.
Dear Mayor Taylor and Council Members,
Thank you for making progress on development of the Community Center in Belle Haven, including the addition of reviewing zero-carbon energy backup systems with Gridscape. It appears that there is now a no-cost option to install a solar-battery microgrid back up power system that includes Electric Vehicle Charging. This is a very appealing opportunity for Menlo Park, that we urge you to strongly consider for this project. It is similar to the microgrid project completed at several Fire Stations in Fremont.
We have commented several times in the past about the air pollution and fossil fuel use concerns related to diesel generators. We strongly urge you to either invest in a clean energy microgrid alternative or lease the equipment at no cost to the city (as described in the Gridscape analysis included in this agenda item), in place of using fossil fuels at this site. The Community Center site and all of District 1 is especially vulnerable to the flooding impacts of climate change, making the use of clean energy that much more important.
Please consider climate and clean air in your decisions around the community center, and opt for a microgrid that is a more modern and resilient solution to back-up power, instead of a diesel generator. With gratitude on behalf of our air and in support of our most vulnerable populations (and workforce) who will too benefit through your climate and economic-conscious decision.
Erin Cooke
628 Cambridge Ave in Allied Arts
