HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3a - Additional Resource - 2020 Climate Action Plan Public Review_Volume I & IIStories from 2035
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
VOLUME 1
Climate Action Plan for
Community Recovery
Public Review Draft
slocity.org/climateactionplan
Public Review Draft
CLIMATE ACTION PLAN FOR COMMUNITY RECOVERY VOLUME 1: STORIES FROM 2035
Table of
Contents
A Note from the City Manager i
Introduction 1
Path to Carbon Neutrality 2
Imagine the Future 5
Morning with the Kids 6
Lunch Break 8
Weekend Coffee 10
Busy Afternoon 12
Out and About 14
Campus Commute 16
Telling Your Story 18
Acknowledgments 19
The City of San Luis Obispo Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery includes
Volume 1: Stories from 2035, Volume 2: Technical Foundations and Work Program,
and technical appendices. The full plan is available at slocity.org/climateactionplan.
Public Review Draft
Introduction
Due to decades of rapidly increasing global greenhouse gas emissions and insufficient climate
action at all levels of government and industry, atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations have
reached a level that guarantees substantial and unavoidable impacts for the foreseeable future.
In response to the need for ambitious climate action, this Climate Action Plan for Community
Recovery (Climate Action Plan) establishes a communitywide goal of carbon neutrality by 2035,
adopts six sector specific goals, and provides foundational actions to establish a trajectory toward
carbon neutrality. The underlying assumptions and technical details that support this Climate
Action Plan are provided briefly in this document and in detail in Volume 2 (available at slocity.org/
climateactionplan).
Addressing climate change presents the City and community with an opportunity to use resources
more effectively, improve community equity and well-being, and support an economy that is set to
recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and thrive in a rapidly changing 21st century.
This Climate Action Plan is about addressing greenhouse gas emissions, but it is also about
supporting a more equitable and resilient community. It is about creating a community that welcomes
all and provides a healthy, safe, and thriving environment as it rapidly reduces its carbon footprint.
It is about the ways we imagine ourselves living here over the next 15 years and beyond.
What follows is a brief overview of the City’s technical approach to carbon neutrality followed by six
short stories that capture moments of San Luis Obispo daily life in 2035. These stories, compiled
from the nearly 90 short stories submitted by community members, show what is possible if we take
the bold actions outlined in this Climate Action Plan.
VOLUME 1: STORIES FROM 2035 | 1i | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN FOR COMMUNITY RECOVERY
The City of San Luis Obispo is proud
to present this Climate Action Plan for
Community Recovery. Our community
has a long tradition of environmental
stewardship that continues today with
overwhelming support for issues like
protecting and maintaining open space
and achieving ambitious climate action.
This Climate Action Plan continues that
tradition by setting the community on a
trajectory to achieving one of the most
ambitious climate targets in the nation:
carbon neutrality by 2035.
We are at a pivotal and historic
moment as we face the public health
and economic impacts of COVID-19,
come to terms with environmental
injustice, and confront head-on
the escalating impacts of a rapidly
changing climate. While there is no
cure-all for these challenges, the
transformational actions presented
in this Climate Action Plan, along
with their focus on equity, economic
opportunity, and resiliency provide
the foundation for a more healthy and
vibrant San Luis Obispo.
This Climate Action Plan was
developed with input from over one
thousand community members and
years of research and technical, cutting
edge work. Now it is time to undertake
the hard task of implementing this
ambitious Climate Action Plan. At the
City, we will need to innovate and learn
in ways that will push us beyond what
we had previously thought possible. I
am confident that our talented City staff
and the engaged community that we
serve are up to the challenge.
We boldly embrace this important
moment and will need the Council’s
and Community’s support to make it
happen. We can do it, we have to.
Derek Johnson, City Manager
A Note
from the
City Manager
Public Review Draft
-102,000
State Laws & Programs
-39,010
Green Buildings
-26,740
-64,170
Circular Economy
-47,300 Natural Solutions
-7,050
397,000
MTCO2e
111,000MTCO2e
State laws and programs, including energy efficiency requirements for development and low carbon fuel standards, will continue to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our community.
The Clean Energy Systems pillar is focused on bringing clean, affordable, and reliable energy to San Luis Obispo. The City will continue to provide access to carbon-free electricity, while ensuring that the natural gas grid is as clean, safe, and reliable as possible.
The Green Buildings pillar addresses emissions that occur from energy use in buildings by focusing on new and existing buildings separately with equity focused programs that reduce emissions and energy costs, while increasing indoor air quality and comfort.
Transportation is the biggest greenhouse gas emissions sector in the community. The actions in the Connected Community pillar focus on allowing in-town trips to be completed via foot, bike, and low emissions transit and supports regional trips to be completed with electric vehicles.
The Circular Economy pillar is focused on diverting food scraps and yard waste, from the landfill to the high-tech regional “anaerobic digester” that creates high quality compost and clean energy.
The Natural Solutions pillar is focused on removing emissions from the atmosphere. The City will engage in projects that use natural plant processes to store carbon in the soil including tree planting and enhanced soil health.
Path to
Carbon
Neutrality
Clean Energy Systems
Connected Community
2035 Emissions Forecast
2035 Emissions Remaining
The Climate Action Plan includes 35 foundational actions organized into six pillars. Each pillar represents
a greenhouse gas emissions sector and has its own goal. The six pillars and goals are:
1. Lead by Example - Carbon neutral government operations by 2030 (not included in community
reductions, see Volume 2 for details)
2. Clean Energy Systems - 100 percent carbon free electricity by 2020
3. Green Buildings - No net new emissions from buildings’ onsite energy use by 2020; 50
percent reduction in existing building onsite emissions by 2030
4. Connected Community - Achieve General Plan mode split objective by 2030; 40 percent
of vehicle miles travelled by electric vehicles by 2030
5. Circular Economy - 75 percent diversion of landfilled organic waste by 2025; 90 percent
by 2035
6. Natural Solutions - Increase carbon sequestration on the San Luis Obispo Greenbelt
and Urban Forest through compost application-based carbon farming activities
and tree planting; ongoing through 2035
As illustrated in the figure below, full implementation of the Climate Action Plan’s foundational actions in
support of achieving these goals puts the City on a trajectory towards carbon neutrality. Volume 2 provides
additional information about the pillars, goals, and foundational actions.
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VOLUME 1: STORIES FROM 2035 | 54 | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN FOR COMMUNITY RECOVERY
The following stories highlight each action in the Climate Action Plan
and the ways they will strengthen our community.
The “Stories from 2035” were compiled from nearly 90 short stories
submitted by community members in early 2020 and reflect the
culmination of a community outreach effort that interacted with dozens
of organizations and businesses and over 1,000 community members.
For more information about how community input informed the Climate
Action Plan, see Volume 2 at slocity.org/climateactionplan.
Now, let go of the present and imagine a future that has recovered from
the impacts of COVID-19; a carbon neutral future that is cleaner, more
resilient, and more equitable.
Here are some stories
from life in 2035 ___
Imagine
the Future
Public Review Draft
It is a warm, pleasant morning.
One of those days where there is not a
cloud in the sky, a day perfect for getting
into the hills with the kids. With shoes
tied and lunches packed, the little ones
and I head out the door to grab the free
bus (1) across town. I see it approaching
and take their tiny hands in mine to catch it
just in time. Even though the electric buses
(2) have been around for a few years, I am
still not used to how quiet they are. We settle
into our seats and the beautiful trees (3) that
line the road cast shadows on our laps as we
pass by. My son leans across me, pushing his
face against the glass. I can’t help but smile to
myself. When we arrive at the bus stop by our
favorite trail, we see the native saplings and tall
grasses (4) and step out into all the possibilities of a
Saturday in nature.
NATURAL
SOLUTIONS
The City plans to assess the feasibility of a free-to-the-
user transit ridership program. This would allow community
members to utilize the City’s transit system at no cost.
Learn more about Connected 4.4 on page 55 in Volume 2.
In 2020, the City will begin implementing its Transit
Electrification Strategy which details the transition to zero-
emissions technologies.
Learn more about Connected 4.1 on page 51 in Volume 2.
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CONNECTED COMMUNITY
The City plans to develop its first Urban
Forest Master Plan which will identify future
tree planting opportunities throughout the
City.
Learn more about Natural Solutions 2.1 on
page 70 in Volume 2.
In 2021, the City is going to conduct a
Carbon Farming Study and Pilot Project
with the intent for expansion in the future.
Compost applied to open spaces will result
in more robust plant growth to sequester
carbon from the atmosphere.
Learn more about Natural Solutions 1.1 on
page 68 in Volume 2.
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2
How We Got Here
Morning with the Kids
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Public Review Draft
LunchBreak
My watch chimes noon: lunch time.
It is time to take a mid-day break. I find a cool spot to
eat my lunch in the shade. Five months into a new
all-electric multi-use building for the City, my crew is
entering the final phase of construction (1). I look up
at the progress we’ve made and think back to the
times I called the City’s building support hotline
(2) during the initial transition period to all-electric
buildings. As a contractor that’s done projects
with the City for over 20 years, I’ve seen my
industry change in endlessly exciting ways.
Carbon-neutral buildings used to seem so
futuristic and far-off. Now, it’s nothing out
of the ordinary – all municipal buildings
are carbon neutral (3). Actually, most city
buildings are carbon neutral (4), and
even the ones that have not yet been
retrofitted are the least carbon intensive
(5) we have ever seen. And despite
the number of wildfires each season
rising, we don’t have to worry about
power interruptions (6). All-around,
things have improved drastically
and I’m proud to have been
a part of that process. I can’t help
but wonder… what’s next!?
ENERGY
The City will partner with SoCal Gas to research
options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
associated with the existing natural gas grid.
Learn more about Energy 3.1 on page 33 in
Volume 2.
The City will work with MBCP and PG&E to
develop a regional grid reliability strategy.
Learn more about Energy 2.1 on page 32 in
Volume 2.
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LEAD BY EXAMPLE
The City plans to research methods to support
local contractors and labor.
Learn more about Leadership 2.2 on page 27 in
Volume 2.
In 2021, the City plans to adopt a municipal carbon
neutrality plan.
Learn more about Leadership 1.1 on page 23 in
Volume 2.
In 2020, the City launched Monterey Bay Community
Power and expects to achieve a 98% participation
rate while advocating for programs and that support
equity and achieve maximum local benefit.
Learn more about Energy 1.1 on page 30 in Volume 2.
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How We Got Here
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Passing through the door at 1:00 pm sharp,
the office is bustling this Monday
afternoon. I barely have the chance to
dock the bike (1) I used for lunch and
set my bag down at my desk before a
stack of papers are handed to me for a
signature. On the updated contract with a
developer whose latest project is bringing
two hundred all-electric (3) new residential
units to San Luis Obispo, I sign my name
on the line next to CEO. As the head of a
company that designs and manufactures (4)
residential charging devices for electric vehicles,
our operations have expanded in a way I could
have never imagined. Owning an electric car—
along with demand for our product—continually
grows each quarter as the City expands its EV
infrastructure (2). As boxes of our product are
wheeled back to the loading dock to start off today’s
deliveries, I weave through the workspace - an old
warehouse the team acquired in 2028 and was able
to completely retrofit (5) a year later. I pluck a small
box off the top of the stack as it moves past me and run
my hands over the textured cardboard - the company,
along with a few other local manufacturers, jointly
committed to using all recycled packaging a few years
back when we joined the community climate collaborative
(6). Admiring the bustling workspace, I feel grateful knowing
that my business and so many others can thrive in the ever-
expanding green local economy.
CONNECTED
COMMUNITY
By 2021, the City plans to launch a micro mobility program.
Learn more about Connected 2.2 on page 48 in Volume 2.
The City will develop and begin implementing an electric mobility plan to achieve a goal of 40 percent electric vehicle miles traveled by 2035.
Learn more about Connected 6.1 on
page 57 in Volume 2.
GREEN
BUILDINGS
In 2020, the City will adopt and begin implementing the Clean Energy Choice Program for New Buildings.
Learn more about Buildings 1.1 on page 36 in Volume 2.
The City plans to develop and implement a strategic and equity-focused building
retrofit program in 2021.
Learn more about Buildings 2.1 on page 38 in Volume 2.
LEAD BY
EXAMPLE
The City plans to include carbon neutrality, social equity, and a focus on developing a green local economy in the updated Economic Development Strategic Plan.
Learn more about Leadership 2.1 on page 25 in Volume 2.
The City will continue supporting and empowering community collaboration for climate action.
Learn more about Leadership 3.1 on page 28 of Volume 2.
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5How We Got Here
4
Busy Afternoon
6
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Weekend
Coffee
First things first this
brisk Sunday: coffee.
Perched next to my partner at a table outside of our
favorite café, I savor each sip. Soon, this slow start to the
day will give way to a long list of errands. Only a short
walk away from the natural foods co-op, we need to
stock up for the week ahead. He grabs both of our
plates and scrapes the leftover food into the green
bin (1) on the other side of the patio as I prepare
a grocery list. Hesitating with the plant-based
napkins we used, he consults a brightly colored
sign (2) that hangs above the receptacles to find
its rightful place. The new section of the Utilities
Department (3) distributes updated placards
each year—I don’t think I have seen a waste
bin in town without one! As he spins around,
he narrowly avoids bumping into the barista
whisking by with a tray full of muffins and
scones. Just beyond the fenced-in area
(4) where the larger waste bins are
housed, a man from the local food bank
takes the leftovers (5) in exchange for
a friendly greeting. I shake my head
knowingly at my partner from across
the patio as he laughs and shrugs
his shoulders. Slinging my cotton
grocery bag across my shoulder
and grabbing his hand, we make
our way down the sidewalk
against the gentle breeze.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
The City plans to adopt an ordinance requiring
organic waste subscription for all residential
and commercial customers by 2022.
Learn more about Circular Economy 1.1 on page
61 in Volume 2.
The City plans to develop and implement a
waste stream education program for HOA/
Property Managers and the commercial sector.
Learn more about Circular Economy 1.3 on page
63 of Volume 2.
The City plans to develop and expand
funding for a Solid Waste section
in the Utilities Department in 2020.
Learn more about Circular Economy 2.2 on page
65 in Volume 2.
The City will update the Municipal Code solid
waste section and bin enclosure standards.
Learn more about Circular Economy 2.1 on page
64 in Volume 2.
The City plans to develop and implement
program to increase edible food rescue by
20%.
Learn more about Circular Economy 1.2 on page
62 in Volume 2.
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How We Got Here
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Peering out the window to the sky above,
examining the gray clouds and gusty
winds that rattle the last leaves of the year
free from their trees, I button my jacket up
tightly and gather my purse. As I enter the
hallway, the kids that live one door down
(nearly the same age as my grandchildren)
race by me as their mother apologetically
waves from behind. I chuckle and begin
heading down the stairs. My building consists
of a dozen or so residential units above a small
grocer in the heart of downtown (1) that were
built during the affordable housing boom; I was
one of the first residents to move in. Upon pushing
open the door, I am greeted by a busy pedestrian
lane (2) full of holiday shoppers. I gently bump
elbows and bags as I stroll down the road towards
the parking garage (3) surrounded by new businesses
and residences. While I barely have need for my
electric car living in the middle of town, it’s the quickest
option for getting down to the five-cities area where my
son and his family live. I quicken my step as I picture my
grandchildren’s smiling faces - I don’t want to be late for
dinner!
CONNECTED COMMUNITY
In 2020, the City will complete
the 2019-21 Housing Element
of the General Plan Update and
Flexible Zoning Requirements for
Downtown.
Learn more about Connected 5.1
on page 56 in Volume 2.
The City plans to complete
and begin implementing the
Active Transportation Plan
in late 2020.
Learn more about
Connected 2.1 on page 46
in Volume 2.
The City plans to establish
an approach to take
advantage of new and
existing parking garages to
serve residential and visitor
uses.
Learn more about
Connected 3.1 on page 49 in
Volume 2.
1 2 3
How We Got Here
Out and About
14 | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN FOR COMMUNITY RECOVERY VOLUME 1: STORIES FROM 2035 | 15
Public Review Draft
Campus Commute
I glimpse up at the ticking clock on the wall
and notice I’ve lost track of time. Speeding to the front
of the secondhand store, I shout a hurried goodbye at
my manager and—before he even has the chance to
respond—I’m pacing down the street. If I don’t hurry,
I’ll be tardy to class. Pulling out my phone, I open
the SLO Mobility app (1) and assess my options
for getting to campus. Each bus route stops at the
main terminal downtown every fifteen minutes (2),
so I quickly pivot to head straight there. With just
a few taps within the app, I’m able to request
that the bus drops me off (3) right in front of
the academic building my class is in. It’s only
a couple blocks away from the route’s typical
stop, but it will save me precious time. A
bright green check appears on my screen,
indicating my request was immediately
accepted. A rush of relief comes over
me as I round the corner to a bench
next to the terminal. Stopping to catch
my breath, I feel a sense of calm
and security knowing how easy and
accessible all the different mobility
options are. Students walk, bike, or
take the bus everywhere (4); almost
no one owns a car. Instead of
having to worry about how I will
get around, I’m glad my biggest
concern is keeping an eye on
the clock.
In 2021, the City plans to develop
consistent methods to track and report
mode-split metrics of residents and
community members.
Learn more about Connected 1.1 on page
43 in Volume 2.
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CONNECTED COMMUNITY
The City plans to develop a “Mobility as a Service”
platform for people to easily use all modes of low-carbon
mobility in the City beginning in 2021.
Learn more about Connected 1.2 on page 44 in Volume 2.
In 2020, the City will implement the existing Short-Range
Transit Plan to shorten headways.
Learn more about Connected 4.2 on page 53 in Volume 2.
Through the 2022 Short-Range Transit Plan, the City plans
to explore innovative transit options, including on-demand
deviated routes.
Learn more about Connected 4.3 on page 54 in Volume 2.
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How We Got Here
16 | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN FOR COMMUNITY RECOVERY V OLUME 1 : STORIES FROM 2035 | 17
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Acknowledgement s
18 | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN FOR COMMUNITY RECOVERY VOLUME 1: STORIES FROM 2035 | 19
CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Heidi Harmon
Vice Mayor Aaron Gomez
Council Member Carlyn Christianson
Council Member Andy Pease
Council Member Erica A. Stewart
CITY MANAGEMENT
Derek Johnson, City Manager
Shelly Stanwyck, Assistant City Manager
Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager
CITY STAFF
Stephen Ames, Gamaliel Anguiano, Mychal Boerman, Michael Codron,
Tyler Corey, Adam Fukushima, Bob Hill, Jordan Lane, Teresa McClish,
Chris Read, Luke Schwartz, Shawna Scott, Dylan Stafforini, and many
others.
CIVICSPARK FELLOWS
Bryan Iwamoto
Marina Mendes
Francisco Pares
Shannon Pressler
CONSULTING SUPPORT
AMF Media Group
Fehr & Peers
HIP Investor, Inc.
Placeworks, Inc.
Raimi + Associates
Rincon Consultants
A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, AND
OVER 1,000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT
CONTRIBUTED TO THIS PLAN.
Thank you for imagining the future with us. The vision presented here is one that highlights
actions the City will take over the next several years (see Volume 2 for details about how the
plan will be implemented).
However, we know that local organizations, businesses, and community members will also
need to take ambitious action if the community is going to achieve its climate action goals. If
you are feeling inspired to tell your own story about life in a carbon neutral San Luis Obispo,
consider the prompt below and share your story with us at slocity.org/climateactionplan.
2035 Story Activity
The year is 2035. The place I live has _____________________________.
To get home from my job, I ____________________________________.
In 2020, __________________________ was an issue in San Luis Obispo.
Now that has changed because _________________________________.
In 2035, I finally get to _______________________________________,
because _________________________________________________.
Telling Your
Story
Public Review Draft
slocity.org/
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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
Public Review Draft
Technical Foundation and Work Program
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
VOLUME 2
Climate Action Plan for
Community Recovery
Public Review Draft
slocity.org/climateactionplan
Public Review Draft - Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery
Volume 2: Technical Foundation and Work Program
City of San Luis Obispo
Table of Contents
How to Use This Plan ............................................................................................................... 1
1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 3
A Time for Transformational Climate Action ........................................................................... 3
Climate Action and COVID-19 Recovery ................................................................................ 3
Guiding Principles .................................................................................................................. 4
The Climate Action Plan Process ........................................................................................... 6
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast .............................................................. 6
Emissions Reduction Targets ................................................................................................. 8
New Development Consistency with the Climate Action Plan ................................................. 9
2. Community Outreach ..........................................................................................................11
A Community Driven Process ................................................................................................11
Outreach Objectives ..............................................................................................................11
Outreach Events ....................................................................................................................12
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................15
3. The Path to Carbon Neutrality ............................................................................................17
The City’s Approach to Carbon Neutrality ..............................................................................17
Estimated Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions ...............................................................17
Getting to True Carbon Neutrality ..........................................................................................20
Foundational Actions .............................................................................................................21
Pillar 1: Lead by Example ......................................................................................................22
Pillar 2: Clean Energy Systems ............................................................................................29
Pillar 3: Green Buildings ........................................................................................................34
Pillar 4: Connected Community .............................................................................................40
Pillar 5: Circular Economy .....................................................................................................59
Pillar 6: Natural Solutions ......................................................................................................66
4. Achieving Our Goals ...........................................................................................................73
Administrative Actions ...........................................................................................................73
Staff Work Program ...............................................................................................................74
Appendices
Appendix A – Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast
Appendix B – Reduction Measure Quantification
Appendix C – Greenhouse Gas Emissions Threshold Guidance and Climate Action Plan
Consistency Checklist for New Development
Public Review Draft - Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery
Volume 2: Technical Foundation and Work Program
City of San Luis Obispo
List of Tables
Table 1.1 Forecasted GHG emissions with state reductions, 2005-2050 (MTCO2e). .................. 7
Table 1.2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Target Summary ............................................................ 8
Table 3.1 GHG Emissions Reductions Estimates (MTCO2e, 2030 and 2035) ..........................19
Table 3.3 Projected MTCO2e Savings by Retrofit Type, 2030 and 2035 ...................................39
Table 3.4 Mode Split Objectives, 2020 and 2030 ......................................................................40
Table 3.5 Connected Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions ..............................42
Table 4.1 Staff Work Program ...................................................................................................75
List of Figures
Figure 1.1 Climate Action Guiding Principles ............................................................................. 5
Figure 1.2 Climate Action Planning Process .............................................................................. 6
Figure 1.3. New Development Consistency with the Climate Action Plan ................................... 9
Figure 3.1 Six Pillars to Carbon Neutrality .................................................................................18
Figure 3.2 Projected Community GHG Emissions, 2005-2035 ..................................................19
Figure 3.3. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions by Decarbonization Pillar .........................20
Figure 4.1. Climate Action Plan Update Schedule .....................................................................73
City of San Luis Obispo Page 1
HOW TO
USE THIS PLAN
The City of San Luis Obispo Climate Action Plan for Community
Recovery is intended to inform, inspire, and guide action, while
also providing sufficient detail to illustrate consistency with
regulatory guidance, provide transparency to interested parties,
and to allow the City Council to make fully informed decisions.
With two volumes and five technical appendices, the City’s 2020
Climate Action Plan is over 200 pages long. However, the Climate
Action Plan is not intended to be read in its entirety. To allow the
plan to be more accessible, the City has organized it as follows:
• Volume 1: Stories from 2035 – provides a summary of the
Climate Action Plan through stories told from the future about
a post-COVID 19 carbon neutral San Luis Obispo and the
foundational actions that were undertaken to get there.
• Volume 2: Technical Foundation and Work Program –
describes the Climate Action Plan update process, provides a
greenhouse gas emissions inventory summary, and lays out
the foundational actions required to achieve deep reductions
in greenhouse gas emissions while addressing issues of
equity and economic recovery.
• Technical Appendices
o Appendix A – Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and
Forecast
o Appendix B – Reduction Measure Quantification
o Appendix C – Greenhouse Gas Emissions Threshold
Guidance and Consistency Checklist for New
Development
How to Use This Plan
Recommended for
community members and
local organizations that are
interested in a short and
engaging overview of
climate action.
Volume 1:
Stories
from 2035
Recommended for
stakeholders and decision
makers interested in the
technical components and
supporting details of the
City’s approach to climate
action.
Volume 2:
Technical
Foundation
and Work
Program
Provided for transparency
and recommended for
implementers, regulatory
review, and anyone seeking
more information.
Technical
Appendices
City of San Luis Obispo Page 3
1. INTRODUCTION
A Time for Transformational Climate Action
Due to decades of rapidly increasing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and insufficient
climate action at all levels of government and industry, atmospheric GHG concentrations have
reached a level that guarantees substantial and unavoidable impacts for the foreseeable future.
California’s recent historic wildfires, droughts, floods, mudslides, and public safety power shutoffs
represent the types of climate change impacts that will be experienced with increasing frequency
and severity. These impacts threaten to make all the significant issues currently faced by the City
(e.g., economic recovery, the housing crisis, homelessness, equity, sustainable water supply,
etc.) more critical, challenging, and expensive. To limit global warming to 1.5° Celsius, annual
global emissions need to decrease 45 percent by 2030, and be “net zero” by 2050.1
Addressing climate change presents the City and community with an opportunity to use resources
more effectively, improve community equity and well-being, and develop an economy that is set
to recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and thrive in a rapidly changing 21st century.
In response to the need for ambitious climate action, this Climate Action Plan establishes a
communitywide goal of carbon neutrality by 2035, adopts sector specific goals, and provides
foundational actions to establish a trajectory towards achieving that goal.
Climate Action and COVID-19 Recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly impacted San Luis Obispo and the surrounding region. While
the community recovers from the near-term health crisis, the longer-term economic impacts are
expected to remain for the foreseeable future. Climate action will play an integral role in the City’s
1 IPCC, 2018. Global Warming of 1.5°C. An IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C
above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways . Retrieved from:
.https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/
Public Review Draft - Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery
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recovery from the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19. This Plan address the near term needs
of economic and community recovery while also setting the community on a long-term trajectory
towards carbon neutrality.
The City is not alone in seeing climate action as an
organizing principle for community recovery. Leading
economists2, and governments ranging from cities3 to the
European Union4 believe that COVID-19 recovery
focused on creating a low carbon economy can provide
enduring economic benefit, address issues of health and
equity, and enable communities to thrive in a rapidly
changing world.5
In addition to economic recovery, this Climate Action
Plan also supports public health improvements that
increases community resilience and reduces community
risk to this pandemic and to future public health threats.
From focusing on local economic development to
increasing active transportation safety and accessibility6
to reducing combustion of fossil fuels to improve outdoor
and indoor air quality7, the foundational actions in this
plan provide for a cleaner, healthier, and safer San Luis
Obispo.
Guiding Principles
Since the adoption of the City’s first Climate Action Plan in 2012, numerous lessons have been
learned about the feasibility and effectiveness of local climate action efforts. Since the goal of
carbon neutrality was first discussed by the City Council in 2018, the City has met with staff from
cities and reviewed ambitious climate action plans from around the world. The lessons learned
from local implementation and through review of global best practices have guided the
development of this Climate Action Plan and are summarized in Figure 1.1.
2 For example, see: Hepburn, C., O’Callaghan, B., Stern, N., Stiglitz, J., and Zenghelis, D. (2020), ‘Will
COVID-19 fiscal recovery packages accelerate or retard progress on climate change?’, Smith School
Working Paper 20-02. Retrieved from:
https://www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/publications/wpapers/workingpaper20-02.pdf.
3 For example, over 30 mayors recently pledged to focusing COVID Recovery on health, equity, and
sustainability. See: https://www.c40.org/press_releases/taskforce-principles
4 For example see: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-eu-climate/eu-green-recovery-
to-target-buildings-clean-power-hydrogen-draft-idUSKBN22W2TO and
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrvetter/2020/04/13/use-lessons-of-covid-19-to-build-a-green-recovery-
say-eu-ministers/#68dd906a4335
5 Pinner, D., Rogers, M., and Samandari, H. 2020. Addressing climate change in a post-pandemic world.
Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability/our-insights/addressing-
climate-change-in-a-post-pandemic-world.
6 For examole, Giles-Corti et al. (2010) find, “Policies promoting the use of both energy-efficient motor
vehicles and increased active transportation would […] reduce disease burden by increasing physical
activity.” Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20637168/
7 For example, a Rocky Mountain Institute literature review report provides substantial evidence linking
onsite natural gas combustion with poor indoor air quality and public health impacts. See:
https://rmi.org/insight/gas-stoves-pollution-health
Community Resilience
The City is currently undertaking a
study to assess community
vulnerability to the physical, social,
and economic impacts of climate
change.
Expected to be completed in 2021,
the community vulnerability
assessment will support the update
of the City’s Safety Element of the
General Plan, which will establish
the City’s policy framework for
climate change adaptation and
resilience.
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Figure 1.1 Climate Action Guiding Principles
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The Climate Action Plan Process
The climate action planning process is a five-part cycle as outlined in Figure 1.2. This Climate
Action Plan includes the greenhouse gas emissions inventory (summarized in this chapter and
provided in full as Appendix A), establishes 2030 and 2035 greenhouse gas emissions targets,
provides substantial evidence that the targets are achievable (summarized in this chapter and
provided in full as Appendix B), and an includes an action plan, including identified foundational
actions (Chapter 3) and a staff work program (Chapter 4). The implementation of the action plan
and evaluation of progress to the GHG reduction targets will occur at regular intervals following
the adoption of the Climate Action Plan, as described in Chapter 4.
Figure 1.2 Climate Action Planning Process
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast
A greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory is a comprehensive measure of GHG emissions that have
occurred as the result of activity in a jurisdiction or a geographic area in a calendar year. The
greenhouse gas emissions inventories and related emissions forecasts are the foundation for the
technical work required to complete a climate action plan. For this Climate Action Plan Update,
the City updated its 2005 baseline inventory, completed a 2016 inventory, and forecast emissions
for 2020, 2030, and 2035.
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Table 1.1 provides the emissions for inventory and
forecast years by emissions sector. Due to actions
taken by the State and the City prior to the adoption
of this plan, as well as observed reductions in
emissions from community activity, even without this
Climate Action Plan, emissions are forecast to
reduce 33 percent from 2005 levels by 2035. A
detailed description of accounting methods,
protocols, progress towards state emissions
reduction targets, and the full inventories and
forecasts are provided in Appendix A.
Table 1.1 Forecasted GHG emissions with state reductions, 2005-2050 (MTCO2e).
Sector 2005 2016 2020 2030 2035 Percent Change
(2005-2035)
Transportation 225,390 212,980 198,210 161,290 142,830 -37%
Nonresidential Energy 58,050 44,270 30,430 33,690 27,720 -47%
Residential Energy 55,450 39,410 33,760 35,660 33,180 -39%
Solid Waste 47,740 42,630 44,890 49,880 52,560 10%
Total 386,630 339,290 307,290 280,520 256,290 -33%
Change from 2005 -12% -21% -29% -33%
GHG Measurement
This plan addresses three greenhouse
gas emissions: carbon dioxide,
methane, and nitrous oxide. Emissions
are presented as metric tons of carbon
dioxide equivalent, or MTCO2e.
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Emissions Reduction Targets
In September of 2018, City Council received an
update on the Climate Action Plan process with a
request to provide direction on a long-term GHG
reduction goal. Following a presentation, public
comment, and deliberation about goals that cities
throughout California and the world are committing
to, Council directed staff to develop a roadmap to
carbon neutrality by 2035. This target goes above
and beyond the 2020 target set by Assembly Bill 32
and the 2030 target in Senate Bill 32 (see sidebar).
Carbon Neutral by 2035
“Carbon neutrality” applies to the net emissions of
the inventoried sectors reported in Table 1.1, above,
minus emissions captured through carbon
sequestration efforts. Achieving carbon neutrality in
a modern advanced economy is an unprecedented
challenge and will require that the City and the
community implement foundational actions now and
conduct additional research to assess and monitor
new developments in the ongoing and evolving field
of climate action planning. Achieving carbon
neutrality as a community is contingent on
numerous outside factors, such as increased state
funding for climate action, the federal government
taking responsibility for climate action and
supporting local action, and a regional approach to
supporting the clean energy economy. At the same
time, the City’s experience has been that an
ambitious reduction target invites resources for the
work and puts the City in position to pursue and
accept funds from external funding sources.
For regulatory guidance purposes, adoption of this
Climate Action Plan Update adopts the SB 32 target for 2030 and the carbon neutrality target for
2035. Table 1.2 provides the 2030, and 2035 greenhouse gas targets presented as annual
greenhouse gas emissions in MTCO2e. The Climate Action Plan Update also includes six sub-
targets for adoption, as described in Chapter 3.
Table 1.2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Target Summary
Target Annual GHG Emissions Target (MTCO2e)
2005 Baseline Emissions 386,630
AB32 – 1990 levels (15% below baseline) by
2020 328,640
SB 32 – 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 197,180
Carbon Neutral by 2035 0
California Climate Law
Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) (Nuñez,
Chapter 488, Statutes of 2006)
established a target of reducing GHG
emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 with
maintained and continued reductions
post 2020. Given the challenge of
estimating 1990 GHG emissions,
standard best practice is to use 15
percent reduction of a base line year
(2005) as a proxy. The City’s previous
adopted targets are consistent with AB
32. Based on participation in Monterey
Bay Community Power, the City is
expected to achieve its 2020 target.
Senate Bill 32 (SB 32) (Pavley, Chapter
249, Statutes of 2016) codifies into
statute the GHG emissions reduction
target of at least 40 percent below 1990
levels by 2030. The 2030 target reflects
the same science that informs the
agreement reached by the Paris
Agreement aimed at keeping the global
temperature increase below 2 degrees
Celsius (̊C).
In 2019, California Governor Jerry
Brown issued Executive Order B-55-18,
which establishes a new statewide goal
to achieve carbon neutrality as soon as
possible, and no later than 2045, and
achieve net negative emissions
thereafter.
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New Development Consistency with the Climate Action Plan
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15183.5(b)(1) establishes
criteria to guide the preparation of a “plan for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.” A City
can make findings that its plan is consistent with these guidelines and can use the CEQA
document for the Climate Action Plan to allow future environmental review streamlining. This
Climate Action Plan has undergone CEQA review and the City finds that it is a qualified
greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategy consistent with state law. As illustrated in Figure
1.3, development that triggers CEQA review may use the CEQA GHG Emissions Analysis
Compliance Checklist provided in Appendix C to illustrate consistency with this Climate Action
Plan and will not be required to conduct additional greenhouse gas emissions review. Should a
project be unable to comply with the checklist, it would be required to illustrate compliance with
the City’s project efficiency threshold, also provided in Appendix C. A project that can illustrate
compliance with the checklist or achievement of the City’s efficiency thresholds will be consistent
with the Climate Action Plan and will not require further greenhouse gas emissions review.
Figure 1.3. New Development Consistency with the Climate Action Plan
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2.COMMUNITY
OUTREACH
A Community Driven Process
San Luis Obispo residents and businesses routinely rank climate change as an important issue.
In 2019, thousands of people in San Luis Obispo contributed to the City’s budget process that
resulted in City Council adopting Climate Action as a Major City Goal for the second straight
Financial Plan cycle. Public input, community engagement, and local capacity building are
essential components of this Climate Action Plan. Dozens of outreach events and engagement
with thousands of community members support this Climate Action Plan Update. The events and
activities were designed to empower a variety of residents, stakeholders, City staff, and decision-
makers throughout the process to craft the Climate Action Plan Update and to be ready to
implement it after adoption. This chapter provides outreach objectives and an overview of the
events conducted to collect information and develop this Climate Action plan.
Outreach Objectives
The City established specific outreach goals and objectives to ensure that the Climate Action Plan
is reflective of the values of San Luis Obispo. The City began the planning process with the
following objectives (and achieved each of them):
•Provide an open and transparent process
•Educate the community about the importance and urgency of climate action
•Engage and empower a broad cross-section of San Luis Obispo residents, business owners,
students, stakeholders, and decision-makers to take meaningful climate action within their
own roles in the community
•Gather input at strategic points in the planning process to inform the Climate Action Plan
•Gather meaningful input and feedback from the community about the Climate Action Plan
•Achieve broad demographic and geographic representation from stakeholders including
participants who are typically not engaged and traditionally under-represented in planning
processes.
•Engage at least 1,000 community members.
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Outreach Events
The City, in partnership with community organizations, held dozens of events that ranged from
traditional City Council meetings, to “pop up” events, to on-line information gathering tools. This
section outlines the events conducted in support of this Climate Action Plan.
City Council Meetings
Staff presented information regarding the Climate Action Plan, collected feedback from
community members through public comment, and received direction from City Council at three
public meetings.
2018 Study Session - On September 18, 2018, Staff presented to Council on the status of the
Climate Action Plan Update, the results of the Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory,
and emissions reduction target options. Council directed staff to pursue carbon neutrality by 2035;
a greenhouse gas reduction measure more aggressive than that outlined in SB 32. This Study
Session laid the foundation for the 2020 Climate Action Plan Update.
2019-21 Strategic Budget Community Meeting and Public Hearing - As part of the 2019-21
Financial Plan development, the City hosted a community meeting and public hearing on April 16,
2019. Through the process, staff received climate action feedback and ideas from hundreds of
residents. This event included 300 in-person participants.
2019 Study Session - On December 3, 2019, Staff presented to Council the proposed approach
to the Climate Action Plan. City Staff proposed the approach to carbon neutrality outlined in
Chapter 3 and received unanimous support to continue with the proposed approach.
Climate Solution Speaker Series
At the beginning of the Climate Action Plan Update process, the City considered ways for outreach
to be accessible, different, and fun. The City conceived of public educational events with regional
and national experts available to provide information and answer questions. Named, “Climate
Solutions Speaker Series”, the City partnered with the SLO Climate Coalition to host several
educational events related to climate action.
Climate Solution Speaker Series I - The kickoff
event on April 30, 2019 was a celebration of San
Luis Obispo’s decision to pursue a goal of carbon
neutrality by 2035. The event featured booths from
local organizations including ECOSLO, Monterey
Bay Community Power, the Sierra Club, and SLO
Transit, as well as panel discussion with Mayor
Harmon and representatives from the SLO
Chamber of Commerce and California Polytechnic
State University. The kickoff event had 250
attendees.
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Climate Solution Speaker Series II – On June 25,
2019, the second speaker series event included a
presentation by Hal Harvey—CEO of Energy
Innovation, a San Francisco-based energy and
environmental policy firm—discussing the
effectiveness and benefits of potential policies as
climate solutions. The presentation was followed by a
forum where leaders from community organizations
representing environmental justice, racial justice, and
equity concerns shared their climate policy-priorities.
The event had 110 participants.
Climate Solution Speaker Series III - This two-part event on August 22, 2019 included a panel
discussion on building decarbonization and a Building Expo at the Thursday Farmers’ Market
featuring appliances, technologies, and materials in support of building decarbonization. The
panel discussion was attended by 85 participants; the expo was attended by hundreds of Farmers’
Market attendees.
Community Workshops and Open Houses
The City held workshops and open house events in central locations and organized them to inform
the community about the Climate Action Plan, collect feedback, provide opportunities to answer
questions about the Climate Action Plan, and share the proposed approach to carbon neutrality.
Workshop #1 - On May 16, 2019, the City hosted the first
Climate Action Plan workshop. The event consisted of an
overview presentation and workshop inviting participants to
share their “big ideas” for achieving carbon neutrality. The
workshop guided participants through each of the pillars to the
Climate Action Plan and provided opportunity for comments on
each. Key takeaways from each board ranged from “Establish
parking maximums” to “Update City tree list to focus on native
species.” The workshop culminated with a community open
mic where participants shared stories, thoughts, ideas and
actions related to climate change in 30 seconds or less. This
workshop had 35 participants.
California Polytechnic State University Workshop - On
October 8, 2019, the City hosted an interactive workshop on
the California Polytechnic State University campus. The
workshop consisted of an overview presentation and
workshop inviting students and faculty to share their “big
ideas” for achieving carbon neutrality. This workshop had 20
participants.
Open House - On December 3, 2019, the City hosted an Open
House for the public to learn more about the Climate Action
Plan Update. The Open House showcased the six proposed
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pillars for the Climate Action Plan and concluded with a “visioning”
activity. This event had 70 participants.
Community Meetings
The City hosted several community meetings to discuss specific
focus areas related to the Climate Action Plan, such as building
decarbonization and how local organizations can take leadership in
climate action.
Business Roundtable - On May 16, 2019, City Staff invited
members of the business community to share initial ideas for how
they can take ownership of business-related climate action
initiatives. The meeting had 25 participants.
Community Collaboration for Climate Action Meeting - On
January 15, 2020, the City hosted a meeting for members of local
non-profits, government organizations, businesses, and community
service groups to connect and collaborate for climate action. The
event consisted of an overview presentation of the City’s Climate
Action Plan and a breakout session of small groups to brainstorm
and discuss actions their organizations can take. This meeting
elicited 23 participants.
Tabling
City staff travelled to several locations throughout the city to allow
community members the opportunity to engage with the Climate
Action Plan in a convenient and streamlined manner.
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Farmers’ Market Booths - On October 10 and November 7, 2019, City
Staff tabled at the Downtown Farmers’ Market to update the public on the
Climate Action Plan and provide opportunity for questions and comments.
Staff engaged participants in interactive activities to facilitate learning
about the Climate Action Plan. Staff also invited participants to share their
“big ideas” for climate action at home, in their neighborhoods, at work,
and city-wide. Each event engaged approximately 20 participants.
Short Story Collection - In January 2020, City Staff tabled at California
Fresh (771 Foothill Blvd.), Assistance League (667 Marsh St.) and
Nautical Bean (2010 Parker St.) to share information about the Climate
Action Plan Update and encourage community members to submit a “short story” about their
vision of carbon neutral San Luis Obispo in 2035. These stories were used as inspiration for the
stories shared in Volume 1 of the Climate Action Plan. These events engaged 90 participants.
Online Outreach
Staff provided online opportunities for community members to learn about and contribute to the
development of the Climate Action Plan through various online platforms.
Social Media – The City used its social media channels to provide information about outreach
events, opportunities to provide feedback to drafts, and general education.
2019-21 Budget Open City Hall - Participants were shown current “Major City Goals and Other
Important Objectives” and asked to choose the top 5 they think the City should prioritize. Climate
Action ranked #4 out of 14. This event was released in January 2019 and had 1,587 participants.
Emissions Reductions “Big Ideas” Open City Hall - Participants were invited to share their
“big ideas” for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the City. Responses ranged from “Re-roof
homes in white” to “Turn off non-commercial streetlights between 1:30-5:30 a.m.” This online
activity was released in concurrence with Workshop #1 in May 2019 and had 71 participants.
Conclusion
As discussed in Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, the path to carbon neutrality is one that involves
continued learning, reflection, and innovation. As the City implements this Climate Action Plan
and works on future updates, this spirit of learning, reflection, and innovation will be carried to the
community outreach process where new voices and new ideas will be heard.
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3.THE PATH TO
CARBON
NEUTRALITY
The City’s Approach to Carbon Neutrality
The City’s approach to carbon neutrality is based on the guiding principles and greenhouse gas
emissions inventories and forecasts described in Chapter 1, and the conversations that occurred
with the community described in Chapter 2.The City’s approach to carbon neutrality is organized
into the six pillars, as shown in Figure 3.1, each with a long-term goal and foundational actions to
be initiated or completed by 2023.
Estimated Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions
In partnership with technical consultants, the City identified a pathway to achieve quantified GHG
reductions consistent with state regulation and local policy. The resulting GHG reductions
estimates and underlying calculations show substantial evidence that the City can achieve
consistency with SB32’s target of 40 percent below 1990 by 2030, and that the foundational
actions in this Climate Action Plan create the conditions to make significant progress toward
achieving its carbon neutral by 2035 goal.
The combined local reductions from the Climate Action Plan pillars and their foundational actions
could result in an annual reduction of 124,270 MTCO2e in 2030 and 184,270 MTCO2e in 2035,
as shown in Table 1.1. This represents a total reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions of
204,330 MTCO2e in 2030, or 53 percent from the 2005 baseline, and 275,600 MTCO2e in 2035,
or 71 percent from the 2005 baseline with a remaining gap of 111,030 MTCO2e.
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Figure 3.1 Six Pillars to Carbon Neutrality
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Figure 3.2 Projected Community GHG Emissions, 2005-2035
*The quantified reduction estimates for the “Lead By Example” pillar will be included in the forthcoming
municipal climate action plan and are not counted in this community climate action plan.
Taken together, these six pillars could reduce community greenhouse gas emissions by
approximately 71 percent below annual baseline emissions by 2035, with the largest reductions
occurring in the Connected Community and Circular Economy pillars. Table 3.1 and Figure 3.3
provide overviews of greenhouse gas emissions reductions by pillar.
Table 3.1 GHG Emissions Reductions Estimates (MTCO2e, 2030 and 2035)
Pillar 2030 2035
Pillar 1: Lead by Example * *
Pillar 2: Clean Energy Systems 26,050 39,010
Pillar 3: Green Buildings 11,960 26,740
Pillar 4: Connected Community 45,240 64,170
Pillar 5: Circular Economy 37,410 47,300
Pillar 6: Natural Solutions 3,610 7,050
Total 124,270 184,270
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
450,000
2005 2016 2020 2030 2035Greenhouse Gas Emission (MTCO2e)Baseline Forecast (BAU)Scenario Emissions Target Emissions
71% potential
GHG emissions
reduction
111,000 MTCO2e
GHG emissions
gap
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Figure 3.3. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions by Decarbonization Pillar
(Annual MTCO2e in 2035)
Note: The Clean Energy Systems pillar action (launch Monterey Bay Community Power service) is expected to be
significantly underway at the adoption of the Climate Action Plan, and therefore is included in the GHG inventory
forecast. For this reason, it is illustrated in Figure 1.1 as emissions avoided in the forecast.
Getting to True Carbon Neutrality
The approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions provided in this Climate Action Plan would
leave approximately 111,030 MTCO2e in annual emissions in 2035 to reduce or offset to achieve
true carbon neutrality. Chapter 4 provides additional administrative actions that the City commits
to for the purpose of continuing the learning process and to better understand how to address the
remaining emissions.
The methods used to quantify these reductions are provided in detail as Appendix B, and they
demonstrate one of several viable paths enabled by the foundational actions in this Climate Action
Plan. As these foundational actions are initiated and transition from pilots to fully implemented
programs operating at the appropriate speed and scale, the specifics may vary, which is why a
monitoring and reporting program is also provided in Chapter 4.
It is important to note that although the analysis does not demonstrate that San Luis Obispo is
able to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, the total emissions reductions that can be achieved
across the six pillars that are within the City’s authority or influence shows the massive potential
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for the City to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions,
while recovering from the economic impacts of COVID 19
and creating a healthier, cleaner, and more connected
community.
Having a carbon neutrality framework in place will allow
the City to capitalize on private foundation investments
and federal and state funding sources as they become
available. Additionally, the gap in GHG reductions
illustrates that if true carbon neutrality is to be achieved,
substantial support from the federal government and the
State of California is required.
Foundational Actions
The six pillars in this Climate Action Plan include specific
foundational actions to be initiated or completed by 2023.
Each of these actions present critical first steps in
pursuing community-wide carbon neutrality by 2035. The
Office of Sustainability has worked closely with
departmental staff throughout the City, the community,
key stakeholders, technical consultants, and other cities
to develop and refine each of the following actions to
ensure consistency with Council objectives, feasibility,
and equitable community impacts and benefits.
Many of the actions can be completed with existing staff
time and budgeted resources. However, many other
actions will require future funding allocations or obtaining
grant resources. Given the financial impacts of COVID 19,
there is less certainty about available resources and as a
result, staff will pursue additional grant funding
opportunities.8
The remainder of this chapter provides an overview of
each pillar and a detailed description of each foundational
action, including the following points of information (note
that the pillar sections are color coded for ease of
reading):
•Detailed action description
•Responsible department
•Timeline
•Funding and financing options
•Equity considerations
•Economic development considerations
•Case studies
8 The City partnered with the Urban Sustainability Director’s Network to develop a comprehensive funding
and financing map that identifies the various ways climate action measures can be paid for. This financing
map informed the vetting of actions included in this plan.
State Guidance and
Research
State legislation (AB 32 and SB
32) focused on reducing GHG
emissions provides authority to
the California Air Resources
Board to develop the strategy for
achieving the state’s targets via
the Climate Change Scoping Plan
(Scoping Plan). The Scoping Plan
identifies the need for local
governments to reduce their
emissions accordingly and
provides an approach to achieve
the 2030 targets and to put the
state on a trajectory to achieve the
goal of reducing emissions 80
percent under 1990 levels by
2050.
Faced with the incredibly
challenging, but essential, task of
achieving these deep reductions
in greenhouse gas emissions, the
State of California has
commissioned numerous studies
outlining potential decarbonization
paths. For example, the California
Energy Commission (CEC)
released the report Deep
Decarbonization in a High
Renewables Future (2018) to
describe the most cost-effective
approach to reaching the state’s
2030 and 2050 targets. Consistent
with other reports studying
approaches to achieving deep
GHG reduction targets. The City
has used this organizational
framework as a foundation and
has amended it based on
additional research to establish
the six pillars of decarbonization in
this Climate Action Plan.
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PILLAR 1:
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
Like many organizations, the City owns vehicles,
operates buildings, and has employees that
commute to work. Municipal operations
contribute greenhouse gas emissions by using
electricity and natural gas and fossil fueled
vehicles for its fleet and commuting employees,
as well as generating solid waste. Accelerating
and expanding the City’s traditional approach to
the wise use of resources and organizational
resilience will simultaneously reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and serve as an
example to residents and businesses in the
community that organizational carbon neutrality is possible. The City also plays a key role in
economic development and support of community partnerships. By centering climate action in
these efforts, the city can support local and regional organizations in achieving their own climate
action goals while also developing the economy to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
City Leadership
The City is already a municipal leader in sustainability initiatives and is currently working on, or is
planning to work on, the following projects:
•Lighting energy efficiency projects at the City’s parking garages
•Electric vehicle chargers for fleet vehicles at the Palm Street Garage
•Electric vehicle chargers at City Hall
•Major facility maintenance, specifically regarding hydration stations and the City pool’s
thermal cover
•Developing Purchase Power Agreement (PPA) for solar projects
•Implementing the Water Treatment Plant Energy Efficiency project
Foundational Actions
The foundational actions in this pillar are summarized here and described in detail below:
•Leadership 1.1 – Adopt a municipal carbon neutrality plan in 2021.
•Leadership 2.1 – Include carbon neutrality, social equity, and a focus on developing a
green local economy in the updated Economic Development Strategic Plan.
•Leadership 2.2 – Research methods to support local contractors and labor.
•Leadership 3.1 – Create a formal approach to support and empower community
collaboration for climate action.
Lead by Example Goals:
Carbon neutral government operations
by 2030; Municipal Action Plan by July
2021
Total Emissions Reductions in 2030:
Not quantified
Total Emissions Reductions in 2035:
7,500 MTCO2e
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Leadership 1.1 Adopt a municipal carbon neutrality plan in 2021.
The City will develop and complete a plan to
achieve carbon neutral municipal operations by
2030. The plan will build on already completed
work to inventory municipal greenhouse gas
emissions and ongoing and concurrent work to
reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions.
City facilities include water treatment and
wastewater treatment plants, office buildings,
parking garages, the maintenance yard, and
transit operations, among others. A municipal
carbon neutrality plan, including the following
components, would establish a technical and
financial approach to reduce organizational
emissions to net neutral by 2030. As a highly
visible organization in the community, the City
would illustrate the viability of low carbon
operations and would be able to share lessons
learned and resources with other local and
regional organizations.
•Develop a ten-year work program
through staff collaboration to achieve
carbon neutrality, including:
o Detailed action descriptions
o Order of magnitude costs and
cash flow assessments
o An overall loading and phasing approach, including a description of how the
proposed actions are synched with the biennial financial planning process and the
capital improvement program
o Responsible department and explanation of how the action integrates with in-
process or planned City projects
o For particularly innovative, complicated, or collaborative actions, advice on
procuring appropriate technical and project implementation partners
•Review of City administrative practices and organizational policies, and development of
recommendations to integrate and prioritize climate decision making
•Development of necessary policy statements via resolution for consideration by City
Council including, but not limited to, commitments to not procure or construct assets that
consume fossil fuels
Responsible Department
Administration will lead the consultant procurement process and will manage the administrative
components of the project; Public Works and Utilities will be responsible for supporting the plan
development and proposing, vetting, finalizing, and implementing the actions in the plan.
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Timeline
The Municipal Climate Action Plan will be initiated in Fiscal Year 2019-20 and will conclude in
July 2021. Implementation of the plan will occur through 2030.
GHG Reduction Estimates
Carbon neutral municipal operations would equate to approximately 7,500 MTCO2e per year in
2035. It is important to note that these emissions are a subset of community emissions and the
reductions from this pillar are not included in the community total to ensure the reductions are not
double counted.
Funding and Financing Options
The plan is currently funded through an existing encumbered carryover funding amount of
$45,000. However, this funding has been put on hold as the City assesses COVID 19 budget
impacts. City staff has identified a way to complete the plan using staff resources only.
Equity Considerations
The City provides equal access to facilities, transit, transportation, recreation, water, and
wastewater, among many other services. It will be critical that pursuit of carbon neutrality in
government operations will not affect access to services for low income households and
individuals.
Economic Development Considerations:
The development of the City’s organizational approach to carbon neutrality can be used by local
and regional organizations and businesses. As a living laboratory for clean innovation, the City’s
operational initiatives align closely with the economic development initiatives outlined in
Leadership 2.1, below.
Case Studies
• City of Ft. Collins, CO, Municipal Operations Sustainability Plan
• City of Austin, TX, Carbon Neutral Operations Resolution
• City of Lancaster, PA, Municipal Operations Decarbonization Plan
Tracking Progress
The City will report on plan development progress until adoption and will report on implementation
progress thereafter.
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Leadership 2.1 Include carbon neutrality, social equity, and a focus on
developing a green local economy in the updated Economic
Development Strategic Plan.
Adopted in 2012 and updated in 2015, the
City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan
provides a framework for economic growth.
The Economic Development Strategic Plan
includes strategies to break down barriers to
job creation, actively support knowledge and
innovation, promote and enhance the San Luis
Obispo quality of life, and build on existing
efforts and strengthen regional partnerships.
Since 2015, awareness of the need to achieve
ambitious greenhouse gas emissions
reductions has coincided with findings that the
transition to a low carbon economy is itself an
economic development and wealth generating
opportunity. At the same time, Council has
affirmed that these growth opportunities must
benefit all of the community and should include
a focus on providing opportunity for low income
or historically underrepresented communities.
The region is facing changes, including the
closure of Diablo Power Plant, the introduction
of Monterey Bay Community Power, and
recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and
has several overlapping regional economic
development projects ongoing, including
REACH (formerly Hourglass) and the regional
Housing Action Team. Barriers to the
development of a low carbon and equitable
model of economic growth continue to persist,
including cost of housing, adequate
infrastructure, and access to investment capital.
The updated Economic Development Strategic
Plan will focus on supporting efforts that lower
these barriers and will develop a program that
leads to low carbon equitable growth for a
thriving community and region.
Responsible Department - Administration
Timeline
The Economic Development Strategic Plan will be initiated in 2020 with a planned completion of
2022 and implementation thereafter.
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GHG Reduction Estimates
The strategic approach to developing a low carbon economy is supportive of the carbon neutrality
goal but does not itself reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Funding and Financing Options
The City will pursue grant funding for the plan update.
Equity Considerations
Through intentional economic development planning, economic growth can be harnessed to
achieve community goals related to quality of life, equity, and climate action. Clean-tech
innovation and other tech sector jobs will continue to be important, however other skillsets related
to building trades, textile, production, and building materials production and reuse, agriculture,
and many other fields will also be needed to achieve the objectives of the Climate Action Plan
while growing economic opportunities for all.
Economic Development Considerations
Economic development is the primary focus of this action.
Case Studies
•East Bay Community Energy Local Development Business Plan
•City of Riverside – Economic Prosperity Action Plan and Climate Action Plan
•Smart & Clean Helsinki
•City-Business Climate Alliances
•VentureLab
Tracking Progress
The City will report on the progress of plan development through adoption and implementation
progress thereafter.
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Leadership 2.2 Research methods to support local contractors and
labor.
The concept of a “Green New Deal” was first presented nationally in early 2019. Since then, local
versions of it have appeared across the US, including in Los Angeles and New York. While the
“green” part of the Green New Deal is central, equally important is the “new deal” part, which asks
how the effort to decarbonize the economy can be used to support workers and families through
job training and wages that allow people to live where they work. The resources of a City like San
Luis Obispo are a small fraction of those available to federal, state, or major metropolitan
governments. However, the City is still interested in finding ways to support local businesses and
workers to achieve quality of life, equity, and climate action objectives. City staff will conduct a
review of existing and proposed local government programs that focus on local business and
labor, identify areas of regulatory authority, and research opportunities and barriers to
implementation of a program that would support local contractors and labor.
Responsible Department – Administration
Timeline
The City will seek partnership with Cal Poly for the effort to be completed as part of academic
research and will return in the 2023 Climate Action Plan with specific recommendations for
implementation.
GHG Reduction Estimates
The strategic approach to developing a low carbon economy is supportive of the carbon neutrality
goal but does not itself reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Funding and Financing Options
Staff will complete this research within existing budgeted staffing resources.
Equity Considerations
Support for local labor, particularly in the building trades, could provide more diverse head of
household jobs, which could benefit low- and moderate-income residents.
Economic Development Considerations
Investment in local contractors and workers could increase the amount of money that stays in the
community and region and could promote a virtuous cycle of increased local work, increased local
wages, and increased economic growth.
Case Studies
• City of San Luis Obispo Project Labor Agreement
Tracking Progress
The City will report on the progress of completed research by 2021 and inclusion in the 2023
Climate Action Plan.
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Leadership 3.1 Create a formal approach to support and empower
community collaboration for climate action.
As discussed in Chapter 1, local governments are
uniquely capable of certain actions to influence climate
outcomes. Similarly, local organizations and businesses
throughout the community and region are also uniquely
suited to achieve certain climate actions. For the
community to achieve its climate action goals, all of
these different types of organizations need to coordinate
and collaborate.
This action seeks to establish a process for coordination
and collaboration to ensure those organizations that
take action receive community attention and praise and
those organizations that want to achieve action are
supported through connections to information and other
resources. It is envisioned that this will initially be a
program to publicly recognize organizations that have or
are taking actions to achieve the community’s climate targets. Depending on the success of that
program, it could shift over time to a program where the City facilitates collaboration and
coordination between organizations.
Responsible Department – Administration
Timeline
The City will begin the first public recognition of local climate action accomplishments immediately
following adoption of this Climate Action Plan. The City will consider more formal coordination
structures in 2021.
GHG Reduction Estimates
The strategic approach to developing a low carbon economy is supportive of the carbon neutrality
goal but does not itself reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Funding and Financing Options
This action will be completed with existing staff resources.
Equity Considerations
The program will include a focus on publicly celebrating actions from community organizations
that aren’t traditionally considered “environmental” organizations and will seek to provide access
to external resources to these organizations.
Case Studies
•SLO County Green Business Network
•City of Austin Green Business Leaders
Tracking Progress
The City will track progress by reporting the number of organizations formally acknowledged.
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PILLAR 2:
CLEAN ENERGY
SYSTEMS
Affordable, accessible, abundant, and clean
energy systems are the foundation of a low
carbon economy that equitably thrives in a
changing climate. Rapid transitions to carbon
neutral electricity that supports local economic
development is possible through community
choice energy and partnerships with the city’s
energy utility providers. The Clean Energy
Systems pillar focuses on grid-based energy
sources (electricity and natural gas). The goal for
this pillar is carbon free electricity by 2020, with
additional efforts to understand natural gas
decarbonization technologies, support affordable and equitable access to clean energy, and
coordinate utility investments in electrical and natural gas grid reliability.
Equity, Quality of Life, and Economic Development Opportunities
With new renewable energy projects proposing prices that are comparable with or cheaper than
fossil fuel resources, a carbon neutral and increasingly renewable electricity supply will provide
continued costs savings on the electricity generation component of local electricity bills. System
wide, the transition of energy procurement to a value-driven public agency provides local
accountability, accelerated transition to clean energy, and the ability to retain the money spent on
energy in the region through local energy programs.
City Leadership
The City exhibited leadership in this pillar by joining Monterey Bay Community Power.
Foundational Actions
The Foundational Actions in this pillar are:
•Energy 1.1 – Launch Monterey Bay Community Power and achieve a 98% participation
rate while advocating for programs that support equity and achieve maximum local benefit.
•Energy 2.1 – Work with MBCP and PG&E to develop a regional grid reliability strategy.
•Energy 3.1 – Partner with SoCal Gas to research options for reducing greenhouse gas
emissions associated with the existing natural gas grid.
Clean Energy Systems Goal:
100 percent carbon free electricity by
2020
Total Emissions Reductions in 2030:
26,050 MTCO2e
Total Emissions Reductions in 2035:
39,010 MTCO2e
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Clean Energy Systems 1.1 – Launch Monterey Bay Community Power
and achieve a 98% participation rate while advocating for programs
that support equity and achieve maximum local benefit.
Grid based electricity accounts for
approximately 9.5 percent of the City’s 2016
greenhouse gas emissions inventory. On
January 1, 2020, the City began receiving
energy from Monterey Bay Community Power
(MBCP), a Community Choice Energy (CCE)
program that provides 100 percent carbon
free electricity with a rate savings relative to
PG&E. CCEs bring local control, freedom of
choice and competition into the electricity
marketplace by allowing local governments to
pool the electricity demand of their
communities and purchase power with higher
renewable content and lower greenhouse gas
emissions. Energy from MBCP is delivered
the City’s existing grid with PG&E.
California CCEs are “opt-out” by statute, meaning that every electricity meter in the community is
automatically enrolled, but has the option to opt-out of the CCE at any time.9 As of February 17,
2020, the City has a total MBCP enrollment opt-out rate of 1.79 percent, meaning that 98.21
percent of accounts were participating in the program.10 To maximize enrollment, City staff have
allocated ongoing time to support local participation in MBCP.
Partnership with MBCP has allowed the City to achieve its Clean Energy Systems pillar goal of
100 percent carbon free electricity by 2020.
Responsible Department - Administration
Timeline
The City began receiving service from MBCP on January 1, 2020.
GHG Reduction Estimates
Based on the assumption of a 2 percent opt-out rate for residential accounts observed above, it
is estimated that participation in MBCP will reduce forecast emissions by 26,050 MTCO2e in 2030
and 39,010 MTCO2e and in 2035.
Funding and Financing Options
The City currently hosts remote locations for Policy Board and Operations Board meetings and
provides staff to support the region’s Policy Board and Operations Board members (currently, the
Mayor and City Manager).
9 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/asm/ab_0101-0150/ab_117_bill_20020924_chaptered.pdf
10 Opt-out information was provided via email from MBCP staff on February 17, 2020.
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Equity Considerations
MBCP will purchase cleaner energy at a lower cost than the existing Investor Owned Utility, which
supports low-income rate payers while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. More important than
rate savings, though, is the potential of equity focused energy programs. The City will continue to
advocate for policy and energy program design that center benefits on low income and
disadvantaged communities to ensure access to electric vehicles, clean energy in homes, solar
energy systems, and resilient energy systems.
Economic Development Considerations
As a mission driven local government organization, MBCP helps to support economic vitality
because money from rates paid by local customers stays in the Central Coast. Surplus revenues
that would normally leave the community in a for-profit corporation will instead stay in the
community to help fund regional renewable energy programs and projects, create jobs, and
stimulate the economy.
Tracking Progress
The City will annually obtain the agency’s “power content label” from MBCP, which discloses the
power portfolio sources and confirms the carbon neutral power supply. The City will also receive
annual opt-out rate updates.
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Clean Energy Systems 2.1 – Work with MBCP and PG&E to develop a
regional grid reliability strategy.
The City recognizes that a low carbon contemporary economy depends on a reliable, resilient,
and safe electric power system. Recent power shut offs in the state of California have had
concerning economic repercussions and highlighted income inequalities that will likely be
exacerbated as climates continue to shift. The City will partner with MBCP and PG&E to develop
a strategy to maximize its regional grid reliability.
Responsible Department - Administration
Timeline
The development of the regional grid reliability plan will be initiated as part of the Safety Element
Update of the General Plan project (initiated in Fiscal Year 2019-2020 and be completed by 2023).
Implementation of the strategy will begin in concurrence with the 2023-25 Financial Plan and will
be ongoing through 2035 and beyond.
GHG Reduction Estimates
Grid reliability does not reduce greenhouse gas emissions on its own, but it does allow for
continued access to affordable carbon neutral electricity, which is the foundation of the Green
Buildings Pillar, and includes components of the Connected Community Pillar.
Funding and Financing Options
Staff time for the effort will occur as part of existing budgeted resourc es. Funding for community
vulnerability is included in a grant from Caltrans to conduct a comprehensive community
vulnerability assessment to the impacts of climate change that is already underway. Funding and
financing for improvements to local and regional grid infrastructure will be identified and will
depend strongly on financial investments from PG&E and MBCP.
Equity Considerations
Power outages present additional risk to already vulnerable populations. Individuals who depend
on electrical medical equipment at home are susceptible to increased health concerns and
medical bills when unable to access power. Additionally, low-income individuals are
disproportionally burdened when power outages cause workplace closures and may face food
insecurity without refrigeration. Minimizing the frequencies and durations of power outages will
reduce these threats.
Economic Development Considerations
Grid reliability affects buildings such as hospitals, storefronts, restaurants, telecommunications
systems, and government buildings – all of which are integral to a functioning economy.
Case Studies
•MBCP Community Resilience Programs
•PG&E and East Bay Community Power Collaboration
Tracking Progress
The City will track the number and nature of meetings with each utility in the first year of
implementation. Thereafter, the City will report on progress towards grid resilience and reliability.
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Clean Energy Systems 3.1 – Partner with SoCal Gas to research options
for reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the existing
natural gas grid.
Many buildings in San Luis Obispo use natural gas for space heating, water heating, and cooking.
The combustion of natural gas emits CO2. For San Luis Obispo in 2019, this accounted for 51,310
MTCO2e, or approximately 15 percent of inventoried emissions. Direct methane leaks at
extraction and processing facilities, along transmission and distribution routes, and in the end use
location means that the emissions from natural gas use are likely substantially higher than those
reported in the inventory.
The existing natural gas grid serves most of the community, and regardless of the Clean Energy
Choice Program for New Buildings encouraging all-electric new buildings (See Green Buildings
1.1), the natural gas grid will continue to grow in San Luis Obispo for the next several years. Due
to the extremely potent global warming potential of methane, the City will request to work with
SoCal Gas to better understand distribution system, lateral connections, and on-site system leaks
in the community and identify ways to reduce them.
Additionally, SoCal Gas has provided presentations that biogas can be used to lower the overall
greenhouse gas emissions from grid-based natural gas. In meetings with the utility, SoCal Gas
staff confirmed that there are no unused sources of biogas in the community that currently could
be used for grid applications, however, the City is interested in further exploration of potential
biogas pilot projects. Additionally, City staff has met with SoCal Gas on several occasions to
discuss developing methods for quantifying the impacts of fugitive methane emissions and related
savings from biogas, as well as searching for innovative pilot projects for low carbon fossil fuel
technologies.
Responsible Department - Administration
Timeline
The City has already met with SoCal Gas’s sustainability and project development staff in late
2019 and again in February 2020. The City will plan on establishing a regular meeting schedule
with SoCal Gas’s sustainability staff to further pursue local leak assessment and reduction
research, biogas resources, and accounting for introduction of biogas into the natural gas
distribution and transmission system with the expectation that work could begin on these topics
as early as Fiscal Year 2020-21.
GHG Reduction Estimates
Due to insufficient accounting protocols for methane leakage, this action does not include any
greenhouse gas emissions reductions. However, the action allows the City to better understand
these emissions sources and identify ways to reduce them in future Climate Action Plans.
Funding and Financing Options
Office of Sustainability staff will coordinate with SoCal Gas to implement this action as part of its
standard operating budget and staff capacity.
Tracking Progress
The City will track the number and nature of meetings with each utility in the first year of
implementation. Thereafter, the City will report on progress towards grid resilience and reliability.
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PILLAR 3:
GREEN BUILDINGS
Advances in on-site solar energy systems,
electrical appliances, and grid-based energy
provide a significant opportunity. These
advances provide for all-electric buildings to
maintain all the conveniences and comforts
of standard buildings without the climate
pollution caused through the use of fossil
fuels. Rapid transitions to low carbon
buildings is possible through a two-pronged
approach: by identifying the largest energy
users and working to provide cash positive
financing mechanisms; while also working
with homeowners and building owners to
subsidize and support onsite solar, energy
storage, and transitioning high energy use appliances (e.g., water heating and space conditioning)
to high efficiency electric alternatives.
The Green Buildings pillar focuses on emissions from energy (electricity and natural gas) used in
buildings, facilities, and outdoor lighting in the community. The goal for this pillar is to add no new
net emissions from new buildings starting in 2020 and reduce emissions from the remaining
building stock by 50 percent (after accounting for savings from carbon free electricity) by 2030.
With clean electricity as the foundation of a carbon neutral community, and with rapid advances
and cost reductions in onsite solar generation, onsite energy storage, and electric appliances, the
potential exists to equitably and affordably transition to fossil fuel free buildings.
This pillar focuses on high impact programs that: produce carbon neutral new buildings; leverage
existing programs; provide funding sources for income qualified households; and develop
financing mechanisms to address the communities largest natural gas users by assisting building
owners to increase efficiency and retrofit natural gas water heating and space conditioning to
electric appliances.
Rapid transitions to low-carbon new buildings (from onsite energy use) is possible via the City’s
Clean Energy Choice Program for New Buildings and the 2019 California Energy Code (and
standard triennial updates to both). Existing buildings will be a substantially more challenging
issue as every building is unique and many existing buildings may require costly electrical system
upgrades to transition to lower carbon buildings.
The emissions from electricity are primarily reduced by joining Monterey Bay Community Power,
as described in “Clean Energy Systems”, above. Natural gas consumption occurs in buildings and
facilities primarily for water heating, space heating, cooking, clothes drying, and decorative space
Green Buildings Goals:
No net new building emissions from onsite
energy use by 2020; 50 percent reduction
in existing building emissions (after
accounting for MBCP) by 2030
Total Emissions Reductions in 2030:
11,980 MTCO2e
Total Emissions Reductions in 2035:
26,740 MTCO2e
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heating (e.g., gas fireplaces). While some natural gas end uses may always require fossil fuels to
operate (e.g., industrial processes for manufacturing), all common residential and commercial
natural gas end uses have high quality, high efficiency, and typically cost-effective electric
alternatives. As buildings become more efficient and as building owners choose to transition from
fossil fueled to electric appliances, the emissions associated with onsite energy use will rapidly
decline.
Equity, Quality of Life, and Economic Development Opportunities
As described below, although the generation costs associated with electricity are projected to stay
flat or decrease as the result of low cost new renewable energy facilities, transmission costs are
likely to fluctuate substantially as climate change exposes the statewide grid to ever increasing
natural hazards. As the state moves towards decarbonization and the state’s natural gas system
ages, natural gas utility costs are also expected to increase and fluctuate. A focus on supporting
low income households in installing rooftop solar and pairing that with high efficiency electric
appliances for space and water heating allows enhanced comfort and insulation from fluctuating
electricity and natural gas grid costs.
A rapid mobilization in the solar installations, energy efficiency installations, and appliance
switching is a “win-win” in that there are typical lifetime savings associated with the work for the
building owner while also creating a substantial demand for skilled labor. Additionally, transitioning
existing buildings at speed and scale will require technological innovations. By partnering with
organizations that support entrepreneurs, local business can pair their innovation and ingenuity
with emerging needs, creating additional head of household jobs and local economic stimulus.
City Leadership
The City has already begun strategically retrofitting existing buildings to electric appliances. One
example is the planned retirement of the natural gas co-generation system at the SLO Swim
Center and replacement with onsite solar generation to replace the lost generation capacity of the
existing system. As described in the “Lead by Action” section, above, the City will also develop a
plan to achieve carbon neutral operations, including in building and energy use, by 2030. The City
will exhibit regional leadership as an advocate by continuing to influence Monterey Bay
Community Power energy program development and implementation and partnering with existing
entities to maximize local resources for building retrofits.
Foundational Actions
The Foundational Actions in this pillar are:
•Buildings 1.1 – Adopt and implement the Clean Energy Choice Program for New Buildings
and review opportunities for improvement in the 2022 code cycle.
•Buildings 2.1 – Conduct comprehensive retrofit program study and develop and implement
a strategic and equity focused building retrofit program by 2021.
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Green Buildings 1.1 Adopt and implement the Clean Energy Choice
Program for New Buildings and review opportunities for improvement
in the 2022 code cycle.
The City developed the Clean Energy Choice for
New Buildings, a package of incentives and local
amendments to the 2019 California Energy Code,
that encourages all-electric new buildings. When
paired with the carbon free electricity purchased
by Monterey Bay Community Power, all electric
new buildings are carbon free and avoid health
and safety issues associated with fossil fuels
The Clean Energy Choice Program for New
Buildings includes the following incentives:
technical support, financial incentives, regulatory
flexibility, and information sharing support. The
City is providing ongoing staffing to support
successful implementation of the program.
The City has also developed a Carbon Offset
Program to support the Clean Energy Choice
Program for New Buildings. City Staff will present
program performance to City Council in June of
2021, and if needed, will also provide the Carbon
Offset Program for Council consideration and
potential adoption.
Responsible Department –Community
Development and Administration
Timeline
The Clean Energy Choice Program for New Buildings will be brought before Council in 2020 and
is expected to include implementation of building code amendments in September of 2020. The
Carbon Offset Program could be brought to Council in June of 2021 depending on program
performance. City staff will participate in statewide efforts to enhance the 2022 Building Code and
will incorporate lessons learned into proposed local amendments when that code is enforceable
in 2023.
GHG Reduction Estimates
Assuming General Plan Buildout by 2035, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions estimates
for Climate Zone 5 used in the 2019 Cost Effectiveness Studies, and assuming that 85 percent of
applicable new buildings comply through 2030, and 95 percent of buildings comply through 2035,
the City expects to avoid 3,780 MTCO2e in 2030 and 6,250 MTCO2e from this action annually in
2035.
Funding and Financing Options
The City has completed technical work for the local amendments to the 2019 California Energy
Code and expects to begin implementing the program in September of 2020. Direct incentives
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through the incentive program are provided by MBCP and staff has issued a work order for on-
call technical support as part of the 2019-20 mid-year budget adjustment.
Equity Considerations
The future of grid-based energy costs (electric and natural gas) is highly uncertain in a rapidly
changing climate and regulatory structure. New all electric buildings use net energy metering with
their solar energy systems to insulate themselves from grid energy costs. To ensure limited
exposure to cost uncertainties as designers and builders build capacity, the City successfully
advocated to Monterey Bay Community Power to provide direct financial incentives for all-electric
multi-family and affordable housing units.
Economic Development Considerations
By transferring energy bills in new development from a natural gas utility to PG&E and the City’s
community choice energy provider (Monterey Bay Community Power), money spent on energy
will be retained in the region and reinvested through regional energy projects, lower rates, and
enhanced energy programs (as a local government agency that is mission driven, rather than
profit driven, Monterey Bay Community Power can retain capital in the region and with further
advocacy, can support the City’s green economic development initiatives as identified in Pillar 1).
Additionally, a recent study out of UCLA noted that the transition to all electric development will
lead to a net increase in jobs, particularly for skilled workers in construction, manufacturing, and
energy.11 An intentional effort in Economic Development Strategic Plan (see Pillar 1) could help
maximize these benefits locally and regionally.
Tracking Progress
Through the City’s permit tracking program, the City will record and report the number and type
of permits for all-electric buildings and mixed-fuel buildings.
11 2019. Jones et al. California Building Decarbonization Workforce Needs and Recommendations .
https://innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/California_Building_Decarbonization.pdf
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Buildings 2.1 Conduct comprehensive retrofit program study and
develop and implement a strategic and equity focused building retrofit
program by 2021.
Energy use in existing buildings will continue to contribute substantial amounts of greenhouse
gas emissions. The retrofit program study and proposed retrofit program will convene all relevant
stakeholders, inventory existing building stock and energy use, and identify a program that will
equitably and strategically achieve the community’s emissions reductions objectives. The
program will review potential policy measures, including adding renewable energy systems,
replacing fossil fuel appliances with clean electric appliances, improving comfort and efficiency of
buildings mechanical and lighting systems, and improving building envelopes. The City will
consider a wide range of implementation methods, including benchmarking or energy score
requirements, potential ordinances, incentives, voluntary actions, education, and workforce
development.
The quantification for this action is included in Table 5.1 and Appendix B and shows one path to
achieving the City’s targeted reduction, with roughly 60 percent of existing energy load in existing
buildings participating in some form. However, there are many paths to achieve the reductions
presented in this action and the development of the retrofit program should be tied to the
emissions reduction outcomes while retaining flexibility in how they are achieved.
While the development of a transformational program of this nature does not have many examples
to build from, it should be noted that the proposed parameters of the program are consistent with
the state’s 2019 Energy Retrofit Action Plan12, SB 350’s target of 50 percent increase in existing
building energy efficiency by 2035, the CPUC’s decision to open up the state’s $1 billion in energy
efficiency funding for electrification measures, and the CPUC’s decision to invest $44 million in
electrification retrofit incentives and research in electrification retrofit programs.
Responsible Department – Community Development and Administration
Timeline
The City will initiate the project in Fall 2020 and will complete the plan and adopting resolutions
or ordinances by summer of 2021. The City will begin implementing the program in 2021 and will
continue through 2035.
GHG Reduction Estimates
The plan itself will not reduce greenhouse gas emissions, however it sets the foundations for deep
reductions in existing building emissions that will occur through implementation of the plan starting
in 2021 and continuing through 2035. Table 3.3 provides a summary of the quantification and
while the total emissions reductions should be viewed as the goal for the City as it collaboratively
develops the program, the emissions by each retrofit type may vary substantially.
122019 Statewide Energy Efficiency Action Plan -
https://ww2.energy.ca.gov/business_meetings/2019_packets/2019-12-
11/Item_06_2019%20California%20Energy%20Efficiency%20Action%20Plan%20(19-IEPR-06).pdf
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Table 3.3 Projected MTCO2e Savings by Retrofit Type, 2030 and 2035
2030 2035
Electrification Retrofits Commercial 670 870
Residential 4,170 13,540
Retrocommissioning Commercial 530 820
Residential 990 1,530
Energy Retrofits
Commercial 950 1,710
Residential 830 1,900
Commercial Benchmarking 40 120
Total 8,180 20,490
Funding and Financing Options
The 2019-21 Financial Plan includes $50,000 for the development of the Building Electrification
Program. The City is in talks with a national organization to partner with several Central Coast
cities to collaboratively develop a decarbonization retrofit program and to expand the technical
and financial resources available to the City for planning. Funding and financing for
implementation will be a substantial challenge and will include leveraging public programs through
MBCP, 3C-REN, PG&E, and SoCal Gas, identifying ways to enhance existing financing
mechanisms such as Property Assessed Clean Energy, advocating for retrofit programs through
MBCP, and monitoring state programs for funding opportunities.
Equity Considerations
When developing the retrofit program, the City will consider the needs of all residents and property
owners. The City will focus initial program efforts on the largest and least efficient buildings to
maximize immediate program impacts. In addition, the City will focus incentives and subsidies on
low-income and disadvantage communities to ensure the program helps reduce utility bills.
Economic Development Considerations
Investment in local contractors and workers to lead the study and program development could
increase the amount of money that stays in the community and region and promote a cycle of
increased local work, increased local wages, and increased economic growth.
Case Studies
•California Energy Efficiency Retrofit Plan
•“City Energy Project” for Developing Retrofit Programs
•Tri-County Regional Energy Network
•City of San Francisco Building Energy Benchmarking Program
•City of New York Building Energy Grades
•State of California Energy Benchmarking Program
Tracking Progress
The City will report on plan development progress until adoption. Starting in 2021, implementation
progress that triggers a permit will be tracked through the Community Development Department’s
permit tracking system.
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PILLAR 4:
CONNECTED
COMMUNITY
An increase in active transportation investment
coordinated with more housing production,
enhanced transit, and mobility innovations can
significantly reduce cost of living and increase
quality of life. This additionally reduces vehicle
miles travelled (VMT) and associated
greenhouse gas emissions. For the many local
and regional households that will still depend on
a vehicle for transportation, electric vehicles
coupled with carbon neutral electricity can
provide a low emissions alternative.
Transportation is the single largest source of
greenhouse gas emissions in the City of San Luis Obispo. Transportation emissions primarily
occur as the result of single occupancy fossil fueled vehicles. The goal for this pillar is to achieve
the General Plan Mode Split Objective by 2030 and have 40 percent of the remaining automotive
vehicle miles travelled occur through electric vehicles.13 Table 3.4 provides the baseline 2020
mode split and the 2030 objectives.
Table 3.4 Mode Split Objectives, 2020 and 2030
2020* 2030
Single-occupancy vehicle 67.7% 50%
Walking, carpool, and other 20.6% 23%
Transit 2.3% 7%
Bicycle 8.3% 20%
Total
*American Community Survey 2012-2017 data used as a proxy for 2020
This pillar focuses on advanced coordination between related fields of transit, active
transportation, parking, and housing development as well as on transformational operational
changes that will allow for more active transportation investments to be made at a more rapid rate
and lower per unit cost.
13 The General Plan set the following mode split objective for city resident trips: 50% of trips occur via motor
vehicles, 12% of trips occur via transit, 20% of trips occur via bicycles, and 18% o f trips occur via walking,
carpools and other forms.
Connected Community Goals:
Achieve General Plan Mode Split
Objective by 2030; 40 percent VMT by
electric vehicles by 2030
Total Emissions Reductions in 2030:
45,240 MTCO2e
Total Emissions Reductions in 2035:
64,170 MTCO2e
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Rapid transitions to achieve the Circulation Element of the General Plan’s mode share target five
years early will require increased density and housing production, innovative parking
management approaches, further commitments to transit, and a process to allow for rapid
construction of active transportation infrastructure. In all cases, equity and accessibility must be
a top priority to ensure residents can conveniently and affordably move about the City without the
use of a fossil fueled vehicle.
It should be noted that reducing emissions from regional commute trips is especially difficult as
the activity of commuting to and from City requires the crossing of multiple jurisdictional
boundaries and is induced by a lack of affordable housing options in the city. The City will focus
on internal trips first, with secondary high priority focus supporting reducing emissions from
regional trips through addressing the City’s job/housing imbalance, housing affordability, and
access to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
Equity, Quality of Life, and Economic Development Opportunities
Cities and regions built for cars accommodate long commute times, which are expensive,
isolating, and polluting. This pillar looks to provide affordable, safe, and convenient access
through the community so that income is not a limiting factor in mobility. Additionally, for
households that must or choose to live somewhere that requires a personal vehicle, electric
vehicles have low operational costs and can lead to substantial total cost of ownership savings
relative to a fossil fuel vehicle.
City Leadership
The City will play a major leadership role in this effort through the construction and maintenance
of active transportation infrastructure, prioritization of streets and public rights of way for people
before automobiles, enhancement of transit services to include all electric buses and to increase
bus frequency, introduction of a micro-mobility “bike share” program, and further installation and
innovative management of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The City will also lead through
continued purchasing of plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric bicycles for its fleet.
Foundational Actions
The foundational actions of this pillar are:
•Connected 1.1 – Establish a consistent method for tracking and reporting mode split metrics.
•Connected 1.2 – Research and develop an approach to a “Mobility as a Service” platform for
people to easily use all modes of low carbon mobility in the City.
•Connected 2.1 – Complete Active Transportation plan and begin implementation
immediately.
•Connected 2.2 – Launch micro mobility program by 2021.
•Connected 3.1 – Establish a policy and strategic approach to leveraging existing and new
parking garages for downtown residential and visitor serving uses and to allow for further
implementation of the Downtown Concept Plan.
•Connected 4.1 – Develop transit electrification strategic plan and begin implementing in
2020.
•Connected 4.2 – Shorten transit headways through accelerated implementation of the
existing Short-Range Transit Plan.
•Connected 4.3 – Explore additional innovative transit options in the 2022 Short-Range
Transit Plan (e.g., on-demand deviated routes, electric fleet expansion, micro transit, Bus
Rapid Transit, Transit Signal Priority).
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•Connected 4.4 – Assess feasibility of a “free to the user” transit ridership program.
•Connected 5.1 – Complete the 2019-21 Housing Element of the General Plan Update and
Flexible Zoning Requirements for Downtown.
•Connected 6.1 – Develop and begin implementing electric mobility plan to achieve a goal of
40 percent electric vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by 2035.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Tracking Progress
Unlike the other sectors in this Climate Action Plan, actions related to mobility and mode sh are
have a less direct correlation to a desired outcome. For example, it is relatively straight forward
to estimate the savings of switching an incandescent lightbulb to an LED lightbulb, but estimating
the savings that could occur from a mile of bicycle lane, increased accessibility via a bike share
program, or increased transit service is substantially more challenging. For this reason, the overall
mode split will be monitored through a method established in Connected 1.1 and the effectiveness
of individual actions will be evaluated in-light of this monitoring.
Specific actions in this pillar that can be directly associated with greenhouse gas emissions are
reported as such, but generally the actions in this pillar are intended to create systems of clean
transportation that leads to the estimated emissions reductions. For reference, Table 3.5 provides
the estimated emissions reductions by activity.
Table 3.5 Connected Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions, 2030 and 2035
(MTCO2e)
2030 2035
Electric Vehicles (All VMT) 22,180 34,920
Mode Shift (Internal VMT Only) 23,060 29,250
-Carpool and Walking 5,100 5,100
-Transit 5,340 8,750
-Bicycle 12,620 15,400
Total GHG Emission Reductions 45,240 64,170
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Connected 1.1 Establish a consistent method for tracking and
reporting mode split metrics.
The Land Use and Circulation Element of the General Plan and its Environmental Impact Report
set the following mode split objective for city resident trips: 50 percent of trips occur via motor
vehicles, 12 percent of trips occur via transit, 20 percent of trips occur via bicycles, and 18 percent
of trips occur via walking, carpools and other forms. The City has informally used several points
of reference to estimate mode share over time, including the US Census’s American Community
Survey commute data, the city’s biennial traffic data collection program, and local travel survey
data; however, the city has not yet established a formal methodology for tracking and reporting
mode split progress. A more detailed, regularly updated, locally conducted travel survey would
allow for progress to be more adequately tracked. A professional survey or study requires outside
expertise and this action would provide direction to pursue funds through grant resources or via
future Financial Plans to establish a repeatable method.
Responsible Department – Public Works
Timeline
This action will be initiated in the 2021-23 Financial Plan funding cycle.
GHG Reduction Estimates
The action does not reduce emissions itself, however, it would provide an approach to track the
GHG reductions occurring as the result of actions in this Climate Action Plan.
Funding and Financing Options
Similar work completed for the City of Santa Monica was contracted for approximately $40,000.
City staff would pursue funding for this approximate amount via grant funding or as part of the
2021-23 Financial Plan funding cycle.
Equity Considerations
A defensible and consistent method for tracking mode splits would ensure participation from
groups that typically do not participate in surveys or may be missed in past efforts.
Case Studies
• Santa Monica Transportation Survey
• City of Boulder: Mode Shift in the Boulder Valley
Tracking Progress
The City will report on action development and implementation progress through its inclusion in
the 2021-23 Financial Plan.
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Connected 1.2 Research and develop an approach to a “Mobility as a
Service” platform for people to easily use all modes of low carbon
mobility in the City.
Transportation is responsible for
the majority of carbon emissions in
the City of San Luis Obispo. The
City currently operates an award-
winning bus system and plans to
facilitate a variety of external
partnerships to bring more mobility
options into the community. In
order to effectively encourage
residents and visitors to utilize
these better modes of low-carbon transportation and make them as accessible and convenient
as possible, this action would initiate research of options for establishing an (or leveraging an
existing) online platform where users are able to access information about each type of mobility
offered in San Luis Obispo. The platform would include specific access locations and routes on
an interactive map, and a centralized payment hub.
In addition to lowering barriers of entry to transit, the forthcoming bicycle share program, and
other emerging mobility options, a centralized platform would also allow the City to incorporate
equity considerations such as providing no cost or reduced cost access for income qualified
residents. Similarly, a centralized platform could be used to support alternative mobility options
for employees or residents in a new development as a condition of development approval or could
be used by hotels and downtown businesses to help visitors access alternative forms of
transportation.
Responsible Department – Public Works and Administration
Timeline
This action will be initiated in the 2021-23 Financial Plan funding cycle.
GHG Reduction Estimates
The action does not reduce emissions itself, however, it would provide a foundation to facilitate
rapid, equitable, and convenient transition to active transportation and transit options.
Funding and Financing Options
Funding for initial research and technical feasibility will be requested in the 2021-23 Financial
Plan. In that process, the specific development pathways, associated costs, and funding and
financing options will be identified. It is expected that major funding pathways include state and
regional grants or public-private partnerships.
