Dec 5 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Paul Burgarino Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif.


In Pittsburg, it's not easy being green, but the city is giving it a shot.

Despite having no control of more than 90 percent of the greenhouse gases emitted within city limits, the East Contra Costa County city is looking to create a long-term strategic plan to reduce local emissions.

A greenhouse gas emissions inventory based on 2005 data found that 90.7 percent of the roughly 4.4 million metric tons of emissions in Pittsburg come from industrial processes. Regional transportation accounts for an additional 4 percent of Pittsburg's emissions.

Residential and commercial activities make up only 3.3 percent of Pittsburg's emissions.

The inventory is part of a climate action program Pittsburg seeks to develop early next year. The plan -- which will include community input -- will look at strategies like renewable energy, encouraging public transportation, improving gas mileage and wasting less materials among other ways to improve the local environmental footprint, said Laura Wright, senior management analyst with the city's public works department.

Because Pittsburg's industrial products -- namely combustion of fuels for natural gas, chemicals and petroleum coke -- are distributed outside the city, emission regulations are controlled by the state and federal government. Legislation in the state Assembly calls for California to reduce its greenhouse emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent below the

1990 level by 2050.

Last year, the California Air Resources Board adopted a plan to reach the mandated targets, including drawing one-third of electricity from renewable sources by 2020, and setting regional targets for greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.

The 90.7 percent figure for industry has likely decreased, as Tesoro Corp. ceased operations at its Pittsburg petroleum coke plant earlier this year. Some trucks continue to carry petroleum to a coke storage barn in Pittsburg that emit pollutants, but there is "no imprint from the property itself," Tesoro spokesman Mike Marcy said.

Despite having limited influence over the industrial uses, Pittsburg seeks a guiding document for improving air quality, ensuring local energy security and reducing costs for residents and businesses. Pittsburg also hopes to advocate for greener choices in building regional projects and preparing for anticipated growth, Wright said.

"We're trying to look ahead and plan accordingly," she said.

Among the programs Pittsburg has implemented recently are energy audits and strategies to help save businesses and homeowners energy and lower costs, and an informational page on Facebook with environmental tips and resources.

The Contra Costa County Climate Leaders program started with the county and all 15 cities in 2007. Antioch and Martinez are among the cities that have completed similar action plans, while El Cerrito and Walnut Creek, like Pittsburg, are in the process of developing plans.

Reach Paul Burgarino at 925-779-7164. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PittsBurgarino.

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