Nov 25 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Melanie Carroll Palo Alto Daily News, Calif.

The Palo Alto City Council on Monday will take up an ambitious plan to slash carbon dioxide emissions in the city over the next 12 years.

The Palo Alto Climate Protection Plan calls for a 15 percent total reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, starting with the city's employees and departments cutting the first 5 percent by July 2009.

"I think it's feasible" Council Member Peter Drekmeier said. "If we can't do it in Palo Alto we're in enormous trouble. ... We're facing one of the biggest challenges."

Municipal carbon dioxide emissions in 2005 -- which included everything from employee travel to fuel use -- totaled 65,329 metric tons, or less than 10 percent of the city's total output of 794,049 metric tons.

If the city meets its first goal by mid-2009, it will reduce its output by 3,266 metric tons.

Measures to reach that short-term goal include allowing employees to telecommute on a limited basis, increasing the city fleet's usage of biodiesel fuel and limiting the time city vehicles spend idling.

The proposed medium-term goal calls for City Hall and residents to cut total emissions by 5 percent, or 39,702 metric tons, by July 2012.

Increasing shuttle service between downtown and Stanford University is one way to reduce emissions generated by the public, according to a 100-plus page city report. Other options include working with the Palo Alto Unified School District and parents to encourage carpooling and other gas-saving measures. Commuter train service provided by Caltrain should be upgraded at the California Avenue station to offer a higher level of service, the report states.

Another medium-term solution entails charging employees to park their vehicles at City Hall, which is now free.

"As long as parking is free, only highly motivated staff, or those conveniently located, will use public transportation or other alternate modes of commuting," the report states. Research shows that charging for parking decreases demand and changes employees' perspectives on driving alone to work, according to the report.

Council Member Bern Beecham said not allowing employees to park for free might mean losing valuable workers who prefer to drive to work.

The city council is slated to discuss the climate change plan at 6 p.m. Monday. The matter is slated to return to council on Dec. 3 for final consideration.

E-mail Melanie Carroll at mcarroll@dailynewsgroup.com.