The Yolo County Climate Action Commission (YCCAC) is dedicated to centering marginalized and vulnerable populations in the creation and implementation of the Yolo County 2030 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). Goals include switching the county to 100% renewable sources of energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to protect the county’s residents and natural resources.

The Commission currently has two working groups: the Equity and Engagement Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and the Natural and Working Lands Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), each with its own goals. Because this Commission is so new, it is still trying to find the best path forward, and is continuing to do outreach in the communities they wish to serve.

Below is a summary of the Commission’s most recent meeting, held April 24, 2023, Room 206 of the Yolo County Administration Building, located at 625 Court Street in Woodland.

Yolo County Climate Action Commission Meeting #19

April 24, 2023 | 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Click here to view the April 24, 2023 Yolo County Climate Action Commission Meeting Agenda

Click here to view the supporting materials in the agenda 

Click here to view the April 24, 2023 video recording

To learn more about the YCCAC and participate in meetings, visit their webpage.

Earth Day Pledge

After the Commission’s approval of the agenda, Leslie Crenna, Household Engagement Manager at Cool Davis, opened up the floor with the introduction of Cool Davis’ Earth Day Pledge. Cool Davis plans to collect pledges in six different areas that ask people to take at least one action from each of the categories in order to reduce their carbon footprint. For example, eating more thoughtfully by having a meatless meal at least three times a week. Other categories include diversifying your ride where you can pledge to use other modes of transportation beside your car and opening your windows at night to cool your home and use less electricity. Yolo County residents can visit www.cooldavis.org/pledge to sign up.

The Brown Act

California State Assembly Bill 817 is a bill that allows for remote participation in public government meetings. Currently, public comment can only be given in advance in writing or by voicemail depending on the jurisdiction, or in person at the Capitol and other government venues. Commission members have advocated for the bill to pass and voted in favor of drafting a letter in support of advancing the bill. Remote participation in various public meetings was the norm during COVID, and there is the added benefit of cutting down on transportation emissions, and would have, in fact, made it simpler for the Commission to take a stance on the bill. Failure to pass the bill would limit the public’s involvement, potentially due to issues with transportation or people simply not having the time to travel.

CAAP outreach progress

In April, the main focus of YCCAC CAAP outreach events was to get the word out about the Commission and their purpose, educating the public on both its importance and its goals. Outreach efforts resulted in contact with over three hundred community members and over one hundred survey responses, which indicated that many members of the public have moderate to high concerns about climate change. The board does admit that survey results may be a bit biased, as those who were willing to speak to the members at these events of course are those interested in what they had to offer at these booths.

The Commission plans on attending more events such as the Whole Earth Festival, where they have been approved to have an information booth.

Though this is a great start, some concerns and suggestions were given to the Commission. Scott Steward, a member of the Yolo Climate Emergency Coalition and the Indivisible Yolo climate action team, emphasized the need for collaboration between the municipalities in order to properly educate the public and combat climate change. Chris Granger, Executive Director of Cool Davis, encouraged the tracking of data for evidence that will help in securing future grants and resources. She also thanked the Equity and Engagement Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for the quality of outreach program materials and stragies. Lupita Torres, a resident of Davis, attended the meeting and raised a question about VCE billing and solar generation.

CAAP workshops and greenhouse gas inventory progress

The consultant, Dudek, has been working on three main inventories for the CAAP: the municipal inventory, the community sector wide inventory, and the consumption based inventory. The municipal inventory is collecting vehicle fleet data, and the community-sector wide inventory is currently collecting data from utility companies. The consumption-based inventory is based on household consumption and is vital to raising awareness about where carbon is coming from and how residents can reduce it at the household level. Consumption inventories account for things such as the carbon emissions it takes to make clothes, and the carbon associated with bringing water to your house.

In comparison to the national average, Yolo country has less consumption associated with housing as a result of using renewable energy sources. However, there is higher consumption in services.

 

Screen capture from previous YCCAC meeting with members of the Commission, the public, County Supervisor Saylor, and the Dudek consulting team represented.