HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-09 Climate Action and Sustainability Agenda PacketCLIMATE ACTION AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Special Meeting
Friday, January 09, 2026
Community Meeting Room & Hybrid
2:00 PM
Climate Action and Sustainability Committee meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the
option to attend by teleconference/video conference or in person. Information on how the
public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. The
meeting will be broadcast live on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto.
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Meeting ID: 853 8091 8387 Phone: 1(669)900-6833
PUBLIC COMMENTS
General Public Comment for items not on the agenda will be accepted in person for up to three
minutes or an amount of time determind by the Chair. General public comment will be heard
for 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
Public comments for agendized items will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to
three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. Requests to speak will be taken
until 5 minutes after the staff’s presentation or as determind by the Chair. Written public
comments can be submitted in advance to city.council@PaloAlto.gov and will be provided to
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agenda item you are referencing in your subject line.
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1 January 09, 2026
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CALL TO ORDER
PUBLIC COMMENT
Members of the public may speak in-person ONLY to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on number of
speakers. Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
STANDING VERBAL REPORTS
A. Staff Comments
B. Committee Member Comments and Announcements
ACTION ITEMS
1. Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Recommendation to Council to Approve the
2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan and Accept Four S/CAP Studies; CEQA Status: Potential
environmental impacts of this project were studied in the June 5, 2023 S/CAP Addendum
to the 2017-2031 Comprehensive Plan EIR; this project is also exempt pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines Section 15183 Late Packet Report Added
FUTURE MEETINGS AND AGENDAS
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s)
ADJOURNMENT
2 January 09, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email,
teleconference, or by phone.
1.Written public comments may be submitted by email to city.council@PaloAlto.gov.
2.For in person public comments please complete a speaker request card located on the
table at the entrance to the Council Chambers and deliver it to the Clerk prior to
discussion of the item.
3.Spoken public comments for agendized items using a computer or smart phone will be
accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, click on the link
below to access a Zoom-based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully.
◦You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in- browser. If using
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Firefox 27 , Microsoft Edge 12 , Safari 7 . Certain functionality may be disabled in
older browsers including Internet Explorer. Or download the Zoom application onto
your smart phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter in the
Meeting ID below.
◦You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you
identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you
that it is your turn to speak.
◦When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will
activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they
are called to speak.
◦When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted. A timer will be
shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments.
4.Spoken public comments for agendized items using a phone use the telephone number
listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we
know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before
addressing the Council. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called
please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN Meeting ID: 853 8091 8387 Phone: 1(669)900-6833
Americans with Disability Act (ADA) It is the policy of the City of Palo Alto to offer its public
programs, services and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to all. Persons with
disabilities who require materials in an appropriate alternative format or who require auxiliary
aids to access City meetings, programs, or services may contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at
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service.
3 January 09, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
California Government Code §84308, commonly referred to as the "Levine Act," prohibits an
elected official of a local government agency from participating in a proceeding involving a
license, permit, or other entitlement for use if the official received a campaign contribution
exceeding $500 from a party or participant, including their agents, to the proceeding within the
last 12 months. A “license, permit, or other entitlement for use” includes most land use and
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“participant” is a person who actively supports or opposes a particular decision in a proceeding
involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use, and has a financial interest in the
decision. The Levine Act incorporates the definition of “financial interest” in the Political Reform
Act, which encompasses interests in business entities, real property, sources of income, sources
of gifts, and personal finances that may be affected by the Council’s actions. If you qualify as a
“party” or “participant” to a proceeding, and you have made a campaign contribution to a
Council Member exceeding $500 made within the last 12 months, you must disclose the
campaign contribution before making your comments.
4 January 09, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
Climate Action and Sustainability Committee
Staff Report
Report Type: ACTION ITEMS
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: January 9, 2026
Report #:2512-5777
TITLE
Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Recommendation to Council to Approve the 2026-
2027 S/CAP Work Plan and Accept Four S/CAP Studies; CEQA Status: Potential environmental
impacts of this project were studied in the June 5, 2023 S/CAP Addendum to the 2017-2031
Comprehensive Plan EIR; this project is also exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183
This will be a late packet report published on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
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Climate Action and Sustainability Committee
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: ACTION ITEMS
Lead Department: Public Works
Meeting Date: January 9, 2026
Report #:2507-5027
TITLE
Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Recommendation to Council to Approve the 2026-
2027 S/CAP Work Plan and Receive Four S/CAP Studies; CEQA Status - Potential Environmental
Impacts of this Project were Studied in the June 5, 2023 S/CAP Addendum to the 2017-2031
Comprehensive Plan EIR; this Project is also Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Climate Action and Sustainability Committee recommend that the
City Council:
1. Approve the 2026-2027 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Work Plan; and
2. Receive the following studies:
a. S/CAP Funding and Financing Study;
b. S/CAP Funding Source Survey;
c. EV Charger Needs Assessment; and
d. Single-family, Multi-family, and Non-Residential Building Sector Studies.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This staff report presents the recommended priorities for the 2026-2027 Sustainability and
Climate Action Plan Work Plan. The 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan guided S/CAP Implementation
with 77 work items, of which 27 focused on sustainability and 50 on climate action.
Of the 50 climate action items, 16 were ongoing work items and 34 were discrete
projects, of which 27 were completed, 6 are in progress, and 1 is delayed (not started).
Of the 27 sustainability work items, 14 were ongoing and 13 were discrete projects, of
which 8 were completed. Five of the remaining items are in progress and one is delayed.
In addition, staff is recommending the Council’s receiving of six studies that were attached to
and summarized in the staff report for the December 13, 2025 Climate Action and Sustainability
Committee (CASC) workshop on electrification funding and financing strategies. These studies
document the work done to develop models and data for City staff and policy makers to use to
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support strategic decision-making about community-scale electrification funding, financing, and
program design. They also include insights about the financial dynamics of community-scale
electrification based on three illustrative scenarios analyzed. Staff intends to use these tools
and data throughout 2026 and 2027 to support strategic planning efforts under 2026-2027
S/CAP Work Plan item C13 (Develop Funding and Financing Strategies for Consideration).
The City has made significant strides in implementing the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan
(S/CAP) to meet its sustainability goals, including its goals of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the “80 x 30” goal) and achieving carbon neutrality
by 2030. By 2022, Palo Alto reduced total community emissions 47.4% from the 1990 baseline,
despite a population increase of 21.3% during that same time period.1 The 2024 emissions
reductions will be shared with City Council in February 2026.
BACKGROUND
In June 2023, City Council adopted the 2022 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan,2 certified
the Comprehensive Plan Environmental Impact Report Addendum: Update to the Sustainability
and Climate Action Plan,3 and approved the 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan.4 Council has also
included Climate Action, Adaptation, and Sustainability in its annual priorities for 2023, 2024,
and 2025.
As a result of various City-led initiatives, programs, and activities focused on sustainability and
climate action, by the end of 2022 Palo Alto reduced citywide GHG emissions an estimated
47.4%, despite a population increase of 21.3% during that same time period. The City has
reached the end of its 2023-2025 work planning period. A summary of the progress of the 2023
– 2025 S/CAP Work Plan can be found in Attachment A. Citywide GHG emissions reductions for
2023 and 2024 will be shared with City Council in February 2026.
The 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan guided S/CAP Implementation through the end of 2025. That
plan contained 77 work items, of which 27 focused on sustainability and 50 on climate action.
