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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMeasure Text Comments from 1.30.081 of 2 CITY OF CHULA VISTA Climate Change Working Group Final Recommended Measures Measure 1: Adopt strict community-wide energy code requirements[CB1]. Short Text of Measure The City of Chula Vista Climate Change Working Group recommends that City of Chula Vista[CB2] adopt community-wide energy code requirements to help buildings exceed the energy-efficiency standards set by California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 24[CB3]. Recommended Long Text for Measure[CB4] Energy use by existing building stock accounts for nearly half of Chula Vista’s Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The City’s Climate Change Working Group recommends that the City take action to reduce emissions from buildings by creating municipal code requirements that encourage builders to exceed Title 24 requirements. Encouraging builders and building managers to meet higher energy efficiency standards would help support the long-term value of the City’s building stock by encouraging upkeep and assuring the future reliability and comfort of structures. Building energy efficiency standards are currently set by California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 24.12. Though Title 24 energy standards are among the strictest energy[CB5] codes in the U.S, buildings constructed to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Efficient Design) standards are frequently 30% more efficient than buildings simply built to Title 24 Standards. Opportunities for energy savings are particularly great in the residential sector, where Title 24 requirements are comparatively less stringent. The Climate Change Working Group recommends that the city take advantage of this potentially tremendous energy savings by creating a municipal code requiring buildings to exceed Title 24 standards. Options for Implementation Cities that have adopted municipal Green Building Codes have taken a number of different approaches to their design and implementation. Factors which must be considered when designing the code include:  Which sectors the codes should apply to? Residential? Commercial? All projects over a certain square footage?  Which standards should be used? Architecture 2030, LEED Standards? Green Point Standards? Custom-designed standards? 2 of 2  Over what time frame should the standards be implemented? Months? Years? Should the standards become increasingly strict with time? While the Climate Change Working Group strongly recommends that the City enact codes to make both new and remodeled buildings more efficient, the logistics of creating a Green Building Code for Chula Vista require research time and effort beyond the scope of the Working Group. By approving this measure, Council will direct staff to research and develop an implementation plan for this code. Recommended Performance Metrics for Measure: 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. 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 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 3 of 2 are based on those being adopted by two state agencies illustrates how feasible these principles so as to be adopted in California. 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. Measure 1: Adopt strict community-wide energy code requirements[CB6]. Short Text of Measure The City of Chula Vista Climate Change Working Group recommends that City of Chula Vista[CB7] adopt community-wide energy code requirements to help buildings exceed the energy-efficiency standards set by California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 24[CB8]. Recommended Long Text for Measure[CB9] Energy use by existing building stock accounts for nearly half of Chula Vista’s Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The City’s Climate Change Working Group recommends that the City take action to reduce emissions from buildings by creating municipal code requirements that encourage builders to exceed Title 24 requirements. Encouraging builders and building managers to meet higher energy efficiency standards would help support the long-term value of the City’s building stock by encouraging upkeep and assuring the future reliability and comfort of structures. Building energy efficiency standards are currently set by California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 24.12. Though Title 24 energy standards are among the strictest energy[CB10] codes in the U.S, buildings constructed to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Efficient Design) standards are frequently 30% more efficient than buildings simply built to Title 24 Standards. The Climate Change Working Group recommends that the city take advantage of this potentially tremendous energy savings by creating a municipal code requiring new construction over a certain square footage to be built a certain percentile more efficient than Title 24 standards[CB11]. In Boston, all buildings over 50,000 square feet must be built to green building standards. In the City of West Hollywood, different building types trigger different green building regulations. Working out the logistics of this measure will be one of the challenges in its implementation. One reason why the City’s Community-wide Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions increased by 35% between 1990 and 2005 was because the City nearly doubled in population during this period. So long as the City of Chula Vista continues to add new buildings with standard energy-use levels, the City’s GHG emissions will continue to grow. This measure will help mitigate the Carbon Costs of continued growth by helping