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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Reports 2512-5777 and 2507-5027CITY OF PALO ALTO Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Friday, January 09, 2026 Agenda Item 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, Staff Presentation 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. 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 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; ŚƚƚƉƐ͗ͬͬƌĞĐŽƌĚƐƉŽƌƚĂů͘ƉĂůŽĂůƚŽ͘ŐŽǀͬtĞď>ŝŶŬͬŽĐsŝĞǁ͘ĂƐƉdž͍ŝĚсϴϯϬϴϮΘĚďŝĚсϬΘƌĞƉŽсWĂůŽůƚŽ 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 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, ŚƚƚƉƐ͗ͬͬƌĞĐŽƌĚƐƉŽƌƚĂů͘ƉĂůŽĂůƚŽ͘ŐŽǀͬtĞď>ŝŶŬͬŽĐsŝĞǁ͘ĂƐƉdž͍ŝĚсϴϯϵϬϲΘĚďŝĚсϬΘƌĞƉŽсWĂůŽůƚŽ 15 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee, August 22, 2025; Agenda Item #1; SR #2507-4920, ŚƚƚƉƐ͗ͬͬƌĞĐŽƌĚƐƉŽƌƚĂů͘ƉĂůŽĂůƚŽ͘ŐŽǀͬtĞď>ŝŶŬͬŽĐsŝĞǁ͘ĂƐƉdž͍ŝĚсϰϲϮϱϵΘĚďŝĚсϬΘƌĞƉŽсWĂůŽůƚŽ 16 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee, May 2, 2025; Agenda Item #1; SR #2504-4534, ŚƚƚƉƐ͗ͬͬƌĞĐŽƌĚƐƉŽƌƚĂů͘ƉĂůŽĂůƚŽ͘ŐŽǀͬtĞď>ŝŶŬͬŽĐsŝĞǁ͘ĂƐƉdž͍ŝĚсϰϲϮϮϴΘĚďŝĚсϬΘƌĞƉŽсWĂůŽůƚŽ 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, ŚƚƚƉƐ͗ͬͬƌĞĐŽƌĚƐƉŽƌƚĂů͘ƉĂůŽĂůƚŽ͘ŐŽǀͬtĞď>ŝŶŬͬŽĐsŝĞǁ͘ĂƐƉdž͍ŝĚсϴϮϲϯϯΘĚďŝĚсϬΘƌĞƉŽсWĂůŽůƚŽ 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 The City made progress in the 2023-2025 period on shared EV charging in multi-family buildings, including in affordable housing. The City began an affordable housing building electrification grant program with active interest from 13 buildings representing 882 multi- family units (43% of all affordable MFR rental units). The EV charging program has resulted in the installation of 321 chargers and 48 additional EV ready spaces across 26 multifamily buildings representing 1,324 units (12.4% of all multi-family units) with an additional 33 properties representing 1,723 units (16.2%) in the pipeline. The multi-family part of the work plan focuses on multi-family EV charging and electrification of multi-family building equipment with an enhanced focus on dedicated affordable housing. It includes a work item to pilot cost-efficient program approaches to multi-family EV charging (such as Charging as a Service) that could enable the City to greatly expand program availability. For building electrification, incentives would be provided for both in-unit and central systems, with technical assistance provided to landlords and homeowners’ associations to help them meet the particular challenges of electrifying multi-family housing. The following work items are included: 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 The City has had less information about non-residential electrification opportunities, so there was less progress in 2023-2025 while a study of potential opportunities was completed. Still, 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. Non-residential work items focus on expanding participation by commercial customers in electrifying packaged HVAC units, which tend to be more cost-effective to electrify than other commercial gas equipment. There is a separate work item focused on pilot programs focused on other commercial equipment like water heating equipment and hydronic boilers. These are often present in larger commercial facilities, and the work plan includes a work item to partner with one or more of these facilities on custom electrification plans. Another work item involves piloting cost-efficient program approaches (like Electrification