Equity Considerations
A major benefit of a centralized platform is that, if feasible, the City could provide lower or no cost
access for income qualified residents. Should this be feasible, users from low-income households
will be able to freely and easily access information about the suite of low-carbon mobility services
found within the City. Additionally, those who do not own cars in and around San Luis Obispo will
benefit from the platform connecting them with alternative transportation methods. The platform
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could also feature a series of filters for users to determine which service is appropriate for their
needs based on the service’s fee, the distance from the user to service access, and more.
Economic Development Considerations
The development of a “Mobility as a Service” platform inherently creates space for the City to
pursue strategic external partnerships with alternative mobility companies. The opportunity for
these partners to invest money and resources into the community will bring new jobs into the
community, especially as the demand for low-carbon alternative mobility continues to expand over
the next decade. The platform will also help expand physical connections between users and
critical areas of local business, especially those that are parking-restricted, like downtown. By
securing and promoting new opportunities for consumers to reach places of business around San
Luis Obispo, previously under-served revenue sources are engaged and mobilized.
Case Studies
• Whim App (Helsinki, Finland)
• Hopthru (Bay Area)
• Google Maps allows purchase of transit and bikeshare tickets in Denver
Tracking Progress
The City will report on action development and implementation progress through its inclusion in
the 2021-23 Financial Plan.
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Connected 2.1 Complete Active Transportation Plan and begin
implementation immediately.
The City is updating the Bicycle
Transportation Plan and transforming it into
an Active Transportation Plan to include both
bicycling and walking needs. The last major
update of the City's bicycle plan was in 2013
4 and this current update is an opportunity to
include new innovations in bikeway facilities
with a focus on designing an efficient,
intuitive and safe bicycle and pedestrian
transportation network for users of all ages
all ability levels. This effort will also launch
the City's first comprehensive document on
pedestrian policies and identify ways to
increase walking for transportation in the City
and will consider how active transportation and transit are interconnected. The effort will present
prioritization strategies to meet mode share targets for bicycling and walking and maximize the
return on investments.
A key component of the plan will include developing a short list of the highest priority bicycle and
pedestrian projects—projects that offer the greatest potential to increase walking and cycling
mode share—and inclusion of a quick-build strategy to streamline implementation of these high
priority projects. One of the largest barriers between the identification, proposal, and
implementation of priority bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is the traditional strategy in which
the City funds, approves, and allocates materials for such projects. By utilizing a “quick-build”
strategy, the City can make improvements with lower-cost, semi-permanent materials on a
relatively quick timeline with the intent of actualizing the safety and connectivity benefits of these
improvements in the short-term, while evaluating the success of the project after a given period
and making changes prior to installation of permanent features in the long-term. For example, if
the City was going to create a new protected bike lane, the traditional strategy would involve the
appropriation of City funds or grants, intensive construction with permanent materials (asphalt,
concrete, thermoplastic striping, etc.), and a completion date up to 2-3 years after project initiation,
and often much longer depending on funding. However, with a quick-build strategy, designation
of the bike lane would involve lower-cost materials within the City’s current budget (paint, flexible
posts and prefabricated barriers, etc.), and a completion date around or within a year of project
initiation.
Responsible Department – Public Works
Timeline
The development of the Active Transportation Plan is currently underway, and adoption and
implementation will initiate in coordination with the 2020-21 funding cycle.
GHG Reduction Estimates
It is estimated that the GHG reductions occurring as the result of achieving the active
transportation mode split objectives is 12,620 MTCO2e in 2030 and 15,400 MTCO2e in 2035.
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Funding and Financing Options
Funding for this action is ongoing and accounted for in the City’s annual budget through 2023.
Additional funding is possible through state and federal grant sources as well as development
fees.
Equity Considerations
Prioritization of quick build bicycle and pedestrian projects in the Active Transportation Plan will
include community equity as a key consideration. The Plan will result in more infrastructure and
opportunities to safely walk and bike within the City. This will be especially beneficial for low-
income residents as the Plan creates more venues for low or no-cost travel. Additionally, those
who do not own cars or are able to become a single car household will be able to enjoy the same
benefits and the need for car ownership will lessen.
Economic Development Considerations
Enhanced mobility options for community members to reach various parts of the city, including
downtown and other commerce hubs, will stimulate the local economy.
Case Studies
•City of Santa Cruz Active Transportation Plan
•County of San Diego Active Transportation Plan
•Monterey County Active Transportation Plan
•People for Bikes Quick Builds for Better Streets
•San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Vision-Zero Quick Build
Strategy
•San Francisco County Transportation Authority Funds $5 million in Quick Build Safety
Projects
Tracking Progress
The City will monitor the development of the plan through adoption and implementation progress
thereafter.
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Connected 2.2 Launch micro mobility program by 2021.
Micro mobility is a type of transport that is provided by light vehicles including shared bicycles.
Integration of various offerings of micro mobility into the transportation network of San Luis Obispo
is critical in decreasing carbon emissions as it essentially “fills in the gaps” for trips that utilize
public transit that cannot take riders “door to door”. To stimulate transit ridership and encourage
community members to utilize low-carbon mobility options for short distance trips, micro mobility
is key. The primary goal of the micro mobility program is to introduce a new bike share program
and ultimately remove barriers to other sustainable, human-scale transportation options. City staff
conducted a City Council study session in Fall 2019 and were provided direction to return with a
mobility program focused on bicycles and e-bicycles. This program is included as a work task in
the 2019-21 Financial Plan.
Responsible Department – Public Works
Timeline
The City will begin the process of identifying partners
and vendors in the Fall of 2020 and will begin
implementing the program in 2021.
GHG Reduction Estimates
This action is supportive of overall mode shift.
Funding and Financing Options:
Programs are either directly funded by an agency, operated through a cost sharing model with a
partner, or leased out to a third party who owns and operates the programs. As a result of the
differing models, significant cost ranges exist. Potential funding sources include State/Regional
grants, public/private partnerships or sponsorships.
Equity Considerations
Introducing micro mobility options within the City will allow low-income and non-motor vehicle
owning residents enhanced access to public transit and short-distance travel. Additionally, this
will help alleviate geographic restrictions on employment opportunities for those who use transit
to travel into the city for work.
Economic Development Considerations
As previously stated, enhanced mobility options for community members to reach various parts
of the city, especially downtown and other commerce hubs, will stimulate the local economy.
Case Studies
•Bike Share in Fremont
•Zagster Bike Share in Santa Clarita
•Bike Share Santa Cruz
Tracking Progress
The City will report on the launch of the program initially and on ridership and utilization metrics
thereafter.
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Connected 3.1 Establish policy and strategic approach to leveraging
existing and new parking garages for downtown residential and visitor
serving uses and to allow for further implementation of the Downtown
Concept Plan.
The City owns and operates three parking
garages downtown and is expected to
begin construction on a fourth garage
when funds are available. The new parking
garage would contain 404 parking spots
and include approximately 43 electric
vehicle charging stations and additional
bicycle spots. Additional electric vehicle
chargers are available at the Marsh Street
Parking Garage, which includes 19 Level 2
chargers.
The parking garages allow for additional
density and active transportation focus
downtowns, while also providing access to
electric vehicle charging for regional
travelers. However, to realize the potential of these garages, the City needs to develop an
intentional strategic policy approach to issues such as cost recovery for electric vehicles,
prioritization of low emissions vehicles, overnight access for residents and hotel guests, access
to electric vehicle chargers for downtown employees, and ensuring that pass through electric
vehicles charge downtown to drive traffic to local businesses.
It should be noted that there is overlap with the Mobility as a Service platform as described in
Connected Community 1.1.
Responsible Department – Public Works and Administration
Timeline
This action will be initiated in summer of 2020 and any implementing actions will be contemplated
in the 2021-23 Financial Plan.
GHG Reduction Estimates
This action is supportive of emissions reductions quantified for electric vehicle adoption and mode
shift.
Funding and Financing Options
The City will seek to complete the work using existing staff budget time. Additional consultant
support may be needed, and although the cost total us unknown at this time, it would be expected
to be less than $50,000. Should additional funding be needed, the City would seek access to
funds through grant funding or in the 2021-23 Financial Plan.
Equity Considerations
By ensuring the capacity and function of new and existing parking garages is utilized to serve the
needs of both Downtown visitors and surrounding residents, equity considerations about who
uses these structures, when, and at what cost will be built into relevant policy and planning.
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Additionally, parking and other services needs of those who live, work, and recreate in the western
portion of Downtown will be served in a way that was not previously. Lastly, employees of adjacent
businesses and other organizations will have new and enhanced access to subsidized parking
and safe bicycle storage.
Economic Development Considerations
Expanding access to businesses Downtown will result in increased patronage and, potentially,
stimulate further economic development. Additionally, revenue from parking garage rates will be
re-invested into the community through City-facilitated programming.
Tracking Progress
The City will track and report on the number of internal meetings convened to develop a scope of
work in calendar year 2020 and a firm approach to achieving that scope of work in calendar year
2021 and 2022.
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Connected 4.1 Develop a transit electrification strategic plan and begin
implementing in 2020.
In December of 2018, the California Air
Resources Board (CARB) approved the
Innovative Clean Transit regulation that sets
a statewide goal for public transit agencies
to gradually transition to 100 percent zero
emission bus fleets by 2040. As stated by
CARB in the regulation’s press release, “The
transition to zero-emission technologies,
where feasible, is essential to meeting
California’s air quality and climate goals.”
The City of San Luis Obispo intends to exceed this goal by planning and implementing the
transition far in advance of the state goal. To do this, the City will develop a transit electrification
strategic plan to map out the timeline, costs, funding sources, and vendor selection pathway that
will be undertaken beginning in 2020.
Initial work is underway with an in-process bus yard optimization study, an executed agreement
for onsite solar generating assets, a planning grant awarded from the Air Pollution Control District,
and tentative agreements with PG&E for cost covering related to electric vehicle charging
infrastructure.
Responsible Department – Public Works and Administration
Timeline
The transit electrification strategic plan is currently being developed and implementation will begin
in 2020 with work to install solar generating assets occurring in 2020 and charging infrastructure
being installed in 2021 and 2022. Initial electric vehicle bus purchases may occur as early as 2020
with delivery slated for 2021.
GHG Reduction Estimates
This action is supportive of increased transit mode share and is not directly quantified.
Funding and Financing Options
A direct quote from the ICT Regulation states: “California transit agencies will be faced with higher
capital costs during the early years of implementation of the proposed ICT regulation but will
ultimately see reduced operational spending in later years…” An electric transit bus costs around
$250,000-300,000 more than a diesel transit bus. However, an electric bus is expected to save
money over the lifetime of the vehicles because of reduced fuel and maintenance costs. The City
is seeking to take advantage of low to no-cost programs and external financial assistance
programs to help with these costs.
Funding opportunities for transit electrification include Federal/State grants, cross-sector
partnerships (utility incentives), revolving loans (State Acquisition Finance Program),
Green/Municipal bonds, and funds from the City Budget (Group Asset Purchasing Marketplace).
Equity Considerations
Transportation – whether by car or public transit – is often a significant expense for households.
Transportation investments have historically reinforced patterns of inequality and exclusion by
failing to provide clean, efficient, and affordable options for individuals travelling between urban
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job hubs and surrounding sprawl. Electric vehicles offer a potentially clean mode of automobile
transit but are currently sold at a much higher price than gas-powered cars. Additionally, the lack
of adequate long-distance commute options disproportionally affects low-income individuals who
cannot afford to live closer to their jobs. As a result, low-income populations have less access to
clean mobility and higher mobility costs. Public transit options are available, but traditionally
diesel-powered busses emit particulate matter associated with harmful health impacts.
Affordable, clean bus transit can provide opportunity to bridge some of these economic and health
inequalities.
Economic Development Considerations
The electric bus fleet will be charged using electricity from Monterey Bay Community Power
(MBCP). Revenues from energy purchased from MBCP are retained for regional reinvestment.
Therefore, money spent to fuel our transit fleet will be kept in the local economy rather than given
to third party diesel providers.
Case Studies
•Santa Monica Electric Fleet
•Grant helps Muni prepare facilities for electrified future
•Pittsburg School District Rolls Out New Electric Transit Style School Bus
•Electric Vehicles and the City of New Bedford, MA
•LeasePlan Issues $500M Green Bond to Fund Zero Emission Goal
•Municipal Fleet Electrification in Chula Vista, CA
•California City Adopts Zero-Emission Fleet Conversion Plan
Tracking Progress
The City will report on implementation of the electrification strategic plan.
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Connected 4.2 Shorten transit headways through accelerated
implementation of the existing Short-Range Transit Plan.
Developing a multimodal transit network that encourages residents to use energy efficient transit
options like the bus system are critical to reducing emissions in this sector. One of the challenges
with encouraging people to adopt alternative forms of transportation is the level of access and
convenience of the transit options. One way to address this is by increasing the headways of the
existing bus transit system to halve the time it takes between bus arrivals.
Responsible Department – Public Works
Timeline
The recommendations in the City’s adopted 2017-22 Short Range Transit plan already calls for
double the current transit frequency (i.e. 20-30-minute headways) within the plan’s planning
horizon. There is a need for additional vehicles and operating financial assistance to enact these
recommendations. Staff is engaging stake-holder groups and seeking grant assistance to help
meet these goals.
GHG Reduction Estimates
This action is supportive of achieving the mode split target of transit accounting for seven percent
of trips in the city by 2030, and 12 percent by 2035. If achieved, that mode split change is
estimated to result in an annual reduction of 5,340 MTCO2e in 2030 and 8,750 MTCO2e in 2035.
Funding and Financing Options
Transit data suggest that no less than six additional transit vehicles are needed in service to
achieve the greater headways. At an average of $775,000 per electric bus, $4,650,000 in one-
time capital expenditures are needed. An additional $1.8 million will also be needed in the annual
transit operating budget to the support ongoing operating costs.
Several external financial assistance and no-to-low cost program options are being identified in
transit’s Electric Vehicle Roll Out Plan. Transit agencies may tap into these to help overcome the
initial hurdle of the purchase price and begin to make the transition to electric buses. Many of the
options presented can be used in conjunction with one another to lower the overall costs.
Equity Considerations
Those who would benefit most from increased headways include non-car owning students and
low-income community members who rely on transit to access housing, campus, centers of
employment, and other necessary resources. Increases in transit frequency can contribute to a
more reliable system overall and alleviate the need for car ownership.
Economic Development Considerations
A more reliable and frequent transit system will encourage ridership, notably to areas like
downtown and other parking-restricted areas of commerce, which will help stimulate the local
economy.
Tracking Progress
The City will report on annual transit system headways.
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Connected 4.3 Explore additional innovative transit options in the 2022
Short-Range Transit Plan (e.g., on-demand deviated routes, electric
fleet expansion, micro transit, Bus Rapid Transit, Transit Signal
Priority, etc.).
The existing Short-Range Transit Plan is planned to be
updated in 2022. In order to increase the capacity of the
existing transit system while taking advantage of innovative,
low-carbon options, the 2022 Short-Range Transit Plan will
explore various innovative strategies to increase ridership,
including on-demand deviated routes, electric fleet
expansion, micro-transit, Bus Rapid Transit feasibility, and
transit signal priority, etc.
Responsible Department – Public Works
Timeline
This action will be initiated and implemented in coordination
with the 2021-23 Financial Plan.
GHG Reduction Estimates
This action is supportive of achieving the mode split target of transit accounting for seven percent
of trips in the city by 2030, and 12 percent by 2035. If achieved, that mode split change is
estimated to result in an annual reduction of 5,340 MTCO2e in 2030 and 8,750 MTCO2e in 2035.
Funding and Financing Options
Funding for this action will be sourced from the City’s Transit Fund.
Equity Considerations
Expanding current options to include more innovative, low-carbon, low-cost modes in the 2022
Short-Range Transit Plan will allow for more opportunities for residents, community members,
and visitors to utilize public transit services. With the introduction of on-demand deviated routes,
bus rapid transit, and other options, those who rely on transit are able to use such services with
more convenience to get from their homes to work and other areas around the City. Additionally,
more innovative public transit will result in increased mobility of low-income community members
and decrease the need for vehicle ownership.
Economic Development Considerations
External partnerships needed for various innovative transit options to be realized in San Luis
Obispo creates vast opportunity for economic development through local and regional contracts
and labor. Additionally, expanded transit options allows for enhanced access to downtown and
other commerce centers for community members and visitors.
Tracking Progress
The City will report on action development and implementation progress through its inclusion in
the 2021-23 Financial Plan.
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Connected 4.4 Assess feasibility of a “free to the user” transit ridership
program.
Cities throughout the world are currently assessing the viability of providing “free to the user’
transit ridership. This program has taken different forms in different places and includes
organizations pre-paying for their employees or members to ride in advance of their riding (similar
to how Cal Poly pays in advance for student riders). The transit system requires certain levels of
revenue to operate and in its assessment of the feasibility of this program, the City will carefully
analyze potential financial system impacts and potential unintended consequences on service.
Responsible Department - Public Works
Timeline
The City will assess feasibility through 2020 and will include a discussion of potential rate options
in the 2021-23 Financial Plan.
GHG Reduction Estimates
This action is supportive of achieving the mode split target of transit accounting for seven percent
of trips in the city by 2030, and 12 percent by 2035. If achieved, that mode split change is
estimated to result in an annual reduction of 5,340 MTCO2e in 2030 and 8,750 MTCO2e in 2035.
Funding and Financing Options:
Cost estimates as well as funding and financing options are forthcoming and will be identified in
the feasibility analysis.
Equity Considerations
Eliminating the cost barrier to public transit would allow for the system to be used by all. This
would have an especially positive impact on low-income community members and non-car
owners who rely on transit to get from their homes to work, run errands, and engage socially.
Economic Development Considerations
Increased transit ridership as a result of free fare for users would enable visitors and community
members to visit downtown and other commerce centers easily and frequently. Without having to
consider the costs of gas or parking, access to these spaces will be significantly expanded.
Case Studies
• CityLab – How Free Transit Works in the United StatesNatural So
• Chapel Hill, North Carolina Free Transit
• Sacramento Region to Launch Free Transit Pass for Youth
Tracking Progress
The City will report annual transit rates and related programs.
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Connected 5.1 Complete the 2019-21 Housing Major City Goal,
including the Housing Element of the General Plan Update and Flexible
Zoning Requirements for Downtown.
Active transportation and transit are important
alternatives to single occupancy vehicles. However,
even the best bicycle and transit systems in the
world must be supported by land use and
development patterns that allow people to live close
to where they work and play. Underscoring the
importance of housing on quality of life, affordability,
and sustainability, housing is included as a Major
City Goal in the 2019-21 Financial Plan. The work
program for the Major City Goal includes updating
the Housing Element of the General Plan and
establishing flexible zoning requirements for
downtown, both of which would make sustainable housing easier to build.
Responsible Department – Community Development
Timeline
The Major City Goal work program items are expected to be completed by June 2021.
GHG Reduction Estimates:
This action is supportive of achieving the mode split target of single occupancy vehicles only
accounting for 50 percent of trips in the city by 2030 and 40 percent by 2035. If achieved, that
mode split change is estimated to result in an annual reduction of 23,060 MTCO2e in 2030 and
29,250 MTCO2e in 2035.
Funding and Financing Options:
The Major City Goal work program funding is included in the 2019-21 Financial Plan.
Equity Considerations
Implementing the work program for the Housing Major City Goal, including the establishment for
flexible zoning requirements downtown, creates a critical opportunity to bring more affordable
housing to San Luis Obispo. Higher-density smaller units built downtown not only allows for more
in-town employees to live close to work, it enables wider utilization of active transportation in place
of car travel and other carbon-intensive, high cost modes.
Economic Development Considerations
Not only will the development of more housing—especially new units within and adjacent to
downtown—create more jobs in building and construction, anchoring residents downtown near
retail, restaurants, and other businesses will create more foot traffic in the main commerce
corridor of San Luis Obispo and stimulate the local economy.
Tracking Progress
The City will report on action development and implementation progress via the standard Major
City Goal progress report.
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Connected 6.1 Develop and begin implementing electric mobility plan
to achieve a goal of 40 percent electric vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by
2035.
In the 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan, the State
of California laid out aggressive electric vehicle
targets, aiming to have 1.5 million electric vehicles
on the road by 2025 and more than 4.2 million by
2030. While these numbers at one time seemed
unreachable, rapid increases in investments by
traditional and new automakers and rapidly declining
prices for battery storage have led global
analysts to predict rapid adoption of electric vehi cles
through the next decade.
Electrification of our community’s transportation
systems, coupled with decarbonization of the
electrical grid, is the key to reducing and eventually
eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from the
state and City of San Luis Obispo’s largest source.
By developing and implementing an electric mobility
plan, the City will be able to effectively blueprint the
infrastructure, resources, and funding needed to
promote and accommodate growth in electric
transportation.
The most recent electric vehicle outlook published
by Bloomberg NEF notes, “By 2040 we expect 57 percent of all passenger vehicle sales, and over
30 percent of the global passenger vehicle fleet, will be electric.” In 2019, there were
approximately 200,000 registered light duty vehicles and 67,000 trucks registered in San Luis
Obispo County.
The success of this plan requires expansion of necessary infrastructure to support growth in local
electric vehicles (EVs) and electric VMT. Recently, the City has taken significant regulatory steps
to increase the community’s capacity for EVs. Section 17.72.040 of The City of San Luis Obispo’s
Zoning Regulations details the minimum required number of EV ready and EV capable spots for
new buildings. These new standards require substantially more publicly accessible chargers than
the state building codes and will result in additional public investment in chargers throughout the
community. Additionally, the City will continue to invest in public charging infrastructure.
Implementation of this action will ensure that the infrastructure is focused in a strategic way to
ensure maximum and equitable adoption of electric vehicles.
Responsible Department – Administration, Public Works, and Community Development
Timeline
This action will be initiated in 2020 and implemented beginning in 2021.
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GHG Reduction Estimates
This action is supportive of increased electric vehicle usage and ownership by residents,
commercial fleets, and by regional residents and business that travel to the city. Electric vehicle
ownership is expected to reduce annual emissions by 22,180 MTCO2e in 2030 and 34,920 in
2035.
Funding and Financing Options
Funding opportunities for the implementation of the electric mobility plan and installation of electric
vehicle chargers around the City include California State Grants (Clean Transportation Fund,
ARFVTP, and APCD), partnerships with major employers/institutions (MindBody, Cal Poly, and
Charge Point), Green/Conduit Bonds (California iBank), Group Asset Purchasing Marketplaces
(Sourcewell and Climate Mayors), and New Transport User Fees (SLO Public Works).
Equity Considerations
In their current state, most electric mobility options—especially electric vehicles—are not
economically accessible. Costs associated with the purchase of an electric vehicle in addition to
the time and financial resources needed for charging makes ownership infeasible for many low-
income community members. The electric mobility plan will include a suite of policies and
incentives that will allow for easier, more affordable access to different types of electric mobility
and ensure that a robust network of electric vehicle infrastructure—including public charging
stations—will be deployed so that lower-income community members have the tools they need
as the market for electric vehicles expands and prices lower.
Economic Development Considerations
Expanding and promoting electric mobility within the City of San Luis Obispo will create many
opportunities for external partnerships. By seeking out regional contracts and utilizing local labor,
the City can bolster the development of this aspect of the green economy while ensuring
maximized local benefit.
Case Studies
• Fort Collins EV Readiness Roadmap
Tracking Progress
The City will track and report total electric vehicles registered in the county, number of publicly
available chargers in the city, and progress toward adoption of electrification strategic plan.
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PILLAR 5:
CIRCULAR
ECONOMY
A “Circular Economy” is an economic system
aimed at eliminating waste and the continual
use of resources. Circular systems practice
reuse, sharing, repair, refurbishment,
remanufacturing and recycling to create a
closed-loop system, minimizing the use of
resource inputs and the creation of waste,
pollution and carbon emissions. Whereas, a
traditional extractive economy can be thought
of as a straight line from extraction to
consumption to disposal, a circular economy
looks to use 'waste' as 'food' for other
processes.
One example of this is organic waste that had traditionally been sent to a landfill. In 2016,
Greenhouse gas emissions from organic material decomposing in Cold Canyon Landfill account
for over ten percent of the community’s greenhouse gas emissions. As organic materials
decompose in a landfill, they release methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Although Cold
Canyon Landfill includes methane capture provisions, methane capture is a challenge at landfills
because of the natural movement of the Earth’s surface beneath the tarped waste. As a result,
methane can escape into the atmosphere over time. By first reducing the amount of organics
being disposed of through edible food rescue, and then focusing efforts on diversion of landfilled
organics to the regional anaerobic digester, the City will be providing access to food for those in
need and will also be fully capturing methane and converting it to biogas via the regional anerobic
digestor. The outputs of the anerobic digester are clean electricity and high-quality compost, both
of which can be delivered back to the community.
The foundational actions in this pillar focus on the area the City has direct responsibility for:
diversion of organic waste from the landfill and achieving the methane reductions required by
California’s recently adopted Short-lived Climate Pollutants law (SB 1383).
Emissions from organic waste are only a portion of the overall greenhouse gas emissions that
occur as the result of consumption: single use plastics, product shipping, and emissions intensive
diets all create greenhouse gas emissions and are emerging topics in the field of climate action
planning. A move to a more circular economy, where goods and materials are created in the
region, consumed in the region, and reused in the region would grow local and regional wealth,
reduce emissions and would also indirectly resolve lifecycle emissions issues. However, these
topics sit outside the traditional fields the City engages in and will require substantial time and
resource investments from community groups, businesses, and partners to achieve. The City will
Circular Economy Goals:
75 percent diversion of landfilled organic
waste by 2025; 90 percent diversion by
2035
Total Emissions Reductions in 2030:
37,410 MTCO2e
Total Emissions Reductions in 2035:
47,300 MTCO2e
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monitor regional activities in this space and will consider including more detailed information on
these additional topics in the 2022 Climate Action Plan.
City Leadership
The City has exhibited leadership by working with IWMA to implement, publicize and support the
development of one of the only anerobic digesters in the nation. This already achieved
foundational action allows the community’s green waste to create clean electricity and high-quality
compost which is returned to the community.
Foundational Actions
The foundational actions for this pillar are:
• Circular Economy 1.1 – Adopt an ordinance requiring organic waste subscription for all
residential and commercial customers by 2022.
• Circular Economy 1.2 – Develop and implement programs to increase edible food rescue
by 20 percent.
• Circular Economy 1.3 – Develop and implement a waste stream education program for
HOA/Property Managers and the commercial sector.
• Circular Economy 2.1 – Update the Municipal Code solid waste section and bin enclosure
standards.
• Circular Economy 2.2 – Develop and expand funding for a Solid Waste section in the
Utilities Department.
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Circular Economy 1.1 Adopt an ordinance requiring organic waste
subscription for all residential and commercial customers by 2022.
The City will require all residential and commercial customers to subscribe to organic waste
service by 2022. In San Luis Obispo, solid waste processing and disposal generates more
greenhouse gas emissions than residential energy use. When organic waste decomposes in a
landfill, it emits methane (CH4), a powerful greenhouse gas more than 30 times as potent as
carbon dioxide (CO2). By diverting these materials to the local anaerobic digester, these organic
materials are recycled into valuable soil amendments or safely burned to create energy (biofuel).
The City currently offers businesses and residents optional weekly organic waste collection for
disposal at the a large anaerobic digester near the San Luis Obispo Airport. The ordinance would
require that all businesses and residents opt-in to the service by 2022.
Responsible Department Utilities
Timeline
The City will adopt an ordinance requiring organic waste subscription for all residents and
businesses by 2022.
GHG Reduction Estimates
This action is supportive of large-scale diversion of organic waste that could repurposed into high-
quality compost through the City’s anaerobic digestor in place of contributing to landfilled
greenhouse gas emissions. An ordinance requiring organic waste subscription is expected to
reduce annual emissions by 34,410 MTCO2e in 2030 and 47,300 MTCO2e in 2035.
Funding and Financing Options
There will be no additional funding or financing required for ordinance adoption, however, for the
franchised hauler to accommodate a major increase in the organic customer base, solid waste
service rates are likely to increase.
Equity Considerations
City-wide mandatory organic waste pickup will ensure that residential and commercial customers
alike will have equal opportunity to reduce their GHG emissions through diversion of methane-
producing organics from the landfill.
Case Studies
•Seattle Public Utilities
•San Francisco Zero Waste
•Portland Garbage, Recycling and Composting
Tracking Progress
The City will present a draft ordinance before the City Council and will report on subscription
numbers and success of the program via the standard Major City Goal progress report.
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Circular Economy 1.2 Develop and implement program to increase
edible food rescue by 20%.
In compliance with California SB 1383 as codified in
California Government Code 42652.5.(a).2, the City
will support programs to ensure that at least 20
percent of currently disposed edible food is
recovered for human consumption by 2025. Most
grocery stores, farms, restaurants and other dining
facilities are unable to sell food past its “sell-by”
date, even if the food is edible and in good
condition. Food recovery diverts this otherwise
wasted food to local emergency food programs. The
City will partner with the Integrated Waste
Management Authority, local food banks, and the
SLO County Food System Coalition to achieve
program expansion.
Responsible Department – Utilities
Timeline
The development and implementation of the edible food rescue programs will be performed in
collaboration with existing efforts by the IWMA. In 2020, the focus will be on establishing data with
focus on an overall 20% increase in food rescue by 2025.
GHG Reduction Estimates
This action is supportive of large-scale diversion of organic waste through intercepting and
redistributing edible food before it becomes otherwise landfilled waste. Developing and
implementing an edible food rescue program is expected to reduce annual emissions by 34,410
MTCO2e in 2030 and 47,300 MTCO2e in 2035.
Funding and Financing Options
Funding needs will be assessed in year 2020 when establishing baseline data and potential costs.
The food banks will be a primary resource for distributing rescued edible foods, and a potential
increase in services may require additional funding.
Equity Considerations
Food rescue programs provide food at low- or no-cost to food insecure families and individuals.
Economic Development Considerations
Increased food rescue could help to reduce the number of food insecure households in San Luis
Obispo. When adults have consistent access to healthy food, their work ability and productivity
can increase, and healthcare bills can decrease. Additionally, food insecurity in children can
hinder physical development and the ability to learn – impacts that can last into adulthood and
potentially affect future participation in the workforce.
Tracking Progress
The City will report on action development and implementation progress via the standard Major
City Goal progress report.
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Circular Economy 1.3 Develop and imp lement a waste stream
education program for HOA/Property Managers and the commercial
sector.
The City will develop and implement a program to inform the public on how to properly dispose of
waste locally. Clear and easily accessible public information about the waste stream – what items
should go in the trash, recycling and organic waste bins, or other special facilities such as the e-
waste facility and construction and demolition recycling facility – can help increase landfill
diversion and prevent contamination of each waste stream. The IWMA has an existing outreach
program for local businesses, and the City will partner with, and expand on, an education program
for the City’s Homeowners Associations, property managers, and commercial businesses. The
City will partner with the Integrated Waste Management Authority to ensure successful
implementation.
Responsible Department – Utilities
Timeline
The City will work with the IWMA in building an HOA/property manager waste stream education
program in January of 2021, a year before requiring all commercial and residential solid waste
customers to enlist in organics service. Once established, outreach and educational campaigns
will be sent out to the community at least annually to help manage the influx of new tenants.
GHG Reduction Estimates
This measure in itself will not reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but promotion of zero waste
practices and education around organic waste diversion have potential to reduce the City’s
greenhouse gas emissions by reducing waste sent to the landfill.
Funding and Financing Options
The duties of outreach and education fall under the scope of work of the Solid Waste & Recycling
Coordinator in the Utilities Department. There should be no additional costs.
Equity Considerations
It will be critical to ensure that the waste stream education program is digestible and accessible
to all residents. The program should have both audio and visual formats and be produced in both
English and Spanish.
Economic Development Considerations
Improved waste steam education can increase the amount of waste diverted from the landfill to
recycling and composting centers. Finding alternatives to landfilling material contributes to added
longevity of the landfill, postponed expansion, and ultimately a cost savings, buying time to find
permanent alternatives to burying and landfilling waste. Additionally, recycling and composting
facilities create jobs and the sale of recycled materials and compost can bring money into the
local economy.
Tracking Progress
The City will report on the number and nature of meetings with each utility in the first year of
implementation.
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Circular Economy 2.1 Update the Municipal Code solid waste section
and bin enclosure standards.
The City will update the Municipal Code solid waste section and bin enclosure development
standards to support organics composting for all residents and ensure that adequate space is
created for organic waste bins at all residential and commercial properties. The solid waste
sections of the Municipal Code benefit the San Luis Obispo community by supporting waste
reduction and diversion of recyclables from our local landfill, preserving the beauty of our
neighborhoods through waste disposal requirements, and making sure residents receive solid
waste services in a timely an regular manner. By using the City’s updated waste bin enclosure
standards which will reflect capacity design for all three waste streams, developers create
opportunity for future tenants to dispose of their waste in accordance with local and state law.
Updates to the City Municipal Code and bin enclosure development standards are necessary to
best support the newly established goals of the City Council and of the State of California. Once
these guiding documents are updated and published, the City will promote and educate
community members on best methods of compliance.
Responsible Department – Utilities
Timeline
Municipal Code and bin enclosure standard updates will be presented by December 2020
GHG Reduction Estimates
This measure in itself will not reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but promotion of zero waste
practices and education around organic waste diversion have potential to reduce the City’s
greenhouse gas emissions by reducing waste sent to the landfill.
Funding and Financing Options
Municipal Code and bin enclosure standard updates will fall under the scope of the City’s Solid
Waste & Recycling Coordinator, funded by AB939 fees and supplemented with general fund
monies.
Equity Considerations
Many residential and commercial properties currently cannot accommodate bins, which inhibits
users’ ability to practice responsible and informed disposal. All residents and community members
will be able to contribute to the diversion of organic waste and recyclable materials without
worrying about individual buy-in by property owners and managers.
Economic Development Considerations
Updated bin enclosure standards and Municipal Code sections will improve public cleanliness for
citizens and visitors of the City of San Luis Obispo. Additionally, preventing contamination (of one
waste stream by another waste stream’s materials) through adequate accommodation for all three
streams may reduce sorting costs and therefore help manage rates.
Tracking Progress
The City will report on action development and implementation progress via the standard Major
City Goal progress report.
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Circular Economy 2.2 Develop a Solid Waste section in the Utilities
Department.
The City’s Utilities Department will develop a
section exclusively focused on solid waste.
This focused effort will enable the City to
better manage and regulate solid waste
disposal practices in the City, to ensure rates
are equitable and reflect the cost of service
community members receive, to manage
contracts and compliance with franchised
haulers, to promote overall reduction of waste,
to provide resources to residents, and as a
result, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Solid Waste section will oversee all recycling, landfilled waste, organic waste, and zero waste
programs.
Responsible Department – Utilities
Timeline
The Solid Waste program plan will be established by July 2020.
GHG Reduction Estimates
This measure in itself will not reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but promotion of zero waste
practices and education around organic waste diversion have potential to reduce the City’s
greenhouse gas emissions by reducing waste sent to the landfill.
Funding and Financing Options
The Solid Waste section is currently funded by existing fees collected for the purpose of recycling
and diversion related programs. Supplemental funding may be required for expansion of the
program.
Equity Considerations
The City will take action to ensure that the creation of this section will not impact residents’ and
property owners’ solid waste collection fees.
Economic Development Considerations
The establishment and eventual expansion of the Solid Waste section of the City’s Utilities
Department has the potential to create a number of local jobs.
Case Studies
•San Francisco Solid Waste Program
•Curb It – Boise’s trash, recycling, compost and other solid waste program
•County of Marin Waste Management Division
Tracking Progress
The City will report on action development and implementation progress via the standard Major
City Goal progress report.
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PILLAR 6:
NATURAL
SOLUTIONS
The City’s Greenbelt and Urban Forest
provide valuable benefits to the community,
including the conservation of natural
resources and maintenance of ecosystem
services, nearby access to passive
recreation opportunities, compact urban
form, climate resilience benefits, and storing
carbon in the soil.
Peer-reviewed research indicates
substantial carbon sequestration can accrue
in grassland systems with compost
application14 and emerging research
suggests even more significant results may
be achieved through regenerative farming
practices.
Emissions Sector Addressed
A Carbon Farm Plan will be developed for the City’s Johnson Ranch Open Space and Calle
Joaquin Agricultural Reserve (“City Farm”) in 2021, with pilot implementation of compost
application and monitoring conducted beginning in 2022. Following this initial period, it is
anticipated that an additional 100 acres per year could receive compost applications on lands
within the San Luis Obispo Greenbelt through partnerships with local farmers and ranchers. The
modeled cumulative effect of this action sequesters 33,000 MTCO2e by 2035).
A group of local citizens have also approached the City with an ambitious tree planting campaign,
preliminarily being called 10 Tall: An Initiative to Plant 10,000 Trees in San Luis Obispo by 2035.
While some of these trees can be planted in existing vacant tree wells and City parks, the vast
majority would need to be low-cost, one gallon starts of native trees to be planted in City open
space properties and other natural or rangeland areas. An ambitious tree planting program of this
size would need to rely on substantial partnerships and resources. The modeled cumulative effect
of this action sequesters 24,000 MTCO2e by 2035). Several key unknowns exist including a
14 Silver, Whendee, Sintana Vergara, Allegra Mayer. (University of California, Berkeley). 2018. Carbon
Sequestration and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Potential of Composting and Soil Amendments on
California’s Rangelands. California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment, California Natural Resources
Agency. Publication number: CCCA4-CNRA2018-002.
Natural Solutions Goal:
Increase carbon sequestration on the San
Luis Obispo Greenbelt and Urban Forest
through compost application-based carbon
farming activities and tree planting;
ongoing through 2035
Total Emissions Reductions in 2030:
3,610 MTCO2e
Total Emissions Reductions in 2035:
7,050 MTCO2e
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standard protocol for accounting for emissions already sequestered or emitted from the City’s
urban forest or open spaces, the effectiveness of sequestration practices in the climatic and soil
conditions present in and around the city, and protocol for accounting for emissions savings that
occur outside of city limits. In future Climate Action Plan updates, the City could choose to include
emissions sectors for natural systems in the greenhouse gas emissions inventory and account
for existing carbon stocks through land conservation and negative emissions associated with
carbon farming and tree planting.
Equity, Quality of Life, and Economic Development Opportunities
The City’s Greenbelt Protection Program is typically identified by residents as a top priority. This
system of protected natural resources and conserved landscapes is central to maintaining the
City’s identity and unique sense of place. Over 50 miles of trails are available to all and provide
access to no-cost passive recreation. Urban forests, green space, and open space have well
documented mental health benefits and property value benefits. In addition to carbon
sequestration, the City’s Greenbelt and Urban Forest provide tremendous climate resilience
benefits including shading and cooling, stormwater management and watershed protection, and
buffering from catastrophic flooding and wildfires. The operation and maintenance of these
programs supports jobs, enhances property values, and results in economic multiplier effects
across numerous sectors. Carbon farming activities also support local farmers and ranchers and
the agricultural economy.
City Leadership
The City has been participating in national and international carbon sequestration working groups
through the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) and the Carbon Neutral Cities
Alliance (CNCA). The City looks to be at the forefront of research to better understand how to
manage healthy natural resources in a changing climate while also removing climate pollution
from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil. The City’s next leadership steps are to participate
in a forthcoming USDN Innovation Fund grant in partnership with numerous other leading cities.
Foundational Actions
The foundational actions of this pillar are:
•Natural Solutions 1.1 – Conduct Carbon Farming Study and Pilot Project in 2021. If
feasible, begin implementation by 2023.
•Natural Solutions 2.1 – Prepare the City’s first Urban Forest Master Plan by 2021 and
plant and maintain 10,000 new trees by 2035.
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Natural Solutions 1.1 – Conduct Carbon Farming Study and Pilot
Project in 2021 and if feasible, begin implementation by 2023.
A Carbon Farm Plan will be developed for the City’s
Johnson Ranch Open Space and Calle Joaquin
Agricultural Reserve (“City Farm”) in 2021 with pilot
implementation of compost application and monitoring
conducted beginning in 2022. Following this initial
period, it is anticipated that an additional 100 acres per
year could receive compost applications on lands
within the San Luis Obispo Greenbelt through
partnerships with local farmers and ranchers.
Responsible Department – Administration
Timeline
The Carbon Farming Study and Pilot Project will start
in 2021 and, if feasible, long-term implementation will
begin in 2023.
GHG Sequestration Estimates
Carbon farming activities based on the timeline and objectives outlined, above, have been
modeled to reduce annual emissions by 5,560 MTCO2e in 2035.
Funding and Financing Options
Funding for the preliminary Carbon Farming Study and Pilot Project are currently deferred due to
the economic impacts resulting from COVID-19. However, the City will also pursue a
demonstration project grant through the Healthy Soils Program administered by the California
Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to build additional capacity and resources when this
program is next available. Other state and federal funding opportunities are also available that
the City will pursue [e.g. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)]
Equity Considerations
Johnson Ranch Open Space and the Calle Joaquin Agricultural Reserve (locally known as “City
Farm”) are both a part of City’s Greenbelt Protection Program. This system of protected natural
resources and conserved landscapes is central to maintaining the City’s identity and unique sense
of place and access is provided at no-cost. The non-profit partner City Farm SLO is providing
sustainable agricultural education for all ages, with special focus on continuing education high
school students, while also producing healthy and nutrient dense local food. In addition to carbon
sequestration, the City’s Greenbelt provides tremendous climate resilience benefits including
shading and cooling, stormwater management and watershed protection, as well as buffering
from extreme heat events, catastrophic flooding, and wildfires.
Economic Development Considerations
The operation and maintenance of carbon farming and regenerative agriculture supports jobs,
enhances property values, and results in economic multiplier effects across numerous sectors.
Over the long-term, carbon farming activities will also support local farmers and ranchers and the
agricultural economy through with public-private partnerships and increased agricultural
productivity.
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Case Studies
•Marin Carbon Project
•Urban Drawdown Initiative
•Coastal San Luis and Cachuma Resource Conservation Districts
Tracking Progress
The Carbon Farm Plan will include and identify monitoring and tracking methods. The monitoring
plan will be based on established state adopted protocols for monitoring soil health indicators and
may be adapted to meet requirements identified by additional funding sources (i.e. CDFA Healthy
Soils Demonstration funds). Over the long-term, it is anticipated that the resource conditions that
will be evaluated are as follows:
Johnson Ranch Open Space City Farm
Rangeland Management Crop Management
Carbon Sink + Sequestration Carbon Sink + Sequestration
Soil Health Soil Health
Vegetation Communities & Rare Plants Food Nutrient Density
Wildlife Habitat Wildlife Habitat
Riparian Function Riparian Function
Water Quality Water Quality
Public Access - Trails Public Access – Educational Programming
Public Review Draft - Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery
Volume 2: Technical Foundation and Work Program
City of San Luis Obispo Page 70
Natural Solutions 2.1 – Prepare the
City’s first Urban Forest Master
Plan by 2021 and plant and
maintain 10,000 new trees by 2035.
The City will prepare its first Urban Forest Master
Plan that updates the existing tree inventory and
identifies future tree planting opportunities with
climate-ready tree species, as well as strategies
for ongoing operations and maintenance. The
Urban Forest Master Plan will also include a feasibility study to propose and assess an ambitious
tree planting campaign called 10 Tall: An Initiative to Plant 10,000 Trees in San Luis Obispo by
2035. While some of these new trees can be planted in existing vacant tree wells and City parks,
the vast majority would need to be low-cost, one-gallon container stock of native trees to be
planted in City open space properties as well as creeks and riparian areas. Trees that are planted
in creeks and riparian areas grow rapidly and sequester carbon at higher rates, while also
providing valued habitat, water quality protection, and erosion control. An ambitious tree planting
program of this size will need to rely on substantial community partnerships and external
resources.
Responsible Department – Administration and Public Works
Timeline
The Urban Forest Master Plan will be completed by the end of 2021. Tree planting and
maintenance are ongoing on an annual basis.
GHG Reduction Estimates
Tree planting activities based on the timeline and objectives outlined, above, have been modeled
to reduce annual emissions by 1,490 MTCO2e in 2035.
Funding and Financing Options
Funding for the Urban Forest Master Plan effort is currently deferred due to the economic impacts
resulting from COVID-19. However, the City’s long-standing community partner, ECOSLO, is
currently implementing a California ReLeaf grant for tree planting in the City in the amount of
$24,000 and is also a partner in a $1,000,000 grant that includes a significant tree planting
component. Additional grant funding opportunities are anticipated through Cal Fire and the Urban
Greening Grant Program administered through the California Natural Resources Agency.
Numerous grants also exist that can support creek restoration and riparian habitat enhancement.
It is anticipated that working with community partners to activate volunteer networks for tree
planting implementation could result in local business sponsorships and participation, as well as
revenue through “gift tree” donations.