Of the 50 climate action items, 16 were ongoing. Of the 34 discrete, time-bound work items, 27
1 City Council, November 12, 2024; Agenda Item #3; SR #2407-3266;
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=83082&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto
2 2022 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan;
https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/sustainability/reports/2022-scap-report_final.pdf
3 Comprehensive Plan Environmental Impact Report Addendum: Update to the Sustainability and Climate Action
Plan, 2023; https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas-minutes/city-
council-agendas-minutes/2023/2023comprehensive-plan-environmental-impact-report-addendum-update-to-the-
scap.pdf
4 2023-2025 S/CAP Workplan, 2023; https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/sustainability/reports/2023-
2025-scap-work-plan_final.pdf
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were completed. Of the remaining 7,9 significant progress was made on 6 items10 and 1 was not
started.11 Three of the seven have been added to the 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan.12 Of the 27
sustainability work items, 13 were ongoing and 14 were discrete projects. Of the discrete, time-
bound work items, 8 were completed. Of the remaining 6,13 5 are in progress and one was
delayed. Four of the six have been added to the 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan.
Staff developed a 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan to continue progress towards achieving the
S/CAP goals. Development of the 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan aligns with one of the four
Council Priorities for CY 2025: Climate Action and Adaptation, and Natural Environment
Protection, and fulfills Council Priority Objective CA 23 - Develop and obtain Council approval
for strategies and a 2026/2027 work plan for the next phase of S/CAP implementation of
climate and sustainability goals. The Climate Action and Sustainability Committee provided
feedback on the mobility-related strategies for the 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan at the
November 20, 2025 Committee meeting,14 on the Sustainability section of the 2026-2027 S/CAP
Work Plan at the August 22, 2025 Committee meeting,15 and on the Climate Action section of
the 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan at the May 2, 2025 Committee meeting.16
Council recognized the importance of developing a long-term financial strategy as part of S/CAP
implementation in the 2023–2025 Work Plan, which included initiation of an S/CAP Funding
Study to explore potential funding and financing sources, as well as several complementary
9 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan Item 2.2D, Commuter Transportation and EV Charging Strategy; 2.3 D, Micromobility
Evaluations, 2.3H Evaluate Expansion of Employer Transportation Demand Management; 2.3I Proposals for
Managing Downtown Parking Availability, 2.4B, Facility Electrification Assessment Implementation, 2.4F, Publicly-
owned Charger Strategic Plan, and; 5.D, Gas Utility Financial & Operating Plan
10 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan Item 2.2D, Commuter Transportation and EV Charging Strategy and 2.4F, Publicly-owned Charger Strategic Plan were dependent on the E-Mobility Strategic Plan and EV Charger Needs Assessment
before they could be started, and those plans are now completed so work can start. Significant progress has been
made on 5.D, Gas Utility Financial & Operating Plan, with preliminary results presented to the CASC and Utilities
Advisory Commission (UAC), and 2.4B, Facility Electrification Assessment Implementation, the plan for which was
presented on December 12, 2025 to the CASC. Preliminary investigations of 2.3 D, Micromobility Evaluations and
2.3I Proposals for Managing Downtown Parking Availability have been discussed at public hearings and work
continues on these projects.
11 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan Item 2.3H Evaluate Expansion of Employer Transportation Demand Management
was not started due to lack of staff capacity.
12 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan Item 2.3H Evaluate Expansion of Employer Transportation Demand Management
was not added to the 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan.
13 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan Item 8.B, Design and build a salt removal facility for the Regional Water Quality
Control Plant; 8F, Develop a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan; and, 8.O, Increase Palo Alto’s Tree Canopy and
establish a baseline and Key Performance Indicator for carbon storage of tree canopy
14 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee, November 20, 2025; Agenda Item #1; SR #2510-5311,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=83906&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto
15 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee, August 22, 2025; Agenda Item #1; SR #2507-4920,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=46259&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto
16 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee, May 2, 2025; Agenda Item #1; SR #2504-4534,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=46228&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto
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studies (an EV Charger Needs Assessment, studies of electrification opportunities in multi-
family and non-residential buildings, and a Funding Source Survey).
The City issued a Request for Proposals for these studies in August 2023 and retained a
consultant team - Willdan, E3 (a Willdan company), and Rincon - to complete them.25 This
model and its input studies – including assessments of gas equipment in single-family, multi-
family, and non-residential buildings, an Electric Vehicle (EV) charger needs assessment, and a
survey of funding sources – provide data to evaluate different electrification rollout scenarios
and their financial implications.
ANALYSIS
The Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) outlines Goals and Key Actions in eight areas:
Climate Action, Energy, Electric Vehicles, Mobility, Water, Climate Adaptation and Sea Level
Rise, Natural Environment, and Zero Waste. The climate action areas of Climate Action, Energy,
Electric Vehicles, and Mobility primarily focus on the overarching 80 x 30 and carbon neutrality
by 2030 goals. The sustainability areas of Water, Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise, Natural
Environment, and Zero Waste do not necessarily have a direct impact on greenhouse gas
reductions, but have critically important sustainability, public health and safety, regional,
resource conservation, and equity benefits that contribute to overall climate action.
The 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan includes 28 strategies focused on climate action, 16 strategies
focused on sustainability, and 3 strategies for overall S/CAP Communications for all areas of the
S/CAP. The full 2026 – 2027 Work Plan can be found in Attachment B.
2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan
Climate Action
Single-Family
Over the 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan period, the City launched the Advanced Heat Pump
Water Heater Pilot Program and several enhancements. With over 700 installations completed,
representing about 20% of the annual turnover of water heaters in Palo Alto, this is the most
effective water heater electrification program staff is aware of in the Bay Area. In 2024 the
program was expanded to include emergency water heater replacement service. In 2025 it was
expanded to cover all types of gas equipment, becoming the Advanced Home Electrification
Pilot Program, with 228 reserved space heating rebates from homeowners and contractors (210
were approved), 77 completed space heating electrification projects, and 20 gas meter
disconnections. Home electrification assessments have also been added as a service.
25 City Council, January 16, 2024; Agenda Item #4; SR #2308--1939,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=82633&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto
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The single-family portion of the work plan focuses on continuing to build momentum in home
electrification through the Advanced Home Electrification Pilot Program while piloting more
cost-efficient program approaches (like Electrification as a Service) that could reduce the
amount of revenue needed to expand the programs to all homes in Palo Alto. The Advanced
Home Electrification Pilot Program and other pilot programs would be aligned with Bay Area Air
District (Air District) regulations (starting with Rule 9-6, which focuses on water heaters). Goals
and funding requests for these programs would be brought to the Council and any appropriate
Committees or Commissions in alignment with the budget process. There is also a work item
focused on enhancing data tracking and management. The following work items are included:
CA1. Continue Advanced Home Electrification Pilot Program
CA2. Develop a Residential Electrification as a Service or Similar Financing Pilot for
Council Approval
CA3. Enhanced data tracking for home electrification
Multi-Family
CA4. Launch Enhanced Multifamily EV Charging Infrastructure Program
CA5. Develop a Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) or Similar Financing Pilot for Council
Approval
CA6. Continue Affordable Multifamily Building Electrification Incentive Program
CA7. Multi-Family Technical Assistance
Non-Residential
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the City ran a pilot heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) program. While challenged
early on, enhanced rebates in 2025 led to ten building owners participating (this represents an
estimated 10% to 20% of staff-estimated annual packaged HVAC unit turnover). This program is
providing data that will help the City develop an advanced pilot program for this type of
equipment. The City also worked with the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) in its
electrification efforts and provided incentives that supported their work.
