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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompiled Measures 1 CITY OF CHULA VISTA Climate Change Working Group Worksheet for Recommended Climate Change Reduction Measures Measure Number: 6 By Derek Turbide Original Short Text of Measure: Incorporate AFV (electric, biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen, CNG) into municipal fleet Short Text of Measure (with any minor modifications necessary, 50 words max): The City of Chula Vista Climate Change Working Group recommends that City of Chula Vista expand its use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). Recommended Performance Metrics for Measure (50 words max): Performance could be measured by setting aggressive goals for increasing the City’s use of alternative fuel vehicles (i.e. number of AFVs) and alternative fuels (i.e. gallons used), as well as associated fueling infrastructure. Recommended Long Text for Measure (250 words max) The City of Chula Vista Climate Change Working Group recommends that the City of Chula Vista expand its use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles inclu ding electric, biodiesel, ethanol, hybrid, hydrogen and natural gas based on appropriateness for vehicle task, fueling infrastructure, petroleum displacement, overall cost and environmental benefit. The City of Chula Vista has long been a pioneer in the use of alternative fuels. The City’s transit fleet and some light-duty vehicles run on compressed natural gas and the City has its own compressed natural gas fueling station and hydrogen fueling station. Many cities throughout California have also successfully adopted the use of alternative fuel vehicles from passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks. Additionally, the State of California has made the growth of the use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles a high priority and passed myriad legislation creating funding mechanisms to drive this growth. Alternative fuel vehicle options exist in most every class of vehicle in use by the City of Chula Vista, so it is recommended that the City seek out task and alternative fuel appropriate options when considering all future vehicle acquisitions. Please provide concise answers for how the project will have/be: (complete sentences) Fiscally Feasible: 2 The City can purchase alternative fuel vehicles with existing vehicle replacement funds. Substantial grant funding and incentives for light, medium and heavy duty alternative fuel vehicles are also currently available and expected to increase in years to come. Grant funding for fueling infrastructure may be available and private industry may also invest in necessary fueling infrastructure with local commitment to use. Some alternative fuel vehicles offer lower life-cycle economics and substantial fuel cost savings. Tax rebates on qualifying alternative fuels also exist, bringing their cost below that of petroleum-based fuels. Short Timeframe: Alternative fuel vehicles can be implemented into fleet immediately with all scheduled vehicle replacements and/or new vehicle acquisitions. Alternative fuel vehicle fueling infrastructure can be accomplished in 2008 and 2009. Quantifiable Results: The use of alternative fuel vehicles will permit a reduction in the use of petroleum-based fuels. All targeted alternative fuels can have significant greenhouse gas emissions benefits over petroleum-based fuels such as gasoline and diesel. Prior Execution: Various cities including Burbank, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vacaville, CA, as well as Boulder, CO. No Adverse Effects: While some alternative fuel vehicles may cost more than their gasoline and/or diesel counterparts, billions of dollars in current and future State and Federal incentives, grants and tax credits can bring the cost of those alternative fuel vehicles near or below that of a comparable gasoline or diesel-powered vehicle. In some cases, grant applications may need to be written and reports may need to be filed in the process of securing funding for vehicles and/or infrastructure; however, an increase in City staff would not be anticipated. Additionally, private industry may invest in necessary fueling infrastructure to meet the City’s needs. Many alternative fuel vehicles currently offer significant fuel and maintenance cost savings over gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles. 3 Measure Number: 12 By Derek Turbide Original Short Text of Measure: Require city contracted fleet operators (Trash Haulers, Shuttles and Taxis) to have a certain percentage (___%) of AFVs in fleet by the year 20___ Short Text of Measure (with any minor modifications necessary, 50 words max): The City of Chula Vista Climate Change Working Group recommends that the City of Chula Vista work with fleets under City authority and influence to expand their use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). Recommended Performance Metrics for Measure (50 words max): Performance could be measured by setting aggressive goals for increasing fleet operators’ use of alternative fuel vehicles (i.e. number of AFVs) and alternative fuels (i.e. gallons used), as well as associated fueling infrastructure. Recommended Long Text for Measure (250 words max) The City of Chula Vista Climate Change Working Group recommends that the City of Chula Vista work with fleets under City authority and influence to expand their use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles including electric, biodiesel, ethanol, hybrid, hydrogen and natural gas based on appropriateness for vehicle task, fueling infrastructure, petroleum displacement, overall cost and environmental benefit. While there are a number of fleets operating in the City of Chula Vista, few are under direct authority of the City with the exception of taxis and refuse trucks. There are currently over 200 taxis permitted by the police department to pick up passengers in the City of Chula Vista and 50 or more refuse trucks authorized to collect household discards. There are currently hundreds of alternative fuel taxis and refuse trucks operating throughout California. Being high volume fuel use fleets and under City authority, these fleets should be concentrated on in the near-term. Additional fleet operators not directly under the City’s authority that the City may be able to influence include United Parcel Services (UPS) who uses alternative fuel vehicles at various hubs throughout the Country, as well as various manufacturers, distributors and service providers. Please provide concise answers