HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.b. Conduct biennial review of Board Policy BP 038 - Climate Change Page 1 of 3
Item 5.b.
,orVIOIN SAN
December 15, 2020
TO: ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
FROM: KATIE YOUNG, SECRETARY OF THE DISTRICT
REVIEWED BY: DANEA GEMMELL, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIVISION
MANAGER
ROGER S. BAILEY, GENERAL MANAGER
SUBJECT: CONDUCT BIENNIAL REVIEW OF BOARD POLICY BP038 - CLIMATE
CHANGE
Attached is a copy of the above Board Policy, which is being presented to the Committee for their biennial
review.
Staff has no recommended changes to the existing policy. If the Committee concurs, the policy will
remain as it is and will be reviewed again in two years. However, if the Committee recommends changes,
the policy will be brought to the full Board for consideration of any proposed revisions.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. BP 038 - Climate Change
December 15, 2020 Regular ADM IN Committee Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 62 of 69
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Number: BP 038
Authority: Board of Directors
Effective: December 6, 2018
Revised: -----
ng
Reviewed:
Initiating Dept./Div.: Engineering & Technical Services CENTRALSAN
Department/Planning Development
BOARD POLICY
CLIMATE CHANGE
PURPOSE
Scientific organizations and leading scientists believe that the Earth's climate has been
evolving and is changing, as evidenced by increasing concentrations of greenhouse
gases, increased air and ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, changing
precipitation patterns, sea level rise, and increasing frequency and intensity of extreme
droughts and storm events. These climate change indicators not only contribute to
adverse health, society, and ecosystem impacts, they also pose the following risks:
• Increasing wet weather flows
• Increased flood risk
• Reduced water supply reliability
• Reduced dry weather flows and changing wastewater composition due to
additional water conservation
Central San's infrastructure and operational resiliency to these climate change risks is
critical towards achieving Central San's Mission — to Protect Public Health and the
Environment.
POLICY
It is the policy of Central San to consider climate change impacts in its policies,
programs and projects, where applicable, and reduce Central San's contribution and
vulnerability to climate change.
In considering this policy, Central San will exercise leadership in the following climate
adaptation strategies while furthering Central San's Mission:
1. Continue Central San's commitment to implement the goals of the Global
Warming Solutions Act (Assembly Bill 32) and other applicable climate change
legislation. Continue to report and verify greenhouse gas emissions and strive to
manage anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions to stay below the California
December 15, 2020 Regular ADMIN Committee Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 63 of 69
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Number: BP 038
CLIMATE CHANGE
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Air Resource Board Cap and Trade inclusion threshold of 25,000 metric tons of
carbon dioxide equivalents per year, with due consideration for cost and
operational reliability.
2. Implement projects that protect and improve the resiliency of Central San's
facilities from flooding and sea level rise.
3. Reduce workplace emissions by encouraging and supporting environmentally
friendly workplace practices and commuting habits.
4. Work with local, regional, and state agencies and groups to understand how
climate change will affect our communities' critical assets, and participate in
collaborative efforts to develop robust adaptation strategies.
5. Support sustainable use of water resources and plan for water conservation
impacts.
6. Consider climate change in addition to other environmental impacts when
completing California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) assessments and
environmental impact reports for Central San's projects.
7. Monitor the state of climate change science and evolving regulations and
legislation through industry associations, and assign resources as appropriate to
comply with future climate change adaptation requirements.
8. Enhance the community's understanding of climate change and how it
challenges Central San's Mission.
9. Participate in integrated regional water reliability planning and explore recycled
water opportunities consistent with Board Policy No. BP 019 — Recycled Water.
10.Support energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy generation projects,
and other strategies to strive towards Net Zero Energy as described in Board
Policy No. BP 027 — Energy.
[Original Retained by the Secretary of the District]
December 15, 2020 Regular ADM IN Committee Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 64 of 69