Equity Considerations
As the climate continues to change, the state, region, and City of San Luis Obispo face increased
risks, including extreme heat days and floods. Those most vulnerable to such changes notably
include low-income and transient community members. The City’s Urban Forest provide
tremendous climate resilience benefits including shading and cooling, stormwater management
and watershed protection, and documented mental health benefits.
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Economic Development Considerations
The City’s Urban Forest provides overall beautification of the city and documented property value
enhancement benefits. Urban Forestry provides local jobs and business opportunities such as
tree nurseries and reclaimed lumber for furniture and landscaping. As street trees grow larger,
their shading and cooling effects have a measurable effect of reducing costs associated with air
conditioning use in buildings.
Case Studies
•City of Davis – Community Forest Management Plan
•City of Santa Monica – Urban Forest Master Plan
•Portland Friends of Trees
Tracking Progress
The City will track street trees planted in the urban environment using its tree inventory database
software (ArborProTM or similar) and these trees receive periodic care and maintenance on a
rotating basis and as emergency needs arise. Native trees planted in City open space or within
creek and riparian environments can also be tracked using a tree inventory database based on
tree planting events and occurrences and the total number of trees planted on those occasions.
Grant funding opportunities that support tree planting typically carry monitoring and tracking
requirements, as well as specific success criteria for tree survival and other benefits accrued.
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City of San Luis Obispo Page 73
4.ACHIEVING OUR
GOALS
Administrative Actions
In addition to the foundational actions listed in Chapter 5, this Chapter includes a number of
actions required by City staff to ensure the Climate Action Plan is being implemented, that
implementation of the Climate Action Plan is effective, and that lessons learned along the way
are being recorded in support of regular Climate Action Plan updates.
Administrative Action 1 – Regularly Update the Climate Action Plan
The City will update the Climate Action Plan for adoption in the Fall prior to every other Financial
Plan. This allows for certainty in the update schedule, ensures that carbon neutrality work is
directly tied to the City’s financial decision making and prioritization process, and allows for
constant integration of learning and best practices into the City’s climate action program. The
proposed update schedule is provided as Figure 4.1.
Figure 4.1. Climate Action Plan Update Schedule
City of San Luis Obispo Page 74
Administrative Action 2 – Monitor and Report Plan Implementation
Using the “Tracking Progress” metrics provided in Chapter 3 and the work program provided in
this Chapter, the City will develop a greenhouse gas emissions inventory update in every odd
year and will develop a monitoring and reporting protocol and provide an update to City Council
on progress every other year starting in the Summer of 2022.
Administrative Action 3 – Ensure Transparency by Reporting Greenhouse
Gas and Climate Action Information to Public Disclosure Programs
Several state, national, and international disclosure platforms exist with the purpose of providing
transparency and access to sustainability related information. The City will review available
programs, such as the Carbon Disclosure Program and SEEC Clear Path, and report on the
platforms that have no or minimal costs to participate in.
Administrative Action 4 – Develop Mitigation Program for New Development
to Illustrate Consistency with the Climate Action Plan
Using the “Tracking Progress” metrics provided in Chapter 3 and the work program provided in
this Chapter.
Staff Work Program
Table 4.1, referred to as the “Staff Work Program” summarizes the foundational actions and
administrative actions provided in Chapter 2 and 3. The Staff Work Program is intended to be
used for assigning tasks to City staff, as well as for monitoring implementation progress. The
table also exists as part of an Microsoft Excel based monitoring tool that will be used to provide
updates to City Council on a biennial basis.
City of San Luis Obispo Page 75
Table 4.1 Staff Work Program
Foundational
Action Action Description Responsible
Department Budgeted? Action Start Date Action Progress Tracker
Lead by Example
1.1
Adopt a municipal carbon neutrality plan in
2021 Administration Yes, On
Hold 2020, Q4 Plan development and implementation progress
Lead by Example
2.1
Include carbon neutrality, social equity,
and a focus on developing a green local
economy in the updated Economic
Development Strategic Plan
Administration No 2021, Q1 Plan development and implementation progress
Lead by Example
3.1
Research methods to support local
contractors and labor Administration No 2021, Q3 Completed research progress; inclusion in 2023
Climate Action Plan
Lead by Example
4.1
Create a formal approach to support and
empower community collaboration for
climate action
Administration No 2021, Q3 Number of organizations formally acknowledged
Energy 1.1
Launch Monterey Bay Community Power
and achieve a 98% participation rate while
advocating for programs that support
equity and achieve maximum local benefit
Community
Development Yes 2020, Q1 MBCP electricity emissions coefficient; MBCP opt-
out rate
Energy 2.1 Work with MBCP and PG&E to develop a
regional grid reliability strategy Administration Yes 2020, Q1 Number of meetings with each utility
Energy 3.1
Partner with SoCal Gas to research
options for reducing greenhouse gas
emissions associated with the existing
natural gas grid
Administration Yes 2021, Q1 Number of meetings with each utility
Buildings 1.1
Adopt and implement the Clean Energy
Choice Program for New Buildings and
review opportunities for improvement in
the 2022 code cycle
Administration,
Community
Development
Yes 2020, Q3 Number and type of permits for all-electric and
mixed-fuel buildings
Buildings 2.1
Conduct comprehensive retrofit program
study and develop and implement a
strategic and equity focused building
retrofit program by 2021
Administration,
Community
Development
Yes 2020, Q3 Plan development; permits
Connected 1.1 Establish a consistent method for tracking
and reporting mode split metrics Public Works No 2021, Q1 Plan development and implementation progress;
inclusion in the 2021-23 Financial Plan
City of San Luis Obispo Page 76
Foundational
Action Action Description Responsible
Department Budgeted? Action Start Date Action Progress Tracker
Connected 1.2
Research and develop an approach to a
“Mobility as a Service” platform for people
to easily use all modes of low carbon
mobility in the City
Administration, Public
Works No 2021, Q1 Plan development and implementation progress;
inclusion in the 2021-23 Financial Plan
Connected 2.1 Complete Active Transportation plan and
begin implementation immediately Public Works Yes 2020, Q1 Plan development and implementation progress
Connected 2.2 Launch micro mobility program by 2021 Public Works Yes 2020, Q3 Program launch; ridership and utilization metrics
Connected 3.1
Establish a policy and strategic approach
to leveraging existing and new parking
garages for downtown residential and
visitor serving uses and to allow for further
implementation of the Downtown Concept
Plan
Administration, Public
Works No 2020, Q3 Number of internal meetings
Connected 4.1 Develop transit electrification strategic plan
and begin implementing in 2020
Public Works,
Administration Yes 2020, Q3 Implementation of the electrification strategic plan
Connected 4.2
Shorten transit headways through
accelerated implementation of the existing
Short-Range Transit Plan
Public Works Yes 2020, Q1 Annual transit system headways
Connected 4.3
Explore additional innovative transit
options in the 2022 Short-Range Transit
Plan (e.g., on-demand deviated routes,
electric fleet expansion, micro transit, Bus
Rapid Transit, Transit Signal Priority)
Public Works No 2021, Q1 Plan development and implementation progress;
inclusion in the 2021-23 Financial Plan
Connected 4.4 Assess feasibility of a “free to the user”
transit ridership program
Administration, Public
Works Yes 2020, Q3 Annual transit rates and related programs
Connected 5.1
Complete the 2019-21 Housing Element of
the General Plan Update and Flexible
Zoning Requirements for Downtown
Community
Development Yes 2020, Q3 Major City Goal progress report
Connected 6.1
Develop and begin implementing electric
mobility plan to achieve a goal of 40
percent electric vehicle miles traveled
(VMT) by 2035
Administration, Public
Works Yes 2020, Q3
Total number of electric vehicles registered in the
county and publicly available chargers in the city;
implementation of the electrification strategic plan
City of San Luis Obispo Page 77
Foundational
Action Action Description Responsible
Department Budgeted? Action Start Date Action Progress Tracker
Circular Economy
1.1
Adopt an ordinance requiring organic
waste subscription for all residential and
commercial customers by 2022
Utilities No 2022, Q1 Ordinance; Major City Goal progress report
Circular Economy
1.2
Develop and implement program to
increase edible food rescue by 20 percent Utilities No 2020, Q3 Major City Goal progress report
Circular Economy
1.3
Develop and implement a waste stream
education program for HOA/Property
Managers and the commercial sector
Utilities Yes 2021, Q1 Number of meetings with each utility
Circular Economy
2.1
Update the Municipal Code solid waste
section and bin enclosure standards Utilities Yes 2021, Q1 Major City Goal progress report
Circular Economy
2.2
Develop and expand funding for a Solid
Waste section in the Utilities Department Utilities Yes 2020, Q3 Major City Goal progress report
Natural Solutions
1.1
Conduct Carbon Farming Study and Pilot
Project in 2021. If feasible, begin
implementation by 2023
Administration No 2021, Q4 Monitoring and tracking methods will be identified in
the Carbon Farm Plan (forthcoming)
Natural Solutions
2.1
Prepare the City’s first Urban Forest
Master Plan by 2021 and plant and
maintain 10,000 new trees by 2035
Administration, Public
Works No 2021, Q1 Tree inventory database software
Administrative
Action 1 Regularly Update the Climate Action Plan Administration No 2022, Q2 Inclusion in the 2021-23 Financial Plan
Administrative
Action 1 Monitor and Report Plan Implementation Administration, All
Departments No 2021, Q2 GHG emissions inventory update annually; City
Council update every other year
Administrative
Action 3
Ensure Transparency by Reporting
Greenhouse Gas and Climate Action
Information to Public Disclosure Programs
Administration No 2020, Q3 State, national, and international disclosure
platforms
Administrative
Action 4
–Develop Mitigation Program for New
Development to Illustrate Consistency with
the Climate Action Plan
Community
Development,
Administration
No 2021, Q2 Tracking Progress metrics
Public Review Draft Climate Action Plan
Appendix A - Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast
CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT
Appendix A: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Inventory and Forecast
Public Review Draft Climate Action Plan
Appendix A - Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast
City of San Luis Obispo
CONTENTS
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Community GHG Inventory Overview ............................................................................... 1
1.2 2005 Community GHG Inventory ...................................................................................... 2
1.3 2005 Updated Community GHG Inventory ........................................................................ 2
1.4 2016 Community GHG Inventory ...................................................................................... 3
1.5 Progress Toward 2020 Target .......................................................................................... 4
1.6 Progress to State GHG Reduction Targets ....................................................................... 4
2. Community energy ................................................................................................................. 6
2.1 Community Energy Sector Overview ................................................................................ 6
2.2 Updated Inventory Data and Methods .............................................................................. 6
2.2.1 Electricity ................................................................................................................... 6
2.2.2 Natural Gas – Direct Emissions .................................................................................10
2.2.3 Natural Gas – Fugitive Emissions .............................................................................12
2.3 Total Energy GHG Emissions ..........................................................................................12
3. Transportation .......................................................................................................................14
3.1 Transportation Sector Overview ......................................................................................14
3.2 Updated Inventory Data and Methods .............................................................................14
3.3 Total Transportation GHG Emissions ..............................................................................15
4. Solid waste ...........................................................................................................................16
4.1 Solid Waste Sector Overview ..........................................................................................16
4.2 Updated Inventory Data and Methods .............................................................................16
4.2.1 Green Waste .............................................................................................................17
4.2.2 Municipal Solid Waste GHG Emissions Conversion Factor .......................................17
4.3 Total Solid Waste GHG Emissions ..................................................................................21
5. Forecast .............................................................................................................................22
6. Areas for improvement .......................................................................................................24
List of Abbreviations ..............................................................................................................26
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Appendix A - Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast
City of San Luis Obispo
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.1. San Luis Obispo Community GHG Emissions (2005) ................................................ 2
Table 1.2. 2005 update baseline GHG emissions. ..................................................................... 3
Table 1.3. 2016 GHG emissions. ............................................................................................... 4
Table 1.4. GHG emissions, 2005-2016 (MTCO2e). .................................................................... 4
Table 1.5. Progress to AB32 and SB 32 target (MTCO2e). ........................................................ 5
Table 2.1. Community electricity activity data, 2005-2016 (kWh). .............................................. 7
Table 2.2. Electricity conversion factor (MTCO2e/kWh). ............................................................. 8
Table 2.3. Community electricity GHG estimates, 2006-2015 (MTCO2e). .................................. 9
Table 2.4. Community natural gas activity data, 2005-2016 (Therms). ......................................10
Table 2.5. Local Government Operations Protocol (LGOP) natural gas carbon dioxide equivalent.
.................................................................................................................................................11
Table 2.6. Community Natural Gas GHG estimates, 2005-2016 (MTCO2e). .............................11
Table 2.7. Energy GHG emissions, 2005-2016 (MTCO2e). .......................................................12
Table 3.1. 2005 and 2016 VMT estimates. ................................................................................14
Table 3.2. Total annual VMT emissions. ...................................................................................15
Table 4.1. City solid waste activity data, 2008-2016 (Disposal Ton). .........................................16
Table 4.2. Total percent of waste degradable based on waste type. .........................................18
Table 4.3. Conversion to metric tons of methane. .....................................................................19
Table 4.4. Recorded methane capture rates from Cold Canyon Landfill. ...................................19
Table 4.5. Percent of emissions reaching the atmosphere. .......................................................20
Table 4.6. Disposed solid waste conversion factor with Fifth Assessment Report global warming
potential (MTCO2e/Disposal Ton). .............................................................................................20
Table 4.7. Total solid waste disposed emissions (MTCO2e). .....................................................21
Table 5.1. Demographic projections (2005-2035). .....................................................................22
Table 5.2 Forecasted GHG emissions with state reductions, 2005-2050 (MTCO2e). .................23
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Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1 Progress to AB32, SB 32, and Carbon Neutrality target. ........................................... 5
Figure 2.1. Electricity emissions factor (MTCO2e/kWh). ............................................................ 8
Figure 2.2. Total community electricity activity data and GHG estimates, 2006-2016. ................ 9
Figure 2.3. Energy GHG emissions, 2005-2016. .......................................................................13
Figure 4.1. Total City solid waste (Disposal Ton). .....................................................................17
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1. INTRODUCTION
A greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory is a comprehensive measure of GHG emissions that have
occurred as the result of activity in a jurisdiction or a geographic area in a calendar year. It is
common to prepare two separate GHG inventories, one for local government operations only and
the other for community-wide emissions. Though inventories are custom to their jurisdiction, local
government GHG inventories typically include the accounting of emissions from the buildings,
facilities, and vehicles operated by a local government, while community-wide inventories typically
include accounting of emissions from all businesses, residents, and transportation within the
jurisdictional boundary.
This report focuses on community-wide GHG emissions. Section 1 of this report provides an
overview of the community GHG emissions inventories and forecasts. Sections 2-5 provide
detailed summaries of the inventoried GHG emissions sectors. Section 6 provides a detailed
description of the GHG forecasts and a discussion of the City’s progress toward its GHG reduction
targets. Section 7 concludes the report with a description of areas for improvement.
1.1 Community GHG Inventory Overview
In 2012, the City of San Luis Obispo (City) adopted the City of San Luis Obispo Climate Action
Plan (CAP) to achieve GHG emission reductions consistent with state law and City General Plan
policy. The foundation of the CAP is the 2005 baseline GHG inventory (completed in 2009), which
estimates the GHG emissions that occurred as the result of activity in the city.
In the 2017 California Climate Change Scoping Plan, the California Air Resources Board notes,
“In developing local plans, local governments should refer to ‘The U.S. Community Protocol for
Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions’ (community protocol), which provides
detailed guidance on completing a GHG emissions inventory at the community scale in the United
States – including emissions from businesses, residents, and transportation.” The City prepared
a 2016 comprehensive community-wide and local government GHG emissions inventory update
compliant with all relevant protocols and guidance documents including the U.S. Community
Protocol, Local Government Operations Protocol (LGOP), the Global Protocol for Community
Scale GHG Emissions (GPC), and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Guidelines for National GHG Inventories. The community-wide GHG inventory is the foundation
for the Climate Action Plan Update, which is expected to be adopted in 2020.
In the 2017 Scoping Plan, the California Air Resources Board directs local governments to the
U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The
Community Protocol includes required emissions sectors that must be inventoried including use
of electricity, onsite fuel combustion (i.e., natural gas), energy used for water conveyance and
treatment, use of on-road vehicles, and generation of solid-waste.1 This report presents a
1 1 The electricity and natural gas sectors of the City’s GHG inventory include energy used to convey and
treat water.
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summary of the updated 2005 GHG emissions and details the 2016 community GHG inventory
completed in 2018 and revised in 2019.2
Greenhouse gas emissions are not measured directly. They are modeled and estimated by
multiplying data about some activity (e.g., the amount of electricity consumed, the number of miles
travelled in fossil fuel powered vehicles, the tons of solid waste sent to the landfill, etc.) by the
greenhouse gas emission content of a typical unit of that activity (e.g., the average greenhouse
gas emissions content per therm of combusted natural gas). This inventory accounts for three
common greenhouse gasses: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N20).
Since methane and nitrous oxide are substantially more potent greenhouse gases than carbon
dioxide (86 and 265 times more potent, respectively), the emissions modeled from their release
into the atmosphere are multiplied by their respective potential to warm the atmosphere rela tive
to CO2. The common reporting unit for greenhouse gas emissions is “Metric Tons of Carbon
Dioxide Equivalence”, or MTCO2e.
1.2 2005 Community GHG Inventory
In 2009, the community’s total 2005 baseline GHG emissions were estimated to be 264,237
metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e). The inventory included energy (residential
and nonresidential), transportation, and waste sectors. Of the three sectors, transportation
contributed the largest amount of GHG emissions with estimated emissions of 132,142 MTCO2e
or 50 percent of the total City emissions. The second largest sector was commercial and industrial
energy use with estimated emissions of 57,950 or 22 percent of the total City emissions. The
commercial and industrial energy and waste sectors made up the remaining 28 percent of the
total city emissions. Table 1.1 presents the original estimated 2005 GHG emissions by sector and
their percent of total emissions.
Table 1.1. San Luis Obispo Community GHG Emissions (2005)
Community Sector MTCO2e Percent of Total
Transportation 132,142 50%
Nonresidential Energy 57,950 22%
Residential Energy 55,377 21%
Waste 18,768 7%
Total 264,237 100%
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Climate Action Plan (2009)
1.3 2005 Updated Community GHG Inventory
To assess climate action progress, the City updated the 2005 baseline inventory for consistency
with current protocols and best practices. This section provides updated GHG emissions data
estimates for the baseline year of 2005 to allow for an “apples to apples” comparison to the 2016
GHG inventory. The City updated the 2005 GHG inventory to reflect an updated scientific
understanding of how different greenhouse gasses contribute to global warming, to include a
2 Due to lagging data availability, 2016 is the most recent year for complete GHG inventory data. Annual
inventory updates will occur beginning in 2020. Where more current information is available by sector, it is
provided in this report.
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more accurate assessment of transportation related emissions, and to respond to changes to data
privacy rules and collection methods that affect how data is provided.
Table 1.2 provides the updated 2005 baseline GHG emissions inventory with updated total GHG
emissions of 386,630 MTCO2e. Similar to the original 2005 inventory, the largest sector
contributing to the City’s total GHG emissions was transportation with an estimated emissions
total of 225,390 MTCO2e or 58 percent of the City’s total.3 The commercial and industrial energy
sector was the second largest sector contributing a total of 58,050 MTCO 2e GHG emissions or
15 percent of the City’s total. The remaining sectors of residential energy and solid waste made
up the remaining 28 percent of the City’s total emissions in 2005.
Table 1.2. 2005 update baseline GHG emissions.
Sector Subsector Subsector
MTCO2e
Sector
MTCO2e
Sector Percent
of Total
Transportation On-Road Transportation 225,390 225,390 58%
Nonresidential
Energy
Commercial/Industrial electricity 35,510
58,050 15%
Commercial/Industrial natural gas 22,540
Residential
Energy
Residential electricity 20,870 55,450 14% Residential natural gas 34,580
Solid Waste Community-wide municipal solid
waste disposal tons 47,740 47,740 12%
Total 386,630 100%
1.4 2016 Community GHG Inventory
In 2018, the City prepared a community-wide inventory of GHG emissions for the 2016 calendar
year. Table 1.3 provides the 2016 GHG emissions inventory results. In 2016, San Luis Obispo’s
total GHG emissions were estimated to be 339,290 MTCO2e. As in 2005, transportation was the
largest contributor to the City’s total GHG emissions with an estimated 212,980 MTCO2e or 63
percent of the City’s total emissions. Commercial and Industrial energy was the second largest
sector with GHG emissions of 44,270 MTCO2e or 13 percent of the City’s total emissions. The
sectors of residential energy and solid waste account for the remaining 26 percent of the City’s
total 2016 GHG emissions.
3 Section 3 provides an explanation for the significant increase in estimated transportation emissions in the
revised 2005 baseline over the original draft.
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Table 1.3. 2016 GHG emissions.
Sector Subsector Subsector
MTCO2e
Sector
MTCO2e
Sector Percent
of Total
Transportation On-Road Transportation 212,980 212,980 63%
Nonresidential
Energy
Commercial/Industrial electricity 22,050
44,270 13%
Commercial/Industrial natural gas 22,220
Residential
Energy
Residential electricity 10,320 39,410 11%
Residential natural gas 29,090
Solid Waste
Community-wide municipal solid
waste disposal tons 42,630 42,630 13%
Total 339,290 100%
1.5 Progress Toward 2020 Target
Table 1.4 provides a comparison overview of emissions from baseline year 2005 to 2016 to show
the City’s progress toward its target to reduce GHG emissions 15 percent below 2005 emission
levels. Over the eleven-year period, emissions were estimated to have dropped by 13 percent.
The most significant changes occurred in the energy, solid waste, and off-road sectors.
• Energy emissions dropped by approximately 26 percent and reflects a significant change
in the carbon intensity of grid consumed electricity, a substantial increase in rooftop
renewable energy systems, and investment in energy efficiency.
• Solid waste emissions decreased by approximately 11 percent due to a decrease in the
amount of solid waste produced by San Luis Obispo residents and businesses.
Section 2 provides a detailed report for each GHG emissions sector and the changes in emissions
from each sector from 2005 to 2016.
Table 1.4. GHG emissions, 2005-2016 (MTCO2e).
Sector 2005 2016 Percent Change
Transportation 225,390 212,980 -6%
Nonresidential Energy 58,050 44,270 -24%
Residential Energy 55,450 39,410 -29%
Solid Waste 47,740 42,630 -11%
Total 386,630 339,290 -12%
1.6 Progress to State GHG Reduction Targets
The key drivers for updating the community GHG inventory are 1) to assess progress toward the
City’s GHG emissions reduction target, and 2) to establish the foundation for the Climate Action
Plan update. Consistent with Assembly Bill (AB) 32, the City’s current adopted target is to achieve
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a 15 percent reduction below baseline emissions by 2020. Since the baseline inventory was
updated through this inventory process, resulting in a slightly increased baseline, a new target
must be calculated.
As noted in Table 1.5 and Figure 1.2, a 15 percent reduction in baseline emissions is 328,640
MTCO2e from the updated baseline year emissions of 386,630 MTCO2e. The 2016 emissions
estimate of 339,290 MTCO2e represents a 12 percent reduction in GHG emissions, notable
progress toward the 2020 target.
Since adoption of the City’s CAP in 2012, the state adopted a 2030 target through Senate Bill
(SB) 32. If the City adopts a 2030 goal that matches the state target of reducing GHG emissions
40 percent below the 2020 target levels, the target for San Luis Obispo would be 197,180
MTCO2e. In September of 2018, Council directed staff to develop a climate action plan with a
reduction target of carbon neutrality by 2035. A carbon neutrality by 2035 target would require
achieving a far greater reduction than the SB32 requirements by 2030.
Table 1.5. Progress to AB32 and SB 32 target (MTCO2e).
Year Emissions
2005 (Updated) 386,630
2016 339,290
2020 Target (Updated) 328,640
2030 Target (40% below 1990) 197,180
2035 Target (Carbon Neutral) 0
Figure 1.1 Progress to AB32, SB 32, and Carbon Neutrality target.
386,630
339,290
328,640
197,180
00
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
450,000
2005 2016 2020 Target
(Updated)
2030 Target (40%
below 1990)
2035 Target
(Carbon Neutral)
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2. COMMUNITY
ENERGY
2.1 Community Energy Sector Overview
This section presents the GHG emissions for the energy sector, specifically emissions generated
from residential and non-residential energy use that has occurred within City limits. This section
presents the updated 2005 GHG emissions along with updated emissions for 2016.
2.2 Updated Inventory Data and Methods
The update to the 2005 inventory for the energy sector incorporates changes in scientific
understanding of how different greenhouse gasses contribute to global warming and changes to
data privacy rules that affect how energy data is retained and provided. This section provides
updated electricity and natural gas activity data and emissions estimates for the baseline year of
2005, as well as electricity and natural gas activity data and GHG emissions estimates for years
2005 through 2016.
2.2.1 Electricity
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) Company provides electric service to the community and offers
community electricity data to local agencies through the PG&E Green Community Portal. The
electricity data (presented in kilowatt-hours, or kWh) in Table 2.1 is separated between residential
and non-residential uses, which is the finest resolution possible to prevent data from being
removed for privacy purposes.
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Table 2.1. Community electricity activity data, 2005-2016 (kWh).
Year Residential Nonresidential Total
2005 93,045,220 158,267,695 251,312,915
2006 94,844,802 165,562,683 260,407,485
2007 92,479,221 170,259,426 262,738,647
2008 91,007,229 176,783,866 267,791,095
2009 89,252,248 183,654,370 272,906,618
2010 87,910,124 218,185,988 306,096,112
2011 86,239,267 172,742,643 258,981,910
2012 85,773,964 172,045,211 257,819,175
2013 84,492,752 171,842,797 256,335,549
2014 78,932,662 171,846,749 250,779,411
2015 78,069,529 170,606,678 248,676,207
2016 76,376,280 163,204,691 239,580,971
2017 76,543,278 165,277,531 241,820,809
2018 74,076,694 159,958,964 234,035,658
Nonresidential electricity use includes commercial, governmental, agricultural, and industrial
usage. From 2005 to 2016, residential electricity usage decreased by 18 percent and non-
residential electricity consumption increased approximately 3 percent. Between 2005 and 2016,
total electricity use decreased by 5 percent. Table 2.1 includes activity data for 2017 and 2018 for
informational purposes. Data for both years indicate a continuing downward trend.
The 18 percent decrease in residential electricity usage may be due to low residential growth, a
significant increase in residential renewable energy installations, increases in energy efficiency
investments, and overall trends toward conservation.
To calculate GHG emissions, an emissions factor is applied to the activity data. Table 2.2 shows
the electricity emissions factors for the three major greenhouse gasses occurring as the result of
electricity use in the city. PG&E staff provided CO2 emissions factors via the Green Community
Portal data request in 2018 and 2019. In addition to carbon dioxide (CO2), small amounts of
methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are released in the electricity generation process. CH4
and N2O emissions factors are provided by PG&E’s third-party-verified GHG inventory. Variability
of the emissions factors occur primarily due to two factors: 1) fluctuations in hydro power
production as the result of precipitation variability, and 2) increasing renewable energy sources in
PG&E’s power portfolio. CO2 is the most commonly referenced GHG, however, numerous gasses
have greenhouse characteristics. Methane and nitrous oxide are commonly accounted for in GHG
inventories. These gasses have a greater global warming potential; CH4 traps approximately 86
times as much heat as CO2 over a 20-year period and N2O traps approximately 265 times as
much heat. To account for these differences, a factor is applied to the gasses emissions to
calculate aCO2 equivalence. Table 2.2 provides the emissions factors for 2005 through 2018. Due
to changes in PG&E’s energy portfolio (and particularly an increase in renewable energy
supplies), the 2016 emissions factor is approximately 40 percent lower than the 2005 factor.
Figure 2.1 illustrates the changes in MTCO2e/kWh factors from 2005 to 2016.
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Table 2.2. Electricity conversion factor (MTCO2e/kWh).
Year kWh/MTCO2e
2005 0.000224
2006 0.000208
2007 0.000290
2008 0.000292
2009 0.000262
2010 0.000203
2011 0.000179
2012 0.000203
2013 0.000195
2014 0.000198
2015 0.000185
2016 0.000135
2017 0.000097
2018 0.000134
Figure 2.1. Electricity emissions factor (MTCO2e/kWh).
Table 2.3 provides the GHG emissions from electricity use in the city by residential and
nonresidential subsectors from 2005 to 2016. During this time, electricity related residential GHG
emissions decreased by approximately 50 percent, while nonresidential electricity emissions
decreased by approximately 38 percent. Overall emissions decreased approximately 43 percent
over the same period.
0.000000
0.000050
0.000100
0.000150
0.000200
0.000250
0.000300
0.000350
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016MTCO2e/kWhYear
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Table 2.3. Community electricity GHG estimates, 2005-2018 (MTCO2e).
Year Residential Nonresidential Total
2005 20,870 35,510 56,380
2006 19,840 34,620 54,460
2007 26,880 49,490 76,370
2008 26,650 51,770 78,420
2009 23,450 48,240 71,690
2010 17,910 44,440 62,350
2011 15,530 31,120 46,650
2012 17,480 35,050 52,530
2013 16,520 33,600 50,120
2014 15,710 34,210 49,920
2015 14,480 31,640 46,120
2016 10,320 22,050 32,370
2017 7,430 16,040 23,470
2018 9,940 21,470 31,410
Figure 2.2 illustrates GHG and kWh activity data trends between 2005 and 2016 on the same
chart. It is important to note that while overall electricity use has been steadily decreasing, GHG
emissions have been more variable due to changes in PG&E’s power portfolio and the related
carbon intensity of the electricity it supplies.
Figure 2.2. Total community electricity activity data and GHG estimates, 2006-2016.
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
0
50,000,000
100,000,000
150,000,000
200,000,000
250,000,000
300,000,000
350,000,000
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015
kWh MTCO2e
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2.2.2 Natural Gas – Direct Emissions
Natural gas is primarily composed of methane and includes very small amounts of ethane,
propane, butane, pentane, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. When natural gas is combusted, most
of the methane becomes carbon dioxide and water. Traditionally, greenhouse gas emissions
inventories account for the emissions that occur as the result of the onsite combustion of natural
gas. Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) provides natural gas utility services in the
city. Table 2.4 provides the natural gas activity data in therms from 2005-2016 separated by
residential and nonresidential uses. Non-residential use combines commercial and industrial use.
Table 2.4. Community natural gas activity data, 2005-2018 (Therms).
Year Residential Nonresidential Total
2005 6,460,870 4,211,790 10,672,660
2006 6,643,410 4,501,180 11,144,590
2007 6,702,810 4,532,760 11,235,570
2008 -- -- --
2009 -- -- --
2010 -- -- --
2011 -- -- --
2012 -- -- --
2013 -- -- --
2014 5,275,340 3,987,264 9,262,604
2015 5,068,160 3,952,562 9,020,722
2016 5,435,586 4,151,275 9,586,861
2017 5,667,638 4,289,700 9,957,338
2018 5,621,586 4,227,571 9,849,157
Note: 2008-2013 data is not available.
As a company policy, SoCalGas only retains community natural gas data through 2014, which
means the data in the original 2005 baseline inventory must be used in conjunction with the data
provided via an Energy Data Request Portal request submitted by City staff in 2017. Since
SoCalGas cannot confirm the 2005 inventory data, the comparison in natural gas consumption in
the baseline year and years 2014-2017 should be observed with caution. The natural gas data
provided in Table 2.4 shows a 16 percent decrease in residential therms and a 1 percent increase
in non-residential usage between 2005 and 2016. Combined, the natural gas sector has a net
decrease of 10 percent. Table 2.4 also includes 2017 and 2018 data for informational purposes
and to illustrate a slight increase in natural gas use.
Just as with electricity, GHG emissions are estimated from activity data by applying an emission
coefficient to the activity data. Table 2.5 shows the emission coefficient for converting therms of
natural gas combusted on-site to MTCO2e. Unlike electricity, the inventory assumes no changes
in the carbon intensity of combusting natural gas in any given year, as the chemical composition
of combusted natural gas does not substantially vary from year to year.
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Table 2.5. Local Government Operations Protocol (LGOP) natural gas carbon dioxide
equivalent.
Greenhouse Gas MTCO2e/Therm
CO21 0.005310
CH41 0.000043
N2O1 0.000003
CO2e2 0.005320
Table 2.6 provides GHG emissions estimates in MTCO2e for natural gas consumption in the city
from 2005-2016. As noted in the natural gas activity data, there was a 16 percent decrease in
MTCO2e for residential and a 1 percent decrease for non-residential sectors with a total decrease
in natural gas-related emissions of 10 percent.
Table 2.6. Community Natural Gas GHG estimates, 2005-2016 (MTCO2e).
Year Residential Nonresidential Total
2005 34,580 22,540 57,120
2006 35,550 24,090 59,640
2007 35,870 24,260 60,130
2008 -- -- --
2009 -- -- --
2010 -- -- --
2011 -- -- --
2012 -- -- --
2013 -- -- --
2014 28,230 21,340 49,570
2015 27,120 21,150 48,270
2016 29,090 22,220 51,310
2017 30,330 22,960 53,290
2018 30,080 22,620 52,700
Note: 2008-2013 data is not available.
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2.2.3 Natural Gas – Fugitive Emissions
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and 86 times stronger than carbon dioxide over a 20-year
time period in the atmosphere. As more is learned about the total natural gas system leakage rate
from well head, through the transmission system, to the distributions system, and at the end use,
it is becoming clear that fugitive methane emissions from the usage of natural gas is a critical
component of the climate crisis. Staff is currently working with technical experts to identify a
defensible method for estimating these emissions. Although not included in this report, they will
likely be included prior to the Climate Action Plan update that will be adopted in 2020.
2.3 Total Energy GHG Emissions
Table 2.7 and Figure 2.3 show the total energy-related GHG emissions separated by energy type
and subsector. The residential energy subsector saw a 29 percent decrease in emissions
between 2005 and 2016. The nonresidential subsector emissions decreased by 24 percent.
Overall, energy GHG emissions dropped by 26 percent over the 11-year period. Note that Figure
2.3 provides total energy sector emissions with a dark line; the dashed line indicates a total
emissions estimate necessitated by SoCalGas’s inability to provide historical data.
Table 2.7. Energy GHG emissions, 2005-2016 (MTCO2e).
Year Residential Nonresidential Total
Electricity Natural Gas Electricity Natural Gas Res. Nonres. Total
2005 20,870 34,580 35,510 22,540 55,450 58,050 113,500
2006 19,840 35,550 34,620 24,090 55,390 58,710 114,100
2007 26,880 35,870 49,490 24,260 62,750 73,750 136,500
2008 26,650 -- 51,770 -- -- -- --
2009 23,450 -- 48,240 -- -- -- --
2010 17,910 -- 44,440 -- -- -- --
2011 15,530 -- 31,120 -- -- -- --
2012 17,480 -- 35,050 -- -- -- --
2013 16,520 -- 33,600 -- -- -- --
2014 15,710 28,230 34,210 21,340 43,940 55,550 99,490
2015 14,480 27,120 31,640 21,150 41,600 52,790 94,390
2016 10,320 29,090 22,050 22,220 39,410 44,270 83,680
2017 7,430 30,330 16,040 22,960 37,760 39,000 76,760
2018 9,940 30,080 21,470 22,620 40,020 44,090 84,110
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Figure 2.3. Energy GHG emissions, 2005-2016 (MTCO2e).
113,500
83,680
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
160,000
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017
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3. TRANSPORTATION
3.1 Transportation Sector Overview
This section presents the GHG emissions for the transportation sector and includes emissions
from all on-road trips (including cars, trucks, buses, etc.) that have occurred within City limits. This
section presents the updated 2005 GHG emissions along with updated emissions for 2016.
3.2 Updated Inventory Data and Methods
This section provides updated activity data and emissions estimates for baseline year 2005 and
activity data and emissions estimates for 2016. Since the 2005 baseline inventory was completed
in 2009, the state has updated emissions factors and legislation on fuel economy standards.
Additionally, the City has adopted a transportation model that more accurately models the vehicle
miles travelled in, to, and from city boundaries.
The original 2005 inventory used the “geographic system boundary” method which considers
transportation activity occurring solely within city boundaries, regardless of where a trip’s
destination begins or ends. This method included emissions from vehicles that were travelling
through city boundaries but did not account for any of “outside of city boundary” miles that
occurred from trips that originated or ended in the city.
In 2019, the City was able to use its own “origin-destination” transportation model to estimate the
vehicle miles for trips that began and ended in the city, trips that began outside the city and ended
in the city, trips that began in the city and ended outside the city, and trips that passed through
the city without stopping. Consistent with the preferred GPC accounting method, the updated
inventory includes 100 percent of internal trip miles, 50 percent of the miles for trips that start or
end in the city, and zero percent of the miles that are from vehicles passing through the city.
The updated transportation model currently only estimates vehicle miles travelled for calendar
year 2016. To estimate baseline 2005 emissions, the City replicated the 2005 “geographic system
boundary” model with 2016 data and found a 3 percent increase in vehicles miles travelled.
Assuming the two methods would capture the same scale and direction of change between 2005
and 2016, 2005 origin-destination VMT was estimated by reducing the 2016 VMT by 3 percent.
Table 3.1 reports the 2005 and 2016 VMT estimates.
Table 3.1. 2005 and 2016 VMT estimates.
Measure 2005 2016
Annual VMT 461,452,450 475,634,980
Source: City of San Luis Obispo, Public Works Department.
The origin destination model is preferred to the geographic model because it allows the City to
understand where trips are occurring. The new method identifies a key finding: over 80 percent
of community VMT occurred as the result of regional trips (e.g., trips to the city from outside the
city or trips from the city to areas outside the city).
Vehicle miles traveled estimates for both years were converted to GHG emissions using the 2014
Emissions Factor (EMFAC) model. EMFAC represents the state’s current understanding of motor
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vehicle travel activities and their associated emission levels. EMFAC 2014 is the latest U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved motor vehicle emission model that assesses
emissions from on-road vehicles including cars, trucks, and buses in California. The City used
EMFAC 2014 to estimate emissions factors for this updated report.
Table 3.2 provides the VMT and associated GHG emissions for each vehicle class in San Luis
Obispo County for 2005 and 2016. GHG emissions were estimated using the California Air
Resources Board (CARB) EMFAC 2014 tool. Using VMT as inputs, EMFAC 2014 generated VMT
and CO2 emission results for both 2005 and 2016 for each type of vehicle common in San Luis
Obispo County. The City used this information to generate a CO2/VMT emissions factor specific
to San Luis Obispo County, reflecting the unique balance of different vehicle types, vehicle ages,
and vehicle fuels used county-wide.
EMFAC 2014 does not model CH4 and N2O emissions. The standard practice is to multiply CO2
emissions factors by 100/95 (approximately 1.05) to convert CO2 emissions to CO2e. As the
emissions factor generated by EMFAC is in tons of CO2/VMT, the City also converted the units of
this factor to metric tons. The City then applied this converted emissions factor to the total City
VMT given in Table 3.1. This resulted in the total annual greenhouse gas emissions.
3.3 Total Transportation GHG Emissions
Table 3.2 shows that as VMT was modelled to increase from 2005 to 2016 by 3 percent, the total
GHG emissions from on-road transportation decreased by approximately 6 percent. The decrease
in GHG emissions is attributed to state and federal fuel efficiency standards, low carbon fuel
standards, and an increasingly efficient overall fleet of vehicles (including an increased uptake of
electric, hybrid, and high efficiency vehicles) within the city that is resulting in the emissions
decline, despite an increase in miles driven.
Table 3.2. Total annual VMT emissions.
2005 2016
Total VMT MTCO2e/
VMT
Total
Emissions
Total VMT MTCO2e/
VMT
Total
Emissions
All vehicles 461,452,446 0.000488 225,390 475,634,980 0.000448 212,980
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4. SOLID WASTE
4.1 Solid Waste Sector Overview
This section presents the GHG emissions for the solid waste sector, specifically emissions from
the disposal of solid waste produced within City limits into a landfill. This section presents the
updated 2005 GHG emissions along with updated emissions for 2016.
4.2 Updated Inventory Data and Methods
This section provides updated solid waste activity data for the baseline year of 2005, as well as
activity emissions estimates for years 2005 through 2016 to estimate the City’s total greenhouse
gas emissions. The City of San Luis Obispo deposits all waste generated within city limits into the
Cold Canyon Landfill. Cold Canyon Landfill provided solid waste disposal data. Table 4.1 and
Figure 4.1 provide the City’s solid waste disposal tonnage for 2005 to 2016. Data for 2005 to 2007
was not able to be collected; therefore 2008 data was used as a proxy.
Table 4.1. City solid waste activity data, 2008-2016 (Disposal Ton).
Year Total Waste
(Disposal Ton)
2008 53,010
2009 47,483
2010 44,836
2011 39,497
2012 40,469
2013 42,094
2014 40,200
2015 44,530
2016 46,860
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Figure 4.1. Total City solid waste (Disposal Ton).
4.2.1 Green Waste
Green waste data was provided by the City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department for years
2006 through 2016. Green waste is a part of the diverted waste stream to the Cold Canyon
Landfill, which means that it is not buried at the plant. Traditionally, green waste was either used
as alternative daily cover at the Cold Canyon Landfill or hauled to a windrow composting facility
near Santa Maria. There is no standard protocol for estimating the emissions from windrow
composting and therefore no emissions are estimated in this inventory. However, given the
importance of diverting organic materials, the subsequent construction and operation of an
anerobic digester to process organic green waste in 2018, and legislation requiring substantial
increases in organic waste diversion, staff will continue to monitor the availability of a standard
method and will include this information in future greenhouse gas and Climate Action Plan
updates.
4.2.2 Municipal Solid Waste GHG Emissions Conversion Factor
This inventory follows the “methane commitment method” to account for the future emissions
produced from annually deposited solid waste. This method requires the following steps:
1. Estimate the percent of degradable organic materials in landfilled waste.
2. Identify the conversion factor to translate tons of carbon dioxide to metric tons of methane.
3. Estimate the amount of methane per ton of landfilled waste that will enter the atmosphere.
4. Convert the estimate of methane to carbon dioxide equivalence.
1. Estimate the percent of degradable organic materials in landfilled waste.
The CARB Municipal Solid Waste Characterization Landfill Tool v. 1.3 provides landfill waste
characterization estimates for waste by type sent to California landfills. The waste types identified
in the waste characterization studies are listed in Table 4.2. For each of these waste types, the
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017Tonnage
Landfilled Waste
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tool includes California average estimates of the fraction of waste-in-place (WIPFRAC), total
degradable organic carbon (TDOC), and the decomposable anaerobic fraction (DANF) of the
waste type.4 There are two relevant waste characterization studies for this inventory: one from
2003 to 2006 and the other from 2007 to the present. Table 4.2 provides information about waste
characterization estimates used in this inventory, as well as the degradable organic content
(DOC) percent per ton of solid waste, which is calculated by multiplying WIPFRAC, TDOC, and
DANF for each waste type.
Table 4.2. Total percent of waste degradable based on waste type.
2003-2006 2007-Present
Waste Type WIPFRAC TDOC DANF DOC WIPFRAC TDOC DANF DOC
Newspaper 2.20% 47.09% 15.05% 0.16% 1.65% 47.09% 15.05% 0.12%
Office Paper 1.95% 38.54% 87.03% 0.65% 1.84% 38.54% 87.03% 0.62%
Corrugated Boxes 5.75% 44.84% 44.25% 1.14% 4.80% 44.84% 44.25% 0.95%
Coated Paper 11.09% 33.03% 24.31% 0.89% 8.98% 33.03% 24.31% 0.72%
Food 14.55% 14.83% 86.52% 1.87% 15.50% 14.83% 86.52% 1.99%
Grass 2.81% 13.30% 47.36% 0.18% 1.90% 13.30% 47.36% 0.12%
Leaves 1.41% 29.13% 7.30% 0.03% 3.24% 29.13% 7.30% 0.07%
Branches 2.59% 44.24% 23.14% 0.26% 1.95% 44.24% 23.14% 0.20%
Lumber 9.65% 43.00% 23.26% 0.96% 14.51% 43.00% 23.26% 1.45%
Textiles 4.44% 24.00% 50.00% 0.53% 5.47% 24.00% 50.00% 0.66%
Diapers 4.36% 24.00% 50.00% 0.52% 4.33% 24.00% 50.00% 0.52%
Construction/
Demolition 12.06% 4.00% 50.00% 0.24% 5.48% 4.00% 50.00% 0.11%
Medical Waste 0.04% 15.00% 50.00% 0.00% 0.00% 15.00% 50.00% 0.00%
Sludge/Manure 0.09% 5.00% 50.00% 0.00% 0.05% 5.00% 50.00% 0.00%
Source: CARB Municipal Solid Waste Characterization Landfill Tool v. 1.3
2. Identify the conversion factor to translate tons of carbon dioxide to metric tons of methane.
The next step in calculating the emissions factor is estimating the metric tons of methane to be
generated from the organic content in the landfilled waste. Solid waste activity data is reported in
tons, while the standard unit for GHG reporting is metric tons. Table 4.3 presents the conversion
factors to metric tons. As the decomposing organic content in landfilled solid waste transitions
from carbon to methane, the atomic mass changes as well. Since the CO2e in this inventory is
presented as mass (metric tons), this change in mass is accounted for with the stoichiometric
ratio between CH4 and carbon.
