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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 pastl6d Cdoservatfou arta Climate Ro[ecHw CITY mm "Wuwdto Csuaeibt� I C/f vs�"wV` I I ;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.