Menlo Park Environmental Quality Commission To Reconsider Greenhouse Gas Emission Targets

The Menlo Park Environmental Quality Commission will meet on Wednesday to discuss a five-year strategy to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases the city emits into the atmosphere.

The commission has publicly stated that the group wants Menlo Park to become a leader in environmental stewardship. One of the ways commissioners propose to make this a reality is to set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the community by 27% by 2020.

The group of volunteers echoes the endeavors of the international community. 

A United Nations climate conference in Germany in May set a goal of keeping the Earth’s temperature from rising more than 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit. More than 120 countries agreed to take actions to prevent human-caused temperature increases in the climate at that conference. While some are debating the merits of setting such a cap, Menlo Park residents say that the opportunity for action is great.

“Menlo Park can enhance its competitive business environment by taking a leadership path,” reads a staff report prepared for Wednesday’s meeting. “If we fail to act, we may miss the boat on climate, policy requirements, and opportunities to save. By acting early, we act wisely and with the added benefit of making Menlo Park a more livable community.” 

Menlo Park City Council first publicly recognized that the climate was an issue of importance in late 2006, according to public records. The City adopted a climate action plan in 2009. It has since been augmented to reflect changes in society.

On Wednesday, commissioners will be discussing ways that changing the city's goals would change Menlo Park, as well as ways to fund the endeavors related to achieving the new goal.

One of the ways of funding the initiatives that will be discussed is an increase of the city’s utility user tax from one to 3.5 percent, according to public records. The utility user tax is levied on electricity, natural gas, water, phone, and cable services.  A one percent increase would provide about $590,000 to the city, according to a report prepared for the July 24, 2013 meeting.

Another option that will be discussed is the possibility of developing public-private partnerships. 

The Menlo Park Environmental Quality Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24 in the City Council Conference room, which is in the administration building located at 701 Laurel Street.