city of el cajon climate action plan

CITY OF EL CAJON

Climate Action Plan

DRAFT APRIL 2019

PREPARED BY: The City of El Cajon

IN CONSULTATION WITH: Ascent Environmental, Inc.

Energy Policy Initiatives Center

CITY OF EL CAJON CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

Prepared for:

City of El Cajon

200 Civic Center Way El Cajon, California 92020

Prepared by:

1230 Columbia Street, Suite 440

San Diego, California 92101

5998 Alcalá Park

San Diego, California 92110

Prepared in partnership with the San Diego Association of Governments and the Roadmap Program. This Program is partially funded by California utility customers and administered by San Diego Gas & Electric

Company under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

April 2019

CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

City of El Cajon City Council Bill Wells, Mayor

Steve Goble, Deputy Mayor and Member

Gary Kendrick, Councilmember District 1

Bob McClellan, Councilmember

Planning Commission Paul Circo, Chair

David Ortiz, Vice Chair

Veronica Longoria

Darrin Mroz

Anthony Sottile

City Manager’s Office Graham Mitchell, City Manager

Vince DiMaggio, Assistant City Manager

City Staff Anthony Shute, Community Development Director

Melissa Devine, Senior Planner

Lorena Cordova, Associate Planner

Dirk Epperson, Director of Public Works

Yazmin Arellano, City Engineer

Mario Sanchez, City Traffic Engineer

Ascent Environmental Honey Walters, Principal

Poonam Boparai, Project Director

Heidi Gen Kuong, Project Manager

Ricky Williams, Planner

Corey Alling, Communications Specialist

Michele Mattei, Document Production Specialist

Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) – University of San Diego Scott Anders, Director

Nilmini Silva-Send, PhD, Assistant Director/Adjunct Professor

Yichao Gu, Technical Policy Analyst

San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Allison Wood, Associate Regional Energy/Climate Planner

Katie Hentrich, Associate Regional Energy/Climate Planner

City of El Cajon Climate Action Plan i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................... iii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................... ES-1

1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Introduction to Climate Change Science ..................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Regulatory Background ............................................................................................... 1-3

1.2.1 California ......................................................................................................... 1-3 1.2.2 City of El Cajon ................................................................................................ 1-5 1.2.3 California Environmental Quality Act .............................................................. 1-7

1.3 Purpose and Objectives .............................................................................................. 1-8 1.4 Co-Benefits .................................................................................................................. 1-8 1.5 Community Engagement and Outreach ...................................................................... 1-9

1.5.1 CAP Outreach Strategy .................................................................................... 1-9

2 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS INVENTORY, PROJECTIONS, AND REDUCTION TARGETS .......... 2-1 2.1 Purpose of a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory .................................................... 2-1 2.2 Baseline Inventory ...................................................................................................... 2-2

2.2.1 2012 Baseline Emissions .................................................................................. 2-3 2.3 Emission Projections ................................................................................................... 2-4

2.3.1 Demographic Trends ....................................................................................... 2-5 2.3.2 Business as Usual Projections .......................................................................... 2-5

2.4 Reductions Targets ..................................................................................................... 2-6

3 GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION STRATEGIES, MEASURES, AND ACTIONS ............................... 3-1 3.1 Summary of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategies ................................................... 3-1 3.2 Detailed Strategies, Measures, and Actions ............................................................... 3-2

3.2.1 Transportation ................................................................................................. 3-3 3.2.2 Energy .............................................................................................................. 3-8 3.2.3 Waste and Water ........................................................................................... 3-12 3.2.4 Carbon Sequestration .................................................................................... 3-13

4 IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING ................................................................................. 4-1 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 4-1 4.2 Implementation Strategy ............................................................................................ 4-1

4.2.1 Implementation Priority .................................................................................. 4-1 4.3 Monitoring and Updates ............................................................................................. 4-6 4.4 Ongoing Engagement .................................................................................................. 4-7 4.5 Funding Sources .......................................................................................................... 4-7

5 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................ 5-1

Table of Contents

ii City of El Cajon Climate Action Plan

Appendices A Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories and Projections

B Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets and Measures

Figures Figure 1-1 The Greenhouse Effect ......................................................................................................... 1-2

Figure 2-1 GHG Emissions Inventory for the City of El Cajon in 2012 by Emissions Sector ................ 2-3

Figure 2-2 BAU and Legislatively-Adjusted BAU Projections and Targets Without CAP Actions ........ 2-8

Tables Table ES-1 GHG Emissions Projections and Targets ............................................................................ ES-3

Table 1-1 Relevant Federal and State Regulations .............................................................................. 1-4

Table 1-2 Existing City Actions that Reduce GHG Emissions ............................................................... 1-6

Table 2-1 City of El Cajon Emissions Sectors ........................................................................................... 2

Table 2-2 2012 City of El Cajon Greenhouse Gas Inventory ................................................................... 4

Table 2-3 City of El Cajon Emissions Projections (MTCO2e/year) .......................................................... 6

Table 3-1 Effect of Plan Measures and Legislative Reductions on City of El Cajon Emissions and Target (MTCO2e) ............................................................................................................ 3-2

Table 3-2 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy Framework ............................................................... 3-3

Table 3-3 Strategy 1: Increase Use of Zero-Emission/Alternative Fuel Vehicles ................................ 3-4

Table 3-4 Strategy 2: Reduce Fuel Use ................................................................................................. 3-6

Table 3-5 Strategy 3: Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled .......................................................................... 3-7

Table 3-6 Strategy 4: Increase Building Energy Efficiency ................................................................... 3-9

Table 3-7 Strategy 5: Increase Renewable and Zero-Carbon Energy ................................................ 3-11

Table 3-8 Strategy 6: Increase Water Efficiency ................................................................................ 3-12

Table 3-9 Strategy 7: Reduce and Recycle Solid Waste ..................................................................... 3-13

Table 3-10 Strategy 8: Carbon Sequestration ...................................................................................... 3-14

Table 4-1 Implementation Categories .................................................................................................. 4-2

Table 4-2 Implementation Timeframe .................................................................................................. 4-3

Table 4-3 Implementation Strategy Matrix .......................................................................................... 4-4

Table 4-4 Potential Funding Sources to Support GHG Reduction Measures ..................................... 4-8

List of Abbreviations

City of El Cajon Climate Action Plan iii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

AB Assembly Bill BAU business-as-usual BEV battery electric vehicles CAA Clean Air Act CAFE Corporate Average Fuel Economy CALGreen California Green Building Standards Code CalRecycle California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery Caltrans California Department of Transportation CAP Climate Action Plan CARB California Air Resources Board CCA Community Choice Aggregation CCI California Climate Investments CDBG Community Development Block Grant CEC California Energy Commission CEQA California Environmental Quality Act CFC chlorofluorocarbon CH4 methane City City of El Cajon CO2 carbon dioxide CVUSD Cajon Valley Union School District DOC Department of Conservation EEM Energy Efficient Mortgages EO Executive Order EPIC Energy Policy Initiatives Center EV electric vehicle EVCS electric vehicle charging stations F-gases Fluorinated gases FCEV fuel-cell electric vehicles GHG greenhouse gas GUHSD Grossmont Union High School District GWP global warming potential HERO Home Energy Renovation Opportunity HFC hydrofluorocarbon HPS high pressure sodium HUD U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

iv City of El Cajon Climate Action Plan

IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change kW kilowatt kWh kilowatt hour LED low-emitting diode Metro JPA Metro Wastewater Joint Powers Authority MGD million gallons per day MPOs Metropolitan Planning Organizations MTCO2e metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent MTS Metropolitan Transit System MW megawatts N2O nitrous oxide NewcomersSD Newcomers Support and Development O3 ozone OBF On-Bill Financing OPR Office of Planning and Research PACE Property Assessed Clean Energy PFC perfluorocarbon PHEV plug-in electric hybrids PPA Power Purchase Agreements PV photovoltaic RPS Renewables Portfolio Standard RTP Regional Transportation Plan SANDAG San Diego Association of Governments SB Senate Bill SCS Sustainable Communities Strategy SDG&E San Diego Gas and Electric SF6 Sulfur hexafluoride SGC Strategic Growth Council SLCP Short-lived climate pollutant TDM Transportation Demand Management TDSP Transit District Specific Plan VMT vehicle miles traveled

Executive Summary

City of El Cajon Climate Action Plan ES-1

Executive Summary

Executive Summary


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Climate change is a global issue—members of society, including local governments, play a critical role in reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in their communities. This Climate Action Plan (CAP) provides the City of El Cajon (City) with a comprehensive framework to address the challenges of climate change by reducing GHG emissions locally, finding ways to better manage natural resources, building resiliency over time, and creating community-wide change. The City has dedicated resources and partnered with the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to create this CAP and is committed to being a responsible steward by reducing GHG emissions at the community level. The CAP puts in place a number of locally-based strategies, measures, and actions to reduce community-wide GHG emissions and achieve reduction targets.

Scientific evidence shows that the Earth’s climate is experiencing a warming trend. The warming, as the results of GHGs in the atmosphere, is known as global climate change. As California continues to experience historic trends of rising average temperatures, warmer storms, and higher sea levels, there is evidence that the effects of global climate change are already occurring and that reductions in GHG emissions are needed to prevent the most catastrophic effects of climate change.

The State has also taken several steps to reduce GHG emissions and respond to the threat of global climate change. In 2006, the California Global Warming Solutions Act (Assembly Bill [AB] 32) established the State’s first target to reduce GHG emissions, which created a goal of lowering emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. According to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), California has been making steady progress and is currently on track to achieve the 2020 target. In 2016, Senate Bill (SB) 32 was signed into law, which codified into statute the mid-term GHG reduction target of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, established by Executive Order (EO) B-30-15. The new 2030 target places California on a trajectory towards meeting its longer-term goal, which is to bring emissions down to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Over the last decade, the City has taken steps to address climate change by reducing GHG emissions, both in the City’s operations as well as activities in the broader community. This CAP is based on a community GHG emissions inventory starting in 2012, which is also known as the baseline year. The City has already begun experiencing reductions to citywide GHG emissions and is on track to meet and exceed its 2020 target. Additional efforts are required to meet future reduction targets. It is the City’s intent to assist in reducing GHG emissions on a regional scale by partnering with other local and regional agencies to formulate reduction strategies that meet the broader community’s needs.

Recent City efforts to reduce GHG emissions, reduce energy costs, and improve energy resilience: • Solar energy generation • Electric Vehicle (EV) charging

stations • Water-efficient landscaping • Street-light light-emitting diode

(LED) retrofits

The CAP aims to establish GHG emissions reduction targets that are in line with State goals and identify achievable actions to reduce GHG emissions based on a baseline year of 2012.

Executive Summary

ES-2 City of El Cajon Climate Action Plan

Key Components of Climate Action Planning Climate action planning can be broken down into three main steps:

Step 1: Develop and Maintain a CAP, which includes preparing baseline emissions estimate and emissions projections and developing reduction targets and strategies.

Step 2: Implement the CAP through local actions

Step 3: Monitor and Report Progress on CAP implementation and identify improvements or adjustments that can be made to the plan in the future.

Adoption of a CAP marks the beginning of an iterative process of maintaining, implementing, monitoring, and updating the CAP. These key components are summarized below and shown graphically in Figure ES-1.

Source: SANDAG 2018

Figure ES-1. The Climate Action Planning Process

Executive Summary


Step 1. CAP Development Baseline GHG Inventory A GHG inventory is a snapshot of the emissions associated with a community’s various activities in a given year. A baseline GHG emissions inventory was prepared for 2012; the inventory is consistent with guidance in CARB’s 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan (2017 Scoping Plan) and uses the same base year as SANDAG’s Series 13 Regional Growth Forecast. In 2012, community activities in the City accounted for 685,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e), which, as shown in Figure ES-2, is equivalent to driving 1.7 billion miles or burning 750 million pounds of coal. On-road transportation sources (e.g., vehicular gasoline and diesel consumption) and energy sources (e.g., electricity and natural gas consumption in buildings) accounted for a majority (52 and 44 percent, respectively) of the citywide baseline emissions. The 2012 baseline was used to set targets for emissions reductions based on State goals. The baseline inventory is described in detail in Chapter 2.

Source: Ascent Environmental 2019

Figure ES-2. Community-Wide Greenhouse Gas Generation Equivalency

Projections and Reduction Targets Citywide emissions projections were modeled based on a continuation of current trends in activity, population and job growth, and already adopted legislative actions that could affect future emission sources. This is referred to as Business As Usual (BAU). The City would experience a decrease in emissions through 2020 based on trend data starting in 2012. This decrease is primarily due to increases in vehicle efficiency as older vehicles in the region get replaced, increased amounts of energy generated in the City by photovoltaic (PV) systems (solar panels), and water efficiency efforts resulting in reduced city-wide water consumption. GHG emissions would increase after 2020 through 2030 based on emissions projections because of continued population and job growth in the City, but would not increase to a level greater than the 2012 baseline. City emissions would be 14 percent below 2012 baseline emissions in 2020, and 13 percent below 2012 baseline emissions in 2030 based on projections.

