Category Archives: ECOS comment letters

ECOS letter to County Supervisors re Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force

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On February 7, 2022, ECOS submitted a letter to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors regarding the County’s Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force. Below is an excerpt.

We will soon receive the next draft of the County’s Communitywide Climate Action Plan (CAP), and hope that it contains enforceable actions and does not rely on anticipated recommendations from the Task Force. We suggest that the Task Force be charged with developing ways to implement the CAP, including an emergency response plan. For the Task Force to succeed, we hope the County will budget funding for such items as additional staff, consultant studies that may be needed, and outreach/community engagement.

Click here to read the letter in full.

Photo by Markus Spiske from Pexels

Joint letter to SMUD re Sac County Climate Action Plan

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This Jan. 24, 2022 letter from the Environmental Council of Sacramento, Sierra Club Sacramento Group, and 350 Sacramento, regarding the Sacramento County Climate Action Plan (CAP) requests that SMUD verify some of the SMUD-related information in the CAP, and also consider helping to increase standardization of CAP processes across the state.

Click here to read the letter.

Photo by Vincent M.A. Janssen from Pexels

Support for Proposed Rate Adjustment for Food and Garden/Yard Waste Collection

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On January 17, 2022, ECOS submitted a letter to the City of Sacramento in support of a Proposed Rate Adjustment for Food and Garden/Yard Waste Collection.

Below is an excerpt.

Based on statewide statistics, organic materials are the most prevalent item in the waste disposal stream. A third of the material going to landfills is readily compostable. To meet the state’s goal for 75 percent recycling, and to meet targets for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, particularly methane emissions reduction, we support the City’s plan to change its collection rates. However, we request that the City clarify how it plans to implement SB1383 for single-unit and multifamily unit dwellings and commercial/industrial enterprises.

Click here to read the letter in full.

Innovation Park and CNU Medical Center Project DEIR

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On January 3, 2022, ECOS submitted comments on the Innovation Park and CNU Medical Center Project DEIR.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this major project in North Natomas. We are pleased to see the reuse of the Arco Arena site. A hospital would address a long standing problem of having no hospital and few medical services north of the river in the City limits. All 24-hour emergency rooms are over 25 minutes away from residents of Natomas and North Sacramento. The land use designations are acceptable but more detail will be needed to fully understand the impacts given the wide range of densities that are allowed by the city. Impacts could vary significantly in terms of traffic, schools, parks and others. Further, it is still unclear what kind of “innovation” is anticipated in the area identified as Innovation Park.

Click here to read the letter in full.

Letter re Curtis Park Village Fuel Center

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On December 31, 2021, the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) submitted a letter to the City of Sacramento recommending the City Council deny an application for a gas station, aka a fuel center, in Curtis Park.

Gas stations are major emitters of benzene, a potent carcinogen. Even though the applicant moved the planned location to be further from residences, exposure to benzene will harm the health of those who work there, and of those who frequent the area. Also, the gas station will emit volatile organic compounds, which lead to ozone. Based on our climate and topography, Sacramento’s potential for high ozone is the highest in the nation, and we are already in the “top 10” for unhealthy ozone levels.

Click here to read the letter in full.