03 - Laserfiche WebLink

Introduction proposed plans and projects are consistent with the CAP 2.0 GHG emissions reduction strategy. Chapter 4, Determining Consistency with, includes guidance on how to navigate this consistency determination process. For plans or projects that are not consistent with the CAP 2.0's demographic projections and land use assumptions,a different methodology and assessment utilizing quantitative thresholds of significance would be necessary to evaluate GHG emissions impacts. Chapter 5, Utilizing Quantitative CEQA GHG Thresholds, includes guidance on how to utilize the quantitative thresholds that were developed for purposes of evaluating the level of significance of GHG emissions impacts.5 Furthermore, Chapter 6, Quantifying GHG Emissions, provides direction regarding how to quantify a plan or project's GHG emissions for comparison to the applicable threshold of significance. The CAP 2.0 acknowledges that additional actions beyond those identified in the plan will be required to achieve its long-term goal of carbon neutrality by 2045.As a result,the plan provides a mechanism for monitoring CAP progress, providing City Council with an annual update on progress, conducting regular GHG emission inventories every three years, and updating a new CAP in ten years(with opportunities to adjust as needed based on CAP progress) in order to incorporate new strategies and technologies that will further move the City toward meeting its longer-term carbon neutrality target. Chapter 7, Moving into the Future,offers further explanation of how CEQA review of plans and projects could be affected by future updates and/or iterations of the Pleasanton CAP. 1 .2 Qualified GHG Emissions Reduction Plan According to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5, project-specific environmental documents can tier from, or incorporate by reference,the existing programmatic review in a qualified GHG emissions reduction plan,which allows for project-level evaluation of GHG emissions through the comparison of the project's consistency with the GHG emissions reduction strategy included in the qualified GHG emissions reduction plan.To meet the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5, a qualified GHG emissions reduction plan must include the following: 1. Quantify existing and projected GHG emissions within the plan area; 2. Establish a level, based on substantial evidence, below which the contribution to GHG emissions from activities covered by the plan would not be cumulatively considerable; 3. Identify and analyze sector specific GHG emissions within the plan's geographic area; 4. Specify strategies or a group of strategies, including performance standards,that if implemented,would collectively achieve the specified emissions level; 5. Establish a tool or mechanism to monitor progress and to require amendment if the plan is not achieving specified levels; and 6. Be adopted in a public process following environmental review. Development projects can demonstrate consistency with a qualified GHG emissions reduction plan if they are consistent with the plan's assumptions regarding future growth projections and consistent with the plan's GHG emissions reduction strategies.6 Projects consistent with the qualified GHG reduction plan, including conformance with performance strategies applicable to the project,would not require additional GHG emissions analysis or mitigation under CEQA Guidelines Sections 5 In compliance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.7(b),this guidance document and the quantitative thresholds contained herein will be presented to the City Council for formal adoption via resolution,which includes a public input opportunity. 6 CAPs typically utilize growth projections from the local jurisdiction's General Plan or applicable Metropolitan Planning Organization's regional demographic forecast. 3