Climate Action Blog Series: Take Local Climate Action & Connect with the Community |
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As a continuation of our series on the City’s sustainability conversation, a new community update was published this week. To achieve City sustainability goals, residents are encouraged to act locally by switching natural gas appliances to electric appliances and making other adjustments at home that are focused on reducing gas emissions. In doing so, we can collectively have a global impact on addressing the effects of climate change. The update provides new ways for residents to have an impact - check out a recently launched digital engagement tool, a new online resource to streamline going electric at home, find out more about the upcoming sustainability items headed to the City Council for consideration and register for climate action events coming up fast. Read more here.
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Catch Up on City Council Items & Share Input
At the September 27 and October 3 Council meetings, the City Council will consider a variety of Sustainability and Climate Action items all focused on ways the community can make progress towards addressing climate change. Items for consideration include a Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Key goals and actions, implementation of a new Advanced Heat Pump Water Heater Pilot program, new 2022 Green Building and Energy Reach Code requirements triggered with some residential and commercial building remodels such as prohibiting new gas outdoor equipment infrastructure for pools, spas, and BBQ grills and requiring electric heat pump water heaters when an existing water heater is replaced. In addition, the City Council will consider a recommendation to adopt a carbon neutrality goal. Learn more here.
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New Community Tools to Take Climate Action
The City recently launched new online interactive resources to support the community in acting locally for a global impact on climate change. Visit the Sustainability Hub to learn about climate actions you can take now, track the ways you are taking action on an interactive map, see what your neighbors are doing to be more sustainable, and find resources. A new Home Electrification Portal consolidates available information about residential home electrification to make it easier for residents to switch from natural gas to using electric-based energy appliances in your home. Find steps and resources for installing an electric vehicle charger, heat pump water heater, solar system, and more. Get started today.
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Making Better Choices in Your Home Workshop |
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On Saturday, October 15, join the City for an upcoming workshop to learn about different climate-friendly choices you can make in your home. Wondering about water heaters? Curious about electric cooktops? Excited about EVs and e-Bikes? Make an impact on climate change by acting locally through residential electrification options and tools. Save the date and join us at this open house style event to learn more, gain information from experts, and hear from other residents who have made the switch from gas to electric.
The Making Better Choices in Your Home Workshop will take place on Saturday, October 15 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Mitchell Park Community Center. This is an open house style event, so feel free to stop by at any point in the day. Go here to register and learn more.
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In Other Sustainability News |
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SunShares Registration Opens |
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SunShares is a regional solar and battery storage group-buy program administered by the Business Council on Climate Change. Starting September 1 through November 15, 2022, residents can sign up and receive discounts on solar and battery storage installations. Palo Alto residents are encouraged to sign up for the October 5 webinar to learn about SunShares, City solar rates and energy programs, and meet contractors selected for the SunShares program. Register for the webinar and learn more here.
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Business Electrification Technical Assistance |
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Moving away from fossil fuel use is an important step to a sustainable future. If your business is looking to go electric, the Business Electrification Technical Assistance Program assists non-residential utilities customers with converting gas equipment to efficient electric alternatives. Obtain rebates to offset electrification project costs, improve the health and comfort of your building occupants, reduce your carbon footprint, and find opportunities to upgrade old or inefficient equipment. Learn more and start the program here.
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Biden Inflation Reduction Act |
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On August 16, 2022, the federal Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law which puts $740 billion towards tax reform, healthcare, and climate change. The law will provide consumer rebates and tax credits to purchase more energy efficient appliances, provide up to $7,500 in tax credits for Americans to purchase electric vehicles, and among other things. Learn more about the Inflation Reduction Act.
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One Water Plan Community Workshop |
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Wednesday, September 28 |6 to 7:30 PM | Hybrid |
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The One Water Plan will create a more resilient water supply by leveraging previous efforts to evaluate alternative water supplies. Palo Alto is assessing key regional uncertainties and water supply risks such as projected shortages under multi-year droughts. We want to hear from you! Join the One Water Plan community workshop to share your community water supply needs and priorities. If you are joining in person, please remember to bring your reusable water bottle, and make sure to have a cell phone to participate in real-time polling during the meeting. Learn more and register here.
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Baylands Bioblitz with Environmental Volunteers |
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Saturday, October 1 |10 AM to 1 PM |Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve |
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Join the City and the Environmental Volunteers for an exciting citizen science bioblitz at the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve! A bioblitz is simply a snapshot of the plants and animals found at a given location during a point in time. Attendees will record all the living things located using the Naturalist app, and Environmental Volunteers educators will be present to help you learn about what you find! The data collected will help inform the City’s Horizontal Levee Pilot Project, which studies how habitat restoration and green infrastructure may be used in Palo Alto and the greater Bay Area as a method of shoreline protection in the face of future sea level rise. Note: All participants must wear a face mask and sign a waiver of liability. Baylands trails are wheelchair accessible. Go here for more details and to sign up!
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Saturday, October 1 |10 to 11 AM |SummerWinds Nursery @ 725 San Antonio Rd. |
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Is a rain barrel right for you? Join our free, in-person workshop with a rain barrel specialist to help answer your questions! Learn how rain barrels can improve your property and garden, conserve water, save money, and help protect local creeks and the San Francisco Bay. Join our specialist, Chris Corvetti, in an in-person informational workshop to understand the benefits of rain barrels, what’s involved in rain barrel installation and maintenance, and how they can help our environment. The workshop will also feature a chance for a Palo Alto resident to win a 50-gallon rain barrel to take home right after the workshop! Register here.
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