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If a plan or project's emissions do not exceed the applicable threshold, then its GHG <br /> emissions impacts (both project- and cumulative-level) would be concluded to not result <br /> in a cumulatively considerable impact related to GHG emissions and climate change <br /> and would therefore be less than significant. If a plan or project's emissions exceed the <br /> applicable threshold, then mitigation measures must be identified and respective GHG <br /> emissions reduction calculations included within the respective CEQA review document <br /> in order to reduce plan or project GHG emissions to be at or below the applicable <br /> threshold level. <br /> Modeling Quantification <br /> While developing the GHG thresholds, the consultant assisting the City with <br /> development of the thresholds uncovered a unit conversion error for calculating GHG <br /> impacts associated with carbon sequestration that had been used in the CAP 2.0 GHG <br /> impact model. Specifically, the conversion from pounds (Ibs) to metric tons (MT) of CO2 <br /> was incorrectly noted as 0.139 rather than 0.000453592. This issue resulted in an <br /> overestimation of the GHG sequestration potential of the CAP Primary Action P13, the <br /> Urban Forest Master Plan. <br /> Since this error alters the projection of GHG reductions over time and affects the overall <br /> quantification of reductions reflected in the plan, it is necessary to amend/correct the <br /> CAP 2.0 accordingly. To offset the overestimation of reductions found with respect to <br /> the Urban Forest Master Plan, staff recommends strengthening three additional actions, <br /> to provide greater levels of associated GHG emissions reductions. These changes will <br /> allow the CAP 2.0 to continue to meet the GHG emissions targets and be consistent <br /> with the Plan's original goals. <br /> These changes were reviewed and recommended for approval by the Committee on <br /> Energy and Environment on September 7, 2022. <br /> The suggested changes include: <br /> • Action P2: Existing Building Electrification. The CAP 2.0 included a very <br /> conservative goal of a five percent switch from natural gas to electric energy use <br /> by 2030. The revised modeling would use a somewhat more aggressive, but <br /> nonetheless realistic assumption that there will be a 15 percent switch from <br /> natural gas use to electric by 2030, and that 30 percent of space and water <br /> heating equipment will be replaced with electric equipment by 2030. These <br /> assumptions are similar (and still slightly more conservative) than those used in <br /> neighboring cities' CAPs (e.g., Dublin), and reflective of evolving state and <br /> federal programs and policies, such as the California Building Code, that strongly <br /> support electrification. <br /> • Action P5: ZEV Infrastructure Plan. The CAP 2.0 modeling assumes that <br /> passenger vehicle VMT will shift to 20 percent from Electric Vehicles by 2030; <br /> and 17 percent of commercial VMT from EVs by 2030. This is proposed to be <br /> adjusted to 30 percent and 25 percent respectively by 2030, reflecting a <br /> somewhat more aggressive assumption. To support this shift, the language of <br /> Action P5 is proposed to be strengthened to add two additional implementation <br /> Page 5 of 8 <br />