OCEANSIDE — The Oceanside City Council unanimously approved an update to its Climate Action Plan at its June 24 special meeting, setting new greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets and finalizing more than six years of planning.
The city aims to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions by 27% from 2018 levels by 2030, by 90% by 2045, and maintain emissions 90% below 2018 levels through 2050. The targets align with statewide climate goals outlined in SB 32 and AB 1279, as well as the horizon year of Oceanside’s General Plan update.
The updated plan calls for reducing annual greenhouse gas emissions from about 845,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2018 to 621,000 metric tons by 2030. By 2045 and 2050, the city aims to lower annual emissions to about 89,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
The update, which builds on Oceanside’s 2019 Climate Action Plan, includes sustainability initiatives such as expanding access to public transit, planting 200 new trees and developing a local workforce to promote green practices among local businesses, among other actions.
The CAP update is part of Phase 2 of the “Onward Oceanside” General Plan update, the city’s comprehensive plan for long-term growth and development, which the council also approved at the meeting. Phase 2 follows the adoption of Phase 1 in 2019.
“Let’s just say this is a historic day, historic moment,” Mayor Esther Sanchez said.
The update includes 17 reduction initiatives and 104 actions targeting emissions from transportation, energy, solid waste, consumer goods and water, according to a June 26 city news release. It also promotes emissions reductions by preserving natural lands, supporting conservation efforts and fostering local job growth in a sustainable economy.
While city staff expects Oceanside to meet its 2030 emissions reduction target under the current plan, additional measures will be needed to achieve the 2045 and 2050 goals, according to the release.
A state-mandated cost analysis required before the updated plan can move forward has not yet been completed, Sustainability Program Administrator Justin Gamble said. The analysis is expected later this year.
Oceanside’s Climate Action Plan is part of the larger Regional Climate Action Planning Framework led by the San Diego Association of Governments, or SANDAG. The framework aims to address climate challenges such as extreme heat, poor air quality, rising energy demands and sea-level rise.
Several Oceanside residents spoke in support of adopting the update but also identified areas for improvement.
Oceanside resident Alison St. John Inglis, who supported the update, said she hopes the city now focuses on implementation and provides more comprehensive public updates on sustainability projects. She suggested posting regular progress updates on the city’s website.
“Let’s not let this CAP update sit on a shelf. Let’s think strategically about how to reach those goals,” Inglis said.
Some residents raised concerns about the cost of the residential building electrification measures included in the update. The initiative calls for converting the primary end uses of 60,000 buildings to electricity by 2045, while establishing 400 building energy-efficiency retrofits by 2030 and 60,000 by 2045.
Oceanside resident Roger Davenport said switching from natural gas to electricity can be more expensive, particularly due to transmission and distribution costs, which makes the option less attractive to customers.
“The City should try and identify opportunities for local energy production in order to bring down the cost of the utility-supplied electricity,” Davenport said.
Addressing affordability concerns, Gamble said the city’s energy reach code — a local building ordinance that exceeds state energy-efficiency standards — would still require certification from the California Energy Commission, based on a cost-effectiveness analysis. He added that the reach code would not apply to all residences.
The next update to Oceanside’s Climate Action Plan is expected in about five years.
