional 866 trees citywide by 2030. While the City would be directly responsible for 300 trees, the additional 566 would result from requiring trees be planted as part of future residential and commercial developments. Adjustments to City code would provide the policy framework for the 566 trees while market conditions would be the primary factor driving the number of new and redeveloped residential units and commercial uses.
Strong market growth would likely result in more development and the planting of well over the number of targeted trees,
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Climate Action Plan 39
effectively increasing the GHG emission reductions from this measure. In this way, monitoring of progress towards the overall targets and the individual measures will provide the City with a clearer picture of what adjustments may need to be made to the CAP. Adjustments could include changes to individual measures, new measures, and/or removal of measures.
In order for monitoring to be effective, it must be done regularly and reported to decisionmakers, including but not necessarily limited to the City Council and the community. There is no required period or format for monitoring reports or updating the CAP; however, a commitment to regular monitoring reports and CAP updates are critical to ensure the City remains on track to meet its 2030 targets and plan for post-2030 targets, which are anticipated to be adopted by the State in the next several years .To verify that the City meets the 2020 target,and to maintain consistency with SANDAG’s Regional Framework schedule,in the City will complete a regular biennial monitoring report in 2020 and every two years thereafter.
At a minimum, the monitoring report will consist of an inventory update, details on progress implementing measure actions in their identified timeframes, outcomes achieved, and geographic distribution of measure investments and benefits in the community. This latter component, geographic distribution of measure investments and benefits, will enable the City to identify any steps needed to ensure that low-income and disadvantaged communities are benefitting from CAP implementation. Again utilizing measure S.1 as an example, the City would describe progress making code changes, the number of trees planted, and the geographic distribution of trees.If necessary, the City could identify steps to ensure more trees are planted in low-income and disadvantaged communities. While Imperial Beach does have low-income communities, it does not have any census tracts defined by the State as Disadvantaged Communities under SB 535. As such,the City will either limit its geographic distribution evaluation to low-income neighborhoods in the city or establish its own disadvantaged communities definition. The City will adopt a standard definition for disadvantaged communities within the city to track the distribution of CAP investments. This standard definition will be included no later than the 2022 biennial report.During interim years the City will provide an informal update on CAP progress which will summarize aspects such as implementation progress, investments, and other notable information.
The City will use thebiennialreports as tools to decide what changes need to be made, if any, to meet the 2030 target. The City also commits to at least onecomprehensive CAP update between 2025 and 2030 and evaluate adapting this CAP into a CEQA mitigation document by 2025. This update will include any course corrections to meet the 2030 target and identify post-2030 targets, strategies, and measures necessary to chart a path for consistency with interim target years between 2030 statewide targets and 2050 goals, or alternative yet to be defined statewide targets.
Resilient Imperial Beach
Climate Action Plan
Appendices
Appendix A
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projections
Appendix A. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projections
August 2018
Prepared for the City of Imperial Beach
Prepared by the Energy Policy Initiatives Center
About EPIC
The Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) is a non-profit research center of the USD School of Law that studies energy policy issues affecting California and the San Diego region. EPIC’s mission is to increase awareness and understanding of energy- and climate-related policy issues by conducting research and analysis to inform decision makers and educating law students.
For more information, please visit the EPIC website at www.sandiego.edu/epic.
Prepared in partnership with the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and the Energy Roadmap Program. This Program is primarily funded by California utility customers and administered by San Diego Gas & Electric Company under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.
Energy Policy Initiatives Center
SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Table of Contents
1 Overview .......................................................................................................................... 1 2 Background ....................................................................................................................... 1
2.1 Greenhouse Gases ................................................................................................................. 1
2.2 Categories of Emissions ......................................................................................................... 1
2.3 Demographics ....................................................................................................................... 2
2.4 Rounding of Values in Tables and Figures .............................................................................. 2 3 Summary of GHG Emissions Inventory .............................................................................. 2 4 Methods to Calculate Emissions Inventory ....................................................................... 4
4.1 On-Road Transportation ........................................................................................................ 4
4.2 Electricity .............................................................................................................................. 8
4.3 Natural Gas ......................................................................................................................... 10
4.4 Off-Road Transportation ............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.5 Solid Waste ......................................................................................................................... 11
4.6 Water .................................................................................................................................. 12
4.7 Wastewater ......................................................................................................................... 16 5 Business-As-Usual GHG Emissions Projections ................................................................ 17
5.1 Emissions Projections for 2020, 2030, and 2050 ................................................................... 17
5.2 Methods to Project GHG Emissions ...................................................................................... 19
5.2.1 On-Road Transportation ...................................................................................................... 19
5.2.2 Electricity .............................................................................................................................. 20
5.2.3 Natural Gas ........................................................................................................................... 21
5.2.4 Off-Road Transportation ......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.2.5 Solid Waste........................................................................................................................... 22
5.2.6 Water ................................................................................................................................... 22
5.2.7 Wastewater .......................................................................................................................... 23 Appendix A. Imperial Beach VMT by Trip Type .................................................................. A-1 Appendix B. Source Data For the Solid Waste Emission Factor .......................................... B-1 Tables
Table 1 Global Warming Potentials Used in the Imperial Beach GHG Emission Inventory & Projections ... 1 Table 2 Population and Jobs Estimates (Imperial Beach, 2012-2014) .......................................................... 2 Table 3 Total and Breakdown of GHG Emissions in Imperial Beach (2012–2014) ....................................... 4 Table 4 O-D VMT and Trip Types (Imperial Beach, 2012–2014) ................................................................... 6 Table 5 VMT, Emission Rate, and GHG Emissions from the On-Road Transportation Category (Imperial Beach, 2012–2014) ....................................................................................................................................... 7 Table 6 Net Energy for Load, Emission Factor and GHG Emissions from Electricity Category (Imperial Beach, 2012–2014) ....................................................................................................................................... 9 Table 7 Behind-the-meter PV Systems and Electricity Generation (Imperial Beach, 2012–2014) ............. 10 Table 8 Natural Gas Use and GHG Emissions from Natural Gas Category (Imperial Beach, 2012–2014) .. 11 Table 9 Sub-Categories Included in the Off-Road Transportation CategoriesError! Bookmark not defined.