2012 Citywide Emissions sources included: 1. On-Road Transportation (52%) 2. Electricity (31%) 3. Natural Gas (13%) 4. Off-Road Transportation (3%) 5. Solid Waste (2%) 6. Water (1%)

Executive Summary


Federal and State actions that are planned to take place in the future would further reduce the City’s projected emissions when applied across the various GHG emissions sectors. The City’s emissions would be 19 percent below 2012 baseline emissions in 2020 and 37 percent below 2012 baseline emissions in 2030 when the effect of these future Federal and State actions are accounted for in the model. This is represented as the legislatively-adjusted BAU.

Consistent with CARB’s recommendations for community-wide targets, reduction targets were derived for the CAP using a mass emissions approach. These targets, to be achieved through the implementation of the CAP, are to reduce citywide GHG emissions by four percent below 2012 levels by 2020 and by 42 percent below 2012 levels by 2030.

A summary of the projections and targets is shown below in Table ES-1. Further descriptions of the methodology used for calculating each projection and City reduction targets is provided in Chapter 2.

Table ES-1 GHG Emissions Projections and Targets

Projection 2012 Baseline

Emissions (MTCO2e)

2020 2030

Total Emissions (MTCO2e)

Change from 2012 Baseline (%)

Total Emissions (MTCO2e)

Change from 2012 Baseline (%)

BAU 685,000 586,000 -14 593,000 -13

Legislatively-Adjusted BAU -- 558,000 -19 430,000 -37

Based on Reduction Targets -- 659,000 -4 397,000 -40

Notes: BAU = Business-as-usual; GHG = greenhouse gas; MTCO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent

Source: EPIC 2018.

Reduction Strategies, Measures, and Actions The City would meet its 2020 emissions reduction target by continuing current actions and through the implementation of federal and State legislative actions. However, to meet the City’s 2030 reduction target, additional City actions are needed. To meet these targets, the CAP identifies numerous strategies, measures, and actions to reduce GHG emissions citywide from a variety of emissions sources. In total, the City will implement eight strategies, listed below in Table ES-2, with measures and actions associated with each.

Table ES-2 Summary of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategies

Strategy Description

Strategy 1 Increase the Use of Zero-Emission/Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Strategy 2 Reduce Fuel Use

Strategy 3 Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled

Strategy 4 Increase Building Energy Efficiency

Strategy 5 Increase Renewable and Zero-Carbon Energy

Strategy 6 Increase Water Efficiency

Strategy 7 Reduce and Recycle Solid Waste

Strategy 8 Carbon Sequestration

Notes: Source: EPIC 2018.

City emissions are projected to decrease through 2020; after 2020 emissions will begin to increase unless further action is taken by the City.

Executive Summary


Detailed measures and actions were identified within each strategy by assessing the feasibility of implementation, expanding existing programs or policies, considering community feedback, and the potential for co-benefits such as improved air quality and community resiliency through more locally-sourced energy. Where strategies represent the high-level plans implemented to achieve reductions in each emissions category, measures provide objectives that the City will strive to achieve under each strategy. Actions identified within each measure provide direct and measurable emissions reductions through implementation of specific programs, policies, or projects. Some of the major actions resulting in the greatest citywide emissions reductions include:

Action T-2.2: Incentivize the Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Action T-2.3: Increase Clean Air Vehicle Preferential Parking Spaces. Together, these two actions would result in the installation of over 200 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at commercial and residential developments and reduce the parking required citywide. These actions would result in an overall emissions reduction of 1,200 MTCO2e by 2030.

Action T-4.1: Increase Renewable and Alternative Fuel in Construction Equipment. This action would reduce construction emissions by 10 percent, resulting in an emissions reduction of 1,300 MTCO2e by 2030.

Action RE-1.1: Incentivize Photovoltaic Installation on Commercial Buildings and Action RE-1.2: Install Photovoltaic Systems at School Sites. These actions will increase electricity generated through renewable sources for commercial and education buildings citywide and reduce local consumption of electricity generated by non-renewable/imported sources. Together, these actions would result in a reduction of 2,300 MTCO2e by 2030.

Action RE-2.1: Conduct Research and Present to City Council Options to Increase Renewable and Zero-Carbon Electricity. The City will initiate research on methods to increase the supply of renewable and zero-carbon electricity to 80 percent, resulting in an emissions reduction of 14,900 MTCO2e by 2030.

Action SW-1.1: Implement Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling Targets. The City will achieve and maintain a 75 percent waste diversion rate by 2030, resulting in a reduction of 7,800 MTCO2e.

A detailed description of each of the eight strategies, 15 measures, and 28 actions, along with their associated potential GHG emissions reductions, is included in Chapter 3.

Steps 2 and 3. Implementation and Monitoring Implementation and monitoring mechanisms are identified in the CAP to ensure that all strategies, measures, and actions are implemented, and reduction targets achieved. These steps complete the cyclical process of climate action planning, as demonstrated above in Figure ES-1, and provide the necessary information and feedback used to repeat and improve the process.

Implementation of the CAP will require ongoing management, oversight, and collaboration, ensuring that actions translate to on-the-ground results and reductions in GHG emissions. Successful implementation requires investment, long-term commitment, and widespread participation of the community.

Monitoring CAP actions and measures is an important part of ensuring the success of the CAP in meeting the City’s 2030 target. The City will monitor progress towards the 2030 goal by participating in SANDAG’s biennial update of the local GHG inventory. City staff will provide periodical updates to the City Council on CAP implementation and efforts and will update the CAP as needed to ensure CAP actions remain implementable, adjusting actions based on changing conditions or demands, and incorporating new technology not considered in the previous CAP.

Co-benefits, which are additional positive benefits that result from reduction of GHGs and CAP strategies, are identified in the CAP.

Executive Summary


Ongoing partnerships between community residents, businesses, property owners, the City, and other agencies and organizations in the region are essential for successful implementation. On a community-wide level, individuals and businesses can play an important role in reducing GHG emissions by changing habits to consume less energy, producing less waste, or driving less. A detailed description of the City’s implementation and monitoring efforts and the importance of continued community engagement is outlined in Chapter 4.

CHAPTER 1

Introduction

Chapter 1 Introduction

City of El Cajon Climate Action Plan 1-1

This Climate Action Plan (CAP) provides the City of El Cajon (City) with a comprehensive framework to address the challenges of climate change. This means reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from local sources, finding ways to better manage natural resources, and adapting and responding to climate change over time. The CAP is consistent with and complementary to statewide legislation and regulatory mandates. It also establishes locally-based strategies, measures, and actions that will not only reduce GHG emissions, but will also improve the livability and quality of life for its community.

As California continues to experience rising average temperatures, warmer storms, and higher sea levels, there is evidence that the effects of global climate change are already occurring. The impact of climate change in California varies across the State due to its diverse biophysical setting, climate, and jurisdictional characteristics. While projections generally show little change in total annual precipitation in California, even modest changes could have significant effects on the State’s ecosystems. At a local level, annual temperatures and annual precipitation in the City are projected to increase steadily over time. These changes could result in increased heat waves, wildfire risk, and flooding, resulting in adverse effects on human health and safety, economic prosperity, infrastructure, and provision of public services in the City. Climate change is a global issue and local governments play a role in reducing GHG emissions in their communities.

1.1 Introduction to Climate Change Science The greenhouse effect, as outlined below in Figure 1-1, results from a collection of atmospheric gases called GHGs that insulate the Earth and help regulate its temperature. These naturally occurring gases, mainly water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), ozone (O3), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) all act as effective global insulators, reflecting Earth’s visible light and infrared radiation to keep temperatures on Earth stable. Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would not be able to support life as we know it.

Human activities (e.g., the burning of fossil fuels for transportation and energy and the increasing rates of deforestation and development) have contributed to elevated concentrations of GHGs in the atmosphere. These human-caused (i.e., anthropogenic) emissions of GHGs have contributed to above-normal ambient concentrations of GHGs, intensifying the greenhouse effect and leading to a trend of unnatural warming of the Earth’s climate, known as global climate change, or global warming. There is scientific consensus that it is “extremely likely” that most of the changes in the world’s climate during the last 50 years are a result of anthropogenic GHG emissions (International Panel on Climate Change [IPCC 2014]).

IPCC defines “extremely likely” as a 95 percent probability of occurrence/outcome. Additionally, multiple studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals show that 97 percent or more of actively publishing climate scientists agree that climate change trends over the past century are “extremely likely” because of human activities.

Because the majority of GHG emissions contributing to global climate change are associated with human activities, significant reductions in human-caused GHG emissions are needed to prevent the most catastrophic events of climate change (International Panel on Climate Change [IPCC] 2014).


1-2 City of El Cajon Climate Action Plan

Source: IPCC 2007

Figure 1-1: The Greenhouse Effect

Furthermore, short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), which are GHGs that remain in the atmosphere for a much shorter period than long-lived climate pollutants (e.g., CO2 and N2O), are also powerful climate forcers that have an outsized impact on climate change in the near term. Despite their relatively shorter atmospheric lifespan, their relative potency in terms of how they heat the atmosphere (i.e., global warming potential [GWP]) can be tens, hundreds, or even thousands of times greater than that of CO2. SLCPs include CH4; fluorinated gases (F-gases), including hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perflurocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6); and black carbon.

Global climate change is the driver behind rising average temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, shrinking polar ice caps, increases in sea level, and other impacts to biological resources and humans. Chapter 2 of the CAP summarizes the City’s GHG emissions that are contributing to global warming. While there is consensus that global climate change is occurring and that it is heightened by human activity and is leading to significant fluctuations in regional climates, there is less certainty as to the timing, severity, and potential consequences of climate change phenomena, particularly at the local level. The CAP represents an important step in acknowledging global climate change effects on the City. To reduce GHG emissions and plan for climate change impacts, Chapter 3 includes a description of strategies, measures, and actions the City will take to reduce local GHG emissions. Chapter 4 provides an outline for how the City will implement these reduction strategies and includes guidelines for monitoring and updating the CAP.



1.2 Regulatory Background The State and City have already taken several steps to reduce GHG emissions and adapt to climate change. These efforts, and the legislative background summarized in the following sections, provide important policy direction and context for this CAP.

1.2.1 California In 2005, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Executive Order (EO) S-3-05, which directed California to reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, and to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. A year later, in 2006, the Global Warming Solutions Act (Assembly Bill [AB] 32) was passed, establishing regulatory, reporting, and market mechanisms to achieve quantifiable reductions in GHG emissions. AB 32 put a cap on GHG emissions, setting a target of reducing GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. As part of its implementation of AB 32 and EO S-3-05, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) developed a Scoping Plan in 2008. The 2008 Scoping Plan, along with an update in 2014, described the approach California had been taking to reduce GHGs to achieve reduction targets and goals.

On April 20, 2015, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed EO B-30-15, establishing a new GHG emissions reduction target of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. EO B-30-15 also directed CARB to update the Scoping Plan to reflect the path to achieving the 2030 target. In September 2016, Governor Brown also signed Senate Bill (SB) 32, which codified into statute the mid-term 2030 target established by EO B-30-15. In December 2017, CARB approved the 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan (2017 Scoping Plan), which laid out the framework for achieving the 2030

reductions as established in EO B-30-15 and SB 32. The 2017 Scoping Plan provides an update to the previous plan, approved in 2014, and identifies GHG reductions by emissions sector to achieve a statewide emissions level that is 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. According to CARB, California is currently on track to meet or exceed the 2020 GHG emissions reductions target. The new 2030 GHG emissions reductions target places California on a trajectory towards meeting the goal of reducing statewide emissions to 80 percent below levels by 2050.

In addition to legislation setting statewide GHG reduction targets, SB 375, signed by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2008, better aligned regional transportation planning efforts, regional GHG emissions reduction targets, and land use and housing allocations. SB 375 requires Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to adopt a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) or Alternative Planning Strategy, showing prescribed land use allocations in each MPO’s Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). CARB, in consultation with the MPOs, provides each affected region with reduction targets for GHGs emitted by passenger cars and light trucks in their respective regions for 2020 and 2035. The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) adopted San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan that integrates the RTP and SCS in October 2015.

California aims to reduce annual GHG emissions to: 1990 levels by 2020; 40% below 1990 levels by 2030;

and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.



