The City of Victorville, located in San Bernardino County, passed its draft Climate Action Plan earlier this month. Learn more in the coverage by Victorville Daily Press below, or review the Plan on the City’s website.
The City Council recently passed a Climate Action Plan that will outline the path to reducing greenhouse emissions by 15 percent below 2008 levels, a mark set by the state.
During the May 17 Council meeting, the plan passed 4-0 on the dais after it was broached by the Planning Commission last month.
“This is in response to (Assembly Bill) 32,” City Manager Doug Robertson said.
The bill requires California to lower GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. For Victorville, the target goal correlates to 29 percent below currently projected 2020 levels.
The city was one of 20 municipalities that had participated in a San Bernardino Associated Governments inventory. The agency’s role is doubly important as on-road transportation contributes to 35 percent of the region’s GHG emissions, according to a draft copy of the Climate Action Plan.
The city’s road to meeting and exceeding its target within four years relies heavily on state and county measures, while local strategy is expected to account for less than one-fifth of the reduction.
New performance standards for new development, a green building ordinance and energy efficiency for existing buildings are key measures expected to be set forth by city officials, who worked with building industry officials in solidifying the plan.
According to the draft plan, the city has already incorporated a sweeping array of policies into reaching its target. The Climate Action Plan will most affect sectors in building energy, off-road equipment and on-road transportation.
Councilman Ryan McEachron, who is also president of SANBAG, voted for the plan even as he acknowledged it was “not something I’m in favor of,” pointing to the directive from the state affecting all jurisdictions.