HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 11168
City of Palo Alto (ID # 11168)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Study Session Meeting Date: 4/13/2020
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Council Priority: Climate/Sustainability and Climate Action Plan,
Transportation and Traffic
Summary Title: Earth Day Report 2020 (EDR20)
Title: Annual Earth Day Report Study Session
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Public Works
Recommendation
This is an Informational Report that supports a Study Session and requires no Council Action.
Executive Summary
This report includes:
• Summary of 2018-2020 Sustainability Implementation Plan (SIP) Progress Report
• More Detailed Accomplishments in the Seven Sustainability and Climate Action Plan
Framework Areas
• Awards and Other Accomplishments
Background
The City of Palo Alto has long been a leader in sustainability, making impressive progress
towards reducing its carbon impacts, greenhouse gas emissions, and resource consumption.
Adopting a Sustainability Policy in 2001 (CMR #206:07) reflected the City’s intention to be a
sustainable community - one which meets its current needs without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs. Since then, the City has undertaken a wide
range of initiatives to improve the sustainability performance of both government operations
and the community at large, including: adopting one of the first municipal Climate Action Plans
in the US in 2007; adopting a Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Framework (CMR
#7304) in 2016, which includes an ambitious goal of reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHGs)
emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2030; providing 100 percent carbon neutral natural
gas since July 2017 - making the City of Palo Alto Utilities the first utility in the world to provide
carbon neutral electricity and natural gas as a standard to all customers - having provided 100
percent carbon neutral electricity since 2013; and, in December 2017 accepting the 2018-2020
Sustainability Implementation Plan (SIP) (CMR #8487) as a summary of the City’s S/CAP work
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plan. Sustainability is also embedded in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan (adopted in 2017), with
10 goals and over 50 actions outlined in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Plan
that are explicitly or implicitly related to sustainability.
While GHG emissions reduction is not the only goal of the S/CAP, it is the major one. To achieve
an 80 percent reduction target by 2030, Palo Alto will need to meet a target “GHG reduction
budget” of about 224,600 MT CO2e (Metric tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent). The analyses in
the 2016 S/CAP Framework (conducted in 2014-2015) projected that more than half of the
needed additional reductions (117,900 MT CO2e) could come from transportation related
measures, just under half (97,200 MT CO2e) from efficiency and fuel switching measures
(largely in buildings), and about four percent (9,500 MT CO2e) from continuation and extension
of Palo Alto’s zero waste initiatives. These reduction targets are now outdated and do not
include recent sustainability initiatives, actions, and projects. The analyses will be revised to
include current information and staff will provide Council an update when new reduction
targets are established.
As a result of various City-led initiatives, programs, and activities focused on climate change and
sustainability, by the end of 2018 Palo Alto had reduced GHG emissions an estimated 56.5
percent from the 1990 baseline, despite a population increase of 20.4 percent from the 1990
baseline. Overall, the performance of City Municipal Operations showed a 65.8 percent
reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions from the 2005 baseline year.
Discussion
The 2018-2020 SIP focused on two key concerns, CO2 emissions and water use, and four key
areas of activity: Energy, Mobility, Electric Vehicles, and Water. Highlights of 2019 progress in
these four SIP areas include:
• Energy. The City’s Energy Reach Code in 2019 required that all new construction
projects exceed the state’s building efficiency standards by a minimum of 10 percent;
these reach code savings contributed to the reported electric and gas efficiency savings
in FY 2019. In FY 2019, the reported Electric Efficiency savings was 5,371 MWh, or 0.61
percent of the City’s total electric use. This is equivalent to the total power used by 853
California homes in a year. Similarly, the reported FY 2019 Gas Efficiency savings was
128,333 therms, or 0.44 percent of the City’s total gas use. The avoided GHG emissions
from the gas efficiency savings is equivalent to taking 148 passenger vehicles off the
road for a year. The City also tracks avoided natural gas use from electrification
programs. As of December 2019, the annual avoided gas use based on the heat pump
water heater program is 6,008 therms (10 units rebated in 2017, 26 units in 2018, and 8
units in 2019).
• Mobility. The newly established Office of Transportation drafted a Council-approved
2019 Transportation Work Plan, which provides a high-level summary of the Office of
Transportation initiatives, programs, and projects. In 2019, single-occupancy vehicle
(SOV) commute trips to downtown Palo Alto continued a downward trend from 2015,
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with drive alone trips being reduced 15 percent. Transit ridership increased 21 percent
since 2015 and rideshares increased 3 percent. Caltrain Average Weekday Ridership at
all Palo Alto Caltrain stations decreased by 439 riders between 2019 and 2018, which is
consistent with a 2.3% decrease in overall Caltrain ridership. Palo Alto Downtown
Caltrain station has the second highest ridership after San Francisco Fourth and King.
City of Palo Alto employee participation in available commute benefits increased by 60
participants between 2018 and 2019.
• Electric Vehicles (EVs). The City’s various EV adoption programs, rebates and incentives,
increased public EV infrastructure, and EV policies have contributed to a steady increase
in the number of EVs registered in Palo Alto. There are approximately 4,500 EVs
(approximately 7 percent penetration) registered in Palo Alto, which displace
approximately 10,800 MT CO2e per year. This translates to an estimated 1 in 7 homes in
Palo Alto with an EV and nearly 1 in 3 new vehicles (29 percent) in Palo Alto is an EV.
Staff has not found any EV penetration rate in the Country which equals or exceeds the
Palo Alto rate.
• Water. Council approved a Partnership Agreement that gives Valley Water an option to
acquire about half of the treated wastewater produced by the Regional Water Quality
Control Plant (RWQCP) (CMR #10627). The new agreement also funds a salt removal
facility in Palo Alto which will allow increased use of recycled water from the Palo Alto
Regional Water Quality Control Plant. Palo Alto, in collaboration with Valley Water,
developed a Northwest County Recycled Water Strategic Plan to identify the best
potable and non-potable options for water reuse in the RWQCP service area. Council
accepted a Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan (CMR #9883), which outlines how the
City intends to transform its stormwater infrastructure over years to slow the flow of
storm runoff, increase infiltration, recharge groundwater, increase irrigation and other
uses, and remove contamination. Per capita water use decreased from 2018 to 2019.
Recycled water use will change significantly as the water reuse expansion projects
described above are implemented.
When the 2016 S/CAP Framework was adopted by Council, staff anticipated the need to update
the S/CAP in 2020. The 2020 S/CAP Update will include the four areas of the 2018 - 2020 SIP
and add three more areas: Climate Adaptation & Sea Level Rise, Natural Environment, and Zero
Waste. A snapshot of 2019 accomplishments in these three areas is as follows:
• Sea Level Rise. In March 2019, Council approved the City’s first Sea Level Rise
Adaptation Policy (CMR #9576). To develop a Plan based on the guidelines of the Policy,
staff will be recommending Council approval of a consultant contract to assist with a Sea
Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment and then the Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan itself.
Staff reviewed the regional Strategy to Advance Flood protection, Ecosystems and
Recreation (SAFER Bay) Project Draft Feasibility Report, completed a preliminary design
Palo Alto Horizontal Levee Pilot Project, developed a Regional Water Quality Control
Plant (RWQCP) New Outfall Line Project, and, in partnership with Valley Water, began
repairs on the Palo Alto flood basin Tide gate.