Table 10 GHG Emissions from Off-Road Transportation Category (Imperial Beach, 2012–2014) ....... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 11 Solid Waste Disposal and GHG Emissions from Solid Waste Category (Imperial Beach, 2012– 2014) ........................................................................................................................................................... 12 Table 12 Potable Water Supplied and Supply Source (Imperial Beach, 2012–2014) ................................. 13 Table 13 Energy Intensity for Each Segment of Water-Use Cycle (Imperial Beach, 2012–2014) ............... 14 Table 14 Water Supplied and GHG Emissions from the Water Category (Imperial Beach, 2012–2014) ... 16 Table 15 Wastewater Generated and Treated at Centralized Treatment Plant (Imperial Beach, 2012– 2014) ........................................................................................................................................................... 17 Table 16 Projected Total and Category-GHG Emissions in Imperial Beach (2020, 2030, and 2050) .......... 19 Table 17 SANDAG Population Projection and Job Growth Forecast (Imperial Beach, 2020, 2030, and 2050) ........................................................................................................................................................... 19 Table 18 Projected O-D VMT and Trip Types (Imperial Beach, 2020, 2030, and 2050).............................. 20 Table 19 Projected VMT, Average Vehicle Emission Rate and GHG Emissions from On-Road Transportation Category (Imperial Beach, 2020, 2030, and 2050) ............................................................ 20 Table 20 Projected Net Energy for Load and GHG Emissions from the Electricity Category (Imperial Beach, 2020, 2030, and 2050) .................................................................................................................... 21 Table 21 Projected Natural Gas Use and GHG Emissions from Natural Gas Category (Imperial Beach, 2020, 2030, and 2050) ................................................................................................................................ 22 Table 22 Projected GHG Emissions from Off-Road Transportation Category (Imperial Beach, 2020, 2030, and 2050) ....................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 23 Projected Solid Waste Disposal and GHG Emissions from Solid Waste Category (Imperial Beach, 2020, 2030, and 2050) ................................................................................................................................ 22 Table 24 Projected Water and GHG Emissions from the Water Category (Imperial Beach, 2020, 2030, and 2050) ........................................................................................................................................................... 23 Table 25 Projected Wastewater Generated and GHG Emissions from the Wastewater Category (Imperial Beach, 2020, 2030, and 2050) .................................................................................................................... 23
Figures
Figure 1 Breakdown of GHG Emissions in Imperial Beach (2012) ................................................................ 3 Figure 2 Components of O-D Method for VMT Calculation ......................................................................... 5 Figure 3 On-Road Transportation Emissions by Vehicle Class in the San Diego Region ............................... 8 Figure 4 Electricity Emissions by Customer Class (Imperial Beach, 2012) .................................................. 10 Figure 5 Natural Gas Emissions by Customer Class (Imperial Beach, 2012) ............................................... 11 Figure 6 Emissions from the Water Category by Water System Segment (Imperial Beach, 2012) ............ 15 Figure 7 Illustrative Example Only: BAU and Legislatively-adjusted BAU Emissions Projections ............... 17 Figure 8 BAU GHG Emissions Projections (Imperial Beach, 2020, 2030, and 2050) ................................... 18
1 1 OVERVIEW
This document presents a summary of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the City of Imperial Beach (referred to as Imperial Beach or the City) from 2012 to 2014, and the business-as-usual (BAU) emissions projections for 2020, 2030, and 2050. This BAU projection demonstrates emissions growth in the absence of any new policies and programs and does not consider future impacts of adopted federal and State policies. GHG reductions from these policies are considered later in the climate action planning process and are referred to as the “legislatively-adjusted BAU”.
