Title
Regional Climate Mitigation Plan and Energy Use Update
Recommended Action
None. Briefing only.
Report
Issue/UAC Deliverable:
None. Briefing only.
Staff Contact:
Danelle MacEwen, Performance Management Specialist, Administrative Services Department, 360.753.8211
Presenter:
Danelle MacEwen
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia is working together with Thurston County and the cities of Lacey and Tumwater on a regional Climate Mitigation Plan. The planning process is coordinated and managed by Thurston Regional Planning Council (“TRPC”).
The project is in two phases. The first phase, which is complete, included recommending and adopting a common baseline and revised emissions reduction targets for all participating jurisdictions. Common targets put all participating jurisdictions on the same reduction path.
TRPC analyzed each jurisdiction’s existing emissions targets, targets recommended by international climate scientists at the time, and targets adopted by state and local governments. City Council approved the adoption of these targets. The new targets are:
• 45% below 2015 levels by 2030
• 85% below 2015 levels by 2050
Phase 1 work also included an inventory of each jurisdictions current policies and actions taken thus far to mitigation climate change. It also included scoping the second phase of the planning effort.
City Council also approved an Interlocal Agreement and Scope of Work for Phase 2 of the project. TRPC will continue to lead the Phase 2 effort that will focus on analysis of mitigation actions, review of current emissions inventories, community engagement, jurisdictional specific implementation strategies, and a plan for tracking and reporting towards the reduction targets. The timeframe for this work is approximately eighteen to twenty-four months at an estimated cost of $175,000. The four participating jurisdictions will share the cost equally, not to exceed $43,750 each. TRPC anticipates hiring a consultant to assist with technical aspects of the Climate Mitigation Plan and community engagement.
The City has entered its fourth year in Puget Sound Energy’s Resource Conservation Management Program (now knows as Commercial Strategic Energy Management Program). This program pays the City incentives for energy reduction. The presentation to UAC will provide an overview of performance in the first three years of the program.
Neighborhood/Community Interests:
There is strong community interest in local action on climate change. Thurston Climate Action Team, a local non-profit organization, has expressed interest in engaging with the City and our regional partners in the development of a climate mitigation plan. People for a Carbon Free Olympia and local students from Olympia High School have also expressed interest in the City’s climate mitigation work.
Options:
None - briefing only.
Financial Impact:
For the Regional Climate Mitigation Plan, the City’s share of Phase 1 work is $5,000 and Phase 2 work is $43,750, for a total of $48,750. $80,000 in funding for climate mitigation planning is included in the 2018 budget.
Attachments:
Memo: Emissions Targets
Phase 2 Snapshot