Category Archives: Climate Change Committee

California Energy Commission Talk, Dec 18

ECOS Climate Change Committee Meeting

Thursday, December 18, 2025
6 PM (drinks/snacks starting at 5:30)
Hybrid meeting: In-person at Mogavero Architects, 1331 T Street, Sacramento
and on Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155 (copy and paste link)
To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155

Speaker: Gypsy Achong, Program Manager in the Efficiency Division, California Energy Commission

Topic: Gypsy will discuss Assembly Bill 130, recent updates to the Building Energy Code, and the impacts of these changes on local efforts to build green.

Major legislative changes have adversely affected the state building standards adoption process and its contribution to residential building decarbonization. This summer, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 130, which pauses new updates to the California Building Standards Code, including the Energy Code, that affect residential units until January 1, 2032. The law also limits cities and counties in adopting stricter local building codes on or after October 1, 2025. Join us to discuss this topic with Gypsy Achong, Program Manager from the California Energy Commission.

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Alberto Ayala to Speak to Climate Change Committee, Nov 24

Monday, November 24, 2025 at 6 PM (drinks/snacks starting at 5:30)
Hybrid meeting: In-person at Mogavero Architects, 1331 T Street, Sacramento
and Zoom. Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155 To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155

Sacramento Metro Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD)
Executive Officer Dr. Alberto Ayala

Alberto will discuss the following topics and welcome questions. Please join the discussion!

Alberto joined our air district 8 years ago after 17 years at the State Air Resource Board (CARB) where he directed regulations for vehicle emissions reductions and electrification.

Recently, the Sacramento region met the federal 8-hour ozone standard for the first time, for which Alberto accepted an award from Breathe California Sacramento Region.

Here’s what we’ll discuss:

  1. IMPACT OF RECENT FEDERAL ACTIONS on our air quality and greenhouse gas (GHG) progress
    o EPA’s Reconsideration of 2009 Endangerment Finding and GHG Vehicle Standards: Would prevent federal action to limit climate change; prevent California from requiring cleaner cars.
    o Recission of promised funds: Community Pollution Reduction Grants, and Sacramento Regional Climate Resilience Plan: Funds were promised last year to our region for projects such as handling ag and forest waste – how can we move ahead without those funds?
  2. PARTICULATES:
    o Fine particulate matter levels (PM2.5) are highest fall/winter: How can we reduce levels? PM2.5 causes more health problems than other pollutants; e.g., heart disease, dementia.
    o Ultrafine PM: What should we do about them? These tiny particles appear to be the most health-threatening – from sources like diesel exhaust and wildfires.
  3. METHANE: SMUD’s emissions (Methane is a much more potent GHG than carbon dioxide.)
  4. SOUTH SACRAMENTO COMMUNITY AIR MONITORING: AQMD found high levels of PM2.5, cancer-causing diesel exhaust & aldehydes in Florin/Route 99 environmental justice area – what to do now?

Updates by Committee Chairs Ralph Propper and Eugene Lee: [Add your own for us to hear!]

  • Caltrans’ plan to add lanes to I-80 in Yolo County: ECOS appeals court decision denying our lawsuit.
  • Sacramento County’s Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force: What’s next for plans to cut GHG?
  • Sales Tax to Fund Transit – plans for Citizens’ Initiative for 2026 Ballot: How can we help?
  • Biomass & Beyond: Growing a Resilient Regional Bioeconomy (recent Valley Vision event): We have a lot of dead trees in the Sierras, and much agricultural waste – we must do better than burn them!
  • Airport South Industrial Project – diesel exhaust near school: City Council hearing Dec. 2
  • Upper Westside Project: County postponed approval after City Council letter of concerns
  • SMUD’s 2030 zero-carbon goal, and proposed Coyote Creek solar project: County hearing Nov 18.

Click here to view the agenda.

Climate Committee meeting with Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum 3/4/2025

New date announced! Join us on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
6:00 PM social period in-person / 6:30 PM start time for Zoom

Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155
To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155
AND: In-person, at Breathe Bldg. Conference Room, 909 12th St.
(press button for Breathe Conference Room)

Speaker: Sacramento City Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum

We’re happy to host Phil Pluckebaum, who joined the Sacramento City Council in December 2024. Phil represents Sacramento Council District 4, which includes downtown and East Sacramento. Phil served for several years on the city’s Planning and Design Commission.

As city councilmember, he serves on its Law and Legislation Committee, Flood Control Agency (SAFCA), Sewer District (SacSewer) Lower American River Conservancy Advisory Committee; Sacramento Homeless Policy Council; alternate on our Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) and Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA); and others.

Come with your questions for Phil Pluckebaum! We look forward to hearing his plans for his new role, and to an exchange of ideas relating to ECOS priorities.

ECOS priorities include: transit-oriented infill development vs. sprawl; funding for transit, active transportation, bridges, Sac Valley station; implementation of city’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.

6:00 PM: Social period (snacks and refreshments for attendees!)

6:30 PM: Welcome and Introductions

6:40 PM: Phil’s plans, and exchange of ideas

7:20 PM: Updates
• Sacramento Earth Day (hosted by ECOS), Southside Park, April 27 – Plan it for the Planet!
• SacRT starts 15-minute headway on Sacramento-Folsom rail line; new light rail stations (Horn Road, Dos Rios), Hydrogen-fueled bus fleet
• Lawsuits over Caltrans’ plan to add lanes to I-80 in Yolo County
• Sacramento County County’s Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force – recommendations to Board of Supervisors in June
• Other? – your updates welcome!

Click here for the agenda in PDF.

ECOS LETTER re Sacramento County Climate Action Plan, 11/6/2024

On Nov 6, 2024, ECOS submitted to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors a comment letter on the County of Sacramento Climate Action Plan, Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR).

The Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) appreciates that County staff have developed a better Climate Action Plan than its 2022 version. However, we still have major concerns that must be addressed before we can support it.

Click here to read the letter.