During its regularly scheduled and broadcast meeting on Tuesday, July 5, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall, the City Council will receive a report titled:

Informational update on Climate Action Plan implementation, a 2014 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, and implementation of Environmental Task Force actions

http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/html/govern/staffreports/2016-07-05/CAP-ETF_update.pdf

The Piedmont Planning Commission’s action on rejection of the proposed BESO law is not noted in the report.

The majority of the Commission members favored a voluntary program rather than the mandatory proposed BESO ordinance.

Below is an excerpt from the staff report which does not take into consideration the Planning Commission’s BESO recommendation to the Council.

“ Building Energy Savings Ordinance (BESO): The purpose of a BESO is to increase property owner awareness of energy savings potential, increase the value of the home through a green-rating system, and reduce GHG emissions through voluntary adoption of efficiency upgrades by property owners. A more stringent version of this ordinance, called a Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance (RECO) is recommended in the 2005 CAP as having the largest potential to meet the GHG reduction goals. After research, public input, and Council direction, staff has developed a draft ordinance that will be taken to Council for its consideration in the months ahead. Similar measures have been already been adopted in cities including Austin and Berkeley. Based on their results, approximately 12% of homes would adopt energy efficiency measures within the first year and estimated GHG savings from the draft BESO would be approximately 139 metric tons of CO2e by 2020. This program would fulfill CAP Measure BE 2.1.”

You can also follow the link below to find more information on the City’s website regarding Piedmont’s Climate Action Program.

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