Finally, of the total landfill gas generated from decomposing waste, approximately half is methane;
a methane gas fraction is applied to remove other gasses from the total. The remainder is biogenic
4 For more information, visit
https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/cc/protocols/localgov/pubs/landfill_emissions_tool_v1_3_2011 -11-14.xls
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CO2 from vegetation from natural areas, crops, and urban vegetation and de minimus amounts of
N2O. The GPC advises against accounting for either of these gases in a community inventory.
Table 4.3. Conversion to metric tons of methane.
lbs/ton1 MT/lbs 1 Stoichiometric ratio
between CH4 and carbon2
Fraction of CH4 Gas in
Landfill Gas 3
Metric Tons of Methane
2000 0.000454 1.333333 0.5 0.604796
1 Standard conversion factor.
2 16/12, provided by the Global Protocol for Community -Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories.
3 IPCC Good Practices Guidance and Uncertainty Management in National Greenhouse Gas Inventories
(2000) default range.
3. Estimate the amount of methane per ton of landfilled waste that will enter the atmosphere.
The next factor in the solid waste emissions coefficient is the amount of landfill gas that is collected
by landfill gas capture systems. The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD)
provides landfill capture rates for Cold Canyon Landfill, as provided in Table 4.4 for the years
2008 – 2013. The landfill capture rate for 2006 is sourced from the County of San Luis Obispo
EnergyWise Plan Appendix A. Given the lack of data availability for several years, including 2005,
2007, 2014, 2015, and 2016 and the significant variability across years, this inventory relied on
the EPA’s standard landfill methane capture rate of 75 percent.
Table 4.4. Recorded methane capture rates from Cold Canyon Landfill.
Year Cold Canyon
2005 Not Available
2006 60%
2007 Not Available
2008 70%
2009 99%
2010 85%
2011 85%
2012 85%
2013 75%
The next phase of the equation considers the amount of methane that is oxidized in the soil. As
reported in Table 4.5, only 25 percent of landfill gas enters the atmosphere. Of that 25 percent,
10 percent is oxidized on site in the soil of the land fill cover. Of the 75 percent of the methane
that is captured, approximately 99 percent enters the atmosphere as CO2 due to the methane
being combusted as part of the flaring process. Approximately 23 percent of the total methane
emitted enters the atmosphere. Table 4.5 shows the factors used in this calculation.
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Table 4.5. Percent of emissions reaching the atmosphere.
Fraction of methane
recovered (frec) 1
Oxidation factor (OX)
2
Methane correction
factor (MCF) 3
Percent of Emissions
Reaching Atmosphere
75% 10% 99% 23.3%
1 Landfill gas capture rate, as provided by the Environmental Protection Agency
2 IPCC Good Practices Guidance and Uncertainty Management in National Greenhouse Gas Inventories
(2000) well-managed landfills factor.
3 IPCC Good Practices Guidance and Uncertainty Management in National Greenhouse Gas Inventories
(2000) managed landfill factor.
4. Convert the estimate of methane to carbon dioxide equivalence.
The solid waste CO2e conversion factor was calculated by multiplying the total degradable content
of each weight type (DOC), metric ton conversion factor, methane generation, and the IPCC Fifth
Assessment Report methane 20-year global warming potential (Table 4.6). The factors for each
waste type are then weighted by the waste composition data to obtain a single emissions factor
for a ton of mixed waste. In 2005 to 2006, each ton of solid waste deposited in a landfill is
estimated to produce approximately 0.901 MTCO2e per ton as it degrades over time. For 2007 to
2016, the conversion factor is 0.910 MTCO2e per ton of solid waste.
Table 4.6. Disposed solid waste conversion factor with Fifth Assessment Report global
warming potential (MTCO2e/Disposal Ton).
Waste Type 2003-
2006
DOC1
2007-
Presen
t
DOC1
Metric Ton
(MT)
CH4
emissio
ns
CH4
GWP
2
2003-
2006
MTCO2e/
Ton
2007-
Present
MTCO2e/
Ton
Newspaper 0.16% 0.12% 0.604796033 0.2325 86 0.018893 0.014147
Office Paper 0.65% 0.62% 0.604796033 0.2325 86 0.079150 0.074673
Corrugated Boxes 1.14% 0.95% 0.604796033 0.2325 86 0.137882 0.115122
Coated Paper 0.89% 0.72% 0.604796033 0.2325 86 0.107692 0.087188
Food 1.87% 1.99% 0.604796033 0.2325 86 0.225818 0.240600
Grass 0.18% 0.12% 0.604796033 0.2325 86 0.021405 0.014505
Leaves 0.03% 0.07% 0.604796033 0.2325 86 0.003612 0.008322
Branches 0.26% 0.20% 0.604796033 0.2325 86 0.031997 0.024157
Lumber 0.96% 1.45% 0.604796033 0.2325 86 0.116652 0.175520
Textiles 0.53% 0.66% 0.604796033 0.2325 86 0.064439 0.079358
Diapers 0.52% 0.52% 0.604796033 0.2325 86 0.063217 0.062825
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Waste Type 2003-
2006
DOC1
2007-
Presen
t
DOC1
Metric Ton
(MT)
CH4
emissio
ns
CH4
GWP
2
2003-
2006
MTCO2e/
Ton
2007-
Present
MTCO2e/
Ton
Construction/
Demolition 0.24% 0.11% 0.604796033 0.2325 86 0.029159 0.013245
Medical Waste 0.00% 0.00% 0.604796033 0.2325 86 0.000346 0.000000
Sludge/Manure 0.00% 0.00% 0.604796033 0.2325 86 0.000274 0.000155
Total -- -- -- -- -- 0.901 0.910
Note: Values are rounded causing final values to be inconsistent with calculations.
1 Source: CARB Municipal Solid Waste Characterization Landfill Tool v. 1.3.
2 IPCC Fifth Assessment Report
4.3 Total Solid Waste GHG Emissions
To estimate the solid waste GHG emissions, the carbon dioxide equivalency conversion factor
was multiplied by the disposal ton activity data. Once these were applied, the annual solid waste
disposal ton emissions were calculated. As shown in Table 4.7, from 2005 to 2016, the solid waste
sector experienced a decrease in emissions by nearly 11 percent.
Table 4.7. Total solid waste disposed emissions (MTCO2e).
Year Total Waste
(Disposal Ton)
MTCO2e Conversion
Factor
Solid Waste Disposed
MTCO2e
2005 53,011 0.901 47,740
2006 53,011 0.901 47,740
2007 53,011 0.910 48,230
2008 53,011 0.910 48,230
2009 47,483 0.910 43,200
2010 44,836 0.910 40,790
2011 39,497 0.910 35,930
2012 40,469 0.910 36,820
2013 42,094 0.910 38,300
2014 40,200 0.910 36,570
2015 44,530 0.910 40,510
2016 46,857 0.910 42,630
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5. FORECAST
The GHG emissions forecast estimates how San Luis Obispo’s emissions would change over
time if no action were taken to reduce emissions. The forecast is based on changes to the number
of people who live and work in San Luis Obispo. As the population grows and more people work
in the community, there will be an increase (absent state or local action) in the amount of energy
used, vehicle miles traveled, trash thrown away, and other activities that generate GHG
emissions.
The demographic projections used in the forecast come from the Land Use and Circulation
Element of the City’s General Plan, which guides long-term growth and development in the
community. These projections assume that the development anticipated in the Land Use and
Circulation is fully implemented by 2035. It is assumed that jobs in San Luis Obispo County
increase at a rate of 1.1 percent, as forecasted in the Land Use and Circulation Element, starting
from the number of jobs in the community in 2015 as reported by the US Census. Table 6.1 shows
the demographic changes assumed in the forecast and their applicable subsectors.
Table 5.1. Demographic projections (2005-2035).
Demographic
Indicator Applicable Subsectors 2005 2016 2020 2030 2035
Population None 44,519 46,117 48,826 53,934 56,686
Housing units Residential electricity, residential
natural gas 20,391 21,155 22,190 24,512 25,762
Jobs 1 Commercial/industrial electricity,
commercial/industrial natural gas 43,847 50,985 53,153 59,723 63,199
Service
population 2
On-road transportation, community-
wide MSW disposal 66,443 71,610 74,403 83,796 88,286
1 Future job numbers assume a 1.1 percent increase in the number of jobs relative to 2015 levels.
2 Per the method used by the San Luis Obispo Community Development Department, service
population is equal to the residential population plus ½ the number of jobs.
Sources: City of San Luis Obispo Land Use and Circulation Element, City of San Luis Obispo
Community Development Department, Economics & Planning Systems, US Census Bureau.
The forecasts also consider known relevant actions that will continue to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. There are three major policies that the City and the State have adopted to reduce
GHG emissions at the local level:
• Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) and Community Choice Energy (CCE)
participation: RPS requires that electrical providers supply an increased amount of their
electricity from eligible renewable sources. At time of writing, a bill to revise the RPS (SB
100), has been passed by the California Legislature and signed by Governor Brown
requiring that 33% of the electricity sold by a provider by 2020 be renewable, that 60% of
electricity be renewable by 2030, and that 100% of all electricity must be carbon-free
(although not necessarily renewable) by 2045. This analysis assumes that SB 100 fully
implemented. Additionally, in December of 2018, the City of San Luis Obispo joined
Monterey Bay Community Power (MBCP), a community choice energy program.
Beginning in January of 2020, MBCP will be providing carbon free electricity to the
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community. This forecast assumes that 2 percent of electrical load will opt to remain with
PG&E.
• Title 24: This set of standards governs how new buildings must be constructed, including
specifying minimum energy efficiency requirements. The standards are updated every
three years to be more stringent. California’s zero net energy (ZNE) standards are
included in Title 24. The included forecast also assumes that the City’s Clean Energy
Choice Program has been implemented and that all new construction is either electric and
carbon free or has offset its emissions in the existing built environment.
• Clean Car Standards: These standards require that cars sold in California meet minimum
fuel efficiency requirements, and that vehicle and equipment fuel sold in the state emit
less GHGs during production and use. The City used the 2035 emissions coefficient
included in the EMFAC2014 modelling software, which includes assumptions about
ongoing fuel efficiency and fuel carbon content improvements.
The City has calculated the effect of these three policies on San Luis Obispo’s emissions and with
these three policies in place, San Luis Obispo’s future GHG emissions are expected to continue
to decrease. As shown in Table 6.2, emissions in 2020 are projected to be 306,600 MTCO2e (21
percent below 2005 levels), and in 2030 are expected to be at 275,730 MTCO2e (29 percent
below 2005 levels). In 2035, emissions with state policies in place are expected to be at 260,160
MTCO2e, or 32 percent below 2005 levels.
Table 5.2 Forecasted GHG emissions with state reductions, 2005-2050 (MTCO2e).
Sector 2005 2016 2020 2030 2035 Percent Change
(2005-2035)
Transportation 225,390 212,980 198,210 161,290 142,830 -37%
Nonresidential Energy 58,050 44,270 30,430 33,690 27,720 -47%
Residential Energy 55,450 39,410 33,760 35,660 33,180 -39%
Solid Waste 47,740 42,630 44,890 49,880 52,560 10%
Total 386,630 339,290 307,290 280,520 256,290 -33%
Change from 2005 -12% -21% -29% -33%
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6. AREAS FOR
IMPROVEMENT
A greenhouse gas emissions inventory is only a partial snapshot of the total emissions occurring
in a community. The report as presented includes emissions sectors and categories as required
by global accounting protocol and represent those sectors that have defensible and transparent
methods and data. As the City continues its path of climate action toward carbon neutrality, the
following areas for improvement will be closely monitored:
• Energy in Water – The inventory presented in this report includes the energy required to
move and treat water in the city. However, it does not estimate emissions from the
conveyance of water from outside city limits to the city. Future inventories should identify
a defensible method to account for these emissions.
• Green Waste – All of the organic waste that is collected in the city is processed by an
anerobic digester that yields clean electricity and compost. Previously, the community’s
green waste was trucked to a wind row composting facility in Santa Maria, CA or landfilled
at Cold Canyon Landfill. The new approach is certainly reducing community emissions.
However, there are no available defensible methods for estimating emissions from wind
row composting, and therefore, no way to establish a baseline emissions level. The City
will continue to monitor GPC work on composting methods and will include as a sector
when available.
• Wastewater - The GPC requires local governments to account for direct process
emissions that occur from the treatment of wastewater. It is known that the treatment of
wastewater can release Nitrous Oxide and Methane, both of which are powerful
greenhouse gases. Although the GPC provides accounting methods for estimating the
direct release of emissions, an accounting protocol does not exist for the specific treatment
type that occurs at the San Luis Obispo Water Resource Recovery Facility (nitrification,
but no denitrification). Using an unvetted method, the City estimates these direct
emissions to be approximately 200 MTCO2e per year. Given the small size, this sector is
not critical for planning purposes, but will be included when future updates to the GPC
provide a defensible accounting method.
• Carbon Stocks and Sequestration – Greenhouse gas inventories do not need to evaluate
existing carbon stocks or potential for sequestration, but these analysis can help the City
understand how to better account for the existing value of these stocks and credit actions
in the future that either preserve or enhance the amount of sequestered carbon.
Sequestration, if included at all, is typically included in greenhouse gas inventories as an
Given the amount of land area in the General Plan Conservation/Open Space, estimating
the forestry and carbon stocks will be a meaningful part of a future inventory. As with the
wastewater issue mentioned above, the City will monitor GPC updates for defensible
accounting methods. Beyond that, the City is working with the cities of Vancouver B.C.,
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San Francisco, and Boulder, CO to develop a tool for estimating emissions from carbon
stocks and sequestration potential.
• Fugitive Methane – From the well head to the appliance, methane leaks directly into the
atmosphere as the result of natural gas development and transmission. Some estimates
of total system leakage are high enough to make natural gas consumption as bad a climate
polluter as coal. A common protocol for amending the natural gas emissions coefficient to
account for this leakage is not available. The City will consider updating the coefficient in
future years when such information is vetted and available.
• Consumption - The inventory does not include the emissions that result from community
consumption (e.g., consumption of food, clothing, packaging, etc.). Given the City’s intent
to work closely with the community in developing and implementing the climate action
plan, it is important to recognize the greenhouse gas impacts created by the purchase and
disposal of products and materials. Global climate action leadership cities are working on
developing a standard protocol for inventorying consumption-based emissions. As with
the other items in this section, the City will seek to include the sector when such a protocol
is available. It should be noted that emissions from consumption may be significant, some
cities estimate that consumption emissions increase their total inventoried emissions by
more than 40 percent.
• Off-road equipment – Practices exist to account for emissions from lawn and garden and
construction equipment. Using the Air Resources Board “OFFROAD” model, staff could
estimate emissions from this voluntary sector in order lay a foundation for policy to reduce
emissions from construction equipment and to reduce emissions from fossil fueled lawn
and garden equipment.
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List of Abbreviations
AB: Assembly Bill
ADT: Average daily trips
APCD: Air Pollution Control District
Caltrans: California Department of Transportation
CAP: Climate Action Plan
CARB: California Air Resources Board
CH4: Methane
CO2: Carbon dioxide
CO2e: Carbon dioxide equivalent
DANF: Decomposable anaerobic fraction
DOC: Degradable organic content
EPA: US Environmental Protection Agency
GHG: Greenhouse gas
IPCC: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
kW: Kilowatt
kWh: Kilowatt-hour
LGOP: Local Government Operations Protocol
MSW: Municipal solid waste
MTCO2e: Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
N2O: Nitrous oxide
PG&E: Pacific Gas & Electric Company
RPS: Renewables Portfolio Standard
SB: Senate Bill
TDOC: Total degradable organic carbon
VMT: Vehicle miles traveled
WIPFRAC: Fraction of waste in place
WRRF: Water Resource Recovery Facility
ZNE: Zero net energy
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Appendix B – GHG Emissions Reductions Estimates & Basis for Quantification
CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT
Appendix B: GHG Emissions
Reductions Estimates & Basis for
Quantification
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Appendix B – GHG Emissions Reductions Estimates & Basis for Quantification
City of San Luis Obispo Page B-1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1
2. GHG Reduction Analysis........................................................................................................ 2
2.1 Lead by Example .............................................................................................................. 3
2.2 Clean Energy Systems ..................................................................................................... 3
2.3 Green Buildings ................................................................................................................ 5
2.4 Connected Community ..................................................................................................... 8
2.5 Circular Economy ............................................................................................................10
2.6 Natural Solutions .............................................................................................................11
3. Carbon Neutrality Uncertainties + Future Opportunities ........................................................13
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Measures and GHG Emissions for Clean Energy Systems .......................................... 4
Table 2. Measures and GHG Emissions for Green Buildings ..................................................... 7
Table 3. Measure and GHG Emissions for Connected Community ............................................ 9
Table 4. Measures and GHG Emissions for Circular Economy .................................................11
Table 5. Measures and GHG Emissions for Natural Solutions ..................................................12
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Projected Community GHG Emissions, 2005-2035 ..................................................... 3
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1. INTRODUCTION
Background
CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5(b)(1) establishes criteria to guide the preparation of a “plan
for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.” Subsection (D) notes that a CEQA Guideline
consistent climate action plan must include, “measures or a group of measures, including
performance standards, that substantial evidence demonstrates, if implemented on a project -by-
project basis, would collectively achieve the specified emissions level.”
In support of achieving the City of San Luis Obispo City Council’s goal of carbon neutrality, the
City has established greenhouse gas emissions sector specific goals and foundational actions to
achieve them. The sector goals and the foundational actions were established through
quantification estimates of programs at full implementation. These estimates and underlying
calculations, provided in this report, show substantial evidence that there is a transparent and
defensible approach to achieving the City’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction target.
To focus efforts on achieving the 2035 goal, City staff established six pillars of climate action:
Lead by Example, Clean Energy Systems, Green Buildings, Connected Community, Circular
Economy, and Natural Solutions. In February of 2019, the City partnered with Raimi + Associates
to identify a quantified path to carbon neutrality by 2035. The Raimi + Associates team worked
with staff, who has worked closely with the community, to identify actions within each of the pillars
that are able to generate meaningful reductions in GHG emissions. Each pillar requires a
“foundational action” to innovate, pilot ideas, and build support for programs that generate the
magnitude, speed, and scale of GHG reductions needed to achieve the City’s goal. The
quantification in this report is intended to illustrate one of several viable paths to pursue as these
foundational moves are implemented and transition from pilots to fully implementable programs
operating at the appropriate speed and scale.
The quantification in this report also provides substantial evidence that the City can achieve
consistency with SB32’s target of 40 percent below 1990 by 2030.
The sector-specific goals are:
• Pillar 1: Lead by Example – Carbon neutral government operations by 2030i
• Pillar 2: Clean Energy Systems –100 percent carbon free electricity by 2020
• Pillar 3: Green Buildings – No net new emissions from new buildings’ onsite energy use
by 2020; 50 percent reduction in existing building onsite emissions by 2030
• Pillar 4: Connected Community – Achieve General Plan mode split objective by 2030;
40 percent of vehicle miles travelled by electric vehicles by 2030
• Pillar 5: Circular Economy – 75 percent diversion of landfilled organic waste by 2025 90
percent by 2035
• Pillar 6: Natural Solutions – Increase carbon sequestration on the San Luis Obispo
Greenbelt and Urban Forest through compost application-based carbon farming
activities and tree planting; ongoing through 2035
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Appendix B – GHG Emissions Reductions Estimates & Basis for Quantification
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2. GHG REDUCTION
ANALYSIS
This report presents an analysis of one GHG reduction pathway to achieve reductions consistent
with and beyond those required for SB 32 and to establish a trajectory to achieve progress toward
the 2035 goal of carbon neutrality. Raimi + Associates in partnership with the City used a t ool
developed internally to evaluate the GHG reductions of various measures and to determine the
magnitude with which the measures must be implemented in order to achieve emission reduction
goals. The reduction measures reflect adopted state regulations, local policy, and documented
industry best practices for achieving deep decarbonization. The measures are applied individually
to identify which measures are most impactful for each climate action pillar and then combined to
determine the total emissions reductions that can be achieved.
Based on this analysis, combined annual reductions from existing state law and participation in
Monterey Bay Community Power is expected to result in an annual reduction of 39,010 MTCO2e
in 2035. The combined local reductions from the remaining pillars can result in an annual
reduction of 98,200 MTCO2e in 2030 and 145,260 MTCO2e in 2035. This represents a total
reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions of 204,330 MTCO2e in 2030, or 53% from the
2005 baseline, and 275,600 MTCO2e in 2035, or 71% from the 2005 baseline with a remaining
gap of 111,030 MTCO2e.
While not true zero, the total reduction that can be achieved across the six pillars by applying
established measures that are within the City’s authority or influence shows the massive potential
for the City reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, while currently creating healthier homes, safer
streets, a more active and engaged citizenry, and stronger connections to regional ecosystems.
It also illustrates that if true carbon neutrality is to be achieved, substantial support from the federal
government and the State of California is required.
Analysis Approach
The analysis for each of the six pillars of climate action that is outlined in the following pages
includes:
• Description of baseline conditions
• Description of the applicable strategies for achieving GHG reductions
• A summary of the measures selected and the magnitude of application
• Summary of the impact that the specific pillar has on the overall GHG profile of the City in
2035.
Limitations and uncertainties regarding future trends in technology, behavior, and social norms
are discussed in the final section of this analysis. Given time and the increasing shifts in financial
markets, private industry, and governmental programs towards carbon reduction programs, these
shifts may be able to help close the gap between San Luis Obispo’s projected GHG reductions
and true carbon neutrality.
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Figure 1. Projected Community GHG Emissions, 2005-2035
2.1 Lead by Example
The “Lead by Example” pillar is focused on achieving carbon neutrality in the City’s municipal
operations, which include emissions inside and outside of the City of San Luis Obispo City Limits.
The quantified reduction estimates for this pillar will be included in the municipal climate action
plan and are not counted in the community climate action plan.
2.2 Clean Energy Systems
Background
This analysis explores the impact of using carbon-free grid-based electricity in the City of San
Luis Obispo. Like the State, energy decarbonization is essential to help San Luis Obispo achieve
its climate goals as it has cross-sectoral impacts on buildings and transportation.
The analysis tool evaluated the greenhouse gas emissions reductions that occur as the result of
procuring carbon free energy through joining the community choice aggregation energy (CCE)
program administered by Monterey Bay Community Power. Because the quantity of electricity
consumed is an important variable, and because it is assumed that some percentage of the
community will choose to stay with PG&E, the calculations for this pillar include information about
increasing energy efficiency through triennial updates to the California Building Code and state
law regarding the carbon content of PG&E’s electricity portfolio. Since the City has already
enrolled in the program and is receiving service as of January 2020, the reduction estimates are
treated as avoided emissions in the adjusted forecast. Following is a description of the magnitude
of implementation and resulting GHG emissions reductions projected by 2035.
GHG Reduction Measures + Assumptions
1. Clean Energy Supply: San Luis Obispo joined the Monterey Bay Community
Power (MBCP) community choice aggregation program in 2018 and began service
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
450,000
2005 2016 2020 2030 2035Greenhouse Gas Emission (MTCO2e)Baseline Forecast (BAU)Scenario Emissions Target Emissions
71% potential
GHG emissions
reduction
111,030 MTCO2e
GHG emissions
gap
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City of San Luis Obispo Page B-4
in January 2020. CCEs are a way for government agencies to buy and/or generate
cleaner electricity for residents and businesses. CCEs create a partnership
between a municipality and its existing utility provider, giving communities the
option to purchase carbon-free electricity from other sources while working with
the utility to deliver energy to customers at competitive rates.
The GHG analysis assumes that customers opt-in to MBCP at a rate of 98% for
residential customers and 97% for non-residential customers. The analysis also
assumes a very low intensity emissions coefficient for MBCP based on recent IRP
filings with a downward trajectory to full neutrality by 2035.
GHG Emissions Analysis Results
The measures included in the Carbon-Free Energy sector result in a reduction of 26,050 MTCO2e
in 2030 and 39,010 MTCO2e in 2035, as shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Measures and GHG Emissions for Clean Energy Systems
2030 2035
Projected residential electricity (kWh) 79,178,790 79,178,790
Opt out rate (%) 2% 2%
Projected MBCP residential kWh 77,595,214 77,595,214
Projected PG&E residential kWh 1,583,576 1,583,576
Projected nonresidential electricity (kWh) 187,482,010 187,482,010
Opt out rate (%) 3% 3%
Projected MBCP nonresidential kWh 181,857,550 181,857,550
Projected PG&E nonresidential kWh 5,624,460 5,624,460
Projected MBCP Coefficient (MTCO2e/kWh) 0.00004 0.00000
Projected PG&E Coefficient (MTCO2e/kWh) 0.000112 0.000112
Projected MBCP Emissions (MTCO2e) 10,380 0
Projected PG&E Emissions (MTCO2e) 810 810
Total Emissions (MTCO2e) 11,190 810
Emissions w/out RPS or MBCP (MTCO2e) 37,790 39,900
Emissions Savings from Title 24 Electricity (to avoid double
counting) (MTCO2e) 550 80
Emissions reductions (MTCO2e) 26,050 39,010
Source: Monterey Bay Community Power. (2018). Integrated Resources Plan. Accessed from:
https://www.mbcommunitypower.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MBCP-IRP_LSE-Plan_v3_Final.pdf.
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City of San Luis Obispo Page B-5
2.3 Green Buildings
Since the City joined Monterey Bay Community Power, which provides carbon-free electricity,
emissions associated with electricity use in buildings have been reduced to nearly zero. The
remaining opportunities are to reduce natural gas use through energy efficiency or to remove the
gas-burning equipment. Since electricity emissions have been reduced through Monterey Bay
Community Power (MBCP), emissions reductions from energy efficiency have only been applied
to natural gas use.ii It should be noted that even though participation in MBCP negates the GHG
reductions from electricity energy efficiency and installation of local solar PV resources, these
strategies provide multiple sustainability benefits including electric grid stability, local resiliency,
improved indoor air quality, energy cost savings, and protection from utility rate volatility.iii
The energy efficiency strategies included in the GHG analysis are building electrification, local
clean energy generation, building benchmarking, retrocommissioning and retrofits, and increased
stringency of the California Building Standards Code Part 6: Building Energy Efficiency Standards
through continued adoption of local reach codes. The following is a description of the measures
included in the analysis, the magnitude of implementation, and resulting GHG emissions
reductions in line with the City’s goal.
GHG Reduction Measures + Assumptions
1. Building Electrification: Building electrification is the process of replacing fossil fuel end
uses in existing residential and nonresidential buildings with electric alternatives.
Electrification switches building systems and appliances used for space heating, water
heating, cooking, and clothes drying from natural gas to electricity. The 2019 California
Energy Efficiency Action Plan highlights the growing consensus that electrification is the
most-viable and least-cost path to zero-emission buildings.iv Building electrification can
reduce GHG emissions when coupled with a decarbonized electricity supply such as the
carbon-free energy supplied by MBCP. For locations with access to 100% carbon-free
energy, removing natural gas from buildings will generate a 100% reduction in GHG
emissions, but will increase electricity usage. This measure is only applied to existing
buildings as new construction electrification is encouraged by the adoption of local building
reach code.
2. Commercial Benchmarking: Benchmarking is the practice of measuring and comparing
energy use of a single building, relative to similar buildings or a building standard, with the
goal of informing building owners and motivating improved performance over time.
According to the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) Options for Energy Efficiency in
Existing Buildings report, commercial benchmarking results in 0.13kWh/SF/year and
0.002 therms/SF/year savings.v The CEC report also notes that the voluntary adoption
rate for this measure is only 20-25% of eligible buildings. This scenario assumes 100%
participation by eligible buildings, which would require a mandate.
3. Retrocommissiong: Retrocommissioning is the practice of applying commissioning, the
process of ensuring that building systems are designed, installed, functionally tested, and
being operated and maintained according to the owner’s operational needs, to existing
buildings. The California Energy Commission found that retrocommissioning of
commercial buildings accounts for 1.3 kWh/SF/year and 0.065 therms/SF/year savings
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and that residential retrocommissioning saves 328kWh and 74 therms per residential
dwelling unit per year.vi
4. Building Retrofits: Energy efficiency retrofits involve modifications to the existing building
envelope or systems that improve energy efficiency and/or decrease energy demand. The
GHG analysis tool assumes that the following efficiency packages are implemented as
part of the retrofit measure:
Residential
• Home energy assessment
• Insulation under the raised floor, above the roof deck and at all walls,
• Replacement of existing single pane windows with double pane product,
• Envelope sealing,
• New ductless high efficiency mini-split heat pump,
• New heat recovery ventilation system for mechanical ventilation, and
• Installation of a one-switch load control device.
Commercialvii
• Install occupancy censors,
• Add daylight harvesting,
• Re-circuit and schedule lighting system by end use,
• Retrofit interior fixtures to reduce lighting power density by 13%,
• Retrofit exterior fixtures to reduce lighting power density, and add exterior lighting
control,
• Remove heat from front entry,
• Widen zone temperature deadband (replace pneumatic thermostats), and
• Lower VAV box minimum flow setpoints (rebalance pneumatic boxes).
According to the California Energy Commission’s Large Scale Residential Retrofit
Program, residential retrofits save 570kWh and 53 therms per unit per year.viii According
to the United States Department of Energy Advanced Energy Retrofit Guides, the
commercial retrofit package presented above for small to medium office and retail
buildings reduces total energy use by approximately 33%. Adding retrocommissioning to
the package nearly doubles the energy savings.ix
5. Reach Code: Local jurisdictions can establish building energy performance requirements
above the baseline California Building Standards Code. The baseline code is updated
triennially to help California achieve its climate goals and to reflect changes in building
technologies. The State has adopted the goal of carbon neutral buildings by 2030. The
emissions reductions associated with these triennial updates have been built into the
analysis tool.
The City of San Luis Obispo is currently pursuing the Clean Energy Choice Program for
New Buildings, which states that new construction all-electric buildings must meet the
baseline code efficiency requirements, while mixed-fuel buildings must be more efficient
than code by 9 Energy Design Rating points for residential and 8-15% more efficient for
nonresidential. Since electric-preferred reach codes will not be implemented until 2020,
there is no data on how the construction industry will respond to the requirements nor the
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proportion of buildings that will be built as all-electric. According to Monterey Bay
Community Power’s Electrification Strategic Plan, market saturation for residential electric
building systems such as space heating is low, about 12-15% and for cooktops is about
25%.x However, all-electric design uptake is expected to be swift and the City’s program
includes incentives, regulations, and an offset program. As such, this analysis assumes
that 95% of new buildings built in 2030, and 100% in 2035.xi
GHG Emissions Analysis Results
The measures included in the Green Buildings sector result in a reduction of 11,960 MTCO2e in
2030 and 26,740 MTCO2e in 2035, as shown in Table 2.
Table 2. Measures and GHG Emissions for Green Buildings
2030 2035
Commercial electrification retrofits (Cumulative Participating
Buildings) 629 1,183
Natural gas reduction/ft2 (Therms)xii 0.3 0.3
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e) 670 870
Residential electrification retrofits (Cumulative Participating
Buildings) 2,494 10,358
Natural gas reduction/unit (Therms)xiii 257 257
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e) 4,170 13,540
Commercial Benchmarking 649 2,186
Natural gas reductionxiv /ft2 (Therms) 0.002 0.002
Electricity reduction/ft2 (kWh) 0.13 0.13
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e) 40 120
Commercial retrocommissioning (Cumulative Participating
Buildings) 274 466
Natural gas reductionxv/ft2 (Therms) 0.065 0.065
Electricity reduction/ft2 (kWh) 1.30 1.30
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e) 530 820
Residential Retrocommissioning (Cumulative Participating
Buildings) 2,241 3,876
Natural gas reductionxvi/unit (Therms) 74 74
Electricity reduction/unit (kWh) 328 328
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e) 990 1,530
Commercial retrofits (Cumulative Participating Buildings) 283 582
Energy use reductionxvii (%) 33% 33%
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e) 950 1,710
Residential retrofits (Cumulative Participating Buildings) 1,523 4,179
Natural gas reductionxviii/unit (Therms) 53 53
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City of San Luis Obispo Page B-8
Electricity reductions/year (kWh) 570 570
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e) 830 1,900
Commercial all-electric new construction (Cumulative Participating
Square Footage) 2,181,258 3,425,753
Therm reduction per square footxix 0.07 0.07
kWh addition per square footxx 0.67 0.67
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e) 760 1,200
Residential all-electric new construction (Cumulative Participating
Units) 2,622 4,129
Therm reduction per unitxxi 230 230
kWh addition per unitxxii 3,232 3,232
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e) 3,020 5,050
Emissions Reductions (MTCO2e) 11,960 26,740
2.4 Connected Community
Background
Transportation related GHG emissions can be reduced through two main strategies: 1) reduction
of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and 2) vehicle electrification. Shifting trips to lower-emission
options (carpool and bus) or zero-carbon options (walking and biking) reduces the VMT of single-
occupancy vehicles, traditionally the most carbon-intensive mobility option. Beyond GHG
emissions reductions, reductions in VMT provide multiple co-benefits such as improved air quality,
transportation-related physical activity, less traffic congestion, increased cyclists and pedestrian
safety, and support for the creation of human-scale bike and pedestrian priority streetscapes and
districts.
The second option is to transition to electric vehicles, which leads to direct GHG emissions
reductions, as electric vehicles in San Luis Obispo can be charged with 100% carbon-free energy.
California’s 2016 ZEV Action Plan set the goal of 5 million EVs in California by 2030. While an
aggressive goal, the EV market continues to grow and in 2018 constituted 5% of new car sales.xxiii
Based on data from the California Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Projections: 2017-2025
report, the current EV adoption rate in San Luis Obispo County is about 0.66%.xxiv The rate of EV
adoption is likely somewhat higher in the City of San Luis Obispo as compared to the County,
because the City population features many of the factors that determine the propensity to buy an
EV such as higher household incomes, higher levels of educational attainment, and higher levels
of environmental awareness.xxv
The strategies included in the GHG analysis tool for transportation are electric vehicle (EV)
adoption, electrification of the transit fleet, and mode shift from on-road vehicles to active
transportation and transit. The analysis is based on the City’s current transportation patterns in
terms of mode share and VMT, projected vehicle miles traveled (VMT) as generated by the City’s
transportation demand model. GHG reductions are determined based on the mode share
objectives and the policies in the Circulation element of the General Plan. The analysis also
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Appendix B – GHG Emissions Reductions Estimates & Basis for Quantification
City of San Luis Obispo Page B-9
incorporates the emissions reductions projected to result from state policies and regulations
related to vehicle fuel efficiency.
GHG Reduction Measures + Assumptions
1. EV Adoption: EV adoption is a critical component of transportation GHG emissions
reductions. Transitioning vehicles from fossil fuels to clean electricity is an impactful
strategy to reduce transportation related GHG emissions. Since San Luis Obispo supplies
carbon-free electricity from MBCP, electric vehicles charged within the City are essentially
zero-emission. Over time, shifting some VMT to EVs to create an increasing amount of
“clean VMT” has the effect of gradually reducing the overall GHG intensity of VMT. EVs
currently account for less than 1% of total vehicles registered in the County,xxvi so
achieving a significantly higher rate requires a combination of infrastructure investments,
reductions in the price of EVs, manufacturers producing high quality and cost comparable
models, programs that enable access to EVs for low and moderate income households,
and electricity tariffs that make total cost of ownership cheaper that fossil fuel vehicles.
However, rapid advances in technology are putting EV usage on an aggressive adoption
curve; the most recent electric vehicle outlook published by Bloomberg NEF notes, “By
2040 we expect 57% of all passenger vehicle sales, and over 30% of the global passenger
vehicle fleet, will be electric.”xxvii In 2019, there were approximately 200,000 registered
light duty vehicles and 67,000 trucks registered in San Luis Obispo County.xxviii The 22,289
new electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles identified in Table 3 represent under 10
percent of the total passenger fleet in 2016 and will represent an even lower total in 2035.
2. Mode Shift: Mode shift is the switch away from traveling in single occupancy vehicles to
using other modes such as active transportation, transit, and carpool. GHG analysis
assumes that mode share stated in the Circulation Element of 12% transit, 20% bike, 18%
walking and carpool, and 50% single-occupant vehicles.
GHG Emissions Analysis Results
The measures included in the decarbonized transportation sector result in a reduction of 45,240
MTCO2e in 2030 and 64,170 MTCO2e in 2035, as shown in Table 3.
Table 3. Measure and GHG Emissions for Connected Community
2030 2035
New Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (cumulative,
inclusive of residents and regional commuters) 12,670 23,652
EV and Plug-in Hybrid VMT 94,321,187 168,610,303
Emissions reduction/EV VMT (MTCO2e) 0.00031 0.00026
Emissions reduction/Plug-in Hybrid VMT (MTCO2e) 0.00011 0.00009
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e) 22,180 34,920
Carpool Mode Share 23% 23%
Carpool Trips 2,958,069 3,446,971
Emissions reduction/trip (MTCO2e) 0.0017 0.0015
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e) 5,100 5,100
Transit Mode Share 7% 12%
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Appendix B – GHG Emissions Reductions Estimates & Basis for Quantification
City of San Luis Obispo Page B-10
Transit trips 3,095,474 5,918,352
Emissions reduction/trip (MTCO2e) 0.0017 0.0015
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e) 5,340 8,750
Active Transportation Mode Share 20% 25%
Walk + bike trips 7,319,928 10,419,143
Emissions reduction/trip (MTCO2e) 0.0017 0.0015
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e) 12,620 15,400
Emissions Reductions (MTCO2e) 45,240 64,170
2.5 Circular Economy
Background
Organic materials are the focus of the recent landmark legislation SB 1383 (Short-Lived Climate
Pollutants: Organic Waste Reductions). Now in the final rulemaking stage, this new state law has
the immediate goal of reducing organic waste sent to landfill and the ultimate objective of reaching
statewide methane emissions reduction targets. Specifically, it sets a statewide goal for the
reduction in organic waste to landfills – 50% by 2020 and 75% by 2025 – in addition to the
recovery of 20% of edible food waste for human consumption. SB 1383 will require local
governments to provide organics collection to all generators, and all generators to subscribe. It
also has specific mandates for container systems, education and outreach programs, monitoring
and contamination reporting, and enforcement of regulations. Full SB 1383 implementation will
begin in 2022, allowing some time for jurisdictions to plan and prepare for achieving
compliance.xxix
The City, the San Luis Obispo Integrated Waste Management Authority, and the local hauler, San
Luis Garbage, must work together to comply with the various state laws, in addition to SB 1383,
regulating solid waste services. AB 32 recognizes solid waste as a contributor to greenhouse gas
emissions and set the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. AB 341
Mandatory Commercial Recycling (2012) and AB 1826 Mandatory Commercial Organics
Recycling (2014) place waste diversion program participation requirements on commercial and
multi-family properties. AB 341 and AB 1826 also increased statewide goals to 75 percent
diversion for recycling and 50 percent reduction of organic waste by 2020.
San Luis Obispo has already started to build out the infrastructure to achieve zero waste. On
November 18, 2018, the Kompogas SLO dry anaerobic plant was opened. The plant, built by
Hitachi Zosen Inova, is currently accepting material that is then turned into methane (combusted
to generate electricity) and soil amendments (compost and liquid). The facility has the following
capacity:
• Permitted TPW: 700 tons per week
• Maximum Permitted Capacity: 36,500 tons per year
Estimates of GHG emissions reductions for this pillar focus on the direct benefit of diverting 75%
of the community’ organic waste from the landfill to the anerobic digester consistent with SB 1383
by 2030 and a stretch goal of 90% by 2035.
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Appendix B – GHG Emissions Reductions Estimates & Basis for Quantification
City of San Luis Obispo Page B-11
GHG Emissions Analysis Results
The quantification estimates result in a reduction of 37,410 MTCO2e in 2030 and 47,300 MTCO2e
in 2035, as shown in Table 4.
Table 4. Measures and GHG Emissions for Circular Economy
2030 2035
Projected annual emissions from organic decomposition/fugitive
emissions (MTCO2e) 49,884 52,557
Organic diversion rates 75% 90%
Reduction in annual emissions from organic decomposition/fugitive
emissions (MTCO2e) 37,410 47,300
2.6 Natural Solutions
Background
San Luis Obispo has a unique opportunity to engage in sequestration activities, due to the
combination of access to both protected open space and suitable composted organic material to
apply to these opens spaces. Approximately 4,000 acres of open space are owned and managed
by the City, as part of the larger regional greenbelt. Of this area the City has determined that
approximately 400 acres are currently accessible and of a low enough slope to be suitable for
compost application. Additional areas for compost application include other protected greenbelt
properties located in the County that the City could use through a partnership agreement. The
City operates a biodigester that processes organic material to produce biomethane and compost.
The composted material is suitable for application to the City owned open space areas, thus
creating a well aligned source-sink relationship. The application of compost allows for carbon to
be stored in the soil and, over time, to be captured in the stems, leaves, and roots of grasses,
woody plants, and trees.
Other opportunities for sequestration are in the City’s urban forest and protected riparian areas.
The current urban forest stock consists of approximately 20,000 trees. A rough estimate of total
amount of greenhouse gases that are captured in the urban forest is 14,680 MTCO2e. This
amount is in the City’s current stock and cannot be counted as a GHG reduction measures. The
goal is to maintain the amount and health of the current tree stock and then add trees to increase
the carbon storage capacity of the urban forest. Assuming that the urban forest is not 100 percent
stocked, which is typical even of communities that have well-managed forests such as Santa
Monica, there is likely the ability to increase the size of the urban forest by 15% - 25%, or to add
3,000 – 5,000 additional trees. If a more aggressive tree planting program were to be implemented
that included tree planting in parks and other City owned properties combined with encouraged
planting on private property, an additional 5,000 trees could be added for a total of approximately
10,000 additional trees. San Luis Obispo also features several creeks that run through the City
that are largely unchannelized condition. There is existing vegetation and riparian habitat, albeit
somewhat degraded, that could be restored and enhanced with additional native trees and woody
shrubs. The additional biomass created by the restoration and enhancement efforts would also
contribute to the City’s overall GHG reductions through biological sequestration.
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Appendix B – GHG Emissions Reductions Estimates & Basis for Quantification
City of San Luis Obispo Page B-12
GHG Reduction Measures + Assumptions
1. Compost Application/Carbon Farming: Application of biomass such as compost or
biochar onto open lands in areas that will not be disturbed. The analysis assumes a total
of 1,260 acres are designated for this measure by 2035. The COMET Planner GHG factor
for grassland is used as this is assumed to be the best fit for areas that include both
grasses and small woody shrubs.
2. Urban Forestry: This measure assumes an increase of 10,670 trees to the existing urban
forest by 2035. The carbon capture factor for mixed hardwoods is applied for a 20-year
growing period.
3. Creek Restoration: This measure assumes that 2 miles of creeks within the San Luis
Obispo City limits are restored and that the riparian area has an average width of 50 feet,
resulting in a total of 12 acres of restored area. Based on the output of the CREEC model
developed by the California Department of Conservation, if these riparian areas were to
be restored with a combination of common riparian trees and woods shrubs a mix of (20%
sycamore, 20% black walnut, 20% oak, 20% bay laurel, and 20% poison oak was
assumed), a total of 62.95 Mg C/hectare would be captured by 2035. For the 12-acre
potential restoration area and converting from C to CO2 this results in a total sequestration
potential of 1,123 MTCO2.
GHG Emissions Analysis Results
The measures included in the Sequestration sector result in a reduction of 3,610 MTCO2e in 2030
and 7,060 MTCO2e in 2035, as shown in Table 5.