CA8. Advanced Heat Pump HVAC Program
CA9. Develop a Commercial Electrification as a Service or Similar Financing Pilot for
Council Approval
CA10. Workplace EV Charging Pilot
CA11. Launch Pilot program for electrification of centralized water heaters and boilers
CA12. Establish One or More Partnerships with Large Commercial Facility Owners
Regulatory, Analytics, Finances, and Strategy
An S/CAP Funding and Financing Study that involved creating modeling tools and
gathering data that can be used to support staff modeling of various funding and
financing alternatives for community-wide electrification, and using them to model
some illustrative funding and financing scenarios and strategies
A Funding Source Survey identifying potential funding and financing sources
An E-Mobility Strategic Plan and EV Charger Needs Assessment that laid out strategies
for e-mobility and analyzed charging needs under large scale EV adoption scenarios
Three Building Sector Studies identifying electrification opportunities in the multi-family
and non-residential sectors and providing cost-data in the single-family sector
A Reliability and Resiliency Strategic Plan that is currently being implemented, including
a cost-benefit study on the potential for flexible energy technologies like solar,
batteries, and vehicle to grid and efficient electrification to reduce utility electric supply
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costs, defer distribution investment, and improve community electric reliability and
resiliency
While most major key studies were completed in the 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan, follow-up
analytical work will still be needed to support strategic planning in 2026 and 2027. This includes
using the modelling tools and insights developed in the S/CAP Funding Study to develop a set of
policy alternatives for funding and financing community-wide electrification. This team will also
work on a list of potential regulatory measures to consider that align with these strategies, with
regional, State, and Federal regulations, and with the City’s programs. Completion of the 2026-
2028 Reach Code process is included in this item. There is a work item to develop policy
alternatives for carbon neutrality. Another analysis will involve alternatives for cost-based
pricing of the impacts associated with inefficient electrification that increases the amount of
electric distribution capacity that needs to be built (which could be addressed via pricing using,
for example, capacity fees) and decarbonization without electrification (e.g. voluntary carbon
pricing reflecting the cost of decarbonizing with renewable fuels like biogas). Lastly, the work
plan includes the staff work associated with barrier reduction for electrification and flexible
energy technologies, and any analytical work needed to support siting of public charging. The
following work items are included:
CA13. Develop Funding and Financing Strategies for Consideration
CA14. Regulatory Measures
CA15. Carbon Neutrality
CA16. Cost-Based Pricing of Non-Electric Decarbonization and Inefficient Electrification
CA17. Permitting, Interconnection, and Other Barrier Reduction
CA18. Public Charging Siting and Business Models
Infrastructure
The work items in this section are focused on the infrastructure needed to support an
electrified community, primarily continuing the electric utility’s grid modernization program at
the pace needed to support community electrification. The first neighborhood modernization
project was completed in 2024, and the results are being evaluated for future phases. The other
work item focuses on managing the impacts on the gas utility. A gas transition study was begun
in 2024 and made significant progress by the end of 2025, with some preliminary early results
delivered in late 2025, and this work plan includes completing the gas transition study and
implementing any operational practices, programs, policies, or investments needed to manage
the potential impacts identified by that study. The following work items are included:
CA19. Grid Modernization
CA20. Gas Transition Management
Mobility
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The work items in this section are focused on efforts that reduce vehicle miles traveled and
increase active transportation (walking, biking). This includes continuing to implement efforts
to expand the bicycle and pedestrian transportation system, enhancing transit access, and
improving safety. The following work items are included:
CA21. Achieve Benchmarks for Bicycle and Pedestrian Capital Improvement Projects
CA22. Implement Micromobility Feasibility Study recommendations
CA23. Traffic Signal Operations and Multimodal Improvements
CA24. Housing Element Implementation / Land Use Planning and Policy
CA 25. Update City’s Traffic Calming Policy and Process
Municipal Assets and Operations
CA26. Develop and begin implementing a City Facility Electrification Plan
CA27. Electrify City Vehicle Fleet
CA28. Explore the electric capacity needs of the Palo Alto Airport for electric aviation
Sustainability
Water
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developed a One Water Plan outlining potential alternatives for increasing water supply to Palo
Alto that can provide context for longer term strategic discussions of water supply as needed.
S1. Water Efficiency
S2. Recycled Water Salt Removal
S3. Water Distribution System Adaptation
Sea Level Rise
S4. Finalize partnership agreement with Santa Clara County on SB272 Regional Shoreline
Adaptation Plan requirements to develop a regional vulnerability assessment and
adaptation plan
S5. Update the City's Sea Level Rise Adaptation Policy to also include sea level rise
planning decision-making points in the City
S6. Complete construction and begin monitoring the Palo Alto Horizontal Levee Pilot
Project (PAHLPP)
S7. Continue Partnership with Valley Water on Sea Level Rise / Shoreline Levee
Improvement Efforts
Wildfire Protection
S8. Implement the Foothills Fire Management Plan
Natural Environment
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The City continues to focus on increasing the tree canopy while enhancing resilience and
biodiversity of our natural environment. The following work items are included:
S9. Increase Palo Alto’s Tree Canopy in South Palo Alto
S10. Reduce Pesticide Use in Parks and Open Space Preserves
Green Stormwater Infrastructure
S11. Green Stormwater Infrastructure Project at a City of Palo Alto Park
S12. Increase Green Stormwater Infrastructure on City of Palo Alto Property and/or
Right-of-Way
S13. Quantify Land Area that Uses Green Stormwater Infrastructure to Treat Urban
Water Runoff
Zero Waste
S14. Champion Waste Prevention, Reduction, Reusables, and the Sharing Economy
S15. Eliminate Single-Use Disposable Containers and Reduce Disposable Foodware
S16. Promote Food Waste Reduction
27 These include:
The S/CAP Funding and Financing Study (Attachment C), which uses an “S/CAP Funding
Model” developed via collaboration between the consultant and City staff and the data
and analysis from the other studies to model three illustrative electrification scenarios
that show various financial dynamics of community-scale electrification.
The S/CAP Funding Source Survey (Attachment H), an inventory of potential funding
sources for community-wide electrification.
27 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee, December 13, 2025; Agenda Item #A; SR #2507-5025,
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=18114
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The EV Charger Needs Assessment (Attachment D), which evaluates illustrative
scenarios for EV adoption and charging strategies in Palo Alto to show charging capacity
needs and the financial and operational dynamics of different business models and
strategies for providing EV charging.
Three studies of building electrification strategies and costs in the single-family
(Attachment E), multi-family (Attachment F), and non-residential sectors (Attachment G)
that provide data and insights that can be used for program design and strategic
planning.
Staff intends to use these tools and data throughout 2026 and 2027 to support strategic
planning efforts under 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan item C13 (Develop Funding and Financing
Strategies for Consideration).
All of these studies are described in more depth in the staff report for the December 13, 2025
Climate Action and Sustainability Committee workshop.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
Most of the proposed work of the 2026 - 2027 Work Plan to be completed in FY 2026 will draw
from funding approved as part of the Adopted FY 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets.
Additional funding appropriations will be necessary for FY 2027, with amounts to be identified.
Resource availability for each Work Plan Item can be found in Attachment B. Funding for FY
2027 will be subject to Council appropriation as part of the annual budget process and in
recognition of funding constraints, may impact the ability to pursue all items. There are also
several grant opportunities that staff will pursue in order to mitigate costs to the City. Overall,
the funding study shows significant financial investment would be needed that exceeds current
available resources. The next workplan will need to grapple with the funding needs in the
current environment where federal support has changed and with the local competing
priorities of maintaining low utility rates.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Outreach and communications is an integral part of S/CAP implementation and is a component
of all S/CAP initiatives. The communications focus of the 2026 - 2027 S/CAP Work Plan includes
building widespread awareness about sustainability and climate action, running effective
outreach campaigns to drive community action and program participation in initiatives to
achieve S/CAP goals, and tracking community sentiment and engagement to guide decision
making. The following work items are included:
C1. Build awareness about sustainability and climate action and City programs available
to the community
C2. Drive community actions to achieve S/CAP goals
C3. S/CAP Data Collection and Annual Reporting
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The City will continue stakeholder engagement through the Climate Action and Sustainability
Committee and the Climate Action Working Group, and will also continue engagement through
other outreach depending on the program or strategy included in the workplan. As the 2026-
2027 S/CAP Work Plan is implemented, additional outreach will evolve with the work plan
elements. The City is also coordinating regionally with other municipalities on programs and
regulations that could inform future outreach planning and activities.
