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Potentially Less Than Less Than Analyzed
<br /> Significant Significant with Significant No In The
<br /> 9 Mitigation 9
<br /> Impact Incorporated Impact Impact Prior EIR
<br /> VIII. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.
<br /> Would the project:
<br /> a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or
<br /> indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the
<br /> environment?
<br /> b)Conflict with an applicable plan,policy or regulation adopted
<br /> for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse
<br /> gases? El El M El El
<br /> Impact Discussion:
<br /> a-b) This project has two components.The first is a General Plan designation change from 11f(Truck Terminal)to A/G
<br /> (General Agriculture).The second is a Conditional Use Permit Application for an agricultural processing facility(Use
<br /> Type:Industry-Agricultural)to include the construction of a 96,959 square foot two-story building.Greenhouse Gas
<br /> Emissions(GHG)contributing to global climate change are attributable in large part to human activities associated
<br /> with the industrial/manufacturing, utility, transportation, residential, and agricultural sectors. Therefore, the
<br /> cumulative global emissions of GHGs contributing to global climate change can be attributed to every nation,region,
<br /> and city, and virtually every individual on earth. An individual project's GHG emissions are at a micro-scale level
<br /> relative to global emissions and effects to global climate change; however, an individual project could result in a
<br /> cumulatively considerable incremental contribution to a significant cumulative macro-scale impact.As such,impacts
<br /> related to emissions of GHG,are inherently considered cumulative impacts.
<br /> Implementation of the underlying project would cumulatively contribute to increases of GHG emissions. Estimated
<br /> GHG emissions attributable to future development would be primarily associated with increases of carbon dioxide
<br /> (CO2) and, to a lesser extent, other GHG pollutants, such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) associated
<br /> with area sources, mobile sources or vehicles, utilities (electricity and natural gas), water usage, wastewater
<br /> generation,and the generation of solid waste.The primary source of GHG emissions forthe project would be mobile
<br /> source emissions.The common unit of measurement for GHG is expressed in terms of annual metric tons of CO2
<br /> equivalents(MTCO2e/yr).
<br /> As noted previously, the underlying project will be subject to the rules and regulations of the SJVAPCD. The
<br /> SJVAPCD has adopted the Guidance for Valley Land-use Agencies in Addressing GHG Emission Impacts for New
<br /> Projects under CEQA and the District Policy—Addressing GHG Emission Impacts for Stationary Source Projects
<br /> Under CEQA When Serving as the Lead Agency.1 The guidance and policy rely on the use of performance-based
<br /> standards,otherwise known as Best Performance Standards(BPS)to assess significance of project specific GHG,
<br /> on global climate change during the environmental review process, as required by CEQA. To be determined to
<br /> have a less-than-significant individual and cumulative impact with regard to GHG,emissions, projects must include
<br /> BPS sufficient to reduce GHG emissions by 29 percent when compared to Business As Usual (BAU) GHG
<br /> emissions. Per the SJVAPCD, BAU is defined as projected emissions for the 2002-2004 baseline period. Projects
<br /> which do not achieve a 29 percent reduction from BAU levels with BPS alone are required to quantify additional
<br /> project-specific reductions demonstrating a combined reduction of 29 percent. Potential mitigation measures may
<br /> include, but not limited to: on-site renewable energy (e.g. solar photovoltaic systems), electric vehicle charging
<br /> stations, the use of alternative-fueled vehicles, exceeding Title 24 energy efficiency standards, the installation of
<br /> energy-efficient lighting and control systems,the installation of energy-efficient mechanical systems,the installation
<br /> of drought-tolerant landscaping,efficient irrigation systems, and the use of low-flow plumbing fixtures.
<br /> It should be noted that neither the SJVAPCD nor the County provide project-level thresholds for construction-related
<br /> GHG emissions.Construction GHG emissions are a one-time release and are,therefore, not typically expected to
<br /> generate a significant contribution to global climate change. As a result, impacts related to GHG emissions are
<br /> anticipated to be less than significant and not in conflict with any plans,policies,or regulations.
<br /> 9 San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. Guidance for Valley Land-use Agencies in Addressing GHG
<br /> Emission Impacts for New Projects under CEQA. December 17, 2009.San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control
<br /> District. District Policy Addressing GHG Emission Impacts for Stationary Source Projects Under CEQA When
<br /> Serving as the Lead Agency. December 17, 2009.
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<br /> Planning Commission Staff Report, PA-2100295 (GP, SA) 15
<br /> Environmental Review
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