2014-069 - Final Environmental Impact Report No. 2014-01

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HARBOR BLVD. MIXED USE TRANSIT CORRIDOR PLAN FINAL FIR CITY OF SANTA ANA 5. Environmental Analysis GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS introduced as alternatives, along with HFCs, to the ozone - depleting substances. In addition, PFCs are emitted as by- products of industrial processes and are also used in manufacturing. PFCs do not harm the stratospheric ozone layer, but they have a high global warming potential. ■ Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) is a colorless gas soluble in alcohol and ether, slightly soluble in water. SF6 is a strong GHG used primarily in electrical transmission and distribution systems as an insulator. ■ Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) contain hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, and carbon atoms. Although ozone - depleting substances, they are less potent at destroying stratospheric ozone than CFCs. They have been introduced as temporary replacements for CFCs and are also GHGs. ■ Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) contain only hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon atoms. They were introduced as alternatives to ozone - depleting substances to serve many industrial, commercial, and personal needs. HFCs are emitted as by- products of industrial processes and are also used in manufacturing. They do not significantly deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, but they are strong GHGs (USEPA 2012, IPCC 2001). California's GHG Sources and Relative Contribution California is the second largest emitter of GHG in the United States, only surpassed by Texas, and the tenth largest GHG emitter in the world. However, California also has over 12 million more people than the state of Texas. Because of more stringent air emission regulations, in 2001 California ranked fourth lowest in carbon emissions per capita and fifth lowest among states in CO2 emissions from fossil fuel consumption per unit of Gross State Product (total economic output of goods and services) (CEC 2006a). CARB's latest update to the statewide GHG emissions inventory was conducted in 2012 for year 2009 emissions.3 In 2009, California produced 457 million metric tons (NMfCO2C) of CO2- equivalent (CO2C) GHG emissions? California's transportation sector is the single largest generator of GHG emissions, producing 37.9 percent of the state's total emissions. Electricity consumption is the second largest source, comprising 22.7 percent. Industrial activities are California's third largest source of GHG emissions, comprising 17.8 percent of the state's total emissions. Other major sources of GHG emissions include commercial and residential, recycling and waste, high global warming potential GHGs, agriculture, and forestry (CARB 2012a). Human Influence on Climate Change For approximately 1,000 years before the Industrial Revolution, the amount of GHG in the atmosphere remained relatively constant During the 20th century, however, scientists observed a rapid change in the climate and climate change pollutants that are attributable to human activities. The amount of CO2 bas 3 Methodology for determining the statewide GHG inventory is not the same as the methodology used to determine statewide GHG emissions under Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32). ° COrequivalence is used to show the relative potential that different GHGs have to retain infrared radiation in the atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect. The global warming potential of a GHG is also dependent on the lifetime, or persistence, of the gas molecule in the atmosphere. October 2014 Page 5.5 3