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• Natural Environment. Renewal, restoration, and growth of our natural resources and
environment provide habitat, flood protection, storm water management, cleaner air,
cleaner water, and human health enhancement. Record tree planting and pruning
contributed to increase the value of benefits produced by 36,000 public trees to nearly
$18 million annually.
• Zero Waste. Reducing the amount of waste discarded in landfills is an important
strategy for both GHG reductions and overall sustainability. In 2019, Council approved a
new Disposable Foodware Ordinance, which is one of the most aggressive plastics bans
in the nation. Council also approved a Deconstruction & Construction Materials
Management Ordinance to require deconstruction of buildings (instead of demolition).
The formal enforcement program for the recycling and composting ordinance continued
with active engagement of commercial customers who were not sorting their refuse
correctly. In November 2019, Palo Alto celebrated the opening of the expanded
Household Hazardous Waste Reuse Zone where residents pick up products that were
dropped off, but that are still in good shape.
The 2018 - 2020 SIP provides a roadmap through the end of 2020. For the City to continue
progress towards its climate and sustainability goals and targets, a 2020 S/CAP Update is
necessary to further study the highest impact actions to take. The 2020 S/CAP Update will
include key actions in all the 7 areas described above: Energy, Mobility, Electric Vehicles, Water,
Climate Adaptation & Sea Level Rise, Natural Environment, and Zero Waste.
The City is fully committed to a sustainable future. The City owns, operates, and maintains a
full-service utilities portfolio that provides electric, gas, water, and wastewater services to
residents and businesses in Palo Alto. Palo Alto’s continued leadership in advancing
sustainability commitments has succeeded mainly because of the continued cooperation across
City Departments and diverse community stakeholders, and the support of City Council.
A one-page summary of the 2019 SIP Projects and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can be
found in Attachment A: 2018 - 2020 Sustainability Implementation Plan 2019 Snapshot.
Previous Earth Day Reports have included an extensive review of the prior year’s Greenhouse
Gas Inventory. However, this year’s Earth Day Report is primarily a 2018-2020 SIP progress
report. For the first time, the 2019 Greenhouse Gas Inventory will be compiled by a consultant,
AECOM, and that inventory will be completed by June 2020. The full results of the 2019
Greenhouse Gas Inventory will be included in the 2020 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan
City Council Study Session tentatively scheduled for the early fall.
2018-2020 Sustainability Implementation Plan Progress Report
Energy SIP Progress Report
GOALS
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Drive building efficiency and electrification through voluntary and mandatory programs
Mitigate the impacts of natural gas use through carbon offsets (in the short term) and
electrification (in the mid-to long-term)
KEY ACTIONS
EGY1 - Continue to purchase carbon offsets to match natural gas emissions
as a transitional measure. Evaluate potential local offset purchases.
EGY2 - Achieve cumulative energy efficiency savings of 2-5 percent by 2020
through voluntary and mandatory energy efficiency measures in
building
EGY3 - Encourage voluntary electrification (and mandates as appropriate) of
natural gas appliances through actions such as pilot programs,
process streamlining, evaluating barriers (rates/fees, financing), and
contractor/supplier engagement.
EGY4 - Develop mandates that will result in even greater efficiency savings
and decarbonization from 2020 to 2030. Potential evaluations include
higher efficiency standards for new and existing buildings.
EGY5 - Develop programs that will result in even greater efficiency savings
and decarbonization from 2020 to 2030.
EGY6 - Complete construction of a replacement facility for sludge
incinerators, the City facility with the largest energy use.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Building Energy Efficiency Savings
Avoided Natural Gas Use due to Electrification Programs
In 2005, electricity and natural gas consumption in buildings accounted for 43% of the City’s
overall GHG emissions. To reduce the GHG emissions from the buildings sector, the City has
aggressively pursued all cost-effective energy efficiencies through voluntary and mandatory
programs. In 2008, City Council adopted the city’s first Energy Reach Code that requires new
construction projects to meet energy standards that are more stringent than California’s
building energy efficiency standards. In 2013, City Council adopted a Carbon Neutral Electric
Supply Plan, which commits the City to providing its customers with a 100% carbon neutral
electricity supply, sourced from hydroelectric and renewable energy sources. In November
2019, City Council unanimously adopted an all-electric mandate (CMR #10875) for residential
new construction projects effective April 1, 2020. Council further directed staff to return to
Council with ordinances to mandate all-electric new construction projects for non-residential
buildings and Accessory Dwelling Units in 2020. As part of its November 2019 decision, Council
recognizes that an all-electric home is cheaper to build and operate over the lifetime of the
building, and helps the City meets its GHG reduction goal. The all-electric mandate currently
does not apply to existing buildings, which represent a much larger share of carbon emissions,
but staff is working on options to present Council for potentially extending this mandate to
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cover significant remodel projects. As of 2018, buildings are responsible for 32% of the City’s
overall GHG emissions, comprising 43 million square feet of residential and 25 million square
feet of commercial buildings.
More efficient buildings require less electricity, natural gas, and water, while saving customers
money. For energy efficiency, City Council adopted the first set of Ten-Year Energy Efficiency
(EE) Goals in 2007, with a cumulative savings target of 3.5 percent of the forecasted electric and
gas usage between 2008 and 2017. These energy efficiency goals have since been updated,
with the most recent set of ten-year energy efficiency goals adopted in 2017 to achieve
cumulative electric energy savings of 5.7 percent and gas savings of 5.1 percent between 2018
and 2027. The Utilities Department oversees a portfolio of energy efficiency programs that
range from customer rebates to direct installation assistance to a home energy advisory hotline
for residential and nonresidential customers. Besides rebate programs, the Utilities Department
also runs workshops and outreach campaigns to promote energy efficiency. In addition to
ongoing EE programs, Palo Alto’s Energy Reach Code in 2019 required all new construction
projects to exceed the state’s building energy efficiency standards by a minimum of 10 percent.
The energy efficiency savings, from both EE programs and the City’s Energy Reach Code, are
reflected in the Energy SIP Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for Building Energy Efficiency
Savings.
Table 1 shows the City’s Building Energy Savings KPI, under which it reports both electric
efficiency savings and gas efficiency savings. In FY 2018, the reported Electric Efficiency savings
was 5,957 MWh, or 0.63 percent of the City’s total electric use. This is equivalent to the total
power used by 946 California homes in a year. Similarly, FY 2018 Gas Efficiency savings was
251,718 therms, or 0.97 percent of the City’s total gas use. The avoided GHG emissions from
the gas efficiency savings is equivalent to taking 290 passenger vehicles off the road for a year.
In FY 2019, the reported Electric Efficiency savings was 5,371 MWh, or 0.61 percent of the City’s
total electric use. This is equivalent to the total power used by 853 California homes in a year.
Similarly, the FY 2019 Gas Efficiency savings was 128,333 therms, or 0.44 percent of the City’s
total gas use. The avoided GHG emissions from the gas efficiency savings is equivalent to taking
148 passenger vehicles off the road for a year.
The City did not meet Council-adopted EE goals for FY 2019 and is not on track to meet FY 2020
EE goals. Since the standards for energy efficiency have been raised to such a high level,
incremental, claimable efficiency savings are difficult to achieve. The City has, however,
executed contracts for new EE programs and will be launching new programs for residential
customers as well as small to medium business customers by mid-2020. The City is also
implementing new systems to simplify tracking of EE savings and all-electric buildings in Palo
Alto.
