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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2015-83 - Voluntary Green Building ProgramResolution No. 2015-83 CITY OF PALM DESERT DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORT REQUEST: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE GREEN FOR LIFE PROGRAM, INCLUDING AN UPDATE TO THE CITY OF PALM DESERT'S GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) INVENTORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY PLAN, AN ENERGY ACTION PLAN WITH A BENCHMARKING POLICY AND COMMISSION ING/RETRO-COMMISSION POLICY, AND A VOLUNTARY GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM. SUBMITTED BY: Tony Bagato, Principal Planner DATE: September 24, 2015 CONTENTS: 1) Resolution No. 2015-83 2) 2013 Update Greenhouse Gases Inventory 3) Environmental Sustainability Plan with Recommended Changes 4) Energy Benchmarking Policy and Procedures for Municipal Buildings 5) Commissioning and Retro-commission Policy for Municipal Buildings 6) Voluntary Green Building Program Recommendation Waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 2015-83approving the Green for Life Program that will update to the City of Palm Desert's Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Environmental Sustainability Plan, and establish an Energy Action Plan with an Energy Benchmarking Policy and procedures for Commissioning/Retro-commission Policy, and a Voluntary Green Building Program. Executive Summary The purpose of this item is for the City Council to consider adoption of the Green for Life program, which supports the City's efforts to be more sustainable. The items for consideration include a 2013 Update Greenhouse Gas Inventory, the Environmental Sustainability Plan with recommended changes with voluntary Energy Benchmarking and Commissioning/Retro-commissioning Policies, and a Voluntary Green Building Program. Resolution No. 2015-83 Staff Report Green for Life Program Page 2 of 6 September 24, 2015 Staff has participated in ongoing coordination with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) staff and the Green for Life consultant, Terra Nova Planning and Research, Inc., to create these program elements. An open house was held at City Hall in November 2014 to introduce City officials and staff to the energy efficiency and sustainability elements of the Green for Life program. Throughout the process of developing these plans and policies, the CVAG's Green for Life team has sought input from staff. The Green for Life program provides a roadmap for the City to meet our energy efficiency and sustainability goals. The plans provide for flexibility in the selection of measures to be implemented through a phased approach. The plans are intended to be living documents, to be used and updated as new opportunities to achieve energy efficiency and GHG reductions arise. Staff requests the ability to periodically make minor updates to these plans to reflect current priorities. Citizens' Sustainability Committee On August 24, 2015, staff and the consultant presented the Green for Life program to the Citizens' Sustainability Committee. Staff and the Committee discussed the GHG Inventory, and they recommended changes to the Environmental Sustainability Plan. The Committee recommended approval of the plan with minor comments. Those comments have been incorporated into the recommended changes as part of the City Council review. Background On September 27, 2006, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger approved AB 32, which became effective on January 1 2007 and is known as the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. This law requires the State to cap greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by 2020. Soon after AB 32 went into effect, SIB 375 was approved. SIB 375 requires a sustainable communities strategy (SCS) allowing local planning to make the necessary choices to reduce vehicle miles traveled and reduce urban sprawl. The goal is to create attractive, walkable, sustainable communities and revitalize existing communities. After the State approved these two (2) bills, Palm Desert officials decided it was best to look at the entire City from a sustainability standpoint. On February 11, 2010, the City Council approved the City's first Environmental Sustainability Plan and GHG Inventory. The Environmental Sustainability Plan addresses six (6) resource areas that were examined by resource teams of City officials, local stakeholders and staff. Since 2010, the City has been implementing portions of the Environmental Sustainability Plan to help reduce greenhouse gases and to make Palm Desert more sustainable. As part of this effort, in 2013, the City of Palm Desert partnered with CVAG as part of the Desert Cities Energy Partnership. In 2011, CVAG developed a "green government initiative" on behalf of the member \\srv-fil2k3\groups\Planning\Tony Bagato\Sustainability and Greenhouse Gases\Sustainability\Green For Life\CCSR_Green for Life Program.docx Resolution No. 2015-83 Staff Report Green for Life Program Page 3 of 6 September 24, 2015 jurisdictions to promote energy efficiency, green building and sustainability, with funding received from Southern California Edison (SCE) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Through this initiative, CVAG and their consultants developed the Green for Life program. The program consists of energy and sustainability elements that have been developed and customized for the City with