HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-28 08-075 ORDERItemNo. 08 075.
Dant: 26, 2006
Item/Subject: Order, Adopting Policy on Energy Conservation and Climate Protection
Responsible Department City Manager
Within the last several months, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee met with
representatives of a local organization, COOL Bangor, that is concerned! with Issues of climate
change and was requesting Nat the City adopt the U.S. Mayors Olmate Protection Agreement. At
Nat meeting, the Committee requested that staff develop a Cityspectfic policy dealing with energy
use and climate protection. This was requested in order to tailor the policy to the specific
urcumminces ofthe City and present a docvmentthateie not include some elementsofthe Mayors
Agreement, particularly those calling upon other levels of government N take certain actions.
The proposed policy outlines 14 actions Nat the City will take or condnue W take to minimize energy
costs and reduce our carbon footprint.
This policy has been reviewed and is recommended by the Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee. Please note thatthe T[CCommittee also requested thata separate resolve be prepared
far Its consideration which would all for actions by other levels of government
DeparimeM F1eae
Recommend approval. CSG Ki�`—
G City Manager
AmDdated InfDnnitbtl: 94ti
Finance Director
Legal Approval:
X Passage
_ First Reading Page _ M_
Refemal
Gv
08 075v,.,ry za. 2006
CITY OF BANGOR
MTU.) ORDER, Adopting Policy on Energy Conservation and Climate Protection
WHEREAS, to realize our vision of the future, the City must have a strategy and action plan that
ensures that vie minimize our energy use and impact on our environment and
climate; and
WHEREAS, the City's approach to these issues must be comprehensive and coordinated across
the full range of our activities and behaviors; and
WHEREAS, all City decisions should, therefore, take into account the impact of such decisions
on our use of energy and our dimate; and
WHEREAS, the overall goal of this effort is to minimize energy casts and reduce our carbon
footprint,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED By THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CM OF BANGOR
THAT
The attached policy on Energy Conservation and Climate Protection is hereby adopted and staff
is directed to continue and expand ongoing efforts to reduce energy use and minimize the
impact of City operations on our climate.
IW "TT MWCIL
Sauuaiy 28, 2008
Motion Made and B conded 5^
fox Passage
Hoge B[oguniex, Anile Hoxtw.
Jay Biesseq Beth Sissan and L
Lydia Steinert spoke in Favor n x n x x
f 5#18 6[dei (liyl,g) 9dootine policy OR Energy
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Cdoservatfou arta Climate Ro[ecHw
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;3 075
CITY OF BANGOR
POLICY ON
ENERGY CONSERVATION AND CLIMATE PROTECTION
To realize our vision for the future, the City must have a strategy and action plan that
ensures that we minimize our energy use and impact on our environment and climate.
To succeed, our approach must be comprehensive and coordinated across the City's
own activities and behaviors. R must also eventually spread to individual homes and
businesses. Each incremental dedston, from designing new or renovated buildings W
purchasing copy paper to buying fuel for City verides, should be viewed from this
perspective before decisions are made and actions are taken. While recognizing that
such considerations do not over ride all other important City goals or interests, energy
conservation and environmental protection should be viewed as of at least equal
importance to abler factors. Everyone who worla for the City, from pol'ue to land use
planers to public works employees, has an important role to play.
Energy Conservation and Climate Protection
Goal: Minimize energy costs and reduce our carbon footprint by maximizing
energy efficiency and using renewable sources of energy when available and
affordable
As a first step toward developing a comprehensive environmental strategy, the City will
Implement a acnes of policies and programs designed to reduce Its use of all forms of
energy, particularly those which are from non-renewable sources such as fossil Nels.
To meet this goal, the City will:
1. Inventory the City's use of all forms of energy, set reduction targets, and create
an action plan to meet these targets.
2. Undertake a city-wide energy audit to identify improvements that will increase
energy efficency through retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient
technologies.
3. Implement policies and programs to promote behavioal changes among our
employees designed to reduce energy use in City facilities.
4. Adopt and enforce land -use policies that preserve open space and create a
compact urban community.
S. Promote alternative transportation options including public transit and walking
and bike trails.
6. Increase the use of clean altemative energy by supporting local and regional
efforts be develop renewable energy sources including the production of blo-
Nels, methane recovery, and waste and blo-mass to energy technology.
J. Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances for City use.
8. Require that all City funded new consWctian or renovation projects meet the U.
S. Green Building Council's LEEO program or the Maine State Housing Authontys
Green Building Standards.
9. Increase the fuel efficiency of City vehicles through managing the size and
composition of the Citys Fleet, purchasing alternative energy vebdes where
075
appropriate and available, and educating City drivers on operating the fleet to
conserve fuel, including reduced idling.
10. Reduce air emissions through the use of blo-dfesel.
11. Increase recycling rates within the City organization and the community through
improved marketing of the Qty's program and continuous review of Its
operations and the materials It accepts.
12. Maintain and expand a heattiiy public tree population In City open spaces, public
rights-of-way, through enfimmng appropriate Iandswping requirements In private
development, and educating the public on the value of trees in improving air and
stormwater quality.
13. Engage the public in an ongoing dialogue, including continuous outreach and
awareness events and activities, designed to communicate that the actions of
Individuals and non-governmental organizations are important.
14. Identify and advocate far state and federal actions that would facllltate Bangors
efforts to reduce its energy use and carbon footprint.