Item:
Title
Execution of Contract Agreement with EcoShift Consulting, LLC for the Development of a Renewable Energy Plan for County Operations
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: September 14, 2020
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is hereby requested to authorize the County Manager to enter into a contract in the amount of $49,955.00 with EcoShift Consulting, LLC to develop a plan for County operations to transition to 80% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% renewable energy by 2050.
The BOCC adopted a resolution in 2018 calling for a plan to transition County operations to 80% clean, renewable energy by 2030 and 100% clean, renewable energy by 2050 with the purposes of building a more resilient community, promoting job creation and sustainable economic growth, and protecting our local community and the Earth for current and future generations.
Durham County facilities, wastewater treatment, and fleet operations use four types of fossil fuels that need to be replaced to meet the stated goals - electricity, natural gas, gasoline, and diesel. There are several options for each fuel and use case and each option comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Staff has sought expertise from outside consultants to evaluate the feasible options and create the renewable energy plan.
The scope of this proposal is comprehensive to address all four fossil fuels through five strategies: 1) reducing consumption, 2) building renewable energy resources, 3) switching fossil fuels for renewable fuels, 4) leveraging carbon credits or renewable energy certificates.
Plan development involves the following activities: researching and evaluating options; identifying reasonable energy efficiency targets; identify and assess renewable energy generation, storage, and fuel switching opportunities; assess funding opportunities; developing a framework for assessing renewable energy proposals; creating a descriptive path forward to achieving goals including metrics, m...
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