Table 1: Energy SIP KPI: Building Energy Efficiency Savings
Percent Energy Saved / Total Energy Usage FY17 FY18 FY19
Percent Electric Efficiency Savings 0.65% 0.63% 0.61%
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Percent Gas Efficiency Savings 0.81% 0.97% 0.44%
Source: City of Palo Alto Utilities
Large decreases in natural gas use are needed to achieve Palo Alto’s 80x30 goal. While gas
efficiency will play a part in reducing emissions, building electrification will need to play an even
larger role, even though it is one of the more expensive forms of GHG reduction available.
Space heating and water heating in buildings are two dominant uses of natural gas, followed by
commercial cooking, and a significant amount of conversion to electricity will need to be done
for these uses. Based on a recent study commissioned by the California Energy Commission
(CEC), building electrification using efficient space and water heating technologies can reduce
natural gas consumption by roughly 60%, and is the lowest-cost and lowest-risk pathway to
meet the state’s decarbonization goal.
City staff is working to overcome the many barriers to building electrification, which range from
a lack of awareness among the public on efficient electric alternatives to gas appliances, to the
high upfront cost of electrifying existing buildings, to the lack of familiarity among contractors
with efficient electric heat pump appliances. Palo Alto is addressing these barriers through
different approaches, from offering heat pump water heater rebates and project assistance,
providing educational resources through online resources and workshops, and working with
other local governments as well as community groups to promote efficient electric alternatives
to gas appliances.
Table 2 shows the Avoided Natural Gas Use Due to Electrification Programs KPI, expressed in
therms. As of end of 2018, this is based on the number of rebated heat pump water heater
units (10 units rebated in 2017, 26 units in 2018, and 8 units in 2019). Since heat pump water
heaters have an expected service life of 13 years, the avoided annual gas use is additive across
the years. The City did not meet its targets for 2019, due to several factors. Retrofitting gas
appliances in existing buildings can be significantly more expensive than a like-for-like gas
appliance replacement, especially in cases where electrical infrastructure upgrade is necessary.
Besides the higher upfront purchase cost of heat pump equipment, the operational cost of heat
pump equipment may also be higher than comparable gas equipment depending on the utility
rate tier that the customer is billed at. Outside of Palo Alto, only a handful of California utilities
currently offer customer rebates to promote building electrification.
Table 2: Energy SIP KPI: Avoided Natural Gas Use Due to Electrification Programs
Avoided Natural Gas Use Due to Electrification Programs 2017 2018 2019
Rebated heat pump water heater units 10 26 8
Cumulative gas savings (therms) 1,453 4,916 6,008
Source: City of Palo Alto Utilities
Over the next few years, the city will expand its menu of electrification program offerings. Staff
is developing a 2-year (2020-2021) Building Electrification Work Plan (CMR #11106) that covers
customer programs and outreach activities, as well as strategic planning to position the electric
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and gas utility to adapt to changing demand in the coming decades.
Finally, the City of Palo Alto’s Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) replaced the City
facility with the largest energy use - the sewage sludge incinerators - with a more
environmentally friendly Sludge Dewatering and Truck Loadout Facility. The updated treatment
process will reduce climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 15,000 metric
tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year- this approximates the carbon dioxide emissions of
3,000 passenger cars. The replacement technologies dewater the sludge and send it to farming
areas to produce agricultural soil supplements.
Mobility SIP Progress Report
GOALS
Reduce Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) travel
Make it more convenient not to drive
KEY ACTIONS
MOB1 - Implement solutions and incentives to reduce SOV travel
MOB2 - Advocate for regional transportation solutions that reduce emissions
and congestion
MOB3 - Fund the TMA with the goal of reducing SOV commute-trips
downtown by 30 percent
MOB4 - Increase bicycle boulevard mileage and redesign streets to support
active and non-SOV modes of travel
MOB5 - Provide incentives for the appropriate mode of travel
MOB6 - Explore housing strategies (such as transit-oriented development,
trip caps, parking maximums and unbundling parking) that reduce
auto trips
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
SOV commute mode share
Transit ridership
Commute Benefits participation by City Employees
Transportation has consistently been a top City Council priority in some form or another for the
last six years and will continue to be a priority for 2020. Most transportation activities also
support the City Council’s climate change priority. In response to the increasing prominence of
mobility issues in Palo Alto and throughout the region, transportation resources and functions
have been transitioned to a separate Office of Transportation, moving out as a division of the
Planning & Community Environment Department (now Planning and Development Services).
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Road transportation is the greatest single source of local GHG emissions, at approximately 94
percent, which includes local (internal) trips as well as commute trips. In the U.S., the world’s
second-largest producer of greenhouse gases, transportation makes up the largest share of
emissions at 28 percent. Transportation also makes up the largest share of emissions in
California, at 41 percent. Building a sustainable transportation system that provides convenient,
affordable alternatives to the automobile requires a wide range of strategies, including:
• Transportation Demand Management (TDM). TDM refers to strategies that improve
transportation system efficiency and reduce congestion by shifting trips from single
occupant vehicles to collective forms of transport, including mass transit and carpools.
TDM is a critical component of a comprehensive strategy to reduce traffic congestion,
single-occupancy vehicles (SOV), and parking demand. In January 2015, the City of Palo
Alto, in collaboration with local businesses and residents, supported establishment of a
transportation management association (TMA) for the downtown area to coordinate
TDM activities. The success of this effort and its potential to expand to other areas of
the City will depend on securing ongoing funding and on the committed participation of
employers who face parking and traffic challenges in downtown. In 2018, Palo Alto
launched a $1 million Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funded Fair Value Commuting
(FVC) Demonstration project to reduce SOV driving in the Bay Area. The project tested a
package of strategies to tackle these challenges. From July through December 2019,
Palo Alto - along with the cities of Menlo Park, Mountain View and Cupertino - piloted
the use of commuter trip reduction software, a multimodal trip planning app, and
commuting incentives. The lessons from the FVC pilots are currently being compiled to
help shape how existing employers continue pilot efforts, whether other employers
follow suit, and how policymakers can complement and further encourage such efforts.
• First / Last Mile Connections. Many people live or work within a mile from a transit
station or bus stop; however, distance, perception of safety, and inconvenience may
deter them from using transit, so the entire trip is made by SOV simply for lack of
convenience of a small but crucial segment of the trip. Currently, the Palo Alto shuttle,
bicycling, and walking are the best first/last mile options for most of Palo Alto, with 61%
of Palo Residents living within a quarter mile walk of transit. The current Palo Alto
Crosstown Shuttle (CTS) provides a free north-south shuttle service from the Palo Alto
Transit Center to Crescent Park, Midtown, the Charleston Rd. area, and several
community centers, libraries, senior centers, and schools in between. Ridership is
approximately 4,900 passenger trips per month, consisting mostly of middle school
students and senior citizens. In December 2019, Council approved a contract with
Transmetro as the new shuttle services provider, which will allow for the continued
operation of the Crosstown Shuttle without a gap in service. The new service also comes
with expanded performance reporting and customer service tools such as real-time
shuttle information, automatic passenger counters, and a 24-hour emergency contact
number. City Council also approved extending the Bike share pilot program and staff are
currently finalizing the guidelines for the program, which will keep the city largely on the
sidelines while private companies compete for riders. The city's guidelines would
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include rules pertaining to how bikes and scooters should be parked as well as
prohibitions on blocking pedestrian areas and access to buildings.