Mobility-related work items (CA21 – CA25) may require consultation with the Planning
and Transportation Commission depending on the project
Infrastructure-related Climate Action items (CA19 – CA20) and Water-related work
items (S1-S3) would require consulting or informing the Utilities Advisory Commission
(UAC) at various stages of the projects. The UAC would also discuss the potential rate
impacts of any utility-related climate action programs as part of the utility financial
planning process.
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At the August 22, 2025 meeting, the CASC recommended that reducing disposable foodware
and textile re-use and recycling be included in the 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan. Reducing
disposable foodware is included in S15. Eliminate Single-Use Disposable Containers and Reduce
Disposable Foodware. Textile re-use and recycling is included in S14. Champion Waste
Prevention, Reduction, Reusables, and the Sharing Economy.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
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ATTACHMENTS
APPROVED BY:
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2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan Status
For more details, see the 2025 Q1-2 S/CAP report 1. The 2025 Q3-4 report will be published in February.
Item
No.
Work Plan Item Status
benefit study), transitioning this item to an ongoing item in future reports)
Heat Pump Water Heater Electrification Pilot Program
Scale Heat Pump Water Heater Electrification Program
Electrification Data Collection Program
Pilot Programs for Modernized Neighborhoods
Family Electrification Rebates
Affordable Housing EV Charging and Electrification Pilot*
family and Affordable Housing Electrification and EV Charger Access Strategy Development*
Rooftop Packaged Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Pilot
1 City Council, November 3, 2025; Agenda Item A; SR #2505-4 672, https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=83784&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto
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Plan Status
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2.2B Rooftop Packaged HVAC Advanced Pilot Design
2.2C Establish Major Employer Partnerships*
2.2D Commuter Transportation and EV Charging Strategy*
2.2E Identify Regional and State Partnerships*
2.3A Transportation and Land Use Policies and Programs
2.3B Housing Element Adoption
2.3C Housing Element Implementation
2.3D Micro-mobility Evaluations
2.3E Launch On-demand Transit Pilot
2.3F Update Bicycle Plan (final draft plan complete, going to Council in early 2026)
2.3G Vision Zero Program (Safety Action Plan completed in 2025, transitioning this item to be to an
ongoing item in future reports to reflect ongoing plan implementation)
Evaluate Expansion of Employer Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
Proposals for Managing Downtown Parking Availability
Implement Efficient Downtown Parking Management
Traffic Signal Improvements & Transit Signal Priority
Facility Electrification Assessment Plan
Facility Electrification Assessment Implementation
Electrify Equipment at City Facilities during Routine Replacement
Electrify City Vehicle Fleet
Build City Fleet and Employee Charging Infrastructure
Build awareness of the need for climate action and the benefits the City and its utility can receive
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Plan Status
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3.1C S/CAP Survey Program
3.1D S/CAP Reporting
3.1E Build confidence in the City’s electric infrastructure
4A Multi-family and Commercial End Use Study
4B Idea generation and additional research
4C Additional Emissions Reduction Project Prioritization
5A Resource Needs Assessment
5B Funding Alternatives
5C Affordability Study
5D Gas Utility Financial and Operating Plan
8A Maximize Water Conservation and Efficiency
8B Design and build a salt removal facility for the Regional Water Quality Control Plant
8C Develop a “One Water” Portfolio for Palo Alto
8D Develop a tool for dynamic water planning in the future
8E Complete the Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment
8F Develop a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan
8G Begin design process for a levee project
8H Identify Protection Strategies from Significant Flood Events at Newell Road Bridge
8I Identify Protection Strategies from Significant Flood Events at Pope Chaucer Bridge and Creek
8J Identify Protection Strategies from Significant Flood Events
8K Implement Foothills Fire Management Plan
8L Minimize Fire Hazards Through Zoning
8M Collaborate on Reducing Wildfire Hazards
8N Implement CAL FIRE Public Education Programs
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8O Increase Palo Alto’s Tree Canopy and establish a baseline and Key Performance Indicator for
carbon storage of tree canopy
Carbon
Storage
8P Ensure No Net Tree Canopy Loss for all Projects
8Q Reduce Pesticide Use in Parks and Open Space Preserves
8R Coordinate Implementation of City Natural Environment
8S Support the Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Plan and incorporate GSI in Municipal Projects
8T Encourage Food Waste Prevention and Require Food Recovery from Commercial Food Generators
8U
8V
8W
8X Prioritize Domestic Processing of Recyclable Materials
8Y
8Z Expand the Deconstruction and Construction Materials Management Ordinance
8aa for Low Carbon Construction Materials
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1
2026-2027
Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Work Plan
The Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) outlines the strategies for achieving the
City’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets, while improving our natural
environment, adapting to climate impacts, and increasing livability for Palo Alto residents. The
S/CAP outlines goals and key actions in eight areas: Climate Action, Energy, Electric Vehicles,
Mobility, Water, Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise, Natural Environment, and Zero Waste.
The climate action areas of Climate Action, Energy, Electric Vehicles, and Mobility primarily
focus on the overarching goals to reduce GHG emissions 80% below 1990 levels and achieve
carbon neutrality by 2030. The sustainability areas of Water, Climate Adaptation and Sea Level
Rise, Natural Environment, and Zero Waste do not necessarily have a direct impact on
greenhouse gas reductions, but have critically important sustainability, public health and safety,
regional, resource conservation, and equity benefits that contribute to overall climate action.
The 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan includes 28 strategies focused on climate action, 16 strategies
focused on sustainability and three strategies for overall S/CAP Communications for all areas of
the S/CAP.
Climate Action
Single-Family
CA1. Continue Advanced Home Electrification Pilot Program: Offer full suite of program
services to support residents with home electrification projects, including turnkey
service, technical assistance, and rebates. Offer enhanced rebates and 0% financing to
income-qualified households. Goals and funding levels to be developed annually and
coordinated with annual budget process. Program will be designed and changed as
needed to complement the Bay Area Air District’s Zero-NOx rules (Rules 9-4 and 9-
6). Resource Availability: Fully staffed; goals and funding levels to be considered on
timeline in alignment with annual budget process. Explore ways to promote resources
for renters, including information on appliances like portable induction cooktops and
window-mounted heat pumps that can help renters reduce emissions without asking
landlords to make major improvements to the units. Target Completion Date: On-
going.
CA2. Develop a Residential Electrification as a Service or Similar Financing Pilot for Council
Approval: Offer electrification as a service or similar creative financing pilot to
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residents to support financing of gas to heat pump projects as a pilot of more
financially efficient program design. Develop pilot participation agreement, enable
tracking of debt repayment in billing system, create process to enroll customer in
EaaS. Resource Availability: Program team fully staffed, IT / administrative staffing
needs evaluation; goals and funding levels to be considered on timeline in alignment
with annual budget process. Target Completion Date: Q3 2026 (tentative, pending
staff evaluation).