Table 5. Measures and GHG Emissions for Natural Solutions
2030 2035
Number of trees planted (cumulative) 7,337 10,672
Emissions reduction per tree (MTCO2e) 0.0354 0.0354
Annual GHG reductions (MTCO2e) 260 380
Acres of compost applied (cumulative) 760 1,260
Emissions reduction per acre (MTCO2e) 4.41 4.41
Annual GHG reductions (MTCO2e) 3,350 5,560
Miles of creek restoration (cumulative) 2.00000
Emissions reduction per mile (MTCO2e) Method described above
Annual GHG reductions (MTCO2e) 1,120
Emissions reductions (MTCO2e) 3,610 7,060
Public Review Draft Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery
Appendix B – GHG Emissions Reductions Estimates & Basis for Quantification
City of San Luis Obispo Page B-13
3. UNCERTAINTIES
+ OPPORTUNITIES
There are several factors that are uncertain or unknown. These can have a significant impact on
the ability on the City’s ability to achieve the final 15% -20% of GHG reductions needed to achieve
neutrality:
Transportation
Rate of EV adoption. Estimates of the rate of EV adoption over the next fifteen years vary
widely. What is needed to achieve statewide GHG reduction goals for vehicles range from
the 5 million stated by Governor Brown’s ZEV Action Plan to the 6 million in the CEC Deep
Decarbonization report.xxx Estimates of the number of vehicles that will actually be on the
road in the State depend on assumptions including the future cost of vehicles, extension
of current or existence of future tax incentives or other rebates, access to charging facilities
to decrease consumer hesitancy regarding purchases, and the development of lease,
subscription or other financial structures.
Overall car ownership. Current trends show that millennials are less likely to own cars
and more likely to use public transportation or cycle than previous generations.xxxi It is
unknown whether this trend will continue as millennials age, start families, and move from
dense urban areas to more suburban or rural locations.
Acceptance and market share of autonomous vehicles. If shared and powered by
renewable electricity autonomous vehicles could be instrumental in reducing GHG
emissions and the total number of vehicles in San Luis Obispo. This advancement could
result in changes to land use, zoning, and parking standards in order to allow for slightly
higher development density as a result of less space needing to be allocated to parking.
Acceptance of autonomous vehicles by consumers, City officials, and residents is
uncertain, especially as some early efforts to deploy autonomous vehicles have
experienced challenges with integrating with current street designs and driver
behaviors.xxxii There is also a risk that autonomous vehicles are fossil fuel driven and
privately owned, which would not contribute GHG emissions reduction and could lead to
an increase in trips and Citywide VMT.
Employee work culture and travel patterns. With the rapid growth in mobile
technologies and the ability to access the internet remotely, there is the potential for
employees to conduct their work-related tasks at home or at shared work facilities close
to home, through telepresence, rather than commute to a central office. This has the
potential to reduce the number of work-related trips and associated VMT. The City has
limited ability to influence these trends, through transportation demand management
(TDM) policies, so the degree to which remote work options are offered is determined by
individual employers. However, this is a regional issue that SLOCOG could explore
further.
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Appendix B – GHG Emissions Reductions Estimates & Basis for Quantification
City of San Luis Obispo Page B-14
Implementation of SB 743. This bill requires a shift in transportation impact analysis from
Level of Service (LOS) to Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), as well as greenhouse gas
reductions and support for active transportation. While the analysis methods are being
developed for determining impacts from a CEQA perspective, there is still uncertainty
regarding how mitigation measures will be identified. Previously most mitigation measures
were focused on the area in proximity to the proposed project, to reduce congestion and
decrease in LOS. Using VMT as the measurement of impact creates the possibility of
mitigation measures occurring in more distant locations for items such as removing a gap
in the bicycle network or on non-roadway items such as improving transit facilities or
reducing bus headways. The feasibility and legality of VMT driven mitigations that focus
on reducing GHG emissions and/or promoting active transportation, rather that solving
localized roadway issues, will need to be defined as this shift in practice is put into place
in the coming years.
Willingness to prioritize biking and walking. The current roadway system in San Luis
Obispo is designed primarily to accommodate private vehicles. There are ongoing local
examples of bike-priority streets, protected bikeways, trails, paseos, and plazas that serve
the needs of pedestrians and cyclists. The reduction estimated in this analysis depends
on an equitable allocation of public rights of way among the various travel modes, so that
biking, walking, and transit use are presented as equally viable and important methods of
transportation. Furthermore, there is the potential to establish certain streets and corridors
as bike-priority or bike/ped-only and to implement a comprehensive bus rapid transit
network on 2-4 major boulevards in the City. The City could explore these options more
fully in its update of the Active Transportation Plan and future strategic transit planning
efforts.
Future of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards. The current federal
government administration is actively opposing climate action and is decidedly anti-
environment. As such, the White House has proposed to weaken the federal fuel-economy
standards set by previous administrations administration and has taken action to revoke
California’s ability to set its own environmental laws. This legal challenge could have
significant adverse impacts on vehicle fuel efficiency throughout the State but will most
likely remain undecided as it progresses through the judicial system.
Statewide Housing Law. The California Legislature has recently considered dozens of
bills related to housing production. Although the bills cover many different topics, it is likely
that the state will create conditions that expand housing production, which could affect
emissions from regional trips.
Energy + Energy Use
State building code updates to require carbon neutrality. California’s energy efficiency
laws will continue to drive significant improvements in building efficiency, particularly for
new buildings. The State’s goal is for near-zero net energy new construction by 2020 for
residential buildings and 2030 for commercial properties. It is unknown whether the State
regulations will go into effect along their stated timeline.
CCA participation rate persistence. As discussed above, CCAs are a new development
within the energy sector in California; not much data is available on which to base future
assumptions. Current trends in the industry suggest that CCAs will continue to be a viable
alternative to traditional investor-owned utilities (IOUs). For example, the State’s first CCA,
Marin Clean Energy, established in 2010, continues to expand their service area and
successfully procure and distribute clean electricity. Furthermore, the number of CCAs
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Appendix B – GHG Emissions Reductions Estimates & Basis for Quantification
City of San Luis Obispo Page B-15
across California continues to increase. There are now 19 CCAs that are projected to
serve over 10 million customers.xxxiii Furthermore, considering the recent Public Safety
Power Shutoffs and PG&E’s pending bankruptcy, there is significant uncertainty in the
electricity utility landscape.
Other Uncertainties
Ability to account for land sequestration outside of the City’s Green Belt. Expanding
sequestration efforts from the 400 identified acres to larger areas would significantly
increase emissions reduction capacity. However, accounting and reporting methods for
out of boundary emissions reductions are currently under development and will not be
ready for inclusion in this report. Should the City be able to support sequestration or
regenerative agriculture in regional rangeland or farmland, potential additional reductions
could be substantial.
Regional collaboration. Regional collaboration is a difficult tool to employ but can have
wide-reaching GHG implications. Many of the high GHG intensity development patterns
cannot be corrected without coordination among jurisdictions throughout the County.
However, the level of willingness for cross-jurisdictional willingness and capacity to
collaborate on future patterns of growth, land use, and transportation is currently unknown.
Although the GHG analysis demonstrates that San Luis Obispo is not able to achieve carbon
neutrality by 2035, the City is well positioned to proceed down the pathway to carbon neutrality.
The City has a relatively compact urban form, a local and regional bus system, rail service,
examples of appropriately scaled density, participation in a community choice aggregation option
to receive grid-delivered renewable energy, and publicly owned open space that could be used
for carbon farming or forms of biological carbon sequestration. The City also has an appetite for
innovation as evidenced by the biodigester, EV charging station, and photovoltaic installations.
As the future of climate action in California becomes clearer in the next decade, answers to many
of the uncertainties presented above could help San Luis Obispo close its remaining GHG gap
and reach carbon neutrality within its timeframe. Additionally, having a carbon neutrality
framework in place will allow the City to capitalize on private foundation investments and federal
and state funding sources as they become available.
i The “Lead by Example” pillar’s reductions are for municipal operations, which include emissions inside
and outside of the City of San Luis Obispo City Limits. The quantified reduction estimates for this pillar will
be included in the municipal climate action plan and are not counted in the community climate action plan.
ii The proportion of natural gas use in buildings was determined using building energy use data from San
Luis Obispo’s 2016 GHG inventory. In residential buildings, natural gas use accounts for 68% of total
building energy use, while electricity accounts for the remaining 32%. In commercial buildings, natural
gas use accounts for 43% of total building energy use, while electricity accounts for the remaining 57%.
iii Kenney, M et al. (2019).
iv Kenney, Michael, Heather Bird, Heriberto Rosales, and Antonio Cano. (2019). 2019 California Energy
Efficiency Action Plan. California Energy Commission. Publication Number: CEC-400-2019-010-SD.
v California Energy Commission. (2005). Options for Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings. Accessed
from: https://www.m.gosolarcalifornia.org/2005publications/CEC-400-2005-039/CEC-400-2005-039-
CMF.PDF.
vi California Energy Commission. (2017). Large Scale Residential Retrofit Program. Accessed from:
https://ww2.energy.ca.gov/2017publications/CEC-500-2017-009/CEC-500-2017-009.pdf.
vii This package combines measures from the Department of Energy’s office building and retail building
retrofit guides. See endnote 18.
Public Review Draft Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery
Appendix B – GHG Emissions Reductions Estimates & Basis for Quantification
City of San Luis Obispo Page B-16
viii California Energy Commission. (2017) and Department of Energy. (2011). Advanced Energy Retrofit
Guide for Office Buildings. Accessed from:
https://www.pnnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-20761.pdf; Department of
Energy. (2011). Advanced Energy Retrofit Guide for Retail Buildings. Accessed from:
https://www.pnnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-20814.pdf.
ix Department of Energy. (2011).
x Monterey Bay Community Power. (2019). Electrification Strategic Plan. Accessed from:
https://mbcommunity.onbaseonline.com/1800AgendaAppNet/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=251&doctype=1.
xi These more aggressive rates of adoption were determined based on a conversation with the City.
xii Therm per square foot calculated by dividing total nonresidential therms by total nonresidential square
footage for each calendar year.
xiii Therm per residential unit calculated by dividing total residential therms by total residential units for
each calendar year.
xiv California Energy Commission. (2005).
xv California Energy Commission. (2017).
xvi California Energy Commission. (2017).
xvii Department of Energy. (2011).
xviii California Energy Commission. (2017).
xix Per square foot therm savings and kWh increases calculated using City data and the 2019 Statewide
Cost Effectiveness Studies. Accessed from www.slocity.org/cleanenergychoice.
xx Per square foot therm savings and kWh increases calculated using City data and the 2019 Statewide
Cost Effectiveness Studies. Accessed from www.slocity.org/cleanenergychoice.
xxi Per unit therm savings and kWh increases calculated using City data and the 2019 Statewide Cost
Effectiveness Studies. Accessed from www.slocity.org/cleanenergychoice.
xxii Per unit therm savings and kWh increases calculated using City data and the 2019 Statewide Cost
Effectiveness Studies. Accessed from www.slocity.org/cleanenergychoice.
xxiii Governor’s Interagency Working Group on Zero-Emission Vehicles. (2018). 2018 ZEV Action Plan
Priorities Update.
xxiv Bedir, Abdulkadir, Noel Crisostomo, Jennifer Allen, Eric Wood, and Clément Rames. (2018.) California
Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Projections: 2017-2025. California Energy Commission. Publication
Number: CEC-600-2018-001.
xxv UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation. (2015). Factors Affecting Plug-in Electric Vehicle Sales in
California. Accessed from: https://innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/wp-
content/uploads/2019/03/Factors_Affecting_PEV_Sales_in_CA.pdf.
xxvi California Department of Motor Vehicles. (2019). California Motor Vehicle Fuel Types by County,
January 1, 2019. Accessed from: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/media_center/statistics.
xxvii Bloomberg NEF. (2019). 2019 Electric Vehicle Outlook. Accessed from: https://
about.bnef.com/electric-vehicle-outlook/#toc-download
xxviii California Department of Motor Vehicles. (2020). Estimated vehicles registered by county for the
period of January 1 through December 31, 2019. Accessed from:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/add5eb07-c676-40b4-98b5-
8011b059260a/est_fees_pd_by_county.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
xxix California Air Resources Board. (2017). Short-Lived Climate Pollution Reduction Strategy.
xxx Mahone, Amber, Zachary Subin, Jenya Kahn-Lang, Douglas Allen, Vivian Li, Gerrit De Moor, Nancy
Ryan, Snuller Price. (2018). Deep Decarbonization in a High Renewables Future: Updated Results from
the California PATHWAYS Model. California Energy Commission. Publication Number: CEC-500-2018-
012
xxxi Cortright, Joe. (2016). Are Millennials Racing to Buy Cars? Nope. StreetsblogUSA. Accessed from:
https://usa.streetsblog.org/2016/04/25/are-millennials-racing-to-buy-cars-again-nope/.
xxxii Yonah Freemark, Anne Hudson & Jinhua Zhao. (2019). Are Cities Prepared for Autonomous
Vehicles? Journal of the American Planning Association, DOI: 10.1080/01944363.2019.1603760.
xxxiii CALCCA. (2019). CCA Purchasing Power. Accessed from: https://cal-cca.org/resources/.
Public Review Draft Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery
Appendix C – CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
City of San Luis Obispo
CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT
Appendix C: California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
GHG Emissions Thresholds and
Guidance
Public Review Draft Climate Action Plan
Appendix C – CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
City of San Luis Obispo
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
Thresholds and Guidance
Final
prepared by
City of San Luis Obispo
Office of Sustainability and
Community Development Department
919 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
prepared with assistance from
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
1530 Monterey Street, Suite D
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
June 22, 2020
Table of Contents
i
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City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
ii
Table of Contents
1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................1
2 Climate Action Plan Summary ........................................................................................................3
2.1 Communitywide GHG Emissions Inventories .....................................................................3
2.2 GHG Emission Reduction Strategy ......................................................................................3
2.3 GHG Emissions Forecast ......................................................................................................5
2.4 Qualified GHG Emissions Reduction Plan ...........................................................................8
3 Regulatory and Legal Setting ....................................................................................................... 11
3.1 Relevant CEQA Guidelines Sections ................................................................................. 11
3.2 Relevant State and Regional GHG Reduction Targets ..................................................... 15
3.3 Relevant GHG Emissions Analysis Case Law .................................................................... 17
4 Determining Consistency with the City’s Climate Action Plan .................................................... 19
5 Utilizing Quantitative CEQA GHG Thresholds .............................................................................. 22
5.1 GHG Emissions Calculation Methodology ........................................................................ 22
5.2 GHG Thresholds and Use ................................................................................................. 2 4
5.3 Justification for Thresholds .............................................................................................. 26
6 Quantifying GHG Emissions ......................................................................................................... 29
6.1 Construction GHG Emissions ........................................................................................... 29
6.2 Operational GHG Emissions ............................................................................................. 30
6.3 Modeling GHG Emissions from Existing Land Use ........................................................... 33
7 Moving into the Future ................................................................................................................ 35
Tables
Table 1 City of San Luis Obispo 1990, 2005, and 2016 Communitywide GHG Emissions Levels ....3
Table 2 City of San Luis Obispo Communitywide GHG Emissions Reductions by 2035 ..................5
Table 3 City of San Luis Obispo GHG Emissions Forecast Through 2035 .........................................7
Table 4 CAP Consistency with CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5(1) for Year 2030 ..................... 10
Table 5 GHG Emissions Forecast for Year 2030 by Type of Development (MT of CO2e) ............. 24
Table 6 City of San Luis Obispo Demographic Projections ........................................................... 24
Table 7 City of San Luis Obispo Locally Applicable Plan‐ or Project‐Specific CEQA GHG Emissions
Thresholds ......................................................................................................................... 25
Table of Contents
iii
Figures
Figure 1 City of San Luis Obispo GHG Emissions Reduction Targets ......................................... 1
Figure 2 City of San Luis Obispo GHG Emissions Forecast, 2005 to 2035 .................................. 6
Figure 3 Determining Consistency with the City’s Climate Action Plan ................................... 20
Figure 4 Allowable GHG Emissions from Existing and New Development in Year 2030 ......... 23
Figure 5 City of San Luis Obispo GHG Efficiency Thresholds ................................................... 25
Appendices
Appendix A Overview of GHG Emissions and Climate Change
Appendix B CEQA GHG Emissions Analysis Compliance Checklist
Appendix C GHG Threshold Calculations
Appendix D United States Green Building Council Building Area per Employee by Business
Type Rates
Introduction
1
1 Introduction
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires discretionary plans and projects to
undergo an environmental review process, which includes an evaluation of plan‐ or project‐related
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.1 This GHG thresholds and guidance document is intended to
provide methodological guidance and quantitative thresholds of significance for use by City
planners, applicants, consultants, agencies, and members of the public in the preparation of GHG
emissions analyses under CEQA for plans and projects located within the City of San Luis Obispo.
The City of San Luis Obispo (City) prepared a Draft Climate Action Plan (CAP) dated June 17, 2020
with the aspirational goal of carbon neutrality by 2035.2 While the City Council, City staff, and
community will continue to develop an approach to the long‐term aspirational goal of carbon
neutrality, the CAP includes specific actions to achieve the short‐term communitywide emissions
reduction targets of 45 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 66 percent below 1990 levels by
2035, which is consistent with California’s goal of reducing GHG emissions to 40 percent below 1990
levels (Senate Bill 32) by 2030. See Figure 1 for a representation of City and State GHG emissions
reduction targets.
Figure 1 City of San Luis Obispo GHG Emissions Reduction Targets
The City’s 2030 target was developed to provide substantial progress towards the City’s long‐term
aspirational carbon neutrality target and contribute substantial progress toward meeting the State’s
long‐term GHG reduction goals identified in SB 32 and Executive Order (EO) B‐55‐18. Consistent
with this process, the City’s CAP includes procedures to evaluate the City’s emissions in light of the
trajectory of the CAP’s targets to assess its “substantial progress” toward achieving long‐term
reduction targets identified in the CAP and State legislation or EOs. The CAP also includes
commitments and mechanisms to adopt additional policies to achieve further GHG emissions
reductions necessary to avoid interference with, and make substantial progress toward, the long‐
1 Refer to Appendix A for an overview of GHG emissions and climate change.
2 Carbon neutrality is defined as net zero carbon emissions, which is achieved either by balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal
or by completely eliminating carbon emissions.
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
2
term CAP and State targets. This is important because these targets have been set at levels that
achieve California’s fair share of international emissions reduction targets that will stabilize global
climate change effects and avoid the adverse environmental consequences of climate change.
To support progress toward the City’s long‐term aspirational carbon neutrality goal, plans and
projects within the City that undergo CEQA review will need to demonstrate consistency with
targets in the CAP, which will be a Qualified GHG Emissions Reduction Plan, consistent with CEQA
Guidelines Section 15183.5, upon adoption of its CEQA review document, specifically the CAP Initial
Study‐Negative Declaration (IS‐ND), and approval of the CAP by City Council. Chapter 2, Climate
Action Plan Summary, provides an overview of this plan and the associated GHG emissions
inventories, reduction measures, and forecasts included therein. In addition, Chapter 3, Regulatory
and Legal Setting, offers an overview of relevant regulations and case law pertaining to the analysis
of GHG emissions consistent with CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines.
Plans and projects that are consistent with the CAP’s demographic (i.e., residents and employees)
projections and land use assumptions, which are based on the Land Use and Circulation Elements of
the 2014 City General Plan, will be able to tier from the adopted CAP IS‐ND pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines Section 15183.5. To streamline this CEQA GHG emissions analysis process, the City has
prepared a CEQA GHG Emissions Analysis Compliance Checklist that can be utilized in plan‐ and
project‐level CEQA review documents to ensure that such proposed plans and projects are
consistent with the CAP GHG emissions reduction strategy. Chapter 4, Determining Consistency with
the City’s C, includes guidance on how to navigate this consistency determination process.
For plans or projects that are not consistent with the CAP’s demographic projections and land use
assumptions, a different methodology and assessment utilizing quantitative thresholds of
significance would be necessary to evaluate GHG emissions impacts. Chapter 5, Utilizing
Quantitative CEQA GHG Thresholds, includes guidance on how to utilize the specific quantitative
thresholds that were developed for purposes of evaluating the level of significance of GHG
emissions impacts.3 Furthermore, Chapter 6, Quantifying GHG Emissions, provides direction
regarding how to quantify a plan or project’s GHG emissions for comparison to the applicable
threshold of significance.
The City’s CAP acknowledges that additional actions beyond those identified in the plan will be
required to achieve its long‐term aspirational goal of carbon neutrality by 2035. As a result, the plan
provides a mechanism for updating and adopting a new CAP every other financial plan cycle (i.e., in
conjunction with the 2023‐2025, 2027‐2029, and 2031‐2033 cycles) in order to incorporate new
measures and technologies that will further move the City toward meeting its long‐term aspirational
carbon neutrality goal.4 Chapter 7, Moving into the Future, offers further explanation of how CEQA
review of plans and projects could be affected by future updates and/or iterations of the CAP.
3 In compliance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.7(b), this guidance document and the quantitative thresholds contained herein will
be presented to the City Council for formal adoption via resolution through a public review process, which will include an opportunity
for public input.
4 San Luis Obispo, City of. 2019. Carbon Neutrality Vision and Three‐Year Strategic Plan Technical Report. November 2019.
Climate Action Plan Summary
3
2 Climate Action Plan Summary
The following sections provide an overview of the City’s CAP, including the 2005 and 2016
communitywide GHG emissions inventories, proposed GHG emission reduction strategy, and the
communitywide GHG emissions forecast for years 2020, 2030, and 2035.
2.1 Communitywide GHG Emissions Inventories
The City has completed communitywide GHG emissions inventories for years 2005 and 2016, which
are summarized in Table 1. Table 1 also provides estimated 1990 emissions levels for informational
purposes. As shown therein, communitywide GHG emissions declined by approximately 12 percent
between 2005 and 2016, which indicates substantial progress toward meeting or exceeding the
City’s target of reducing emissions by approximately 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and the
State’s target of reducing emissions to 1990 levels (i.e., an approximately 15 percent reduction
below 2005 levels) by 2020. The most significant changes occurred in the energy and solid waste
sectors due to increasing decarbonization of the electricity grid, investments in energy efficiency,
and a decrease in the amount of solid waste generated.5
Table 1 City of San Luis Obispo 1990, 2005, and 2016 Communitywide GHG Emissions
Levels
Sector
1990
(MT of CO2e)1
2005
(MT of CO2e)
2016
(MT of CO2e)
Percent Change from
2005 to 2016
Transportation 191,580 225,390 212,980 ‐6%
Non‐residential Energy 49,340 58,050 44,270 ‐24%
Residential Energy 47,130 55,450 39,410 ‐29%
Solid Waste 40,580 47,740 42,630 ‐11%
Total 328,630 386,630 339,290 ‐12%
MT = metric tons; CO2e = carbon dioxide equivalents
Note: Numbers are rounded to the nearest ten.
1 AB 32 sets a target of reducing GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, which is considered equivalent to a 15 percent reduction in
baseline 2005 levels according to the CARB (2008) Climate Change Scoping Plan. Therefore, to estimate 1990 emissions levels,
inventoried 2005 emissions from each sector were reduced by 15 percent.
Source: San Luis Obispo, City of. 2019. Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast.
2.2 GHG Emission Reduction Strategy
To achieve the City’s long‐term aspirational goal of carbon neutrality by 2035, the City’s CAP
includes a series of pillars, measures, and foundational actions that are intended to reduce
communitywide GHG emissions by approximately 66 percent below 1990 levels by 2035, which
provides substantial progress toward meeting the City’s long‐term aspirational carbon neutrality
goal while exceeding the State’s goals. The CAP acknowledges that additional actions beyond those
identified in the plan will be necessary to achieve the long‐term aspirational goal of carbon
neutrality and therefore provides a mechanism for updating and adopting a new climate action plan
5 San Luis Obispo, City of. 2019. Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast.
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
4
every other financial plan cycle in order to incorporate new measures and technologies that will
further the City toward meeting its long‐term aspirational goal of carbon neutrality.6
The City’s CAP proposes the following six pillars, each of which include a long‐term goal, measures,
and foundational actions:7
Pillar 1: Lead by Example. Create a Municipal Action Plan by 2020 and achieve carbon‐neutral
government operations by 2030.
Pillar 2: Clean Energy Systems. Achieve 100 percent carbon‐free electricity by 2020.
Pillar 3: Green Buildings. Generate no net new building emissions from on‐site energy use by
2020 and achieve a 50 percent reduction in existing building on‐site emissions (after accounting
for Monterey Bay Community Power) by 2030.
Pillar 4: Connected Community. Achieve the General Plan mode split objective by 2030 and
have 40 percent of vehicle miles travelled by electric vehicles by 2030.
Pillar 5: Circular Economy. Achieve 75 percent diversion of landfilled organic waste by 2025 and
90 percent by 2035.
Pillar 6: Natural Solutions. Increase carbon sequestration on the San Luis Obispo Greenbelt and
Urban Forest through compost application‐based carbon farming activities and tree planting to
be ongoing through 2035.
Table 2 summarizes the GHG emissions reductions included in the the CAP that are anticipated to be
achieved by each of these pillars, in addition to State laws and programs, by 2035. As shown therein,
implementation of State laws and programs as well as these pillars would reduce communitywide
emissions by approximately 286,680 MT of CO2e per year, or approximately 66 percent, below 1990
levels to approximately 111,030 MT of CO2e per year. These emission reductions would equate to a
approximately 72 percent reduction below business‐as‐usual GHG emissions forecast for year 2035.
6 San Luis Obispo, City of. 2019. Carbon Neutrality Vision and Three‐Year Strategic Plan Technical Report. November 2019.
7 Ibid.
Climate Action Plan Summary
5
Table 2 City of San Luis Obispo Communitywide GHG Emissions Reductions by 2035
Source
Annual Emissions
(MT of CO2e)
1990 Baseline Emissions1 328,630
Business‐as‐Usual 2035 Emissions2 397,710
State Laws/Programs3 (102,410)
Pillar 2: Clean Energy Systems (39,010)
Pillar 3: Green Buildings (26,740)
Pillar 4: Connected Community (64,170)
Pillar 5: Circular Economy (47,300)
Pillar 6: Natural Solutions (7,050)
Total Emissions Reductions (286,680)
Remaining 2035 Emissions 111,030
Percent Reduction below 1990 Levels (66%)
Percent Reduction below Business‐as‐Usual 2035 Levels (72%)
MT = metric tons; CO2e = carbon dioxide equivalents; ( ) denotes a negative number
Notes: GHG emissions reductions achieved by Pillar 1: Lead by Example are not included because implementation of the foundational
actions associated with this pillar would serve only to reduce municipal, rather than communitywide, emissions. Numbers are rounded
to the nearest ten.
1 See Table 2.
2 See Table 3.
3 Includes implementation of State vehicle fuel efficiency standards and triennial updates of Title 24. The Renewable Portfolio
Standards program is not included because Pillar 2 already accounts for 100 percent carbon‐free electricity by 2020.
Sources: San Luis Obispo, City of. 2019. Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast.
San Luis Obispo, City of. 2019. Carbon Neutrality Vision and Three‐Year Strategic Plan Technical Report. November 2019.
2.3 GHG Emissions Forecast
Figure 2 and Table 3 summarize the communitywide GHG emissions forecast under three scenarios:
1) business‐as‐usual, 2) implementation of State laws and programs, and 3) implementation of State
laws and programs and the CAP. As shown therein, under the business‐as‐usual scenario,
communitywide GHG emissions are forecasted to increase by approximately 21 percent between
1990 and 2035 based on economic and population growth. However, with implementation of State
laws and programs, communitywide GHG emissions would decline by approximately 22 percent
between 1990 and 2035. Furthermore, full implementation of the CAP alongside State laws and
programs would reduce communitywide GHG emissions by approximately 66 percent below 1990
levels by 2035.
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
6
Figure 2 City of San Luis Obispo GHG Emissions Forecast, 2005 to 2035
Climate Action Plan Summary
7
Table 3 City of San Luis Obispo GHG Emissions Forecast Through 2035
Sector
1990
(MT of CO2e)
2005
(MT of CO2e)
2016
(MT of CO2e)
2030
(MT of CO2e)
2035
(MT of CO2e)
Percent
Change
(1990‐2035)
Business‐as‐Usual
Transportation 191,580 225,390 212,980 234,570 242,280 26%
Non‐residential
Energy
49,340 58,050 44,270 51,860 54,880 11%
Residential
Energy
47,130 55,450 39,410 45,660 47,990 2%
Solid Waste 40,580 47,740 42,630 49,880 52,560 30%
Total 328,630 386,630 339,290 381,970 397,710 21%
Implementation of State Laws and Programs1
Transportation 191,580 225,390 212,980 161,290 142,830 (25%)
Non‐residential
Energy
49,340 58,050 44,270 33,690
27,720 (44%)
Residential
Energy
47,130 55,450 39,410 35,660
33,180 (30%)
Solid Waste 40,580 47,740 42,630 49,880 52,560 30%
Total 328,630 386,630 339,290 280,520 256,290 (22%)
Implementation of State Laws and Programs and City’s Climate Action Plan
Transportation2 191,580 225,390 212,980 116,050 78,660 (59%)
Non‐residential
Energy3
49,340 58,050 44,270 29,710 21,000 (57%)
Residential
Energy3
47,130 55,450 39,410 27,680 13,160 (72%)
Solid Waste4 40,580 47,740 42,630 12,470 5,260 (87%)
Carbon
Sequestration5
0 0 0 (3,610) (7,050) n/a
Total 328,630 386,630 339,290 182,300 111,030 (66%)
MT = metric tons; CO2e = carbon dioxide equivalents; ( ) denotes a negative number
Note: Numbers are rounded to the nearest ten.
1 State laws and programs include State vehicle fuel efficiency standards, the Renewable Portfolio Standard, and triennial updates of
Title 24.
2 Includes implementation of Pillar 4: Connected Community.
3 Includes implementation of Pillar 2: Clean Energy Systems and Pillar 3: Green Buildings.
4 Includes implementation of Pillar 5: Circular Economy.
5 Includes implementation of Pillar 6: Natural Solutions.
Sources: Appendix C; San Luis Obispo, City of. 2019. Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast.
At this time, the State has codified a target of reducing emissions to 40 percent below 1990
emissions levels by 2030 (Senate Bill [SB] 32) and has developed the 2017 Climate Change Scoping
Plan to demonstrate how the State will achieve the 2030 target and make substantial progress
toward the 2050 goal of an 80 percent reduction in 1990 GHG emission levels set by Executive Order
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
8
(EO) S‐3‐05. The recently signed EO B‐55‐18 identifies a new goal of carbon neutrality by 2045 and
supersedes the goal established by EO S‐3‐05.
While State and regional regulations related to energy and transportation systems, along with the
State’s Cap and Trade program, are designed to be set at limits to achieve most of the GHG
emissions reductions needed to achieve the State’s long‐term targets, local governments can do
their fair share toward meeting the State’s targets by siting and approving projects that
accommodate planned population growth and projects that are GHG‐efficient. The Association of
Environmental Professional (AEP) Climate Change Committee recommends that CEQA GHG analyses
evaluate project emissions in light of the trajectory of State climate change legislation and assess
their “substantial progress” toward achieving long‐term reduction targets identified in available
plans, legislation, or EOs.
The City has adopted a long‐term aspirational goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035 and has
proposed the CAP as a pathway to make progress toward this goal. As shown in Table 3,
implementation of the CAP would achieve an approximately 45 percent reduction in
communitywide GHG emissions below 1990 levels by 20308 and an approximately 66 percent
reduction in communitywide GHG emissions below 1990 levels by 2035. Therefore, the City’s long‐
term aspirational goal of carbon neutrality and the associated CAP establish a trajectory that
provides GHG emissions reductions greater than those required by SB 32 for 2030. Because SB 32 is
considered an interim target toward meeting the 2045 State goal of carbon neutrality,
implementation of the CAP would make substantial progress toward meeting the State’s long‐term
2045 goal. Avoiding interference with, and making substantial progress toward, these long‐term
State targets is important because these targets have been set at levels that achieve California’s fair
share of international emissions reduction targets that will stabilize global climate change effects
and avoid the adverse environmental consequences described in Appendix A (Executive Order B‐55‐
18).
2.4 Qualified GHG Emissions Reduction Plan
According to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5, project‐specific environmental documents can tier
from, or incorporate by reference, the existing programmatic review in a qualified GHG emissions
reduction plan, which allows for project‐level evaluation of GHG emissions through the comparison
of the project’s consistency with the GHG emissions reduction strategy included in the qualified
GHG emissions reduction plan. To meet the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5, a
qualified GHG emissions reduction plan must include the following:
Quantify existing and projected GHG emissions within the plan area;
Establish a level, based on substantial evidence, below which the contribution to GHG emissions
from activities covered by the plan would not be cumulatively considerable;
Identify and analyze sector specific GHG emissions within the plan’s geographic area;
Specify measures or a group of measures, including performance standards, that if
implemented, would collectively achieve the specified emissions level;
Establish a tool or mechanism to monitor progress and to require amendment if the plan is not
achieving specified levels; and
Be adopted in a public process following environmental review.
8 (328,630 MT of CO2e – 182,300 MT of CO2e) / 328,630 MT of CO2e = 45% reduction
Climate Action Plan Summary
9
Development projects can demonstrate consistency with a qualified GHG emissions reduction plan if
they are consistent with the plan’s assumptions regarding future growth projections and consistent
with the plan’s GHG emissions reduction measures.9 Projects consistent with the qualified GHG
reduction plan, including conformance with performance measures applicable to the project, would
not require additional GHG emissions analysis or mitigation under CEQA Guidelines Sections
15064(h) and 1513.5(b)(2). The City of San Luis Obispo has developed the CEQA GHG Emissions
Analysis Compliance Checklist to assist with determining project consistency with the CAP. The
checklist is intended to provide individual projects the opportunity to demonstrate that they are
minimizing GHG emissions while ensuring that new development achieves its proportion of
emissions reductions consistent with the assumptions of the CAP. Project consistency with a GHG
emissions reduction plan can also be demonstrated through quantitative analysis that demostrates
the project will not impede (or will facilitate) the City’s ability to meet its GHG emissions reduction
targets or by incorporating the reduction measures included in the GHG emissions reduction plan.
Table 4 summarizes the consistency of the CAP with these requirements for year 2030 (the next
State milestone target year for GHG emission reductions). As shown in Table 4, upon adoption of
the IS‐ND and approval of the plan by City Council, the City’s CAP will meet the requirements of a
qualified GHG emission reduction plan per CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5(1) for projects with
buildout years through 2030.
9 CAPs typically utilize growth projections from the local jurisdiction’s General Plan or applicable Metropolitan Planning Organization’s
regional demographic forecast.
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
10
Table 4 CAP Consistency with CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5(1) for Year 2030
CEQA Guidelines Section
15183.5(1) Requirement1 Climate Action Plan Consistency
Quantify GHG emissions, both
existing and projected over a
specified time period, resulting
from activities within a defined
geographic area.
Consistent. The CAP includes communitywide GHG emissions inventories for years
2005 and 2016 and forecasts GHG emissions for years 2020, 2030, and 2035.
Establish a level, based on
substantial evidence, below
which the contribution to GHG
emissions from activities
covered by the plan would not
be cumulatively considerable.
Consistent. A key aspect of a qualified GHG emissions reduction plan is substantial
evidence that the identified GHG emissions reduction target establishes a threshold
where GHG emissions are not cumulatively considerable. The Association of
Environmental Professionals (2016) Beyond Newhall and 2020 white paper identifies
this threshold as being a local target that aligns with the State legislative targets. The
CAP establishes a long‐term aspirational goal of carbon neutrality by 2035, and as
discussed in Section 2.3, GHG Emissions Forecast, implementation of the plan will
achieve a 45 percent reduction in 1990 emissions levels by 2030. Therefore, this local
target is more stringent than the State targets of a 40 percent emission reduction in
1990 levels by 2030.
Identify and analyze the GHG
emissions resulting from
specific actions or categories of
actions anticipated within the
geographic area.
Consistent. The CAP breaks down its inventories into four sectors (transportation,
residential energy, non‐residential energy, and solid waste). The plan also identifies
six pillars of GHG emission reductions and quantifies the emission reductions that
would be achieved by implementation of each pillar.
Specify measures or a group of
measures, including
performance standards, that
substantial evidence
demonstrates, if implemented
on a project‐by‐project basis,
would collectively achieve the
specified emissions level.
Consistent. The CAP specifies pillars, measures, and foundational actions that the
City will enact and implement between 2020 and 2035 to further its long‐term
aspirational goal of carbon neutrality. As discussed in Section 2.3, GHG Emissions
Forecast, implementation of the plan will achieve a 45 percent reduction in 1990
emissions levels by 2030, which is more stringent than the State target of a 40
percent emission reduction in 1990 levels by 2030 and demonstrates substantial
progress by 2030 toward achieving the City’s long‐term aspirational goal of carbon
neutrality by 2035.
Establish a mechanism to
monitor the plan’s progress
toward achieving the level and
to require amendment if the
plan is not achieving specified
levels.
Consistent. The CAP includes a process to update and adopt a new CAP every other
financial plan cycle in order to incorporate new measures and technologies that will
further the City toward meeting its long‐term aspirational goal of carbon neutrality.
Be adopted in a public process
following environmental
review.
Consistent. The City has prepared an IS‐ND for the CAP that will be circulated for
public review and comment and adopted prior to approval of the CAP and CEQA GHG
Emissions Thresholds and Guidance by City Council.
1 Source: 2019 CEQA Guidelines
Regulatory and Legal Setting
11
3 Regulatory and Legal Setting
The following regulations, executive orders, and case law pertain to the analysis of GHG emissions
consistent with CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines.
3.1 Relevant CEQA Guidelines Sections
Pursuant to the requirements of SB 97, the California Natural Resources Agency has adopted
amendments to the CEQA Guidelines for the feasible mitigation of GHG emissions or the effects of
GHG emissions. The adopted CEQA Guidelines, which were last updated in December 2018, provide
general regulatory guidance on the analysis and mitigation of GHG emissions in CEQA documents,
while giving lead agencies the discretion to set quantitative or qualitative thresholds for the
assessment and mitigation of GHG emissions and climate change impacts.
Based on Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, impacts related to GHG emissions generated by a
proposed plan/project would be significant if the plan/project would:
Generate GHG emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the
environment; and/or
Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the
emissions of GHGs.
The vast majority of individual projects do not generate sufficient GHG emissions to directly
influence climate change. However, physical changes caused by a plan/project can contribute
incrementally to cumulative effects that are significant, even if individual changes resulting from a
plan/project are limited. As discussed in Appendix A, the adverse environmental impacts of
cumulative GHG emissions, including sea level rise, increased average temperatures, more drought
years, and more large forest fires, are already occurring. As a result, cumulative impacts related to
GHG emissions and climate change are significant. Therefore, per CEQA Guidelines Section
15064.4(b), the analysis of GHG emissions under CEQA typically involves an analysis of whether a
plan or project’s contribution towards an impact would be cumulatively considerable. “Cumulatively
considerable” means that the incremental effects of an individual project are significant when
viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, other current projects, and probable future
projects (CEQA Guidelines Section 15064[h][1]).
The following sections of the CEQA Guidelines (last updated on December 28, 2018) pertain to the
creation of significance thresholds and the analysis of a plan/project’s GHG emissions.
CEQA Guidelines Section 15064(b)
The determination of whether a project may have a significant effect on the environment
calls for careful judgment on the part of the public agency involved, based to the extent
possible on scientific and factual data. An ironclad definition of significant effect is not
always possible because the significance of an activity may vary with the setting. For
example, an activity which may not be significant in an urban area may be significant in a
rural area.
Thresholds of significance, as defined in Section 15064.7(a), may assist lead agencies in
determining whether a project may cause a significant impact. When using a threshold, the
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
12
lead agency should briefly explain how compliance with the threshold means that the
project’s impacts are less than significant. Compliance with the threshold does not relieve a
lead agency of the obligation to consider substantial evidence indicating that the project’s
environmental effects may still be significant.10
CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.4
(a) The determination of the significance of GHG emissions calls for a careful judgment by the
lead agency consistent with the provisions in section 15064. A lead agency shall make a
good‐faith effort, based to the extent possible on scientific and factual data, to describe,
calculate or estimate the amount of GHG emissions resulting from a project. A lead agency
shall have discretion to determine, in the context of a particular project, whether to
Quantify GHG emissions resulting from a project; and/or
Rely on a qualitative analysis or performance‐based standards.
(b) In determining the significance of a project’s GHG emissions, the lead agency should focus
its analysis on the reasonably foreseeable incremental contribution of the project’s
emissions to the effects of climate change. A project’s incremental contribution may be
cumulatively considerable even if it appears relatively small compared to Statewide,
national or global emissions. The agency’s analysis should consider a timeframe that is
appropriate for the project. The agency’s analysis also must reasonably reflect evolving
scientific knowledge and State regulatory schemes. A lead agency should consider the
following factors, among others, when determining the significance of impacts from GHG
emissions on the environment:
The extent to which the project may increase or reduce GHG emissions as compared to
the existing environmental setting.
Whether the project emissions exceed a threshold of significance that the lead agency
determines applies to the project.
The extent to which the project complies with regulations or requirements adopted to
implement a Statewide, regional, or local plan for the reduction or mitigation of GHG
emissions (see, e.g., section 15183.5[b]). Such requirements must be adopted by the
relevant public agency through a public review process and must reduce or mitigate the
project’s incremental contribution of GHG emissions. If there is substantial evidence
that the possible effects of a particular project are still cumulatively considerable
notwithstanding compliance with the adopted regulations or requirements, an EIR must
be prepared for the project. In determining the significance of impacts, the lead agency
may consider a project’s consistency with the State’s long‐term climate goals or
strategies, provided that substantial evidence supports the agency’s analysis of how
those goals or strategies address the project’s incremental contribution to climate
change and its conclusion that the project’s incremental contribution is not cumulatively
considerable.
(c) A lead agency may use a model or methodology to estimate GHG emissions resulting from a
project. The lead agency has discretion to select the model or methodology it considers
most appropriate to enable decision makers to intelligently take into account the project’s
incremental contribution to climate change. The lead agency must support its selection of a
10 2019 CEQA Guidelines.
Regulatory and Legal Setting
13
model or methodology with substantial evidence. The lead agency should explain the
limitations of the particular model or methodology selected for use.11
CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.7
(a) A threshold of significance is an identifiable quantitative, qualitative or performance level of
a particular environmental effect, non‐compliance with which means the effect will
normally be determined to be significant by the agency and compliance with which means
the effect normally will be determined to be less than significant.
(b) Each public agency is encouraged to develop and publish thresholds of significance that the
agency uses in the determination of the significance of environmental effects. Thresholds of
significance to be adopted for general use as part of the lead agency’s environmental review
process must be adopted by ordinance, resolution, rule, or regulation, and developed
through a public review process and be supported by substantial evidence. Lead agencies
may also use thresholds on a case‐by‐case basis as provided in Section 15064(b)(2).
(c) When adopting or using thresholds of significance, a lead agency may consider thresholds of
significance previously adopted or recommended by other public agencies or recommended
by experts, provided the decision of the lead agency to adopt such thresholds is supported
by substantial evidence.
(d) Using environmental standards as thresholds of significance promotes consistency in
significance determinations and integrates environmental review with other environmental
program planning and regulation. Any public agency may adopt or use an environmental
standard as a threshold of significance. In adopting or using an environmental standard as a
threshold of significance, a public agency shall explain how the particular requirements of
that environmental standard reduce project impacts, including cumulative impacts, to a
level that is less than significant, and why the environmental standard is relevant to the
analysis of the project under consideration. For the purposes of this subdivision, an
“environmental standard” is a rule of general application that is adopted by a public agency
through a public review process and that is all the following:
a quantitative, qualitative or performance requirement found in an ordinance,
resolution, rule, regulation, order, plan or other environmental requirement;
adopted for the purpose of environmental protection;
addresses the environmental effect caused by the project; and,
applies to the project under review.12
CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5
(a) Lead agencies may analyze and mitigate the significant effects of GHG emissions at a
programmatic level, such as in a general plan, a long‐range development plan, or a separate
plan to reduce GHG emissions. Later project‐specific environmental documents may tier
from and/or incorporate by reference that existing programmatic review. Project‐specific
environmental documents may rely on an EIR containing a programmatic analysis of GHG
emissions as provided in section 15152 (tiering), 15167 (staged EIRs) 15168 (program EIRs),
11 Ibid.
12 Ibid.
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
14
15175–15179.5 (Master EIRs), 15182 (EIRs Prepared for Specific Plans), and 15183 (EIRs
Prepared for General Plans, Community Plans, or Zoning).
(b) Plans for the Reduction of GHG Emissions. Public agencies may choose to analyze and
mitigate significant GHG emissions in a plan for the reduction of GHG emissions or similar
document. A plan to reduce GHG emissions may be used in a cumulative impacts analysis as
set forth below. Pursuant to sections 15064(h)(3) and 15130(d), a lead agency may
determine that a project’s incremental contribution to a cumulative effect is not
cumulatively considerable if the project complies with the requirements in a previously
adopted plan or mitigation program under specified circumstances.