as a Service) that could reduce the amount of revenue needed to expand the programs to all commercial buildings in Palo Alto. As the multi-family EV charging business model evolves, another work item focuses on building on the business models developed to see if they can be applied to workplace charging. The following work items are included: 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 Several major studies were completed over the 2023-2025 period, including: 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 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 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 The 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan included efforts to develop plans and begin work on electrification of City facilities and fleet vehicles. During this time the City built a new all-electric building, the Public Safety Building, developed a City Facility Electrification Plan, and developed and began implementing project plans to electrify five City facilities as a pilot implementation project. There are now more than 35 EVs in the City’s fleet, representing about 15% of passenger vehicles and light trucks, and 25 EV chargers serving City fleet vehicles. The 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan includes a comprehensive set of work items related to City facilities and fleet. It includes continuing implementation of the City Facility Electrification Plan, efforts to electrify the City’s vehicle fleet, including development of adequate charging facilities, and evaluating the electrical capacity needs of the Palo Alto airport for electric aviation. The following work items are included: 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 The sustainability strategies for the 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan focus on sustainability, public health and safety, regional resource conservation, and equity benefits that contribute to overall climate action. These strategies contribute towards achieving the goals of the S/CAP and are directly tied to the Sustainability Key Actions. Water Over the 2023-2025 period, the City focused on reducing water consumption while exploring ways to capture and store water and increase the availability and use of recycled water. This included launching a WaterSmart online water management program accessed by nearly 30% of single-family water customers that has generated water savings of 3.4%. The City continues work on an Advanced Water Purification System to decrease salinity in recycled water and 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. The 2026-2027 Water work plan items continue this focus on water efficiency and improving the salinity of recycled water while also adding a focus on the potential risks to the water distribution system from climate change and potential solutions. The following work items are included: S1. Water Efficiency S2. Recycled Water Salt Removal S3. Water Distribution System Adaptation Sea Level Rise The City has worked on sea level rise adaptation efforts for several years. In Palo Alto, many City services and infrastructure that are essential to the City’s public health, safety, and economy are located within areas that are predicted to be inundated by Bay water in the future if adaptation measures are not implemented. The City is focused on developing a regional shoreline adaptation plan that aligns with State requirements and implementing tools and processes that assist in adapting to sea level rise. The