HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/17/2016 - STAFF REPORTS - 00 Council Testimony.2.17.16
Museum Market Plaza: GHG Control Legislation
The science is in. We know for a fact that excess greenhouse gases (GHG),
primarily carbon dioxide, create climate change.
In Palm Springs, and other valley cities, climate change represents a threat to both
our economic health and quality of life.
• Drought and water shortages
• Increased heat and humidity
• Air quality degradation
• Increased wildfires
• Loss of species
• Tropical diseases such as West Nile virus and eventually Zika
To address the threat of climate change, cities are around the world are moving
aggressively to cut carbon use and GHG. All the electricity in Burlington VT and
Aspen CO currently comes from renewable sources. San Diego is targeting 2035
for 100% renewables.
Our most recent GHG audit in 2010 revealed that 70% of our GHG emissions
come from the electricity and natural gas used to light, heat and cool our buildings.
The Museum Market Plaza project is adding an estimated 900,000 square feet of
new buildings downtown. Given that our largest source of carbon emissions is
heating and cooling buildings, it is imperative that all these buildings meet the
highest standards of energy efficiency.
That means regulations for commercial buildings mandating the highest possible
level of energy efficiency such as the net zero carbon emission retirement project
recently build in Palm Desert.
There are precedents for these laws. Boston currently mandates all commercial
building is LEED silver. Berkeley requires LEED Gold. Virgin has recently built a
LEED Gold hotel in Chicago. This is the future. Thanks to councilmember Kors
for his leadership in this area.
Climate scientists tell us we have 10-15 years to reverse the tide of climate change
and avoid the worst consequences. Last year in Paris, global leaders agreed to limit
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temperature increases to a maximum of 2 degrees C, preferably 1.5 degrees C
above pre-industrial levels. We have already reached 1 degree above pre-industrial
levels. We have no time to waste.
It's time for Palm Springs to assert bold leadership on climate. That means
aggressively cutting existing sources of GHG and preventing future growth of
emissions from the massive Museum Market Plaza Project. It's the right thing to
do and it's good for our brand.
Ellen Lockert
ealockert(cugmai Lcom
206.650.6476