Section 2 describes the background sources and common assumptions used for the inventory and projections. Section 3 provides the results of the GHG emissions inventory for 2012 to 2014. The methods used to prepare each category of the inventory are provided in Section 4. Section 5 provides a summary of the emissions projections for 2020, 2030, and 2050, and the methods used to prepare each category of projections.
2 BACKGROUND
2.1 Greenhouse Gases
The primary GHGs included in the emissions estimates presented here are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). Each GHG has a different capacity to trap heat in the atmosphere, known as its global warming potential (GWP), which is normalized relative to CO2 and expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). In general, the 100-year GWPs reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are used to estimate GHG emissions. The GWPs used in this inventory are from the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4),1 provided in Table 1.
Table 1 Global Warming Potentials Used in the Imperial Beach GHG Emission Inventory & Projections Greenhouse Gas Global Warming Potential
Carbon dioxide (CO2) 1
Methane (CH4) 25
Nitrous oxide (N2O) 298
2.2 Categories of Emissions
The U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (U.S.
Community Protocol),2
developed by ICLEI USA, requires a minimum of five basic emissions-generating activities to be considered a Protocol-compliant community-scale GHG inventory. These categories are:
electricity, natural gas, on-road transportation, water and wastewater, and solid waste. GHG emissions are calculated by multiplying activity data (e.g., kilowatt-hours of electricity, tons of solid waste) by an emission factor (e.g., pounds of CO2e per unit of electricity). For these five categories, methods used in
1 IPCC Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007: Direct Global Warming Potentials (2013). 2 ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA: U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Version 1.0 (2012).
2 this inventory were based on the U.S. Community Protocol standard methods and modified with regional- or City-specific data when available.
All activity data and GHG emissions reported in this document are annual values, and all emission factors reported in this document are annual average values, unless stated otherwise.
2.3 Demographics
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) estimates and forecasts population and employment for all jurisdictions in the San Diego region. The population and jobs estimate from 2012 to 2014 for Imperial Beach are provided in Table 2.3
Table 2 Population and Jobs Estimates (Imperial Beach, 2012-2014) Year Population Jobs
2012 26,750 3,421
2013 26,993 3,532
2014 27,114 3,644
SANDAG 2013, 2017. Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018.
2.4 Rounding of Values in Tables and Figures
Rounding is used only for the final GHG values within the tables and figures throughout the document.
Values are not rounded in the intermediary steps in the calculation. Because of rounding, some totals may not equal the exact values summed in any table or figure. 3 SUMMARY OF GHG EMISSIONS INVENTORY
The total GHG emissions from Imperial Beach in 2012 were estimated at 96,400 metric tons CO2e (MT CO2e), distributed into categories as shown in Figure 1.
3 2012-2014 Population are from SANDAG’s Demographic & Socio-Economic Estimates (March 9, 2017 Version). Jobs in 2012 are from SANDAG Series 13 Regional Growth Forecast (October 2013). Jobs in 2013 and 2014 are interpolated linearly based on SANDAG’s 2012 and 2020 jobs estimates. The number of jobs are for civilian jobs only, and does not include military jobs.
SANDAG Data Surfer. SANDAG Data Surfer Accessed on October 24, 2017.
3 Figure 1 Breakdown of GHG Emissions in Imperial Beach (2012) Total GHG emissions in the years 2012, 2013, and 2014 are provided in Table 3. The 2013 estimate was 95,800 MT CO2e and the 2014 estimate was 90,500 MT CO2e, 6% lower than the total emissions in 2012.
The largest categories of emissions are on-road transportation, electricity, and natural gas end-use. The totals and breakdown of emissions by category for 2012–2014 are presented in Table 3.
On-road
Transportatio
n
57% Electricity
23%
Natural Gas
16%
Solid Waste
2%
Water
2%
[CATEGORY
NAME]
<1%
Percentage may not add to totals due to rounding.
Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018
4 Table 3 Total and Breakdown of GHG Emissions in Imperial Beach (2012–2014) Emissions Category
2012
GHG Emissions
(MT CO2e)
2013
GHG Emissions
(MT CO2e)
2014
GHG Emissions
(MT CO2e)
On-Road Transportation* 54,400 54,400 54,200
Electricity 21,900 21,000 18,200
Natural Gas 15,600 15,800 13,700
Solid Waste 2,300 2,400 2,300
Water 1,900 1,800 1,800
Wastewater 300 300 400
Total 96,400 95,800 90,500
Sums may not add up to totals due to rounding.
GHG emissions for each category are rounded to the nearest hundreds. Values are not rounded in the intermediary steps in the calculation.
*Based on SANDAG Series 13 vehicle miles traveled (VMT) estimates. 2012 is the Series 13 Base Year.
Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018.
