County supervisors adopt Climate Action Plan update and certify supplemental EIR; smart‑growth analysis advanced

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to adopt the county's Climate Action Plan Update and to certify its supplemental environmental impact report, a staff presentation said would set a local path to reach net‑zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 and provide CEQA streamlining for discretionary development.

The action adopted the CAP update, certified the SEIR and related CEQA findings, approved a greenhouse‑gas threshold of significance and a CAP consistency review checklist intended to streamline CEQA review for projects consistent with the general plan, and directed staff to pursue further analysis of the Fire Safe and VMT (vehicle miles traveled) Efficient smart‑growth alternative as part of ongoing land‑use work. Chairwoman Vargas moved the measure; Vice Chair Lawson Reamer seconded it. The measure passed with Supervisors Vargas, Reamer and Montgomery Smith voting yes and Supervisors Anderson and Desmond voting no.

County planning staff told the board the CAP Update is a community‑driven plan combining a greenhouse‑gas inventory, reduction targets and a set of measures across five sectors to reduce emissions. The staff presentation said measures include actions for the built environment and transportation, energy, solid waste, water and wastewater, and agriculture and conservation, and that the CAP is designed to meet 2030 interim targets and a goal of net zero by 2045 without using carbon offsets. The presentation said nine county departments would implement measures and that the county's five‑year implementation cost is estimated at…