Environmental Sustainability Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Committee Presentation to City Council September 11, 2017 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 1
Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Committee WRESC purpose Involve community in recommending and prioritizing sustainability goals City of Wheat Ridge Municipal Operations Community-wide sustainability efforts Recommend effective environmental program and policies to the City Council Serve as forum for community to offer input concerning environmental sustainability Action plan to be developed for presentation to City Council by May 2018 Six areas Green Building and Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Transportation Solid Waste and Recycling Water Communication and Engagement 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 2
Progress to date Eight (8) meetings June 2017 September 2017 Interviewed 19 leaders/organizers/facilitators/decision makers regarding sustainability Interviewed five (5) from within City of Wheat Ridge government, based on charged topic areas from WR City Council. Interviewed eight (8) from Wheat Ridge Community, including businesses Interviewed three (3) from WR supporting organizations, such as Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), Xcel Interviewed three (3) from surrounding communities Evaluated specific next steps for the six (6) sustainability areas as defined by the City 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 3
Green Building and Energy Efficiency Defined as: Social, environmental, and health impacts of buildings Importance to Wheat Ridge Social Health, comfort, safety Economic Green building creates jobs Decreased energy costs for businesses and households Can be easy to engage residents Environmental Reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution Reduce waste 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 4
Green Building and Energy Efficiency What is currently being done In City of Wheat Ridge Many municipal facilities have been audited Some recommendations have been implemented, mostly lighting retrofit Community Adopted 2012 building energy codes Metrics Energy use laid out in sustainability plan City has completed energy audits Baseline established 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 5
Green Building and Energy Efficiency Strengths Building code energy additional code option International building code (IBC) City all-volunteer team plan work impressive Needs/Challenges Collect and gather energy savings and reduced costs to monitor improvements Lack of funding for staff and programs Proposed next steps Research similar communities Investigate homeowner and business incentive programs Consider adopting 2015 or 2018 IBC, with WR specific considerations Compliance with adopted building codes energy benefit calculations? Question: What has city found with some of its energy audits and measures thus far? 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 6
Renewable Energy Defined as: Sources of energy used in Wheat Ridge Importance to Wheat Ridge Social Health, safety, comfort Economic Security against price fluctuations Security against supply fluctuations Consumer choice Infrastructure is same, choice is from consumer Increase jobs Environmental Reduce water and air pollution 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 7
Renewable Energy What is currently being done In City of Wheat Ridge Invested in solar garden Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) sold to Xcel Energy as contribution to their required energy goals Community Some residents participating in wind/solar energy programs Utility Xcel energy currently gets 30% from renewable sources Xcel goal to reach 45% percent RE goals by 2025 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 8
Renewable Energy Metrics Xcel provides updated metrics on energy supply mix 2.2% of electricity sales in WR subscribed to Xcel wind and solar programs 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 9
Renewable Energy Strengths Operational Great start with community scale solar Residential Many programs available for renewable Utility - Xcel Windsource Solar Rewards Program REConnect Needs/Challenges RE Solar Garden How much of City s electricity is offset from solar Is supply to facilities or residents? No control over supply No direct benefits to city other than CO2 emission reductions 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 10
Renewable Energy Proposed next steps Emissions inventory Research 100% RE Goal for municipal facilities Xcel Partners in Energy Action Plan Fuel switching incentives Solar ready homes Community education energy audits benefits, process Partner with other local communities in urging County, State, and Federal lawmakers to reduce green house gases 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 11
Transportation Defined as: Public and private vehicular and active transportation Importance to Wheat Ridge Social Safe, affordable, and accessible transportation options for all Wheat Ridge residents 40% of WR residents do not drive automobiles Public health benefits Active living opportunities Air quality impacts of health (asthma, cardiac & pulmonary, etc.) Economic Strong local business community with easy access for WR residents Sustainable tax revenue for City Improved resiliency Environmental Emission reduction Preserving green spaces and farmland 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 12
Transportation What is currently being done In City of Wheat Ridge Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan, Walkability audit Transportation language in the City Sustainability Plan Comp plan and Sustainability plan Ward Rd Transit Oriented Development (TOD) (celebrate success/progress) Other cities/regionally Incentives available for alternative vehicles/infrastructure Multimodal projects Golden and Lakewood examples vehicles miles traveled (VMT) reduction goals, targets, and strategies Support active transportation, connections with transit Connectedness of bike infrastructure Shop Local campaign to encourage shorter trips and support local businesses Potential for incentives from Xcel for EVs Metrics VMT, transit ridership, bicycle counts, pedestrian counts, emissions, air quality indicators 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 13
Transportation Strengths Good bus and light rail connectivity TOD opportunities, mixed use development Potential for walkability Community energy - WRATATs Needs/Challenges Existing transportation infrastructure Safe, affordable, and accessible transportation options for all Wheat Ridge residents 40% of Wheat Ridge residents do not drive automobiles Support to make multi-use developments and walkability happen 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 14
Transportation Proposed next steps Fleet efficiency improvements Incentives Continue implementation of bike and pedestrian plans Continue pursuing mixed use developments Pursue grant funding for alternative vehicle fuel infrastructure Electric car show at Wheat Ridge Bowl 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 15