the City move towards net-zero new construction. Recommended Performance Metrics for Measure 4 of 2 Performance could be measured by the inclusion of a stipulation in the municipal code requiring all new construction to be built a percentage more efficient than Title 24 Standards. [CB12] Fiscally Feasible: Primary costs for building more energy-efficient structures would be the responsibility of property owners and builders. Implementation of the Municipal Codes would require additional staff support to help Planning and Building Department Customers understand the new requirements and to verify the improved efficiency through inspection[CB13]. Effort to plan and facilitate this code change would likely require City Funding. While it is possible that these staff costs could be paid through a CPUC/SDG&E Energy Efficiency Partnership Grant, we cannot assume that the City will be a grant recipient in the next Partnership Cycle. Short[CB14] Timeframe: Assuming the Code is put into place quickly, the City could start seeing the benefit of increased building energy efficiency in a very short timeframe. Quantifiable Results: The impact of actions which reduce energy use are among the easiest to quantify. Prior Execution: Santa Monica, CA, West Hollywood, CA and Boston, MA are among the cities that have implemented energy efficiency codes meant to go beyond state regulations. No Adverse Effects[CB15]: Cities are often concerned that increased energy efficiency regulations[CB16] will hinder their ability to attract developers and businesses to their city. The practical experience of cities like Boston and Santa Monica suggest that energy efficiency requirements can actually work to a city’s benefit, attracting “green” industries and other progressive businesses. Chula Vista has already expressed its commitment to becoming a city that prioritizes green development through its involvement with the National Energy Center for Sustainable Communities and through its participation in the U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement. These codes will help direct the City towards growth that is environmentally and economically sustainable. Relevant Links: 1) Boston Green Building Program: http://www.cityofboston.gov/bra/gbtf/GBTFhome.asp 2) Santa Monica Green Building Program: http://greenbuildings.santa-monica.org/ 3) Santa Monica Municipal Code: http://www.qcode.us/codes/santamonica/index.php?topic=8-8_108-8_108_060 4) Los Angeles Bar Association Review of California Municipal Green Building Codes: http://www.lacba.org/showpage.cfm?pageid=8922 5 of 2 Measure 2: Mandatory Energy Assessments for Businesses Short Text of Measure[CB17] The City of Chula Vista Climate Change Working Group recommends that City of Chula Vista-licensed businesses be required to participate in an energy assessment of their physical premises every three years[CB18]. Recommended Performance Metrics for Measure 6 of 2 The implementation of this measure requires an addition to the City’s municipal code stipulating[CB19] the energy assessment requirement. Before the code could be written it would be necessary to establish who would perform the assessments (likely City Staff supported by SDG&E), what standards were to be met, and how the assessments would be integrated into the business licensing process. Once the code was in place, performance [CB20]could be gauged by measuring the number of assessments completed. Recommended Long Text for Measure The City of Chula Vista Climate Change Working Group recommends that City of Chula Vista-licensed businesses be required to participate in an energy assessment of their physical premises every three years as a way of helping city businesses take advantage of rapidly evolving energy-efficiency practices and technologies. The City of San Diego has had a similar code in place since the early nineties requiring that all buildings receiving water service from the City of San Diego obtain a Water Conservation Plumbing Certificate upon change of ownership. This requirement has led to widespread installation of water-conserving equipment in the building stock. The City of Berkeley has a similar municipal code in place requiring businesses to complete an energy assessment upon change of ownership. This code has been shown to create a heightened awareness of energy conservation among citizens. The proposed requirement for businesses to complete an energy assessment would be based on the City of San Diego/ City of Berkeley codes, but would require assessments to take place every three years rather than upon change of ownership. The proposed code would integrate the assessments into the existing Business License Renewal Program, with assessments to be conducted by City Staff with support from the SDG&E Partnership Programs. Specific energy-management standards would vary by business type, but would be designed for flexibility in order to help take advantage of emerging technologies. Fiscally Feasible: City Staff currently conduct energy assessments as part of the SDG&E-City of Chula Vista Energy Conservation Program. The required business assessments would be an outgrowth of that effort, and may be separately grant-funded. Short Timeframe: Increased business energy assessments could result almost immediately in energy conservation/ efficiency behaviors. Reduction in CO2 emissions can reasonably be expected within the 2-3 year time frame. Quantifiable Results: Reductions in energy use are among the easiest things to quantify in the City’s GHG emissions inventory. Effective energy assessments that change business behaviors can be expected to yield quantifiable, albeit modest, GHG reductions. 