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Going Green in a Blue Economy…. NC Sustainability Lessons Learned. 24 October 2011 – NCLM, Raleigh. Maggie Ullman, Asheville Richard Douglas, Selma Rob Phocas, Charlotte David Spector, CDM. Session Objectives.
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Going Green in a Blue Economy… NC Sustainability Lessons Learned 24 October 2011 – NCLM, Raleigh Maggie Ullman, Asheville Richard Douglas, Selma Rob Phocas, Charlotte David Spector, CDM
Session Objectives Provide perspective from successful sustainability initiatives in large, medium, and smaller cities Provide case studies on strategic planning for green programs Provide lessons learned for implementing green initiatives and the funding/financing strategies used in a down economy Going Green in a Blue Economy: NC Lessons Learned
Getting Started Planning to be green
Presentation Objectives Profile the “birth” of, and strategic planning for, city-wide programmatic green initiatives Identify lessons learned for getting started Lay the groundwork for the panel discussion on implementation Getting Started: Planning to be Green
Similarities: Charlotte and Asheville Approaches Predicated on energy/$$ savings Community and municipal GHG emissions baselines Flexible implementation approaches Sustainability Manager and Green Teams to implement Monitoring and reporting protocols Getting Started: Planning to be Green
Charlotte: Emissions Inventory Getting Started: Planning to be Green
Charlotte: Energy Strategy Planning Context EECBG Funding City applies for initial $250,000 to develop DOE-required Energy Strategy & conduct energy audits for City facilities Once Energy Strategy approved by DOE, City can apply for ½ of remaining EECBG ($3.2M) to implement components of the Energy Strategy Remaining $3.2M given after reporting on initial results Getting Started: Planning to be Green
Charlotte: Energy Strategy Development Potential Projects Action Plan Low Priority City & Community Ranking High Priority Not Compatible DOE Requirements Compatible Energy Strategy Getting Started: Planning to be Green
Charlotte: Project Prioritization • Innovation and Leadership • Implementability • Leveraging Programs and Partnerships Air Quality and GHG Emissions Community Catalyst Return on Investment Job Creation Potential Getting Started: Planning to be Green
Charlotte: Monitoring & Communication Getting Started: Planning to be Green
Asheville: Emissions Inventory GHG Assessment completed in 2001 and 2007 2007 GHG Emissions in 2007 were 36,216 MTCO2e, similar to energy needed for 1 year to power 3,295 homes or 6,633 vehicles Getting Started: Planning to be Green
Asheville: Sustainability Plan Context • Created Sustainability Advisory Committee and Office of Sustainability in 2006 • Resolution passed in 2007 committing to a reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2% per year until 80% reduction. • Resolution identifies the need for a management plan Getting Started: Planning to be Green
Asheville: Sustainability Plan Development Getting Started: Planning to be Green
Asheville: Project Prioritization • Recommendations ranked according to: • Existence of current program or activity • Environmental benefit • Economic benefit • Social benefit • Financial incentive • Personnel availability and capacity • Organizational leadership • Technical feasibility • Stakeholder concerns • Regulatory requirement • Contribution to established goals • Timeframe to realize benefits Getting Started: Planning to be Green
Asheville: Monitoring and Reporting Getting Started: Planning to be Green
Selma Green Initiatives Environmental leadership and commitment LEED building renovations for police, fire, and library facilities Energy audits for utility customers/grants for efficiency improvements Electric and water conservation programs Curbside recycling program Getting Started: Planning to be Green
Getting Started Identify Stakeholders Establish Committee Public Declaration Identify Champion Develop Vision Focus Areas / Goals Conduct Assessment Identify Metrics & Targets Develop Action Plans Identify Opportunities Getting Started: Planning to be Green
Thoughts on Sustainable/Energy Planning Spend the extra time at the front end to clearly align planning expectations among diverse stakeholders. Focus on continuous and flexible approaches to securing stakeholder buy-in during the process so that the initial ideas themselves are “sustainable” and the desired outcomes are achievable. Emphasize flexible implementation approaches, performance management, tracking and communications Consider the “scale” of the plan (municipal operations vs. community) Getting Started: Planning to be Green