Loading...
The URL can be used to link to this page
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Home
My WebLink
About
2017-0123 Study Session PACKET
CITY OF ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION AGENDA Monday, January 23, 2017 Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way 5: 30 p.m. Study Session 1. Public Input (15 minutes maximum) 2. Look Ahead review 3. Railroad Quiet Zone Diagnostics Report 4. Preview of Climate & Energy Action Plan Immediately following the study session, Council will hold an Executive Session for real property transaction pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(e). In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Administrator's office at (541) 488-6002 (TTY phone number 1-800-735- 2900). Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1). COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE BROADCAST LIVE ON CHANNEL 9. STARTING APRIL 15. 2014.. CHARTER CABLE W11-I_. BROADCAST MEETINGS ON CHANNEL 180 OR 181. VISIT THE CITY OF ASHLAND'S WEIR SITE AT WVI/'W.ASHLAND.OR.US City of Ashland Council Meeting Look Ahead *****THIS IS A DRAFT AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE***** D.. Responsible 1/24 216 217 2116 2/20 2121 3/6 317 3/20 3121 4/3 414 4117 4118 611 612 6116 6116 1/31 State of the City - Community Center ii p.m. 1/31 216 Stud Session in Siski ou Room 216 1 Discussion of Electric rate design (Mark) Electric SS 2 Discussion of process for filing City Recorder seat (John) Admin SS 2n Regular Council Meeting 2/7 3 Approval of public artist contract Ann Admin CONS 4 A ointment of new Finance Director (Tina) HR CONS 5 Public hearing and ordinance on FEMA Flood Hazard Map CD PH ORD-2 amendments (Bill) ORD-1 6 Results of Citizen survey (Ann) Admin NEW 7 Results of downtown survey Ann Admin NEW 8 Ordinance reconciling penalty provisions in mulitple code sections Legal ORD-2 Dave L. 9 Ordinance clari in. Ethics Code (Dave L.) Legal ORD-1 ORD-2 I,2120 Stu Session canceled due to Presidents' Da 2120 2121 Regular Council Meeting 2121 10 Annual presentation b the Transportation Comm (Mike) PW PRES 11 Continued discussion/approval of Lithia Way/Pioneer St. beautification PW UNFIN protect (Mike) 12 Ordinance on FEMA Flood Hazard Ma amendments (Bill) CD ORD-2 13 Ordinance clarifying Ethics Code (Dave L.) Legal ORD-2 316 Stud Session in Siski ou Room 3/6 14 Continued discussion of water connections outside city limits PW Legal Ss (Mike/Dave L.) 317 Regular Council Meeting 317 15 Approval of a supplemental budget (Bev) Finance CONs 16 Presentation and approval of the Climate and Energy Action Plan Admin NEW Adam 17 A proval of parking management strate y (Mike) PW NEW 3120 Stud Session in Siski ou Room 3/20 18 Discussion of AFN Governance Committee recommendation re: new Admin Legal IT Ss AFN Commission (Dave L.IMarklRich 3121 Regular Council Meeting 3121 19 Annual presentation by the Tree Commission (Bill) CD PRES 413 Stud Session in Siski ou Room 413 414 Regular Council Meeting 4/4 4/17 Stud Session in Siski ou Room ¢117 r2l Regular Council Meeting 4118 Annual presentation b the Historic Commission (Bill) CD PRES Public Hearing for the award of Community Development Block Grant CD PH CDBG funds (Bill Award of Social Service Grant funds (Bill) CD PH Page 1 of 2 1/1912017 City of Ashland Council Meeting Look Ahead *****THIS IS A DRAFT AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE***** Departments Responsible 1/24 216 217 2/16 2/20 2121 3/6 3/7 3120 3121 4/3 414 4117 4/18 611 6/2 5/16 6116 5/1 Stud Session in Siski ou Room 5/1 512 Regular Council Meeting 5/2 5/15 Stud Session in Siski ou Room 5115 5/16 Regular Council Meeting 5/16 Commission Presentation Dates - 2017 February 21 - Transportation Commission March 21 - Tree Commission April 18 - Historic Commission May 16 - Wildfire Mitigation Commission June 6 - Band Board Jul 18 - Forest Lands Commission August 15 - Conservation Commission Se tember 19 - Airport Commission October 17 - Public Arts Commission November 21 - Housing and Human Services Commission December 5 - Planning Commission Discussion of Class a Compensation stud (request of Councilor Voisin) Discussion of raising the temperature threshold for declaration of extreme weather emergency shelter (request of Councilor Voisin) Discussion of potential solutions to deer problems (request of Councilor Seffinger) Discussion regarding the seismic code Update on internal controls policy Senior issues (request of Mayor Stromberq) Annual use of force report (Tighe) Report on Eugene homeless and shelter infrastructure, including car camping (request of Mayor Stromber ) Jackson Count Vector Control concerns (request of Councilor Voisin Resolution re: distribution of TOT funds Bev Page 2 of 2 1/19/2017 CITY OF ASHLAND Council Communication January 23, 2017, Study Session Railroad Quiet Zone Diagnostics Report FROM: Ann Seltzer, management analyst, seltzera@ashland.or.us SUMMARY This is a report on the results of the quiet zone diagnostic study conducted in early November by representatives