EHC Victory! Chula Vista Makes History!
Over 50 Chula Vista residents joined EHC and community, environmental, and labor representatives to support the carbon reduction recommendations of the Climate Change Working Group—and history was made! City Council unanimously adopted all seven CCWG recommendations. This decision was a victory for the community and set a new standard for carbon reduction measures in the region.
Leo Miras, EHC Policy Advocate, served on the CCWG, as did EHC Community Action Team member Lynda Gilgun. Lynda testified on the Green Building Recommendations and her March 29 opinion editorial was published in the San Diego Union Tribune, as were articles on March 28 and April 2 by Tanya Mannes. Voice of San Diego ran a March 27 commentary by Councilmember Steve Castaneda and a March 20 Cafe San Diego blog with EHC's Laura Hunter. Marta Becerril, Bibiana Glackman, and Mariana Lopez, graduates of EHC’s Energy training program, testified at the hearing.
A wide range of organizations joined EHC in support for the recommendations, including the American Lung Association, Center for Sustainable Energy, San Diego Apollo Alliance, Sierra Club, San Diego Coastkeeper, Surfrider Foundation- San Diego Chapter, and Southwest Chula Vista Civic Association. Letters of support also came from State Senator Christine Kehoe and State Assemblymember Mary Salas.
The City has a long-standing involvement in climate change policies which began when Deputy-Mayor Jerry Rindone signed the Kyoto Protocol. Before he made the motion to adopt all seven recommendations of the CCWG, he stated, “I am so excited about tonight. I could not be more proud of this city and Council and the working group to get us this far.”
The 7 Recommendations Adopted Are:
- Require that 100% of the vehicles purchased for the municipal fleet be high-efficiency (hybrid) or alternative fuel vehicles.
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Encourage City-contracted fleet operators to adopt the use of high-efficiency (hybrid) or alternative fuel vehicles.
- Require City of Chula Vista-licensed businesses to participate in an energy assessment of their physical premises every three years and upon change of ownership.
- Adopt community-wide green building standards that are comprehensive in coverage and mandatory. New and substantially remodeled structures will be required to be built to LEED silver (or to an equivalent 3rd party certification green building standards), with the effect of having an energy efficiency impact of at least 20% over Title-24.
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Facilitate widespread installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on commercial, residential, and municipal facilities by developing and implementing a solar energy conversion program. Proactively enforce existing codes requiring pre-plumbing for solar hot water.
- Facilitate “Smart Growth” around the H St., E St., and Palomar St. Trolley Stations.
- Coordinate with Otay Water District, San Diego County Water Authority, and the Sweetwater Authority to convert turf lawns to xeriscape.
The staff will return with an implementation plan in 90 days.
Throughout the night, Councilmember Rudy Ramirez urged the Council and staff to take meaningful and bold action. “We are called to take a stand. Let’s have the moral courage to distinguish Chula Vista from here on out. This is where we make a difference…the dividends are in the health of our residents.”
Councilmember John McCann seconded the final motion stating, “These are common sense approaches to saving energy and protecting the environment.”
Please take an opportunity to call the Mayor and City Council
and thank them for their visionary action.
You can leave a message at 619-691-5044.
