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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 01-18-2001-8nCOUNTY OF ORANGE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: January 18, 2001 Action Ageada Item No. r_ SUBJECT: Cities/Counties for Climate Protection Program DEPARTMENT: ERCD PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: ICLEI CCP General Information Dave Stancil, 245-2590 ICLEI Clean Air and Climate Protection pamphlet TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Triangle Clean Cities Press Release Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To authorize staff to explore and report back on the potential for joining the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) program, administered by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) at the University of California in Berkeley, CA. BACKGROUND: The goal of the CCP program is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that. have been implicated in long-term climate change, and are also the result of inefficient use of fossil fuels. To qualify for the program, cities or counties (both cities and counties may be members) must 1) conduct a local emissions analysis and inventory of community and municipal GHG sources; 2) adopt an emissions reduction target; 3) draft an action plan to achieve the target; and 4) carry out implementation and monitoring. The ICLEI provides support in the form of technical assistance, annual training workshops, publications, competitive grants, and access to a network of participating local governments. The need for emissions reduction is strong in the Triangle, which currently ranks among the nation's 25 most ozone-polluted regions. In November, the Triangle J Council of Governments qualified the Triangle region for the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities Program, a voluntary, locally based initiative to expand the use of alternative fuel vehicles. The County is already addressing many CCP-related air quality initiatives, through the Commission for the Environment and the Alternative Fuels and Low Emission Vehicles (AFLEV) Work Group. The cities of Durham and Chapel Hill are members of the CCP, and Wake County and the Town of Cary are considering joining. N.C. State University's Industrial Extension Service is coordinating a program at the regional level. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There are no costs involved with assessing the potential of joining the program. If the County chooses at a later date to join, grants are available from ICLEI and other source's to cover the costs of analysis, plan development and implementation. The City of Durham obtained a $50,000 ICLEI grant and funds from the N.C. State University Industrial Extension Service for this purpose. In addition, federal funds are available through the USDOE Clean Cities Program, the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program and the State Energy Program. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board authorize the ERC Director and the County Engineer to contact participating local governments in the area, explore funding opportunities, and report back to the Board in April on the potential benefits and costs of joining the CCP program. KLEI US Office _4 1CLEI Contact US Search Participation Links Publications International Onices Not'jol 1106, 0 w W L SF [ti'(%f& The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives US Office Berkeley, California The Cities for Climate Protection Campaign (CCP) unites and supports local governments which play a key role in directly influencing and controlling activities that affect local air quality, living standards and the global climate. CCP-US includes 78 U.S. cities and counties that have made a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their communities. EM September New Orleans Workshop Local Agenda 21 (Communities 21) provides local governments with a framework and practical tools to establish healthy, livable communities that are ecologically sustainable. U.S. Communities Acting to Protect the Climate Achievements of sixty-eight of the U.S. cities and counties LacalAgenda21 participating in ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Campaign-US have made in reducing global warming pollution. These 68 communities represent 28.5 million people and over 10% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Their accomplishments demonstrate the practicality of meeting national and international greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. (pdf format) Hard copies of U.S. Communities Acting to Protect the Climate are available