of the railroad Genesee & Wyoming (parent company to CORP, Central Oregon Pacific Railroad) and ODOT Rail (Oregon Department of Transportation Rail), and city staff. A diagnostic study of railroad crossings is required by the FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) to determine the estimated costs and improvements needed at each crossing for a quiet zone designation. A quiet zone is a stretch of railroad tracks, a minimum of a half mile in length which includes a quarter of a mile of track on either side of the crossing, where trains are not allowed to sound their horns except in the case of emergencies. The City Council directed staff to initiate the diagnostic study at the request of citizens impacted by the noise of train horns during the night. Depending on the crossings included in an Ashland quiet zone, the estimated cost to implement the identified improvements ranges from $1.5 million to $4.7 million. BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS: Train engineers are required by the FRA to sound a horn for at least 15 seconds before reaching an at- grade street crossing. During the 2016 fire season, at the request of the US Forest Service, trains travelled through Ashland at night for about six weeks in order to mitigate the risk of daytime rail sparks and wildfire. Some citizens were negatively affected by the nighttime disturbance and asked the City Council to consider establishing a quiet zone in Ashland which prohibits a train from sounding its horn within the designated zone. At the September 20, 2016 City Council meeting representatives from ODOT Rail and CORP were invited to Ashland and spoke to the Council about the formation of a quiet zone in Ashland. The first step is a diagnostic study of the railroad crossings in Ashland. This step identifies improvements needed at each crossing. The Council directed staff to undertake the required diagnostic study in order to evaluate the potential costs of qualifying for establishment of a quiet zone. Staff met with a representative from ODOT Rail and Genesee & Wyoming Railroad (parent company to CORP) on November 2, 2016 to conduct the diagnostic study for each of the ten crossings in Ashland. To qualify for a quiet zone, all crossing must be signalized with additional supplemental Page 1 of 4 ~r CITY OF ASHLAND safety measures in place and have a minimum of a quarter of a mile of track on both sides of the crossing. This equates to a half mile which is the minimum for a quiet zone. There are ten crossings in Ashland. All are a quarter of a mile distance or less from the next crossing except between Oak Street and North Mountain Ave., which is about three quarters of a mile, and between Normal Ave., and Tolman Creek Road which is also about three quarters of a mile. Of the ten crossings in Ashland, four are not signalized: Glen Street, the intersection at Laurel and Hersey Streets, Wightman Street and Normal Ave., which is a private crossing. The intersection at Laurel and Hersey is scheduled to be signalized next year and funds have been budgeted for that proj ect. The cost of a signalized crossing is approximately $300,000. Each signalized crossing is also supposed to include supplemental safety measures: either an exit gate on both sides of the track or a raised median at least 100 feet back from each side of the track or a combination of the two. Implementing other measures such as changing the travel direction on streets from two way to one way, creating a cul-de-sac prior to the crossing, or permanently closing the crossing completely could mitigate the need for exit gates and medians. The cost of an exit gate is $100,000. Public Works estimates $5,000 for the cost of a raised median. Medians could be installed on both sides of the track without blocking private driveways on Wightman Street, possibly on both sides of North Mountain Ave., if the City is willing to close access to the B Street yard from North Mountain Ave, and possibly at Walker Ave., however the distance on both sides of the track is less than the required 100 feet and may not be approved by the FRA. Assuming the City does not want to block private driveways, convert travel direction from two way to one way, create cul-de-sacs or permanently close a crossing, the estimated cost of each crossing improvements is as follows: 1. Glen Street: Signalized crossing and two exit gates $500,000 2. Laurel/Hersey Streets: Four exit gates $400,000 (note: the City has funds set aside to install the signalized crossing at that location) 3. Helman Street: Two exit gates $200,000 4. Oak Street: Two exit gates $200,000 5. North Mountain Ave.: Two raised medians $10,000 6. East Main Street: Two exit gates $200,000 7. Wightman Ave.: Signalized cross and two raised median $310,000 8. Walker Ave.: Two raised medians $10,000 9. Normal Ave.: At grade crossing improvements $1.3 million plus signalized crossing gates and exit gates $500,000 ($1.8 million total) 10. Tolman Creek Road: Two exit gates $200,000 Estimated Sub-Total: $3.8 million. This is an updated estimate