4 METHODS TO CALCULATE EMISSIONS INVENTORY
4.1 On-Road Transportation
The emissions associated with on-road transportation in Imperial Beach are calculated by multiplying the estimated vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and the average vehicle emission rate in the San Diego region in a given year. Average weekday VMT data were provided by SANDAG based on its activitybased model4 and the Origin-Destination (O-D) method.5 The O-D VMT method is the preferred method proposed by the U.S Community Protocol in ‘TR.1 Emissions from Passenger Vehicles’ and ‘TR.2 Emissions from Freight and Service Trucks’ that estimates miles traveled based on where a trip originates and where it ends to attribute on-road emissions to cities and regions of miles traveled (Figure 2).6
4 SANDAG (2015): San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan. Appendix T Travel Demand Model Documentation. 5 SANDAG (2013): Vehicle Miles Traveled Calculation Using the SANDAG Regional Travel Demand Model. Technical White Paper. 6 ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA: U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Version 1.0 (2012), Appendix D: Transportation and Other Mobile Emission Activities and Sources.
5 Figure 2 Components of O-D Method for VMT Calculation O-D VMT data include all miles traveled for trips that originate and end within Imperial Beach city limits, referred to as Internal-Internal), and half of the miles traveled of the trips that either begin within Imperial Beach and end outside the City (referred to as Internal-External), or vice versa (referred to as External-Internal). In accordance with the methodology, VMT from trips that begin and end outside Imperial Beach that only pass through the City limits (referred to as External-External) are not included in the total City VMT.
The average weekday O-D VMT data for each trip type in 2012 and 2014 were provided by SANDAG, and 2013 VMT were interpolated linearly by EPIC using 2012 and 2014 values (Table 4).7
7 Series 13 2012 (Base Year) and 2014 average weekday VMT estimates were provided by SANDAG (January 30, 2017 and October 18, 2017). 2013 VMT were interpolated linearly between 2012 and 2014 VMT. Original data tables provided by SANDAG are in Appendix A.
6 Table 4 O-D VMT and Trip Types (Imperial Beach, 2012–2014) Year
Internal-Internal
Trips
(Miles/Average
Weekday)
ExternalInternal/InternalExternal Trips
(Miles/Average
Weekday)
External-External Trips
(Miles/Average Weekday
(Information only,
excluded from City VMT)*
2012 10,105 628,503 10,424
2013 10,057 638,730 10,430
2014 10,008 648,957 10,436
*Miles from External-External trips (pass-through trips) are the portion within the City boundary, not the entire trip.
Based on SANDAG Series 13 VMT estimates. 2012 is the Series 13 Base Year. 2013 is linearly interpolated between 2012 and 2014.
SANDAG, 2018; Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018.
In accordance with the methodology, all estimated and projected Internal-External and External-Internal miles associated with Imperial Beach are divided in half to allocate the miles between Imperial Beach and all other outside jurisdictions (see Appendix A for source data). EPIC multiplies the total average weekday VMT by 347 to adjust from average weekday VMT to average annual VMT (Table 5), which includes weekends.8
The average annual vehicle emission rate expressed in grams of CO2e per mile driven (g CO2e/mile) is derived from the statewide mobile source emissions model EMFAC2014 developed by CARB.9 EMFAC2014 was used to generate average emission rates for the San Diego region for all vehicle classes, model years, speeds, and fuel types.10 The average emission rates (g CO2e/mile) were calculated based on the VMT distribution of each vehicle class and its emission rate. This report assumes Imperial Beach has the same distribution of vehicle types as the region. The average vehicle emission rate was adjusted from g CO2/mile to g CO2e/mile, to account for total GHG emissions, including CO2, CH4, and N2O.11 It is assumed Imperial Beach has the same distribution of vehicle types as the region.
The total VMT, average vehicle emission rates, and corresponding GHG emissions from the on-road transportation category for years 2012 to 2014 are given in Table 5.
8 The conversion of 347 weekdays to 365 days per year as used by CARB. CARB: California’s 2000-2014 Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory Technical Support Document (2016 Edition), p. 41 (September 2016). 9 CARB: EMission FACtors model, EMFAC2014 (2015). 10 EMFAC2014 Web Database: Emission rates for SANDAG, download date: January 22, 2016. The vehicle classes in EMFAC2014 are the same as the vehicle classes in the previous model EMFAC2011. 11 The conversion factor, 1.01, was calculated based on the ratio of CO2 emissions to total GHG emissions (CO2, CH4 and N2O expressed as CO2e) using methods from EPA GHG Equivalencies Calculations and References. Emissions were from mobile fossil fuel combustion in the transportation end-use category in 2013 (the latest available data year), on-road emissions. EPA Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2013 (2015), Table 3-12 to 3-14.
