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7.B. - Page 116 Redwood City Chapter 4.Environmental Impact Analysis Less-than- Significant Potentially New Impact Less-than- Significant with Significant No New Mitigation New New 4.12.GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS Impact Incorporated Impact Impact Would the project: a. Generate greenhouse gas emissions,either ❑ ❑ � ❑ directly or indirectly,that may have a significant impact on the environment? b. Conflict with an applicable plan,policy or ❑ ❑ ❑ � regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases? Greenhouse Gas Emissions Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were not evaluated in the 2007 FEIR and 2007 Addendum No. 1. The new General Plan includes the following policy that is applicable to the proposed modifications: Policy PS-5.2: Strive to reduce per capita greenhouse gas emissions and total municipal greenhouse gas emissions to 15 percent below 20051evels by 2020. The GHG impacts of the proposed 20-station fueling center were evaluated for this Addendum No.2 based on the air quality and climate change analysis prepared by the Ashworth Leininger Group for the proposed modifications (Ashworth Leininger Group 2012).This air quality and climate change analysis is included in Appendix A to this Addendum No. 2.The GHG emission impacts associated with the 20-station fueling center were determined by analyzing the increase in GHG emissions of the proposed modifications (a 20-station fueling center) to the existing condition in 2012 (a 12- station fueling center). As discussed below the proposed modifications to the project would result in a new environmental impact that was not previously addressed in the 2007 FEIR and 2007 Addendum No. 1,however impacts would be less than significant and would not require mitigation. Overview of Greenhouse Gas Unlike emissions of criteria and toxic air pollutants,which have local or regional impacts,emissions of GHGs that contribute to global climate change have broader impacts. Global climate change is a process whereby GHGs accumulating in the atmosphere contribute to changes in the planet's weather patterns.Although there is disagreement as to the rate of global climate change and the extent of impacts attributable to human activities,most in the scientific community agree that there is a direct link between increased GHG emissions and long-term global temperature increases.The principal GHGs of concern with respect to global climate change are carbon dioxide (COa),methane (CH4),nitrous oxide(Na0),and fluorinated compounds.These gases allow sunlight to pass through the atmosphere,but trap a portion of the planet's heat from escaping back out into space. Potential implications of global warming include rising sea levels due to melting of glaciers and polar ice caps,and adverse impacts on water supply,water quality,agriculture,forestry,and habitats.In addition,global warming may increase electricity demand for cooling,decrease the Addendum No.2 to the Environmental Impact Report for 4 71 September 2012 the Redwood City Costco Wholesale Project ICF 00154.12