from the U.S. office at the price of $8 for ICLEI members and $10 for non-members. Call 510.540.8843 for details. Best Practices for Climate Protection: A Local Government Guide The 34-page Guide Highlights of the innovative and cost-effective measures which U.S. cities and counties are hapa/www.iclei.or 3 CCP US Paticimnts ICLEI US Office http://www.iclei.oi implementing to reduce global warming pollution and improve 4 the quality of life in their communities. (pdf format) Hard copies of Best Practices for Climate Protection are available from the U.S. office at the price of $8 for ICLEI members and $12 for non-members. Call 510.540.8843 for details. Under the guidelines set forth in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, ICLEI USA, Inc., will not discriminate against, exclude from participation, deny employment or benefits to any person on the ground of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age. The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives United States Office 15 Shattuck Square, Suite 215 Berkeley, California, USA 94704 Phone: 510-540-8843 Fax: 510-540-4787 email: iclei usa@iclei.ors 1 Green Yoar Fleet SwitCD to LED Now., Be Fuel Efficient AVERAGE In Denver, the Mayor enacted a EMIMOW "Green Fleets Executive Order" to improve the energy efficiency of the Sports U IS mpg tility Vehicle City's 3,500 vehicles. It requires city agencies to: ¦ Retire old and underused vehicles; 10 tons (01/year . Purchase fuel efficient vehicles; ¦ "Downsize": purchase smaller vehicles; (Ompact 1i.5 Mpg . Use car-pooling, telecommuting, and mass transit for employee travel. Denver's policy has eliminated 47 S.S tons (Ot/year vehicles, and saved over $150,000 in fuel and vehicle costs. Hybrid vehicles Fuel Efficient and other technologies are making new 40 Mpg vehicles even more fuel efficient. •^c RESOURCES: 3S tons (01/year ? Green Fleets: Increasing Efficiency and Reducing Emissions. ICLEI; Bike (416) 392-1462 or jwalker@iclei.org M ? The Green Guide to Cars and Trucks. ( o American Council for an Energy- ( tons (01/year Efficient Economy (ACEEE). (202) 429-0063; www.aceee.org How: Use LED fixtures for traffic signals and exit signs LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, consume 80 to 90% less energy than conventional lights-compare a standard 150 watt incandescent bulb to a 12-inch LED fixture at 18 watts. And, LEDS last 6-10 times longer, reducing costs further through decreased maintenance. Oberland park, Kansas replaced 2023 red traffic signals with LED fixtures. wiLk annual savings of over $160,000, the LED investment will be paid back in less than eighteen months. The traffic sig- nals were such a success that 120 "Exit" signs have also been switched to LEDs_ RESOURCES: ? Light Emitting Diodes for Traffic Siyoais Public Technology, Inc. 1-800-PTI-8976; www.pti.nw.dc.us Redace, Renee, ?meN,ane,.e I\le Gases in the earth's atmosphere act like a greenhouse roof, letting in enough of the sun's heat to keep the earth warm for people, plants and animals to live. Human activity over the last hundred years has greatly increased the concen- tration of these gases, causing the atmosphere to hold in too much heat. The main gases causing trouble are: CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) released when coal, oil, gasoline, natural gas, and other fossil fuels are burned to produce electricity, heat and cool buildings, and power vehicles. MimIAWE - released in our communities when waste decomposes in landfills. Rising levels of these gases are causing global warming and increases in extreme weather events. Recycle Recycling reduces greenhouse gases in two ways. First, goods made from A - recycled material use less energy. Second, landfills release greenhouse Ic gas emissions as waste decays. S T Saint Paal. Minnesota keeps over 50% of its waste out of the landfill. Fourteen types of materials, including cardboard, maga- zines, books, clothing, and Did, appliances are collected curbside. Yard trimmings r vehicle and other compost emissii material can be smog dropped off at citywide ing p? centers. Reuse is encouraged through goods exchange and . garbai remanufacture programs. and ri RESOURCES: warm ? WasteWise, U.S. E.P.A. Helps municipalities reduce; reuse, and recycle. 