HomeMy WebLinkAboutClimate Action Subcommittee Report 12 June 2024 1
Meeting Report:
Standing Subcommittee
on Climate Action
PRESENTED FOR COMMISSION MEETING DATE: 16 July 2024 SUBMITTED BY: Roy Clark, Chair
SUBCOMMITTEE NAME: Standing Subcommittee on Climate Action DATE SUBMITTED: 8 July 2024
SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS: Roy Clark, Kathy Cohn, Erik Graham,
Bernard Rottner, Prema Walker
NEXT SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING: 11
September 2024
SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING DATE: 12 June 2024
Subcommittee Goal: Develop and recommend policies and plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the City of
Palm Springs by 40% from 1990 levels by 2030. (Reference: Palm Springs Climate Action Roadmap, dated 28 October
2021) and develop and recommend policies and plans to assist Palm Springs residents adapt to ongoing climate change.
Summary of meeting
Presentation: Energy reach codes, City building audits, and results of resident survey, Juliet Shane Agtang, Sustainability
fellow sponsored by the Inland Regional Energy Network (IREN)
• In first year, Juliet developed six goals for energy efficiency in buildings and four goals for energy efficiency
incentive programs; these will be developed in her second year
• Juliet worked with City staff to perform energy audits in all 5 fire stations
• Juliet conducted an energy efficiency survey for homeowners and residents, which included actions they have
taken (LEDs, smart thermostats) and barriers to actions (cost); 100 responses
• Juliet will work with IREN and City stakeholders to develop an energy action plan
Air quality: Director McCloy and her staff will put air quality information on social media and will work with City staff to put
air quality information on Engage Palm Springs
Sustainability Specialist Wheeler made a presentation about EPA Community change grants under the Inflation Reduction
Act:
• Major goal is to fund community-driven pollution reduction and climate resiliency projects
• Grants require a partnership between a community -based nonprofit organization (CBO) and a local government,
federally recognized tribe, another CBO, or higher education institution
• Target areas are disadvantaged communities as defined by the EPA IRA Disadvantaged Communities map.
• Director McCloy and her staff have met with the Economic Development Office to identify projects and partners;
examples: community gardens and buildings in Sunrise Park
• Grants between $10M and $20M will be awarded; application deadline is November 21
2
Recommendations/Requests to Subcommittee
Continue to prioritize presentations to the subcommittee on organizations and on-going activities, internal and external to
the City
Airport expansion (Ref: Jan 25 City Council Meeting) (Airport General Manager)
Convention Center
Bicycle routes (Sustainability Specialist Wheeler and Engineering)
City fleet electrification (Director McCloy)
Sustainable transportation planning and EV charging
Parks Master Plan
New, as of March 13:
Energy-efficient construction, include LEED
Training to do energy audits, such as interface with the College of the Desert
Sustainability education program
Vehicle maintenance program with the College of the Desert
New as of May 8:
Commissioner Walker requested that the Office Sustainability look into potential community change grants under
the Inflation Reduction Act
Request To Commission Read this report and tell Subcommittee what you would like discussed
in more detail in Commission meeting
Request To Office of Sustainability Expand outreach and education to City Council, City staff, and other
commissions; meeting notices and written messaging; integrate
sustainability with other organizations
Support new activities:
Perform GHG inventory, 2020 update and new 2022 (PlaceWorks)
Identify the number of houses in the City with solar panels
Identify the number of electric vehicles registered in the City by
recent year
Survey how EV drivers in the City charge their vehicles
Investigate EV rideshare programs to serve disadvantaged areas
and Navigation Center
Potential Fiscal Impact/Request Unknown
Could be a lot of money required in the long term to implement
strategic activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions