Implementation Progress Summary
When the Climate Action Plan (CAP) was updated in 2018 the City also developed a comprehensive CAP Implementation Plan which outlines how the City will implement CAP actions and monitor progress.
Implementation of certain actions requires the City to develop and implement new ordinances, programs, and projects, or modify existing ones. This involved careful consideration of the operational and capital resources needed, as well as timing, phasing, and monitoring of implementation.
Click here for more information about the status of CAP measure implementation.
Building Efficiency, Renewable Energy, and Clean & Efficient Transportation
Readoption of Green Building Regulations
City Council readopted its green building regulations, Ordinance Nos. 2022-13 and 2022-14, on October 26, 2022. Collectively the ordinances address energy efficiency, building decarbonization, electric vehicle charging, solar installation, and water conservation.
The original regulation became effective on August 2, 2022, and the readopted regulations went into effect concurrent with the readopted local building code on January 1, 2023.
The green building regulations support the following eight CAP measures:
- BE-1: Adopt a Residential Energy Efficiency Ordinance
- BE-2: Require Decarbonization of New Residential Buildings
- BE-3: Adopt Higher Energy Efficiency Standards for Commercial Buildings
- BE-4: Require Decarbonization of New Commercial Buildings
- RE-2: Require New Homes to Install Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
- RE-3: Require Commercial Buildings to Install Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
- CET-4: Require Residential Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS)
- CET-5: Require Commercial Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS)
Last updated May 10, 2023
Clean & Efficient Transportation
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
In 2022, the number of publicly available electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) in Encinitas increased substantially. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of publicly available EV charging stations in Encinitas doubled! Now 28 EVCS can be accessed through a variety of EV charging networks throughout the City. One of largest new projects completed in 2022 included the installation of six (6) DC Fast charging stations in the lower parking lot of City Hall, significantly increasing the EV charging capacity in downtown Encinitas. These charging stations were installed by the City and are powered by 100 percent renewable electricity, making charging up EVs at this location completely emission free! These new charging stations support CAP measure CET-5: Require Commercial EV Charging Stations and encourages more residents and visitors to purchase or lease electric vehicles.
Last updated May 10, 2023
Clean & Efficient Transportation
Municipal Telecommute Policy Implemented
In an effort to decrease the vehicle miles traveled by City employees as a means of reducing the City’s GHG emissions, the City formed a new telecommuting policy in 2022. Upon returning to in-person work after Covid-19, the City reflected on the environmental and employee benefits of telecommuting during the pandemic and decided to formally reintroduce telecommuting irrespective of any governmental emergency order. City employees can now telecommute one day per week, dependent on their job function and manager approval. This satisfies CAP measure MCET-2: Adopt a Municipal Employee Telecommute Policy and avoids approximately 50 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions equivalent (MTCO2e) annually.
Last updated May 10, 2023
Zero Waste
Organics Recycling Program Established
In 2022, curbside organic recycling became available to Encinitas residents and organic waste collection was also made available to commercial customers and multi-family residents. These new programs ensure that the City is in compliance with California Senate Bill (SB) 1383 which mandates organic waste diversion and food waste reduction. These highly anticipated waste collection programs enable all food scraps and green waste generated within the City to now be collected and processed at EDCO's new anaerobic digestion (AD) facility rather than going to the landfill. The AD process uses microorganisms to break down the organic material into digestate and renewable natural gas, two useful renewable products. All methane generated in the digestion process is captured and used to fuel EDCO’s waste collection trucks. Any excess fuel product is put back into the natural gas pipeline for reuse. The digestate is nutrient-rich and can be used to make fertilizer and other beneficial organic products. Organics recycling supports CAP measure ZW-1: Implement a Zero Waste Program and significantly avoids the generation of methane gas in landfills.
Last updated May 10, 2023