CA3. Enhanced data tracking for home electrification: Enhance existing database to more
comprehensively track home electrification status and incorporate data from existing
program databases, home assessments, gas data analytics to estimate home gas
equipment, and results from voluntary data inputs by residents. This will allow staff to
more effectively track program results, perform more targeted outreach, and tailor
communications to homeowners based on their building characteristics. Resource
Availability: As staff time is available; consultant resources needed, covered within
existing budget. Target Completion Date: Q4 2026.
Multi-Family
CA4. Launch Enhanced Multifamily EV Charging Infrastructure Program: Update program
guidelines, incentives (i.e. rebates, financing), and technical assistance offerings for
the installation of EV charging infrastructure that supports multifamily residents
through:
• private on-site charging at multifamily properties;
• publicly-accessible charging at neighborhood e-mobility hubs at public or
private properties; or
• publicly-owned or public-private partnership neighborhood curbside charging
installations
This work includes complementary programming supporting EV adoption by income-
qualified customers and integration of alternative transportation infrastructure,
launch in alignment with design guidelines approved by the City Council on November
17, 2025. Resource Availability: Fully staffed; goals and funding levels to be considered
on timeline in alignment with annual budget process. Target Completion Date: Launch
in 2026.
CA5. Develop a Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) or Similar Financing Pilot for Council
Approval: Offer charging-as-a-service (CaaS) or a similar creative financing program to
multi-family property owners to support financing of EV infrastructure projects
developed through the Multifamily EV Charging Infrastructure Program. Develop pilot
participation agreement, enable tracking of debt repayment in billing system, create
process to enroll customer in CaaS, and collaborate with EV service providers to
identify projects. Resource Availability: Program team fully staffed, IT / administrative
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staffing needs evaluation; goals and funding levels to be considered on timeline in
alignment with annual budget process. Target Completion Date: Launch in 2026.
CA6. Continue Affordable Multifamily Building Electrification Incentive Program: Continue
pilot electrification program for affordable multifamily properties providing rebates to
support the electrification of central water heating and/or space heating equipment in
at least 3-5 properties and in-unit electrification of at least one property. The pilot
program will provide opportunities to design and test innovative low-interest
financing models as well as opportunities to model turn-key multifamily residential
electrification. Resource Availability: Fully staffed; goals and funding levels to be
considered on timeline in alignment with annual budget process. Target Completion
Date: End of 2027.
CA7. Multi-Family Technical Assistance: Design and implement a technical assistance
program to address the particular challenges associated with electrification of multi-
family buildings. This would complement incentives or other financial assistance
provided by other programs (e.g. via residential whole home programs and
electrification as a service for multi-family in-unit improvements and via commercial
electrification programs for central system improvements). Resource Availability: As
staff time is available; goals and funding levels to be considered on timeline in
alignment with annual budget process. Explore ways to promote resources for renters,
including information on appliances like portable induction cooktops and window-
mounted heat pumps that can help renters reduce emissions without asking landlords
to make major improvements to the units. Target Completion Date: End of 2027.
Non-Residential
CA8. Advanced Heat Pump HVAC Program: Launch an advanced Heat Pump HVAC
(HPHVAC) program to transition aging gas systems (rooftop units and ground
mounted) off of gas in alignment with Council-approved design guidelines. Resource
Availability: Fully staffed; goals and funding levels to be considered on timeline in
alignment with annual budget process. Target Completion Date: Q4 2026 - Q1 2027.
CA9. Develop a Commercial Electrification as a Service pilot or Similar Financing Pilot for
Council Approval: Offer electrification as a service or a similar creative financing
program to commercial property owners to support financing of gas to heat pump
projects as a pilot of more financially efficient program design. Develop pilot
participation agreement, enable tracking of debt repayment in billing system, create
process to enroll customer in Electrification as a Service (EaaS). Resource Availability:
Program team fully staffed, IT / administrative staffing needs evaluation. Target
Completion Date: Q3 2027 (tentative, pending staff evaluation).
CA10. Workplace EV Charging Pilot: Implement a workplace EV charging program building
upon the framework of the multifamily EV charging program. Advance additional
analysis as needed on the current state of workplace charging, available electric
capacity and commute patterns. Collaborate with the EV Team and Office of
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Transportation on grant opportunities to promote to commercial property owners.
Resource Availability: Fully staffed. Target Completion Date: 2027
CA11. Launch Pilot program for electrification of centralized water heaters and boilers:
Provide incentives for a select number of large equipment replacements to collect
performance data, identify barriers to electrification, and compare cost impacts of
like-for-like versus electric options, including effects on customer utility bills. Resource
Availability: As staff time is available; goals and funding levels to be considered on
timeline in alignment with annual budget process. Target Completion Date: 2027.
CA12. Establish One or More Partnerships with Large Commercial Facility Owners: Develop
custom sustainability partnerships with multiple major employers, such as creative
financing options, electrification pilots with large facilities, and support of corporate
electrification efforts. Resource Availability: Fully staffed; goals and funding levels to
be considered on timeline in alignment with annual budget process. Target
Completion Date: 2026.
Regulatory, Analytics, Finances, and Strategy
CA13. Develop Funding and Financing Strategies for Consideration: Using insights and
models developed for S/CAP Funding Study, City staff will develop potential funding
and financing strategies for City Council consideration. Policies will consider different
timelines, the effect of regulatory requirements, and equipment focus to provide a
range of policy alternatives. Analyses will consider resource needs, additional revenue
requirements, and potential impact on utility rates. Resource Availability: Fully staffed,
to be absorbed from existing budgets. Target Completion Date: Q4 2026.
CA14. Regulatory Measures: Develop a list of potential regulatory measures to drive
electrification, energy efficiency, and EV adoption in Palo Alto for consideration by City
Council, in addition to implementation of Reach Codes that apply. Seek regulatory
measures that could serve as the “regulatory backbone” of a decarbonization strategy
(e.g. a Building Emissions Savings Ordinance that would require compliance at the
time of residential or commercial property listing or a commercial Building
Performance Standard). Consider the programs needed to make such mandates work,
such as incentives and technical assistance programs to help building owners meet
regulatory requirements. Resource Availability: Fully staffed. Target Completion Date:
Q4 2026.
CA15. Carbon Neutrality: Develop potential strategies for Council consideration for
achieving community carbon neutrality by 2030. Resource Availability: Fully
staffed. Target Completion Date: Q4 2026.
CA16. Cost-Based Pricing of Non-Electric Decarbonization and Inefficient Electrification:
Based in industry research and legal analysis, develop potential strategies for Council
consideration for reflecting the cost of decarbonization without electrification (e.g. via
renewable fuels like biogas and hydrogen) and the costs of electrification that does
not incorporate efficient electrification practices on distribution costs (e.g. due to
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400A panel upgrades for higher demand appliances than are needed to serve the
electrified uses, leading to the need to build more electric distribution capacity).
Examples of potential strategies for consideration include electrical capacity fees and
voluntary carbon pricing reflecting the cost of decarbonizing with renewable fuels).
Resource Availability: Fully staffed. Some consulting budget may be needed, to be
considered via annual budget process. Target Completion Date: Q4 2026.
CA17. Permitting, Interconnection, and Other Barrier Reduction: Reduce barriers to
adoption of vehicle and building electrification technologies, flexible energy
technologies for reliability and resiliency, and efficient electrification best practices.
Focus on planning and zoning rules, utility rules and regulations, fees, and potential
barriers that could be relieved through climate program services such as technical
assistance. Look for efficient project approaches, such as bundling multiple electric
readiness projects together at once and exploring different approaches to electric
panel load calculations, such as by using smart meter data. Develop and implement
annual list of priority areas for consideration and timeline for evaluation of potential
options. Resource Availability: As staff time is available, higher level of effort possible
with resources. Target Completion Date: On-going.
CA18. Public Charging Siting and Business Models: As needed, perform siting analysis and
develop business models for public charging on public and private properties to
support multi-family, workplace, and visitor charging needs. Work is expected to be
performed primarily using in-house staff with light consulting assistance as needed.
Resource Availability: Fully staffed; some consulting budget may be needed, to be
considered via annual budget process. Target Completion Date: Q1 2027.
Infrastructure
CA19. Grid Modernization: Continue electric distribution system grid modernization
program with the completed pilot informing program implementation, at the pace
needed to provide adequate capacity for building and vehicle electrification. Resource
Availability: Fully staffed; project and consulting budgets to be requested via annual
budget process as needed. Target Completion Date: On-going.
CA20. Gas Transition Management: Complete study of gas system physical and financial
operation under various electrification scenarios, discuss relevant findings with policy
makers, and develop and implement any policies, programs, or operational practices
needed to ensure safe, financially viable, and equitable operation of the gas utility as
electrification proceeds. Resource Availability: Fully staffed; project and consulting
budgets to be requested via annual budget process as needed. Target Completion
Date: On-going.
Mobility
CA21. Achieve Benchmarks for Bicycle and Pedestrian Capital Improvement Projects: South
Palo Alto Bikeways Demonstration Project: Upgrade crossings and bicycle facilities on
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East Meadow Drive and Fabian Way to improve safety, especially for students
traveling to school. Information learned throughout the demonstration project will be
incorporated into an update of the Palo Alto Safety Action Plan and will inform
permanent design changes to the corridor. Resource Availability: Project is fully
staffed and funded. Target Completion Date: Pilot construction anticipated for summer
2027.
Churchill Avenue Enhanced Bikeway Project: Improve walking and bicycling on
Churchill Avenue with a multi-use path, intersection improvements, and landscaping.
Project work is focused between the Caltrain tracks and El Camino Real. Target
Completion Date: Construction is scheduled to finish by fall 2026.
Quarry Road Extension at El Camino Park: Develop underused portion of El Camino
Park to provide a direct connection from El Camino Real to the Palo Alto Transit
Center. Project is led by Stanford. Target Completion Date: By fall 2027, project will
complete the Caltrans process for the Encroachment Permit and prepare plans,
specifications, and estimate construction documents for the project in both Caltrans
and City right-of-way. In addition, the team will perform both a bike and transit
operations assessment and recommend operational scenarios to inform future bikes,
bus and shuttle operations in and around the Transit Center.
South Palo Alto Bike/Ped Connectivity: Identify locations and design concepts for
additional east-west bicycle and pedestrian crossings of the Caltrain railroad tracks in
the southern part of the City. Target Complete Date: Study will complete following
Council adoption of a final report in fall 2026, and next steps include securing grant
funding for final design and construction.
CA22. Implement Micromobility Feasibility Study recommendations: Pursue next steps for
a bike/e-bike/e-scooter share pilot program or other recommendation as advised by
the Micromobility Feasibility Study, to be finalized in early 2026. Resource Availability:
Fully staffed and partially funded, need to evaluate based on recommendation in the
study. Target Completion Date: 2027.
CA23. Traffic Signal Operations and Multimodal Improvements: Maintain and modernize
current traffic signals and central management systems. Use technology to improve
traffic operations and safety. Work with transit providers on transit signal priority
where feasible.
Projects that include operational improvements include the Quarry Road Intelligent
Transportation Systems and Operations Improvement (in-progress), Citywide Central
Management and ITS Updates (Ongoing), Citywide Arterial Operations Optimization
(on-going pending staff resources), and Automated Traffic Signal Performance
Measure (ATSPM) implementation (near-future). Each of these projects includes
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multimodal improvements and optimization to improve operations and reduce
emissions.
Resource Availability: Mostly funded, long-term funding needs being evaluated. Target
Completion Date: On-going.
CA24. Housing Element Implementation / Land Use Planning and Policy: Implement the
goals, policies, and programs in the City's 2023-2031 Housing Element of the
Comprehensive Plan to improve the City's jobs-housing balance and to reduce vehicle
miles traveled (VMT). Implementation will continue creating a housing density and
land use mix that supports transit and non-SOV (Single Occupancy Vehicle)
transportation modes, such as efforts on land use and area plans, housing plans,
development standards, and affordable housing projects. Resource Availability:
Funding via grants and annual City budget process. Target Completion Date: 2030.
CA25. Update City’s Traffic Calming Policy and Process: Update the City’s Traffic Calming
Process to provide more clarity on traffic calming design details and criteria for
consideration in relation to engineering judgment. Resource Availability: Proceed as
staff time available. Target Completion Date: End of 2027.
Municipal Assets and Operations
CA26. Develop and begin implementing a City Facility Electrification Plan: Building on the
citywide Facilities Assessment, create a multi-year plan to begin replacing fossil fuel
use in City buildings in alignment with S/CAP goals, and begin implementing through
the Capital Improvement Program. Target Completion Date: On-going.
CA27. Electrify City Vehicle Fleet: Convert all Palo Alto municipal vehicles to EVs when
feasible and when the replacement is operationally acceptable. Support state policy
efforts to electrify fleet vehicles, including delivery trucks. Determine municipal EV
charging needs to ensure adequate EV charging infrastructure for City fleet vehicles.
Where possible, explore a shared use of fleet chargers that would allow for City staff
to use the fleet chargers during the day. Also explore options for providing EV chargers
in employee parking lots. Resource Availability: Fully staffed; EV acquisition evaluated
with each scheduled vehicle replacement, additional funding needed for certain
vehicle classes. Funding for charging infrastructure evaluated project by project and
funded through annual budget process. Target Completion Date: On-going.
CA28. Explore the electric capacity needs of the Palo Alto Airport for electric aviation:
Explore the electric capacity needs of the Palo Alto Airport to ensure adequate
infrastructure to accommodate electric aviation, as well as electric fleet
vehicles. Resource Availability: Proceed as staff time is available. Target Completion
Date: 2030.
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Sustainability
Water
S1. Water Efficiency: Deploy water efficiency and conservation measures that achieve
water savings above and beyond what is required by state regulations. Resource
Availability: Fully staffed and funded. Target Completion Date: 2030.
S2. Recycled Water Salt Removal: Improve the quality of recycled water produced at the
Regional Water Quality Control Plant. Resource Availability: Fully staffed and
funded. Target Completion Date: 2028.
S3. Water Distribution System Adaptation: Identify risks from climate change to the water
distribution system and implement solutions. Resource Availability: Fully staffed;
funding to implement projects not identified. Target Completion Date: 2026.
Sea Level Rise
S4. Finalize partnership agreement with Santa Clara County on SB272 Regional Shoreline
Adaptation Plan requirements to develop a regional vulnerability assessment and
adaptation plan: If grant funding is received, this project is anticipated to identify and
align county-wide sea level rise adaptation planning projects. Resource Availability: To
be determined. Target Completion Date: 2027.
S5. Update the City's Sea Level Rise Adaptation Policy to also include sea level rise
planning decision-making points in the City: Update the City's Sea Level Rise Adaptation
Policy to include newest technical information, best practices, and decision-making
points in the City where sea level rise and shallow groundwater changes should be
considered for new projects and operations/maintenance. Resource Availability:
Existing funding. Target Completion Date: 2027.
S6. Complete construction and begin monitoring the Palo Alto Horizontal Levee Pilot
Project (PAHLPP): The PAHLPP will the first Bay Area horizontal levee to be
hydrologically connected to the Bay. The project will inform future potential levee
improvements that expand habitat benefits. The City and partner agencies will advance
monitoring and research following project completion, anticipated in early 2026.
