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Energy Conservation - Energy conservation is a national and state goal. Pleasanton's residences use large amounts of energy, roughly 35 percent more than similar residences in the East Bay plain. A combination of climatic differences, larger homes, and energy consump- tive life styles has made Pleasanton residents the highest consumers of gas and electricity ,in the entire Bay Area (see the Environmental Element). Much of this energy consumption is unnecessary, wasted because of inadequate construction practices and site planning and inefficient appliances., Much can be done to make residential dwellings less energy consumptive and many of the conservation features ar_e both inexpensive and desirable in homes. Many features are cost- effective as well as energy-saving, paying for their initial cost in utility bill savings. Pleasanton has the potential for accommodating alternative energy sources, particularly solar energy, in residential dwellings; such energy sources are on the verge of becoming economical to use and their use should be encouraged. Policy 31: To require residences to meet standards for energy conservation and to encourage-,the use of as many energy conservation measures, including alternative energy sources,.as possible. Water Conservation - The back-to-back drought years in 1976 and 1977 have made it abundantly clear that water resources in California are finite. Pleasanton has been touched .less than many northern California communities because of the abundant rrr~undwa~te~ ;resources of the valley. Nevertheless, water conservation in Pleasanton is :Lmpo~tant for yaany reasons, including reduction in the use of scarce imported water, postponement of expansion of major water treatment facilities, and reduction in the flows of wastewater into the sewage treatment plants • serving the. city. Traditional residential building practices lead to water waste. Conservation devices and measures exist which conserve water without any loss of user satisfaction. For all of these reasons, new residential development should include water conservation devices. Policy 32: To require new residential dwellings to be equipped with water conservation devices which conserve water while not affecting user satisfaction and to encourage the use of water conservation measures in development design and landscaping. Noise - The Noise Element details tYie character and effects of noise. It is clear that acceptably quiet residential neighborhoods are im- portant not only to meet residents' desires but for their health as well. Through effective site planning and building techniques, noise can be controlled so that unacceptable levels do not affect any of Pleasanton's future residents. This is especially important in the noise impacted areas identified in the Noise Element and Environmental Element - the freeway and major thoroughfare corridors. -20-