7 Table 5 VMT, Emission Rate, and GHG Emissions from the On-Road Transportation Category (Imperial Beach, 2012–2014)
Year
Average Vehicle
Emission Rate
(g CO2e/mile)
Total VMT
GHG Emissions
(MT CO2e)
Average
Weekday
Miles*
Average
Annual Miles
2012 483 324,357 112,551,781 54,400
2013 476 329,422 114,309,318 54,400
2014 467 334,487 116,066,855 54,200
*Consistent with the methodology, this is the sum of internal-internal and half of both externalinternal and internal-external VMT from Table 4. Weekday miles are converted to annual average before converting to GHG emissions.
Based on SANDAG Series 13 VMT estimates. 2012 is the Base Year. 2013 is linearly interpolated between 2012 and 2014.
GHG emissions for each category are rounded to the nearest hundreds. Values are not rounded in the intermediary steps in the calculation.
CARB, 2015; SANDAG, 2018; Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018.
The decrease in the emission rate is likely due to improved vehicle emission standards of new vehicles.
Figure 3 gives the breakdown of emissions by vehicle class in 2012, based on the EMFAC vehicle class distribution in the San Diego region. This report assumes Imperial Beach has the same distribution of vehicle types as the region. Passenger cars and light-duty trucks account for about 63% of the City’s onroad transportation emissions, while medium- and heavy-duty trucks account for an additional 35 percent of the on-road transportation emissions.12
12 In California’s EMFAC2014, passenger cars are all cars and fuel types designated as Light Duty Automobiles (LDAs). Light Duty Trucks (LDTs) are divided into LDT1 and LDT2, where LDT1 includes gas, diesel, and electric fuel vehicles, while LDT2 does not include electric vehicles. Medium-duty trucks included medium duty vehicles (MDV with Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) 5751-8,500 lbs), and heavy-duty trucks (HDTs), with GVWR larger than 8,500 lbs. In contrast, under the EPA Emission Standard, category vehicles with GVWR under 8,500 lbs are considered light-duty trucks/vehicles.
8 Figure 3 On-Road Transportation Emissions by Vehicle Class in the San Diego Region
4.2 Electricity
Emissions from electricity use in Imperial Beach were estimated using the Built Environment (BE.2) method from the U.S. Community Protocol.13 Annual electricity sales by the local utility, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to Imperial Beach customers14 were adjusted by 1) a loss factor15 of 1.0716 to account for transmission and distribution losses; and 2) subtracting electricity use associated with moving water within the City limits, which is allocated to the water category emissions.
Emissions are calculated by multiplying the adjusted net energy for load (electricity sales + losses) by the corresponding City-specific electricity emission factor, given in Table 6, expressed in pounds of CO2e per megawatt-hour (lbs CO2e/MWh). For a given year, the City-specific electricity emission factor is estimated based on the specific power mix of bundled power17 and Direct Access (DA) power18 and their
13 ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA: U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Version 1.0 (2012), Appendix C: Built Environment Emission Activities and Sources. 14 2012-2016 metered electricity sales were provided by SDG&E to EPIC (August 14, 2017). 15 The transmission and distribution loss factor is used to scale end-use demand or retail sales to produce net energy for load. L.
Wong, A Review of Transmission Losses In Planning Studies, CEC Staff Paper (August 2011). 16 California Energy Commission (CEC): California Energy Demand 2015–2025 Final Forecast Mid-Case Final Baseline Demand Forecast Forms, SDG&E Mid. The transmission and distribution loss factor is calculated based on the ratio of net energy for load (total sales + net losses) and total sales from SDG&E Form 1.2 Mid. 17 SDG&E bundled power includes the electricity from SDG&E-owned power plants and the electricity from its net procurements.
Passenger Cars,
38%
Light-duty
Trucks, 25%
Medium-duty
Trucks, 18%
Heavy-duty
Trucks, 17%
Buses, 2%
Motor Homes,
1%
[CATEGORY
NAME], <1%
EMFAC2014. Energy Policy Intiatvies Center, 2018
Percentages may not add to totals due to rounding.
*EMFAC vehilce categorization is different from Enviromental Protect Agency (EPA) Emission Standards categorization.
9 respective emission factors. The SDG&E bundled emission factors are calculated using Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Form 119 data, the California Energy Commission (CEC) Power Source Disclosure Program,20 data on SDG&E-owned and purchased power, and U.S. EPA Emissions and Generating Resource Integrated Database (eGRID)21 on specific power plant emissions. The DA emission factor is taken from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Decision D.14-12-037.22 The differences in the electricity emission factors from 2012 to 2014 reflect in part the change in the electricity power mix in the City and in SDG&E’s service territory. The emission factor increased in 2012 due to the shutdown of the zero-emissions electricity supply from the San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station (SONGS) and replacement by natural gas-fired power plant sources.23 In the later years, more renewable resources were included in the power mix that resulted in a lower electricity emission factor.
SDG&E had 32% renewable sources in the electricity supplied to its bundled customers in 2014, an increase from 19% in 2012.24
The net energy for Imperial Beach’s load (electricity sales + losses), electricity emission factors, and corresponding GHG emissions from the electricity category for the years 2012–2014 are given in Table 6.
