[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6588402,"mediaKeyId","5664931-661d61203b137600caa14452d26d2d31","parentId",5664931,"title","Palo Alto committee reviews 2026–27 sustainability priorities in SCAP work plan","audioSeconds",2613,"startMs",961000,"endMs",3574000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5664931-661d61203b137600caa14452d26d2d31&start=961&end=3574","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5664931-661d61203b137600caa14452d26d2d31/thumbnail_961000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6588402/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Palo-Alto-committee-reviews-202627-sustainability-priorities-in-SCAP-work-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588402-a70942100cd3231e77ad54376d525aab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196766&Signature=bYyzVG3MwWMvBE~mQL9OktM4G-h-DbVsL0nRlE1sWhHfFIzQXSNUqL~taYQgAU0rkwkHYUaeaIGtAHcPO0D2bpnoCkeRTnSsJUglQ5TxJ1MKbtOWMi0luPKXTReoY6bAGGfAQwA9b-L7X1YJyepH4bVRhKr8iYLC9fp7HO4ehFclzcUvojADOu1GCYr1RcC509n0qBdkrd3tJ8J9dpJxTNXmVHobBdmE7tvupJ381HN-vSxO20qUYAfPx8sCeQ3H3ODkN67Bd8Eb~ToKW89MnT32f3cciH3VX729Ingf0qLy6l8t-8AFd68nds0WkrnRhJZuu1KUvO8tlF1EWAB48g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Palo Alto City","date","2025-08-22T23:17:36.393Z","article","City staff presented the committee with a draft sustainability-focused segment of the 2026–27 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP) implementation priorities at the Aug. 22 meeting, detailing 16 proposed priorities across water, adaptation (sea level rise and wildfire), natural environment, green stormwater infrastructure and zero waste.

Carla Daley and other utilities staff described three water priorities: continued water-efficiency measures exceeding state requirements, salt removal improvements for recycled water at the regional water quality control plant, and a water-distribution adaptation effort to identify climate-change risks to distribution infrastructure. On the latter topic, Alan (facility director) said the utility is pursuing fire-hardening measures at pump stations, including noncombustible materials, defensible space and on-site backup generation; staff said new diesel backup generation has been installed for several pump stations.

On sea level rise, staff briefed the committee about finalizing a partnership agreement with Santa Clara County under SB 272 for a regional shoreline adaptation plan and seeking grant funding through a county-coordinated grant process; watershed protection manager Julie Weiss said the county’s application team was “cautiously optimistic” and expected notification within weeks. Staff also proposed updates to the city’s sea level rise adaptation policy to reflect new technical guidance and shallow-groundwater changes.

Staff described a planned pilot “horizontal levee” near the Bay in the Harbor Road/Bixby Park area: Karen North (assistant director of public works) said the project is a roughly 500-linear-foot pilot, grant-funded through the San Francisco Estuary Partnership and the EPA, that will create a sloped levee and raised trail to provide habitat and a place for marsh species to retreat during high tides while allowing the hydrologic connection of treated effluent to the Bay. Julie Weiss said construction could begin within a month but that endangered-species and permitting issues will likely extend completion to about two years.

The committee discussed tree-canopy goals and metrics. Committee members raised a discrepancy between a community flyer showing “44%” canopy that explicitly said it included Foothills Park and the city’s urban-canopy baseline. Urban forester Peter Golinger said the city’s neighborhood-focused urban-canopy metric excludes foothill preserves and is in the mid-30s (staff later referenced an urban canopy figure of roughly 37%–40% for planning purposes). Committee members asked staff to reconcile data sources (Google Environmental Insights Explorer was cited as a possible source of the higher figure) and provide neighborhood-level canopy metrics and health assessments.

For green stormwater infrastructure (GSI), staff proposed designing and constructing a GSI project at Buenas Briones Park to treat an estimated 14.8 acres (6.6 acres impervious) and asked to quantify the total city land area currently using GSI as a baseline metric. The proposal included evaluating capital-improvement projects to better integrate GSI into future work.

On zero-waste priorities, staff said the city would continue outreach on food-waste prevention and compliance with Senate Bill 1383 edible-food recovery requirements via county partnerships (RWRC and Joint Venture Silicon Valley) and would assess compliance with the existing foodware ordinance while developing a more comprehensive foodware policy. Mabel (0 Waste program) described city participation in county edible-food recovery programs, inspection and education efforts; staff said the city leverages county services for operations and supplements with local education and committee participation.