• Bicycling. Palo Alto dedicated its formal bikeway system-one of the nation’s first-in
1972. Bikeways have since become commonplace, and considerable progress has been
made in overcoming barriers to bicycle travel in and around Palo Alto. Palo Alto’s
bikeway network consists of on-road bicycle lanes, bicycle boulevards and bicycle
routes, off-roadway shared-use paths and bridges and bicycle parking facilities.
Fourteen underpasses and bridges span barriers such as freeways, creeks and railroad
tracks. Palo is a leading city nationwide for adult bicycle commuting, up from 5.8% in
1990 to 7.9% in 2018. More impressively, Palo Alto high school bicycle commuting is up
from 12% in 2001 to 51% in 2019. Residents and commuters also celebrated the 10th
Anniversary of Bike Palo Alto Day. The City has also made significant progress in
implementing its 2012 Bicycle + Pedestrian Transportation Plan.
• Housing/Transportation Land Use Relationship. Building a sustainable transportation
system also requires thoughtful planning around housing. Building housing near transit,
for example, can reduce vehicle miles travelled. City Council adopted the Housing Work
Plan Implementation Ordinance (Ordinance #5460) on April 1, 2019. As discussed in the
City Manager Report, the Housing Work Plan Implementation Ordinance was drafted to
amend various sections of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to implement new policies to
spur greater housing production, such as the Housing Incentive Program (CMR #9974).
In addition, the Planning and Development Services Department and the North Ventura
Coordinated Area Plan Working Group has hosted several community workshops to
provide opportunities for meaningful input for a walkable, mixed-use neighborhood.
In October 2019, Council approved the 2019 Transportation Work Plan (CMR #10692), a high-
level summary of the Office of Transportation initiatives, programs, and projects. The work plan
focus areas include mobility (i.e., Safe Routes to School, transit agency coordination, and the
Palo Alto Shuttle), bike boulevard implementation and other traffic calming programs,
supporting the Highway 101 Pedestrian/Bike Bridge Project at Adobe Creek, other capital
improvement projects, and evaluating/implementing parking management efforts. The
transportation work plan also highlights new ways the Office of Transportation and the City are
approaching outreach and community engagement for transportation issues.
As shown in Table 3, in 2019 SOV commute trips to downtown Palo Alto continued a downward
trend from 2015, with drive alone trips being reduced 15 percent. Transit ridership increased 21
percent since 2015 and rideshares increased 3 percent. However, for non-downtown locations,
drive alone trips are 78% of all trips, with transit at 3% and carpool at 10%.
Table 3: Mobility SIP KPI: SOV Commute Mode Share
Commute Mode (Downtown Palo Alto) 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Drive Alone 57% 56% 53% 49% 42%
Transit 18% 18% 20% 27% 39%
Carpool 5% 6% 8% 9% 8%
Source: Palo Alto Downtown TMA Survey
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Although Palo Alto is served by various modes of public transit, the most readily available data
is for Caltrain Average Weekday Ridership (AWR). As shown in Table 4, Caltrain Average
Weekday Ridership at all Palo Alto Caltrain stations decreased by 439 riders between 2019 and
2018, which is consistent with a 2.3% decrease in overall Caltrain ridership. The Palo Alto
Downtown Caltrain Station has the second highest AWR after San Francisco Fourth and King.
Table 4: Mobility SIP KPI: Transit Ridership
Transit Ridership FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
Caltrain Average Weekday Ridership 9,052 9,072 9,457 9,018
Source: Caltrain
As shown in Table 5, overall City of Palo Alto employee participation in available commute
benefits increased by 60 participants between 2018 and 2019. Palo Alto’s FTA Fair Value
Community Demonstration project launched a pilot program in 2019 to improve employee
participation in available commute benefits. The pilot included the creation of a Commute
Concierge to assist staff with navigating and utilizing available commute benefits. The number
of employees who requested a Go Pass (which can be used on Caltrain between all zones, seven
days a week, and is currently offered only to benefited employees assigned to City Hall,
Development Center and Downtown Library) increased by 11 participants; the number of
employees ordering transit, parking, or bicycle benefits expenses through GoNavia, a commute
benefit ordering website, increased by 35 participants, and employee participation in walking
or carpooling to work increased by 14 participants.
Table 5: Mobility SIP KPI: Commute Benefits Participation by City Employees
Commute Benefit 2016 2017 2018 2019
Go Pass 185 198 190 201
GoNavia (Commuter Benefit Ordering Website) 55 62 49 84
Walk/Carpool 29 28 36 50
Total Participation 269 288 275 335
Source: City of Palo Alto Human Resources
EV (Electric Vehicle) SIP Progress Report
GOALS
Accelerate EV penetration for both PA-based & inbound vehicles
Make “Going EV” more convenient and economical than using fossil fueled
vehicles
KEY ACTIONS
EV1 - Develop programs and ordinances to streamline City processes for
EVSE installations
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EV2 - Consider requiring EV Readiness and charger installation in existing
buildings
EV3 - Evaluate programs to expand EV charger deployment on private
property, including rebates, incentives, outreach, policies, and financing
options (e.g. on-bill financing) to stimulate charging infrastructure and
EV ownership/use.
EV4 - Build out public and private infrastructure to support rising EV
penetration, including anticipated local ownership of 4-6,000 EVs by
2020
EV5 - Expand EV deployment in City fleet
EV6 - Support regional EV group-buy programs
EV7 - Build public awareness of EV options through communications,
workshops, and Ride-and-Drive events.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
EV penetration (registered in Palo Alto)
GHG emissions avoided through EVs
As discussed in the Mobility section, transportation currently accounts for approximately 94
percent of the community’s remaining GHG emissions. Increasing the number of EVs replacing
fossil fuel vehicles and building EV infrastructure can help reduce transportation related GHGs.
The 2016 S/CAP Framework set a target of 90 percent EV market share in Palo Alto by 2030,
with half of all cars commuting into Palo Alto to be electric. The adoption rate of EVs in Palo
Alto is currently the highest in the country. A recent report shows that in 2017, 1 in 3 new
vehicles (29 percent) in our community was an EV. For comparison, in 2017 the EV market
share for new vehicles in California was approximately 5 percent. Based on vehicle registration
data from the Department of Motor Vehicles and California Air Resources Board vehicle counts,
there were an estimated 4,500 EVs (approximately 7 percent penetration) registered in Palo
Alto at the end of 2019.
GHG reduction estimates due to EV adoption are approximately 2.4MT/year/car. If we assume
that there are currently 4,500 vehicles registered in Palo Alto, these cars will displace
approximately 10,800 MT CO2e per year.
City of Palo Alto’s Utilities, Planning and Development Services, Public Works Departments, and
the Office of Sustainability have a number of coordinated initiatives in place to accelerate the
adoption of electric vehicles in the Palo Alto community, including addressing barriers in
municipal code and City and State-mandated policies. It is estimated that 1 in 7 homes in the
community has an electric vehicle. City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) offers a number of
programs to facilitate EV adoption (e.g. rebates for EV charger installations, bulk-buy program,
educational events/tools, rebate on utility connection fees triggered by EV charger installation).