for how the project will have/be: (complete sentences) Fiscally Feasible: 4 Fleet owners can purchase alternative fuel vehicles with existing vehicle replacement funds. Substantial grant funding and incentives for light, medium and heavy duty alternative fuel vehicles are also currently available and expected to increase in years to come. Grant funding for fueling stations may be available and private industry may also invest in necessary fueling infrastructure with local commitments to use. Some alternative fuel vehicles offer lower life-cycle economics and substantial fuel cost savings. Tax credits on qualifying alternative fuels also exist, bringing their cost below that of petroleum-based fuels. Short Timeframe: Alternative fuel vehicles can be implemented into fleets immediately with all scheduled vehicle replacements and/or new vehicle acquisitions. Alternative fuel vehicle fueling infrastructure expansion can be accomplished in 2008 and 2009. Quantifiable Results: The use of alternative fuel vehicles will permit a reduction in the use of petroleum-based fuels. All targeted alternative fuels have significant greenhouse gas emissions benefits over petroleum-based fuels such as gasoline and diesel. Prior Execution: Various cities and agencies in our neighboring South Coast Air Quality Management District, as well as, Chula Vista, CA, Smithtown and Brookhaven, NY and San Antonio, TX. No Adverse Effects: While some alternative fuel vehicles may cost more than their gasoline and/or diesel counterparts, billions of dollars in current and future State and Federal incentives, grants and tax credits can bring the cost of those alternative fuel vehicles near or below that of a comparable gasoline or diesel-powered vehicle. In some cases, grant applications may need to be written and reports may need to be filed in the process of securing funding for vehicles and/or infrastructure; however, an increase in staffing would not be anticipated and private industry partnerships are available to incur these costs on behalf of fleet owners. Additionally, private industry may invest in necessary fueling infrastructure to meet fleet owners’ needs. Many alternative fuel vehicles currently offer significant fuel and maintenance cost savings over gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles 5 Measure Number: 15 By Leo Miras Original Short Text of Measure: Require LEED/Architecture2030 or equivalent standards for co mmercial or industrial projects. Short Text of Measure (with any minor modifications necessary, 50 words max): The implementation of mandatory green building standards for new and renovated commercial and industrial development based on the Architecture 2030 principle, recently adopted by the CEC and CPUC, of building homes with increasingly higher energy efficiency requirements until net zero energy capability is achieved for all new commercial/industrial development. No building permit would be issued without meeting these standards. Recommended Performance Metrics for Measure (50 words max): The implementation of this measure requires an addition to the City’s municipal code stipulating the new green building standard. Performance would be gauged by the number of building permits applied for, the number accepted, and the number of compliant buildings built. Recommended Long Text for Measure (250 words max) (Please include the following:  Important Background Information (explain acronyms like AFV or PPA)  A clear description of the measure itself  A brief summary of “prior execution” of this measure in other cities. The city of Chula Vista Climate Change Working Group recommends that the City of Chula Vista adopt a series of green building standards based on the principles of Architecture 2030 which have recently been adopted by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Energy Commission (CEC) as part of their energy efficiency initiatives. The standards would require all new and major renovations of commercial and industrial development to submit and follow plans that fulfill the Architecture 2030 principle that “all new buildings, developments, and major renovations be designed to meet fossil fuel, greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting, energy consumption performance standard” of, initially, 60% of the regional average of that building type1. The City would then be required to periodically increase the standards, to 70%, 80%, and 1http://www.architecture2030.org/2030_challenge/index.html 6 90% until requiring zero net energy capability, meaning the ability to produce as much energy as it consumes if on-site generation were added, for all new buildings by 2030. No building permit shall be issued without evidence that the covered buildings will meet these standards. Buildings that do not conform to the standards will be deemed “non- compliant” with Chula Vista’s building code. . The concept of mandatory green building, that is requiring developers to build projects based on strict energy efficient and renewable energy criteria, is reaching a high level of popularity throughout the country. Several major cities have adopted or are about to adopt far-reaching mandatory green building requirements for commercial buildings- Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Washington, DC and San Francisco. In addition to cities that have already adopted some sort of green building, several other cities including the City of San Diego are undertaking serious debate on the subject. Please provide concise answers for how the project will have/be: (complete sentences) Fiscally Feasible: The city of Chula Vista currently has building code requirements that must be met in order to attain a building permit. These proposed standards would be simply a small and modest addition to these existing building standards, thus taking advantage of already existing implementation and enforcement mechanisms. Additional training for existing staff may be required. However, it is not likely for there to be significant additional costs connected to this proposal. The City is already requiring LEED certification as part of the Eastern Urban Core Specific Plan, the establishment of a specific green building standard would be a less cost-intensive than LEED since certification fees are not applicable. Short Timeframe: The implementation of these standards- given their modest scope could occur as soon as adequate notice is given to the public. The fact that the implementation and enforcement process is already in place, allows the standards to be up and running immediately. Quantifiable Results: Reductions