American Canyon City Council considers a county-wide climate action plan
American Canyon may soon consider hiring a coordinator to help the city implement simple, “low-hanging fruit” measures that the city can adopt to fight climate change.
The American Canyon City Council on Tuesday voted to discuss the potential new position at its next meeting. The council members discussed the matter during a presentation of a draft of a county-wide plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.
The Napa Regional Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, which could cost as much as $1.1 billion over 20 years to implement, was presented before a joint meeting of the City Council and the Open Space, Active Transportation, and Sustainability Commission.
Erik de Kok, a consultant with Ascent, gave an overview of the plan, which seeks carbon neutrality by 2045 – the same goal as the state of California.
“We need to adapt, make our communities more resilient, think about how we live, the choices we make,” de Kok said.
American Canyon produces 16 percent of the county’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to statistics included in the draft document. The city of Napa produces the most – 43 percent and the town of Yountville, the least – 2 percent. Unincorporated Napa County generates 31 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions.
Vehicular traffic represents the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Napa County – or 39 percent. Building energy contributes 23 percent; solid waste, 16 percent; off-road equipment, 9 percent; and agriculture, 8 percent.
Comments on the draft can be submitted until Sept. 30.
All jurisdictions in Napa County, including America Canyon, are expected to consider the plan for adoption in the spring of 2026. Implementation would take place between 2026 and 2045.
Some of the most impactful measures included in the document are not cheap. For instance, retrofitting 50,000 buildings countywide so they use electricity instead of natural gas could cost $400 million over 20 years.
Sources of funding may include Prop. 4, the $10 billion state bond measure California voters passed in November 2024 to fund measures to mitigate the effects of climate change, and Cap and Trade dollars. The Cap and Trade program allows developers to buy carbon credits to offset greenhouse gas emissions.
Vice Mayor Mark Joseph has supported efforts to create the climate action and adaption plan. “I’m glad that slowly but surely we’re getting there,” he said.
In the meantime, Joseph proposed to have a program coordinator, possibly a part-time position, to begin to implement the plan, including identify grant funding and other opportunities.
City Councilman David Oro, however, said he would prefer to wait to hire someone until after the plan is adopted.
Oro also questioned the burden of environmental regulations on homeowners. This, he said, “adds more to the cost of housing in California.”
“How much more burden can we put on homeowners?” Oro asked.
American Canyon already has placed environmental measures in place including banning gas stations, protecting open space and using recycled water, Oro said.
Realtors have criticized the plan as well.
Joseph, however, responded that not all these costs fall on homeowners or Realtors.
The measures can enhance the value of a house, he said. He is saving money now after installing solar panels with a battery backup at his house, Joseph noted. The solar panels and the battery backup could be one of the pitches if the house is for sale, he said.
“A lot of these improvements actually will save the homeowner on their operating costs, and you get the side benefit of improving the planet,” Joseph said.
City Councilwoman Melissa Lamattina, a county employee, said she cannot afford to install a new roof with solar panels on it. Still, she tries to do her part and rides an e-bike around town. “So. I’m trying to do as much as I can,” she said.
The plan provides options for all, de Kok said. “Very small steps can be taken at home,” he said.
De Kok also stressed the importance of collaborating with communities-based organizations and other groups. “That’s where the change happen because people learn from each other.”
Joseph said a coordinator, even working part time, could work with homeowners and community groups.
“In my experience, if you don’t have a warm body,” Joseph said, “it’s more talk than action.”
Before he voted on Joseph’s motion to discuss the new staff position, Mayor Pierre Washington asked the three members of the Open Space, Active Transportation, and Sustainability Commission present Tuesday for their opinion. All three favored the idea of hiring a coordinator.
The vote was 4-1, with Oro voting “No.”
The next City Council meeting is Oct. 7, according to the city’s website.