Resource Availability: Existing funding. Target Completion Date: 2026.
S7. Continue Partnership with Valley Water on Sea Level Rise / Shoreline Levee
Improvement Efforts: Track developments with Valley Water and Army Corps of
Engineers. Resource Availability: Staffing available, future funding needed. Target
Completion Date: 2027.
Wildfire Protection
S8. Implement the Foothills Fire Management Plan: Implement the Foothills Fire
Management Plan to balance conservation of natural resources with reduction of fire
hazards especially in open space areas. Priority implementation areas include:
Mitigating fire risk from electrical equipment through projects such as moving the
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overhead electric lines underground in areas generally within the City limits west of
Highway 280, known as the Foothills area, and mitigating fire risk from vegetation,
including through the removal of targeted Eucalyptus groves in specific project areas.
Resource Availability: General Funds, Staffing, CIP EL-21001. Target Completion Date:
On-going.
Natural Environment
S9. Increase Palo Alto’s Tree Canopy in South Palo Alto: Develop programs to plant trees in
South Palo Alto to increase tree canopy – that will be integrated with traditional tree
planting programs and Green Stormwater Infrastructure programs – and provide carbon
sequestration, improve water quality, capture stormwater when feasible, and reduce
the urban heat island effect. Resource Availability: Partially funded, Staff available as
time permits. Target Completion Date: On-going.
S10. Reduce Pesticide Use in Parks and Open Space Preserves: Continue to review the use of
pesticides in all parks and open space preserves to identify opportunities to further
reduce and eliminate the use of pesticides. Resource Availability: Staff available as time
permits. Target Completion Date: On-Going.
Green Stormwater Infrastructure
S11. Green Stormwater Infrastructure Project at a City of Palo Alto Park: A green
stormwater infrastructure (GSI) project proposed at Juana Briones Park will be designed
and constructed. The GSI project will treat an estimated drainage area of 14.8 acres, 6.6
acres of which are impervious. Proposed design will include community features for
park users during dry periods throughout the year. Resource Availability: Funding
includes U.S. EPA grant to be supplemented by Stormwater Management Fund as
needed. Target Completion Date for Design: September 2027.
S12. Increase Green Stormwater Infrastructure on City of Palo Alto Property and/or Right-
of-Way: Evaluate planned Capital Improvement Program projects for integration of
green stormwater infrastructure to treat additional impervious surfaces. Resource
Availability: Existing staff resources. Target Completion Date: Ongoing.
S13. Quantify Land Area that Uses Green Stormwater Infrastructure to Treat Urban Water
Runoff: Quantify the amount of land area in the City of Palo Alto that uses green
stormwater infrastructure to treat urban water runoff. This includes quantifying the
amount of impervious surfaces, and will be used as a baseline for future S/CAP work.
Resource Availability: Consultant will be contracted to support City staff. Target
Completion Date: December 2026.
Zero Waste
S14. Champion Waste Prevention, Reduction, Reusables, and the Sharing Economy: Create
new collaborations with city departments (such as libraries) and community
organizations to advance reuse and repair initiatives, including textile re-use and
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recycling. Resource Availability: Existing staff resources and outreach funding. Target
Completion Date: 2027.
S15. Eliminate Single-Use Disposable Containers and Reduce Disposable Foodware: Assess
compliance with existing foodware ordinance requirements, identify key challenges and
barriers to reducing additional single-use disposables and to requiring reusable
alternatives. Develop new comprehensive plan to effectively expand and strengthen the
foodware ordinance. Resource Availability: Funded for Ordinance Requirement, need
additional funding for implementation of future requirements. Target Completion Date:
2027.
S16. Promote Food Waste Reduction: Maintain and enhance ongoing public education and
outreach initiatives aimed at promoting food waste reduction throughout the
community. These efforts will also support and ensure continued compliance with the
requirements of Senate Bill 1383 (2016). Messaging strategies will be aligned with
sustainability goals and tailored to foster greater community engagement and
behavioral change. Resource Availability: Existing staff resources and outreach
funding. Target Completion Date: On-going.
Communications
C1. Build awareness about sustainability and climate action and City programs available to
the community. Achieve widespread awareness about sustainability and climate action
City’s services and programs and achievements. Collaborate with partnerships and
volunteers to support grassroots outreach helping to build residents, commercial
customers and contractors awareness. Resource Availability: Fully staffed, partially
funded. Target Completion Date: On-going.
C2. Drive community actions to achieve S/CAP goals: Run effective marketing and outreach
campaigns that seek to increase program participation and drive community action in
initiatives to achieve S/CAP goals. Resource Availability: Fully staffed, partially funded.
Target Completion Date: On-going.
C3. S/CAP Data Collection and Annual Reporting: Track community sentiment and
engagement, including key performance indicators, through tools such as surveys and
on-line analytics, and program analysis to guide decision making. Annually develop,
implement, and report out on S/CAP communications objectives and progress. Resource
Availability: Fully staffed, partially funded. Target Completion Date: On-going.
Item 1.
Attachment B - 2026-2027
SCAP Work Plan
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 28 Packet Pg. 33 of 40
11
Index of S/CAP Key Actions and the 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Items that Implement them
Provide Building and Transportation Emissions
Consultations for Residents
(On-going item initiated in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work
Plan)
C2. Develop Major Employer Custom Emissions
Reduction Plans
CA12. Establish One or More Partnerships with
Large Commercial Facility Owners
C3. Study Additional Key Actions Needed for 80 x 30 CA11. Launch Pilot program for electrification of
centralized water heaters and boilers
C4. Study Staffing and Budgetary Needs
CA13. Develop Funding and Financing Strategies for
Consideration
CA20. Gas Transition Management
C5. (Completed in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan)
C6. (Completed in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan)
C7. S
C8. Accelerate GHG reductions through Mandates
or Price Signals
CA8. Advanced Heat Pump HVAC Program
CA10. Workplace EV Charging Pilot
CA14. Regulatory Measures
CA16. Cost-Based Pricing of Non-Electric
Decarbonization and Inefficient Electrification
E1. Reduce GHG emissions in Single-Family
Appliances and Equipment
CA1. Continue Advanced Home Electrification Pilot
Program
CA2. Develop a Residential Electrification as a
Service or Similar Financing Pilot for Council
Approval
CA3. Enhanced data tracking for home
electrification
E2. Reduce GHG emissions in Non-Residential
Equipment
CA8. Advanced Heat Pump HVAC Program
CA9. Develop a Commercial Electrification as a
Service or Similar Financing Pilot for Council
Approval
CA12. Establish One or More Partnerships with
Large Commercial Facility Owners
E3.
Item 1.
Attachment B - 2026-2027
SCAP Work Plan
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 29 Packet Pg. 34 of 40
12
Service or Similar Financing Pilot for Council
Approval
CA12. Establish One or More Partnerships with
Large Commercial Facility Owners
E4. Reduce Natural Gas Use at City facilities
CA8. Advanced Heat Pump HVAC Program
CA9. Develop a Commercial Electrification as a
Service or Similar Financing Pilot for Council
Approval
CA26. Develop and begin implementing a City
Facility Electrification Plan
E5. Support Income-Qualified Residents and
Vulnerable Businesses with Electrification
CA1. Continue Advanced Home Electrification Pilot
Program
CA2. Develop a Residential Electrification as a
Service or Similar Financing Pilot for Council
Approval
CA3. Enhanced data tracking for home
electrification
CA6. Continue Affordable Multifamily Building
Electrification Incentive Program
CA7. Multi-Family Technical Assistance
E6. (Completed in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan)
E7. Use Codes and Ordinances to Facilitate
Electrification
CA8. Advanced Heat Pump HVAC Program
CA17. Permitting, Interconnection, and Other
Barrier Reduction
E8. Electric Grid Modernization Plan
CA17. Permitting, Interconnection, and Other
Barrier Reduction
CA19. Grid Modernization
CA28. Explore the electric capacity needs of the
Palo Alto Airport for electric aviation
E9. Additional Electrification Opportunities in
Commercial and Multi-Family Buildings
CA8. Advanced Heat Pump HVAC Program
CA9. Develop a Commercial Electrification as a
Service or Similar Financing Pilot for Council
Approval
Item 1.
