A G E N D A R E P O R T S U M M A R Y

MEETING DATE: May 25, 2010

SUBJECT: Community Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Report

RECOMMENDATION: A. Receive Community GHG Survey Los Altos Environmental Commission; and B. Approve modification to the Environmental Commission 2009-2010 Work Plan.

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT

AMOUNT: NONE

BUDGETED: Y _______ N _______ FUNDING SOURCE:

Finance Director: _______________ Russell J. Morreale

ATTACHMENTS

Environmental Commission Report Community GHG Survey Los Altos Environmental Commission

PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE Date of Publication

NONE

PREVIOUS COUNCIL

CONSIDERATION July 28, 2009

CEQA STATUS

(If Required) NOT APPLICABLE

J. Logan ___ _______________ Department/Director Name Douglas J. Schmitz, City Manager

May 18, 2010 ___ __________________________ Date Date

A G E N D A R E P O R T

DATE: May 25, 2010 TO: City Council FROM: Environmental Commission SUBJECT: COMMUNITY GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) INVENTORY REPORT RECOMMENDATION A. Receive Community GHG Survey Los Altos Environmental Commission; and B. Approve modification to the Environmental Commission 2009-2010 Work Plan. BACKGROUND On September 22, 2009, Council received the City of Los Altos Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Report. On July 28, 2009, City Council approved the Environmental Commission 2009-2010 Work Plan. One of the approved Commission goals was to investigate the feasibility of accomplishing a GHG inventory for the community. The Environmental Commission appointed a sub-committee who investigated the process, deemed it feasible, and Commissioners agreed to begin the Community Greenhouse Gas Survey using ICLEI methodology. The Community Greenhouse Gas Survey is now completed, approved by the Environmental Commission, reviewed with staff, and is now presented to the City Council. DISCUSSION Due to legislative, environmental, and economic reasons, many cities are now trying to reduce carbon emissions. AB32 and SB375 encourage California cities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 15% from current levels by 2020 and achieve an 80% reduction by 2050. The above-referenced ICLEI methodology and tools are widely accepted by local governments as an effective means to organize and plan this process. This is also the methodology used by staff to complete the City of Los Altos 2005 Government Operations Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. Following the ICLEI methodology, the Environmental Commission Sub-Committee gathered baseline data for electricity and gas directly from PG&E that is based on actual metered usage; auto transport data that is based on California State Highway Department tracking data, and air transportation data that is estimated based on U.S. averages.

We request that the City Council receive this Community GHG Survey Report thereby completing Step 1 of the ICLEI five-step process as defined below:

1. Inventory current level of GHG emissions 2. Establish target for reduction 3. Develop reduction plan 4. Implement reduction plan 5. Monitor/evaluate progress

After discussion with staff, the Environmental Commission believes we are now in a position to work together to move forward to Steps 2 and 3 in the ICLEI process. We propose to develop a target and a reduction plan, and request modification of the Environmental Commission 2009-2010 Work Plan to reflect this direction. The Commission proposes to set a goal consistent with the majority of cities in California who have already established them. The goals are intended to demonstrate commitment to reducing GHG emissions; there is no legislative or punitive remedy for failing to achieve them. However, the Commission believes that setting goals is instrumental in getting the community focused on a target for reductions. We propose to use ICLEI tools to model potential GHG reduction strategies, costs, and payback, and recommend those with the most positive impact for our city. We anticipate that community outreach and education will comprise the largest part of that Community GHG Reduction Plan. Additionally, we feel there are opportunities beyond GHG emission reductions to address and would like to broaden the scope of the reduction plan to include monitoring and reducing water usage and other natural resources. The resulting recommendations for both target and implementation plans would be brought before Council for approval. FISCAL IMPACT None. It is anticipated that the majority of work will be completed by the Environmental Commission, but some staff time will be required to evaluate alternatives and recommend next steps by the City. ALTERNATIVES Provide direction to the Environmental Commission regarding next steps for community GHG reductions. Attachment(s): Community GHG Survey Los Altos Environmental Commission

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Community GHG SurveyLos Altos Environmental Commission

Update 04/12/10

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What is Driving a GHG Emissions Inventory?

Source: Presentation by ICLEI and Los Altos Hills, LAH GHG Emissions Inventory

o AB-32, California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006

• “Ensure rigorous and consistent accounting of emissions”

o Specific Targets defined in AB32 - reduce statewide GHG emissions to . . .

• 2000 levels by 2010• 1990 levels by 2020• 80% below 1990 by 2050

AB32 Scoping Plan Recommends 15% Reduction from Current by 2020

o Many cities are now engaged in GHG inventory activityPalo Alto, Menlo Park, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Woodside, San CarlosSouth San Francisco, Daly City, Monte Sereno, Cupertino, Mountain View, Redwood City, Brisbane, San Bruno, Saratoga, Hillsborough, Foster City, Los Gatos, Half Moon Bay, Los Altos, Campbell, Milpitas, etc.