To effectively address the challenges that a changing climate will bring, the State also prepared the 2009 California Climate Adaptation Strategy, which highlights climate risks and outlines possible solutions that can be implemented throughout the State. This Strategy was updated in 2014 and became known as Safeguarding California. In 2015, the State also developed the Safeguarding California Implementation Action Plans. The Safeguarding California Plan: 2018 Update was released in January 2018. The plan provides an updated programmatic survey of existing efforts to combat climate change throughout the State.

Other Federal and State regulations relevant to the CAP are identified below in Table 1-1.

Table 1-1 Relevant Federal and State Regulations

Federal Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that carbon dioxide (CO2) is an air pollutant as defined under the CAA, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to regulate emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs).

Federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards

The Federal CAFE Standards determine the fuel efficiency of certain vehicle classes in the U.S.

State Senate Bill (SB) 97 The State Office of Planning and Research prepared and the Natural Resources Agency adopted amendments to the State California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines for the feasible mitigation of GHG emissions or the effects of GHG emissions. Effective as of March 2010, the revisions to the CEQA Environmental Checklist Form (Appendix G) and the Energy Conservation Appendix (Appendix F) provide a framework to address global climate change impacts in the CEQA process; State CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.4 was also added to provide an approach to assessing impacts from GHGs.

State Executive Order (EO) S-21-09

EO S-21-09 directed the California Air Resources Board (CARB), under its Assembly Bill (AB) 32 authority, to adopt a regulation by July 31, 2010 that sets a 33 percent renewable energy target as established by EO S-14-08.

State EO S-01-07 EO S-01-07 set forth a low carbon fuel standard for California, whereby the carbon intensity of California’s transportation fuels is to be reduced by at least 10 percent by 2020.

State California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6)

The California Code of Regulations Title 24 Part 6: California’s Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings are updated periodically to allow consideration and possible incorporation of new energy efficiency technologies and methods. The 2019 Title 24, Part 6 Building Energy Efficiency Standards were adopted by the California Energy Commission (CEC) on May 9, 2018 and will take effect on January 1, 2020.

State AB 1493 AB 1493 required CARB to develop and adopt regulations that reduce GHGs emitted by passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks.

State AB 197 AB 197 creates a legislative committee to oversee CARB and requires CARB to take specific actions when adopting plans and regulations pursuant to SB 32 related to disadvantaged communities, identification of specific information regarding reduction measures, and information regarding existing GHGs at the local level.



Table 1-1 Relevant Federal and State Regulations

State SB 350 SB 350 requires the State to set GHG emissions reduction targets for the load-serving entities through Integrated Resource Planning. SB 350 requires an increase in the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to 50 percent by 2030, and doubling energy savings in electricity and natural gas end uses.

State Advanced Clean Cars Program

In January 2012, CARB approved the Advanced Clean Cars program, which combines the control of GHG emissions and criteria air pollutants, as well as requirements for greater numbers of zero-emission vehicles, into a single package of standards for vehicle model years 2017 through 2025.

State SB X1-2 SB X1-2 of 2011 requires all California utilities to generate 33 percent of their electricity from renewables by 2020. SB X1-2 mandates that renewables supplied to the California grid from sources within, or directly proximate to, California make up at least 50 percent of the total renewable energy for the 2011-2013 compliance period, at least 65 percent for the 2014-2016 compliance period, and at least 75 percent for 2016 and beyond.

State SB 100 SB 100 was approved in September 2018 and amends the California RPS to reflect the statewide goal of achieving 60 percent renewable resources by 2030. The Bill also requires the State to supply 100 percent of retail electricity sales to California consumers to come from renewable and zero-carbon sources by 2045.

State SB 605 and SB 1383 Specific to short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), SB 605, which was signed in September 2014, required CARB to develop a plan to reduce emissions of SLCPs. SB 1383, signed in September 2016, required CARB to approve and begin implementing the plan by January 1, 2018. SB 1383 also sets targets for statewide reductions in SLCP emissions of 40 percent below 2013 levels by 2030 for methane and hydrofluoricarbons (HFCs) and 50 percent below 2013 levels for anthropogenic black carbon. CARB adopted the SLCP Reduction Strategy in March 2017 pursuant to SB 605 and SB 1383, laying out options to accelerate SLCP emissions reductions in California through enacting regulations, creating incentives, and other market-supporting activities.

Source: Ascent Environmental 2019.

1.2.2 City of El Cajon The City is actively engaged in addressing climate change, sustainability, and reductions in GHG emissions. These actions include specific plans, zoning code updates, as well as project and program-level City actions that have been completed or are currently being implemented. A summary of the actions currently being taken by the City to reduce GHG emissions is included below in Table 1-2.



Table 1-2 Existing City Actions that Reduce GHG Emissions

Action Status and Timeframe Description

Development of a Mixed-Use Overlay

Completed – January. 2018

In January 2018, a mixed-use overlay in four key commercial areas of the City of El Cajon (City) was approved in an effort to locate new housing in existing commercial corridors in close proximity to commercial services and transit. This will reduce local vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from on-road transportation sources.

Implementation of the Transit District Specific Plan (TDSP)

Completed – May 2018 In May 2018, the TDSP was approved by the City. The TDSP plans for new transit-supportive residential and mixed-use land uses and urban design guidelines that promote new development around the El Cajon Transit Center. Planned public street improvements support walking, bicycling and transit use identified in the TDSP would further reduce local VMT and GHG emissions from on-road transportation sources.

East County Advanced Water Purification Program

In Process In partnership with the East County agencies of Padre Dam Municipal Water District, the County of San Diego, and Helix Water District, the City contributed $626,000 to complete the East County Advanced Water Purification Program feasibility study in April 2018. This program would generate up to 15 million gallons per day (MGD) of potable water from wastewater, reducing regional and local GHG emissions from both sources.

Approval of the City of San Diego Pure Water Program

Approved – April 2018 The City is participating in the City of San Diego Pure Water Program, which is a participating agency of the Metro Wastewater Joint Powers Authority (Metro JPA). This program would generate up to 30 MGD of potable water from wastewater, reducing regional and local GHG emissions from water and wastewater sources.

Implementation of the light-emitting diode (LED) Streetlight Retrofits Program

Completed As of March 2019, the City has retrofitted 100 percent of the 2,385 City-owned street lights with LED light fixtures. An additional 920 street lights are owned by San Diego Gas and Eletric (SDG&E), which have not been retrofitted with LED light fixtures. These retrofits reduce the energy consumed and increase the lifespan of streetlights while also reducing GHG emissions from electricity sources in the City.

Development of Active Transportation Improvements

In Process The City is continuously improving non-automotive transportation routes that encourage the use of alternative transportation modes and reduce GHG remissions from on-road transportation sources. Since 2016 the City has installed 1.25 miles of new sidewalk through the Active Transportation Grants from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and over two miles of bike lanes through its Bicycle Master Plan. The City has an ongoing relationship with Rady Children’s Hospital to implement a Safe Routes to School Program to encourage the use of active transportation modes for student trips to and from school sites.



Table 1-2 Existing City Actions that Reduce GHG Emissions

Action Status and Timeframe Description

Clean Fleet Program Implementation

Completed – July 2018 In July 2018 the City replaced two City-owned vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs), reducing municipal on-road transportation GHG emissions.

Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

In process The City, in partnership with the SDG&E Power Your Drive program, installed 16 electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) in the City parking garage with plans to install 10 additional EVCSs in the Public Works yard. The installation of these EVCSs will encourage City employees and residents to use EVs and would reduce local GHG emissions from on-road transportation sources.

Solar Installation on the City’s Animal Shelter

Completed -May 2018 In May 2018, the City completed the installation of an 86.6 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the City’s Animal Shelter building. This installation reduces the GHG emissions from building energy consumption.


1.2.3 California Environmental Quality Act The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is a statute that requires local agencies to identify significant environmental impacts of their actions and, if feasible, avoid or mitigate those impacts. SB 97, passed in 2007, recognized that GHG emissions are within the scope of environmental review and therefore need to be analyzed as part of the CEQA process.

CAPs include strategies and measures that can change the physical environment and influence patterns that affect GHG emissions. Activities outlined in a CAP are subject to discretionary approval and may cause direct or indirect effects on the environment. They are, therefore, considered a “project” and subject to CEQA compliance.

SB 97 also directed the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to develop recommended amendments to address GHG emissions as an environmental effect. OPR’s CEQA Guidelines (specifically Section 15183.5) established standards for the contents and approval process of plans to reduce GHGs. This CAP was prepared in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5 and is, therefore, considered a “qualified” plan for the reduction of GHG emissions. As a CEQA Section 15183.5-qualified plan, the CAP affords development applicants the opportunity to use CEQA streamlining tools for analysis of GHG emissions and related impacts for projects that are consistent with the City’s CAP.



1.3 Purpose and Objectives The City’s CAP organizes strategies, measures, and actions based on sectors evaluated in the 2012 inventory. These sectors include on-road transportation, off-road transportation, electricity, natural gas, solid waste, water, and wastewater. Strategies were developed to target improving the GHG efficiency of citywide community and municipal activities. The CAP provides overarching goals and local actions that can be taken by public agencies, businesses, and residents to reduce GHG emissions.

The 2012 inventory shows that the activities within the City resulted in 685,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e). The GHG reduction targets for the CAP have been established in accordance with CARB’s 2017 Scoping Plan recommendations for developing community-wide, plan-level reduction targets. The City plans to achieve the following reductions from 2012 levels:

4 percent reduction by 2020 (i.e., 659,000 MTCO2e).

42 percent reduction by 2030 (i.e., 397,000 MTCO2e).

To achieve these objectives, the CAP identifies a summary of baseline GHG emissions and the potential growth of these emissions over time, and identifies strategies, measures, and actions to achieve these targets.

As part of CAP implementation, each strategy, measure, and action will be regularly assessed and monitored. Reporting on the status of implementation of these strategies, periodic updates to the GHG emissions inventory, and other monitoring activities will help to ensure adequate progress.

1.4 Co-Benefits While measures and actions included in the CAP are generally geared towards reducing GHG emissions, many will also result in environmental or economic “co-benefits.” Environmental co-benefits can include improvement to air quality, water supply, or biological resources, and improved public health. Additional co-benefits identified in the CAP include:

Improved air quality as a result of reducing the number of miles traveled in vehicles and associated fuel combustion.

Increased energy efficiency in buildings and increased use of renewable energy sources resulting in reduced building heating and cooling costs and fossil fuel use.

Improved public health through encouraging alternative commuting transportation modes that allow people to drive less, save money, and enjoy a better quality of life.

Improved travel times for all modes of transportation through improved bicycle, pedestrian, and transit infrastructure and access, and intersection efficiency improvements.

Improved public safety as a result of street light retrofits, increasing comfort for pedestrian travel at night by providing efficiently lit streets and sidewalks.

In addition to these co-benefits, the CAP provides for other benefits to the City, including improved local control. The CAP allows the City to maintain control over GHG reduction strategies that are most advantageous to the City, while also

Potential Co-Benefits identified in the CAP: Improved Air Quality Reduced Energy Use Improved Public Health Reduced Traffic Congestion Improved Access to Low-Cost

Transportation Options Enhanced Safety Improved Water Quality Reduced Heat Island Effects Enhanced Community Character Increased Local Green Jobs Improved Resiliency to Climate



promoting economic competitiveness and positioning the City for competitive grant funding. The CAP also demonstrates that the City is aligned with State targets for reducing GHG emissions. Further, co-benefits of reducing air pollution can be an important element of climate policy, making these policies effectively cheaper by removing the need for additional policies or technologies to filter out air pollutants.

More detailed discussion of reduction strategies, along with their co-benefits, can be found in Chapter 3.

1.5 Community Engagement and Outreach

1.5.1 CAP Outreach Strategy As one of the most ethnically diverse communities in the San Diego area, the City developed an outreach strategy that encouraged the participation of all interested parties in shaping this CAP. Nearly 30 percent of the City’s population is foreign born (U.S. Census Bureau 2017), of whom a portion are immigrants or refugees from the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The City has undertaken numerous efforts to outreach to all community members by presenting to community groups, displaying information at community-wide events, and partnering with the Newcomers Support and Development (NewcomersSD) to integrate CAP outreach into local refugee programs such as the Residential Leadership Academy and through the creation of multi-lingual outreach information. The CAP outreach strategy included five main goals:

1. Raise awareness of the CAP;

2. Educate the public and other organizations about the CAP;

3. Provide opportunities for input at the various steps of the CAP development;

4. Provide the public with opportunities to influence decision making; and

5. Provide a public process that meets the CEQA Guidelines requirements for a Plan CAP for the reduction of GHG emissions.

