HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-B Public CommentAnthony Mejia
From:
David Freedman
Sent:
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 10:47 AM
To:
Anthony Mejia
Cc:
Patrick Tallarico
Subject:
Public Comment on Agenda Item 413
Attachments:
Remarks to Palm Springs City Council on Climate Action Roadmap.docx
Hello Anthony,
Please find attached for your records the text of my public comment on behalf of the Sustainability Commission on
Agenda Item 4B of Thursday's Council meeting.
Please call me on my home number below when it is my turn to speak to Council. My cell phone number can be used as
an alternate if the connection from my home number is not clear.
Best,
David
David Freedman
Vice Chair, Palm Springs Sustainability Commission
Email. David. Freed man-ABM(@r)almsprinasca.aov
Home: (760) 832 8268
Cell: (347) 634 2723
io)281 SOzi
Fu6lic coimmen4-
1TEM NO.
Remarks to Palm Springs City Council on Climate Action Roadmap
Good evening Mayor Holstege Mayor Pro tem Middleton, and Councilmembers. My name is David
Freedman. I am Vice Chair of the Sustainability Commission and am speaking on behalf of the Commission
on agenda item 4B.
As outlined in the Climate Action Roadmap and staff report developed with input from the Commission,
climate change has a profound impact on Palm Springs, from droughts to extreme heat to fires in the nearby
hills. Although the City has taken actions such as the move to carbon -free energy from Desert Community
Energy that led the City to achieve its goal of reducing GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, much more
work needs to be done to achieve additional State GHG reduction and energy efficiency goals.
The Commission has done substantial work developing two ordinance proposals referred to in the staff
report, one to require energy efficiency standards for existing single-family homes beyond the California
Energy Code, and another to require cannabis grow facilities and larger commercial businesses to use
carbon -free energy. Further GHG reductions can be achieved by adopting cost-effective electrification
requirements for new buildings, as many other California jurisdictions have done.
We request Council direction on whether to move forward with our work on these ordinance proposals and
conduct further research on building electrification options with input from staff and consultants as needed
and bring ordinances to Council for consideration following stakeholder input. Council should also provide
direction on actions to reduce GHG emissions from transportation and the City's internal operations.
Most importantly, the fight against climate change requires additional staff resources and a coordinated
commitment to sustainability across all City departments, not just the Office of Sustainability. Palm Springs
must continue to demonstrate its sustainability leadership with personnel and policies that will serve as an
example to our Valley and State.
Thank you for your consideration. I am available for any questions you may have