following work items are included: 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 Climate change is expected to increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of wildfire events, especially here in California. The City continues to focus on balancing conservation of natural resources with the reduction of fire hazards, especially in open space areas. The following work items are included: S8. Implement the Foothills Fire Management Plan Natural Environment The City continues to build and restore the natural environment and its ecosystem services and bio-capacity that supports it, including soils, tree canopy, biodiversity, and other components. 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 Enhancing and maintaining Green Stormwater Infrastructure uses natural areas and systems to provide habitat, flood protection, stormwater management, cleaner air, cleaner water, and human health enhancement. The City continues to use green stormwater infrastructure to treat urban water runoff. The following work items are included: 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 Reducing waste is an important strategy for both greenhouse gas emissions reductions and overall sustainability. Achieving the goal of diverting 95% of waste from landfills by 2030, leading to zero waste, will require refinement and enforcement of existing programs, the addition of new policies and programs, fostering producer and consumer responsibility, and building community collaboration on waste prevention. The following work items are included: 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 Six Studies Requested to be Received Staff is recommending Council 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.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 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 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. While much of the policymaker interaction on this work plan will be with the City Council and its Climate Action and Sustainability Committee (CASC), staff will also consult with Council- appointed Commissions for the following work items: 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. Specific community and stakeholder engagement and outreach associated with the workplan development included the following activities: The CASC provided feedback on the mobility-related strategies for the 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan at the November 20, 2025 Committee meeting, on the Sustainability section at the August 22, 2025 Committee meeting, and on the Climate Action section at the May 2, 2025 Committee meeting. The Climate Action Working Group also provided feedback on the 2026-2027 Work Plan. At the November 20, 2025 meeting, the CASC noted it may be worth exploring changes to the Mobility goals to increase VMT reduction goals while reducing mode shift goals, which may be overly ambitious. This is not a topic of the work plan item in this staff report, but can be considered in the 2026-2027 period as more VMT data is obtained for 2024 and later. The Committee members expressed hesitancy about including a work item on paid parking, and that has not been included in this work plan. Safety was emphasized as important, including with respect to e-bikes and micromobility, and taking an efficient approach to micromobility was emphasized. Downtown parking management was also an area where the CASC was open to investigation of efficiency in the management of color zones. Given staff and funding constraints, tentative Mobility work plan items presented at that meeting that were unfunded or underfunded were not included in this work plan, including “Establish a Transportation Demand Management Ordinance,” “Adult-Focused Bike, Walk, Transit Education / Encouragement Programs,” and “Conduct a Land Use and Transportation Study.” 