Throughout the development of this CAP, the City strived to foster a transparent, engaging, and participatory environment through various mechanisms to ensure a comprehensive public outreach strategy.

Stakeholder Engagement, and Public Meetings and Hearings City staff provided updates on an ongoing basis and shared milestones with various stakeholders that were identified during the CAP process. Updates were also provided regularly to the Planning Commission to keep them informed and involved in the process.



Project Website and Press Releases A webpage dedicated to the CAP is maintained on the City’s website (located at www.cityofelcajon.us/CAP) and includes an overview of the project, plan news, supporting documents, and a survey. This webpage was kept up-to-date with information throughout the project life and supported a continuous survey inquiring about the public’s priorities and programs as it relates to the CAP. It is accessible via a friendly URL: http://www.cityofelcajon.us/CAPSurvey.

In an effort to communicate the sustainable strategies that the community was already implementing in their respective roles, the City, working alongside the Public Information Officer, launched a series of press releases. These press releases disseminated information relevant to the CAP progress and showcased sustainable strategies already taking place in the community.

Newcomers Support and Development The City worked with Mohammed Tuama, Director of Newcomers SD, to teach the public about being an active member of the community, to help them make policy changes, and participate in the outreach to learn about the project itself. NewcomerSD works primarily with representatives of refugee and cultural groups.

Citywide Outreach Events City staff set up outreach events at existing citywide events to inform the general public about the CAP progress and engage residents in an informal setting.

On October 6, 2018 at the Fire Open House, City staff had an information booth and connected with over 60 groups of people regarding the City’s climate action planning efforts and received feedback from verbal and written feedback. Public reaction indicated that those in attendance were generally interested in:

Improving access and frequency to public transit;

Increasing renewable energy supplies;

Adding more publicly available electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs);

and Individual efforts to support the City’s CAP.

On October 19,2018, City staff shared information with the community about the CAP at Hauntfest. In partnership with SDG&E, the City provided incentives, like light-emitting diode (LED) light fixtures, for those who stopped by the City’s information booth. Interested community members were also invited to take a survey, designed for both adults and children, to provide their opinions on CAP priorities, interests, and programs. These surveys indicated that community members felt that:

Energy efficiency and waste reduction/diversion were of a higher priority than other CAP strategy areas (e.g., transportation, water conservation);

and Energy efficiency upgrades, programs, or rebates to reduce water use, and recycling and composting programs were of interest.

http://www.cityofelcajon.us/CAP

http://www.cityofelcajon.us/CAPSurvey

CHAPTER 2

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, Projections, and Targets

Chapter 2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, Projections and Reduction Targets


This chapter summarizes the accounting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from activities within the City of El Cajon (City). It includes a discussion of the primary sources and annual levels of GHG emissions for the 2012 baseline year, describes the likely trends and projections if emissions are not reduced for the years 2020 and 2030, and sets a path forward to reduce emissions by establishing targets for the years 2020 and 2030.

2.1 Purpose of a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Preparing a GHG emissions inventory is an important first step in the climate action planning process and in reducing local contributions to global GHG emissions. A GHG inventory is a snapshot of the emissions associated with a community’s various activities in a given year. It also provides a baseline that is used to project emissions trends and to develop reduction targets that are consistent with State mandates. The inventory serves as the foundation for the strategies, measures, and actions outlined in this Climate Action Plan (CAP) that the City will implement to reduce GHG emissions and meet targets for the years 2020 and 2030.

Assembly Bill (AB) 32, Senate Bill (SB) 32, and Executive Orders (EOs) B-30-15 and S-3-05 use 1990 levels as a benchmark to identify statewide reduction targets. Because the City’s 1990 emissions level are not available, proportional reduction targets for the City’s CAP were developed and an inventory baseline prepared for 2012. This is consistent with guidance provided by California Air and Resources Board’s (CARB’s) 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan (2017 Scoping Plan) and is the same base year as the San Diego Association of Governments’ (SANDAG’s) Series 13 Regional Growth Forecast.

After the CAP is adopted, SANDAG will prepare updated GHG emissions inventories that will be compared to the 2012 baseline inventory and be used to track emissions reduction progress from CAP measure implementation. The GHG emissions inventory plays a role in ensuring that targets are met. Chapter 4 outlines the implementation strategy for the CAP.

What is the purpose of developing a GHG emissions inventory? To assist in projecting emissions

into the future; To develop reduction targets the

City will strive to meet; and To guide the development,

evaluation, and implementation strategies to achieve these targets.



2.2 Baseline Inventory When developing an inventory, it is important to understand the sources and amounts of GHG emissions generated from activities within the City. The 2012 GHG emissions inventory provides an estimate of a defined set of gases (e.g., carbon dioxide [CO2], methane [CH4], nitrous oxide [N2O]) that contribute to climate change. The inventory includes GHGs that are generated from a defined set of sectors that can be readily monitored and reduced through City actions.

The City’s 2012 baseline inventory of GHG emissions is broken down into seven sectors, shown in Table 2-1 in order of total contribution to citywide GHG emissions.

Table 2-1 City of El Cajon Emissions Sectors

Emissions Sector Description

On-Road Transportation On-road transportation emissions associated with gasoline and diesel consumption from motor vehicles on local and regional road ways

Electricity Building energy use emissions associated with electricity in residential and non-residential buildings.

Natural Gas Building energy use emissions associated with combustion of natural gas in residential and non-residential buildings.

Off-Road Transportation Off-road transportation emissions associated with gasoline and diesel fuel use for from recreational vehicles, construction equipment, and residential and commercial equipment.

Solid Waste Waste emissions associated with waste generated by residents and businesses of the City and disposal of mixed and organic waste in landfills.

Water Emissions associated with the water supplied, conveyed, treated and distributed to residents and businesses within the City.

Wastewater Wastewater treatment fugitive and process emissions consisting of GHGs from combustion of anaerobic digestor gas and operational fossil fuels.

Notes: GHG = greenhouse gas

Source: EPIC 2018.

Reducing GHG emissions requires partnerships and individual efforts to achieve success. This is because residents, businesses, and organizations in the City make daily choices that produce GHG emissions that extend beyond the influence of the City and this CAP. While the measures included in the CAP are focused primarily on the City’s ability to reduce inventoried emissions, individuals have the ability to reduce their own GHG emissions from actions that may not be identified in the CAP. Climate-friendly, individual choices can include buying locally-grown food or locally-manufactured products, bicycling or walking as an alternative to driving, and reducing the amount of water used in homes. The combination of these actions and the efforts taken by the City significantly reduce the local carbon footprint.



2.2.1 2012 Baseline Emissions The baseline inventory measures the total of emissions from three primary GHGs, CO2, CH4, and N2O. These gases are converted to the same base measure of CO2 to report emissions in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). This entails multiplying non-CO2 gases by their global warming potential (GWP). This conversion allows consideration of all the gases in comparable terms and makes it easier to communicate how various sources and types of GHG emissions contribute to global warming. A metric ton of CO2e (MTCO2e) is the standard measurement of the amount of GHG emissions produced and released into the atmosphere.

Figure 2-1 shows a breakdown of the City’s 2012 baseline GHG emissions by sector. In 2012, community activities in the City accounted for 685,000 MTCO2e. The main contributor to GHG emissions in the City is the On-Road Transportation sector which accounts for 52 percent of the total emissions in 2012. On-road transportation activities are primarily related to vehicular gasoline and diesel consumption. Emissions associated with this sector were calculated based on estimated vehicle miles traveled (VMT) for all vehicles traveling to/from and within the City. Emissions associated with the electricity and natural gas sectors also account for a relatively significant portion of the City’s emissions, making up an additional 44 percent of the City’s inventory in 2012. Emissions calculations for the electricity and natural gas sectors include electricity and natural gas used for water heating and cooling, and non-renewable building energy consumption.

Source: EPIC 2018

Figure 2-1: GHG Emissions Inventory for the City of El Cajon in 2012 by Emissions Sector

The City’s 685,000 MTCO2e is equivalent to the emissions generated by the average passenger vehicle driving 1.7 billion miles or burning nearly 4,000 railcars worth of coal (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2018).

On-road Transportation52%

Electricity31%

Natural Gas13%

Off-road Transportation3%

Solid Waste2%

Water1%

Wastewater< 1%

CO2e is measured by translating each GHG to an equivalent volume of CO2 using its relative global warming potential (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC] 2007).



Table 2-2 shows the breakdown of the City’s GHG emissions in 2012 by sector. Additional details related to the specific emission sectors, data sources, assumptions, and methodology can be found in Appendix A.

Table 2-2 2012 City of El Cajon Greenhouse Gas Inventory

Emissions Sector MTCO2e Percent (%)

On-Road Transportation 357,000 52

Electricity 200,000 29

Natural Gas 86,000 13

Off-Road Transportation 20,000 3

Solid Waste 15,000 2

Water 7,000 1

Wastewater 1,000 <1

Total 685,000 100

Notes: Columns may not add to totals due to rounding. MTCO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent Source: EPIC 2018.

2.3 Emission Projections Estimates of future emissions levels are based on a continuation of current trends in activity, population and job growth, and relevant legislative actions that have already been adopted. Projections provide insights into the scale of local reductions needed to achieve GHG emissions reduction targets, as well as the local affects legislative actions will have on emissions.

The CAP uses two projections, referred to as the “business-as-usual” (BAU) and Legislatively-Adjusted BAU. The BAU projection assumes no additional efforts (including this CAP), beyond what have already been adopted, will be made to reduce GHG emissions in the future. Legislatively-Adjusted BAU projections provide a reduction from the BAU projection accounting for Federal and State actions that are planned to take place in the future. Both projections assume that population, housing, employment, and transportation activities will grow over time, based on current demographic trends in the City.

Details on projections and the activity data used to estimate each sector can be found in Appendix A.

The City’s 2012 emissions are equal to the emissions from burning 77 million gallons of gasoline.



2.3.1 Demographic Trends GHG emission projections were estimated for 2020 and 2030 using City-specific demographic data and vehicle activity projections from the SANDAG Series 13 Regional Growth Forecast. From 2012, the City is anticipated to experience moderate population growth, growing by a total of two percent by 2020. This moderate growth would continue and by 2030, the City’s population is estimated to grow by seven percent (SANDAG 2017). The City is also expected to experience similar growth in employment over the same period, with a majority of the growth occurring in the commercial jobs sector. The total number of jobs in the City is expected to grow by eight percent by 2020 and by 14 percent by 2030, with an expected number of total jobs in the City to be nearly 44,000 by 2030 (SANDAG 2013). The BAU emissions projections assume activities within the City would continue producing GHG emissions at a similar rate and that these projected demographic trends would continue. A detailed description of the underlying SANDAG data and how emissions were estimated and projected can be found in Appendix A.

2.3.2 Business as Usual Projections The BAU projections assumes no additional efforts, beyond what have already been adopted, will be made to reduce GHG emissions in the future. Citywide emissions projections were modeled based on a continuation of current trends in activity, and population and job growth. The BAU emission projections are shown in Table 2-3.

Since 2012, the City experienced an overall reduction in citywide annual GHG emssions. Based on these projections, the City’s GHG emissions would continue to decline under BAU conditions until 2020, despite the general growth in population and employment. This observed decrease in BAU emissions could reflect existing community and regional choices that result in fewer emissions, including use of improved regionwide renewable energy portfolios, decreased residential and commercial water usage, and improved vehicle standards and turnover of vehicle fleets.

Legislative Adjustments The Legislatively-Adjusted BAU accounts for a variety of approved legislative actions that will further reduce BAU emissions from the City. It accounts for the implementation of these legislative actions by estimating the impacts of these actions on the various GHG emissions producing sectors in the CAP and adjusting emissions levels accordingly. While these projections include Federal and State actions, they do not include local government actions such as the implementation of GHG emissions reduction measures identified in this CAP. The legislative actions applied to estimate the Legislatively-Adjusted BAU include:

California Renewable Portfolio Standard

California Solar Programs, Policies, and 2019 Mandates

California Energy Efficiency Programs

From 2012 levels, population in the City is expected to increase by 2% by 2020 and 7% by 2030.



California 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards

Federal and California Vehicle Efficiency Standards

The legislative actions listed above will help to lower GHG emissions in the City, as shown in Table 2-3. By 2020, total emissions will decrease by 19 percent below 2012 levels. By 2030, total emissions will decrease by 37 percent below 2012 levels. The overall decrease in emissions is primarily due to Federal and State legislation in place in 2012.

