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LSA ASSOCIATES, INC. CEQA INITIAL STUDY /MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION MARCH 2011 PREDA STREET PIPE BRIDGES UPGRADE SAN LEANDRO. CALIFORNIA Less Than Significant Potentially with Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact VII. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS. Would the project: a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or • U indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment, based on any applicable threshold of significance? b) Conflict with any applicable plan, policy or regulation of an U ❑ • O agency adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases? Affected Environment: Unlike emissions of criteria and toxic air pollutants, which have local or regional impacts, emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that contribute to global climate change have a broader global impact. Global climate change is a process whereby GHGs accumulating in the atmosphere contribute to an increase in the temperature of the earth's atmosphere. The principal GHGs contributing to global climate change are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH nitrous oxide (N20). and fluorinated compounds. These gases allow visible and ultraviolet light from the sun to pass through the atmosphere, but they prevent heat from escaping back out into space. Among the potential implications of global climate change are rising sea levels, and adverse impacts to water supply, water quality, agriculture, forestry, and habitats. In addition, global warming may increase electricity demand for cooling, decrease the availability of hydroelectric power, and affect regional air quality and public health. Like most criteria and toxic air pollutants, much of the GHG production comes from motor vehicles. GHG emissions can be reduced to some degree by improved coordination of land use and transportation planning on the city, county and subregional level, and other measures to reduce automobile use. Energy conservation measures can contribute to reductions in GHG emissions. The BAAQMD currently does not have an adopted threshold of significance for GHG emissions. However, BAAQMD is in the process of developing GHG thresholds and held hearings in late 2009 and January 2010. BAAQMD released the most recent draft of the CEQA Air Quality Guidelines on May 3, 2010, which is an update to the 1999 CEQA Guidelines. The BAAQMD Board of Directors approved the CEQA Guidelines, including the GHG threshold of significance in June 2010. The BAAQMD does not have an adopted Threshold of Significance for construction - related GHG emissions. However, BAAQMD recommends that the Lead Agency quantify and disclose GHG emissions that would occur during construction, and make a determination on the significance of these construction generated GHG emission impacts in relation' to meeting AB 32 GHG reduction goals. The Lead Agency is encouraged to incorporate best management practices, such as recycling at least 50 percent of construction waste or demolition materials, to reduce GHG emissions during construction, as applicable. P:\ EGIOS0IICEOA \Preda_FINAL_IS- MND.doe (03/28/1 I) 31