Plan Elements. A plan for the reduction of GHG emissions should:
(A) Quantify GHG emissions, both existing and projected over a specified time period,
resulting from activities within a defined geographic area;
(B) Establish a level, based on substantial evidence, below which the contribution to
GHG emissions from activities covered by the plan would not be cumulatively
considerable;
(C) Identify and analyze the GHG emissions resulting from specific actions or categories
of actions anticipated within the geographic area;
(D) Specify measures or a group of measures, including performance standards, that
substantial evidence demonstrates, if implemented on a project‐by‐project basis,
would collectively achieve the specified emissions level;
(E) Establish a mechanism to monitor the plan’s progress toward achieving the level
and to require amendment if the plan is not achieving specified levels;
(F) Be adopted in a public process following environmental review.
Use with Later Activities. A plan for the reduction of GHG emissions, once adopted
following certification of an EIR or adoption of an environmental document, may be
used in the cumulative impacts analysis of later projects. An environmental document
that relies on a GHG reduction plan for a cumulative impacts analysis must identify
those requirements specified in the plan that apply to the project, and, if those
requirements are not otherwise binding and enforceable, incorporate those
requirements as mitigation measures applicable to the project. If there is substantial
evidence that the effects of a particular project may be cumulatively considerable,
notwithstanding the project’s compliance with the specified requirements in the plan
for the reduction of GHG emissions, an EIR must be prepared for the project.
(c) Special Situations. As provided in Public Resources Code sections 21155.2 and 21159.28,
environmental documents for certain residential and mixed use projects, and transit priority
projects, as defined in section 21155, that are consistent with the general use designation,
density, building intensity, and applicable policies specified for the project area in an
applicable sustainable communities strategy or alternative planning strategy need not
analyze global warming impacts resulting from cars and light duty trucks. A lead agency
should consider whether such projects may result in GHG emissions resulting from other
sources, however, consistent with these Guidelines.13
13 Ibid.
Regulatory and Legal Setting
15
CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.4(c)
Consistent with section 15126.4(a), lead agencies shall consider feasible means, supported by
substantial evidence and subject to monitoring or reporting, of mitigating the significant effects of
GHG emissions. Measures to mitigate the significant effects of GHG emissions may include, among
others:
Measures in an existing plan or mitigation program for the reduction of emissions that are
required as part of the lead agency’s decision;
Reductions in emissions resulting from a project through implementation of project
features, project design, or other measures, such as those described in Appendix F;
Off‐site measures, including offsets that are not otherwise required, to mitigate a project’s
emissions;
Measures that sequester GHGs;
In the case of the adoption of a plan, such as a general plan, long range development plan,
or plans for the reduction of GHG emissions, mitigation may include the identification of
specific measures that may be implemented on a project‐by‐project basis. Mitigation may
also include the incorporation of specific measures or policies found in an adopted
ordinance or regulation that reduces the cumulative effect of emissions.14
3.2 Relevant State and Regional GHG Reduction
Targets
Executive Order S-03-05
On June 1, 2005, the governor issued EO S‐03‐05, which established a statewide goal of reducing GHG
emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and created the Climate Action Team. The 2020 GHG reduction
target contained in EO S‐03‐05 was later codified by Assembly Bill (AB) 32.
Assembly Bill 32
California’s major initiative for reducing GHG emissions is outlined in AB 32, the “California Global
Warming Solutions Act of 2006,” which was signed into law in 2006. AB 32 codifies the Statewide
goal of reducing GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and requires the California Air Resources
Board (CARB) to prepare a Scoping Plan that outlines the main State strategies for reducing GHG
emissions to meet the 2020 deadline. In addition, AB 32 requires CARB to adopt regulations to
require reporting and verification of Statewide GHG emissions. Based on this guidance, CARB
approved a 1990 Statewide GHG level and 2020 limit of 427 million metric tons (MMT) of carbon
dioxide equivalents (CO2e).15 The Scoping Plan was approved by CARB on December 11, 2008 and
included measures to address GHG emission reduction strategies related to energy efficiency, water
use, and recycling and solid waste, among other measures. Many of the GHG reduction measures
14 Ibid.
15 Different types of GHGs have varying global warming potentials (GWPs). The GWP of a GHG is the potential of a gas or aerosol to trap
heat in the atmosphere over a specified timescale (generally, 100 years). Because GHGs absorb different amounts of heat, a common
reference gas, CO2, is used to relate the amount of heat absorbed to the amount of the gas emissions, referred to as carbon dioxide
equivalent (CO2e), and is the amount of a GHG emitted multiplied by its GWP. Carbon dioxide has a 100‐year GWP of one. By
contrast, methane has a GWP of 25, meaning its global warming effect is 25 times greater than CO2 on a molecule per molecule basis
(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2007).
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
16
included in the Scoping Plan (e.g., Low Carbon Fuel Standard, Advanced Clean Car standards, and
Cap‐and‐Trade) have been adopted since approval of the Scoping Plan.16
In May 2014, CARB approved the first update to the AB 32 Scoping Plan. The 2013 Scoping Plan
update defined CARB’s climate change priorities for the next five years and set the groundwork to
reach post‐2020 Statewide goals. The update highlighted California’s progress toward meeting the
“near‐term” 2020 GHG emission reduction goals defined in the original Scoping Plan. It also
evaluated how to align the State’s longer‐term GHG reduction strategies with other State policy
priorities, including those for water, waste, natural resources, clean energy, transportation, and land
use. 17
Executive Order B-30-15
On April 29, 2015, the governor issued EO B‐30‐15, which established state GHG emission reduction
targets of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. The 2030
GHG emissions reduction target contained in EO B‐30‐15 was later codified by SB 32.
Senate Bill 32
On September 8, 2016, the governor signed SB 32 into law, extending AB 32 by requiring the State
to further reduce GHG emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 (the other provisions of
AB 32 remain unchanged). On December 14, 2017, CARB adopted the 2017 Scoping Plan, which
provides a framework for achieving the 2030 target. The 2017 Scoping Plan relies on the
continuation and expansion of existing policies and regulations, such as the Cap‐and‐Trade Program,
as well as implementation of recently adopted programs and policies, such as SB 350 and SB 1383.
The 2017 Scoping Plan also puts an increased emphasis on innovation, adoption of existing
technology, and strategic investment to support its strategies. As with the 2013 Scoping Plan
update, the 2017 Scoping Plan does not provide project‐level thresholds for land use development.
Instead, it recommends that local governments adopt policies and locally appropriate quantitative
thresholds consistent with Statewide per capita goals of six metric tons (MT) of CO2e by 2030 and
two MT of CO2e by 2050. As stated in the 2017 Scoping Plan, these goals may be appropriate for
plan‐level analyses (city, county, subregional, or regional level), but not for specific individual
projects because they include all emissions sectors in the State.18
Senate Bill 375
SB 375, signed in August 2008, enhances the state’s ability to reach AB 32 goals by directing CARB to
develop regional GHG emission reduction targets to be achieved from passenger vehicles by 2020
and 2035. SB 375 aligns regional transportation planning efforts, regional GHG reduction targets, and
affordable housing allocations. Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are required to adopt a
Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), which allocates land uses in the MPO’s Regional
Transportation Plan (RTP). Qualified projects consistent with an approved SCS or Alternative Planning
Strategy categorized as “transit priority projects” would receive incentives to streamline CEQA
processing
16 CARB. 2008. Climate Change Scoping Plan. December 2008.
https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/document/adopted_scoping_plan.pdf (accessed January 2020).
17 CARB. 2014. First Update to the Climate Change Scoping Plan. May 15, 2014.
https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/2013_update/first_update_climate_change_scoping_plan.pdf (accessed January 2020).
18 CARB. 2017. 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan. https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/scoping_plan_2017.pdf (accessed January
2020).
Regulatory and Legal Setting
17
On March 22, 2018, CARB adopted updated regional targets for reducing GHG emissions from 2005
levels by 2020 and 2035. The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) was assigned
targets of a 3 percent reduction in GHGs from transportation sources by 2020 and an 11 percent
reduction in GHGs from transportation sources by 2035. SLOCOG adopted the 2019 RTP in June
2019, which includes the region’s SCS and meets the requirements of SB 375.19
Executive Order B-55-18
On September 10, 2018, the governor issued EO B‐55‐18, which established a new Statewide goal of
achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 and maintaining net negative emissions thereafter. This goal is
in addition to the existing Statewide GHG emission reduction targets established by SB 375, SB 32,
SB 1383, and SB 100. EO B‐55‐18 also tasks CARB with including a pathway toward the EO B‐55‐18
carbon neutrality goal in the next Scoping Plan update.
3.3 Relevant GHG Emissions Analysis Case Law
Friends of Oroville v. City of Oroville (Case No. 070448)
The Third District Court of Appeal decision in the Friends of Oroville v. City of Oroville case was
published on August 19, 2013. This decision evaluated the methodology used to analyze GHG
emissions in an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared for a Wal‐Mart Supercenter
development project that included replacing an existing Wal‐Mart store with a Wal‐Mart
Supercenter in Oroville in Butte County. The EIR used consistency with the AB 32 emissions
reduction target as its significance threshold for evaluating the project’s GHG emissions and
compared the magnitude of the proposed project’s emissions to statewide 2004 emission levels as
part of the analysis. The Court found that EIR applied “a meaningless, relative number to determine
insignificant impact” rather than evaluating the project’s emissions in light of the AB 32 emissions
reduction target. The Court also found that the EIR “misapplied the [AB] 32 threshold‐of‐significance
standard by [1] failing to calculate the GHG emissions for the existing Wal‐Mart and [2] failing to
quantitatively or qualitatively ascertain or estimate the effect of the Project’s mitigation measures
on GHG emissions.” The Court determined that the EIR could and should have performed these
quantifications to adequately evaluate the project’s GHG emissions using the AB 32 emissions
reduction target.
Sierra Club v. County of San Diego (Case No. 37-2018-00043084-CU-TT-CTL)
The Fourth District Court of Appeal decision in the Sierra Club v. County of San case was published
on October 29, 2014. This decision evaluated the adequacy of the CAP prepared by the County of
San Diego to satisfy Mitigation Measure CC‐1.2 of the program EIR prepared for its 2011 General
Plan. To reduce GHG emissions impacts of the 2011 General Plan to a less‐than‐significant level,
Mitigation Measure CC‐1.2 required the preparation of a CAP that would include “more detailed
GHG emissions reduction targets and deadlines” and that would “achieve comprehensive and
enforceable GHG emissions reduction of 17 percent (totaling 23,572 MT of CO2e) from County
operations from 2006 by 2020 and 9 percent reduction (totaling 479,717 MT of CO2e) in community
emissions from 2006 by 2020.” The Court found the CAP did not include enforceable and feasible
GHG emission reduction measures that would achieve the necessary emissions reductions;
therefore, the CAP did not meet the requirements of Mitigation Measure CC‐1.2 and would not
19 San Luis Obispo Council of Governments. 2019. 2019 Regional Transportation Plan: Connecting Communities.
https://slocog.org/2019RTP (accessed January 2020).
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
18
ensure that the mitigation measure would reduce GHG emissions to a less‐than‐significant impact.
In addition, the Court found that the County failed to evaluate the environmental impacts of the
CAP and its associated thresholds of significance under CEQA.
Center for Biological Diversity v. California Department of Fish and Wildlife
(Case No. 217763)
The California Supreme Court’s decision in the Center for Biological Diversity v. California
Department of Fish and Wildlife case was published on November 30, 2015. This decision evaluated
the methodology used to analyze GHG emissions in an EIR prepared for the Newhall Ranch
development project that included approximately 20,885 dwelling units with 58,000 residents on
12,000 acres of undeveloped land in Los Angeles County. The EIR used a business‐as‐usual (BAU)
approach to evaluate whether the project would be consistent with the AB 32 Scoping Plan. The
Court found there was insufficient evidence in the record of that project to explain how a project
that reduces its GHG emissions by the same percentage as the BAU reduction identified for the
State to meet its Statewide targets supported a conclusion that project‐level impacts were below
the level of significance.
The California Supreme Court suggested regulatory consistency as a pathway to compliance by
stating that a lead agency might assess consistency with the State’s GHG reduction goals by
evaluating for compliance with regulations designed to reduce GHG emissions. This approach is
consistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.4(b), which provides that a determination of an
impact is not cumulatively considerable to the extent to which the project complies with regulations
or requirements implementing a Statewide, regional, or local plan to reduce or mitigate GHG
emissions. The Court also found that a lead agency may rely on numerical and efficiency‐based
thresholds of significance for GHG emissions, if supported by substantial evidence.
Golden Door Properties, LLC v. County of San Diego/Sierra Club, LLC v.
County of San Diego (Case No. 072406)
The Fourth District Court of Appeal decision in the Golden Door Properties, LLC v. County of San
Diego case (published on September 28, 2018) evaluated the County of San Diego’s 2016 Guidance
Document’s GHG efficiency metric, which establishes a generally applicable threshold of significance
for proposed projects. The Court held that the County of San Diego is barred from using its 2016
Guidance Document’s threshold of significance of 4.9 MT of CO2e per service person per year for
GHG analysis. The Court stated that the document violated CEQA because it was not adopted
formally by ordinance, rule, resolution, or regulation through a public review process per CEQA
Guidelines Section 15064.7(b). The Court also found that the threshold was not supported by
substantial evidence that adequately explained how a service population threshold derived from
Statewide data could constitute an appropriate GHG metric to be used for all projects in
unincorporated San Diego County. Nevertheless, lead agencies may make plan‐ or project‐specific
GHG emissions threshold determinations.
Determining Consistency with the City’s Climate Action Plan
19
4 Determining Consistency with the City’s
Climate Action Plan
As discussed in Chapter 2, Climate Action Plan Summary, upon public adoption of the CAP IS‐ND and
approval of the CAP by City Council, the City’s CAP will be a qualified GHG emission reduction plan
per the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5 for year 2030 and can, therefore, be
utilized to streamline the GHG emissions analysis for plans and projects with buildout years through
2030.20 Projects that are consistent with the demographic forecasts and land use assumptions used
in the CAP can utilize the City’s CEQA GHG Emissions Analysis Compliance Checklist to demonstrate
consistency with the CAP’s GHG emissions reduction strategy, and if consistent, can tier from the
existing programmatic environmental review contained in the adopted IS‐ND for the CAP. In doing
so, these projects would result in less‐than‐significant GHG emissions and would not result in a
cumulatively considerable impact related to GHG emissions and climate change. The following
process, illustrated in Figure 3, explains how to demonstrate a plan/project’s consistency with the
CAP’s GHG emissions reduction strategy and, thereby, tier from the adopted IS‐ND for the CAP. This
approach is consistent with the recommendations of the AEP Climate Change Committee (2016) for
tiering from qualified GHG reduction plans that demonstrate substantial progress toward meeting
the next milestone Statewide planning reduction target (i.e., a 40 percent reduction below 1990
levels by 2030 as set forth by SB 32).
20 Projects that are statutorily or categorically exempt from CEQA compliance would not need to perform an analysis of GHG emissions or
tier from the City’s CAP.
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
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Figure 3 Determining Consistency with the City’s Climate Action Plan
Step 1: Consistency with the Demographic Forecasts and Land Use
Assumptions
The demographic forecasts and land use assumptions of the CAP are based on the Land Use and
Circulation Elements of the City’s 2014 General Plan.21 If a plan/project is consistent with the
existing (2014) General Plan land use and zoning designation(s) of the plan area/project site as
identified in the City’s General Plan Land Use and Circulation Elements adopted in 2014, then the
plan/project is consistent with the demographic forecasts and land use assumptions of the CAP and
can move on to Step 2. In this case, the plan/project’s associated GHG emissions were accounted for
21 San Luis Obispo, City of. 2014. City of San Luis Obispo General Plan. Adopted December 9, 2014.
https://www.slocity.org/government/department‐directory/community‐development/planning‐zoning/general‐plan (accessed
January 2020).
Determining Consistency with the City’s Climate Action Plan
21
in the GHG emissions forecasts included in the CAP and are within the scope of this plan’s analysis of
communitywide GHG emissions. Accordingly, the analysis of the plan/project’s GHG emissions in its
CEQA document should include a reference to the plan/project’s consistency with the existing
(2014) General Plan land use and zoning designation(s) of the plan area/project site and should
explain the aforementioned connection between the existing (2014) General Plan land use and
zoning designation(s) and the GHG emissions forecasts in the CAP. Then, proceed to Step 2.
If a plan/project is not consistent with the existing (2014) General Plan land use and zoning
designation(s) of the plan area/project site but would result in equivalent or fewer GHG emissions
as compared to existing on‐site development, then the plan/project would still be within the
demographic forecasts and land use assumptions of the CAP and can move on to Step 2. To provide
substantial evidence for this determination, GHG emissions generated under existing conditions and
the proposed project need to be quantified and included in the CEQA analysis. See Chapter 6,
Quantifying GHG Emissions, for guidance on quantifying GHG emissions for existing conditions and
the proposed plan/project. In this case, the analysis of the plan/project’s GHG emissions in its CEQA
document should include a quantitative comparison of the proposed plan/project’s GHG emissions
and GHG emissions generated by existing on‐site development. The analysis should clearly explain
how the plan/project’s emissions are equivalent or less than those generated by existing on‐site
development. Then, proceed to Step 2.
If a plan/project is not consistent with the existing (2014) General Plan land use and zoning
designation(s) of the plan area/project site and would result in either new development of
undeveloped land or redevelopment with higher GHG emissions than existing on‐site development,
the plan/project cannot use the CEQA GHG Emissions Analysis Compliance Checklist to tier from the
adopted IS‐ND for the CAP. Instead, the plan/project’s GHG emissions can be evaluated using the
quantitative GHG thresholds described in Chapter 5, Utilizing Quantitative CEQA GHG Thresholds, to
evaluate the significance of the plan/project’s GHG emissions. This method can also be utilized for
projects with a post‐2030 buildout year.
Step 2: Consistency with CEQA GHG Emissions Analysis Compliance
Checklist
The City has prepared the CEQA GHG Emissions Analysis Compliance Checklist for plans and projects
to ensure that they are consistent with the measures of the CAP (Appendix B). A project applicant
can utilize the checklist to show that the plan/project includes all applicable measures of the CAP.
Projects that use the CEQA GHG Emissions Analysis Compliance Checklist are not required to
quantify reductions from the measures included on the checklist because the reductions from
applicable measures have already been quantified at a programmatic level in the CAP. If a
plan/project is consistent with the applicable measures on the CEQA GHG Emissions Analysis
Compliance Checklist, then the plan/project can tier from the programmatic environmental review
included in the adopted IS‐ND for the CAP pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5(b). A
plan/project that is consistent with all applicable measures of the CEQA GHG Emissions Analysis
Compliance Checklist would result in less‐than‐significant GHG emissions and would not result in a
cumulatively considerable impact related to GHG emissions and climate change. In this case, the
analysis of a plan or project’s GHG emissions in its respective CEQA review document should include
a summary of the plan/project’s consistency with applicable measures of the CEQA GHG Emissions
Analysis Compliance Checklist and an explanation with substantial evidence of why any measures in
the checklist are not applicable to the plan/project.
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
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5 Utilizing Quantitative CEQA GHG
Thresholds
As discussed in Chapter 4, Determining Consistency with the City’s C, if a plan/project is not
consistent with the existing (2014) General Plan land use and zoning designation(s) of the plan
area/project site or has a post‐2030 buildout year, then the plan/project cannot use the CEQA GHG
Emissions Analysis Compliance Checklist to tier from the adopted IS‐ND for the CAP. Instead, the
significance of the plan/project’s GHG emissions can be evaluated using quantitative GHG
thresholds derived from the assumptions of the CAP. If the plan/project’s emissions are at or below
the applicable threshold, the plan/project can tier from the existing programmatic environmental
review contained in the adopted IS‐ND for the CAP if it has a pre‐2030 buildout year. In doing so,
these plans/projects would result in less‐than‐significant GHG emissions and would not result in a
cumulatively considerable impact related to GHG emissions and climate change. For plans/projects
with post‐2030 buildout years, emissions at or below the thresholds for 2035, which equate to 0 MT
of CO2e per year, would be considered less‐than‐significant, and these plans/projects would not
result in a cumulatively considerable impact related to GHG emissions. The following sections
provide an explanation of the methodology used to calculate the thresholds, guidance on how to
utilize the thresholds, and justification for use of these thresholds.
5.1 GHG Emissions Calculation Methodology
CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.4 does not establish a specific quantitative threshold of significance
for evaluating GHG emissions associated with a proposed plan or project. Lead agencies have the
discretion to establish significance thresholds for their respective jurisdictions, and in establishing
those thresholds, a lead agency may appropriately look to thresholds developed by other public
agencies, or suggested by other experts, as long as the threshold chosen is supported by substantial
evidence (CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.7[c]). The following methodology is consistent with
guidance provided by the AEP Climate Change Committee in 2016 for establishing GHG emissions
efficiency thresholds using the local jurisdictional GHG inventory and demographic forecasts.22
An efficiency threshold is a threshold expressed as a per‐person metric (e.g., per resident, per
employee, or per service person). Efficiency thresholds are calculated by dividing the allowable GHG
emissions inventory in a selected calendar year by the resident, employee, or service population in
that year.23 The efficiency threshold identifies the quantity of GHG emissions that can be generated
on a per‐person basis without significantly impacting the environment.
Locally appropriate, plan‐ and project‐specific GHG emissions efficiency thresholds were derived
from the GHG emissions forecasts calculated for the CAP. These thresholds were created to comply
with CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines and interpretive GHG emissions analysis case law, which are
summarized in Chapter 3, Regulatory and Legal Setting. The City of San Luis Obispo GHG emissions
efficiency thresholds were calculated using the emissions forecasts with all emissions sectors
included, because plans and projects would generate vehicle trips, consume energy, and produce
22 AEP. 2016. Final White Paper Beyond 2020 and Newhall: A Field Guide to New CEQA Greenhouse Gas Thresholds and Climate Action
Plan Targets for California. https://califaep.org/docs/AEP‐2016_Final_White_Paper.pdf (accessed January 2020).
23 Per the method used by the San Luis Obispo Community Development Department, the service population is equal to the residential
population plus half the number of jobs.
Utilizing Quantitative CEQA GHG Thresholds
23
solid waste, thereby generating emissions in all categories. Efficiency thresholds were calculated for
year 2030 to provide GHG emissions thresholds for new development in line with the State’s next
milestone target for year 2030.
GHG emissions efficiency thresholds would be used during the CEQA review process for new
residential, non‐residential, and mixed‐use plans and projects. Therefore, forecasted GHG emissions
in the CAP were disaggregated into existing development and new development for each threshold
year. Furthermore, forecasted GHG emissions for new development were further disaggregated into
residential and non‐residential development for each threshold year for the purpose of calculating
thresholds specific to residential, non‐residential, and mixed‐use projects. The results of the
disaggregation of the GHG emissions forecast are presented in Figure 4 and Table 5, which
summarizes the total amount of GHG emissions expected to be generated by existing, new
residential, and new non‐residential development for threshold year 2030.
Figure 4 Allowable GHG Emissions from Existing and New Development in Year 2030
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
24
Table 5 GHG Emissions Forecast for Year 2030 by Type of Development (MT of CO2e)
Source
2030
Existing Development
New Development
Residential Non‐Residential
Baseline GHG Emissions 339,290 24,750 17,930
State Laws/Programs (62,620) (8,560) (4,220)
CAP Pillar 2: Clean Energy
Systems
(23,170) n/a (2,880)
CAP Pillar 3: Green Buildings (8,180) (3,020) (760)
CAP Pillar 4: Connected
Community
(38,660) (4,220) (2,360)
CAP Pillar 5: Circular Economy (31,970) (3,490) (1,950)
CAP Pillar 6: Natural Solutions1 (220) (20) (10)
Remaining Total GHG
Emissions
174,470 5,440 5,750
( ) denotes a negative number; n/a = not applicable
Note: GHG emissions reductions achieved by Pillar 1: Lead by Example are not included because implementation of the foundational
actions associated with this pillar would serve only to reduce municipal, rather than communitywide, emissions.
1 Only includes reductions from Natural Solutions Measure 2 (Tree Planting) because implementation of Natural Solutions Measure 1
(Carbon Farming) is not the responsibility of existing and new development.
See Appendix C for calculations.
Table 6 summarizes the demographic projections for the City of San Luis Obispo that were used in
calculating GHG efficiency thresholds for year 2030. As shown in Table 6, the numbers of residents,
employees, and service persons are all anticipated to increase between 2016 and 2030.
Table 6 City of San Luis Obispo Demographic Projections
Metric 2016 Estimate 2030 Forecast
Net Increase from New
Development
(2016‐2030)
Residents 46,117 53,934 7,817
Employees 50,985 59,723 8,738
Service Population1 71,610 83,796 12,186
1 Per the method used by the City of San Luis Obispo Community Development Department, the service population is equal to the
residential population plus half the number of employees.
Source: San Luis Obispo, City of. 2019. Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast.
5.2 GHG Thresholds and Use
The GHG efficiency thresholds for residential, non‐residential, and mixed‐use projects built prior to
December 31, 2030 are presented in Figure 5 and Table 7. If a plan or project’s emissions do not
exceed the applicable threshold, then it is consistent with the City’s CAP and its GHG emissions
impacts (both project‐ and cumulative‐level) would not result in a cumulatively considerable impact
related to GHG emissions and climate change and would, therefore, be less than significant. If a plan
or project’s emissions exceed the applicable threshold, then mitigation measures must be identified
and respective GHG emissions reduction calculations included within the respective CEQA review
document in order to reduce plan or project GHG emissions to at or below the applicable threshold
Utilizing Quantitative CEQA GHG Thresholds
25
level. These thresholds are applicable to the following plan and project types as identified in Title 17
(Zoning Regulations) Table 2‐1 and defined in San Luis Obispo Municipal Code Section 17.156:
Residential. Single‐family dwellings, multi‐family dwellings, boarding house, caretaker quarters,
fraternities and sororities, high‐occupancy residential uses, continuing care communities,
mobile‐home parks, or any combination of these uses.
Non‐residential. All Commercial uses (including office and retail uses), all Lodging uses, all Public
and Quasi‐Public uses, elderly and long term care, hospice in‐patient facilities, family day cares,
residential care facilities, supportive and/or transitional housing, sports and entertainment
assembly facilities, all Industry, Manufacturing & Processing, and Wholesaling uses that are not
subject to San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (SLOAPCD) stationary source
permitting or the State cap‐and‐trade program, or any combination of these uses.
Mixed‐use. A combination of at least one residential and at least one non‐residential land use
specified above.
Figure 5 City of San Luis Obispo GHG Efficiency Thresholds
Table 7 City of San Luis Obispo Locally Applicable Plan- or Project-Specific CEQA GHG
Emissions Thresholds
2030
(New Development)
Residential Non‐Residential Mixed‐Use
GHG Emissions Forecast
(MT of CO2e per year)1
5,440 5,750 11,190
Demographic Metric2 7,817 residents 8,738 employees 12,186 service
persons
GHG Efficiency Threshold
(MT of CO2e per year)
0.7 per resident 0.7 per employee 0.9 per service person
MT = metric tons; CO2e = carbon dioxide equivalents
1 See Table 5.
2 Demographic estimates are for new plans or projects only and were calculated using the forecasts in Table 6.
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
26
5.3 Justification for Thresholds
Per CEQA Guidelines Section 15064(b)(1), “the determination of whether a project may have a
significant effect on the environment calls for careful judgment on the part of the public agency
involved, based to the extent possible on scientific and factual data.” In addition, CEQA Guidelines
Section 15064(b)(2) states, “When using a threshold, the lead agency should briefly explain how
compliance with the threshold means that the project’s impacts are less than significant.”
Furthermore, CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.7(b) states “Thresholds of significance to be adopted
for general use as part of the lead agency’s environmental review process must be adopted by
ordinance, resolution, rule, or regulation, and developed through a public review process and be
supported by substantial evidence.” Therefore, the key considerations when developing thresholds
of significance are 1) the thresholds’ basis on scientific and factual data; 2) demonstration of how
compliance with the thresholds reduces project impacts to a less‐than‐significant level; 3) support of
the thresholds by substantial evidence; and 4) adoption of the thresholds by ordinance, resolution,
rule, or regulation, and developed through a public review process. The following subsections
address these four key considerations.
Basis on Scientific and Factual Data
As discussed in Section 5.1, Calculation Methodology, the quantitative thresholds were developed
using data from the City’s 2005 and 2016 communitywide GHG inventories and the GHG emissions
forecasts for year 2030. These inventories and forecasts were developed by the City in compliance
with all relevant protocols and guidance documents, including the U.S. Community Protocol for
Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Local Government Operations Protocol,
the Global Protocol for Community Scale GHG Emissions, and the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines for National GHG Inventories. Furthermore, the inventories and
forecasts are based on locally appropriate data for the San Luis Obispo jurisdiction provided by
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Gas Company, the City of San Luis Obispo Public
Works and Utilities Departments, San Luis Obispo Air Pollution Control District (SLOAPCD), CARB,
and Cold Canyon Landfill (City of San Luis Obispo 2019b).24 Therefore, the emission inventory and
forecast data underlying the thresholds is both scientific and factual.
As discussed in Section 2.3, GHG Emissions Forecast, implementation of the City’s CAP will achieve a
45 percent reduction in 1990 emissions levels by 2030. Therefore, this local target is more stringent
than the State targets of a 40 percent emission reduction in 1990 levels by 2030 and makes
substantial progress toward achieving the State’s long‐term goal of carbon neutrality by 2045. The
quantitative thresholds are tied directly to the level of GHG emissions anticipated for new
development in the CAP for year 2030. As a result, because the CAP is consistent with the State’s
2030 GHG emission target, the quantitative thresholds are also consistent with the next State
milestone GHG emission reduction target for 2030 and the State’s long‐term goal of carbon
neutrality by 2045. The State’s GHG emission reduction targets for 2030 and 2045 are set at the
levels scientists say are necessary to meet the Paris Agreement goals to reduce GHG emissions and
limit global temperature rise below two degrees Celsius by 2100 in order to avoid dangerous climate
change (CARB 2017; EO B‐55‐18). Therefore, the City’s emission reduction targets that inform the
CAP and the associated quantitative thresholds are based on scientific and factual data on the level
24 San Luis Obispo, City of. 2019. Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast.
Utilizing Quantitative CEQA GHG Thresholds
27
of emissions reductions necessary to ensure the City does not have a cumulatively considerable
contribution to the cumulative impact of climate change.
Reduction of Plan or Project Impacts to a Less-than-Significant Level
As shown in Table 5 in Section 5.1, Calculation Methodology, implementation of the City’s CAP
would reduce communitywide emissions by 45 percent by 2030. The quantitative thresholds are
tied directly to the level of GHG emissions anticipated for new development in the CAP for year
2030. Therefore, the thresholds are consistent with the City’s local emission reduction target, which
is consistent with the State’s GHG emission reduction targets. As mentioned in the preceding
subsection, the State’s GHG emission reduction targets for 2030 and 2045 are set at the levels
scientists say are necessary to meet the Paris Agreement goals to reduce GHG emissions and limit
global temperature rise below two degrees Celsius by 2100 in order to avoid dangerous climate
change (CARB 2017; EO B‐55‐18). Therefore, the quantitative thresholds are set at the level
necessary to ensure the City does not have a cumulatively considerable contribution to the
cumulative impact of climate change. As a result, projects with GHG emissions at or below the
quantitative thresholds would also not have a cumulatively considerable contribution to the
cumulative impacts of climate change, and project impacts would be less than significant.
Support of Substantial Evidence
Substantial evidence regarding the calculation of the quantitative GHG emissions thresholds is
provided in Section 5.1, Calculation Methodology. The following subsections provide additional
evidence of how the GHG emissions thresholds are locally appropriate and plan‐ or project‐specific;
how the thresholds distinguish between existing and new development; and why interim year
thresholds were developed.
Use of Local Data
The quantitative thresholds were developed using the City’s communitywide GHG emissions
forecasts for year 2030 and are therefore specific to the City of San Luis Obispo. The thresholds are
directly tied to the population and employment growth anticipated by the City’s (2014) General Plan
Land Use and Circulation Elements as well as to the City‐specific GHG emission reduction measures
(i.e., pillars, measures, and foundational actions) that the City has proposed to reduce
communitywide emissions. In addition, the magnitude of local GHG emission reductions achieved by
State legislation/policies (i.e., vehicle fuel efficiency standards, the RPS, and Title 24) was estimated
based on City‐specific growth and vehicle miles travelled (VMT) forecasts. As a result, these locally
appropriate thresholds directly address the concerns raised in the Golden Door Properties, LLC v.
County of San Diego/Sierra Club, LLC v. County of San Diego (2018) case because they are based on
local GHG emissions data rather than Statewide GHG emissions data.
Disaggregation of Existing versus New Development
The quantitative thresholds were developed by disaggregating the City’s business‐as‐usual GHG
emissions forecasts for year 2030 into emissions forecasts for existing and new development, which
are shown in Table 5 in Section 5.1, Calculation Methodology. The emissions reductions specific to
new development achieved by State legislation/policies and the CAP were then subtracted from the
business‐as‐usual forecast to determine emissions “caps” of emissions from new residential and
new non‐residential development for year 2030. These “caps” were then divided by the numbers of
residents, employees, and service persons forecasts for new development to determine efficiency
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
28
thresholds for residential, non‐residential, and mixed‐use development, respectively. Therefore,
these thresholds directly address the concerns raised in the Center for Biological Diversity v.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (2015) case regarding the different rates of GHG
emissions reductions anticipated for new development as compared to existing development in
order to meet the specified GHG reduction target.
Selection of Sector-Specific Thresholds
The quantitative thresholds are separated into three categories – residential, non‐residential, and
mixed‐use – which are intended to apply to the three main types of development projects in San
Luis Obispo. These thresholds were calculated by disaggregating the City’s business‐as‐usual GHG
emissions forecasts for new development in year 2030 into emissions forecasts for new residential
and new non‐residential development, which are shown in Table 5 in Section 5.1, Calculation
Methodology. The emissions reductions specific to new residential and new non‐residential
development achieved by State legislation/policies and the CAP were then subtracted from the
business‐as‐usual forecast to determine “caps” of emissions for new residential and new non‐
residential development for year 2030. These emissions “caps” were then divided by the numbers
of residents and employees forecast for new development in year 2030 to determine efficiency
thresholds for residential and non‐residential projects, respectively. For mixed‐use development,
the residential and non‐residential emissions “caps” were summed, then divided by the service
population forecast for new development in year 2030 to determine an efficiency threshold for
mixed‐use projects. As a result, these project‐specific thresholds directly address the concerns
raised in the Center for Biological Diversity v. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (2015) case
because they are specific to each development project type.
Adoption via Public Review Process
In compliance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.7(b), this guidance document and the
quantitative thresholds contained herein will be presented to the City Council for formal adoption
via resolution through a public review process, which will include an opportunity for public input.
The public review process for these City of San Luis Obispo CEQA GHG Thresholds and Guidance will
specifically occur via public review of and comment on a joint CAP and CEQA GHG Thresholds and
Guidance Draft IS‐ND. The opportunity for public comment will also be available at a public hearing
(i.e., City Council meeting) considering adoption of the CAP and CEQA GHG Thresholds and
Guidance. This process directly addresses the concerns raised in the Golden Door Properties, LLC v.
County of San Diego/Sierra Club, LLC v. County of San Diego (2018) case regarding formal adoption
of new CEQA thresholds and how lead agencies should afford the opportunity for public review and
input prior to adoption and use.
Quantifying GHG Emissions
29
6 Quantifying GHG Emissions
There are a variety of analytical tools available to estimate project‐level GHG emissions, including
the California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod),25 which is a free, publicly available computer
model developed for the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA) in
collaboration with various air quality districts throughout the State. Alternative tools may be used to
quantify emissions if they can be substantiated. In general, the most current version of CalEEMod
should be used to calculate total emissions for discretionary development projects. The analysis
should focus on carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) because these are the
GHGs that most development projects would generate in the largest quantities. Fluorinated gases,
such as hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluorides, should also considered for
the analysis. Emissions of all GHGs should be converted into their equivalent global warming
potential in terms of CO2 (CO2e). Calculations should be based on the methodologies recommended
by the CAPCOA and the SLOAPCD and include the use of guidance published by CARB.26, 27, 28
6.1 Construction GHG Emissions
Construction activities emit GHGs primarily though combustion of fuels (mostly diesel) in the
engines of off‐road construction equipment and in on‐road construction vehicles and in the
commute vehicles of the construction workers. Smaller amounts of GHGs are emitted indirectly
through the energy required for water used for fugitive dust control and lighting for the
construction activity. Every phase of the construction process, including demolition, grading, paving,
and building, emits GHG emissions in volumes proportional to the quantity and type of construction
equipment used. Heavier equipment typically emits more GHGs per hour of than lighter equipment
because of its engine design and greater fuel consumption.
The SLOAPCD recommends amortizing construction‐related GHG emissions over the life of the
plan/project and adding amortized construction emissions to annual operational emissions for the
purpose of providing a mechanism for the plan/project to mitigate these impacts alongside
operational impacts. The SLOAPCD recommends an amortization period of 50 years for residential
projects and 25 years for commercial projects.29 The SLOAPCD does not provide a recommended
amortization period for mixed‐use projects; however, these projects should use a conservative
amortization period of 30 years, which is consistent with the recommendations of the South Coast
Air Quality Management District.30
25 The most current available version of CalEEMod should be used. As of January 2020, CalEEMod version 2016.3.2 is the most current
version and should be used to quantify project‐level emissions.
26 California Air Pollution Control Officers Association. 2008. CEQA and Climate Change: Addressing Climate Change through California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). January 2008.
27 SLOAPCD. 2012. CEQA Air Quality Handbook. April 2012. https://www.slocleanair.org/rules‐regulations/land‐use‐ceqa.php (accessed
January 2020).
28 CARB. 2018. EMFAC2017 Volume III – Technical Documentation v.1.0.2. July 20, 2018.
https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/msei/downloads/emfac2017‐volume‐iii‐technical‐documentation.pdf (accessed January 2020).
29 SLOAPCD. 2012. CEQA Air Quality Handbook. April 2012. https://www.slocleanair.org/rules‐regulations/land‐use‐ceqa.php (accessed
January 2020).
30South Coast Air Quality Management District. 2008. Draft Guidance Document – Interim CEQA Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Significance
Threshold. October 2008. http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default‐source/ceqa/handbook/greenhouse‐gases‐(ghg)‐ceqa‐significance‐
thresholds/ghgattachmente.pdf (accessed February 2020).
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30
CalEEMod generates a default construction schedule and equipment list based on the plan‐/project‐
specific information, including land use, project size, location, and construction timeline.31 In
general, if specific applicant‐provided information is unknown, the default construction equipment
list and phase lengths are the most appropriate inputs. However, if more detailed site‐specific
equipment and phase information (i.e., data from the project applicant) is available, the model’s
default values can (and should) be overridden.32
6.2 Operational GHG Emissions
CalEEMod estimates operational emissions of CO2, N2O, and CH4 generated by area sources, energy
use, waste generation, and water use and conveyance as well as CO2 and CH4 generated by project‐
generated vehicle trips (i.e., mobile sources). Operational emissions should be calculated for year
2030, rather than the plan/project buildout year, in order to provide an appropriate comparison of
project emissions to the year 2030 threshold.
Area Source Emissions
Area sources include GHG emissions that would occur from the use of landscaping equipment,
hearths, and woodstoves, which emit GHGs associated with the equipment’s fuel combustion. The
landscaping equipment emission values in CalEEMod are derived from the 2011 Off‐Road
Equipment Inventory Model.33 Emission rates for combustion of wood and natural gas for wood
stoves and fireplaces are based on those published by the U.S. EPA in Chapter 1.9 of AP‐42.
Typically, no adjustments to landscaping equipment inputs are necessary. The number of hearths
and woodstoves should be adjusted to reflect the project design.
Energy Use Emissions
GHGs are emitted on‐site during the combustion of natural gas for cooking, space and water
heating, and decorative uses and off‐site during the generation of electricity from fossil fuels in
power plants. CalEEMod estimates GHG emissions from energy use by multiplying average rates of
residential and non‐residential energy consumption by the quantities of residential units and non‐
residential square footage entered in the land use module to obtain total projected energy use. This
value is then multiplied by electricity and natural gas GHG emission factors applicable to the
plan/project location and utility provider. Building energy use is typically divided into energy
consumed by the built environment and energy consumed by uses that are independent of the
building, such as plug‐in appliances. Non‐building energy use, or “plug‐in energy use,” can be further
subdivided by specific end‐use (refrigeration, cooking, office equipment, etc.). In California, Title 24
governs energy consumed by the built environment, mechanical systems, and some types of fixed
lighting.
Electricity emissions are calculated by multiplying the energy use by the carbon intensity of the
utility district per kilowatt hour.34 Projects would be served either by Monterey Bay Community
Power or by PG&E. The specific energy intensity factors (i.e., the amount of CO2, CH4, and N2O per
31CAPCOA. 2017. California Emissions Estimator Model User Guide: Version 2016.3.2. Prepared by BREEZE Software, A Division of Trinity
Consultants in collaboration with South Coast Air Quality Management District and the California Air Districts.
http://www.aqmd.gov/caleemod/user's‐guide (accessed January 2020).
32Ibid.
33Ibid.
34Ibid.
Quantifying GHG Emissions
31
kilowatt‐hour) for the applicable utility should be used in the calculations of GHG emissions.
CalEEMod does not include Monterey Bay Community Power as a utility company choice; therefore,
users must select “User Defined” and manually enter energy intensity factors. Users should contact
the City's Community Development Department for the most recent energy intensity factors for
Monterey Bay Community Power’s current mix of power. For projects served by PG&E, the energy
intensity factors included in CalEEMod are based on 2009 data by default by default at which time
PG&E had only achieved a 14.1 percent procurement of renewable energy.35 Per SB 100, the
Statewide Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Program requires electricity providers to increase
procurement from eligible renewable energy sources to 33 percent by 2020 and 60 percent by 2030.
Users should contact the City's Community Development Department for the most recent energy
intensity factors for PG&E.
Energy emissions should also be adjusted to account for the effects of new iterations of Title 24. For
examples, CalEEMod version 2016.3.2 does not account for the requirements of the 2019 Title 24
standards, which went into effect on January 1, 2020. According to the California Energy
Commission, single‐family homes and nonresidential buildings built to the 2019 Title 24 standards
will use approximately 7 percent and 30 percent less energy, respectively, due to more stringent
energy efficiency measures and lighting upgrades. Therefore, energy usage from single‐family
residential usage should be reduced by 7 percent, and non‐residential energy usage should be
reduced by 30 percent to account for the requirements of 2019 Title 24 standards.36
In accordance with Section 150.1(b)14 of the 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, all new
residential uses three stories or less must install photovoltaic (PV) solar panels that generate an
amount of electricity equal to expected electricity usage. The calculation method contained in
Section 150.1(b)14 of the 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards should be utilized to estimate
the number of kilowatts of PV solar panels that would be required for a residential project three
stories or less. In addition, modeling should account for local regulations pertaining to mandatory
solar provisions.37 Online resources can be used to determine the amount of kilowatt‐hours that
would be generated per year by the required solar PV system.38 The energy reduction achieved by
on‐site PV solar panels should be included in CalEEMod.
Mobile Source Emissions
CalEEMod quantifies mobile source emissions of CO2, and CH4. If available, project‐specific trip
generation rates or VMT data should be input in CalEEMod. To calculate mobile source emissions,
CalEEMod uses CO2 emission factors from the EMFAC2014 Emissions Inventory based on the
aggregated model year and aggregated speed and CH4 emission factors provided by CARB for the
plan/project’s first year of full operations.39 Because CalEEMod does not calculate N2O emissions
35 California Public Utilities Commission. 2011. Renewables Portfolio Standard Quarterly Report. 1st Quarter 2011.
http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=5858 (accessed January 2020).
36 California Energy Commission. 2019. “2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards.” March 2018.
https://ww2.energy.ca.gov/title24/2019standards/documents/2018_Title_24_2019_Building_Standards_FAQ.pdf (accessed January
2020).
37 In 2020, the City Council will consider adoption of the Clean Energy Choice Program for New Buildings, which may include solar
requirements for other types of land uses.
38 Zientara, Ben. 2019. ”How much electricity odes a solar panel produce?” Last updated: November 6, 2019.
https://www.solarpowerrocks.com/solar‐basics/how‐much‐electricity‐does‐a‐solar‐panel‐produce/ (accessed March 2020).
39CAPCOA. 2017. California Emissions Estimator Model User Guide: Version 2016.3.2. Prepared by BREEZE Software, A Division of Trinity
Consultants in collaboration with South Coast Air Quality Management District and the California Air Districts.
http://www.aqmd.gov/caleemod/user's‐guide (accessed January 2020).
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
32
from mobile sources, N2O emissions should be quantified using guidance from CARB and the
EMFAC2017 Emissions Inventory. 40, 41
Water and Wastewater Emissions
The amount of water used, and the amount of wastewater generated by a plan/project generate
indirect GHG emissions. These emissions are a result of the energy used to supply, convey, and treat
water and wastewater. In addition to the indirect GHG emissions associated with energy use, the
wastewater treatment process itself can directly emit both CH4 and N2O.
