League of Women Voters Presents ‘10 Action Points and 10 Processes That Cities Can Take to Reduce GHG Emissions’

The League of Women Voters-Pasadena Area will conduct a presentation on Tuesday before the city’s Environmental Advisory Commission titled “10 Action Points and 10 Processes That Cities Can Take to Reduce GHG Emissions.” 

The document was prepared by the Climate Action Plan Team of the LWV Climate Interest Group after reviewing dozens of Climate Actions Plans (CAPs) from cities and counties throughout the country to understand what actions they propose to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). 

Working from February to June, the LWV’s Climate Interest Group found that in many of these CAPs it was challenging to find specific actions or commitments to actions, and many of the items described as “actions” in the plans were merely statements of intent to explore, consider, discuss, or invite to join, conduct a feasibility study, make plans, or include actions in existing plans or revisions of the plans. 

Among other things, the LWV group found that many of the CAPs omit actions that are important in reducing GHG, such as incentives for distributed or community solar energy, transitioning renewable energy in municipal buildings and vehicles, and terminating fossil fuel contracts. 

Some of the CAPs also focus on actions with relatively minor impact on GHG emissions, even when it was obvious that the greatest reduction in GHG emissions would come from transitioning to non-fossil fuel energy sources in transportation and buildings.  

“Given these findings, our committee decided that it would be useful for us to focus on identifying specific and effective actions that a city or county may choose to include in a CAP or to take independently of a CAP,” the LWV document said. 

Among the important actions recommended include terminating fossil fuel purchase contracts and entering only into renewable energy contracts, permitting new construction only without fossil fuel energy, and offering community solar programs to enable renters or low-income persons to enjoy the benefits of solar power.

The recommended processes include setting annual GHG reduction goals, establishing consequences for failure to meet goals, and linking GHG reduction plans to affordable housing and utility bills, among others. 

The LWV-Pasadena Area is expected to discuss these 10 recommended actions and 10 processes in detail in Tuesday’s presentation.

The LWV document also mentioned a number of cities and jurisdictions that have implemented some of the recommended actions and processes. 

Pasadena was cited for offering discounts when purchasing or leasing electric vehicles, up to $1,500 off the sticker price, through the California Clean Fuel Reward Program, in addition to rebates offered by the Pasadena Water and Power Department. 

South Pasadena was mentioned for committing to adopt a solar power ordinance that will require newly constructed and majorly renovated multi-family and commercial buildings to install solar power systems with an annual output greater or equal to 25 percent of the buildings electricity demand.

Tuesday’s video conference meeting of the Environmental Advisory Commission begins at 6 p.m. To watch the meeting, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88438350071.