In September 2019, staff presented a 3-year (2019-2021) EV workplan (9/4/19 UAC Memo) to
increase adoption of EVs to the Utilities Advisory Commission. The City has also identified a 5-
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year replacement strategy to expand EV deployment in City Fleet. The City fleet currently has
425 vehicles: 12 are EVs, 7 are hybrids, and 74 are alternative fuel vehicles, with 35 percent of
nonemergency vehicles using alternative fuels or technology.
The California Energy Commission (CEC) is partnering with local energy agencies to launch an
incentive program for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations throughout Santa
Clara and San Mateo counties, through their California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project
(CALeVIP). CALeVIP is funded by the CEC and administered by the Center for Sustainable Energy
(CSE), a not-for-profit corporation. In August 2019, the CEC awarded $1 Million in grant funding
for the City to provide cash rebates for installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers at multi-
family residential, mixed use, and commercial buildings.
In November 2017, in an effort to reduce GHGs associated with waste collection services, the
City funded a pilot project for the City’s waste collection contractor, GreenWaste of Palo Alto,
Inc. (GreenWaste), to purchase and use North America’s first full-sized all-electric automated
waste collection truck. The electric truck has been operating for over two years, saving
approximately 6,000 gallons of diesel fuel and reducing 78 metric tons of CO2e per year.
GreenWaste staff and the vehicle manufacturer “BYD” have gained a better understanding of
this vehicle and its capabilities and BYD is already developing the next prototype vehicle with a
goal to have the battery capacity completely meet the City’s waste collection needs in terms of
miles, lifts, and hours by 2023. The forecasted needed battery capacity is between 375 kWh and
400 kWh. At that point, future GreenWaste replacements could potentially be electric vehicles.
As shown in Table 6, the number of EVs registered in Palo Alto has steadily increased since
2015, likely as a result of a combination of EV adoption programs, rebates and incentives,
increased public EV infrastructure, and improvements in EV technology and battery range. GHG
emissions displaced from EVs has also increased. The number of non-gas cars is expected to
keep rising, with 70% of current drivers of electric vehicles saying they are likely to get a second
vehicle, according to a department survey of residents. Of those who own them, 73% say they
charge their vehicles at home. Meanwhile, 70% of survey responders who don't drive an
electric vehicle say they would be "extremely interested" in getting one if they knew EV
charging would be readily available.
Table 6: EV SIP KPIs: Estimated EV penetration and GHG emissions avoided through EVs
EV SIP KPIs 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
EV Penetration (registered in Palo Alto) 1,200 2,000 3,100 4,000 4,500
GHG emissions avoided (MT CO2e) 2,880 4,800 7,440 9,600 10,800
Sources: CPAU, California Air Resources Board, and DMV Vehicle Registration Data
Water SIP Progress Report
GOALS
Reduce inefficient water consumption
City of Palo Alto Page 14
Ensure adequate water supply from sustainable sources
Protect canopy, creeks, groundwater, and the bay
KEY ACTIONS
WAT1 - Develop programs and ordinances to maximize water efficiency
WAT2 - Develop programs and ordinances to facilitate the use of non-
traditional, non-potable water sources (e.g. graywater, stormwater,
black water, etc.)
WAT3 - Develop Northwest County Recycled Water Strategic Plan and
explore the most effective uses of recycled water within the RWQCP
service area (including Palo Alto)
WAT4 - Develop a City-wide Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan to treat
flows before discharging into creeks and waterbodies, and (when
possible) capture and infiltrate stormwater back into the hydrologic
cycle
WAT5 - Reduce salinity of Palo Alto’s recycled water to increase use
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICTORS
Per capita water use
Percentage recycled water use
Water is a limited resource in California, and its availability is affected by drought and will be
further impacted by climate change and potential changes to the state water system. The
sustainability goals are geared toward reducing water use; improving water quality; developing
opportunities to reuse water for the Regional Water Quality Control Plant; and protecting the
tree canopy, the San Francisco Bay, local waterways, and the groundwater aquifer.
The Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) is a local source of drought-proof,
sustainable water, only a small fraction of which is currently being used for irrigation and toilet
flushing. The RWQCP treats wastewater from Palo Alto, Mountain View, and four other service
territories, and generates approximately one million gallons of high-quality recycled water each
day. Recycled water is used in Palo Alto to irrigate the City’s municipal golf course and Greer
Park as well as for RWQCP processes. Investments in pipeline expansions and additional
treatment facilities are needed to increase the amount of water reused from the facility. On
November 18, 2019, Council approved a Partnership Agreement that gives the Santa Clara
Valley Water District (Valley Water) (CMR #10627) an option to acquire about half of the
treated wastewater produced by the RWQCP. The Agreement addresses multiple objectives,
including diverting treated wastewater discharge from the San Francisco Bay, increasing the use
of treated wastewater from the RWQCP, and displacing potable imported water where
appropriate and feasible. The Agreement with Valley Water and the City of Mountain View
(Mountain View) is comprised of three main elements:
1. Valley Water will contribute $16 million, of approximately $20 million total cost, to
City of Palo Alto Page 15
design and construct a small salt removal facility at the RWQCP in Palo Alto to improve
the quality of non-potable recycled water used in Palo Alto and Mountain View. The
improved water will be better for salt-sensitive plants and will, in the short-term, enable
Mountain View to connect around 60 new customers to the distribution system.
2. About half the treated wastewater produced by the RWQCP will be transferred to Valley
Water for use in the county south of Mountain View. Valley Water will pay $1 million
per year to be allocated between all the wastewater agencies that commit treated
effluent to the transfer.
3. Palo Alto and Mountain View will have a future option to request a new potable or non-
potable water supply from Valley Water if needed. Any new water resource will be
supplied by Valley Water at cost.
Water reuse will increase in importance as California’s population expands and climate change
and new environmental regulations pose uncertainties in imported water supply availability.
Palo Alto, in collaboration with the Valley Water District, developed a Northwest County
Recycled Water Strategic Plan to identify the best potable and non-potable options for water
reuse in the RWQCP service area. The Strategic Plan evaluates potential additional uses of
recycled water Study Area through the year 2030, identifies recycled water concepts that look
beyond individual agency boundaries, and evaluates previously recommended recycled water
projects with new options developed through the Strategic Plan.
The City has multiple programs and ordinances to facilitate the use of non-traditional, non-
potable water sources including rebates for rainwater capture and incentives for graywater
systems. In May 2019, City Council accepted a Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Plan (CMR
#9883), which outlines how the City intends to transform its stormwater infrastructure over
years to slow the flow of storm runoff, increase infiltration, recharge groundwater, increase
irrigation and other uses, and remove contamination. Related to the requirements of the GSI
Plan, staff drafted a policy to integrate GSI and Sustainability in City policies, plans, and the
Capital Improvement Project process. Staff is currently developing a Sustainability and GSI
Checklist for the CIP process.
Efficient water use is a top priority, and the City - through Valley Water - offers a variety of
programs including indoor and outdoor water use surveys, landscape conversion rebates,
irrigation equipment rebates, and many water-related events and workshops throughout the
year. Whether a water supply shortage exists or not, “Making Water Conservation a California
Way of Life” is a concept embraced by the City.
As shown in Table 7, per capita water use decreased from 2018 to 2019, but is still not as low at
2017. The percentage of recycled water used compared to available capacity is not expected to
change significantly until a water reuse project is identified and implemented.