Table 6 Net Energy for Load, Emission Factor and GHG Emissions from Electricity Category (Imperial Beach, 2012–2014)
Year
Net Energy for Load
(electricity sales + losses)
(MWh)
City-Specific
Emission Factor
(lbs CO2e/MWh)
GHG Emissions
(MT CO2e)
2012 63,955 756 21,900
2013 63,057 736 21,000
2014 63,238 636 18,200
GHG emissions for each category are rounded to the nearest hundreds. Values are not rounded in the intermediary steps in the calculation.
SDG&E, 2017; Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018.
GHG emissions from the electricity category decreased 17% from 2012 to 2014 which may be partly attributed to the increase of renewable content in the electricity supply.
The net energy for load does not include self-serve renewable supply such as customer-owned behindthe-meter photovoltaic (PV) systems or self-serve non-renewable supply. The estimated cumulative PV capacity in Imperial Beach at the end of 2014 was 1.1 MW, more than three times the cumulative PV capacity at the end of 2012 (0.3 MW), corresponding to an estimated total of 1,940 MWh of behind-the- 18 The SDG&E Direct Access Program includes electricity that customers purchased from non-SDG&E electric service providers (ESPs), but SDG&E still provides transmission and distribution services. 19 FERC: Form 1- Electricity Utility Annual Report, download date: July 20, 2015. 20 CEC Power Source Disclosure Program under Senate Bill 1305. The SDG&E annual power source disclosure report (2012-2014) was provided by CEC staff to EPIC.
21 U.S. EPA. eGRID 2012 (2015) and eGRID 2014 v2 (2017). 22 Decision 14-12-037, December 18, 2014 in Rulemaking 11-03-012 (filed March 24, 2011). The recommended emission factor is 0.379 MT CO2e/MWh (836 lbs CO2e/MWh). 23 SONGS historically accounted for approximately 15–20% of SDG&E power generation. SONGS was permanently closed in 2013 and the energy generation was replaced by other sources, including non-renewable sources, which increased the emission factor of SDG&E-generated electricity.
24 CEC: Utility Annual Power Content Label.
10 meter solar generation. The number of newly added PV systems in each year from 2012 to 2014 is also shown in Table 7.25 Electricity generation from PV systems is considered renewable and assumed to have no associated GHG emissions.
Table 7 Behind-the-meter PV Systems and Electricity Generation (Imperial Beach, 2012–2014) Year
New PV Systems Cumulative PV Systems since 1999 Estimated Behindthe-meter Solar Generation
(MWh)
Number of
Systems
Capacity
(MWdc)
Number of
Systems
Capacity
(MWdc)
2012 11 0.1 82 0.3 496
2013 31 0.6 113 0.9 1,573
2014 39 0.2 152 1.1 1,940
California Distributed Generation Statistics, 2017; Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018.
The emissions from the electricity category can be broken down further into residential and nonresidential customer classes. In 2012, 31% of emissions were attributed to non-residential electricity use, 69% were attributed to residential electricity use, as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4 Electricity Emissions by Customer Class (Imperial Beach, 2012)
4.3 Natural Gas
Emissions from natural gas end-use in Imperial Beach were estimated using method Built Environment (BE.1) from the U.S. Community Protocol.26 Annual natural gas sales were provided by SDG&E.27
25 NEM Interconnection Data Set (current as of May 31, 2017), download date: September 12, 2017. Based on the date of NEM interconnection applications approved. Solar capacities are reported in direct current (DC). Estimated electricity generation is converted from capacity using an average solar PV system capacity factor of 20% and an annual system degradation rate of 1%. 26 ICLEI– Local Governments for Sustainability USA: U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Version 1.0 (2012), Appendix C: Built Environment Emission Activities and Sources. 27 2012-2016 metered natural gas sales were provided by SDG&E to EPIC (August 14, 2017).
Residential
69%
Nonresidential
31%
Energy Policy Initiatives Center 2018.
11 To estimate emissions from the combustion of natural gas, fuel use was multiplied by an emission factor for natural gas based on data from CARB.28 The total natural gas use and corresponding GHG emissions from the natural gas category for the years 2012–2014 are given in Table 8.
Table 8 Natural Gas Use and GHG Emissions from Natural Gas Category (Imperial Beach, 2012–2014) Year Natural Gas Use
(Million Therms)
GHG Emissions
(MT CO2e)
2012 2.8 15,600
2013 2.9 15,800
2014 2.5 13,700
GHG emissions for each category are rounded to the nearest hundreds. Values are not rounded in the intermediary steps in the calculation.
SDG&E, 2017; Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018.
