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City of San Leandro Housing Element Update (2015-2023) Project Initial Study and Environmental Checklist In 2006, California adopted Assembly M 32 (AB 32), the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. AB 32 established a statewide GHG emissions reduction goal to reduce statewide GHG emissions levels to 1990 levels by 2020. Assembly Bill 32 established a legislative short-term (2020) mandate for State agencies in order to set the State on a path toward achieving the long-term GHG reduction goal of Executive Order S-03-05 to stabilize carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050. BAAQMD established thresholds of significance in 2010 for GHG emissions from projects and plans subject to CEQA review similar to those for other regulated air pollutants. However, in March 2012 the Alameda County Superior Court ordered the District to cease use and dissemination of the thresholds until environ- mental analysis of the thresholds could determine whether they have a significant impact on the environment under CEQA. At the time this environmental document was prepared, the Air District has appealed the Al- ameda County Superior Court's decision. The Court of Appeal of the State of California, First Appellate Dis- trict, reversed the trial court's decision. The Court of Appeal's decision was appealed to the California Su- preme Court, which granted limited review, and the matter is currently pending there. The City of San Leandro prepared a Climate Action Plan (CAP) that was adopted on December 21, 2009.24 The CAP guides the City of San Leandro towards a sustainable future that reduces GHG emissions from cur- rent levels, while promoting economic prosperity for present and future generation. To achieve the City's vision, the City's CAP includes municipal and community emissions inventories for 2005 and 2020 forecasts; a GHG reduction goal to reduce GHG emissions by 25 percent below 2005 level by 2020; and GHG reduc- tion measures to achieve the City's GHG reduction target. The GHG reduction measures include measures to reduce energy use in buildings, transportation emissions, solid waste disposal, and GHG emissions from municipal operations. The City has been tracking and monitoring GHG emissions in the City in accordance with the goals of the CAP. The most recent progress report on the City's CAP was prepared in 2013.25 The Housing Element is a regulatory document that establishes goals and polices that guide housing devel- opment. The proposed Project does not directly result in development in and of itself. Before any develop- ment can occur in the city, all such development is required to be analyzed for conformance with the General 24 San Leandro, City of 2009. City of San Leandro Climate Action Plan, A Vision for a Sustainable San Leandro. Prepared by KEMA, December 21. 25 San Leandro, City of, 2013, San Leandro Climate Action Plan Update, City Council, https://sanleandro.Org/civicax/ ftlebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=14971, March 4. Page 128 Less Than Significant VII. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS potentially Significant With Mitigation Less Than No Would the project: Impact Incorporated Significant Impact a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirect- ❑ ❑ ® ❑ ly, that may have a significant impact on the environment? b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or regulation of an agency adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of ❑ ❑ ® ❑ GHGs? a) Mould the proyectgenerate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment? In 2006, California adopted Assembly M 32 (AB 32), the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. AB 32 established a statewide GHG emissions reduction goal to reduce statewide GHG emissions levels to 1990 levels by 2020. Assembly Bill 32 established a legislative short-term (2020) mandate for State agencies in order to set the State on a path toward achieving the long-term GHG reduction goal of Executive Order S-03-05 to stabilize carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050. BAAQMD established thresholds of significance in 2010 for GHG emissions from projects and plans subject to CEQA review similar to those for other regulated air pollutants. However, in March 2012 the Alameda County Superior Court ordered the District to cease use and dissemination of the thresholds until environ- mental analysis of the thresholds could determine whether they have a significant impact on the environment under CEQA. At the time this environmental document was prepared, the Air District has appealed the Al- ameda County Superior Court's decision. The Court of Appeal of the State of California, First Appellate Dis- trict, reversed the trial court's decision. The Court of Appeal's decision was appealed to the California Su- preme Court, which granted limited review, and the matter is currently pending there. The City of San Leandro prepared a Climate Action Plan (CAP) that was adopted on December 21, 2009.24 The CAP guides the City of San Leandro towards a sustainable future that reduces GHG emissions from cur- rent levels, while promoting economic prosperity for present and future generation. To achieve the City's vision, the City's CAP includes municipal and community emissions inventories for 2005 and 2020 forecasts; a GHG reduction goal to reduce GHG emissions by 25 percent below 2005 level by 2020; and GHG reduc- tion measures to achieve the City's GHG reduction target. The GHG reduction measures include measures to reduce energy use in buildings, transportation emissions, solid waste disposal, and GHG emissions from municipal operations. The City has been tracking and monitoring GHG emissions in the City in accordance with the goals of the CAP. The most recent progress report on the City's CAP was prepared in 2013.25 The Housing Element is a regulatory document that establishes goals and polices that guide housing devel- opment. The proposed Project does not directly result in development in and of itself. Before any develop- ment can occur in the city, all such development is required to be analyzed for conformance with the General 24 San Leandro, City of 2009. City of San Leandro Climate Action Plan, A Vision for a Sustainable San Leandro. Prepared by KEMA, December 21. 25 San Leandro, City of, 2013, San Leandro Climate Action Plan Update, City Council, https://sanleandro.Org/civicax/ ftlebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=14971, March 4. Page 128