Media Release

EHC Joins Community Call For
Landmark Climate Change Policies in Chula Vista
City poised to adopt first citywide green building
standards in the county

(April 1, 2008) – Chula Vista, CA.   Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) will join other members of the Chula Vista Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) today to ask the Chula Vista City Council to adopt actions which would help the city meet its carbon reduction goals.  Most notable among the seven recommendations are proposed citywide green building standards, required energy audits for businesses, and a solar panel program to facilitate solar projects for residents. The recommendations would successfully reverse the current trend of rising greenhouse gas emissions enabling the city to achieve its reduction goals.

Chula Vista adopted its first Carbon Reduction Plan in 2000 and set a goal to reduce carbon emissions from the city to 20% below 1990 levels by 2010.  Unfortunately, a 2005 evaluation showed the city was not going to meet its goals.  While emissions from city-controlled operations were down 18%, emissions from the community at large had gone up over 35%.  The CCWG was first convened in July 2007 by Councilmembers Steve Castañeda and John McCann to make recommendations to update the plan and ensure that the reduction goals would be met.     

If adopted, Chula Vista will be first in the county to adopt citywide green building standards.  “I am proud of Chula Vista’s history of responsible leadership in energy policy.  I embrace the opportunity to lead the region by being the first city in the county to adopt mandatory green building policies for the development of our community.  We owe nothing less to the children of our city,” stated Councilmember Steve Castañeda.

EHC Policy Advocate, Leo Miras, served as a member of the CCWG.  “It is very important that the Council approve all of the recommendations today and direct staff to return in 90 days with implementation plans.  In the eight years that have lapsed since adoption of the plan, we have learned that mandatory actions are necessary.  By adopting these measures the city will make good on their promise to the community to reduce greenhouse gases in compliance with their Carbon Reduction Plan,” he stated.  

Letters of support have been submitted from local community, environmental, labor, and health organizations.  At the hearing, EHC Community Organizer Hugo Salazar will present over 100 petitions from local residents in support of the recommendations to the Mayor and Councilmembers.   This issue will be heard by the Council at its regularly scheduled 4 pm meeting at Chula Vista City Hall, 276 4th Ave.