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. At the May 2, 2025 meeting, the CASC emphasized the need to focus on emissions reductions first, then offsets, then carbon capture in achieving the community’s goals. There were comments in support of active transportation and transit while being realistic about what can be achieved. There was a comment on exploring Scope 3 emissions, which are addressed in part through the City’s Reach Code by efforts on low carbon concrete and embedded carbon in construction. Because the 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan is an implementation of the S/CAP Goals and Key Actions, which do not include Scope 3 emissions, this Work Plan does not include additional work on Scope 3 emissions. The Climate Action and Sustainability Committee held a community workshop on December 13, 2025 focused on insights from the attached S/CAP studies, particularly the insight that creative alternatives to incentive programs are needed to make progress on community emissions goals. The group brainstormed strategies to serve residents trying to electrify, both how to implement already known strategies and generating new ideas. The strategies and ideas discussed at the workshop are incorporated in this work plan, including supporting residents in complying with Air District regulations, exploring creative financing like 0% financing and newer concepts like electrification or charging as a service, as well as more focused ideas like providing guidance to renters on how they can reduce emissions without asking their landlord to make major improvements, and efficient approaches to electrification like doing multiple electric readiness projects at one time and using smart meter data to evaluate home electric loads when evaluating panel adequacy. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW In June 2023, City Council certified the Comprehensive Plan Environmental Impact Report Addendum: Update to the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. The strategies proposed in the 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan are consistent with the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP), the 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan, and the Comprehensive Plan. Potential environmental impacts of this project were studied in the June 5, 2023 S/CAP Addendum to the 2017-2031 Comprehensive Plan EIR. In addition, the Climate Action and Sustainability Committee’s discussion and review of the proposed 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan is not a project as defined by CEQA because it is consistent with an existing general or comprehensive plan and does not require additional CEQA review (CEQA Guidelines section 15183). ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: 2023-2025 SCAP Work Plan Status Attachment B: 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan Attachment C – F Links APPROVED BY: Brad Eggleston, Director Public Works/City Engineer 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. = Completed = In Progress = Delayed / On Hold = Ongoing Item No. Work Plan Item Status 1A Grid Modernization Study 1B Reliability and Resiliency Strategic Plan Development 1C Reliability and Resiliency Strategic Plan (RRSP) Implementation (major implementation item completed in 2025 (cost-æôIJôƱťϙŜťŪîƅϽϠϙťŘÍIJŜĖťĖĺIJĖIJČϙťēĖŜϙĖťôıϙťĺϙÍIJϙĺIJČĺĖIJČϙĖťôıϙĖIJϙċŪťŪŘôϙŘôŕĺŘťŜϽ 1D Evaluate Utility Rates and Fees 2.1A Promote EV Adoption 2.1B Emissions Reduction Advisory Services 2.1C Evaluate small electric vehicles (e-micromobility) program potential* 2.1D FôÍťϙ„Ūıŕϙ®ÍťôŘϙFôÍťôŘϙ(īôèťŘĖƱèÍťĖĺIJϙ„Ėīĺťϙ„ŘĺČŘÍı 2.1E Transition to Full-‹èÍīôϙFôÍťϙ„Ūıŕϙ®ÍťôŘϙFôÍťôŘϙ(īôèťŘĖƱèÍťĖĺIJϙ„ŘĺČŘÍı 2.1F (īôèťŘĖƱèÍťĖĺIJϙ"ÍťÍϙĺīīôèťĖĺIJϙ„ŘĺČŘÍı 2.1G Launch „Ėīĺťϙ„ŘĺČŘÍıŜϙċĺŘϙaĺîôŘIJĖƏôîϙbôĖČēæĺŘēĺĺîŜ 2.1H Establish Single->ÍıĖīƅϙ(īôèťŘĖƱèÍťĖĺIJϙ‡ôæÍťôŜ 2.1I Design ƯĺŘîÍæīôϙFĺŪŜĖIJČϙ(«ϙēÍŘČĖIJČϙÍIJîϙ(īôèťŘĖƱèÍťĖĺIJϙ„ĖīĺťϪ 2.1J Establish Multi-Family EV Charger Program* 2.1K Multi-ċÍıĖīƅϙÍIJîϙƯĺŘîÍæīôϙFĺŪŜĖIJČϙ(īôèťŘĖƱèÍťĖĺIJϙÍIJîϙ(«ϙēÍŘČôŘϙèèôŜŜϙ‹ťŘÍťôČƅϙ"ôŽôīĺŕıôIJťϪ 2.2A ‡ĺĺċťĺŕϙ„ÍèħÍČôîϙFôÍťĖIJČϠϙ«ôIJťĖīÍťĖĺIJϠϙÍIJîϙĖŘϙĺIJîĖťĖĺIJĖIJČϙϼF«Ͻϙ„Ėīĺť 1 ĖťƅϙĺŪIJèĖīϠϙbĺŽôıæôŘϙ͒Ϡϙ͑͏͔͑ϢϙČôIJîÍϙIťôıϙϢϙ‹‡ϙϭ͔͑͏͔-4672, IUUQTSFDPSETQPSUBMQBMPBMUPHPW8FCMJOL%PD7JFXBTQY JEECJESFQP1BMP"MUP 2.2B ‡ĺĺċťĺŕϙ„ÍèħÍČôîϙF«ϙîŽÍIJèôîϙ„Ėīĺťϙ"ôŜĖČIJ 2.2C Establish Major Employer Partnerships* 2.2D Commuter Transportation and EV Charging Strategy* 2.2E IîôIJťĖċƅϙRegional 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 ϼƱIJÍīϙîŘÍċťϙŕīÍIJϙèĺıŕīôťôϠϙČĺĖIJČϙťĺϙĺŪIJèĖīϙĖIJϙôÍŘīƅϙ͑͏͕͑Ͻ 2.3G Vision Zero Program ϼ‹ÍċôťƅϙèťĖĺIJϙ„īÍIJϙèĺıŕīôťôîϙĖIJϙ͑͏͔͑ϠϙťŘÍIJŜĖťĖĺIJĖIJČϙťēĖŜϙĖťôıϙťĺϙæôϙťĺϙÍIJϙ ĺIJČĺĖIJČϙĖťôıϙĖIJϙċŪťŪŘôϙŘôŕĺŘťŜϙťĺϙŘôƲôèťϙĺIJČĺĖIJČϙŕīÍIJϙĖıŕīôıôIJťÍťĖĺIJϽ 2.3H (ŽÍīŪÍťôϙ(ƄŕÍIJŜĖĺIJϙĺċϙ(ıŕīĺƅôŘϙ“ŘÍIJŜŕĺ؝͝ĖĺIJϙ"ôıÍIJîϙaÍIJÍČôıôIJťϙϼ“"aϽ 2.3I „ŘĺŕĺŜÍīŜϙċĺŘϙaÍIJÍČĖIJČϙ"ĺſIJťĺſIJϙ„ÍŘħĖIJČϙŽÍĖīÍæĖīĖťƅ 2.3J IıŕīôıôIJťϙ(ƯĖèĖôIJťϙ"ĺſIJťĺſIJϙ„ÍŘħĖIJČϙaÍIJÍČôıôIJť 2.3K “ŘÍƯĖèϙ‹ĖČIJÍīϙIıŕŘĺŽôıôIJťŜϙЭϙ“ŘÍIJŜĖťϙ‹ĖČIJÍīϙ„ŘĖĺŘĖťƅ 2.4A >ÍèĖīĖťƅϙ(īôèťŘĖƱèÍťĖĺIJϙŜŜôŜŜıôIJťϙ„īÍIJ 2.4B >ÍèĖīĖťƅϙ(īôèťŘĖƱèÍťĖĺIJϙŜŜôŜŜıôIJťϙIıŕīôıôIJťÍťĖĺIJ 2.4C (īôèťŘĖċƅϙ(ŗŪĖŕıôIJťϙÍťϙĖťƅϙ>ÍèĖīĖťĖôŜϙîŪŘĖIJČϙ‡ĺŪťĖIJôϙ‡ôŕīÍèôıôIJť 2.4D (īôèťŘĖċƅϙĖťƅϙ«ôēĖèīôϙ>īôôť 2.3E ŪĖīîϙĖťƅϙ>īôôťϙÍIJîϙ(ıŕīĺƅôôϙēÍŘČĖIJČϙIIJċŘÍŜťŘŪèťŪŘô 2.4F Publicly Owned Charger Strategic Plan* 2.5A Electric Vehicle Strategic Plan Development 3.1A ŪĖīîϙÍſÍŘôIJôŜŜϙĺċϙťēôϙIJôôîϙċĺŘϙèīĖıÍťôϙÍèťĖĺIJϙÍIJîϙťēôϙæôIJôƱťŜϙťēôϙĖťƅϙÍIJîϙĖťŜϙŪťĖīĖťƅϙèÍIJϙŘôèôĖŽôϙ and provide 3.1B Drive community actions to achieve S/CAP goals 3.1C S/CAP Survey Program 3.1D S/CAP Reporting 3.1E ŪĖīîϙèĺIJƱîôIJèôϙĖIJϙťēôϙĖťƅЍŜϙôīôèťŘĖèϙĖIJċŘÍŜťŘŪèťŪŘô 4A Multi-ċÍıĖīƅϙÍIJîϙĺııôŘèĖÍīϙ(IJîϙ˜Ŝôϙ‹ťŪîƅ 4B Idea generation and additional research 4C Additional Emissions Reduction Project Prioritization 5A ‡ôŜĺŪŘèôϙbôôîŜϙŜŜôŜŜıôIJť 5B Funding Alternatives 5C ƯĺŘîÍæĖīĖťƅϙ‹ťŪîƅ 5D Gas Utility Financial and Operating Plan ͗ aÍƄĖıĖƏôϙ®ÍťôŘϙĺIJŜôŘŽÍťĖĺIJϙÍIJîϙ(ƯĖèĖôIJèƅ ͗ "ôŜĖČIJϙÍIJîϙæŪĖīîϙÍϙŜÍīťϙŘôıĺŽÍīϙċÍèĖīĖťƅϙċĺŘϙťēôϙ‡ôČĖĺIJÍīϙ®ÍťôŘϙ†ŪÍīĖťƅϙĺIJťŘĺīϙ„īÍIJť ͗ "ôŽôīĺŕϙÍϙЊiIJôϙ®ÍťôŘЋϙ„ĺŘťċĺīĖĺϙċĺŘϙ„Íīĺϙīťĺ ͗" "ôŽôīĺŕϙÍϙťĺĺīϙċĺŘϙîƅIJÍıĖèϙſÍťôŘϙŕīÍIJIJĖIJČϙĖIJϙťēôϙċŪťŪŘô ͗( Complete the Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment ͗> Develop a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan ͗@ ôČĖIJϙîôŜĖČIJϙŕŘĺèôŜŜϙċĺŘϙÍϙīôŽôôϙŕŘĺĤôèť ͗F IîôIJťĖċƅϙ„ŘĺťôèťĖĺIJϙ‹ťŘÍťôČĖôŜϙċŘĺıϙ‹ĖČIJĖƱèÍIJťϙ>īĺĺîϙ(ŽôIJťŜϙÍťϙbôſôīīϙ‡ĺÍîϙŘĖîČô ͗I IîôIJťĖċƅϙ„ŘĺťôèťĖĺIJϙ‹ťŘÍťôČĖôŜϙċŘĺıϙ‹ĖČIJĖƱèÍIJťϙ>īĺĺîϙ(ŽôIJťŜϙÍťϙ„ĺŕôϙēÍŪèôŘϙŘĖîČôϙÍIJîϙŘôôħ ͗V IîôIJťĖċƅϙ„ŘĺťôèťĖĺIJϙ‹ťŘÍťôČĖôŜϙċŘĺıϙ‹ĖČIJĖƱèÍIJťϙ>īĺĺîϙ(ŽôIJťŜ ͗X Implement Foothills Fire Management Plan ͗[ Minimize Fire Hazards Through Zoning ͗a ĺīīÍæĺŘÍťôϙĺIJϙ‡ôîŪèĖIJČϙ®ĖīîƱŘôϙFÍƏÍŘîŜ ͗b Implement CAL FIRE Public Education Programs ͗i IIJèŘôÍŜôϙ„ÍīĺϙīťĺЍŜϙ“ŘôôϙÍIJĺŕƅϙÍIJîϙôŜťÍæīĖŜēϙÍϙæÍŜôīĖIJôϙÍIJîϙXôƅϙ„ôŘċĺŘıÍIJèôϙIIJîĖèÍťĺŘϙċĺŘϙ èÍŘæĺIJϙŜťĺŘÍČôϙĺċϙťŘôôϙèÍIJĺŕƅ Canopy Carbon Storage ͗„ (IJŜŪŘôϙbĺϙbôťϙ“ŘôôϙÍIJĺŕƅϙ[ĺŜŜϙċĺŘϙÍīīϙ„ŘĺĤôèťŜ ͗† ‡ôîŪèôϙ„ôŜťĖèĖîôϙ˜ŜôϙĖIJϙ„ÍŘħŜϙÍIJîϙiŕôIJϙ‹ŕÍèôϙ„ŘôŜôŘŽôŜ ͗‡ ĺĺŘîĖIJÍťôϙIıŕīôıôIJťÍťĖĺIJϙĺċϙĖťƅϙbÍťŪŘÍīϙ(IJŽĖŘĺIJıôIJť-Related Plans ͗‹ ‹ŪŕŕĺŘťϙťēôϙ@ŘôôIJϙ‹ťĺŘıſÍťôŘϙIIJċŘÍŜťŘŪèťŪŘôϙϼ@‹IϽϙ„īÍIJϙÍIJîϙĖIJèĺŘŕĺŘÍťôϙ@‹IϙĖIJϙaŪIJĖèĖŕÍīϙ„ŘĺĤôèťŜ ͗“ (IJèĺŪŘÍČôϙ>ĺĺîϙ®ÍŜťôϙ„ŘôŽôIJťĖĺIJϙÍIJîϙ‡ôŗŪĖŘôϙ>ĺĺîϙ‡ôèĺŽôŘƅϙċŘĺıϙĺııôŘèĖÍīϙ>ĺĺîϙ@ôIJôŘÍťĺŘŜ ͗˜ Promote Residential Food Waste Reduction ͗« Champion Waste Prevention, Reduction, Reusables, and the Sharing Economy ͗® Provide Waste Prevention Technical Assistance to the Commercial Sector ͗³ „ŘĖĺŘĖťĖƏôϙ"ĺıôŜťĖèϙ„ŘĺèôŜŜĖIJČϙĺċϙ‡ôèƅèīÍæīôϙaÍťôŘĖÍīŜ ͗´ Eliminate Single-Use Disposable Containers ͗¾ (ƄŕÍIJîϙťēôϙ"ôèĺIJŜťŘŪèťĖĺIJϙÍIJîϙĺIJŜťŘŪèťĖĺIJϙaÍťôŘĖÍīŜϙaÍIJÍČôıôIJťϙiŘîĖIJÍIJèô ͗ÍÍ Implement Reach Code standard ċĺŘϙ[ĺſϙÍŘæĺIJϙĺIJŜťŘŪèťĖĺIJϙaÍťôŘĖÍīŜ 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 2 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: x private on-site charging at multifamily properties; x publicly-accessible charging at neighborhood e-mobility hubs at public or private properties; or x 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 3 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 4 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 5 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 6 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 7 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. 8 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 9 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 10 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. 11 Index of S/CAP Key Actions and the 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Items that Implement them S/CAP Key Action Title 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan Item(s) C1. 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. Study Funding Alternatives (Completed in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan) C6. Conduct an Electrification Affordability Study (Completed in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan) C7. Study Carbon Neutrality Options CA15. Carbon Neutrality 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. Reduce Gas Use in Major Facilities CA8. Advanced Heat Pump HVAC Program 12 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 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. Develop Electric Rate Options (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 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. Collaborate to Promote EV Adoption 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. Facilitate the Adoption of EVs, E-bikes and 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. Electrify Municipal Vehicle Fleet CA27.Electrify City Vehicle Fleet EV10. Support Policy to Electrify Fleet Vehicles CA27.Electrify City Vehicle Fleet 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. Implement the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan CA21. Achieve Benchmarks for Bicycle and Pedestrian Capital Improvement Projects M4. Improve Transportation Demand Management for Employees and Residents M5. Implement Smart Parking Infrastructure in Public Garages and Parking Fees in Business Districts M6. Study Land Use and Transportation M7. 