Salida has the potential to improve energy self-sufficiency that keeps dollars and resources circulating through the local economy. But will it?
Recently, BBI International presented to City Council members a roadmap aimed at reducing the City of Salida’s greenhouse gas emissions while promoting sustainable energy self-reliance and local economic development.
BBI’s program is known as CITIES, which stands for Community Initiative to Improve Energy Sustainability. The CITIES program uses the company’s expertise in renewable energy and energy efficiency to provide communities with a solution-based approach to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while promoting sustainable energy self-reliance and local economic development.
The CITIES comprehensive five-part action plan involves the following steps.
- Conduct a baseline emissions inventory and forecast.
The city first calculates base level greenhouse gas emissions. The calculations capture emissions levels from all municipal operations (e.g., city owned and/or operated buildings, streetlights, transit systems, wastewater treatment facilities) and from all community-related activities (e.g., residential and commercial buildings, motor vehicles, waste streams, industry). This inventory provides a benchmark for planning and monitoring progress. - Adopt an emissions reduction target for a forecast year.
The city passes a resolution establishing an emission reduction target for the city. The target is essential. It both fosters political will and creates a framework that guides the planning and implementation of measures. - Develop a local climate action plan.
The local government then develops a Local Climate Action Plan, ideally with robust public input from all stakeholders. The plan details the policies and measures that the local government will take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve its emissions reduction target. Most plans include a timeline, a description of financing mechanisms, and an assignment of responsibility to departments and staff. In addition to direct greenhouse gas reduction measures, most plans also incorporate public awareness and education efforts. - Implement policies and measures.
The city implements the policies and measures contained in their Local Climate Action Plan. Typical policies and measures include energy efficiency improvements to municipal buildings and water treatment facilities, streetlight retrofits, public transit improvements, installation of renewable power applications, and methane recovery from waste management. - Monitor and verify results.
Monitoring and verifying progress on the implementation of measures to reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions is an ongoing process. Monitoring begins once measures are implemented and continues for the life of the measures, providing important feedback that can be use to improve the measures over time.
As with any project the city council members contemplate these days, the bottom line comes down to money. BBI International is willing to develop initial information that will facilitate application for funding from Federal and State Agencies, and Private Sources.
Salida City Councilman Scott Damman said his fellow councilmen and Mayor Chuck Rose view BBI’s CITIES program as an opportunity to work with a local company to do some good for future generations and the planet. “We hope to develop an action plan, and with a little luck, secure grants to fund our efforts to become greener without dipping into the city’s coffers,” Damman said. “I would like to continue discussions toward building a solar farm here in Salida and sell energy back to the utility companies as a revenue generator to help the city improve its bottom line.”
Elsewhere throughout Colorado other communities grappling with the same issues are coming up with innovative solutions:
- Grass roots. The town of Central City is using energy-efficient lightbulbs in all city building and encouraging residents and businesses to do the same by offering each household free lightbulbs.
- Comprehensive plan. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper’s administration has created a comprehensive multi-pronged program called Greenprint.
- The town of Carbondale implemented an Energy and Climate Protection Plan. Carbondale voters passed a $1.8 million Clean Renewable Energy Bond resolution to fund construction and operation of town-owned renewable energy facilities. Town Hall is powered in part by solar photovoltaic panles on the roof.
- The town of Frisco launched the Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability program to encourage visitors, businesses and residents to be better earth stewards.
Meanwhile, BBI is offering its office greening efforts, based around the Four Rs of sustainability - rethink, reduce, reuse and recycle – as a template for other businesses, governments and private individuals to begin their own greening efforts.
BBI is a globally recognized leader in energy research and education specializing in biofuels and ethanol. BBI’s corporate office, including its conference and events division, is located in downtown Salida.
What are you doing to green your business or home? Add your tips in the comments.
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