Item:
Title
Renewable Energy Resolution
Body
Date Of BOCC Meeting: November 5, 2018
Request For Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to adopt a resolution calling for a transition to renewable energy in County operations, the state of North Carolina, utilities in North Carolina, and the Federal Government. The purpose of this transition is to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate clean energy jobs.
The March 13, 2018 Joint City-County Committee meeting included a discussion regarding a proposed resolution setting forth an aspirational goal of transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy for government operations by 2050. Due to the significant uncertainty surrounding the renewable energy market, legal landscape in North Carolina, and even our own energy use, the resolution first calls for Durham "to establish a plan" to make progress in achieving this goal in the next 15-30 years.
The resolution calls for the plan to encompass five major guiding principles:
1) Include all sectors of energy use in the government sector
2) Be economically responsible
3) Be technologically feasible
4) Be equitable for all members of the community
5) Be transparent and inclusive
The development of such a plan is expected to cost up to $40,000 and will help provide the County with more accurate cost assessments, based on the technical expertise of energy sector professionals. This plan will help the County understand and prioritize all the options, the impact of those options on the environment and equity, the cost of implementation including effects on utility rates, and possible options for financing.
Alignment With Strategic Plan: This item aligns with Strategic Plan Goal 4 (Environmental Stewardship and Community Prosperity) and Goal 5 (Accountable, Efficient, and Visionary Government)
Resource Persons: Tobin L. Freid, Sustainability Manager; Claudia Hager, General Manager of Financial Affairs, Process Improvement, and Governme...
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