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By Menlo Park Mayor Ray Mueller
We live in a truly special place in Menlo Park. Our city is engaged, diverse, and counts among its residents some of the brightest academic minds and professional talents in the world. We possess a rich history of community, innovation, and commitment to the preservation of a healthy and sustainable natural environment.
With that in mind, there is perhaps no better timing than on Earth Day to share news regarding our city’s renewed commitment to address climate and sustainability issues.
First some news from our past. In 2016, as many residents know, the City Council unanimously voted to join our neighboring cities in the formation of Peninsula Clean Energy, transitioning our region’s power supply to renewable clean energy. Today, there are amazing results to report. Recently, Peninsula Clean Energy released a new estimate: While achieving significant greenhouse gas emission reductions, it also saved San Mateo County customers $18 million on their electricity bills in 2018 alone.
It’s wonderful news and only one example of the many positive steps our city and region have taken to move the needle on the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We have accomplished so much, with the commitment of our professional staff, the leadership of our Environmental Quality Commission and in partnership with organizations like Menlo Spark, the Sierra Club, Committee for Green Foothills, and our property owners, stakeholders, and residents.
But as mayor, candidly, it’s incumbent on me to say we cannot live in our past accomplishments and rest in a new status quo. We must continue to adapt and evolve our policies and practices, as the climate crisis continues to worsen. Our action or inaction on these issues will be our legacy left to our children and future city residents.
This past week, the City Council unanimously passed a Climate and Sustainability Resolution, setting forth an ambitious, detailed and appropriate framework of policy goals for both city GHG emissions reduction and natural environment protection. The resolution sets forth that the city of Menlo Park will endeavor to:
• Adopt a new Climate Action Plan that: (1) accelerates near-term transition to carbon neutrality maximizing GHG reductions by 2030 — with a target of zero carbon emissions, (2) spurs local innovation, and (3) prepares for the impacts of climate change on public health, infrastructure, the economy, ecosystems, and public spaces in our community.
• Incorporate sustainability best practices into our city policies, programs, and plans.
• Increase public outreach on the city’s communitywide sustainability and resilience efforts, including building baseline metrics and regular reporting on progress towards GHG reduction goals, actions, and policies.
• Recognize the needs of all community members through environmental and social justice, with a commitment to create equitable investment, planning, and services for a more cohesive city.
• Implement transportation policies that strive to eliminate carbon pollution and reduce congestion, creating more convenient and safe options for bicycling, walking, and riding public transit, while supporting a transition to electric vehicles.
• Work with our development community to move toward standards that new homes and buildings will be built with zero-carbon electric heating and appliances, and work with regional partners to explore programs that assist home and building owners with upgrades that phase out fossil fuel use.
• Discourage the use of toxic chemicals among homeowners and businesses, including pesticides, and implement neighbor notification rules regarding the use of such chemicals.
• Protect open space and natural resources as a part of the climate action plan and adaptation strategy.
The Climate and Sustainability Resolution, which I signed on Earth Day, April 22, is a commitment to move forward towards a green, sustainable, zero-carbon future that supports a diverse, thriving, healthy community and natural environment where everyone is welcome. Together we can accomplish this. We just must have the will to endeavor as such, and the grit and determination to succeed.
Ray Mueller is serving his second term on the Menlo Park City Council, and this year holds the mayor’s gavel.
Thank you, Ray, for continuing to emphasize these vague/symbolic gestures while simultaneously opposing SB50, which might actually make a GHG difference by fundamentally changing our land use/transportation patterns! I mean, on the one hand SB50 is endorsed by the National Resources Defense Council, Environment California, Fossil Free California, and California League of Conservation Voters, but on the other hand it might affect our treasured ~neighborhood character~. So, you know- better keep kicking the can!
Mueller opposes SB50? That is reassuring news.
Thank for sharing another fantastic reason to support him.
Atherton City Councilmember Rick DeGolia wrote an editorial in the Almanac this week also opposing SB50.
Rick helped start Peninsula Clean Energy.
These two local electeds prove you can care about the environment and also have common sense.
@MenloBoomer thanks for sharing your thoughts about our neighborhoods – scary. Yikes.
If our politicians want to lead useful change they will focus their efforts less on spending scarce resources on very low return efforts like reducing greenhouse gases by using more electricity. Instead they should focus more on preventing catastrophic wildfires and improving the reliance of our very fragile power grid. Extended loss of power or a local wildfire will have a much greater negative impact on our community than the negligible positive impact we can make by reducing GHG. Sure maybe going all electric sounds sexy, but it’s low return. Plus do you really think PG&E’s neglected electric infrastructure can handle an all-electric society by 2013? Not a chance in a million.