AgdaPkt 2014-10-20 Closed and Special Joint with SA_Revised_10_17_2014

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8.A. - Page 76 Section 4: Evaluation of Environmental Impacts emit greenhouse gases upon completion, unlike operational emissions that are continuous year after year until operation of the use ceases. Typically, construction - related GHG emissions contribute insubstantially (less than one percent) to a project's annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory and mitigation is not effective in reducing a project's overall contribution to climate change. Implementation of AB32 and SB375 through California Air Resources Board's (ARB) Scoping Plan and ABAG's Plan Bay Area (PBA) are designed to achieve the required reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, as is further discussed in Section 4.7.b. With compliance with these plans, short - term climate change impacts due to future construction activities will be less than significant. Long -Term Emissions Future development projects will result in continuous GHG emissions from mobile, area, and other operational sources. Mobile sources, including vehicle trips to and from development projects, will result primarily in emissions of 002, with minor emissions of CH4 and N20. The most significant GHG emission from natural gas usage will be methane. Electricity usage by future development and indirect usage of electricity for water and wastewater conveyance will result primarily in emissions of carbon dioxide. Disposal of solid waste will result in emissions of methane from the decomposition of waste at landfills coupled with CO2 emission from the handling and transport of solid waste. These sources combine to define the long -term greenhouse gas inventory for typical development projects. Future housing and mixed -use development will occur on vacant land and underutilized properties. GHG emissions - reducing design requirements identified in the CBC include installation of low -flow fixtures, compliance with State landscape irrigation requirements, and minimum 50 percent recycling during construction and operation. Furthermore, GHG emissions were evaluated in the General Plan EIR for consistency with State and regional greenhouse gas reduction plans (see Section 4.7.b). They will also be subject to environmental review to ensure that any interim or adopted project -level greenhouse emissions threshold is not exceeded, and is subject to regulations requiring reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Impacts will be less than significant. b) Less than Significant Impact. Significant impacts will occur if the proposed project conflicts or interferes with implementation of any existing GHG reduction plan that is projected to achieve greenhouse gas reduction targets. The two primary reduction plans are California Air Resources Board (CARB) Scoping Plan and ABAG's PBA, as discussed below. California Air Resources Board Scoping Plan (AB32) The CARB Scoping Plan is the comprehensive plan to reach the GHG reduction targets stipulated in AB32. The key elements of the plan are to expand and strengthen energy efficiency programs, achieve a statewide renewable energy mix of 33 percent, develop a cap- and -trade program with other partners in the Western Climate Initiative (includes seven states in the United States and four territories in Canada), establish transportation - related targets, and establish fees. CARB estimates that implementation of these measures will reduce GHG emissions in the state by 136 MMTCO2E by 2020; therefore, implementation of the Scoping Plan will meet the 2020 reduction target of 80 MMTCO2E, which is a reduction of 27 percent compared to the projected business as usual 507 MMTCO2E. Many of the strategies identified in the Scoping Plan are not applicable at the General Plan or project level, such as long -term technological improvements to reduce emissions from vehicles. Some measures are applicable and supported by the project, such as provision of mixed -use developments. Finally, while some measures are not directly applicable, the project will not conflict with their implementation. Reduction measures are grouped into 18 action categories, as follows: 20 California Air Resources Board. Climate Change Scoping Plan. December 2008. Redwood City Housing Element Initial Study 37