that differs from the estimate provided in the attached diagnostic report. The diagnostic report includes costs for signalized crossings at the intersection of Laurel and Hersey Streets and assumes costs for the installation Page 2 of 4 ~r CITY OF ASHLAND of exit gates at all the crossings. It does not include the costs associated with the Normal Ave. crossing or raised medians. In addition to the estimated improvement costs noted above, the City will need to contract with an engineering firm for this project. Engineering costs are generally 15% - 20% of the total cost of the project. NOTE: The crossing at Normal Ave. is a private crossing. In 2014 RH2 Engineering prepared a preliminary estimate for improvements for an at grade public crossing at the existing Normal Ave. crossing. The estimate was $1.3 million and did not include the improvements required for a quiet zone crossing. Quiet Zone Options in Ashland Because a quiet zone must be a minimum of one half mile (a quarter mile of track measured from each side of the crossing), and because all the crossings in Ashland are a quarter of a mile or less between each crossing except between North Mountain Ave. and Oak Street and between Normal Ave. and Tolman Creek Road, there are two possible options for a quiet zone: 1) Beginning 1/4 mile north of Glen Street and continuing to a quarter of a mile south of Normal Ave. or Tolman Creek Road. 2) Beginning 1/4 mile north of Glen Street and continuing to a quarter of a mile south of Oak Street. The cost for Option 1 would amount to roughly $4.0 million plus engineering costs ($600,000 - $760,000). This includes the costs for the improvements identified above and estimated engineering costs. The cost of Option 2 would amount to roughly $1.3 million plus engineering costs ($195,000 - $260,000). This includes the costs for the improvements identified above for the crossings at Glen Street, Laurel and Hersey Streets, Helman Street and Oak Street. The costs for either option would increase if a noise study is required. Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) The above costs for railroad crossing improvements are not included in the current budget or the Capital Improvement Plan. The CIP is a rolling six-year funding plan for capital improvement projects. Projects are included based on the availability of funds, established master plans, the pavement management program and other long term planning documents. Projects are linked to and financed through the city's enterprise funds (street, water, wastewater, storm drain, electric), system development funds (SDCs), State Transportation Funds, grants etc. The FRA website does not list grants available for signalized crossings. ODOT Rail indicated that they would not be able to provide funds for signalized crossings since it recently funded other railroad crossing improvements in Ashland. The FRA considers quiet zone railroad crossing improvements a livability issue, not a safety issue, and thus does not provide funding for supplemental safety improvements for quiet zone crossings. How to pay for a Quiet Zone? 1) Everyone pays (general fund? increase property taxes? utility bill surcharge?) Page 3 of 4 ~r CITY OF ASHLAND 2) People directly affected pay (form an LID and property owners within the LID pay for improvements?) An LID (local improvement district) is a special area or district, established by the City Council or at the request of property owners, created for specific capital improvement projects. The City and the property owners within the LID would share the expense of the improvements. Forming an LID requires 60% of the properties within the proposed area to submit a written petition requesting the LID. LIDs are formed for the purpose of improving infrastructure such as sidewalks, street surfaces and storm drains which directly benefit the properties within the designated area. Staff is not aware of an LID model for the purpose of mitigating noise and further research would be needed to explore this possibility. At the very least it would require a change to AMC 13.20 to establish a formula for determining which properties are to be included in the LID and a resolution to determine property assessment and the amount the City would contribute towards the improvement. Next Steps: If the Council wishes to move forward with establishing a quiet zone in Ashland the following steps, at a minimum, would need to occur. a. Identify and appropriate funds in the upcoming budget process. If the costs are to be absorbed through an LID the following must occur: i. Modify AMC 13.20 ii. Conduct a noise study to determine which properties are impacted by the train noise and to determine which properties would be included in the LID. Approximately $8,000 - $10,000 per railroad crossing. iii. Determine the assessment amount on properties within the LID and the amount the City would contribute. iv. Notify LID property owners. v. Conduct public meetings and a public hearing. vi. Adopt a resolution. b. Submit a Notice of Intent to Genesee &Wyoming Railroad