7 of 2 Prior Execution: Berkeley, CA, San Jose, CA, San Diego, CA (water assessment) No Adverse Effects: While requiring businesses to complete an energy assessment every three years would add an additional complication to the business licensing process, the benefit to businesses in cost savings through energy use reduction can be expected to overwhelm the hassle of completing the assessment. It is possible that the assessments would create additional complexity for the City’s business licensing staff. Measure[CB21] Number 4: Require LEED/Architecture 2030 or equivalent standards[CB22] for commercial or industrial projects[CB23][CB24]. Short Text of Measure: 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 8 of 2 until net zero energy capability is achieved for all new commercial/industrial development. No building permit would be issued without meeting these standards. Recommended Long Text for Measure) 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[CB25] 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 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. Recommended Performance Metrics for Measure: 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. 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. 1http://www.architecture2030.org/2030_challenge/index.html 9 of 2 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 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. 120 Measure Number 5: Require LEED/ Architecture2030, GreenPoint or equivalent standards for residential projects. Short Text of Measure: 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. 10 of 2 Recommended Performance Metrics for Measure 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 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 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, initiall y, 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. 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. 2http://www.architecture2030.org/2030_challenge/index.html 11 of 2 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. 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. Measure 63: Solar Energy Conversion Program Short Text of Measure The City of Chula Vista Climate Change Working Group recommends that City of Chula Vista facilitate widespread installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on commercial, residential, and municipal facilities by developing and implementing a solar energy conversion program. Recommended Long Text for Measure 12 of 2 Developing cleaner sources of energy is one of the keys to curbing global warming and preventing climate change. Solar energy remains a largely untapped resource for generating clean energy. According to the U.S. EPA:  Each day more solar energy hits the Earth than its inhabitants could consume in 27 years.  Solar energy technologies produce minor amounts of greenhouse gases, generated mostly during the manufacturing process.  A 100-megawatt solar thermal electric power plant, over 20 years, will avoid more than 3 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions when compared to the cleanest conventional fossil fuel-powered electric plants. Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity. PV panels can be mounted to commercial, residential, and municipal buildings and connected directly to the energy grid. For residential applications, annual audits by the energy company provide a comparison between the energy contributed to the amount of energy used. If there is a shortfall, the user then pays for the difference. Excess energy is considered a contribution or a renewable energy credit. The Working Group discussed reasons why more homeowners are not doing solar conversions. One of these reasons is that homeowners generally do not trust contractors. A City sponsored contractor certification program for residential solar conversions is recommended. For commercial and municipal applications, there are firms that specialize in developing larger solar systems. A solar system can actually provide companies and municipalities with a new source of revenue. The following is an example of a firm providing this service. This is not meant as an endorsement of any particular firm’s qualifications or abilities, simply as an example. We help businesses turn unused space into a clean energy asset that will reduce costs and deliver economic value. Leading businesses are beginning to leverage “stranded assets” such as rooftops and land to create greater economic value for their company. At Element Markets, we deliver the capital and project development expertise needed to convert rooftops into clean solar energy—at no cost to the rooftop or land owner. Solar energy from existing sites can:  Reduce operating expenses with no impact on operating procedures  Offset exposure to rising electricity costs  Create greater economic value for shareholders  Strengthen a company’s brand reputation by providing visible proof of a commitment to sustainability 13 of 2 Our solar development group designs, builds, operates and maintains solar installations ranging in size from .250 to 100 megawatts. We offer a wide range of solar product offerings to fit a variety of customers. The offerings include direct purchase of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, operating leases for distributed PV systems, or providing solar energy services through a power purchase agreement. Our understanding of the complex federal, state and local incentives surrounding renewable development, combined with our ability to fund projects allows us to create favorable financing structures for our clients. Element Markets LLC • One Sugar Creek Center Blvd, Ste. 250 • Sugar Land, TX 77478 USA P: 281.207.7200 • F: 281.207.7211 contactus@elementmarkets.com