Table 7: Water SIP KPIs: Per Capita Water Use and Percentage Recycled Water Use
Water SIP KPIs 2017 2018 2019
City of Palo Alto Page 16
Per Capita Water Use (GPCD - Gallons Per Capita per Day - of potable
water)
134 142 137
Percentage Recycled Water (RW) Use (Volume of RW / RW filter
Capacity)
16% 18% 17%
Source: City of Palo Alto Utilities
Reducing water use contributes to GHG reductions although the link is not as significant in Palo
Alto as it is in some other parts of the state because the San Francisco Public Utilities
Commission (SFPUC) system is gravity-fed, requiring no pumping. Energy used to heat or pump
water in Palo Alto’s residents and businesses take advantage of the City’s carbon neutral gas
and electricity supplies. GHG reduction related to water use in Palo Alto is not specifically
tracked nor included in the City’s GHG reduction statistics.
Accomplishments in Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Framework Areas
When the 2016 S/CAP Framework was adopted by Council, staff anticipated the need to update
the S/CAP in 2020. The 2018 - 2020 SIP provides a work plan through the end of 2020. In order
to continue progress towards our climate and sustainability goals and target, staff has initiated
planning and timeline discussions for a 2020 S/CAP Update. While the 2018 - 2020 SIP focused
only on four areas of activity - Energy, Mobility, Electric Vehicles, and Water - the 2020 S/CAP
Update will include those four areas and add Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise, Natural
Environment, and Zero Waste. These S/CAP Framework chapters were selected based on
urgency of need, impact on climate and sustainability goals, and alignment with Council
priorities.
Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise
GOALS
Draft a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Policy for Council review and approval
(March 2019)
Complete a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Vulnerability Assessment and
Implementation Plan Chapter for the 2020 S/CAP Update
The key 2019 accomplishments for climate adaptation and sea level rise include:
1. Council adoption of Palo Alto’s Sea Level Rise Adaptation Policy. Staff drafted a Sea
Level Rise Adaptation Policy which reflects technical input from across City
Departments; sea level rise subject matter experts from the San Francisco Estuary
Institute, Bay Area Climate Action Network, University of California Berkeley climate and
sea level rise researchers, and the Berkeley Climate Readiness Institute. The policy was
also peer review by the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability-Climate and Sea Level
Rise Planning and the Santa Clara County Office of Sustainability. The policy received
public review in February 2019, and City Council reviewed and accepted the policy on
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March 18, 2019 (CMR #9576).
The goal of the policy is to bridge the high-level policy statements about sea level rise
that are found in various City plans (e.g., S/CAP Framework, 2030 Comprehensive Plan,
Threat and Hazard Identification Risk Assessment) with an eventual nuts-and-bolts Sea
Level Rise Adaptation Plan. The Plan will serve as the Sea Level Rise Implementation
Plan chapter of the 2020 S/CAP Update. The policy includes goals and procedures and
the roles and responsibilities of City Departments in preparing for sea level rise.
2. The release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Consultant Services for a Sea Level
Rise Vulnerability Assessment and Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan. Staff released an
RFP for Sea Level Rise Adaptation consultant services in November 2019. Services will
include:
a) A vulnerability assessment of how sea level rise and related rising shallow
groundwater levels will impact Palo Alto’s infrastructure, neighborhoods,
economy, and Baylands habitat
b) Development of a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan for Council approval
c) Community engagement and public meetings
d) Tool development and an education strategy for staff and the public
e) Research and technical guidance
The contract is scheduled for Council approval on April 6, 2020.
3. Strategy to Advance Flood protection, Ecosystems and Recreation (SAFER Bay) Project
Draft Feasibility Report. The draft feasibility report was released by the San Francisquito
Creek Joint Powers Authority in June 2019. The report evaluates flood protection
alternatives along the San Francisco Bay shoreline from the San Francisquito Creek
border to the Palo Alto/Mountain View city boundary and it describes levee alignments
along the Baylands. The alignments integrate a mix of traditional levee alignments,
horizontal levees, and habitat restoration and the mechanical equipment needed to
support them. Staff reviewed the report and plans to present it to Palo Alto City Council
in 2020 in conjunction with the South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Phase II Feasibility
Study (Shoreline Study) led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Valley Water. The
Shoreline Study leverages initial SAFER recommendations.
4. Palo Alto Horizontal Levee Pilot Project. A horizontal levee is a gently sloped, irrigated,
and vegetated flood control levee along a shoreline which provides key transitional
habitat, storm surge attenuation, and wastewater polishing. Horizontal levees
incorporate green infrastructure into traditional flood control infrastructure. The pilot
location is a small section along Harbor Marsh at the east end of Embarcadero Road
near Byxbee Park and the Regional Water Quality Control Plant. Although designed to
be a permanent system, the project is considered a pilot due to its relatively small size
and goal of collecting information and data for inclusion in the design of the larger flood
improvement projects (e.g., SAFER Bay). As such, the pilot project would be designed for
City of Palo Alto Page 18
integration into the proposed SAFER Bay levee alignment. A preliminary design was
completed in 2019 and additional $500,000 in grant funds was secured from Coastal
Conservancy Proposition 1 to progress the design to a 60% project definition and initiate
permitting. Please refer to the Palo Alto Horizontal Levee Pilot Project Factsheet for
more information.
5. Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) New Primary Outfall Project. This
project includes a new Outfall pipeline to convey treated effluent to the Bay, as well as
rehabilitation of the existing 52-year old outfall pipe, and pump replacement for
effluent discharged to Renzel Marsh. The new Outfall pipeline will provide reliable
transport of treated wastewater effluent under projected climate change and sea level
rise scenarios. Construction will begin in fall 2020. Construction will occur between the
months of October and January between 2020 and 2023 to protect nesting and
migratory birds.
6. Palo Alto Flood Basin Tide Gate Repairs. During heavy rainfall, stormwater runoff flows
from three creeks (Adobe, Barron, and Matadero) towards the Bay, where it is detained
by the surrounding earthen levee and tide gates known as the Palo Alto Flood Basin.
One of the 16 gates is mechanical, and it is used to release water to the Bay as needed.
Without this system in place, heavy storm events combined with seasonal high tides
could push storm runoff upstream, over creek channels and onto streets and private
property. The existing tide gate was built by Valley Water in 1956 and is in need of
repair. The new tide gate will be made adaptable to sea level rise scenarios.
Construction will begin in fall 2021 by Valley Water and occur only between September
and January. The project is anticipated to end in January 2025. The short construction
season is required to protect nesting and migrating birds. Public meetings and structure
tours are scheduled for mid-March and April.
Natural Environment
GOALS
Value and enhance the commonwealth for future generations
Renew, restore and enhance resilience of our natural environment
Align S/CAP planning for the Natural Environment with other City plans
Maximize carbon sequestration and storage in the Natural Environment
Sustainability is not only about mitigation, adaptation, and resilience, but also regeneration -
identifying opportunities for renewal, restoration, and growth of our natural resources and
environment. Palo Alto will continue to build and restore its natural resources, “common
wealth” (the wealth we share in common, including the natural environment and its ecosystem
services, and civic infrastructure), and the bio-capacity that supports it, including soils, tree
canopy, biodiversity, and other components. Enhancing and maintaining these resources will
use natural areas and systems to provide habitat, flood protection, storm water management,
City of Palo Alto Page 19
cleaner air, cleaner water, and human health enhancement.