Table 2-3 City of El Cajon Emissions Projections (MTCO2e/year)

Emissions Sector 2012

2020 2030

BAU Legislatively-Adjusted BAU

BAU Legislatively-Adjusted BAU

On-Road Transportation 357,000 316,000 305,000 306,000 241,000

Electricity 200,000 150,000 135,000 158,000 69,000

Natural Gas 86,000 79,000 77,000 83,000 74,000

Off-Road Transportation 20,000 18,000 18,000 22,000 22,000

Solid Waste 15,000 17,000 17,000 18,000 18,000

Water 7,000 5,000 5,000 6,000 6,000

Wastewater 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000

Total 685,000 586,000 558,000 593,000 430,000

Percent change from 2012 (%) -- -14% -19% -13% -37%

Notes: Columns may not add to totals due to rounding.

BAU = business as usual; GHG = greenhouse gas emissions; MTCO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent

Source: EPIC 2018.

A detailed description and analysis of how specific legislative reductions are included in the City’s projections can be found in Appendices A and B.

2.4 Reductions Targets As directed by AB 32, SB 32, and EOs B-30-15 and S-3-05, the State aims to reduce statewide GHG emissions to:

1990 levels by 2020,

40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, and

80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

To determine an equivalent reduction target at the local level, CARB’s 2017 Scoping Plan recommends community-wide GHG reduction goals for local CAPs that will help the State achieve its 2030 target and longer-term 2050 goal. CARB recommends that local governments evaluate and adopt robust and quantitative locally-appropriate goals that align with the statewide per capita targets and the State’s sustainable development objectives to develop plans to achieve local goals. (CARB 2017). These State goals consist of reducing emissions to six (6) MTCO2e per capita and two (2) MTCO2e per capita by 2030 and 2050, respectively.



However, because the statewide per capita targets are based on the statewide GHG emissions inventory that includes all emissions sectors in the State (and not all emissions sectors apply to all jurisdictions), CARB also states that it is appropriate for local jurisdictions to derive evidence-based local per capita goals based on local emissions sectors and population projections that are consistent with the framework used to develop the statewide per capita targets. The plan clarifies that an evidence-based local per capita goal, or some other metric that the local jurisdiction deems appropriate (e.g., mass emissions per service population), could be used (CARB 2017). Keeping the Scoping Plan recommendations in mind, reduction targets were derived using a mass emissions approach.

Statewide per capita targets are based on the statewide mass reduction targets (i.e., 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050). Because the State has GHG inventories each year from 2000 through 2015, a percentage reduction can be derived from any inventory year and for any target year. These same State percentage reductions can then be applied to local inventories to derive reduction targets for local jurisdictions that would be consistent with the statewide approach. Thus, consistent with CARB’s recommendations for community-wide targets, the following adjusted mass emissions reduction targets should be achieved in the City:



The City has set a 2030 target based upon the trajectory necessary to meet the Statewide 2050 goal. The City’s targets would require GHG emissions to be reduced to 659,000 MTCO2e by 2020 and 397,000 MTCO2e by 2030.

As shown in Figure 2-2, based on the current demographic trends and adjustments to BAU projections from legislative actions, the City would meet it’s 2020 target without any additional local actions aimed to reduce GHG emissions. Under the Legislatively-Adjusted BAU, the City’s GHG emissions would be 101,000 MTCO2e below its 2020 target.



Note: MTCO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent Source: EPIC 2019

Figure 2-2: BAU and Legislatively-Adjusted BAU Projections and Targets Without CAP Actions

However, Federal and State legislative actions; however, would not be adequate to achieve the City’s 2030 GHG reduction goals. While these legislative actions would account for the majority of the reductions needed to achieve this goal, the City would need to implement additional local actions to achieve further reductions. This additional reduction needed at the local level to meet the reduction targets for each year is referred to as the “local gap.” To close the local gap, the City would need to implement local actions that would result in a reduction of approximately 60,000 MTCO2e by 2030.

This CAP primarily focuses on reducing emissions by 2020 and 2030, consistent with State mandates. While setting goals beyond 2030 is important to provide long-term objectives, it is difficult to establish targets beyond a 15-year time frame for which defensible reduction assumptions can be made. This is primarily because of uncertainty around future technological advances and future changes in State and Federal law beyond 2030. As climate change science and policy continues to advance, the City may be able to apply new strategies to assist in the State’s long-term 2050 GHG emissions reduction goal in future CAP updates as outlined in Chapter 4. Moreover, new Federal and State regulations could further reduce emissions that are currently being captured by local measures and actions.

A detailed description of the calculations and estimates for these emissions and targets is provided in Appendix B.

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

2012 2020 2030

GH

G E

miss

ions

(MTC

O2e

)

Legislatively-Adjusted BAU Emissions

BAU Emissions (Without Legislative Reductions)

Target Emissions

Reduction Target: 4% Below 2012

by 2020

Reduction Target: 42% Below 2012

by 2030

The City uses the mass emissions approach to determine reduction targets for the CAP, which is consistent with CARB’s recommendations outlined in the 2017 Scoping Plan.

CHAPTER 3

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategies, Measures and Actions

Chapter 3 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategies, Measures, and Actions


This chapter presents the strategies, measures, and actions that the City of El Cajon (City) aims to implement to achieve its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets. Accounting for legislative actions taken by the Federal and State governments, the CAP focuses on locally-based measures and actions the City can implement to reduce GHG emissions in various emissions sectors.

The City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) includes eight strategies, organized under four emissions categories, that serve as the foundation for identifying and addressing ways in which the City will reduce citywide GHG emissions. Within each strategy is a series of measures, actions, and supporting measures that define the activities, programs, policies, and projects the City will implement to reduce GHG emissions. These actions and measures mainly focus on community-scale reductions, but also include municipal operations. Through partnerships with and among the community, businesses, and other organizations, these measures could provide net benefits, such as an improved environment, cost savings, conserved resources, and greater quality of life.

The CAP accounts for existing plans, programs, directives, and activities that the City has already undertaken to reduce GHG emissions by acknowledging these efforts and, in some cases, building or expanding on them.

3.1 Summary of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategies As described in Chapter 2, the City has established a 2020 GHG emissions reduction target (four percent below 2012 levels) and a 2030 target (42 percent below 2012 levels) to reduce annual emissions levels, consistent with State goals. If community emissions in the City were to continue to grow under business-as-usual (BAU) projections, the City would still successfully meet its 2020 target. Under BAU projections, the City is anticipated to generate 586,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) in 2020, which would be 73,000 MTCO2e less than the 2020 target. However, continuing BAU conditions would not result in the City meeting its 2030 target, as it is anticipated the City would require a reduction of an additional 196,000 MTCO2e to achieve the 2030 target. Under the Legislatively-Adjusted BAU, the City exceeds the 2020 targets by an additional 28,000 MTCO2e, but would still not meet its targets for

2030. Table 3-1 below shows the GHG reductions attributable to the measures and actions in this CAP and how the anticipated reductions will help the City close the gap of 33,000 MTCO2e to meet its 2030 target. Because the City is exceeding the 2020 target under both projections, reduction measures and actions in the CAP are focused on meeting the 2030 target.

Detailed calculations and descriptions of the calculation methodologies are provided in Appendix B.

Strategies are organized under four GHG emissions categories: 1. Transportation 2. Energy 3. Waste and Water 4. Carbon Sequestration



Table 3-1 Effect of Plan Measures and Legislative Reductions on City of El Cajon Emissions and Target (MTCO2e)

Emissions 2030

BAU Emissions Projection 593,000

Legislative Reductions 163,000

Legislatively-Adjusted BAU Emissions Projection (BAU Projection – Legislative Reductions) 430,000

2030 Target Emissions 397,000

Reductions from CAP Transportation Measures 5,000

Reductions from CAP Energy Measures 20,000

Reductions from CAP Waste and Water Measures 8,000

Reductions from CAP Carbon Sequestration Measures 100

Total Reductions from CAP Measures 33,000

City of El Cajon Emissions with CAP (Legislatively-Adjusted BAU – CAP Reductions) 397,000

Notes: Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand, so values and totals may not equal the values summed in other tables or figures. BAU = business-as-usual; CAP = Climate Action Plan; GHG = greenhouse gas emissions; MTCO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent Source: EPIC 2019.

3.2 Detailed Strategies, Measures, and Actions The CAP actions were developed using a GHG reduction strategy framework that was based on a combination of factors. These include:

The feasibility of the action to be implemented by the City.

Existing programs, policies, activities, or projects that can be expanded or proposed policies yet to be adopted.

Feedback from the community and other stakeholders.

Technological innovations.



The reduction strategy framework consists of strategies, measures, actions, target years, goals, and supporting measures, which are defined below in Table 3-2.

Table 3-2 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy Framework

Category Description

Strategy High level plans the City will implement to achieve GHG reductions in one of the four emissions category. Each emissions category may have one or more associated strategies. The framework includes eight overall strategies

Measure The general objective that the City will strive to achieve to address the defined strategy. Each strategy may have one or more measures.

City Action (Action) Programs, policies, or projects the City will implement that will cause a direct and measurable reduction in GHG emissions.

Goal Metric by which achievement of the specified action will be measured for 2030.

GHG Reduction Potential in 2030

Estimated reduction in local GHG emissions if the performance metric is met. The year 2030 corresponds to the emissions target set by the City (and in line with State mandates). Because the City would achieve 2020 targets without implementation of CAP measures and actions, the GHG reduction potential is presented for the year 2030.

Supporting Measure Programs, policies, or projects the City will implement that could not be quantified, but will have an indirect effect on GHG emissions reductions and could be quantified in future CAP updates.

Notes: CAP = Climate Action Plan; City = City of El Cajon; GHG = greenhouse gas


To help meet designated targets, the CAP proposes 28 actions under 15 measures, all within the eight strategies outlined previously, along with supporting measures for each strategy. A description of the emissions category is followed by separate tables describing each strategy, its measures, actions, goals, GHG reduction potential, and supporting measures.

Additional detail and calculations can be found in Appendix B. Chapter 4 further describes how City measures and actions will be implemented.

3.2.1 Transportation Internal combustion from on-road transportation is the largest contributor to the City’s GHG emissions. Emissions from on-road transportation sources accounted for 52 percent of the City’s total emissions in 2012. Off-road transportation sources are also included in this emissions category, which accounts for usage of construction equipment, recreational vehicles, and residential and commercial equipment. Legislative reductions, mainly from improvements in Federal and State vehicle fuel efficiency standards, will contribute to reducing transportation emissions. While these legislative reductions apply to the fuel efficiency of vehicle operations, the State relies on local and regional agencies to implement strategies that affect the frequency or distance of vehicle travel. These strategies include reducing the use of gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles and equipment, increasing



the efficiency and effectiveness of alternative fuel vehicles, and reducing local vehicle miles traveled (VMT).

Strategy 1: Increase Use of Zero-Emission or Alternative Fuel Vehicles The focus of this strategy is to reduce the use of gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles and equipment and increase the use of zero-emission or alternative fuel vehicles citywide. This reduction is achieved by increasing the purchasing and use of zero-emission and alternative fuel vehicles. Emissions reductions from this strategy rely on coordination with local agencies and participation from residents and businesses. This strategy includes two measures and five actions that would reduce the City’s emissions by approximately 1,600 MTCO2e by 2030. Table 3-3 outlines the framework for this strategy.

Table 3-3 Strategy 1: Increase Use of Zero-Emission/Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Measure T-1: Transition to a More Fuel-Efficient Municipal Vehicle Fleet

City Action T-1.1: Develop a Fleet Management Program

Develop a fleet management program to guide the replacement of non-public safety vehicles to alternative-fuel vehicles.

Goal GHG Reduction Potential

in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Reduce 3,000 gallons of municipal fleet gasoline use in 2030. 25

Measure T-2: Increase Electric Vehicle and Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Citywide

City Action T-2.1: Install Municipal Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Continue to install EV charging stations at City Hall parking lots and Public Works yard for municipal fleet and City employee use.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Install 16 EV charging stations at City facilities by 2020. 306

Install an additional 10 EV charging stations at City facilities by 2030.

City Action T-2.2: Incentivize the Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Incentivize the installation of EV charging stations at new multi-family and commercial developments through reduced fees and expedited permitting.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Install 128 new EV charging stations at commercial developments and 79 new EV charging stations at multi-family developments by 2030.

1,231

City Action T-2.3: Increase Clean Air Vehicle Preferential Parking Spaces

Amend the zoning code to increase preferential parking spaces for clean air vehicle parking.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Lower the parking space threshold required in 2016 CALGreen by 20 percent by 2030. Amount reflected in T-2.2

Co-Benefits of Strategy 1: Improved Air Quality Improved Public Health



Table 3-3 Strategy 1: Increase Use of Zero-Emission/Alternative Fuel Vehicles

City Action T-2.4: Convert School Bus Fleet to Electric

Support the CVUSD and GUHSD in their efforts to convert the bus fleet to electric buses.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Convert 12 diesel buses to electric buses by 2030. 59

Supporting Measures for Strategy 1:

Continue to use a waste hauler that uses fuel-efficient or alternative fuel waste trucks.