Emissions from the natural gas category can be broken down further into residential and non-residential customer classes. In 2012, 87% of emissions resulted from residential natural gas use and the result 13% resulted from non-residential natural gas use, as shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5 Natural Gas Emissions by Customer Class (Imperial Beach, 2012)
4.4 Solid Waste
Emissions from solid waste disposed by Imperial Beach were estimated using method Solid Waste (SW.4) from the U.S. Community Protocol.29 To estimate emissions, the amount of waste disposed by a city in a given year is multiplied by an emission factor for mixed solid waste. Solid waste disposal data
28 Emission factor for natural gas: 0.00554 million metric tons CO2e/Million therms. CARB: Documentation of California’s GHG Inventory – Index. 29 ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA: U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Version 1.0 (2012), Appendix E: Solid Waste Emission Activities and Sources.
Residential
87%
Nonresidential
13%
Energy Policy Initiatives Center 2018.
12 were retrieved from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) Disposal Reporting System (DRS).30
The emission factor of mixed solid waste depends on the percentage of each waste type within the waste stream disposed in a landfill. The City of San Diego’s 2012–2013 Waste Characterization Study was used as a reasonable proxy for Imperial Beach’s solid waste composition and applied to 2012–2014 waste disposed for the emission calculation.31 Only the CH4 emissions from waste degradation are considered non-biogenic and included in this category in accordance with the methodology. The CO2 emissions from waste degradation are considered biogenic and not included in this category.
The default capture rate of CH4 emissions from landfills is 75% based on that in the U.S. Community Protocol; any CH4 emissions above this are included as emissions from the solid waste category. The total and per-capita solid waste disposal and the corresponding GHG emissions for the years 2012–2014 are given in Table 9.
Table 9 Solid Waste Disposal and GHG Emissions from Solid Waste Category (Imperial Beach, 2012–2014) Year Solid Waste Disposal
(MT/year)
Per Capita Solid
Waste Disposal
(kg/person/day)
GHG Emissions
(MT CO2e)
2012 12,466 1.3 2,300
2013 12,868 1.3 2,400
2014 12,204 1.2 2,300
GHG emissions for each category are rounded to the nearest hundreds. Values are not rounded in the intermediary steps in the calculation.
CalReycle, 2017; Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018.
4.5 Water
California American Water Company (CalAm) Southern Division, a privately owned public utility company, provides potable water to the City of Imperial Beach. CalAm Southern Division is not a member agency of the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA), however it purchases water from the City of San Diego, which is a SDCWA member agency.32 It is assumed the sources of the water provided by CalAm Southern Division are the same as those of the City of San Diego. The water supply sources for City of San Diego include: 1) imported untreated water from SDCWA; 2) imported treated water from SDCWA, 3) local surface water runoff and 4) groundwater from the Santee/El Monte Basin.33
CalAm Southern Division’s service area is larger than the City of Imperial Beach and includes the City of Coronado (but not the North Island Naval Air Station), the City of San Diego’s southern San Diego Bay
30 CalRecycle: Disposal Reporting System (DRS): Jurisdiction Disposal and Alternative Daily Cover (ADC) Tons by Facility. 2012– 2014 solid waste disposal data from CalRecycle. Download date: June 7, 2017. 31 City of San Diego 2014, Waste Characterization Study 2012–2013 Final Report. The emission factor of 0.744 MT CO2e/short ton was calculated based on the waste distribution and emission factor for each waste type in Version 13 Waste Reduction Model (WARM). 32 California American Water. June 2016. 2015 Urban Water Management Plan. Southern Division – San Diego County District. 33 City of San Diego. Jun 2016. 2015 Urban Water Management Plan. Section 3 Description of Existing Water System.
13 area, and a small portion of the City of Chula Vista. It is assumed that the percentage of water from each source supplied to the City of Imperial Beach is the same as that of the entire service area.
The potable water supplied by CalAm Southern Division to Imperial Beach only was not available, instead, the water supplied to Imperial Beach and Coronado by CalAm Southern Division was allocated to Imperial Beach based on the population ratio of the cities.34 The potable water supplied to Imperial Beach and the percentage of water from each source are given in Table 10.35
Table 10 Potable Water Supplied and Supply Source (Imperial Beach, 2012–2014) Year
% of Potable Water from each Water Supply Potable
Water
Supplied
(acre-foot)
SDCWA
Treated
Water
SDCWA
Untreated
Water
Local Surface
Water
Local
Groundwater
2012 9% 76% 15% 0.4% 4,001
2013 9% 79% 11% 0.5% 3,692
2014 7% 75% 18% 0.3% 3,952
City of San Diego, 2016; Energy Policy Initiatives Center, 2018.
The energy use to produce and distribute potable water from each supply is different due to the different raw source type and its location. Emissions from water use in Imperial Beach were estimated using method Wastewater and Water (WW.14) from the U.S. Community Protocol.36 The method considers each segment of the water-use cycle (water supply and conveyance, water treatment, and water distribution) individually, as described below.