Palo Alto is one of 3,409 cities in the United States that hold the Arbor Day Foundation’s “Tree
City USA” status due to its dense urban canopy and more than 300 different species throughout
streets, parks, and other landscaped areas. Protecting, maintaining, and enhancing the urban
forest is a high priority for the City. City of Palo Alto Utilities was recognized with the Tree Line
USA award by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the fifth year in a row.
In February 2019, Palo Alto City Council approved the Urban Forest Plan Second Edition (CMR
#10034). In addition, the City encompasses a variety of natural plant communities within a
densely built environment. The Baylands and undeveloped land in the western hills contain
undisturbed plant communities and habitat for a variety of species. The following natural plant
communities exist within the City’s boundaries: 1) Annual Grassland (various locations); 2)
Coastal Scrub (foothills); 3) Chamise Chaparral (foothills); 4) Forests (Redwood, Montane
Hardwood-Conifer, Montane Hardwood in foothills); 5) Oak Woodland (foothills); and 6)
Wetlands (Baylands).
Record tree planting and pruning contributed to increase the value of benefits produced by
36,000 public trees to nearly $18 million annually. This segment of the tree population
represents approximately 9 percent of Palo Alto’s land area. Proposals have been requested to
create a canopy cover analysis tool which will allow calculation on any selected area from the
size of an individual parcel to citywide. Citywide tree canopy cover was 32.8% in 1982 and
37.6% in 2010. Analysis of canopy cover trends will inform actions to reach goals identified in
plans.
Staff is continuing development of a carbon sequestration project designed to plant as many as
10,000 trees identified as viable opportunities in South Palo Alto on private properties.
Zero Waste
GOALS
Achieve a 95 percent diversion rate by 2030
Improve generation habits and reduce the total amount of material sent to
the landfill
Provide local recycling and composting resources
Minimize energy and pollution from waste collection
Provide consistent maintenance of the Palo Alto landfill cap and gas
control systems to minimize fugitive emissions
Reducing the amount of waste discarded in landfills is an important strategy for both GHG
reductions and overall sustainability. Diverting waste from landfills occurs through product
changes, material use reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting. These actions promote a
“circular economy” where materials, water and energy do not create waste but instead are
City of Palo Alto Page 20
used as resources. Getting to the 95% goal will require refinement of existing programs, the
addition of new policies and programs, and working with businesses and residents that
purchase products that will eventually become waste. The 2018 Zero Waste Plan identifies new
programs and initiatives needed to meet the City’s sustainability and zero waste goals. With the
City’s diversion rate at 82%, progress towards additional diversion is planned with the
implementation of key initiatives identified in the 2018 Zero Waste Plan including the following
that support waste reduction and diversion:
1. Disposable Foodware Ordinance. In June 2019, Council approved one of the region's
strictest restrictions on plastics with a new ordinance to ban disposable foodware items
to reduce plastics in the environment and waterways (CMR #10148, #10471). The
ordinance requires the following:
• Banned plastic produce bags, straws, utensils, stirrers, drink plugs, food and
drink picks, and other small disposable plastic items.
• Reusable or compostable alternatives to the banned items.
• Compostable items must be acceptable in the City’s compost collection program.
• Compostable alternatives to be issued only upon request or via a self-serve
station.
• Compostable produce bags are required at local markets and grocery stores.
Outreach to communicate the new requirements to the community and the affected
food service establishments was developed and conducted in late 2019 in preparation
for the implementation of the new requirements to be effective in January 2020. Patient
rooms at hospitals and clinics are exempt from the policy.
2. Transition to Reusable Foodware. A key component of the Foodware Packaging
Reduction initiative of the 2018 Zero Waste Plan is to reduce the amount of disposable
single use foodware packaging generated in Palo Alto. In 2019, the food vendors at the
Earth Day event and May Fete Fair were required to use reusable foodware. A reusable
foodware service vendor was contracted by the Zero Waste team to help facilitate this
effort.
3. Deconstruction & Construction Materials Management Ordinance. Deconstruction,
the careful disassembly of building components to maximize reuse and recycling
became a new ordinance in June 2019 (CMR #10148, #10472). The new ordinance
requires deconstruction (instead of demolition), salvage for reuse and source separation
of materials for increased recycling. Through the new ordinance, valuable materials that
would have been destroyed by traditional demolition will be recovered for reuse and
increased diversion. The new requirements will increase reuse and recycling, conserve
natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and encourage Zero Waste. This
ordinance affects approximately 115 construction projects annually and will be effective
July 1, 2020. Outreach to communicate the new requirements to the community and
the affected projects is being developed and strategies for communication and process
City of Palo Alto Page 21
are created.
4. Household Hazardous Waste Reuse Zone. The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Program expanded and held an inaugural reopening celebration of its HHW Reuse Zone
to showcase its new bright and eye-catching colorful design. The HHW Reuse Zone
consists of good quality, gently used household products that were donated by the
public. Items such as paint, motor oil, and cleaning products are dropped off at the HHW
Station and screened by staff to make sure it can then be placed in the Reuse Zone.
Many of the items brought into the HHW Station for disposal are in good condition and
typically come from a small home project that doesn’t require the whole can of paint, or
a move where someone must clear out their cleaning supplies. Before discarding or
even recycling these items they should be used to completion, which is the best use of
the products and the resources it takes to create them. By expanding the existing reuse
program and encouraging the public to participate, the goal is for the community to
reuse household items that would otherwise be discarded.
5. Enforcement Program for Commercial Customers. The active engagement of
commercial customers not sorting their refuse correctly continued. The goal of this
enforcement is to clean up the City’s recyclable materials so that they can be marketed
beneficially and improve waste diversion from landfills.
Awards and Other Accomplishments
Awards
• The City of Palo Alto Utilities won the Smart Energy Provider award in recognition of its
energy efficiency, distributed generation, and environmental initiatives that support a goal
of delivering low-cost, quality, safe, and reliable electric service. This is the first year the
American Public Power Association has awarded this designation to public power utilities.
• City of Palo Alto Utilities received the 2019 National Energy Innovator Award for its Home
Efficiency Genie program.
• City of Palo Utilities was recognized by the American Public Power Association (APPA) as a
Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) Diamond level - the highest honor - for proficiency,
sound business practices, and a utility-wide commitment to safe and reliable delivery of
electricity, system improvement, energy efficiency and workforce development.
• City of Palo Alto Utilities was recognized with the Tree Line USA award by the National
Arbor Day Foundation for the fifth year in a row.
• For the second year in a row, the City of Palo Alto received an “A” score for reporting on
our climate-related data to the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project). Palo Alto joins only 43
other cities - out of over 800 cities who report to the CDP - in the Leadership Scoring band
for demonstrating best practice standards across adaptation and mitigation, setting
ambitious but realistic goals and making progress towards achieving those goals, and for
having strategic, holistic plans in place to ensure the actions being taken will reduce
City of Palo Alto Page 22
climate impacts and vulnerabilities of the citizens, businesses and organizations residing in
our city.