input from staff over the past two (2) years. Green for Life Program At the time that CVAG began this program, the City of Palm Desert was part of a separate Southern California Edison (SCE) and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) program known as "Set to Save." After the Set to Save program concluded, the City of Palm Desert partnered with the CVAG program to join the Desert Cities Energy Partnership. Through the Green for Life program, Palm Desert has the chance to continue forward as a sustainable City that provides first a first-rate quality of life and economically advantageous environment in which to work and live. Other valley cities, Tribes, and Riverside County have taken action as well. Through funding from SCE and the CPUC, six (6) cities (served by Southern California Edison) and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians are participating in the Green for Life program. Riverside County completed a GHG inventory and climate action plan in 2011. La Quinta approved a GHG inventory and reduction plan in early 2013 and Coachella and Indio also recently completed GHG inventories. The elements of the Green for Life program are described below. The Green for Life program has been developed as a voluntary program, offering choices that will help meet Palm Desert's sustainability goals. While voluntary, the success of the program depends on full participation of participating agencies. CVAG staff and the consultant team are available to assist the City with implementation of these programs. 2013 Update GHG Inventory: As part of the Green for Life program, an update to the City's first GHG inventory report in 2008 has been complete. Since 2008, the statewide GHG modeling software and reporting methods have changed, which have resulted in variations of emission factors. This means that the update is not an "apples to apples" comparison. In 2013, the City of Palm Desert emitted 615,941 metric tonnes of greenhouse gases (CO2e), representing a 5,284 metric ton decrease from 2008 (621,225 metric tonnes). The following image illustrates the Citywide emission summary based on the update: \\srv-fil2k3\groups\Planning\Tony Bagato\Sustainability and Greenhouse Gases\Sustainability\Green For Life\CCSR_Green for Life Program.docx Staff Report Green for Life Program Page 5 of 6 September 24, 2015 Resolution No. 2015-83 not substantial policy changes. The recommended changes focused on updating portions of the plan that are relevant to today's activities in comparison to five (5) years ago. As an example, the plan makes reference to the Set to Save program. That program no longer exists, and reference to that program will be removed. Other changes focus on areas that staff believes the previous plan was too far reaching for government. For example, the current plan makes reference to the City storing recycled construction material in a City -owned facility and then reselling the material to the private sector for reuse during construction. Staff believes that this is farther -reaching than is appropriate for local government. As part of the update to the Environmental Sustainability Plan, two (2) voluntary policies are included for adoption. These policies are described below: 1) Benchmarking Policy will give the City tools to monitor and improved the energy performance of its municipal buildings and compare that performance with other like buildings in the same climate zone. 2) Commissioning/Retro-Commissioning Policy applies to new and existing buildings and equipment to ensure proper operation of major equipment, proper indoor air quality, desired occupant comfort, and optimum energy consumption. The focus of this policy is on improving and "tuning up" how building equipment and systems function together. Voluntary Green Building Program: The Green Building Program is a voluntary program to increase building efficiency 15% over current state requirements. It targets both new and existing construction. It offers ideas for residential and commercial property owners to cut their energy use and improve the comfort of their homes and businesses, and save money. It provides a simple, easy to use checklist of green building measures. It has been adopted by the cities of Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage and Blythe. The Green Building Program has been endorsed by the Desert Valleys Builders Association and the Desert Contractors Association. The program will include a Zero Net Energy Guide to provide insight into designing a Zero Net energy home from new construction or remodel. Fiscal Analysis Adoption of the Green for Life program does not by itself commit City funds to any project. Some actions may have upfront capital costs, or need additional staff time to implement and maintain. As part of the Environmental Sustainability Plan, the City could choose to offer incentives to businesses or residents which would require funding. Staff will continue to research various grants and fees for sources to possibly fund elements of the Green for Life program. All funding for capital improvements or incentives would be brought back to the City Council for review and discussion. In addition, CVAG has \\srv-fil2k3\groups\Planning\Tony Bagato\Sustainability and Greenhouse Gases\Sustainability\Green For Life\CCSR_Green for Life Program.docx Resolution No. 2015-83 Staff Report Green for Life Program Page 6 of 6 September 24, 2015 some funding available through the Green for Life program to support training