Agenda - 02-04-20 6-a - Climate Action Tax Recommendations for FY 2019-20

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2 After review by the County Manager, four projects focusing on climate actions outside of County operations were presented to the CFE at its meeting on November 11, 2019. The attached report includes the brief description of the projects and the assessment criteria that was given to the CFE, and lays out the CFE's scoring and ranking of the projects. In addition to the four projects created by staff, the CFE put forward a fifth project and scored it as well. Since these potential projects involve investments outside of County operations, all prospective partners such as the school districts and housing coalition organizers have received an initial notification and brief description of the initially scored projects. No detailed project discussions have occurred in advance of BOCC direction. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Climate Action Tax is projected to generate $469,272 in funds in FY 2019-20 and the recommended projects are designed to use all of these funds. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. Local investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy in Orange County provides direct reduction of monthly energy bills and supports jobs and investments in clean energy technologies. These cost reductions lead to improved affordability for impacted households and ensure responsible stewardship of Orange County taxpayer resources. • GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies. Reducing energy usage from the electric grid improves air quality impacts. Improving local air quality helps to protect the health of vulnerable populations in Orange County whose health is disproportionately affected by ground-level ozone and other emissions. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impacts are applicable to this item: • ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND WASTE REDUCTION Initiate policies and programs that: 1) conserve energy; 2) reduce resource consumption; 3) increase the use of recycled and renewable resources; and 4) minimize waste stream impacts on the environment. Investing in local climate change mitigation actions will conserve energy, reduce resource consumption, and increase the use of renewable resources.