Agenda 01-17-23; 6-b - Community Climate Action Grant (CCAG) - FY 2022-23 Project Selection for General Applicants and Schools

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3 FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Community Climate Action Grant Tax funding of$550,150 in FY 2022- 23 intends to identify impactful projects and distribute these funds promptly to accelerate action on the urgent issue of climate change and to help further stimulate the local economy. 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. Social Justice and Racial Equity is the most heavily-weighted factor in scoring projects proposed through this grant program, ensuring that the equitable distribution of funds and the repair of environmental inequities are a central element of each funded project. 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. • 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. • RESULTANT IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AIR QUALITY Assess and where possible mitigate adverse impacts created to the natural resources of the site and adjoining area. Minimize production of greenhouse gases. The Climate Action Fund will continue to support high-impact projects which will improve local air quality and minimize the local production of greenhouse gases, reducing Orange County's contribution to the adverse impacts of climate change on human and natural resources both inside and outside of the County. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board