Climate Action Strategy
New!
Tell us what you think by taking our online survey on Survey Monkey.
Background
The Climate Action Strategy (CAS) is being developed to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pursuant to the Board of Supervisors’ March 2009 direction (BOS Resolution 09-059) “to take immediate, cost effective, and coordinated steps to reduce the County’s collective GHG emissions.“
The CAS follows a two-phase structure intended to promote an informed public dialogue prior to County commitment to concrete actions to reduce emissions.
Phase 1: Climate Action Study. Learn more about the Climate Action Study here
Phase 2: Energy and Climate Action Plan. The ECAP will identify ways the County can reduce GHG emissions and implement energy-saving measures in support of a thriving, well-balanced and sustainable community. The ECAP is being prepared to assist the County with reducing its GHG emissions consistent with State Assembly Bill 32.
The ECAP will:
- Reduce the County’s greenhouse gas emissions
- Increase the community’s resilience to the effects of climate change
- Allow for programmatic mitigation of GHG emissions as required under California Environmental Quality Act
- Identify energy efficiency goals and targets
- Create an energy efficiency strategy to meet the County’s energy reduction goals
- Implement programs to comply with the state of California’s GHG reduction and long-term energy efficiency goals
The project is funded by PG&E and Southern California Edison under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. The funding was awarded to the County to implement activities to achieve statewide energy efficiency goals.
Hearings
For copies of Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission agenda letters and staff reports, please visit the Hearings webpage.
Calendar
| Event | Milestone |
Focused Community Outreach |
Summer 2010 (complete) |
Draft Climate Action Study and Greenhouse Gas Inventory |
Winter 2010 (complete) |
Public Release of Climate Action Study |
April 2011 (complete) |
Public Workshop |
April 26, 2011 (complete) |
Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors Hearing to Adopt Study |
May-July 2011 (complete) |
Climate Action Plan Development |
Summer 2011- |
| Public Workshops 1) Public Workshop #1 (details below) |
Spring 2012 April 4, 2012 |
Planning Commission and BOS Briefing |
Summer 2012 |
Environmental Review of Climate Action Plan |
Summer 2012 - |
Planning Commission and BOS Adoption Hearings of Climate Action Plan |
Spring 2013 |
Public Participation
There will be a number of opportunties for you to get involved.
- Join our mailing list and receive information about the Climate Action Strategy.
- Tell us what you think by completing an online survey.
- Attend a community workshop or event (directions can be found here)
- Visioning Workshop, April 4, 2012 @ 6 PM
St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church
2901 Nojoqui Avenue (at Alamo Pintado Avenue)
Los Olivos, CA 93441
Documents
Baseline and Forecasted Community GHG Emissions Inventory Update
Contacts
Jeff Hunt, Director: jhunt@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
David Lackie, Supervising Planner: dlackie@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
Heather Imgrund, Senior Planner: himgrund@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
Heather Allen, Associate Planner: hallen@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
Municipal Energy Efficiency and Solar Financing
Existing buildings represent one of the largest sources of GHG emission. In fact, almost 25 percent of reductions necessary to meet the State's AB 32 target are attributable to the built environment. Accordingly, the County has initiated emPowerSBC, which provides a convenient financing option to empower residents and businesses to green their property through energy efficiency, water efficiency or renewable improvements. More information can be found on the emPowerSBC website.
Useful Links
Office of Attorney General - Global Warming
California Air Resources Board – Assembly Bill 32
California Air Resources Board – Senate Bill 375
Governor’s Office of Planning and Research – Senate Bill 97
California Climate Change Portal
California Air Pollution Control Officers Association
California Climate Action Registry
Governor's Office of Planning and Research - Cities and Counties Addressing Climate Change