Upstream Supply and Conveyance – This is defined as supply and conveyance of water from the raw sources to the local service area. The upstream supply and conveyance energy use for SDCWA treated and untreated water consists of conveyance of water from the State Water Project and Colorado River through Metropolitan Water District’s service area and SDCWA’s service area.
Local Water Treatment –This is the energy used for water treatment plant operations. CalAm Southern Division purchases only treated water from the City of San Diego, which owns three water treatment plants. The water treatment plants treat SDCWA untreated water and local water to potable water standards.
34 2012-2016 water purchased by CalAm from City of San Diego (excluding City of San Diego’s southern San Diego Bay) were provided by City of San Diego Public Utilities Department to EPIC (July 2017). The 2012-2016 population in the City of Coronado (excluding military population) are from SANDAG’s Demographic & Socio-Economic Estimates (March 9, 2017 Version). SANDAG Data Surfer. Accessed on October 24, 2017. 35 Water supply sources represents the City of San Diego’s water supply sources. CalAm purchases water from the City of San Diego to supply its service area. The calendar year 2012-2014 water source data are not available, the percentages represent fiscal year 2012-2014 water source data. Water supply sources data were provided by the City of San Diego Public Utilities Department to EPIC (August 2016).
36 ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA. U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Version 1.0. (2012). Appendix F. Wastewater and Water Emission Activities and Sources.
14 Local Water Distribution – This is defined as the energy required to move treated water from water treatment plants to end-use customers. Distribution energy use includes energy use for water pump stations and/or pressure reduction stations, water storage tanks, etc. The distribution energy for water delivered to Imperial Beach has two parts: 1) the energy needed for the City of San Diego to deliver water from its water treatment plants to CalAm Southern Division service area; and 2) the energy needed for distribution within CalAm Southern Division service area.
The energy intensity per unit of water for each segment of the water-use cycle is given in Table 11.
Table 11 Energy Intensity for Each Segment of Water-Use Cycle (Imperial Beach, 2012–2014) Year
Upstream Supply and
Conveyance - SDCWA
treated water
(kWh/acre-foot)37
Upstream Supply and
Conveyance - SDCWA
untreated water
(kWh/acre-foot)38
Local Water
Treatment Energy
Intensity
(kWh/acre-foot)39
Local Distribution
Energy Intensity
(kWh/acre-foot)40
2012
2013 1,816 1,755 46 43
2014
CalAm, 2016; City of San Diego, 2016 and 2017; MWD, 2016; SDCWA, 2016.
For upstream supply and conveyance emissions, the potable water from SDCWA (treated and untreated) was multiplied by the upstream energy intensity to estimate the total electricity use from upstream supply. The electricity use was multiplied by the average California electricity emission factor to calculate the GHG emissions.41 Because the electricity use and GHG emissions associated with upstream supply and conveyance are outside the City boundary and would not be included in the electricity category, they are accounted for in the water category.
Emissions from water treatment were calculated by multiplying the volume of potable water use by Imperial Beach by the water treatment energy intensity and SDG&E’s electricity emission factor. The electricity use associated with water treatment is not included in the electricity category for Imperial
37 Anything upstream of the agency or district is part of upstream supply and conveyance, therefore, the upstream supply and conveyance energy intensity for SDCWA treated water includes conveyance from the State Water Project and Colorado River water to Metropolitan Water District’s (MWD) distribution system, distribution from MWD to MWD’s member agencies, SDCWA conveyance of raw water to its water treatment plants, treatment in SDWCA’s plants and distribution of treated water from SDCWA’s treatment plant to SDCWA’s member agency. SDCWA 2016: Urban Water Management Plan 2015, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Urban Water Management Plan 2015. 38 Upstream supply and conveyance energy intensity for SDCWA untreated water includes conveyance from the State Water Project and Colorado River water to MWD’s distribution system, distribution from MWD to MWD’s member agencies, and SDCWA’s conveyance of raw water supplies to SDCWA’s member agencies. 39 The average energy intensity at City of San Diego’s three water treatment plants in 2016 does not include the electricity from on-site PV generation at the treatment plants. The energy intensity was provided by City of San Diego Public Utilities Department in July 2017.
40 The electricity distribution intensity (42.8 kWh/AF) within City of San Diego’s service area is used as a proxy for the distribution energy intensity to deliver water from treatment plants to CalAm service area. City of San Diego. Jun 2016. 2015 Urban Water Management Plan. Section 10 Energy Intensity Analysis. The distribution intensity (0.3 kWh/AF) within CalAm service area includes the energy at the interconnection with City of San Diego supply and a storage tank. California American Water. June 2016. 2015 Urban Water Management Plan. Southern Division – San Diego County District. 41 The Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) CAMX (eGRID Subregion) emission rate from eGRID was used as representative of the average California electricity emission rate for upstream electricity. U.S. EPA. eGRID 2012. (2015) and eGRID 2014 v2 (2017).