Solid Waste and Recycling Defined as: City government, business, and residences in Wheat Ridge Importance to Wheat Ridge Social Resiliency planning through extending landfill horizon year Economic Job creation potential Market for solid waste streams Cost saving potential for City, residents, and businesses Reduce impacts to Wastewater system/infrastructure Reduce impacts to City road infrastructure Environmental Energy, fuel, water reduction Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions From transport and landfill Resource conservation Fuel Compost Recycled goods Reusable goods Composting Decreases soil erosion Reduces water needs Supply and demand system is sustainable 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 16
Solid Waste and Recycling What is currently being done Within WR City Programs (operational) Recycle bins in city parks Increased recycling in city offices/buildings Increases use of electronic documentation/forms Regionally Clear Intentions glass recycling services in area City Partnership Localworks for Clean-up days for yard waste and large trash items Neighboring communities pursuing city contracted trash services with mixed results Five Fridges Farm active food waste diversion program with local restaurants Metrics For City and impacts of highly dispersed trash collection Noise, nuisance, air pollution, road wear, street maintenance Understanding landfill horizon year and waste needs for WR now and future 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 17
Solid Waste and Recycling Strengths City demonstrated willingness to engage in waste management Potential revenue for waste streams Lessons learned from WR and other city attempts to address waste management and trash service contracting Needs/Challenges City of WR Staff funding for time to oversee and track City programs Increase buy-in from residents who support change Consideration of city managed contract for waste management Council approval of Clear Intentions contract 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 18
Solid Waste and Recycling Proposed next steps Community driven pilot programs Neighborhood/block waste management solutions Educational opportunities on composting and recycling Teach a neighbor composting construction/management Behavior changes Low effort opportunities through straightforward behavior change Identify waste reduction and composting benefits to community/environment Identify strategies or policies for sustainable waste management Identify return on investment (ROI) and funding for city staff to develop and implement operational and community programs Research inclusion of Clear Intentions drop-off in WR 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 19
Water Defined as: Supply (drinking water/surface water); Stormwater (natural and built environment); Wastewater Importance to Wheat Ridge Social Quality, clean water benefits residents, business, City Health Water conservation, more water available for all Shared resource Economic Stormwater reduce flooding impacts and cost to businesses, City, residents Water conservation saves money for water users Environmental Stormwater reduce flood protects from erosion, water quality in Clear Creek and downstream communities/waterways Water conservation benefits regional and state water supply Reduce urban heat island effect Improve beautification and ecosystem services 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 20
Water What is currently being done In Wheat Ridge City code- more xeric/low water use landscape options in City comprehensive plan City Comp Plan major drainage corridors identified City progress made in stormwater enforcement, drought tolerant landscaping City water supply secure for supply and infrastructure Wastewater infrastructure aging Wastewater infrastructure is sanitary storm overflow (SSO) Community/Regionally Community Localworks landscape plans and resources for low water usage/water conservation Utility Some drinking water supply services to WR offer some rebates for water conservation Landscape Appliances Fixtures Metrics No known metrics for water supply, stormwater, or wastewater being collected by, for or within City/community Drinking water suppliers per capital water usage 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 21
Water Strengths Conservation efforts in City, community, and service providers City plans and code reflect water conservation efforts Water supply for WR City and residents secure City progress in stormwater enforcement Needs/Challenges Disjointed efforts for water conservation Need/value to conserve water for WR and region may not be understood Water supply and quality beyond WR jurisdiction Water supply and quality as value to community unknown No dedicated funding for stormwater management Wastewater impacted by soaps, grease, pollution 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 22
Water Proposed next steps Water conservation Use only what you need, WR specific Water quality This goes to Clear Creek Identify regional/similar municipality structure for stormwater management Investigate funding for stormwater management/water conservation Research incentivizing xeriscape/low water landscaping Research incentives for low water appliances, fixtures Research DRCOG/Partners regarding water planning Community and City education/outreach regarding water conservation values Campaign/education regarding how to protect waste water Identify pharma drop off resources for wastewater protection 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 23
Communication and Engagement Defined as: Efforts to establish consistent outreach, advocacy, and stewardship around all five topic areas Importance to Wheat Ridge Social Opportunity to unify city around objectives beneficial to all residents Economic Low-cost to create C&E tools necessary for implementation for all other WRESC sponsored initiatives Environmental C&E provide foundation for generating support for environmental efforts 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 24
Communication and Engagement What is currently being done: City Access to various planning documents on City website Volunteer website page Notify Me service through website Community High levels of social media engagement on city programs related to sustainability Localworks Volunteer Programs Publications on City operations Gazette Connections Metrics Data regarding volunteer participation Possible metrics on distribution of local newspaper/online publication Attendance to recent city town halls/citizen engagement events 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 25
Communication and Engagement Strengths Engaged community; passion for WR Success of local organization engagement opportunities WR size and population conducive to C&E City government efforts to engage the community Needs/challenges Metrics on effectiveness of city engagement Identification/determination of smaller network for pilot programs (neighborhoods/districts) City sponsored civic engagement 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 26
Communication and Engagement Proposed next steps Consider adopting Sustainable Neighborhoods Program Discuss update to city website to include more effective communication tools about WRESC and sustainability related information Discuss how to identify and support dispersed leadership throughout WR City recognition of leadership in civic sustainability work (sustainability themed award) 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 27
Thank you Karen Berry Heather Head Amy DePierre Dan Graeve Alex Helling April Nowak Joy Opp Andy Rasmussen Rob Robinson Adam Wylie Eric Wilson 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 28