Other Accomplishments
• In September 2019, the City partnered with Hewlett Packard to complete one of the City’s
largest solar array projects. Located on HP’s headquarters, the project uses 3,372 solar
panels that are projected to generate 2,355 megawatt hours of energy, enough electricity
to power 263 average Palo Alto homes for a year. The system is also expected to offset
1,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
• City of Palo Alto Public Works and the Office of Emergency Services launched a new, first of
its kind, Mobile Department Operations Center. The "MDOC" brings an entirely off-the-
grid, solar-powered mobile office to the City's fleet to assist public safety efforts in the
event of a disaster.
• The Office of Emergency Services completed design of a new Portable Power Pod (P3), the
first all-electric generator in Palo Alto that is capable of powering the Mobile Emergency
Operations Center (MEOC) and the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center.
• The Office of Emergency Services OES was awarded a $200,000 Homeland Security Grant
to acquire a solar-battery generator trailer. The final vendor will be selected and the new
generator will be in service by the end of CY 2020.
• The City doubled participation in the Cool Block Initiative, welcoming members of 25 new
block teams to Cool Block Palo Alto. The 25 existing Cool Block teams bought electric and
plug-in hybrid cars or downsized to one car with their bikes as backup transportation;
converted from gas to electric stoves; increased the number of plant-based meals eaten
each week; investigated ‘smart’ irrigation controllers that release water based on local
weather forecasts; and gathered for block book clubs, salons, holiday parties, Spring egg
hunts and potlucks.
• The Library provides educational opportunities that provide the public with information
and resources for reducing carbon footprint, waste and energy use, and for making
improvements to home and habits that encourage a sustainable life. Library buildings
include information about energy use and conservation, model new thinking regarding
public building design, and sustain materials collections that aid customer education about
all aspects of sustainability and the environment.
Future Vision
“Sustainability, in the context of climate change” and “Improving mobility for all” are 2020
Council Priorities. In 2020, our goal is to reinvigorate sustainability as a core value by integrating
it into our programs and operations. Staff prepared a 2020-2021 Sustainability Workplan that
will be brought to Council for approval in April 2020 (CMR #11123). Sustainability is embedded
in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, with 10 goals and over 50 actions outlined in the 2030
Comprehensive Plan Implementation Plan that are explicitly or implicitly related to
sustainability. We will be looking into ways to further embed sustainability through actions such
City of Palo Alto Page 23
as including sustainability considerations in City Council Staff Reports and including specific
questions related to GHG emissions and sustainability in the Capital Improvement Program
project development process.
For the City to continue progress towards S/CAP Framework goals and targets, the 2018 - 2020
SIP goals, and sustainability goals in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Plan, a 2020
S/CAP Update is necessary to further study the highest impact actions we can take to reach our
goals and targets. The 2020 S/CAP Update will include key actions in the following areas:
Energy, Mobility, Electric Vehicles, Water, Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise, Natural
Environment, and Zero Waste.
Resource Impacts
Initiatives are across departments and funds. Some are funded in current budgets, others will
be submitted as part of the FY 2021 Proposed Budget, while some will need to be prioritized in
light of competing priorities.
Stakeholder Engagement
The Earth Day report itself does not have an associated stakeholder engagement plan.
However, within the context of the 2020 S/CAP Update, staff has developed an Engagement
Plan which identifies relevant stakeholders, proposed materials, and desired meeting
milestones and outcomes. Staff will involve the community in the development of the 2020
S/CAP goals and Key Actions through a community workshop this spring and a 2020 S/CAP
Summit in the fall. Some of the areas will require more in-depth discussion, and staff will hold
area-specific meetings to do a deeper dive on specific topics, such as Sea Level Rise.
Staff will also provide opportunities for on-line engagement to gain a better understanding of
the community’s concerns and vision around the 2020 S/CAP Process, as well as provide an
opportunity for community members who can’t attend the meetings to provide their input.
Policy Implications
The Earth Day Report aligns with two of the top three Council Priorities for CY 2020:
“Sustainability, in the context of climate change” and “Improving mobility for all”.
Environmental Review
Acceptance and discussion of this Earth Day report from Council does not meet the definition of
a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act and therefore no environmental
review is required.
Attachments:
• Attachment A: 2018 – 2020 Sustainability Implementation Plan 2019 Snapshot
Attachment A: 2018 – 2020 Sustainability Implementation Plan 2019 Snapshot
2018-2020 Sustainability Implementation Plan: 2019 Snapshot
ENERGY GOALS
Drive building efficiency and electrification through
voluntary and mandatory programs
Mitigate the impacts of natural gas use through carbon
offsets (short term) and electrification (mid-to long-term)
KPIs Building Energy Efficiency Savings FY17 FY18 FY19
% Electric Efficiency Savings 0.65% 0.63% 0.61%
% Gas Efficiency Savings 0.81% 0.97% 0.44%
Avoided Natural Gas Use Due to
Electrification Programs
2017 2018 2019
Cumulative Savings (therms) 1,453 4,916 6,008
2019 Projects Highlights
Adopted an all-electric mandate for residential new construction
projects effective April 1, 2020
Initiated Multifamily (MF) Building Gas Furnace Retrofit Pilot
Launched Induction cooktop loaner program with Acterra
Replaced the sewage sludge incinerators with a more environmentally
friendly Sludge Dewatering & Truck Loadout Facility
WATER GOALS
Reduce inefficient water consumption
Ensure adequate water supply from sustainable sources
Protect canopy, creeks, groundwater, and the bay
KPIs 2017 2018 2019
Per Capita Potable Water Use (Gallons/Per
Capita/Day)
134 142 137
% Recycled Water (RW) Use
(Volume of RW/RW filter Capacity)
16% 18% 17%
2019 Projects Highlights
Approved an agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Water District and the
City of Mountain View to design and construct a salt removal facility at the
Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP), gives Valley Water the
option to acquire about half of the treated wastewater produced by the
RWQCP, and for Palo Alto to have a future option for water supply.
Completed a Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan
Identified water reuse alternatives
MOBILITY GOALS
Reduce Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) travel
Make it more convenient not to drive
KPIs SOV commute mode share 2016 2017 2018 2019
Drive Alone (Downtown) 56% 53% 49% 42%
Transit (Downtown) 18% 20% 27% 39%
Carpool (Downtown) 6% 8% 9% 8%
Transit Ridership (Caltrain) FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
Average Weekday Ridership 9,052 9,072 9,457 9,018
Commute Benefits 2016 2017 2018 2019
City Employee Participation 269 288 275 335
2019 Projects Highlights
Established the Office of Transportation
Participated in and advocated for regional transit programs
Increased active transportation mode share for school commutes
Adopted a Housing Work Plan Implementation Ordinance
ELECTRIC VEHICLE GOALS
Accelerate electric vehicle (EV) penetration
Make “Going EV” more convenient and economical than using
fossil fueled vehicles
KPIs 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
EV penetration (Palo Alto) 1,200 2,000 3,100 4,000 4,500
GHG emissions avoided (MT
CO2e)
2,880 4,800 7,440 9,600 10,800
2019 Projects Highlights
Drafted three-year EV workplan to increase adoption of EVs
Awarded $1 million CALeVIP grant for EV charger installations at commercial
properties, including non-profits, multi-family, and mixed-use buildings
Identified replacement strategy to expand EV deployment in City Fleet
Identified strategy to more than double publicly owned EV chargers
Completed a Customer Survey on EV adoption barriers
Co-sponsored workshops and ride-and-drive events for 400+ customers
http://cityofpaloalto.org/sustainabilityplan Last updated 4/2/2020