Issues - Our Green Environment

Going green is no longer just an option, or a slogan to be taken lightly. When it comes to our planet, global warming is a major concern, and all environmental issues play a part in the energy we use and the greenhouse gases we produce. First and foremost, it is time for greener transportation choices. The League of Conservation Voters, which endorses me, has identified three solutions: green fleets, hybrid vehicle incentives and clean buses.

I support all of these solutions along with encouraging tougher state and federal emissions standards. These steps must be aggressively pursued because greenhouse gas emissions from cars are the largest contributor to global warming in the Bay Area.  Much like we have done in the City of San Jose with the “Green Vision”, Santa Clara County must take the lead in green initiatives, and the implementation of a climate action plan.
In San Jose I was the first to ask the city to adopt its own goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Shortly after, I teamed up with Mayor Reed in support of several other major goals for the City:

1. Create 25,000 Clean Tech jobs as the World Center of Clean Tech Innovation
2. Reduce per capita energy use by 50 percent
3. Receive 100 percent of our electrical power from clean renewable sources
4. Build or retrofit 50 million square feet of green buildings
5. Divert 100 percent of the waste from our landfill and convert waste to energy
6. Recycle or beneficially reuse 100 percent of our wastewater (100 million gallons per day)
7. Adopt a General Plan with measurable standards for sustainable development
8. Ensure that 100 percent of public fleet vehicles run on alternative fuels
9. Plant 100,000 new trees and replace 100 percent of our streetlights with smart, zero-emission lighting
10. Create 100 miles of interconnected trails

I am a strong believer in green practices at the user level, and effective policies at government buildings may set an example and provide a model for workplace water and electricity conservation. Last year I welcomed the opportunity to serve as Honorary Chair of the Green Challenge, a grassroots project of the Volunteer Center of Silicon Valley that utilizes family volunteerism in the battle against global warming.  With an outstanding, focused effort, we successfully brought funding to this project to strengthen the efforts of Santa Clara Valley families in addressing climate protection.

I have a strong track record of supporting green building practices in residential, commercial and government construction, including the use of alternative building materials. The U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the national rating system for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings and promotes important areas of human and environmental health. As the Vice Mayor of the City of San Jose I have been an especially strong proponent of mandating LEED certified residential construction. I am proud that in my council district we recently cut the ribbon on San Jose’s first “LEED for Homes” residential community.  City staff has been asked to achieve the highest standards for private sector residential construction, and these are policies I will continue to advocate as a County Supervisor.  

San Jose has one of the most successful voluntary recycling programs in the country. Currently we divert more than 60% of all garbage away from our landfills and into recycling facilities. The entire county should be equally aggressive. In fact, as noted above, we have adopted a zero waste policy as part of our San Jose “Green Vision”. I believe that the County should do the same and should aggressively pursue a zero waste conversion plant that will make this goal a reality.  The City of Sacramento has just entered into an exclusive negotiating agreement for such a plant and we need to do the same in our county.

Changing our ways does not end at the county line. For example, while president of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), I spearheaded the formation of the Joint Policy Committee, a body that also includes representatives from transportation agencies (MTC), the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and the Bay Conservation District.   This group tackles the important connection between housing, transportation and climate protection in a coordinated, regional fashion. Over the years, I have worked hard with regional boards and commissions throughout the nine Bay Area counties to find solutions that will increase water sustainability through conservation measures and regional water system improvements.

Standards have been increased regarding our water quality and infrastructure, but there is still along way to go. The answers are going to be found through regional collaboration and cooperation, and I’ll bring that “big picture” experience to the Board of Supervisors.
We don’t have all of the answers yet, and I am open to additional ideas and ways that our County can retain a lead role in the regional environmental solutions to come.

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