Convert hand tools used by City maintenance staff from gasoline to electric.

Evaluate new clean energy multi-purpose Public Works equipment for replacement of older, inefficient equipment.

Partner with SDG&E’s Power Your Drive for EV infrastructure installation.

Continue efforts with SDG&E’s Power Your Drive to provide options for City employees to utilize alternative fuel or clean air vehicles for work.

Pursue grant funding to install publicly available EV charging stations at City facilities.

Continue to require EV charger pre-wiring per CALGreen in new developments.

Collaborate with school districts (e.g., CVUSD, GUHSD) to increase school bus use through education, programs, and new routes.

Notes: CALGreen = California Green Building Standards Code; City = City of El Cajon; EV = electric vehicle; GHG = greenhouse gas; MTCO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent; SDG&E = San Diego Gas and Electric

Source: EPIC 2019.



Strategy 2: Reduce Fuel Use This strategy provides measures and actions that go beyond changing fuel types to reduce fuel consumption citywide. Under this strategy, on-road transportation fuel consumption would be reduced by improving traffic flow and increasing the efficiency of the existing transportation network. Off-road vehicle and equipment fuel consumption would be reduced through the use of renewable or alternative fuel equipment. Emissions reductions in this strategy would be achieved through interagency participation to implement projects in the City’s right-of-way, and working with developers and fleet owners to phase out old, fossil fuel reliant equipment. This strategy includes two measures and three actions that would reduce the City’s emissions by approximately 2,200 MTCO2e by 2030. Table 3-4 outlines the framework for this strategy.

Table 3-4 Strategy 2: Reduce Fuel Use

Measure T-3: Use Transportation System Management to Reduce Fuel Use

City Action T-3.1: Synchronize Traffic Lights

Continue efforts to synchronize traffic lights in priority areas and pursue grants to develop a citywide traffic signal synchronization plan.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Synchronize traffic lights at 30 intersections by 2030. 387

City Action T-3.2: Install Roundabouts

Install roundabouts on El Cajon Boulevard as identified in the TDSP.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Install three roundabouts by 2030. 304

Measure T-4: Reduce Fuel Use in Construction Equipment

City Action T-4.1: Increase Renewable and Alternative Fuel Use in Construction Equipment

Increase the use of renewable and alternative fuel use in construction equipment.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Require new projects to reduce construction emissions by 10 percent by 2030. 1,334

Supporting Measures for Strategy 2: Pursue grants for citywide synchronization plan and for installation of the remaining two roundabouts identified in

the TDSP. Refer to the Active Transportation Plan to evaluate other potential locations for roundabouts.

Notes: MTCO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent; GHG = greenhouse gas; TDSP = Transit District Specific Plan

Source: EPIC 2019.

Co-Benefits of Strategy 2: Improved Air Quality Reduced Energy Use Improved Public Health Reduced Traffic Congestion Enhanced Safety Enhanced Community Character



Strategy 3: Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled In support of legislative actions at the State level, this strategy aims to reduce the total VMT locally by increasing non-vehicular modes of travel, encouraging smart growth development in areas already served by transit, and reducing parking in key areas. Emissions reductions from this strategy rely on coordination with, and participation from local and regional transportation and planning agencies, residents, and businesses. Implementation of the three measures and six actions identified in this strategy would reduce the City’s GHG emissions by approximately 1,800 by 2030. Table 3-5 outlines the framework for this strategy.

Table 3-5 Strategy 3: Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled

Measure T-5: Increase Alternative Modes of Travel

City Action T-5.1: Increase Alternative Modes of Travel Through Transportation Demand Management

Require new non-residential development to develop a TDM Plan.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Increase use of alternative modes from employee commuting by nine percent at new non-residential developments through 2030.

232

Measure T-6: Encourage Active Transportation

City Action T-6.1: Complete an Active Transportation Plan

Complete an Active Transportation Plan that includes a sidewalk master plan and an updated Bicycle Master Plan.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Install or convert eight additional miles of bike lanes to Class II or better by 2030. 236

Measure T-7: Reduce Household Vehicle Miles Traveled Through Smart Growth Development

City Action T-7.1: Increase Residential Dwelling Units in Transit Oriented Development Areas

Complete a MOU with MTS on the development of the MTS Parking Lot with residential uses at the El Cajon Transit Center.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Complete the development of the MTS parking lot into 126 dwelling units by 2030. 190

City Action T-7.2: Encourage Development in Mixed-Use Residential Overlay Areas

Allow for parking reductions, or deviations from development standards, for developments in the Mixed-Use Residential Overlay Areas.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Reduce parking in projects built in Mixed-Use Overlay Areas by an average of 40 percent through 2030.

605

Co-Benefits of Strategy 3: Improved Air Quality Reduced Energy Use Improved Public Health Reduced Traffic Congestion Improved Access to Low-Cost

Transportation Options Enhanced Safety Enhanced Community Character



Table 3-5 Strategy 3: Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled

City Action T-7.3: Implement the Transit District Specific Plan

Implement the TDSP by actively marketing and encouraging development in the Plan’s proposed area, including new housing projects within the area.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Move towards full buildout of the TDSP by 2030, with full buildout expected in 2035. 528

City Action T-7.4: Transition to an Online Submittal Permitting System

Transition to an online submittal permitting system, where all permits are processed online, reducing the need to drive to obtain permits.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Completely transition to an online-submittal permitting system by 2030. 10

Supporting Measures for Strategy 3: Identify employers to connect to vanpools and carpools through SANDAG’s iCommute Program. Pursue grant funding to complete the Johnson Avenue multi-use path. Complete the Washington Avenue Road Diet Project. Amend the Zoning Code to expand the range of permitted home-based businesses to allow for low-impact

businesses that may have limited customers or employers. Continue efforts with SANDAG’s iCommute to provide alternative options for City employees to reduce VMT.

Encourage the use of transit, walking, or biking. Implement City policy on complete streets.

Notes: City = City of El Cajon; GHG = greenhouse gas; MOU = memorandum of understanding; MTCO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent; MTS = Metropolitan Transit System; SANDAG = San Diego Association of Governments; SDG&E = San Diego Gas and Electric; TDM = Transportation Demand Management; TDSP = Transit District Specific Plan; VMT = Vehicle Miles Traveled

Source: EPIC 2019.

3.2.2 Energy Energy consumption in the City includes electricity and natural gas consumption, which accounted for 44 percent of the City’s total emissions in 2012. Emissions reductions from the energy category are divided into two strategies: Increase Building Energy Efficiency; and Increase Renewable and Zero-Carbon Energy. The success of these strategies relies on coordination with local utilities and organizations; participation from the community, and administration of new or revised local policies and programs.



Strategy 4: Increase Building Energy Efficiency The energy (electricity and natural gas) used in buildings accounts for the majority of GHG emissions in the Electricity and Natural Gas category. Although legislative reductions related to State actions will help reduce emissions associated with building energy, additional reductions can help to increase building efficiency in the City. Under this strategy emissions are reduced by incentivizing residential and commercial units to be more energy efficient. This strategy includes three measures, each aimed at a separate land use within the City (i.e., residential, commercial, and civic), and five actions. Implementation of this strategy would reduce the City’s emissions by approximately 400 MTCO2e by 2030. Table 3-6 outlines the framework for this strategy.

Table 3-6 Strategy 4: Increase Building Energy Efficiency

Measure BE-1: Increase Residential Building Efficiency

City Action BE-1.1: Require Energy Audits for Additions to Existing Residential Units

Require a whole home energy audit for residential additions over 500 square feet and incentivize energy retrofits through reduced fees and expedited permitting.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Complete energy audits on an average of 25 homes per year through 2030. 29

City Action BE-1.2: Continue the Critical Home Repair Program and Home Rehabilitation Loans

Continue Habitat for Humanitity’s Critical Home Repair Program and other programs for single-family and mobile home rehabilitation loans that fund energy efficiency improvements.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Complete retrofits on an average of six homes annually through 2030. 43

Measure BE-2: Increase Commercial Building Efficiency

City Action BE-2.1: Require Energy Audits of Non-Residential Additions and Improvements

Require a whole building energy audit for non-residential additions and tenant improvements valued at over $80,000 or over 1,800 square feet and incentivize energy retrofits through reduced fees and expedited permitting.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Complete 40 energy audit projects annually through 2030. 254

Co-Benefits of Strategy 4: Improved Air Quality Reduced Energy Use Improved Public Health Enhanced Safety Reduced Heat Island Effect Enhanced Community Character Increased Local Green Jobs Improved Resiliency to Climate

Change Impacts



Table 3-6 Strategy 4: Increase Building Energy Efficiency

Measure BE-3: Increase Municipal Operation Energy Efficiency

City Action BE-3.1: Continue Energy Efficiency Projects in Municipal Facilities

Continue to implement lighting and other retrofit measures at municipal facilities, as recommended by SANDAG’s Energy Roadmap program.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Reduce electricity use by 100,000 kWh at City facilities through lighting and other retrofits by 2030.

17

City Action BE-3.2: Retrofit High Pressure Sodium Street Lights

Retrofit City-owned HPS street lights with LED street lights.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Complete all City-owned street lights retrofits by 2020. 72

Supporting Measures for Strategy 4: Encourage energy efficiency improvements through rebates or incentives.

Explore the development of an offset program to finance energy retrofits for existing residential properties.

Provide information to the public on energy efficiency improvements made available through energy audits.

The City will make every reasonable effort to prioritize programs for funding that improves energy efficiency or increase renewable energy production.

Evaluate municipal facilities and operations for additional energy savings opportunities through SANDAG’s Energy Roadmap program.

Notes: City = City of El Cajon; GHG = greenhouse gas; HPS = high pressure sodium; kWh = kilowatt-hour; LED = low-emitting diode; MTCO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent; SANDAG = San Diego Association of Governments

Source: EPIC 2019.



Strategy 5: Increase Renewable and Zero-Carbon Energy Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy for electricity generation will reduce emissions and provide a more sustainable source of electricity. Under this strategy, emissions are reduced by streamlining access to renewable energy; increasing the supply of renewable energy for residential, commercial, and municipal operations within the City; and increasing the amount of onsite renewable energy at existing and new residential and non-residential development. Implementation of the two measures and three actions under this strategy would reduce the City’s emissions by approximately 19,300 MTCO2e by 2030. Strategy 5 accounts for 60 percent of the City’s 2030 reduction goal. Table 3-7 outlines the framework for this strategy.

Table 3-7 Strategy 5: Increase Renewable and Zero-Carbon Energy

Measure RE-1: Increase Behind-the-Meter Renewable Electricity Supply

City Action RE-1.1: Incentivize Photovoltaic Installation on Commercial Buildings

Incentivize, through an energy audit program, PV installation on existing commercial buildings by providing reduced fees and expedited permitting.

Goal GHG Reduction Potential in

2030 (MTCO2e)

Install eight MW behind-the-meter PV at existing commercial buildings citywide by 2030. 2,299

City Action RE-1.2: Install Photovoltaic Systems at School Sites

Support the school districts’ efforts to install PV systems at school sites.


2030 (MTCO2e)

Install seven MW behind-the-meter PV at school sites within the City by 2030. 2,149

Measure RE-2: Increase Grid Renewable and Zero-Carbon Electricity

City Action RE-2.1: Conduct Research and Present to City Council Options to Increase Renewable and Zero-Carbon Electricity

Research methods to increase grid-supply of renewable and zero-carbon electricity.


2030 (MTCO2e)

Achieve 80 percent renewable and zero-carbon electricity supply by 2030. 14,924

Supporting Measures for Strategy 5: Continue to support State and local utility efforts to increase renewable sources of electricity.

Encourage lower-income home owner participation in local solar programs.

Encourage large commercial or industrial buildings to install solar.

Create solar partnerships with large building owners (e.g., Parkway Plaza).

Evaluate solar at City facilities, including the potential for a micro grid at the Public Works yard.

Notes: City = City of El Cajon; GHG = greenhouse gas; MTCO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent; MW = Megawatts; PV = photovoltaic

Source: EPIC 2019.

Co-Benefits of Strategy 5: Improved Air Quality Reduced Energy Use Improved Public Health Enhanced Community Character Increase Local Green Jobs Improved Resiliency to Climate

Impacts



3.2.3 Waste and Water GHG emissions are produced through the energy used to pump, transport, and treat water and wastewater. GHG emissions are also generated through the transport of solid waste and off-gassing at landfills. In total, waste and water accounted for three percent of the City’s total emissions in 2012. Though reductions achieved through waste and water strategies are minimal compared to other strategies, they are needed to address serious impacts of climate change by reducing water consumption, recycling wastewater, and changing behavioral patterns of solid waste generation. Beyond providing emissions reductions, these strategies provide the City with sustainable practices that will allow it to better adapt to the changing climate.

