COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Board of Supervisors

DATE:

April 5, 2010

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 13, 2010

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson

Supervisor Richard S. Gordon

SUBJECT:

County participation in the Bay Area Climate Collaborative

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing the County of San Mateo’s participation in the Bay Area Climate Collaborative (BACC) and affirming support of the Collaborative’s purpose and vision.

BACKGROUND:

The BACC is a project of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group that was established in 2009 to provide a regional response to the important global issue of climate change. It is a public-private effort that aims to accelerate the clean energy market and provide support for local environmental objectives. Local jurisdictions already participating include the City and County of San Francisco, Santa Clara County, the City of Oakland and the City of San Jose.

DISCUSSION:

The vision of the BACC is to enable a healthy, safe and globally competitive Bay

Area through common direction. The coordinated efforts of the BACC hope to establish a model for regional action in California, the nation, and the world. There are 10 action areas that the BACC will initially focus on as primary avenues to make progress in addressing climate change:

• Green building / Solar – Developing common standards

• Transportation Alternatives – Reducing vehicle miles traveled

• Renewable Energy – Increased renewable energy use

• Energy Efficiency – Existing buildings

• Green Jobs – Training and placing the clean and green workforce

• Water Use – Increasing water conservation and recycling

• Adaptation – Developing infrastructure climate adaptation plans

• Public Information – Regional public information campaign

• Solid Waste – Increasing recycling/diversion

• Clean Cars – Regional electric vehicle initiative

By resolving to become a member of BACC, the County would be committing to support the collaborative’s efforts in the region as well as to work locally to implement climate actions within County jurisdiction. Many of these efforts are already underway in San Mateo County, either through previous Board of Supervisors’ actions or the efforts of employees through the Employee Green Team and other programs. There is no cost to membership in the BACC and although staff would be encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities available to bring regional knowledge back to the County, there is no obligation to do so.

This action supports the 2025 Shared Vision outcome of an Environmentally Conscious Community by increasing regional collaboration across a wide range of action areas to curb and reduce the impacts of climate change on our environment.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no cost associated with the County’s participation in the BACC or commitment to its goals.