1. EDUCATION
2. WORKING FAMILIES
3. SAFETY
4. QUALITY OF LIFE
5. ENVIRONMENT
6. GOOD GOVERNMENT
   
   

5. ENVIRONMENT

Preserving our environment is critically important, and Supervisor Church has worked to preserve open space as well as enforce new guidelines for green building, green business practices and renewable energy.

Proposed “Solar San Mateo” Program

Supervisor Church is leading the effort to reduce the county’s energy bills and carbon footprint by encouraging solar panels on homes and county buildings. Supervisor Church initiated the Solar San Mateo Roundtable Group, which led to the recommendation for the County to join a statewide pilot project, CaliforniaFIRST.  The program will offer loans to individual property owners making renewable energy, energy efficiency and water efficiency improvements.  The loans will be paid back over a period of time through assessments collected on property tax bills.  Supervisor Church has also led the efforts to install a 333-kilowatt solar system atop the county’s Redwood City parking garage. By leveraging grants and loans, the county could recoup installation costs in as little as four years, while reducing greenhouse gases, and combating global warming.

Initiated the Green Business Program

Supervisor Church spearheaded the Green Business Program for San Mateo County, which encourages small- and medium-sized businesses to recycle, and conserve water and energy. Since its inception in 2007, this voluntary program has drawn more than 100 applications and is growing fast. Participating businesses are rewarded with free advertising, a decal to place in their window, and lower energy bills.

Initiated the Green Building Program

Supervisor Church introduced the county’s Green Building Program, which employs a blend of mandates and incentives to encourage environmentally-responsible construction. The ordinance requires that new residential units and 50 percent remodels earn 50 points on the county’s GreenPoint checklist. New commercial and industrial buildings are required to be LEED certified. Builders who exceed these minimum requirements are rewarded with incentives including faster turnaround on paperwork and prompt building inspections.

Secured Funding for San Bruno Mountain Habitat Plan

Supervisor Church secured a $100,000 grant from the Department of Fish and Game to amend and update the San Bruno Mountain Habitat Conservation Plan. The plan was created in 1982 to identify and list the area’s endangered species and outline the needs of the mountain habitat.

Authored Open Space Ordinance

Supervisor Church authored a landmark ordinance requiring conservation easements on rural lands not suitable for development, to ensure they remain as open space.

Voted to Acquire Mirada Surf

Supervisor Church voted to fund the acquisition of 50 acres of pristine coastal lands, which have since been preserved as permanent, publicly accessible open space.