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Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Technical Report Griffith Energy Storage Project The Project will be required to be consistent with a local GHG reduction strategy that meets the criteria under CEQA guidelines Section 15183.5(b). As discussed under Local Regulations and Plans below, the Almeda County Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) encourages energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Project will help the county meet its renewable energy goals. 3.2.3.4 Association of Bay Area Governments and Metropolitan Transportation Commission As required by the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (SB 375), the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) developed a Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Community Strategy as a component of Plan Bay Area 2040 (MTC and ABAG 2017). In October 2021, the Plan Bay Area 2050 and Final EIR were adopted (MTC and ABAG 2021). Plan Bay Area 2050 focuses on climate change and strategies for resilience against hazards such as sea-level rise and wildfires. Plan Bay Area 2050 includes an implementation plan detailing specific actions to be taken in the next 5 years. Plan Bay Area 2050 provides a blueprint for how the Bay Area can accommodate future growth while achieving regional GHG emissions reduction targets established by the CARB pursuant to SB 375 3.2.3.5 Alameda County General Plan Alameda County has adopted a local Climate Action Plan (CAP)to reduce GHG emissions. This plan was approved and adopted as an Element of the Alameda County General Plan by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on February 4, 2014. Full implementation of the strategies in the CAP would allow the County to reduce GHG emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 (Alameda County 2014). The plan describes implementation steps in six action areas (land use, transportation, energy, water, waste, and green infrastructure)to achieve the county's GHG reduction targets. The project offers support for CAP particularly in the Building Energy Action Area's following measure: 00 E-4: Identify and develop financing programs that encourage energy efficiency and renewable energy. 3.3 SIGNIFICANCE CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGY 3.3.1 Thresholds of Significance The state of California has developed guidelines to address the significance of greenhouse gas impacts based on Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, which indicates that a project has significant air quality impact if the project: 1. Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment; and 2. Conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or regulations adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. In the Guidance for Valley Land-Use Agencies in Addressing GHG Emission Impacts for New Projects Under CEQA and the policy Addressing GHG Emission Impacts for Stationary Source Projects Under CEQA When Serving as the Lead Agency (SJVAPCD 2009b), BPS are used to assess significance of project specific GHG emissions on global climate change during the environmental review process. However, SJVAPCD's adopted BPS are specifically directed at reducing GHG emissions from stationary sources; therefore, the adopted BPS would not generally be applicable to the Project as the Project would not be a stationary source of emissions. The SJVAPCD guidance does not limit a lead agency's authority in establishing its own process and guidance for determining significance of project related impacts on global climate change. SJVAPCD supports the use of the interim thresholds as established by the CAPCOA when adopted thresholds are not applicable. OTETRA TECH 35 July 2023