PMC prepared a Conservation and Open Space Element (COSE) update to the County of San Luis Obispo’s General Plan, including a baseline greenhouse gas emissions inventory. PMC is also preparing an EnergyWise (Climate Action) Plan with San Luis Obispo County. The plan provides a 2020 greenhouse gas reduction target, GHG reduction strategies to reduce emissions from energy, transportation, waste, and agricultural sectors, climate adaptation policies, and an overall implementation and monitoring program. The planning process for these projects included extensive stakeholder public outreach tailored to the county’s character and needs.

The County of San Luis Obispo contracted with PMC in 2007 to prepare the County’s Conservation and Open Space Element (COSE) update to the General Plan. The COSE began as a consolidation and update of existing elements, including the 1974 Environment Plan (Conservation Element, Historical Element, and Aesthetic Element), 1998 Agriculture and Open Space Element, and 1995 Energy Element. The COSE consists of two volumes—a policy and program document and a technical appendix. The COSE policy and program document includes separate chapters to address air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, energy, mineral resources, open space, visual resources, and water resources. The technical appendix includes the County’s first baseline greenhouse gas emissions inventory. The COSE is based on the principles of smart growth, with the intent to preserve unique or valuable natural resources, to manage development within the sustainable capacity of the county’s resources, and to reduce the county’s contribution to global climate change. The California Association of Environmental Professionals recently awarded an Outstanding Planning Award to the County and PMC for the COSE.

PMC prepared the County’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) Baseline Inventory using the ICLEI Clean Air and Climate Protection (CACP) software tool. The project required data collection and analysis for the baseline year of 2006, a business-as-usual forecast of 2020 and 2035 GHG emissions from County operations and community-wide sources, and an adjusted forecast to reflect state programs and county programs implemented since 2006. The inventory analyzes emissions from energy, transportation, and waste generation in addition to agriculture (livestock, fertilizer application, and off-road emissions). The inventory informed development of the County’s early responses to climate change, specifically as goals, policies, and strategies in the COSE.

PMC is currently preparing the EnergyWise (Climate Action) Plan for San Luis Obispo County. The County and PMC initiated the plan in April 2010. The County’s plan relies on the goals, policies, and targets established in the recently adopted COSE as well as the baseline GHG inventory. The plan provides a 2020 GHG reduction target, GHG reduction strategies to reduce emissions from energy, transportation, waste, and agricultural sectors, climate adaptation policies, and an overall implementation and monitoring program. The plan has been prepared with extensive stakeholder public outreach tailored to the county’s character and needs. PMC will also conduct an environmental review of the project, which will become an addendum to the Conservation and Open Space Element Environmental Impact Report. The Public Review Draft EnergyWise Plan is currently available online on the San Luis Obispo County Department of Planning and Building’s website, http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/planning/CAP.htm.