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Keep Shining a Light on the Democratic Republic of Congo:
An Update on Conflict Minerals, Humanitarian Programs, and Efforts to Build Peace 

9:00-10:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time

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At its meeting on October 16 Pleasanton's City Council voted to approve formation of a non-profit organization for peace.  In a way similar to its aid in creating Pleasanton's Community of Character Collaborative, the city will help prepare incorporation documents for the peace-promoting organization.

  
The vote occurred as the result of discussions Fred Norman had with City staff.  He envisioned an organization that would

At the meeting on October 16 City staff presented five options for the Council to consider:

1. Create a city commission that would be advisory to and directed by the City Council
2. Create an Ad Hoc Committee that would exist for a limited term and serve a purpose defined by the City Council
3. Facilitate the formation of a community roundtable or forum to discuss peace issues
4. Aid formation of a non-profit foundation
5. Allow the City Council which will be elected November 6 to decide where to place peace efforts among the city's priorities

 
Fulfilling Pleasanton's Climate Action Plan:
An Interview with Laura Ryan

SJ Newsletter: What are the goals of the Climate Action Plan that the City of Pleasanton approved on February 13, 2012?

 
SJN: What actions must be taken to fulfill the plan?

Ryan: In total, there are more than 200 measures in the plan, ranging from energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, land use and transportation, and adaptation. The City worked with a number of residential groups and business organizations to obtain feedback on the draft measures. Based on the input we received, we elected to adopt voluntary measures with the understanding that if our interim goals were not met, we would have to revisit and strengthen the measures. I am delighted to report that - because of the strong community support and action - we are well on our way to meeting our goals. 

SJN: What steps have been taken to implement the Climate Action Plan by the City?

Ryan: The City is chipping away at implementing the plan measures in two ways: First, we are focused on providing outreach and education to the community so folks will know "how" their actions impact the environment, their pocketbook, and our community in general, and "what" they can do to reduce their carbon footprint (and what that means). Second, we had been reducing our municipal carbon footprint long before climate action plans were even heard of, replacing inefficient lights and equipment to energy and water efficient models, implementing green purchasing policies, banning disposable items (in favor of reusable), and developing outreach programs for the community. The remaining municipal measures are more complex and have more to do with city infrastructure, operational efficiencies, capital improvements, and equipment life-cycle analysis and replacement policies.

SJN: What steps have been taken by Businesses in Pleasanton? 

Ryan: Businesses have participated in myriad programs, mostly via a local government partnership between the City and PG&E, to perform energy audits and retrofits, enrolling in HVAC preventive maintenance programs, food service technology programs, and alternative transportation programs, and water conservation programs. Additionally, many local contractors were used to do this work, which helps sustain green jobs and the local economy.

SJN: What steps have been taken by Pleasanton residents? 

Ryan: Pleasanton residents, by far, have been the most engaged group. Hundreds of residents have taken advantage of our free summertime "green house calls" program, implemented by the California Youth Energy Services (CYES).  This summer we also launched a program targeted at mobile home residents, in partnership with Zone 7 Water Agency, PG&E, CYES, and Synergy.  This program encompassed weatherization measures, HVAC tune ups, upgraded appliances, ADA improvements, and installation of high-efficiency toilets.  Additionally, hundreds of residents participated in the City's energy efficiency and solar rebate programs. To date, Pleasanton homeowners have installed over 4 MW of solar power - the equivalent of recycling 415 tons of waste diverted from landfill, or the carbon sequestered from 30,519 tree seedlings over a 10-year period. Not only did these folks reduce their (and the community's) carbon footprint, they substantially lowered their utility costs. 

SJN: Are there churches or civic organizations helping to publicize the Climate Action Plan (CAP) and encouraging support of it?

Ryan: We are fortunate to have many educated and engaged residents and organizations support our plan. In most cities, plan opponents show up in force at public meetings to argue the science or proposed measures. In contrast, our plan was supported by the Chamber of Commerce, the East Bay Realtors Association, and many other entities that typically reject such plans. As a matter of fact, our plan is being heralded as "best in class" by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, which is responsible for evaluating all Bay Area plans. I believe our plan was successful because we involved the community from the beginning, listened to the concerns, and developed alternative measures that would meet everyone's needs and still allow us to meet AB32 requirements.

SJN: What actions does the city expect or want residents to take in support of the CAP? 

ls and pedestrian paths that will get you where you need to go. What else can you do?  Ditch disposables, shop locally, conserve and protect natural resources, help "pay it forward" for future generations.  We are truly blessed to live in this beautiful, vibrant city - let's work together to keep it that way.

* Go to the Pleasanton Green Scene website, site

* Keep checking the Pleasanton Green Scene Facebook page at Facebook page 

* Check out the agendas and minutes of the monthly meetings of the Energy and Environment Committee (fourth Wednesday, 6:00 PM), EEC

LRyan@CityofPleasantonCA.gov