Recommended Performance Metrics for Measure Performance could be measured by the number of commercial, residential, and municipal facilities installing solar PV systems each year. Performance could also be measured by the number of megawatts produced by program installed PV systems. City-wide clean energy generation goals could be established; i.e. 100 megawatts by 2012, 200 megawatts by 2015, etc. This could then be compared to the total energy consumption by businesses, residents and municipalities in the City of Chula Vista to establish a clean energy rating for the City. This clean energy rating could be used to benchmark cities across the country. The amount of greenhouse gasses that would have been emitted if the City had continued to rely on conventional fossil fuel power plants could also be calculated. Fiscally Feasible: Start up costs could be financed by the city, through state and federal grants[CB26], private financing, and SDG&E. Partnerships could be developed between the City and financial institutions in order to make low cost loans available to residential program participants. The City of Santa Monica, with its Solar Santa Monica program, recently selected financial partners to provide low cost loans to program participants. Residential subsidies could also be made available with the implementation of a tax measure program. A public global warming survey by the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies showed 72 percent of those surveyed supported a city or local subsidy[CB27] to encourage homeowners to install electricity generating solar panels. Partnerships could be developed between the City and specialty firms to help finance and implement commercial and municipality solar systems. Short Timeframe: If aggressively pursued, a basic program could be put in place in 12 to 18 months. Developing a residential program subsidy would be more within the 2 to 4 year time frame. Quantifiable Results: Yes. Widespread solar energy conversion in the City of Chula Vista would help shift energy production from green-house gas (GHG) producing 14 of 2 industries to non-GHG producing industries. See the discussion on Performance Metrics above. Prior Execution: City of Santa Monica “Solar Santa Monica” program, City of San Francisco “Climate Action Plan”. No Adverse Effects: Facilitating solar energy conversions would not cause adverse economic or social impacts or shift negative environmental impacts to another sector. Creating a robust solar energy conversion program would encourage economic development and create opportunities for the struggling housing construction industry. Attachments 1. U.S. EPA Fact Sheet: Climate Change Technologies, Solar Energy 2. Solar Santa Monica (Web pages) 3. The GfK Roper Yale Survey on Environmental Issues 4. Climate Action Plan for San Francisco (excerpt) Measure 7: Smart Growth around Trolley Stations Short Text of Measure The City of Chula Vista Climate Change Working Group recommends that City of Chula Vista facilitate smart growth around the H Street, E Street, and Palomar Street Trolley Stations. Recommended Performance Metrics for Measure 15 of 2 Performance could be measured by the number of building permits issued within one- quarter mile of the trolley stations. Recommended Long Text for Measure Chula Vista’s trolley stations offer a unique smart growth opportunity. Smart growth is a compact, efficient, and environmentally sensitive pattern of development that provides people with additional travel, housing, and employment choices by focusing f uture growth away from rural areas and closer to existing and planned job centers and public facilities. Smart growth reduces dependence on the automobile for travel needs. Automobile travel reductions reduce the burning of fossil fuels that contribute to greenhouse gasses and climate change. The E Street and H Street trolley stations are defined as Primary Gateways within the Promenade Vision Area in the City of Chula Vista Urban Core Specific Plan. The vision description is as follows. A dynamic mix of regional transit centers, visitor serving uses and a retail complex surrounds an enhanced, medium-rise residential quarter. Circulation is improved by re-establishing the traditional street grid. A tree-lined, extended linear park offers both neighborhood and community serving amenities supported by mid- block paseos. The park transitions from an active community venue with a more formal landscape to recreational features such as tennis and basketball courts to passive greens. Anchoring the park, the retail plaza links the Bayfront to the regional mall. Ample public spaces provide for open air markets, mercados, cultural festivals, art exhibits and other community events. A difficult topic to address with any smart growth project is traffic impact. This issue would be easier to address if a trolley station were made an integral part of the smart growth project. Interstate 5 and a robust grid network of local streets are also in close proximity to the E Street, H Street, and Palomar Street Trolley Stations. Fiscally Feasible: Yes. Short Timeframe: If aggressively pursued, new building permits could be issued in 18 to 24 months. Quantifiable Results: Possible. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions could be quantified by developing an estimated emission value per square foot of smart growth residential space and an estimated emission value per square foot of more traditional suburban residential space. The difference between the two could be used to calculate the emissions reduction due to new residential smart growth around the trolley stations. 