Committee members also raised textiles and reuse: staff said curbside recycling does not include textiles but residents may use bulky-item/cleanup collection services for clothing donations (marked separately), Goodwill accepts clothing in good condition, and a repair-café program will include textile repair and is planned for four events per year.

Ending

Staff said a final draft of the 2026–27 SCAP work plan will return to the committee and then to council for approval. Committee members requested clearer baseline metrics (tree canopy by neighborhood; GSI coverage area) and asked staff to reconcile public-facing materials that used different canopy data sources.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Meeting - August 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented the committee with a draft sustainability-focused segment of the 2026–27 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP) implementation priorities at the Aug. 22 meeting, detailing 16 proposed priorities across water, adaptation (sea level rise and wildfire), natural environment, green stormwater infrastructure and zero waste.","taxTitle","Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California","taxId",3867,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6588407,"Palo Alto launches new Youth Climate Advisory Board term and expands heat-pump water heater outreach",319,99000,418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5664931-661d61203b137600caa14452d26d2d31&start=99&end=418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5664931-661d61203b137600caa14452d26d2d31/thumbnail_99000.jpg","/articles/6588407/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Palo-Alto-launches-new-Youth-Climate-Advisory-Board-term-and-expands-heat-pump-water-heater-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588407-4ebf7dcd858c276bc3ceb4e1cc0b2c6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196766&Signature=lGlRG0XhVPTtb1IeZu9rTMKhb~ptHdBLs4ZAjKXv-rMsmU9n0tPRouK1ApcrKnPctStJMBN4nykiCcgY8qzqR2jWmUU~ZwmkcKMHM0peqgxouEojBF1sbR2-zd62RI5ci3ff7tRR3BHLj~s9NIboagvVrYNMffYm9te0jfOIGTK4nN20crm5qy9~EljE5w9pfaJQOMbwG0k4r6DzLFl6VIJCrTTcgzHoSpPCXWyAFLCpJ5N5OLloHvZ97bxJ65dmH0X-cwU3puq1Bhv~knc84B1ZRuSXyjLj32ij0arauSvlserjba7OD46qq9ZjgUNzS7j-LuVsuw-td6CgrUDS1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brad Eggleston, the city’s Director of Public Works, told the Climate Action and Sustainability Committee on Aug. 22 that the Youth Climate Advisory Board’s new term will begin Sept. 2 and that outreach tied to home electrification has increased this summer.

Eggleston said the city will have “11 high school students that come from Pali, Gunn, Castawayja, and Kahila high schools” serving on YCAB in the new term and that staff are starting collaboration with the teens to produce Instagram content aimed at younger audiences.

The update also summarized recent home-electrification outreach tied to the city’s heat pump water heater program. Eggleston said a giveaway campaign drew 143 residents to sign up, produced 29 signed contracts and resulted in 34 heat pump water heaters installed. The city mailed a postcard about the program to roughly 15,000 single-family homes and is running social media and other marketing while state-level incentives remain available.

Eggleston described a pending referral incentive intended to accelerate participation: participants who refer a neighbor would receive $50 and new participants would receive $100 toward installation. Staff also said they are finalizing a sticker and mailer to place on gas water heaters with emergency-replacement information and transition tips, and that outreach contractors will audit existing communications and develop an annual communications strategy.

Eggleston thanked SD350 volunteers for distributing 25 lawn signs promoting electrification over July 4 and said a photo/testimonial from the giveaway winner will be released soon. Committee members suggested scheduling a reception or a brief appearance for the new YCAB members at a future committee meeting so council members can meet and thank the teens.

Staff said the state’s availability of technical incentives for heat pump water heaters and heat pump HVAC systems is likely to be short-lived and projected funds could be exhausted as early as September; the city’s outreach will continue until the state funds are exhausted.

