HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem A: Community Climate and Energy Action Plan
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UGENE ITY OUNCIL
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GENDA TEM UMMARY
Work Session: Community Climate and Energy Action Plan – Informational Update
Meeting Date: September 14, 2009 Agenda Item Number: A
Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Matt McRae
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5864
ISSUE STATEMENT
In early 2009, the council adopted the goal of creating a Community Climate and Energy Action Plan.
The goal of the plan will be to set forth strategies for reducing total, current, community-wide fossil fuel
consumptionby 50 percent by 2030 and helping prepare our community for impacts resulting from
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climate change -- as well as responding to the effects of changes in energy price and supply The plan’s
completion target is August 2010. This work session will provide a brief update on planning efforts,
including information on public outreach.
BACKGROUND
In October 2008, the Sustainability Commission recommended the following for adoption by the
council: Develop a community climate action plan within 18 months that will (1) set a carbon emission
reduction goal and establish targets for achieving that goal; (2) identify strategies to achieve those
targets; (3) identify necessary adaptations; (4) develop measures for tracking success; and, (5) include
periodic progress reports back to the community with annual reports of progress to the Sustainability
Commission.
In February 2009, the Sustainability Commission recommended the following for council consideration:
By August 2010, develop a community action plan that aims to reduce total, current, community-wide
fossil fuel consumption 50 percent by 2030 (as an absolute, not a per capita reduction) by (1)
establishing targets for achieving that goal; (2) identifying strategies to achieve those targets; (3)
identifying necessary adaptations; (4) developing measures for tracking success; (5) identifying financial
impacts; and, (6) including periodic progress reports back to the community with annual reports of
progress to the Sustainability Commission.
The two recommendations were adopted by the council and have been combined into a single planning
effort. Informing the work is an inventory of our community’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,
undertaken in 2007. An ad hoc community advisory team also was formed earlier this year to support
successful planning and public outreach.
Input from the public and local experts is essential to creating a plan meeting our community’s needs. A
kickoff event open to the entire community is scheduled for September 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.,
and from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., at North Eugene High School. The morning session will include small group
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discussions on challenges and opportunities, and an activity for generating ideas for action. The
afternoon session will include more discussion and “networking.”
Following this large community event will be a series of focused meetings. All are scheduled from 6:00
to 9:00 p.m. at Eugene Water & Electric Board. Topics are the following: Buildings and Energy,
October 6; Food and Agriculture, November 5; Land Use and Transportation, December 1;
Consumption and Waste, January 6, 2010; Health and Social Services, February 4, 2010; and Natural
Resources, March 4, 2010.
A draft Climate and Energy Action Plan will be available for council and public review by the end of
April 2010. After incorporating revisions, the final Climate and Energy Action Plan is set for
completion by August 2010.
RELATED CITY POLICIES
In 2007, the council adopted Ordinance No. 20379 establishing the Sustainability Commission as a
policy advisory body to the council and City Manager to assist in the development of programs to create
or enhance sustainable practices within the community. The Sustainability Commission is charged with
advising on policy matters related to sustainable practices, businesses that produce sustainable products
and services, City building design and infrastructure, and related issues that directly affect sustainability
efforts considered by the City Council.
On February 28, 2000, the council adopted Resolution No. 4618, which outlined a definition and
statement of intent regarding the application of sustainability principles to the City of Eugene, and
affirmed the commitment of City elected officials and staff to uphold these principles. To further this
action, the City Council adopted Resolution Nos. 4884 and 4887 in the summer of 2006 regarding a
sustainable buildings policy for City-owned and occupied buildings.
In November 2006, Resolution No. 4893 was adopted, committing the City to sustainable practices and
to businesses that produce sustainable products and services. This was followed in February 2007, by
Ordinance No. 20379 which created the Sustainability Commission.
COUNCIL OPTIONS
This item is informational. City Council feedback on the planning process and public outreach, as well
as participation in upcoming events, is invited.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Matt McRae, Community Climate and Energy Plan Project Analyst
Telephone: 682-5864
Staff E-Mail: matt.a.mcrae@ci.eugene.or.us
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