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. Create Housing Density and Land Use Mix that Supports Transit and Non-SOV Transportation CA24. Housing Element Implementation / Land Use Planning and Policy M10. Encourage Reductions in GHGs and VMT W1. Maximize Water Conservation and Efficiency S3. Water Distribution System Adaptation W2. Build a Salt Removal Facility S2. Recycled Water Salt Removal W3. Implement One Water Portfolio Projects S1. Water Efficiency W4. Develop a Dynamic Water Planning Tool (Completed in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan) S1. Complete a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment (Completed in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan) 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. Complete Bridge improvements and Identify Protection Strategies from Flood Events S7. Continue Partnership with Valley Water on SLR / Shoreline Levee Improvement Efforts S5. Implement the Foothills Fire Management Plan S8. Implement the Foothills Fire Management Plan 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. Enhance Pollinator Habitat N5. Establish a Carbon Storage of Tree Canopy Baseline and KPI S9. Increase Palo Alto’s Tree Canopy in South Palo Alto N6. Maximize Biodiversity and Soil Health N7. Coordinate Implementation of City Natural Environment-Related Plans (On-going item initiated in 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan) N8. Expand Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) Requirements 16 N9. Phase out Gas-Powered Lawn and Garden 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. Incorporate Green Stormwater Infrastructure in Municipal Projects S12. Increase Green Stormwater Infrastructure on City of Palo Alto Property and/or Right-of-Way ZW1. Encourage Food Waste Prevention and 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. Provide Waste Prevention Technical 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. Expand the Deconstruction and Construction 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) Attachments C through F for Staff Report 2507-5027 are available at the below links: Attachment C: S/CAP Funding and Financing Study https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/city-clerk/staff-report-links/12.13.25- casc/attachment-a-scap-funding-and-financing-study.pdf Attachment D: EV Charger Needs Assessment https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/city-clerk/staff-report-links/12.13.25- casc/attachment-b-ev-charger-needs-assessment.pdf Attachment E: Single-family Building Sector Study https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/city-clerk/staff-report-links/12.13.25- casc/attachment-c-single-family-building-sector-study.pdf Attachment F: Multi-family Building Sector Study https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/city-clerk/staff-report-links/12.13.25- casc/attachment-d-multi-family-building-sector-study.pdf Attachment G: Non-Residential Building Sector Study https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/city-clerk/staff-report-links/12.13.25- casc/attachment-e-non-residential-building-sector-study.pdf Attachment H: Funding Source Survey https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/city-clerk/staff-report-links/12.13.25- casc/attachment-f-funding-source-survey.pdf Agenda Item 1: 2026-2027 S/CAP Work Plan and S/CAP Studies Climate Action and Sustainability Committee January 9, 2026 www.paloalto.gov