in energy use by buildings are among the easiest things to quantify in the City’s GHG emissions inventory. Mandatory green building requirements have proven throughout the nation and according to credible sources such as the DOE, AIA, and the California Attorney General, as an effective means to dramatically lowering carbon emissions. Prior Execution: Mandatory green building standards have been adopted in West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Boston, and Washington, DC. No Adverse Effects: While these standards add an additional requirement in order to be issued a building permit within the city, these standards are no different than other 7 building requirements currently imposed on developers- including structural, lighting, earthquake safety, ventilation requirements, etc. Such standards have proven to have little if any adverse effects on the number of permits sought. The fact that the proposed standard allows developers the flexibility and autonomy to determine how best to meet these requirements will offset the burden associated with meeting an additional procedural requirement. Finally, considering these goals are based on those being adopted by two state agencies illustrates how feasible these principles so as to be adopted in California. Measure Number: 16 By Leo Miras Original Short Text of Measure: Require LEED/ Architecture2030, GreenPoint or equivalent standards for residential projects. Short Text of Measure (with any minor modifications necessary, 50 words max): The implementation of mandatory green building standards for new and renovated single- family and multi-family homes based on the Architecture 2030 principle, as adopted by the CEC and CPUC, of building homes with increasingly higher energy efficiency requirements until net zero energy capability is achieved for all new residential development. No building permit would be issued without meeting these standards. Recommended Performance Metrics for Measure (50 words max): The implementation of this measure requires an addition to the City’s municipal code stipulating the new green building standard. Performance would be gauged by measuring the number of building permits applied for, the number accepted, and the number of compliant buildings built. Recommended Long Text for Measure (250 words max) (Please include the following:  Important Background Information (explain acronyms like AFV or PPA)  A clear description of the measure itself  A brief summary of “prior execution” of this measure in other cities. The city of Chula Vista Climate Change Working Group recommends that the City of Chula Vista adopt a series of green building standards based on the principles of Architecture 2030 which have recently been adopted by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Energy Commission (CEC) as part of their 8 energy efficiency initiatives. The standards would require all new and major renovations of single-family and multi-family homes to submit and follow plans that fulfill the Architecture 2030 principle that “all new buildings, developments, and major renovations be designed to meet fossil fuel, greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting, energy consumption performance standard” of, initially, 60% of the regional average of that building type2. The City would then be required to periodically increase the standards, to 70%, 80%, and 90% until requiring zero net energy capability, meaning the ability to produce as much energy as it consumes if on-site generation were added, for all new buildings by 2020, per the CPUC goals for residential development. No building permit shall be issued without evidence that the covered buildings will meet these standards. Buildings that do not conform to the standards will be deemed “non-compliant” with Chula Vista’s building code. In September, the CPUC began the process to adopt the same goals of net zero energy homes by 2020 that the working group is proposing. Furthermore, more and more cities are adopting mandatory green building standards for residential development to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Recently, the cities of West Hollywood, Santa Cruz, and Santa Monica have adopted these requirements for residential development. The city of Austin, Texas has recently begun adopting a series of building code requirements also designed to create net zero energy homes. Please provide concise answers for how the project will have/be: (complete sentences) Fiscally Feasible: The city of Chula Vista currently has building code requirements that must be met in order to attain a building permit. These proposed standards would be simply a small and modest addition to these existing building standards, thus taking advantage of already existing implementation and enforcement mechanisms. Additional training for existing staff may be required. However, it is not likely for there to be significant additional costs connected to this proposal. Short Timeframe: The implementation of these standards- given their modest scope could occur as soon as adequate notice is given to the public. The fact that the implementation and enforcement process is already in place, allows the standards to be up and running immediately. Quantifiable Results: Reductions in energy use by buildings are among the easiest things to quantify in the City’s GHG emissions inventory. Mandatory green building requirements have proven throughout the nation and according to credible sources such as the DOE and AIA as an effective means to dramatically lowering carbon emissions. 2http://www.architecture2030.org/2030_challenge/index.html 9 Prior Execution: Mandatory residential green building standards have been adopted or are being adopted in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Santa Cruz, Boulder, CO, and Austin, TX. No Adverse Effects: While these standards add an additional requirement in order to be issued a building permit within the city, these standards are no different than other building requirements currently imposed on developers- including structural, lighting, earthquake safety, ventilation requirements, etc. Such standards have proven to have little if any adverse effects on the number of permits sought. The fact that the proposed standard allows developers the flexibility and autonomy to determine how best to meet these requirements will offset the burden associated with meeting an additional procedural requirement. In addition, such a requirement will reduce the future growth in peak demand for electricity thus reducing the future need for the South Bay Power Plant.