Los Altos GHG Inventory Progress

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Aug 2009: EC establishes sub-

committee to investigate feasibility of completing

Community GHG Inventory

Sept 2009: Subcommittee recommends

moving ahead; EC approves motion

unanimously

Oct 2009: Staff arranges ICLEI access

for GHG subcommittee

July 2009: EC includes “investigate

feasibility of accomplishing GHG Inventory for the

Community ” on FY2009-2010 Goals and Work Plan. City Council Approves Work Plan at meeting on July 28,

2009.

Feb 2010: Preliminary Community Inventory Results

presented to EC

Apr 2010: Community Inventory Results

reviewed with Staff

May 2010: Request

approval for modification of EC work plan

2009: Los Altos completes

Government Operations

GHG Inventory

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ICLEI’s Recommended Process

We are here

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Los Altos Community GHG Inventory – Milestone #1 ICLEI Method Milestone #1

Los Altos 2005Community Emissions209,440 tonnes CO2e

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How confident are we in the current inventory?

1. ICLEI methodology is widely used and accepted.

2. High confidence levels: > 80% of data based on actual usage

3. Comparison with other municipal inventories* passes the “reasonableness test.”

* Community GHG inventory from Los Altos Hills, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and Mountain View

Actual Usage Data

(Gas, Electric, Waste)

Actual Usage

Data and State

Models (Auto)

High Level Estimates (Air Trans-portation)

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Recommendation

Milestone #1: That the LA City Council receive the

Los Altos Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report.

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ICLEI’s Recommended Process

Our next Step

Milestone #2: Establishing a target – what have other cities done?

Formal Targets Approved

• Alameda• Benicia• Berkeley• Burlingame• Fremont• Hayward• Los Altos Hills• Millbrae• Morgan Hill• Mountain View• Palo Alto• Richmond• San Carlos• San Francisco• San Leandro• San Mateo• San Rafael• Santa Cruz

Decision Pending by City Council

Informal, non-binding Goals

• Foster City• Redwood City• Portola Valley• Sunnyvale

• Hillsborough

9Source: Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network

Milestone #2: Establishing a target – what have other cities done?

Solid shape = formal goal

Dotted border = informal goal, or currently under consideration for formal goal

Legend

Current Community GHG Reduction Targets

Source: Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network

Note: AB32 goals are - 80% from 1990

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Los Altos Gas & Electricity Use is on the rise

Commercial

Residential

Residential Footprint is ~ 71% of total

Electricity GHG

Gas GHG

Ratio of Gas / Electricity has remained fairly constant

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Commercial+6.5%

Residential+2.7%

Gas+3.0%

Electricity+4.4%

Overall+3.8%

Since 2005, Los Altos GHG Footprint has increased in all categories

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Community GHG Footprint= 99%

Municipal Operations GHG Inventory = 1%

of Total

Community Footprint Significantly Larger than Municipal Operations Footprint

Largest overall opportunities for GHG reduction are in community energy use and transportation

Recommendation

That the LA City Council approve modification of Environmental Commission 2010 work plan

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ICLEI’s Recommended Process

And then…

Residential ElectricityHome Audits & Educational ProgramsContinued promotion of Residential

Solar PVGreening of Grid Electricity by PG&EAvailability of Green Energy option by

2012

Natural GasHome Audits & Educational Programs

Commercial Gas & Electric:Outreach to Foothill College, etc.

Residential Solid Waste:Switch to Green Waste 10

Los Altos Hills: a slide deck

Climate action Plan: What does it take?

Palo Alto: a book

Full Chapters on

Utility Programs

Sustainable Purchasing

Transportation and Land Use

Green Building

Zero Waste

Education Strategies

Basic More Complex

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Summary of recommendations

• #1: That the LA City Council receive the Los Altos Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report.

• #2: That the LA City Council approve modification of Environmental Commission 2010 work plan

Backup Slides

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How are GHG Inventories Calculated?

Source: City of Los Altos 2005 Government Operations Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

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Some GHG Conversion Factors . . . not all kWh’s are Equal!

Source: AltaTerra Research Analysis

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Data on Community Energy Use, 2005 - 2008

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Auto Transportation Data using ICLEI Method

This process may undercount for Los Altos; assuming 2 cars/household, average annual ‘mileage per car’ would be 8,395 (vs ~15,000)

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Air Transportation Data – Estimation Method

Sources: RITA US Air Carrier Traffic Statistics, Jan-December 2005, GHG Protocol Mobile Combusion Tool