for staff and commissioners, outreach, educational materials. The preparation of the Green for Life elements is supported by funds from Southern California Edison and the California Public Utilities Commission, through CVAG. Submitted By: Tony Bagato, Pri cipal Planner Department Head: au i Ay aian, Director of Community Development Ap M. Wohlmuth, City Manager \\srv-fil2k3\groups\Planning\Tony Bagato\Sustainability and Greenhouse Gases\Sustainability\Green For Life\CCSR_Green for Life Program.docx RESOLUTION NO. 2015_83 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA CERTIFYING A NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE VOLUNTARY GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM, THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN AND GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY, THE ENERGY ACTION PLAN, ENERGY BENCHMARKING POLICY FOR MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS, AND COMMISSION ING/RETRO-COMMISSIONING POLICY. WHEREAS, the City of Palm Desert which relies heavily on the stability of the climate for our environment, economy and quality of life is committed to the long-range goal of protecting the natural environment, increasing sustainability efforts and improving overall quality of life; and WHEREAS, the carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere have been found to have a profound effect on the Earth's climate and reducing the potential magnitude of climate change may lower its harmful effects on public health and safety; and WHEREAS, in September 2006, the State of California adopted the Global Warming Act of 2006 (AB 32) which created a statewide greenhouse gas emission requirement and goal to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020; and WHEREAS, at the 2009 Coachella Valley Energy Summit all CVAG jurisdictions signed the Coachella Valley Sustainability Pledge committing all to take leadership roles and commit to a valley wide effort to ensure the maintenance of our air quality, encourage sustainable use of resources, and preserve our environment for future generations through collaboration on regional greenhouse gas emissions and the promotion of energy efficiency and clean alternative energy; and WHEREAS, the City of Palm Desert, as a member of the Desert Cities Energy Partnership with partners Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Co, and Imperial Irrigation District joins all CVAG Jurisdictions in a regional effort to promote energy independence by the adoption and implementation of the elements contained in this document; and WHEREAS, the greenhouse gas reduction activities contribute to the achievement of many of the City's environmental values and is consistent with the City's Environmental Sustainability Plan, including promoting clean and efficient energy use, commuter trip reduction efforts and other clean air initiatives, solid waste reduction and recycling; and promoting low -impact economic development; and WHEREAS, "green building" is a whole systems approach to the design, construction and operation of buildings that promote natural resource conservation, RESOLUTION NO. 2015-83 energy efficiency, and a good indoor air quality; and green buildings benefit building industry professionals, residents, and communities by improving construction quality, increasing building durability, reducing utility, maintenance, water and energy costs, creating healthier homes, and enhancing comfort and livability; and WHEREAS, the rating system contained in the Voluntary Green Building Manual is based on a checklist of green features that are easily administered and provides designers and builders with great flexibility in choosing desired green features; and WHEREAS, voluntary compliance for all newly constructed and reconstructed (remodel) residential and non-residential structures currently subject to the 2013 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) and consistent with CALGreen, Title 24, 2010 and the California Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan to exceed the minimum energy efficiency standards established shall exceed current Code by 15 percent; and WHEREAS, technologies to promote green building, energy efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gases will also contribute to the economic vitality of the area through the development and use of clean technologies and the addition of jobs; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert as follows: 1. That the above recitations are true and correct, and constitute the findings of the City Council. 2. Based on its consideration, the City Council hereby determines that the adoption of the Green for Life Program is consistent with the provisions of the State law, and is in the public interest. 3. It is also understood that where measures require ordinance or zoning code amendments further evaluation and analysis will be conducted to determine adequacy prior to implementation. 4. Adoption includes a 2013 Update Greenhouse Gas Inventory, an amended Environmental Sustainability Plan with accompanying Benchmarking Policy and Commissioning/Retro-Commissioning Policy, and a Voluntary Green Building Program. 2 RESOLUTION NO. 2015-83 PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, at a regular meeting held on this 24"' day of September, 2015. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTEST: RACHELLE D. KLASSEN, CITY CLERK CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA Susan Marie Weber, Mayor M