1-800-372-9473; www.epa.gov/wastewise/ Cara the Car How; Open a one-stop commute shop A "one-stop commute shop" makes it easier for people to get out of their cars, providing information and services on alternatives to driving alone. Tampa, Florida, opened its Downtown Commuter Center near the main Tampa bus artery. The Center sells tran- sit passes and `- gives route assis- tance to bus riders; provides parking spaces for vanpoolers; and offers facili- ties for bicyclists. The Center is now the transit system's second busiest ticket sales location. RESOURCES: ? Commuting in the Greenhouse: Automobile Trip /seduction Programs for Municipal Employees. ICLEL (416) 392-1462 or jwalker@iclei.org MaXe City Baildirlgs 1Enej°gy Efficient r Know wer plant ;e both bal warm- ds landfills global Government buildings are perfect candi- dates for energy efficiency retrofits that save money, reduce maintenance burdens and improve comfort. The City of Toledo has retrofitted 20 facilities with new heating, ventilation, and cooling systems; energy efficient lighting; and better insulation. The retrofit has cut Toledo's energy bills by over $700,000 a year and helped check global warming. RESOURCES: ? Energy Star Buildings, U.S. E.P.A. Assistance in reducing building energy use. 1-888-782-7937; www.energystar.gov ? Steps to Successful Municipal Energy Management. Climate Institute. (202) 547-0105; ncwilson@climate.org bay Green power Prepared municipalities can use electric utility deregulation to advance less pollut- ing renewable power-such as solar, geot- hermal, wind, and hydroelectric power. Ann Arbor, Michigan responded to deregulation by adopting an Electric Utility Franchise. Suppliers are required to pro- . vide power from renewable sources, start- ing at 3% and rising to 10% in 5 years. Customers pay a slight premium for 100% renewable power. Santa Monica, CA is purchasing 5 megawatts of green electricity to power its municipal facilities. Moorhead. Minnesota's municipal utility runs "Capture the Wind", allowing Moorhead customers to choose wind power. The wind power option sold out in less than 2 weeks and financed the construction of a 750-kilowatt wind turbine. RESOURCES: ? The Green-E Renewable Energy Program. Center for Resource Solutions. Certifies green power suppliers, provides purchasing assistance. (415) 561-2100; www.green-e.org ? Green Power Network, D.O.E. clearinghouse on green power. g Stop Sprawl Haw: Create an urban growth boundary or "Green Beft" New development supposedly brings` Pob new revenues. But, uncontrolled sprawl requires costly outlays- miles of roads and sewers, new police and fire services, and other facilities-typically costing far more than the revenues generated. Instead of subsidizing sprawl, create a growth boundary limiting urban development. Sari Jose, California, adopted its Greenline to protect the City from undue investments in new infrastructure, pre- serve open space, and direct resources to existing neighborhoods. By curbing sprawl, the Greenline has slowed traffic growth, reducing smog and greenhouse gas emissions. RESOURCES: ? Smart Growth Network, ICMA. Publications and other resources. (202) 962-3591; www.smartgrowth.org Tarn Yoar ]Landfill into an Asset How: Recover landfill methane Paper, plant/food materials, and other organic waste produce methane as they decompose. Methane warms the planet 25 times equivalent amounts of carbon diox- ide. Capturing landfill gas eliminates this pollution, and as a bonus- methane can be used to generate electricity. Ann Arbor, Michigan, found two compa- nies to invest their own capital to collect and use landfill gas from the City's 133 acre landfill. Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced twice over: the methane doesn't escape into the atmosphere, and coal-generated electricity is displaced by landfill gas. RESOURCES: ? Landfill Methane Outreach Program, U.S. E.P.A. 1-888-782-7937; www.epa.gov/lmop Energy $inart I1omes & Basinelsses How; Parr building codes for energy efficiency Roughly 35% of U.S. CO. emissions come from residential and commer- ,V cial building energy use. Building i a codes can require measures such as improved insulation and efficient lighting and appliances to improve efficiency. E0_ ?" . The City of Berkeley's Residential and Commercial Energy C D Conservation Ordinances are codes that improve the energy efficiency of 1. attic insulation existing building stock. The measures 1. low-flow shower head mandate basic conservation improve- 3. compact fluorescent ments at the point a property bulbs & energy efficient changes ownership. With lower appliances energy bills, the upgrades typically 4. weather rtrip doors pay for themselves rapidly. & windows RESOURCES: ? Building Code Assistance Project. Free assistance to states and municipalities in adopting energy codes. (202) 530-2200; www.soistice.crest.org/efficiency/bcap ? Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network, U.S. D.O.E. 1-800-363-3732; www.eren.doe.gov 10 Be an E f ficient Bayer State and local governments, spend over $25 billion a year purchasing energy using products and over $10 billion to power those products. Specifying energy efficiency in purchasing policies can cut energy costs by 25 to 50%. The State of Massaebasetts purchases PCs, fax machines, copiers, and appliances that meet. the E.P.A.'s ENERGY STAR efficiency standards. Portland. Oregon. also requires ENERGY STAR purchasing, with energy savings projected at $35,000 per year. RESOURCES: ? Energy Star Purchasing Toolkit. E.P.A. & D.O.E. 1-888-782-7937; www.energystar.gov *I.C'L•E•I International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives The Cities for C1iTnate Protection Campaign (CCP) is looking for local gov- ernments willing to think globally and act locally. A project of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, the Campaign helps local governments implement policies and measures that reduce global warming pollution, improve air quality and enhance communities. Cities and counties participating in the Campaign develop action plans to reduce community-wide emissions. CCP govern- ments have found increasing energy efficiency and decreasing fossil fuel consumption to be cost effective, good sense strategies that tackle a host of other local problems. ICLEI offers software and other tools to make the tasks easy, along with training workshops, information, grant funding and other assistance. join Toledo, Honolulu, Miami-Dade, Minneapolis, New Orleans and 55 other cities and counties in ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Campaign. Contact; ICLEI 15 Shattuck Square Berkeley, CA 94704 510 540-8843 Fax 510 540-4787 Email: iclei_usa@iclei.org (heck Out (itief for Climate Protection Campaign Webfite: www.iclei-org/uf Global polliatXorx w$?mxn? Comes from three mein soarces: . burning fossil fuel ¦ waste decomposition ¦ loss of forests and green areas. Reduce this pollution by using renewable sources of power, Increas- ing the energy efficienry of build- ings• equipment, and transport, sending less waste to landfills, and increasing trees and greenspace. ® Printed on 100% rec. paper with soy base< Triangle J Council of Governments: Press Releases :.,k Press Release November 27, 2000 For immediate release http://www.tjcog.dst.nc.us/pressrL TRIANGLE COALITION JOINS CLEAN CITIES The Triangle Clean Cities coalition is officially joining a constellation of 78 other regions around the U.S. as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities Program. Clean Cities is a program initiated by the DOE to encourage public/private partnerships in an effort to develop markets for alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). The primary objectives of the Clean Cities program are to reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil and clean up tail pipe emissions. Triangle Clean Cities is a coalition of over 40 stakeholders made up of consumers, fuel and vehicle suppliers, state and local governments, utilities, federal agencies and environmental groups encompassing Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Orange and Wake Counties. The coalition was formed in the Spring of 1999 and is being hosted by Triangle J Council of Governments through funding provided by the State Energy Office and a Mobile Sources Emission Reduction Grant provided by the Division of Air Quality. Becoming part of the Clean Cities program involved organizing an effective coalition and developing a detailed program. In a recent letter acknowledging the coalition's accomplishment, Shelley Launey, Director of the National Clean Cities Program, stated that," The goals and objectives of your plan are specific and the stakeholder responsibilities clear, indicating the coalition's commitment to developing the AFV market." A survey of the area's AFVs and infrastructure found that there are currently over 1,700 AFVs and 44 refueling/recharging stations in the region. Most of the.AFV's, over 1,500, are flex-fuel - vehicles that can run on both gasoline and ethanol. The region also boosts use of compressed natural gas, biodiesel, electric vehicles and propane and intends to add over 700 AFVs and 16 refueling/recharging stations by 2004. Triangle Clean Cities is the first coalition in NC to receive the distinction of joining the Clean Cities Program and is now eligible to compete for up to $3.8 million dollars in federal funding to meet its goals of increasing the use of alternative fuels. An official designation event is planned for March 19th in Raleigh as part of an Alternative Fuel Vehicle conference. For more information contact: Anne Tazewell 558-9400 annet@tjcog.org Updated December 5, 2000