16 of 2 Prior Execution: “New Places, New Choices: Transit-Oriented Development in the San Francisco Bay Area, November 2006” www.mtc.ca.gov/library/TOD/index.htm, transitvillages.org, transitorienteddevelopoment.org. No Adverse Effects: Implementing smart growth around trolley stations would potentially cause adverse economic or social impacts and potentially shift negative environmental impacts to another sector. However, these issues would need to be studied in greater detail with any proposed project and the net overall impacts are expected to be positive[CB28]. Measure 8: Encourage Turf Grass Conversion Short Text of Measure The City of Chula Vista Climate Change Working Group recommends that City of Chula Vista[CB29] coordinate with Otay Water District, San Diego County Water Authority, and the Sweetwater Authority on turf lawn conversions for commercial and residential properties. 17 of 2 Recommended Long Text for Measure The pumping of water and wastewater in California is estimated to take up at least seven percent of the State’s total energy usage, making water use a significant contributor to the State’s overall CO2 emissions. (2007 PIER Report, http://www.energy.ca.gov/pier/iaw/industry/water.html). According to the San Diego County Water Authority, up to fifty percent of household water use goes to thirsty turf grass lawns. The Climate Change Working Group recommends that the City support and coordinate with existing programs aimed at reducing the amount of water used in landscaping. The Otay Water District’s “Cash for Plants” program pays residents and businesses up to $2,200 to convert turf lawns or other high-water-use plants to low-water-use plants. This type of landscaping is called xeriscaping and utilizes San Diego native and California friendly plants. However, the program is restricted to turf grass lawns larger than 750 square feet. This restricts many residential and commercial properties from the program. The City is encouraged to work with Otay Water District to open its program to all residents and businesses. Currently, the Sweetwater Authority does not have a rebate program. The City is encouraged to work with the Sweetwater Authority to develop a program. The City could help to promote these rebates by integrating the information into existing community outreach activities, thereby increasing the numbers of Chula Vista lawns converted to xeriscape. The City could also help residents overcome HOA rules and other logistical barriers to xeriscape conversion. The City is also encouraged to work with the San Diego County Water Authority on developing rebate programs. Recommended Performance Metrics for Measure The success of coordination/ support efforts could be gauged by comparing numbers of existing turf-to-xeriscape grant applications with the numbers of applications two or three years into the future, with the expectation that coordination would result in a marked increase in applications. Fiscally Feasible: The fiscal demands on the City would vary depending on the degree (and type) of support the City chose to provide. At present, the City has a Nature- Friendly gardening program (Naturescape) that encourages residents to adopt California- Friendly Gardening practices. This program could be easily adapted to put an even greater focus on turf-to-xeriscape conversion programs. The Naturescape program is expected to end in June 2008, however, primarily due to lack of funding. The City could re-instate this program with potential financial support from the water authorities. 18 of 2 Short Timeframe: Because the City has funding in place for the Naturescape program until June 2008, support and promotion of the Water District Cash For Plants programs could begin at once. It is expected that increased promotion would lead to an accelerated pace of landscape conversion in the next 2-3 years. Quantifiable Results: A study from the Southern Nevada Water Authority shows a net average residential water use savings of 30% for homes that have converted turf to xeriscape. Large scale implementation of the Water Authority Cash for Plants Program would likely have an impact on GHG emissions from water use, though the overall effect on the City’s GHG emissions would be relatively small. Prior Execution: Similar programs have been implemented with success in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mesa, Arizona and Cathedral City, California. No Adverse Effects: While some studies show that well-watered turf lawns function as a carbon sink in some areas, we can reasonably assume that the CO2 cost of importing water, maintaining the lawns (requiring gas-powered mowers and travel by landscaping crews) and then managing runoff outweigh any carbon sequestration benefits the turf might have in Chula Vista. Attachments 5. Cash_For_Plants.pdf : Otay Water District Flyer promoting Xeriscape Conversion Incentives 6. xeri_study_final.pdf: Southern Nevada Water Authority Study on residential water savings from xeriscape conversion. Measure 9: Incorporate AFV (electric, biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen, CNG) into[CB30] 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). 19 of 2 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[CB31]), 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 including 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: 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: 20 of 2 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. Measure Number 10: 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 : 21 of 2 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: 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. 22 of 2 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 industr y 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.