Laserfiche WebLink
11 <br /> <br />Greenhouse Gas Failure to Adequately Evaluate Greenhouse Gas Impacts <br />The Addendum concludes that the proposed Project would have a less than significant GHG impact as a <br />result of determining that emissions would be less than that indicated in the 2010 FEIR, as well as a <br />qualitative analysis evaluating the Project’s consistency with the California Building Code, Santa Ana <br />Climate Action Plan (CAP), and CARB’s 2017 Scoping Plan. Specifically, the Addendum states, <br />“[T]he proposed project would generate approximately 2,231 MT CO2e per year. The proposed <br />project’s emissions would be less than the emissions identified by the 2010 FEIR. In addition, <br />there have been substantial changes in the California Building Code since the 2010 FEIR was <br />adopted to increase efficiency and reduce GHG emissions, which contribute to achieving GHG <br />reductions identified by AB 32. The project would comply with the California Building Code, <br />which would reduce GHG emissions and increase efficiency, beyond what was assumed in the <br />2010 FEIR. Therefore, the project would not result in any new or substantially more severe GHG <br />emissions impacts than what was analyzed in the 2010 FEIR and project GHG emissions would <br />not be significant” (p. 3.5-2). <br />The Addendum goes on to state, <br />“[T]he proposed project would be consistent with the Santa Ana CAP. The proposed project <br />would not result in any new or substantially more severe GHG emissions impacts beyond those <br />analyzed in the 2010 FEIR and cumulative GHG emissions would not be significant” (p. 3.5-3). <br />Finally, the Addendum states, <br />“On December 14, 2017, CARB adopted the 2017 Scoping Plan, which provides a framework for <br />achieving the 2030 target. Therefore, the proposed project should be consistent with the most <br />recent Scoping Plan…The proposed project would not conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or <br />regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing GHG emissions. Therefore, the proposed project <br />would not result in any new or substantially more severe GHG emissions impacts than what was <br />analyzed in the 2010 FEIR and project impacts would not be significant” (p. 3.5-3 – 3.5-4). <br />This justification and subsequent less-than-significant impact finding are incorrect and unsubstantiated <br />for several reasons: <br />(1) The Addendum fails to demonstrate consistency with the FEIR; <br />(2) The Santa Ana County CAP cannot be relied upon to determine Project significance; <br />(3) The 2017 CARB Scoping Plan cannot be relied upon to determine Project significance; <br />(4) Incorrect and unsubstantiated analysis demonstrates significant GHG impact; and <br />(5) Updated analysis indicates significant impact.