Sunnyvale promoting heat pump use and other issues

[Mike Balma]

It looks like Sunnyvale will be promoting heat pumps to gpreducr GHGs.  This will help move home owners and builders as well as suppliers in the area.  Note, it was supported by the Sunnyvale City staff.


Regards,

Mike Balma

Begin forwarded message:

On Monday, March 5, 2018, 8:07 AM, Barb Fukumoto Bar...@aol.com [sunnyvalecool] <sunnyvalec...@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Three needed study issues were proposed for the Environmental Services Department for ranking at the Study and Budget Issue Workshop. None were deferred or dropped, despite efforts by Mayor Hendricks and Council member Melton. 

1.  Top ranked was the necessary housekeeping issue, ESD 18-02, Planning for post-2021 Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Franchise.  The study issue was proposed by Council and supported by staff.  The expiration of the 30-year contract for waste and recycling collection in 2021 affords an opportunity to examine the processes for awarding the contract. The study issue would enable that research and the process for the awarding of a new contract. 

2.  Ranked second was the Sustainability Commission’s proposal, ESD 18-01, Encouraging Heat Pump Water and Space Heating. This issue, also, was supported by staff.  Silicon Valley Clean Energy is currently providing 100% greenhouse gas-free electricity to our community. That leaves natural gas, a fossil fuel, as the main source of greenhouse gas emissions from our buildings, including homes. In fact, burning natural gas in buildings is the second-largest source of GHG, after transportation, in our community. The time is ripe to figure out how to begin the switch from water heaters and furnaces that burn natural gas, to our carbon-free electricity. Because water heaters and furnaces are only replaced rarely and remain in place for over a decade, it is important to get going on this transition as soon as possible.  Until action is taken to change course, natural gas fired equipment will continue to be installed by default. And these new natural gas appliances will continue to generate GHGs well into the 2020s and beyond.

Mayor Glenn Hendricks said at the Workshop that he wanted to defer this study issue, but he realized, based on a previous vote, that his motion would be defeated.  In contrast, Larry Klein, Gustav Larsson and Michael Goldman ranked it number 1.

3.  Ranked third of three was ESD 17-01, Eliminate the Use of Chemical Pesticides on City-Owned or Leased Property.  This issue was proposed by the Sustainability Commission for last year’s study issue workshop, ranked, but classified as priority C, so it didn’t get done.  Staff supported this review of the Integrated Pest Management system, adopted in 2010.  

Council member Russ Melton moved to drop this study issue, mentioning the cost of the study and the impact on the Orchard, adjoining the Heritage Museum.  Vice Mayor Larry Klein argued strongly against the motion to drop, citing the extensive chemicals use on the City-owned orchard and arguing that such was likely not good for the ecology or the neighbors. (I would add that the use of toxic chemicals on the Orchard is likely also unhealthy for the school kids that visit the Museum and for the volunteers who work there day after day.)

The motion failed on a 2-5 vote, with Melton and Hendricks voting to drop.

Xxx

There were study issues from other departments relevant to climate/environment discussed at the Workshop, notably the ranking  4 of 4 in Public Works of a study issue to run a pilot program on a dockless bike share program.  The study issue was proposed by City Manager Kent Steffins while he was still interim. Apparently the city is being approached by private dockless bike developers. https://sunnyvale.ca.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=25209

Perhaps  others would like to speak to other study issues.  

Xxx

You can hear the discussion of this and other study issues at the Workshop recording. http://sunnyvaleca.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=2415

And you can link to all the study issues and the results of the votes here: https://sunnyvale.ca.gov/government/governance/study/studyissues.htm

Barbara

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Posted by: Barb Fukumoto <bar...@aol.com>

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[Emily Chueh]

Thx!  Any details on how they plan to promote heat pumps?

Emily

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