The indoor and outdoor water use consumption data for each land use subtype comes from the
Pacific Institute’s (2003) Waste Not, Want Not: The Potential for Urban Water Conservation in
California.42 Based on that report, a percentage of total water consumption is dedicated to
landscape irrigation, which is used to determine outdoor water use. Wastewater generation is
similarly based on a reported percentage of total indoor water use.
New development will be subject to CalGreen, which requires a 20 percent increase in indoor water
use efficiency. Thus, in order to account for compliance with CalGreen, a 20 percent reduction in
indoor water use should be included in the water consumption calculations for new residential, non‐
residential, and mixed‐use development. In addition to water reductions associated with building
code compliance and project design features, the GHG emissions from the energy used to transport
the water for development should also account for compliance with the RPS using the guidance
provided under “Energy Use Emissions.”
Solid Waste Emissions
The disposal of solid waste produces GHG emissions from the transportation of waste, anaerobic
decomposition in landfills, and incineration. To calculate the GHG emissions generated by solid
waste disposal, the total volume of solid waste is calculated using waste disposal rates identified by
the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). The methods for
quantifying GHG emissions from solid waste are based on the IPCC method, using the degradable
organic content of waste. Users should contact the City's Community Development Department to
obtain the most recent solid rate diversion rate to be included in the calculation of solid waste GHG
emissions.
Plan or Project Design Features
Users should use the “Mitigation” tabs to include project design features applicable to the
plan/project.43 These features often include increased density, improved destination accessibility,
proximity to transit, integration of below market rate housing, unbundling of parking costs,
provision of transit subsidies, implementation of alternative work schedules, use of energy‐ and/or
water‐efficient appliances, use of reclaimed and/or grey water, and installation of water‐efficient
irrigation system. Users should consider the applicability of these features to the plan/project and
40 CARB. 2018. EMFAC2017 Volume III – Technical Documentation v.1.0.2. July 20, 2018.
https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/msei/downloads/emfac2017‐volume‐iii‐technical‐documentation.pdf (accessed January 2020).
41 CARB. 2019. EMFAC2017 Web Database. https://www.arb.ca.gov/emfac/2017 (accessed January 2020).
42CAPCOA. 2017. California Emissions Estimator Model User Guide: Version 2016.3.2. Prepared by BREEZE Software, A Division of Trinity
Consultants in collaboration with South Coast Air Quality Management District and the California Air Districts.
http://www.aqmd.gov/caleemod/user's‐guide (accessed January 2020).
43 “Mitigation” is a term of art for the modeling input and is not equivalent to mitigation measures that may apply to the CEQA impact
analysis.
Quantifying GHG Emissions
33
review the CAPCOA Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Measures (2010) publication to ensure
that the chosen features are relevant and feasible in light of the plan/project.44
Residents, Employees, and Service Populations
The quantitative thresholds presented in Chapter 5, Utilizing Quantitative CEQA GHG Thresholds,
are expressed in terms of per resident for residential projects, per employee for non‐residential
projects, and per service person for mixed‐use projects. Estimates of the resident, employee, or
service population for a plan/project should be based on substantial evidence. The City of San Luis
Obispo Community Development Department defines service population as defined as the number
of residents plus half the number of employees for a given project.45 Data provided by the applicant
as well as the following resources may be utilized in estimating resident and employee populations:
City of San Luis Obispo Community Development Department. Users should contact the City's
Community Development Department for the most recent estimate of persons per household in
San Luis Obispo. This estimate can be multiplied by the number of proposed residential units to
estimate a plan/project’s resident population.
Proposed Number of Beds. For projects such as group homes, assisted living facilities, nursing
homes, or similar uses, the number of beds can be used to determine the resident population.
United States Green Building Council. The United States Green Building Council has published a
summary of building area per employee by business type. These rates, which are expressed in
terms of square feet per employee, can be utilized to estimate the number of employees a
plan/project would require. This document is included as Appendix D.
6.3 Modeling GHG Emissions from Existing Land Use
For a plan/project that would result in a change in the plan area/project’s site General Plan land use
designation, emissions anticipated for the existing (2014) General Plan land use designation must be
calculated in conjunction with emissions for the proposed plan/project to demonstrate whether the
plan/project would be more or less GHG‐intensive than development anticipated for the existing
(2014) General Plan land use designation for the site. In this case, GHG emissions should be
reported for both the existing and proposed scenarios. Emissions anticipated for the existing land
use should be quantified using the methods described in Section 6.1, Construction Emissions, and
Section 6.2, Operational Emissions with consistent assumptions between the two scenarios as
applicable. Any emission reduction credits applied to the proposed plan/project scenario that are
related to State legislation/policies (e.g., the RPS, vehicle standards, Title 24) or the plan
area/project site location (e.g., proximity to transit, destination accessibility, etc.) should also be
applied to the existing scenario. Emission reduction credits that are specific to the proposed
plan/project (e.g., use of recycled water, increased density, installation of energy and/or water‐
efficient appliances, integration of below market rate housing, etc.) should only be included for the
proposed plan/project scenario. In addition, care should be taken to identify any emission reduction
credits that might be unique to the existing land use designation that would not apply to the
proposed plan/project. For example, if the existing land use designation allows for single‐family
residences and the proposed land use designation would allow for only commercial uses, then the
existing scenario should include the emission reduction credit associated with the 2019 Building
44 CAPCOA. 2010. Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Measures. August 2010. http://www.capcoa.org/wp‐
content/uploads/2010/11/CAPCOA‐Quantification‐Report‐9‐14‐Final.pdf (accessed January 2020).
45 San Luis Obispo, City of. 2019. Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast.
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
34
Energy Efficiency Standards requirements for PV solar panels on residential uses that are three
stories or less whereas the proposed plan/project scenario should not include this credit unless PV
solar panels are included as a plan/project design feature.
Moving into the Future
35
7 Moving into the Future
Full implementation of the City’s CAP will reduce communitywide GHG emissions by approximately
66 percent below 1990 levels by 2035, which would leave a gap of approximately 111,030 MT of
CO2e per year that will need to be addressed to achieve carbon neutrality. This gap represents
emissions that could be addressed by laws, regulations, policies, programs, and ordinances set forth
by the federal and State governments, regional agencies, and local partners. The gap also represents
the uncertainty that the City faces in taking a leadership role in addressing a challenge that has not
been solved before. The City is committed to embracing that uncertainty, committing to constant
learning, engaging in systemic change using the tools and actions that local governments are
uniquely suited to carry out, and positioning itself to take full advantage of future innovations,
technologies, and policies and legislation that may be undertaken at the State and federal level.
Technological innovation, clean‐tech innovation, and changes to climate related policy and
regulation occur rapidly. Several of the State’s most successful environmental policy initiatives,
including the RPS, also had a gap between what was known at the time of adoption and eventual
successful implementation. By committing to the ambitious target of carbon neutrality by 2035, the
City intends to catalyze innovation, invite resources from funding sources and partners, and provide
climate leadership.
The CAP acknowledges that additional actions beyond those identified in the plan will be necessary
to achieve carbon neutrality and therefore provides a mechanism for updating and adopting a new
climate action plan every other financial plan cycle (i.e., in conjunction with the 2023‐2025, 2027‐
2029, and 2031‐2033 cycles) in order to incorporate new measures and innovative technologies that
will further the City toward meeting its goal of carbon neutrality.46 As the CAP is updated, the
associated CEQA GHG Emissions Analysis Compliance Checklist will also be updated as needed to
incorporate new pillars, measures, and/or foundational actions that discretionary development
projects will need to incorporate, as applicable, to demonstrate consistency with the CAP. At the
time at which the City identifies measures to achieve its carbon neutrality goal in totality, the City
will adopt those measures in a public process following CEQA review, at which time the CAP will
become a qualified GHG emission reduction plan for projects with post‐2030 buildout years.
However, the quantitative thresholds included in this guidance document will not need to be
updated because residential, non‐residential, and mixed‐use projects with post‐2030 buildout years
will still need to achieve GHG emissions equivalent to 0 MT of CO2e per year to demonstrate
consistency with the City’s CAP.
In addition, if future amendments or updates of the City’s General Plan Land Use and Circulation
Elements occur, then these amendments or updates will be incorporated into future updates of the
CAP to ensure that project applicants can continue to utilize the streamlining process, which is
partly dependent on a plan/project’s consistency with the demographic forecasts and land use
assumptions based on the General Plan Land Use and Circulation Elements, to the greatest extent
practicable.
46 San Luis Obispo, City of. 2019. Carbon Neutrality Vision and Three‐Year Strategic Plan Technical Report. November 2019.
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Appendix A
Overview of GHG Emissions and Climate Change
Overview of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change
Appendix A 1
Overview of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and
Climate Change
1.1 Climate Change and Greenhouse Gases
Climate change is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and
oceans along with other substantial changes in climate (such as wind patterns, precipitation, and
storms) over an extended period. The term “climate change” is often used interchangeably with the
term “global warming,” but climate change is preferred because it conveys that other changes are
happening in addition to rising temperatures. The baseline against which these changes are
measured originates in historical records that identify temperature changes that occurred in the
past, such as during previous ice ages. The global climate is changing continuously, as evidenced in
the geologic record, which indicates repeated episodes of substantial warming and cooling. The rate
of change has typically been incremental, with warming or cooling trends occurring over the course
of thousands of years. The past 10,000 years have been marked by a period of incremental
warming, as glaciers have steadily retreated across the globe. However, scientists have observed
acceleration in the rate of warming over the past 150 years. The United Nations Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) expressed a high degree of confidence (95 percent or greater
chance) that the global average net effect of human activities has been the dominant cause of
warming since the mid-twentieth century.1
Gases that absorb and re-emit infrared radiation in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gases
(GHGs). The gases widely seen as the principal contributors to human-induced climate change
include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxides (N2O), fluorinated gases such as
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Water vapor
is excluded from the list of GHGs because it is short-lived in the atmosphere, and natural processes,
such as oceanic evaporation, largely determine its atmospheric concentrations.
GHGs are emitted by natural processes and human activities. Of these gases, CO2 and CH4 are
emitted in the greatest quantities from human activities. Emissions of CO2 are usually by-products of
fossil fuel combustion, and CH4 results from off-gassing associated with agricultural practices and
landfills. Human-made GHGs, many of which have greater heat-absorption potential than CO2,
include fluorinated gases and SF6.2 Different types of GHGs have varying global warming potentials
(GWP). The GWP of a GHG is the potential of a gas or aerosol to trap heat in the atmosphere over a
specified timescale (generally, 100 years). Because GHGs absorb different amounts of heat, a
common reference gas (CO2) is used to relate the amount of heat absorbed to the amount of the
1 IPCC. 2014. Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change. Summary for Policymakers - Contribution of Working Group III to the
Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and
New York, NY, USA.
2 United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2019. Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2017. U. S. EPA
#430-R-19-001. April 2019. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-04/documents/us-ghg-inventory-2019-main-text.pdf
(accessed January 2020).
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
2
gas emitted, referred to as “carbon dioxide equivalent” (CO2e), and is the amount of GHG emitted
multiplied by its GWP. Carbon dioxide has a 100-year GWP of one. By contrast, methane has a GWP
of 25, meaning its global warming effect is 25 times greater than carbon dioxide on a molecule per
molecule basis.3
The accumulation of GHGs in the atmosphere regulates the earth’s temperature. Without the
natural heat-trapping effect of GHGs, the earth’s surface would be about 34° Celsius (°C) cooler.4
However, emissions from human activities, particularly the consumption of fossil fuels for electricity
production and transportation, are believed to have elevated the concentration of these gases in
the atmosphere beyond the level of concentrations that occur naturally.
1.2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories
Worldwide Emissions Inventory
Worldwide anthropogenic emissions of GHGs were approximately 46,000 million metric tons (MMT
or gigatonne) CO2e in 2010. Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion and industrial
processes contributed about 65 percent of total emissions in 2010. Of anthropogenic GHGs, carbon
dioxide was the most abundant, accounting for 76 percent of total 2010 emissions. Methane
emissions accounted for 16 percent of the 2010 total, while nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases
accounted for 6 percent and 2 percent respectively.5
Federal Emissions Inventory
Total United States (U.S.) GHG emissions were 6,456.7 MMT of CO2e in 2017. Since 1990, total U.S.
emissions have increased by an average annual rate of 0.04 percent for a total increase of 1.3
percent since 1990. However, emissions decreased by 0.5 percent from 2016 to 2017. The decrease
from 2016 to 2017 was a result of multiple factors, including (1) a continued shift from coal to
natural gas and other non-fossil fuel energy sources in the electric power sector and (2) milder
weather in 2017 resulting in overall decreased electricity usage. In 2017, the industrial and
transportation end-use sectors accounted for 30 percent and 29 percent, respectively, of GHG
emissions while, the residential and commercial end-use sectors accounted for 15 percent and 16
percent of GHG emissions, respectively, with electricity emissions distributed among the various
sectors.6
3 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). 2007. Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science
Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
4 California Environmental Protection Agency. 2006. Climate Action Team Report to Governor Schwarzenegger and the Legislature.
http://www.climatechange.ca.gov/climate_action_team/reports/2006report/2006-04-03_FINAL_CAT_REPORT.PDF (accessed February
2020).
5 IPCC. 2014. Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change. Summary for Policymakers - Contribution of Working Group III to the
Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and
New York, NY, USA.
6 United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2019. Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2017. U. S. EPA
#430-R-19-001. April 2019. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-04/documents/us-ghg-inventory-2019-main-text.pdf
(accessed January 2020).
Overview of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change
Appendix A 3
California Emissions Inventory
Based on the California Air Resource Board’s (CARB) California Greenhouse Gas Inventory for 2000-
2017, California produced 424.1 MMT of CO 2 e in 2017. The major source of GHG emissions in
California is transportation, contributing 41 percent of the state’s total GHG emissions. The
industrial sector is the second largest source, contributing 24 percent of the state’s GHG emissions,
and electric power accounts for approximately 15 percent. California emissions are due in part to its
large size and large population compared to other states. However, a factor that reduces California’s
per capita fuel use and GHG emissions, as compared to other states, is its relatively mild climate. In
2016, the State of California achieved its 2020 GHG emission reduction targets as emissions fell
below 431 MMT of CO 2 e.7 The annual 2030 statewide target emissions level is 260 MMT of CO 2 e.8
1.3 Potential Effects of Climate Change
Globally, climate change has the potential to affect numerous environmental resources though
potential impacts related to future air temperatures and precipitation patterns. Scientific modeling
predicts that continued GHG emissions at or above current rates would induce more extreme
climate changes during the twenty-first century than were observed during the twentieth century.
Each of the past three decades has been warmer than all the previous decades in the instrumental
record, and the decade from 2000 through 2010 has been the warmest. The observed global mean
surface temperature (GMST) from 2015 to 2017 was approximately 1.0°C (1.8°F) higher than the
average GMST over the period from 1880 to 1900.9 Furthermore, several independently analyzed
data records of global and regional Land-Surface Air Temperature (LSAT) obtained from station
observations jointly indicate that LSAT and sea surface temperatures have increased. Due to past
and current activities, anthropogenic GHG emissions are increasing global mean surface
temperature at a rate of 0.2°C per decade. In addition to these findings, there are identifiable signs
that global warming is currently taking place, including substantial ice loss in the Arctic over the past
two decades.10, 11
According to California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment, statewide temperatures from 1986 to
2016 were approximately 0.6 to 1.1°C higher than those recorded from 1901 to 1960. Potential
impacts of climate change in California may include reduced water supply from snow pack, sea level
7 CARB. 2019. “California Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory – 2019 Edition. Last modified: August 12, 2019.
https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/cc/inventory/data/data.htm (accessed February 2020).
8 CARB. 2017. California’s 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan. December 14, 2017.
https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/scoping_plan_2017.pdf (accessed February 2020).
9 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2019. “Global Climate Report – Annual 2018.” January 2019.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/201813 (accessed January 2020).
10 IPCC. 2014. Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change. Summary for Policymakers - Contribution of Working Group III to the
Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and
New York, NY, USA.
11 IPCC. 2018. Summary for Policymakers. In: Global warming of 1.5°C. An IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C
above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to
the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty. https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/ (accessed February
2020).
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
4
rise, more extreme heat days per year, more large forest fires, and more drought years.12 While
there is growing scientific consensus about the possible effects of climate change at a global and
statewide level, current scientific modeling tools are unable to predict what local impacts may occur
with a similar degree of accuracy. In addition to statewide projections, California’s Fourth Climate
Change Assessment includes regional reports that summarize climate impacts and adaptation
solutions for nine regions of the state and regionally-specific climate change case studies.13 A
summary follows of some of the potential effects that could be experienced in California as a result
of climate change.
Air Quality
Higher temperatures are conducive to air pollution formation and could worsen air quality in
California as they rise. Climate change may increase the concentration of ground-level ozone, but
the magnitude of the effect, and therefore its indirect effects, are uncertain. As temperatures have
increased in recent years, the area burned by wildfires throughout the state has increased, and
wildfires have occurred at higher elevations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.14 If higher
temperatures continue to be accompanied by an increase in the incidence and extent of large
wildfires, air quality would worsen, but if higher temperatures are accompanied by wetter, rather
than drier conditions, the rains would tend to temporarily clear the air of particulate pollution. This
would effectively reduce the number of large wildfires, thereby ameliorating the pollution
associated with them. Severe heat accompanied by drier conditions and poor air quality could
increase the number of heat-related deaths, illnesses, and asthma attacks throughout the state.15
Water Supply
Analysis of paleoclimatic data (such as tree-ring reconstructions of stream flow and precipitation)
indicates a history of naturally and widely varying hydrologic conditions in California and the west,
including a pattern of recurring and extended droughts. Uncertainty remains with respect to the
overall impact of climate change on future precipitation trends and water supplies in California.
Year-to-year variability in statewide precipitation levels has increased since 1980, meaning that wet
and dry precipitation extremes have become more common.16 This uncertainty regarding future
precipitation trends complicates the analysis of future water demand, especially where the
relationship between climate change and its potential effect on water demand is not well
understood. The average early spring snowpack in the western U.S., including the Sierra Nevada
Mountains, decreased by about 10 percent during the last century. During the same period, sea
level rose over 0.15 meter along the central and southern California coasts.17 The Sierra snowpack
12 State of California. 2018. California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment Statewide Summary Report. August 27, 2018.
http://www.climateassessment.ca.gov/state/ (accessed February 2020).
13 Ibid.
14 Ibid.
15 California Natural Resources Agency. 2009. 2009 California Climate Adaptation Strategy. March 2009.
http://resources.ca.gov/docs/climate/Statewide_Adaptation_Strategy.pdf (accessed February 2020).
16 California Department of Water Resources. 2018. Indicators of Climate Change in California. May 2018.
https://oehha.ca.gov/media/downloads/climate-change/report/2018caindicatorsreportmay2018.pdf (accessed February 2020).
17 State of California. 2018. California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment Statewide Summary Report. August 27, 2018.
http://www.climateassessment.ca.gov/state/ (accessed February 2020).
Overview of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change
Appendix A 5
provides the majority of California's water supply, as snow that accumulates during wet winters is
released slowly during the dry months of spring and summer. A warmer climate is predicted to
reduce the fraction of precipitation that falls as snow and result in less snowfall at lower elevations,
thereby reducing the total snowpack. Projections indicate that average spring snowpack in the
Sierra Nevada and other mountain catchments in central and northern California will decline by
approximately 66 percent from its historical average by 2050.18
Hydrology and Sea Level Rise
Climate change could affect the intensity and frequency of storms and flooding.19 Furthermore,
climate change could induce substantial sea level rise in the coming century. Rising sea level
increases the likelihood of and risk from flooding. The rate of increase of global mean sea levels over
the 2001-2010 decade, observed by satellites, ocean buoys, and land gauges, was approximately 3.2
millimeters per year, double the twentieth century trend of 1.6 millimeters per year. Global mean
sea levels averaged over the last decade were about 0.20 meter higher than those of 1880.20 Sea
levels are rising faster now than in the previous two millennia, and the rise will probably accelerate,
even with robust GHG emission control measures. The most recent IPCC report predicts a mean sea-
level rise of 0.25 to 0.94 meter by 2100.21 A rise in sea levels could erode 31 to 67 percent of
southern California beaches and cause flooding of approximately 370 miles of coastal highways
during 100-year storm events. This would also jeopardize California’s water supply due to salt water
intrusion and induce groundwater flooding and/or exposure of buried infrastructure. Increased
storm intensity and frequency could affect the ability of flood-control facilities, including levees, to
handle storm events.22
Agriculture
California has a $50 billion annual agricultural industry that produces over a third of the country’s
vegetables and two-thirds of the country’s fruits and nuts.23 Higher CO2 levels can stimulate plant
production and increase plant water-use efficiency, but if temperatures rise and drier conditions
prevail, certain regions of agricultural production could experience water shortages of up to 16
percent. This would increase water demand as hotter conditions lead to the loss of soil moisture;
crop-yield could be threatened by water-induced stress and extreme heat waves; and plants may be
18 Ibid.
19 Ibid.
20 World Meteorological Organization (WMO). 2013. A summary of current and climate change findings and figures: a WMO information
note. March 2013. https://library.wmo.int/opac/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=15892#.Wt9-Z8gvzIU (accessed February 2020).
21 IPCC. 2018. Summary for Policymakers. In: Global warming of 1.5°C. An IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C
above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to
the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty. https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/ (accessed February
2020).
22 State of California. 2018. California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment Statewide Summary Report. August 27, 2018.
http://www.climateassessment.ca.gov/state/ (accessed February 2020).
23 California Department of Food and Agriculture. 2018. “California Agricultural Production Statistics.” Last modified: August 30, 2018.
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/statistics/ (accessed February 2020).
City of San Luis Obispo
CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance
6
susceptible to new and changing pest and disease outbreaks.24 Temperature increases could change
the time of year certain crops, such as wine grapes, bloom or ripen, and thereby affect their
quality.25
Ecosystems and Wildlife
Climate change and the potential resulting changes in weather patterns could have ecological
effects on the global and local scales. Increasing concentrations of GHGs are likely to accelerate the
rate of climate change. Scientists project that the annual average maximum daily temperatures in
California could rise by 2.4 to 3.2°C in the next 50 years and by 3.1 to 4.9°C in the next century.26
Soil moisture is likely to decline in many regions, and intense rainstorms are likely to become more
frequent. Rising temperatures could have four major impacts on plants and animals: timing of
ecological events; geographic distribution and range of species; species composition and the
incidence of nonnative species within communities; and ecosystem processes, such as carbon
cycling and storage.27, 28
24 State of California. 2018. California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment Statewide Summary Report. August 27, 2018.
http://www.climateassessment.ca.gov/state/ (accessed February 2020).
25 California Climate Change Center (CCCC). 2006. Climate Scenarios for California.
26 State of California. 2018. California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment Statewide Summary Report. August 27, 2018.
http://www.climateassessment.ca.gov/state/ (accessed February 2020).
27 Ibid.
28 Parmesan, C. August 2006. Ecological and Evolutionary Responses to Recent Climate Change.
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Appendix B
CEQA GHG Emissions Analysis Compliance Checklist
Page 1
CEQA GHG EMISSIONS ANALYSIS
COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST
CLIMATE ACTION PLAN CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST FOR
New Development
The City of San Luis Obispo has prepared a Climate Action Plan (CAP) that establishes 2030
greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) targets and a communitywide goal of carbon neutrality by 2035
and provides foundational actions to establish a trajectory towards achieving that goal. The CAP
includes specific actions to achieve the short-term communitywide emissions reduction targets of
45 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 66 percent below 1990 levels by 2035. This is
consistent with California’s goal of reducing GHG emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels
(Senate Bill 32) by 2030 and provides substantial progress towards achieving the state’s long-
term GHG reduction goal of carbon neutrality (Executive Order B-55-18). The City Council, City
staff, and community will continue to develop an approach to the long-term aspirational goal of
carbon neutrality.
Over the years, new City programs have been implemented while others have evolved. Plans
from a range of departments have been executed and updated. Per the 2020 SLO CAP, the CAP
will be updated every four years with annual reviews of progress on implementation of specific
CAP foundational actions. The City Office of Sustainability is updating the City’s progress towards
GHG reductions in 2019 to align with the next major CAP update milestone year.
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5, a lead agency may determine that a project's
incremental contribution to a cumulative effect is not cumulatively considerable if the project
complies with the requirements in a previously adopted plan or mitigation program under specified
circumstances. In order for the 2020 SLO CAP to be considered a qualified GHG reduction
strategy and provide for CEQA streamlining of GHG analysis for future development the CAP it
must identify those measures that are applicable to new development. The 2020 SLO CAP
includes measures that are applicable to existing developments, municipal government
operations, as well as voluntary and mandatory measures to be applied to new development for
public and private projects. Mandatory GHG reduction programs that are applicable to new
development are summarized in the following California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) GHG
Emissions Compliance Checklist (referred to herein as the CEQA GHG Checklist). This CEQA
GHG Checklist identifies applicable regulations, applicability, requirements, and monitoring and
reporting required by regulations. The purpose of the CEQA GHG Checklist is to assist with
determining project consistency with the CAP and other applicable sustainability-focused
regulations and provide a streamlined review process for proposed new development projects
that are subject to discretionary review and trigger environmental review pursuant to the CEQA.
This CEQA GHG Checklist contains measures that are required to be implemented on a project-
by-project basis to ensure that the specified emissions targets identified in the CAP are achieved.
Implementation of these measures would ensure that new development is consistent with CAP
assumptions for relevant CAP strategies toward achieving the identified GHG reduction targets.
Projects or plans that are consistent with the CAP as determined through the use of this CEQA
GHG Checklist may rely on the CAP Initial Study-Negative Declaration GHG emissions analysis
Page 2
for the respective project- and cumulative-level GHG emissions impacts analysis. Projects that
are identified as not consistent with the CAP through the use of this CEQA GHG Checklist must
prepare a project-specific analysis of GHG emissions, including quantification of existing and
projected GHG emissions compared to the SLO CEQA GHG Threshold(s) and incorporation of
the CAP foundational actions in this CEQA GHG Checklist to the extent feasible.
Cumulative GHG emissions associated with construction from a land use development project
are generally orders of magnitude lower than the operational emissions from a project, because
construction emissions are generally short in duration compared to the project’s overall lifetime,
and thus can be assessed qualitatively as part of related CEQA GHG emissions analysis.
However, some projects may have long construction periods or entail large quantities of cut and
fill that could result in construction-related GHG emissions that may be considered significant.
Thus, the City retains the discretion on a project-by-project basis to consider whether a project’s
construction-related GHG emissions could be cumulatively considerable and require more
detailed quantitative CEQA GHG emissions analysis and respective mitigation.
This CEQA GHG Checklist may be periodically updated to incorporate new GHG reduction
techniques, to comply with later amendments to the CAP, or to reflect changes in other
sustainability-focused local, State, or federal laws, regulations, ordinances, and programs. At a
minimum, this CEQA GHG Checklist will be updated every four years consistent with CAP update
timing.
APPLICATION SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
The CEQA GHG Checklist is required to accompany the City’s Environmental Determination
Application Checklist for all projects and plans subject to CEQA review, whether supported by
private or government (local of State) funding, proposed within the City limits. The CEQA GHG
Checklist is designed to assist the applicant in identifying the minimum CAP and other applicable
sustainability-focused requirements specific to a proposed project or plan. However, it may be
necessary to supplement the completed CEQA GHG Checklist with supporting materials,
calculations, or certifications to demonstrate compliance with CAP and other applicable
sustainability-focused requirements. If not already committed to clearly as part of the CEQA
project description, in the CEQA GHG Checklist will be included in the respective project or plan
conditions of approval.
GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION
Contact Information
Project or Plan Name:
Address:
Applicant Name and Co.:
Contact Phone: Contact Email:
Was a consultant retained to complete this checklist? Yes☐ No☐
If Yes, complete the following:
Consultant Name: ___________________________
Company Name: ____________________________
Contact Phone: _________________________
Contact Email: __________________________
Project Information
What is the size of the project site or plan area (acres)?
Gross: _________________________
Net: ___________________________
Identify all applicable proposed land uses:
☐ Residential (indicate # of single-family dwelling units):
______________________________________________________________________________
☐ Residential (indicate # of multi-family dwelling units):
______________________________________________________________________________
☐ Commercial (indicate total square footage, gross and net):
______________________________________________________________________________
☐ Industrial (indicate total square footage, gross and net):
______________________________________________________________________________
☐ Agricultural (indicate total acreage, gross and net):
______________________________________________________________________________
☐ Other (describe):
______________________________________________________________________________
Project description. This description should be consistent with the project description that will be
used for the CEQA document. The description may be attached to the GHG Checklist if there are
space constraints.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST TABLE
LAND USE CONSISTENCY
Regulation Requirements Project/Plan
Compliance Explanation
General Plan
1a. Does the project include a land use
element and/or zoning designation
amendment? If “No”, proceed to Section II –
CAP Measures Consistency. If “Yes”,
proceed to question 1b.
Yes☐
No☐
N/A☐
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
General Plan
1b. Does the land use element and/or
zoning designation amendment result in an
equivalent or less GHG-intensive project
when compared to the existing
designations?
If “Yes”, attach to this checklist the
estimated project emissions under both
existing and proposed designation(s) for
comparison. Compare the maximum
buildout of the existing designation and the
maximum buildout of the proposed
designation. If the proposed project is
determined to result in an equivalent or less
GHG-intensive project when compared to
the existing designations, proceed to Step 2
of the checklist.
Yes☐
No☐
N/A☐
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
If “No” the applicant must prepare a project-
specific analysis of GHG emissions, including
quantification of existing and projected GHG
emissions compared to the SLO CEQA GHG
Threshold(s) and incorporation of the CAP
foundational actions in this CEQA GHG
Checklist to the extent feasible.
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
CAP FOUNDATIONAL ACTIONS CONSISTENCY
Pillar 1: Lead by Example
The foundational actions of this pillar pertain exclusively to municipal operations of the City of San Luis Obispo. In order to display
consistency with the Climate Action Plan for the purposes of CEQA, applicants must complete the questions for pillars two thr ough six.
Pillar 2: Clean Energy Systems
Regulation Requirements Project/Plan Compliance Explanation
Climate Action
Plan Volume II,
Energy 1.1
2.Does the Project/Plan include an operational
commitment to participate in Monterey Bay
Community Power?
Yes☐
No☐
N/A☐
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
Pillar 3: Green Buildings
Regulation Requirements Project/Plan Compliance Explanation
Clean Energy
Choice Program
for New Buildings
Municipal Code
Section 15.04.110
3.Does the Project/Plan exclusively include “All-
electric buildings”? For the purpose of this checklist,
the following definitions and exemptions apply:
All-electric building. A new building that has no
natural gas plumbing installed within the building and
that uses electricity as the source of energy for all
space heating, water heating, cooking appliances,
and clothes drying appliances. An All-Electric Building
may be plumbed for the use of natural gas as fuel for
appliances in a commercial kitchen.
Yes☐
No☐
N/A☐
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
Specific exemptions to the requirements for all-
electric buildings include:
•Commercial kitchens
•The extension of natural gas infrastructure
into an industrial building for the purpose of
supporting manufacturing processes (i.e.
not including space conditioning).
•Accessory Dwelling Units that are attached
to an existing single-family home. Essential
Service Buildings including, but not limited
to, public facilities, hospitals, medical
centers and emergency operations centers.
•Temporary buildings.
•Gas line connections used exclusively for
emergency generators.
•Any buildings or building components
exempt from the California Energy Code.
•Residential subdivisions in process of
permitting or constructing initial public
improvements for any phase of a final map
recorded prior to January 1, 2020, unless
compliance is required by an existing
Development Agreement.
If the proposed project falls into an above exemption
category, what measures are applicants taking to
reduce onside fossil fuel consumption to the
maximum extent feasible? If not applicable (N/A),
explain why this action is not relevant.
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
Clean Energy
Choice Program
for New Buildings
Municipal Code
Section 15.04.110
4. If the Project/Plan includes a new mixed-fuel
building or buildings (plumbed for the use of natural
gas as fuel for space heating, water heating, cooking
or clothes drying appliances) does that building/those
buildings meet or exceed the City’s Energy Reach
code?
Yes☐
No☐
N/A☐
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
Pillar 4: Connected Community
Regulation Requirements Project/Plan Compliance Explanation
Municipal Code
Chapter 17.72
5. Does the Project/Plan comply with requirements in
the City’s Municipal Code with no exceptions,
including bicycle parking, bikeway design, and EV
charging stations?
Yes☐
No☐
N/A☐
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
Multimodal
Transportation
Impact Study
Guidelines
6a. Is the estimated Project/Plan-generated Vehicle
Miles Traveled (VMT) within the City’s adopted
thresholds, as confirmed by the City’s Transportation
Division?
Yes☐
No☐
N/A☐
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
Multimodal
Transportation
Impact Study
Guidelines
6b. If “No”, does the Project/Plan include VMT
mitigation strategies and/or a Transportation Demand
Management (TDM) Plan approved by the City’s
Transportation Division? Please explain.
TDM components may include, but are not limited to:
• Telecommuting
• Car Sharing
Yes☐
No☐
N/A☐
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
• Shuttle Service
• Carpools
• Vanpools
• Bicycle Parking Facilities
• Participate in Rideshare’s Back n Forth
Club
• Transit Subsidies
• Off-Site Sustainable Transportation
Infrastructure Improvements
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
Bicycle
Transportation
Plan
7. Does the Project/Plan demonstrate consistency
with the City’s Bicycle Transportation Plan1?
Yes☐
No☐
N/A☐
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
Pillar 5: Circular Economy
Regulation Requirements Project/Plan Compliance Explanation
Development
Standards for Solid
Waste Services
8. Will the Project/Plan subscribe all units and/or
buildings to organic waste pick up and provide the
appropriate on-site enclosures consistent with the
provisions of the City of San Luis Obispo
Development Standards for Solid Waste Services?
Please provide a letter from San Luis Garbage
company verifying that the project complies with their
standards and requirements for organic waste pick
up.
Yes☐
No☐
N/A☐
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
Pillar 6: Natural Solutions
1 The City is set to adopt an Active Transportation Plan (ATP) in October of 2020 which will effectively update and replace the current Bicycle Transportation Plan. Upon adoption, the ATP will become the new regulation
with which compliance is required for the purposes of this checklist.
Regulation Requirements Project/Plan Compliance Explanation
Municipal Code
Chapter 12.24
9. Does the Project/Plan comply with Municipal Code
requirements for trees?
Yes☐
No☐
N/A☐
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Appendix C
GHG Threshold Calculations
Residential Nonresidential
Baseline 339,290 24,750 17,930 381,970
State Law/Programs
Vehicle Standards 62,620 6,840 3,820 73,280 By 2030
Title 24 - 1,720 400 2,120 By 2030
Clean Energy Systems 23,170 0 2,880 26,050 By 2030
Green Buildings 8,180 3,020 760 11,960 By 2030
Connected Community 38,660 4,220 2,360 45,240 By 2030
Circular Economy 31,970 3,490 1,950 37,410 By 2030
Natural Solutions 220 20 10 260 By 2030
Remaining Total 174,470 5,440 5,750 185,650
Residents 7,817 71,610
Jobs 8,738 83,796
Service Population 12,186
Residential 0.7
Nonresidential 0.7
Mixed-Use 0.9
State Law/Programs
Clean Energy Systems
Green Buildings
Connected Community
Circular Economy
Natural Solutions
Others
Sector
2030 Demographics for New Development
2030 Thresholds
Assumptions
New
Existing
Other 2030 Demographics
Existing Service Population
- Per SP solid waste disposal is the same for existing and new development
- Source: 1. Community_Carbon Neutrality Calculator workbook "Tables for Reports" tab
- Carbon farming is not responsibility of development.
- Tree planting is equal responsibility of new development and existing development
(trees per SP is the same)
- Source: 1. Community_Carbon Neutrality Calculator workbook "Tables for Reports" tab
Timeline
2030 Service Population
-Per SP emission reductions are the same for existing and new development for vehicle
standards
-Vehicle Standards Source: Community GHG Inventory Workbook "Forecast and Goals
Summary" tab
- Source: 1. Community_Carbon Neutrality Calculator workbook "Tables for Reports" tab
- Source: 1. Community_Carbon Neutrality Calculator workbook "Tables for Reports" tab
- Per SP emissions are the same for existing and new development
- Source: 1. Community_Carbon Neutrality Calculator workbook "Tables for Reports" tab
Total
2030 Emissions Reductions (MT of CO2e)
Sector 1990 2005 2016 2030 2035
Percent
Change by
2030
Percent
Change by
2035
Transportation 191,580 225,390 212,980 116,050 78,660 39%59%
Nonresidential Energy 49,340 58,050 44,270 29,710 21,000 40%57%
Residential Energy 47,130 55,450 39,410 27,680 13,160 41%72%
Solid Waste 40,580 47,740 42,630 12,470 5,260 69%87%
Natural Solutions 0 0 -3,610 -7,050
Total 328,630 386,630 339,290 182,300 111,030 45%66%
Emissions Forecast with State Laws and City's CAP
Sector 2005 2016 2020 2030 2035
Transportation 225,390 212,980 219,150 234,570 242,280
Nonresidential Energy 58,050 44,270 46,150 51,860 54,880
Residential Energy 55,450 39,410 41,340 45,660 47,990
Solid Waste 47,740 42,630 44,890 49,880 52,560
Off-Road - - - - -
Total 386,630 339,290 351,530 381,970 397,710
Source: Table from Community GHG Inventory Workbook "Forecast (BAU)" tab.
Business as Usual GHG Emissions Forecast (MT of CO2e)
Metric 2005 2016 2020 2030 2035
Population 44,519 46,117 48,826 53,934 56,686
Jobs 43,847 50,985 53,153 59,723 63,199
Service Population 66,443 71,610 75,403 83,796 88,286
Demographic Forecasts
- Population and Jobs sourced from 2016 GHG Inventory Update Table 5.1
- Service population is equal to residential population plus 1/2 the number of jobs, consistent with
method described in 2016 GHG Inventory Update Table 5.1
Sources
Table 1. Clean Energy Systems
2020 2030 2035
Projected residential electricity (kWh)79,178,790 79,178,790 79,178,790
Opt out rate (%)2%2%2%
Projected MBCP residential kWh 77,595,214 77,595,214 77,595,214
Projected PG&E residential kWh 1,583,576 1,583,576 1,583,576
Projected nonresidential electricity (kWh)170,086,700 187,482,010 187,482,010
Opt out rate (%)3%3%3%
Projected MBCP nonresidential kWh 164,984,099 181,857,550 181,857,550
Projected PG&E nonresidential kWh 5,102,601 5,624,460 5,624,460
Projected MBCP Coefficient (MTCO2e/kWh)0.00004 0.00004 0
Projected PG&E Coefficient (MTCO2e/kWh)0.000134228 0.000112 0.00011
Projected MBCP Emissions 9700 10,380 0
Projected PG&E Emissions 900 810 810
Total Emissions 10600 11,190 810
Emissions w/out RPS or MBCP 33810 37,790 39900
Emissions Savings from Title 24 Electricity (to avoid double counting)40 550 80
Emissions reductions -23,170 -26,050 -39,010
Source: Community_Carbon Neutrality Calculator
Table 2. Green Buildings
2020 2030 2030
Commercial building electrification
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e)410 670 870
Residential building electrification
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e)100 4,170 13,540
Commercial benchmarking
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e)0 40 120
Commercial retrocommissioning
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e)40 530 820
Residential retrocommissioning
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e)80 990 1,530
Commercial retrofits
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e)60 950 1,710
Residential retrofits
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e)30 830 1,900
Commercial new construction
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e)60 760 1,200
Residential new construction
Projected emissions reduction (MTCO2e)240 3,020 5,050
Emissions Reductions (MTCO2e)1,020 11,960 26,740
Source: Community_Carbon Neutrality Calculator
Clean Energy Systems and Green Buildings Measures
2020 Emissions Percentage 2020 Emission Reductions
Residential 3,316 31%7,249
Nonresidential 7,284 69%15,922
10,601 23,171
2020 2030 2035
New Net New Nonresidential Electricity 0 0 0
Net New Nonresidential Emissions 0 2880 0
9,703
3,104
6,599
3257
2020 2030 2035
Residential Savings 210 5,990 16,970
Nonresidential Savings 510 2,190 3,520
Residential Savings 240 3,020 5,050
Nonresidential Savings 60 760 1,200
1,020 11,960 26,740
*All new development emissions are non-residential because there is no increase in residential electriciy from 2020-
2035
Green Buildings Emissions Reductions by Type of Development
Existing
New
Total
Clean Energy Systems 2030 Emissions Reductions
2035 Reduction for Existing Development from Lower MBCP Coefficient
Residential
Nonresidential
2035 Reduction for New Development
Existing
Total
Rincon Calculations
Clean Energy Systems 2020 Emissions Reductions
Emission savings 2020 2030 2035
Residential electricity 40 390 30
Residential natural gas (direct)70 1330 2430
Nonresidential electricity 0 160 50
Nonresidential natural gas (direct)10 240 450
Total 120 2120 2960
Source: Table from Community GHG Inventory Workbook "Title 24" tab.
Title 24 Emissions Reductions
Action 2021 2030 2035
Carbon Storage - Land Mgmt 90 3,350 6,675
Trees 20 260 375
Total 110 3,610 7,050
Natural Solutions Measure Emission Reductions
2025 Reduction Estimates
EMFAC2025
VMT
2016 2025 2030 2035
1,370,706 1,460,040 1,509,669 1,559,299
475,634,980 506,633,713 523,855,232 541,076,750
^Inventory ^Interpolated ^Interpolated ^Forecast
Source: City-provided data
Emissions Coefficient (from EMFAC; can show work if needed)
2025 % EMFAC VMT Total VMT MTCO2e/VMT Total Emissions
All other buses 0.11%543,248 0.001272 691
LDA 59.43%301,067,361 0.000222 66,852
LDT1 2.70%13,702,076 0.000276 3,778
LDT2 19.84%100,524,943 0.000331 33,297
LHD1 2.06%10,414,797 0.000716 7,462
LHD2 0.54%2,753,935 0.000734 2,022
MCY 0.47%2,358,243 0.000174 409
MDV 11.20%56,754,168 0.000448 25,406
MH 0.11%556,182 0.001292 719
Motorcoach 0.04%207,604 0.001741 361
OBUS 0.08%411,766 0.001313 541
PTO 0.03%146,278 0.002170 317
SBUS 0.07%378,641 0.001162 440
T6 1.27%6,411,928 0.001254 8,040
T7 1.94%9,830,386 0.001667 16,392
UBUS 0.11%572,158 0.002106 1,205
Total 100%506,633,713 167,930
2025 VMT 506,633,713
2025 MTCO2e 167,930
Average MTCO2e/VMT 0.000331462
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Appendix D
United States Green Building Council Building Area per Employee by Business Type Rates47
47 United States Green Building Council. 2008. “Building Area per Employee by Business Type.” May 13, 2008.
https://www.usgbc.org/Docs/Archive/General/Docs4111.pdf (accessed October 8, 2015).
Land-Use
Land-Use
Code
Sq.Ft./
Employee
Commercial Airport 21 224
General Aviation Airport 22 392
Truck Terminal 30 427
General Light Industrial 110 463
Heavy Industrial 120 549
Industrial Park 130 500
Manufacturing 140 535
Warehousing 150 781 2114
Elementary School 520 1250 1131
High School 530 1587
Hospital 610 372 486
General Office - Suburbs 710 304
Corporate HQ - Suburbs 714 260
Single Tenant Office 715 295
M di l D t l B ildi 720 207
ITE USDOE
Sq.Ft./
Employee
SANDAG
Sq.Ft./
Employee
BUILDING AREA PER EMPLOYEE BY BUSINESS TYPE
Medical-Dental Building 720 207
U.S. Post Office 732 230
Office Park 750 278
Research & Development Center 760 405
Business Park 770 332 249
Building Material - Lumber Store 812 806
Specialty Retail Store 814 549
Discount Store 815 654
Hardware Store 816 1042
Nursery-Garden Center 817 529
Quality Restaurant (Sit Down) 831 134
High Turnover (Sit Down) 832 100
Fast Food w/o drive-thru 833 70
Fast Food w/ drive-thru 834 92
Grocery 938
Lodging 1124 917
Bank 317
Office under 100,000 sq.ft. 228
Office over 100,000 sq.ft. 221
Neighborhood Retail 588
Community Retail 383
Sources:
ITE -- Institute of Transportation Engineers
USDOE -- U.S. Department of Energy
SANDAG -- San Diego Assn of Governments
5/13/2008
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