Attachment B - 2026-2027
SCAP Work Plan
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 30 Packet Pg. 35 of 40
13
EV1. Raise Awareness of Alternative Transportation
Modes, Micromobility, and EVs.
CA4. Launch Enhanced Multifamily EV Charging
Infrastructure Program
CA5. Develop a Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) or
Similar Financing Pilot for Council Approval
CA10. Workplace EV Charging Pilot
EV2.
Regionally
(On-going item initiated in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work
Plan)
EV3. Promote EV Adoption and Alternative
Commutes for Commuters
CA10. Workplace EV Charging Pilot
CA12. Establish One or More Partnerships with
Large Commercial Facility Owners
EV4.
other Light EVs.
CA4. Launch Enhanced Multifamily EV Charging
Infrastructure Program
EV5. Promote Alternative Transportation Modes
and Infrastructure to Support Adoption
CA4. Launch Enhanced Multifamily EV Charging
Infrastructure Program
CA6. Continue Affordable Multifamily Building
Electrification Incentive Program
CA7. Multi-Family Technical Assistance
EV6. Expand EV Charging Access for Multi-Family
Residents
CA4. Launch Enhanced Multifamily EV Charging
Infrastructure Program
CA5. Develop a Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) or
Similar Financing Pilot for Council Approval
CA18. Public Charging Siting and Business Models
EV7. Improve EV Charging Access for Income-
Qualified residents
CA4. Launch Enhanced Multifamily EV Charging
Infrastructure Program
CA5. Develop a Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) or
Similar Pilot for Council Approval
CA6. Continue Affordable Multifamily Building
Electrification Incentive Program
CA7. Multi-Family Technical Assistance
EV8. Ensure EV Charging Capacity Supports EV
Growth
CA10. Workplace EV Charging Pilot
CA18. Public Charging Siting and Business Models
EV9.
EV10.
Item 1.
Attachment B - 2026-2027
SCAP Work Plan
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 31 Packet Pg. 36 of 40
14
M1. Increase Active Transportation and Transit for
Local Work Trips
CA21. Achieve Benchmarks for Bicycle and
Pedestrian Capital Improvement Projects
CA22. Implement Micromobility Feasibility Study
recommendations
CA25. Update City’s Traffic Calming Policy and
Process
M2. Expand Availability of Transit and Shared
Mobility Services
CA21. Achieve Benchmarks for Bicycle and
Pedestrian Capital Improvement Projects
CA22. Implement Micromobility Feasibility Study
recommendations
CA25. Update City’s Traffic Calming Policy and
Process
M3.
Transportation Plan
CA21. Achieve Benchmarks for Bicycle and
Pedestrian Capital Improvement Projects
M4.
for Employees and Residents
Implement Smart Parking Infrastructure in
Public Garages and Parking Fees in Business
Districts
Study Land Use and Transportation
Continue to Implement the City’s Housing
Element
CA24. Housing Element Implementation / Land Use
Planning and Policy
M8. Improve Transit and Traffic Flow CA23. Traffic Signal Operations and Multimodal
Improvements
M9.
Supports Transit and Non-SOV Transportation
CA24. Housing Element Implementation / Land Use
Planning and Policy
M10.
W1.
W2.
W3.
W4. (Completed in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan)
S1.
Assessment
(Completed in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan)
Item 1.
Attachment B - 2026-2027
SCAP Work Plan
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 32 Packet Pg. 37 of 40
15
S2. Implement a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan
S4. Finalize partnership agreement with Santa Clara
County on SB272 Regional Shoreline Adaptation
Plan requirements to develop a regional
vulnerability assessment and adaptation plan.
S5. Update the City's Sea Level Rise Adaptation
Policy to also include sea level rise planning
decision making points in the City.
S3. Begin Design Process for a Levee Project
S6. Complete construction and begin monitoring
the Palo Alto Horizontal Levee Pilot Project
(PAHLPP).
S7. Continue Partnership with Valley Water on SLR /
Shoreline Levee Improvement Efforts
S4.
Protection Strategies from Flood Events
S7. Continue Partnership with Valley Water on SLR /
Shoreline Levee Improvement Efforts
S5.
S6. Minimize Fire Hazards Through Zoning (On-going item initiated in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work
Plan)
S7. Collaborate on Reducing Wildfire Hazards S8. Implement the Foothills Fire Management Plan
S8. Implement CAL FIRE Public Education Programs (On-going item initiated in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work
Plan)
N1. Increase Palo Alto's Tree Canopy S9. Increase Palo Alto’s Tree Canopy in South Palo
Alto
N2. Ensure No Net Tree Canopy Loss for all Projects (On-going item initiated in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work
Plan)
N3. Reduce Pesticide Use in Parks and Open Space
Preserves
S10. Reduce Pesticide Use in Parks and Open Space
Preserves
N4.
N5.
Baseline and KPI
S9. Increase Palo Alto’s Tree Canopy in South Palo
Alto
N6.
N7.
Environment-Related Plans
(On-going item initiated in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work
Plan)
N8. Expand Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
(WELO) Requirements
Item 1.
Attachment B - 2026-2027
SCAP Work Plan
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 33 Packet Pg. 38 of 40
16
N9.
Equipment
(Addressed by CA Assembly Bill 1346 banning the
sale of new gas-powered small off-road engines)
N10. Support the Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Plan
S11. Green Stormwater Infrastructure Project at a
City of Palo Alto Park
S13. Quantify Land Area that Uses Green
Stormwater Infrastructure to Treat Urban Water
Runoff
N11.
in Municipal Projects
S12. Increase Green Stormwater Infrastructure on
City of Palo Alto Property and/or Right-of-Way
ZW1.
Require Food Recovery from Commercial Food
Generators
(On-going item initiated in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work
Plan)
ZW2. Promote Residential Food Waste Reduction S16. Promote Food Waste Reduction
ZW3. Champion Waste Prevention, Reduction,
Reusables, and the Sharing Economy
S14. Champion Waste Prevention, Reduction,
Reusables, and the Sharing Economy
ZW4.
Assistance to the Commercial Sector
(On-going item initiated in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work
Plan)
ZW5. Prioritize Domestic Processing of Recyclable
Materials
(Completed in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan with on-
going review)
ZW6. Eliminate Single-Use Disposable Plastics S15. Eliminate Single-Use Disposable Containers
and Reduce Disposable Foodware
ZW7.
Materials Management Ordinance
(On-going item initiated in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work
Plan)
ZW8. Implement Reach Code standard for Low
Carbon Construction Materials
(Completed in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan)
Item 1.
Attachment B - 2026-2027
SCAP Work Plan
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 34 Packet Pg. 39 of 40
Attachments C through F for Staff Report 2507-5027 are available at the below links:
Attachment C: S/CAP Funding and Financing Study
Attachment D: EV Charger Needs Assessment
Attachment E: Single-family Building Sector Study
Attachment F: Multi-family Building Sector Study
Attachment G: Non-Residential Building Sector Study
Attachment H: Funding Source Survey
Item 1.
Attachment C - F Links
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 35 Packet Pg. 40 of 40