Strategy 6: Increase Water Efficiency Water consumption reductions under this strategy would result from more efficient water use strategies in existing and new uses. The measures and actions identified in this strategy would provide residents, businesses, and municipal operators effective ways to reduce water consumption. This strategy achieves emissions reductions by reducing the energy needed to supply, treat, and deliver water. The implementation of the one measure and two actions under this strategy would reduce the City’s GHG emissions by approximately 200 MTCO2e by 2030. Table 3-8 outlines the framework for this strategy.

Table 3-8 Strategy 6: Increase Water Efficiency

Measure WE-1: Increase Outdoor Water Efficiency

City Action WE-1.1: Require Covers on New Pools

Amend the Municipal Code to require covers on new residential swimming pools.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Cover 19 new swimming pools annually through 2030. 2

City Action WE-1.2: Require Weather-Based Irrigation Systems

Require installation of weather-based irrigation controllers for all projects submitting landscape plans.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Complete 10 projects annually that include weather-based irrigation controllers through 2030. 172

Supporting Measures for Strategy 6: Continue to support Helix Water District’s efforts to incentivize water conservation through rebates and free water audits. Identify water efficiency opportunities by conducting a water audit of City facilities. Continue to assess feasibility of the implementation of the East County Advanced Water Purification Program through

a continued partnership with Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Helix Water District, and the County of San Diego.

Notes: City = City of El Cajon; GHG = greenhouse gas; MTCO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent

Source: EPIC 2019.

Co-Benefits of Strategy 6: Reduced Energy Use Improved Water Quality Enhanced Community Character Increased Local Green Jobs Improved Resiliency to Climate

Impacts



Strategy 7: Reduce and Recycle Solid Waste GHG emissions are generated by solid waste through the transport to landfills and subsequent off-gassing associated with solid waste decomposition. Under this strategy, the City would reduce the amount of solid waste deposited at landfills by diverting it to other waste streams such as recycling or composting. This diversion would also provide recycled solid waste materials for reuse in other products. The implementation of the one measure and one action under this strategy would reduce the City’s GHG emissions by approximately 7,800 by 2030. This strategy would also support the City in meeting regional and State diversion goals. Table 3-9 outlines the framework for this strategy.

Table 3-9 Strategy 7: Reduce and Recycle Solid Waste

Measure SW-1: Reduce Solid Waste and Increase Recycling

City Action SW-1.1: Implement Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling Targets

Implement targets for citywide solid waste reduction and recycling goals.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Achieve and maintain 75 percent waste diversion (equivalent to 3.7 pounds of waste to landfills per capita) by and after 2020.

7,832

Supporting Measures for Strategy 7: Provide education outreach on the various recycling options (e.g., textiles, paper, plastic, metals, and glass). Continue Waste Management’s educational outreach efforts on recycling. Develop a program for organic diversion and recycling. Support the efforts of the Padre Dam Water District to include organics in their Solids Handling and Energy

Recovery Facilities to use organic waste to produce energy through on-site co-generation.

Notes: GHG = greenhouse gas; MTCO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent

Source: EPIC 2019.

3.2.4 Carbon Sequestration Carbon sequestration refers to the process of removing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) through artificial or natural processes and occurs daily through the natural respiration of vegetation and trees. Carbon sequestration potential is lost when natural carbon sinks (e.g., trees) are cut down or removed. Conversely, a community can enhance or improve its carbon sequestration potential by increasing the volume and rate of planting trees and nurturing an urban canopy.

Additionally, trees and vegetation can provide shade and cooling through transpiration and evaporation processes, which reduce the temperature of the environment around them. Well-shaded streets and parking areas can reduce the heat-island effect of higher air and structure temperatures in an urban setting. Trees and vegetation also reduce GHG emissions through sequestration by decreasing the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Co-Benefits of Strategy 7: Improved Air Quality Improved Public Health Enhanced Community Character Increased Local Green Jobs Improved Resiliency to Climate

Change Impacts



Strategy 8: Carbon Sequestration As part of the natural carbon cycle, photosynthesis in plants takes CO2 in the atmosphere and converts it into oxygen and carbon-based plant matter, storing the carbon captured from the atmosphere. Trees are significant sources of carbon storage and sequestration because of their size and longevity and provide essential habitat for local fauna. This strategy focuses on the preservation and expansion of tree growth in the City to increase the amount of carbon sequestered in hopes of offsetting CO2 emissions generated by other sources to the extent feasible. Increased carbon sequestration and new tree plantings will also improve air quality through the capture of air pollutants, water quality through reduced erosion, biological resources by providing additional habitat and improved water quality, and community and public health through the provision of shade and positive impacts on mental health. Implementation of the one measure and three actions through this strategy would reduce the City’s emissions by approximately 100 MTCO2e by 2030. Table 3-10 outlines the framework for this strategy.

Table 3-10 Strategy 8: Carbon Sequestration

Measure CS-1: Increase Urban Tree Planting

City Action CS-1.1: Increase Shaded Landscape Area

Continue to require development projects to plant a minimum of one tree per 600 square feet of required landscape area.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Plant 100 shade trees annually in development project landscaped areas through 2030. 46

City Action CS-1.2: Increase Tree Shade in Surface Parking Lots

Update the landscape ordinance to require a minimum of one shade tree per five parking spaces in surface parking lots for all new developments.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Plant 40 new shade trees annually in surface parking lots of new developments through 2030. 14

City Action CS-1.3: Increase Street Trees

Require all new developments to plant one street tree for every 30 linear feet of street frontage.


in 2030 (MTCO2e)

Plant 110 street trees annually at new developments through 2030. 39

Supporting Measures for Strategy 8: Install new street trees in street capital improvement projects, where feasible, and where redesign or

reconstruction of the street is proposed.

Continue the urban forestry program to maintain the City’s tree inventory.

Notes: City = City of El Cajon; GHG = greenhouse gas; MTCO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent

Source: EPIC 2019.

Co-Benefits of Strategy 8: Improved Air Quality Increased Natural Habitat Improved Public Health Improved Water Quality Reduced Heat Island Effect Enhanced Community Character Increased Local Green Jobs Improved Resiliency to Climate

Impacts

CHAPTER 4

Implementation and Monitoring

Introduction


4.1 Introduction To achieve the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions strategies described in Chapter 3, measures should be continuously assessed and monitored to ensure that: (1) the measures are effective; (2) the Climate Action Plan (CAP) is on track to achieve its GHG reduction targets; and (3) beneficial community outcomes are attained. This chapter outlines how the City of El Cajon (City) will implement and monitor the CAP strategies, measures, and actions over time to reduce GHGs and adapt to climate change.

4.2 Implementation Strategy Implementation of the reduction measures in the CAP require ongoing management, oversight, and collaboration. Ensuring that the measures translate to on-the-ground results and reductions in GHG emissions is critical to the success of the CAP. Successful implementation requires investment, long-term commitment, and the widespread participation of the community. The City will continue to monitor and update strategies and actions to ensure they can be successfully implemented on-the-ground.

The implementation strategy identified in this chapter will serve as the first step in determining implementation priorities to achieve GHG reduction targets. This includes categorizing basic implementation components, which consists of sorting actions into implementation categories, determining which departments will be responsible for implementation actions, and establishing a timeframe for implementation.

4.2.1 Implementation Priority Following the adoption of the CAP, the City will begin implementation of the identified strategies, measures, and actions. To effectively implement these actions to achieve CAP goals, the City will establish implementation priorities, which will depend on a variety of factors including cost, amount of staff resources needed, ease of implementation, and which actions need to be implemented sooner rather than later.

Implementation Categories The City will implement strategies and measures of the CAP through various types of policies, programs, and activities that can be grouped into categories. The categories identified for implementation efforts include: Municipal Operations; Ordinances and Codes; Planning; Incentives; Partnerships; and Education and Outreach. Not all actions fall within a single category, as many require a combination of categories to ensure successful implementation. For example, increasing energy audits for existing homes (Action BE-1.1) will involve incentive opportunities to assist homeowners in completing these audits, but would also have an

education and outreach component to ensure residents know these opportunities are available. Detailed descriptions of each category are listed in Table 4-1.

Source: City of El Cajon


Table 4-1 Implementation Categories

Category Description

Municipal Operations Many measures included in this CAP require specific City actions to update municipal operations to make them more efficient. This includes energy efficiency upgrades to municipal facilities (Action BE-3.1), converting the City’s vehicle fleet to alternative fuel or EVs (Action T-1.1), and replacing City-owned HPS streetlights with LED lights (Action BE-3.2). Other actions that relate to the City’s municipal operations include expediting processes and changing City administrative processes to promote and incentivize installation of EV charging stations in new multi-family and commercial construction (Action T-2.2) and the installation of PV systems at existing commercial buildings (Action RE-1.1). The City also plans to transition to an entirely online permitting system (Action T-7.4).

Ordinances and Codes Several measures in the CAP would be implemented through new and existing City ordinances, such as requiring commercial additions and tenant improvements meeting a certain threshold to prepare home energy audits (Action BE-1.1) and new commercial development to develop TDM plans (Action T-5.1). Similarly, certain measures in the CAP would be implemented through existing and amended regulations as part of the City’s Municipal Code, such as existing requirements for the installation of weather based irrigation systems, modifications to the zoning code to increase the number of preferential parking spaces for clean air vehicles (Action T-2.3), or an update the landscape ordinance to increase tree shade in new surface parking lots (Action CS-1.2).

Planning The CAP identifies measures that are more programmatic in nature and that require visioning and a larger planning effort to realize GHG reductions. Implementation or development of a variety of planning documents include completing an Active Transportation Plan (Action T-6.1), and implementing a number of actions identified in the TDSP (Actions T-2.3 and T-7.3).

Incentives Identifying mechanisms for funding and allocating resources will help ensure that the CAP is successfully implemented. These strategies are implemented by the City to provide community residents, business owners, and developers with opportunities and incentives to contribute to citywide GHG reductions, including: home-rehabilitation loans for energy efficiency retrofits (Action BE-1.2); development incentives for action support such as parking reductions (Action T-7.2); or reduced fees to install PV systems (Action RE-1.1).

Partnerships Interagency coordination and partnerships with other organizations is critical to ensuring implementation of certain measures. This includes collaboration with the MTS to convert parking areas near transit centers to residential uses (Action T-7.1), and with other governments, school districts, transportation agencies, and waste haulers in the region.

Education and Outreach

Education and outreach efforts about the objectives of the CAP will help create support for the CAP and involve the community in its implementation. These efforts could increase participation and awareness and could include informing residents and businesses of incentives available through the implementation of other CAP actions.

Notes: CAP = Climate Action Plan; City = City of El Cajon; EV = Electric Vehicle; GHG = greenhouse gas; HPS = High-Pressure Sodium; LED = light emitting diode; MTS = San Diego Metropolitan Transportation System; PV = photovoltaic; TDM = Transportation Demand Management; TDSP = Transit District Specific Plan


Introduction


Implementation Responsibility Initial implementation of local measures will be a coordinated effort of City departments and local/regional agencies. Internal City departments such as the City Manager’s Office, Community Development, and Public Works will play a key role in the implementation of the CAP.

The responsible department will take the lead in planning, implementing, and tracking specific actions identified in the CAP. Some actions involve the City assisting and supporting other local or regional agencies, such as the local school districts or the San Diego Metropolitan Transportation System (MTS), in action implementation. Other actions have multiple departments or agencies identified as responsible departments which would involve intra-departmental collaboration.

Implementation Timeframe The timeframe for implementation varies between actions. For some action implementation has already begun, while others will need to be developed after CAP adoption. The timing for which actions can be developed can vary from a couple years from CAP adoption to a longer term-effort. There will be actions that can be prioritized and implemented soon after CAP adoption because they require a small level of effort, and others that also need to be prioritized because they would require more effort and would take longer to implement. Generally, timeframes associated with each action can be broken into four categories: short-term, mid-term, long-term, and ongoing. These categories are further defined below in Table 4-2.

Table 4-2 Implementation Timeframe

Implementation Timeframe Defintion

Short-Term Implementation will occur within the next three years

Mid-Term Implementation will occur within the next five years

Long-Term Implementation will occur within the next seven years

Ongoing Implementation is already occurring



Implementation Strategy Matrix The implementation strategy matrix, outlined below in Table 4-3, provides the summary of the initial prioritization and categorization of the CAP’s measures and actions and lists the responsible department or agency and planned timeframe for implementation.

Table 4-3 Implementation Strategy Matrix

Action Title Category Responsible Department/

Agency

Implementation Timeframe

Strategy 1: Increase Use of Zero-Emission or Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Measure T-1: Transition to a More Fuel-Efficient Municipal Vehicle Fleet

T-1.1 Develop a Fleet Management Program

Municipal Operations; Planning PW Mid-Term

Measure T-2: Increase EVs and EV Charging Infrastructure Citywide

T-2.1 Install Municipal EV Charging Stations

Municipal Operations PW Short-Term

T-2.2 Incentivize the Installation of EV Charging Stations

Incentives; Ordinances and Codes CD Short-Term

T-2.3 Increase Clean Air Vehicle Preferential Parking Spaces

Ordinances and Codes; Incentives CD Short-Term

T-2.4 Convert School Bus Fleet to Electric Partnerships; Incentives CVUSD; GUHSD Mid-Term

Strategy 2: Reduce Fuel Use

Measure T-3: Use Transportation Systems Management to Reduce Fuel Use

T-3.1 Synchronize Traffic Lights Planning PW Long-Term

T-3.2 Install Roundabouts Planning PW Long-Term

Measure T-4: Reduce Fuel Use in Construction Vehicles and Equipment

T-4.1 Increase Renewable and Alternative Fuel in Construction Equipment

Ordinances and Codess CD; PW Mid-Term

Strategy 3: Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled

Measure T-5: Increase Alternative Models of Travel

T-5.1 Increase Alternative Modes of Travel through TDM

Ordinances and Codes; Planning CM; CD Short-Term

Measure T-6: Encourage Active Transportation

T-6.1 Complete an Active Transportation Plan

Planning; Education and Outreach CM; CD; PW Short-Term

Measure T-7: Reduce Household Vehicle Miles Traveled Through Smart Growth Development

T-7.1 Increase Residential Dwelling Units in Transit Oriented Development Areas

Partnerships; Planning CD Long-Term

T-7.2 Encourage Development of Mixed-Use Residential Overlay Areas

Ordinances and Codes; Planning CM; CD Long-Term

Introduction




Agency


T-7.3 Implement the TDSP Planning; Education and Outreach CM; CD; PW Long-Term

T-7.4 Transition to an Online Submittal Permitting System

Municipal Operations IT Short-Term

Strategy 4: Increase Building Energy Efficiency

Measure BE-1: Increase Residential Building Efficiency

BE-1.1 Require Energy Audits for Additions to Existing Residential Units


BE-1.2 Continue the Critical Home Repair Program and Home Rehabilitation Loans

Incentives; Education and Outreach CM Ongoing

Measure BE-2: Increase Commercial Building Efficiency

BE-2.1 Require Energy Audits of Non-Residential Additions and Improvements


Measure BE-3: Increase Municipal Operations Energy Efficiency

BE-3.1 Continue Energy Efficiency Projects at Municipal Facilities

Municipal Operations; Education and Outreach

PW Ongoing

BE-3.2 Retrofit High Pressure Sodium Street Lights

Municipal Operations PW Ongoing

Strategy 5: Increase Renewable and Zero-Carbon Energy

Measure RE-1: Increase Behind-the-meter Renewable Electricity

RE-1.1 Incentivize Photovoltaic Installation on Commercial Buildings

Incentives; Municipal Operations CM Mid-Term

RE-1.2 Install Photovoltaic Systems at School Sites

Partnerships; Incentives CVUSD; GUHSD Mid-Term

Measure RE-2: Increase Grid Renewable and Zero-Carbon Electricity

RE-2.1 Conduct Research and Present to Council Options to Increase Renewable and Zero-Carbon Electricity

Education and Outreach; Partnerships

CM Long-Term

Strategy 6: Increase Water Efficiency

Measure WE-1: Increase Outdoor Water Efficiency

WE-1.1 Require Covers for New Pools Ordinances and Codes CD Short-Term

WE-1.2 Require Weather Based Irrigation Systems

Ordinances and Codes CD Ongoing




Agency


Strategy 7: Reduce and Recycle Solid Waste

Measure SW-1: Reduce Solid Waste and Increase Recycling

SW-1.1 Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling

Education and Outreach, Partnerships

CD; PW Short-Term

Strategy 8: Carbon Sequestration

Measure CS-1: Increase Urban Tree Planting

CS-1.1 Increase Shaded Landscape Area Ordinances and Codes CD; PW Short-Term

CS-1.2 Increase Tree Shade in Surface Parking Lots

Ordinances and Codes CD; PW Short-Term

CS-1.3 Increase Street Trees Ordinances and Codes CD; PW Short-Term

Notes: CD = Community Development Department; CM = City Manager’s Office; CVUSD = Cajon Valley Union School District; EV = Electric Vehicle; IT = Information Technology Department; GUHSD = Grossmont Union High School District; PW = Public Works Department; TDM = Transportation Demand Management; TDSP = Transit District Specific Plan


4.3 Monitoring and Updates The CAP lays out a long-term strategy to reduce GHG emissions and to improve the sustainability of the community. The CAP will be monitored over time to assess progress on the implementation of the identified strategies and actions.

Upon adoption, the City will begin to implement CAP measures and actions. Periodically, City staff will present a summary of CAP progress to date to the City Council. Through the climate planning services offered via its Roadmap Program, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is updating GHG emissions inventories for local jurisdictions every two years, beginning with the 2016 baseline year. City staff will also evaluate the GHG emissions reduction measures’ cost, effectiveness, and benefits of each individual measure. By evaluating whether the implementation of a measure is on track to achieve its reduction potential, the City can identify successful measures and re-evaluate or replace under-performing ones.

A monitoring report will also be prepared on a regular basis. This report will provide updates on CAP implementation progress, the GHG reductions achieved to date, and other important milestones in the CAP implementation process. As technologies and markets change and the City implements the actions in the CAP, these new inventories and monitoring reports will be used to track progress and identify actions that need to be improved, adjusted, or removed. The report will also serve to inform the public about progress on measures and actions being implemented, as well as overall progress towards the City’s GHG reduction targets.

Source: City of El Cajon

Introduction


4.4 Ongoing Engagement The City is committed to continuing outreach efforts through CAP implementation and monitoring. Effective and long-term climate action in the City can only be achieved through efforts that continue to change the way individuals interact with the environment. Many actions identified in Chapter 3 require increased community awareness and participation in existing programs, or connecting the community with new information, tools, funding, incentives, or resources.

4.5 Funding Sources The City will incur minor costs to implement some of the measures outlined in the CAP. These include initial start-up and ongoing administration, which will be absorbed within existing department budgets. While some measures will only require funding from public entities, others would result in increased costs for businesses, new construction, and residents. However, most measures provide substantial cost-savings in the long term. The City will be diligent in cost-effective implementation by leveraging strategic funding opportunities and partnerships. Measures with potentially significant costs will be brought to City Council for consideration and approval.

Success of the CAP will require capital improvements, investments, and increased operations and maintenance efficiencies. The summary of funding and financing options are summarized in Table 4-4. Funding options are included from a variety of sources including the City, regional agencies such as SANDAG, or San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). The City will monitor private and public funding sources for new grant and rebate opportunities. Leveraging funding opportunities would facilitate successful implementation of the GHG reduction measures.

The City will continue to seek input during CAP implementation from key stakeholder groups, including: El Cajon Collaborative and Core

Team Downtown El Cajon Partners International Rescue Committee Newcomers in Action and

NewcomersSD El Cajon Rotary Club San Diego East County Chamber of

Commerce El Cajon Lions Club

The State’s Climate Change Funding Wizard provides updates for funding available to cities, residents, and businesses to decrease GHG emissions in improve local resiliency.

https://fundingwizard.arb.ca.gov/

https://fundingwizard.arb.ca.gov/


Table 4-4 Potential Funding Sources to Support GHG Reduction Measures

Funding Source Description

For City Operations

California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)

CalRecycle grant programs allow jurisdictions to assist public and private entities in management of waste streams.

Incorporated cities and counties in California are eligible for funds.

Program funds are intended to:

Reduce, reuse, and recycle all waste.

Encourage development of recycled-content products and markets.

Protect public health and safety and foster environmental sustainability.

California Air Resources Board (CARB)

CARB offers several grants, incentives, and credit programs to reduce on-road and off-road transportation emissions. Residents, businesses, and fleet operators can receive funds or incentives depending on the program.

The following programs can be utilized to fund local measures:

Air Quality Improvement Program (Assembly Bill [AB] 118)

Loan Incentives Program

California Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project

Transportation-Related Federal and State Funding

For funding measures related to transit, bicycle, or pedestrian improvements, the following funding sources from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) may be utilized:

Smart Growth Incentive Program

Active Transportation Grant Program

Job Access and Reverse Commute and New Freedom Programs

Specialized Transportation Grant Program

New Development Impact Fees

These types of fees may have some potential to provide funding for proposed programs and projects, but such fees are best implemented when the real estate market and overall regional economic conditions are strong.

General Obligation Bond A general obligation bond is a form of long-term borrowing and could be utilized to fund municipal improvements.

Other Funding Mechanisms for Implementation

Grants may be available from the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) or the State Department of Conservation (DOC) to fund sustainable community planning, natural resource conservation, and development, and adoption.

For Community Operations

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)

SDG&E is one of the utilities participating in the Go Solar initiative.

A variety of rebates are available for existing and new homes.

Photovoltaics (PV), thermal technologies, and solar hot water projects are eligible.

Single-family homes, commercial development, and affordable housing are eligible.

Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)

The PACE finance program is intended to finance energy and water improvements within a home or business through a land-secured loan, and funds are repaid through property assessments.

Introduction




Municipalities are authorized to designate areas where property owners can enter into contractual assessments to receive long-term, low-interest loans for energy and water efficiency improvements, and renewable energy installation on their property.

Financing is repaid through property tax bills.

Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO; a PACE program) programs are available in jurisdictions throughout the County, including El Cajon. The HERO program assists residents in financing residential energy efficiency and solar retrofits.

Clean Vehicle Rebate Program

Individual, fleet operators, local government entities, and businesses can apply for rebates for purchases of plug-in electric hybrids (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), and other non-highway, motorcycle and commercial BEVs.

Energy Upgrade California

Program is intended for home energy upgrades.

Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, California utility ratepayers, and private contributions.

Utilities administer the program, offering homeowners the choice of one of two upgrade packages—basic or advanced.

Homeowners are connected to home energy professionals.

Rebates, incentives, and financing are available.

Homeowners can receive up to $4,000 back on an upgrade through the local utility.

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

Tax credits for energy efficiency can be promoted to residents.

Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM)

An EEM is a mortgage that credits a home’s energy efficiency in the mortgage itself.

Residents can finance energy saving measures as part of a single mortgage.

To verify a home’s energy efficiency, an EEM typically requires a home energy rating of the house by a home energy rater before financing is approved.

EEMs typically are used to purchase a new home that is already energy efficient, such as an ENERGY STAR® qualified home.

Private Funding Private equity can be used to finance energy improvements, with returns realized as future cost savings.

Rent increases can fund retrofits in commercial buildings.

Net energy cost savings can fund retrofits in households.

Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) involve a private company that purchases, installs, and maintains a renewable energy technology through a contract that typically lasts 15 years. After 15 years, the company would uninstall the technology or sign a new contract.

On-Bill Financing (OBF) can be promoted to businesses for energy-efficiency retrofits. Funding from OBF is a no-interest loan that is paid back through the monthly utility bill. Lighting, refrigeration, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and light-emitting diode streetlights are all eligible projects.

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Revenue

Revenue generated by a local CCA program may be used to fund or incentivize GHG reduction measures.




Housing Rehabilitation Loan Programs

Critical Home Repair Program through Habitat for Humanity provides home improvements for low-income homeowners to improve home efficiency, safety, and accessibility.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides communities with resources to address redevelopment needs, specifically for home rehabilitation.

HUD also administers the HOME program, providing grants to improve affordable housing opportunities and conditions.

General Funding and Staff Capacity

CivicSpark Program Supports sustainability-focused research, planning, and implementation projects throughout California by providing public agencies and other organizations with capacity building support and community engagement

Provides volunteer engagement through AmeriCorps fellows to provide added staff capacity for eleven months

California Climate Investments (CCI)

CCI is the statewide initiative that provides funds from the Cap-and-Trade program for GHG reducing projects and programs.

Funds can support a variety of projects including affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, sustainable agriculture, recycling, and more.

Numerous State programs listed above are funded by CCI; however, the program continues to evolve and is updated by the State periodically to include new or modified programs.


city of el cajon climate action plan

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