Ending

Eggleston said the new outreach contract will soon be in place and that staff will return to the committee with additional program updates as the YCAB term and outreach campaigns advance.","Public works staff reported the Youth Climate Advisory Board will begin a new term Sept. 2 and described expanded outreach for heat pump water heaters, including a giveaway campaign that led to 29 contracts and 34 installations tied to recent outreach.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":46,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6588398,"City staff recommend education and monitoring, not new incentives, in reliability and resiliency plan update",4295,7869000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5664931-661d61203b137600caa14452d26d2d31&start=3574&end=7869","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5664931-661d61203b137600caa14452d26d2d31/thumbnail_3574000.jpg","/articles/6588398/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/City-staff-recommend-education-and-monitoring-not-new-incentives-in-reliability-and-resiliency-plan-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588398-2c6fd60968cc4aa38cc928a3ea38eb2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196766&Signature=Wio9145F5mUpxC3Mrs~DfWAdMDvXq6IgCGm0GaUJKdLGNCOI9FXZxqCmkNoy0plq5rwq5NXz3uEMk6X6U-5SGxjo6swZes2CMJUTnRwllSPBHJHSS-h6-FoRCbVRDMDn8~rxGSUAS4sVTjTD-BzUqUqs-hMGRQfFur8qrzRAx3U~-oAFHnoE3tlhLiOuVaYA4hh248SPiPQlvf6XXTOMQ0rxvYQB7eKHjkvN7R3-LqO6NUxTTyuZvyag4ajoyO363UZbz37y6gbjYWFmE6m2-XvtrSBRdm0I7168C739QLUVZayXmDIU-YhAfAFFmyv8N8fHWL4WvWwS1pEPspWpDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jonathan Abenshein, the City’s Assistant Director for Climate Action, presented a status update Aug. 22 on the Reliability and Resiliency Strategic Plan (RRSP), summarizing cost-benefit analysis of time-of-use (TOU) rates, demand-response measures, battery storage, solar-plus-storage and potential microgrids.

Abenshein said consultants analyzed supply-cost and short-term-resiliency benefits and found that, under current capital and policy assumptions, most incentive-backed measures (residential demand response, residential battery incentives and many commercial storage programs) do not generate net benefits to the community’s supply costs. He said commercial solar-plus-battery projects show more favorable cost-benefit results primarily because short-term resiliency has higher value for commercial customers. The analysis used current capital costs (capital equipment priced in present-day dollars) and utility supply-cost projections; consultants noted that federal tax incentives such as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) materially affect project economics.

Abenshein and consultant Julian Parsley (Buro Happold) described a limited distribution-deferral analysis focused on transformers eligible for deferral (transformers less than 20 years old and not on imminent feeder upgrades). The staff simulation used AMI meter data and Monte Carlo runs to model combinations of electrified homes on transformers and concluded the number of transformers realistically eligible for deferral was small (about 362 candidates). Even in optimistic scenarios, the analysis estimated that deferring transformer replacements with storage would require roughly 2,400 residential batteries and would not produce sufficient savings once program costs were included.

On time-of-use rates, staff reported national and state studies showing residential peak reductions in the 1%–6% range (one California study cited 4.6%) and suggested TOU rates could be a cost-effective way to reduce peak demand; committee members urged robust outreach and guides on how residents and small businesses can respond to TOU pricing.

The city evaluated a proposed solar-plus-storage microgrid at the airport sized at approximately 7 MW of solar and associated storage. Abenshein said that even with avoided transmission and capacity value, the airport microgrid’s modeled power-purchase price with the ITC included remained higher than importing remote renewables. Staff recommended holding further microgrid study while the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) completes its analysis of backup-power alternatives because the RWQCP’s backup-power needs and options strongly affect the microgrid value proposition.

Staff presented a recommended approach to the committee: 1) promote measures that reduce peak-period load once TOU rates launch (education and barrier reduction), 2) do not initiate broad incentive programs for demand response, residential storage or vehicle-to-grid at this time but monitor cost-benefit changes, 3) pursue case-by-case commercial solar and storage projects and utility-scale renewables, and 4) continue studying long-term resiliency and keep the airport microgrid analysis “warm” while awaiting RWQCP analysis. The Utilities Advisory Commission provided largely supportive feedback on the proposed recommendations.

Ending

Committee members said they were generally aligned with staff’s focus on outreach and monitoring rather than immediate incentives; they asked staff to incorporate forward-looking projections of capital-cost declines (particularly for storage) and retail-price trajectories into future cost-benefit updates.","Staff presented a status update on the Reliability and Resiliency Strategic Plan with cost-benefit findings: time-of-use rates and informational programs are recommended; most incentive programs for batteries/solar currently lack positive cost-benefit; airport microgrid merits further study in coordination with the water-quality-control plant.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Palo Alto committee reviews 2026–27 sustainability priorities in SCAP work plan

Palo Alto launches new Youth Climate Advisory Board term and expands heat-pump water heater outreach

City staff recommend education and monitoring, not new incentives, in reliability and resiliency plan update