HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/7/2026 Item 8a, Sesloc on behalf SLO Chamber of Commerce
Mike Quamma <
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:Garret Olson; Rachel Whalen
Subject:City Council Agenda Item 8A – Climate Action Plan Update
April 7, 2026
Mayor Erica A. Stewart and Members of the City Council
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Re: Agenda Item 8A – Climate Action Plan Update
Dear Mayor Stewart and Councilmembers,
I am writing on behalf of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce to o?er my perspective on the
City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) update before you this evening. As I am unable to attend in person, I
feel it is imperative to communicate that, as a business community, we are deeply committed to San
Luis Obispo’s long-term sustainability and vitality. We believe that with the right approach, climate
action and economic strength are not competing priorities. We believe they are mutually reinforcing
ones.
The Chamber urges the Council to consider the following principles as you advance the CAP update:
1. Integrate Housing and Climate Strategy
Climate and housing cannot be treated as separate planning e?orts. We strongly encourage the City to
align the Climate Action Plan with the Housing Element and the Land Use and Circulation Element
(LUCE). These plans must work in concert to reduce commute distances and vehicle miles traveled
(VMT). Siloed planning produces conflicting outcomes, whereas coordinated planning produces lasting
results.
2. Address Transportation Through Land Use
The single largest barrier to meeting our climate goals is transportation emissions. A significant driver of
those emissions is the reality that much of our workforce cannot a?ord to live in San Luis
Obispo. Workers commuting from Paso Robles, Arroyo Grande, Santa Maria, and beyond contribute
disproportionately to regional VMT and carbon output. The most impactful climate investment the City
can make is ensuring more workforce housing exists near jobs. Housing is climate policy.
3. Focus on Meaningful Metrics of Success
We encourage the City to track progress through per capita or per service population metrics for carbon
emissions — not only total emissions. A growing community that reduces emissions per resident is
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demonstrating genuine climate leadership. Measuring only aggregate totals can penalize growth and
obscure real progress. Smart metrics drive smart outcomes.
4. Support Local Clean Energy Generation
Electrification goals are only achievable if the energy supply is there to meet them. The CAP should
explicitly address local clean energy generation capacity, not merely consumption targets. We must
ensure that as we shift to electric vehicles, electric appliances, and electric systems, we are producing
su?icient clean energy locally to power that transition. Supply and demand must be planned together.
5. Leverage This as an Economic Opportunity
A well-coordinated Climate Action Plan is not a constraint on our economy. It is an investment in it. A
city that plans smartly for housing, transportation, energy, and climate together strengthens its
competitive position, improves quality of life, and attracts the businesses and talent needed for long-
term prosperity. We urge the Council to approach this update not as a regulatory exercise, but as a
strategic opportunity to position San Luis Obispo as a model for sustainable, thriving communities.
The SLO Chamber of Commerce stands ready to be a partner in this e?ort. We appreciate the Council’s
leadership on these issues and look forward to working together toward a future that is both
environmentally sound and economically strong.
Respectfully submitted,
Mike Quamma
Mike Quamma | President / CEO
P.O. Box 5360, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-5360
(805) 543-1816 x231
sesloc.org
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