Climate Action Program

City of Piedmont becomes member of ICLEI

On May 15, 2006, the Piedmont City Council adopted a Resolution for the City to become a member of ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability and to participate in the Alameda County Climate Protection Project, sponsored by StopWaste.Org and the Alameda County Conference of Mayors. In so doing, Piedmont committed to ICLEI’s Climate Protection Campaign 5-Milestone methodology to reduce both greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions:

Current Achievements:

The City has already implemented some measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions since completion of its baseline emissions inventory in 2005, including: weekly curbside collection of food scraps and yard debris for composting (Piedmont Recycling Services); an ordinance requiring the recycling of construction and demolition debris (C&D Recycling); and lighting retrofits in City buildings.

Piedmont Environmental Task Force is formed

In May 2008, the City Council appointed an Environmental Task Force and requested that the Task Force provide input to the CAP consultant and receive periodic briefings on the CAP as work progressed. After 16 months of meetings during which it provided input to the CAP and explored ideas as to how the City might improve its energy efficiency and waste diversion efforts, the Task Force presented its final report to the City Council on January 4, 2010. After thanking the Task force for its tremendous efforts and thoughtful recommendations, Council accepted the final report of the Task Force. With its mandated tasks completed, the Task Force was dissolved.

Piedmont CAP Development

Also in 2008 the City Council directed staff to begin development of a Climate Action Plan and a climate consultant, EDAW, Inc., was contracted for the purpose. Work on the CAP began promptly. From October 2008 to May 2009 an on-line Climate Action Survey was made available for Piedmont residents and business owners to provide input on climate protection issues. EDAW made regular presentations and consultations with the Environmental Task Force to report on the CAP development status, the preliminary results of the Climate Action survey, and draft GHG reduction measures.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Target

As part of the draft Plan, in April 2009 the City Council set a goal for Piedmont to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 15% below 2005 levels by 2020. This is a preliminary target that enabled the City’s climate consultant to develop a draft CAP with reduction measures necessary to meet the target.

Climate Action Community Forum

With a preliminary draft of the Climate Action Plan developed, the City hosted a Community Forum on May 27, 2009 to gain public review and input regarding greenhouse gas reduction measures included within the Plan. Home energy efficiency upgrades, photovoltaic systems on City buildings and private residences, better access to public transit, construction and landscapes with green building and water efficiency features are a few of the measures included in the draft plan. Public comments during the Forum were duly noted and considered so that the resulting draft Climate Action Plan would contain measures, policies, incentives, and outreach programs that are effective, practical and acceptable to the City as a whole.

Draft Climate Action Plan

The City’s climate consultant prepared a Draft CAP that was posted on the City’s website and made available at City Hall on October 6, 2009. The CAP defines climate change and its potential effects, outlines the actions the State and City are taking to address climate change, and describes how residents and business owners can participate in greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction efforts. Over 80 Piedmonters submitted written comments and responses to an on-line CAP survey during a 60-day review period that concluded on December 10, 2009.

Initial Study and proposed Negative Declaration

In conformance with the California Environmental Quality Act, the City of Piedmont posted a Notice of Intent to adopt an Initial Study and Negative Declaration for the CAP. The 30-day comment period for the Initial Study and proposed Negative Declaration also concluded on December 10, 2009 but the public is still encouraged to review the documents.

Climate Action Plan Adoption

After careful consideration during its regularly scheduled hearings on January 4, 2010 and March 15, 2010, the Piedmont City Council approved resolutions adopting the Climate Action Plan and Initial Study and Negative Declaration . The plan defines climate change and its potential effects, outlines the actions the City and State are taking to address climate change, describes how residents and business owners can participate in greenhouse gas reduction efforts, details the City’s strategy to be consistent with applicable state regulations, and provides guidance to City officials and departments charged with implementing the measures and policies contained within the plan.

Future Steps

Climate Action Plan Implementation

Implementation, monitoring, and verification of the plan’s measures and achievements would follow during the ensuing years.

If you would like to receive future notices of meetings and activities related to the Climate Action Plan and/or Environmental Task Force, please email City Planner Kate Black at or call her at (510) 420-3050 and she will add you to the list of Piedmonters who will directly receive notices, drafts and staff reports. Funding for the preparation of the Climate Action Plan has been provided by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and StopWaste.Org.

Energy Savings & Water Conservation Opportunities

Carbon Footprint Calculators are available from PG&E, the Nature Conservancy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The following programs are opportunities made readily available to Piedmont residents that help reduce carbon footprint and help the fight against climate change.

PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC (PG&E)

ClimateSmart Program
This program helps residents balance out their homes’ greenhouse gas (GHS) emissions through environmental conservation, restoration and protection projects. By adding a voluntary, tax-deductible $5 donation (for a typical home), Piedmont residents can reduce or absorb the GHG emissions associated with their homes’ energy use. A helpful Home Carbon Dioxide footprint quick calculating tool is provided on this site.

Smart Energy Audit (Analyzer) – Carbon Calculator
Is your home energy efficient? Which appliances use the most energy? Which home improvement projects have built-in energy savings? These questions and more can be answered through this self-audit tool and calculator that focuses on a specific area of your home. This is a good way to get bottom-line information on specific energy-saving ideas that will work in your home.

Rebates
A wide range of rebates are offered to help Piedmont residents save energy, money and the environment’s natural resources. Through instant savings on lighting products to appliance recycling programs, find out ways to participate in energy saving programs.

Solar Guide
Learn more about going solar, including information on the California Solar Initiative, which provides incentives on solar installations.

EAST BAY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT (EBMUD)

Rebates
EBMUD currently offers Piedmont residents a variety of financial incentives and programs including rebates for installing high-efficiency clothes washers and toilets, promoting outdoor water use efficiency in landscaping, and graywater systems.

Free Conservation Devices
Water conservation devices are provided at no charge to customers primarily through water survey programs. More information on where these devices can be obtained is provided on this site.

Waterwise Self-Survey Kits
EBMUD's Waterwise Self-Survey Kit can help Piedmont residents find and fix leaks, check water flow rates, and save water both indoors and in the landscaping treatments at home. Upon submitting an audit form included in the kit, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and other water-saving devices and information will be mailed to interested residents free of charge.

On-Site Water Surveys
This service offers free, on-site surveys of indoor and landscape water use to all Piedmont residents. Such surveys show high water-use customers how implementing recommended conservation measures can result in significant water savings.

For more information on any of these EBMUD programs, please email customer service or call 1-866-403-2683.