and to ODOT Rail per FRA requirement. c. Engage an engineering firm. COUNCIL GOALS SUPPORTED: N/A FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: Depending on the quiet zone option, the estimated cost could be as low as $1.5 million (Option 2) or as high as $4.7 million (Option 1) plus costs for a noise study if appropriate. Funds are not included in the current budget. STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND REQUESTED ACTION: This item is for Council discussion and to provide direction to staff. SUGGESTED MOTION: N/A ATTACHMENTS: ODOT Rail Diagnostic Report Page 4 of 4 ~r ASHLAND QZ DIAGNOSTICS 11/0112016 Diagnostic Team • Jon Rolufs, PNWR jrolufsP_gwrr.com (503) 816 8020 • Zack Hunter, ODOT Rail zackary.hunter@odot.state.or.us (503) 986 6780 • Ann Seltzer, City of Ashland ann.seltzer(aD-ashiand.or.us (541) 552 2106 • Mike Morrison, City of Ashland morrism(cDashland.or.us (541) 552 2325 Existing conditions A Diagnostic was held on site at the railroad crossings in Ashland with the above personnel in attendance. The purpose of this diagnostic was to determine what will be required to create a quiet zone through Ashland. There are ten crossings within the Ashland city limits Glenn Street, Laurel Street, Hersey Street, Helman Street, Oak Street, Mountain Ave., East Main Street, Wightman Street, Walker Ave., Normal Ave. (this is a private crossing and the City does not have jurisdiction) and Tolman Creek Road. There is an additional crossing outside city limits at Crowson Road. The current condition of the crossings that were reviewed are in relatively good shape. Three of the crossings are passive (controlled by a stop sign or yield sign) including Glenn Street, Laurel and Hersey Street and Whightman Street. The other crossings are signalized (gates and flashing lights). The Federal Railroad Authority (FRA) requires that any public crossing must, at a minimum be signalized in order to be considered for the NO TRAIN HORN RULE. If the City wishes to consider beginning the process to request a quiet zone the three passive crossing noted above would have to be signalized. The cost for gates and flashing lights is approximately $300,000 per crossing. The Laurel and Hersey Street intersection will require two signalized gates. Total cost for all three crossing is approximately $900,000. All crossings will require additional safety measures QUIET ZONE REQUIREMENTS The FRA requires communities to mitigate the increased risk of accidents caused by the absence of a train horn. To determine the risk factor, the FRA online Quiet Zone (QA) calculator was used to determine the current RISK factor assuming all three passive crossing have been signalized. The QZ RISK INDEX through the proposed area (Tolman Creek through Glen Street) with the three passive crossing signalize is 7117.51. The calculator shows that the RISK INDEX must be below 4267.09. Lowering the Risk index is accomplished by adding Supplemental Safety Measures (SSMs) or Additional Safety Measures (ASMs). The SSM is a 4-quadrant gate system (exit gates) at each signalized crossing or the installation of 100 feet of raised non-mountable medians that measure 100 feet back from the gate. The cost of a single exit gate is approximately $100,000. Ashland would need to add two gates at each signalized crossing or select which crossings would have additional gates and which crossing would have the non-mountable medians. The ASM would be 60 feet of raised non-mountable medians from the tip of the gate back, or possibly changing the street traffic direction to one way or closing an existing public crossing. In order to lower the risk index in Ashland SSMs or ASMs will be required. It was noted that there are a number of driveways and connecting roads within the 60 feet of a most of the crossings that were reviewed. These driveways and connecting roads would require relocating or closing if the SSM selected is the required 100 feet non-mountable medians or if the ASM required non-mountable median is selected. If the City determines that no driveway or road closures are feasible the four quad gates would be the only option. This would be the most expensive of the different treatments at each crossing. The RR indicated to signalize each passive crossing would be approximately $300,000 per crossing. Four Quad Gates would add an additional $200,000 per signalized crossing. The City will have to apply with FRA for the QZ. There was indication that the City will address each crossing to determine what can be addressed to qualify for QZ. Estimated costs: $900,000 ($300,000 per passive crossing: Glenn, Laurel Street, Hersey Street, Whightman Street) $2,000,000 (20 exit gates) $2.9 million CITY OF ASHLAND Council Communication January 23, 2017, Study Session Preview of the Climate and Energy Action Plan FROM: Adam Hanks, Management Analyst, adam@ashland.or.us SUMMARY The ad-hoc Climate and Energy Action Plan (LEAP) Committee has worked with City staff, the project consultant team and extensive participation and input from the community to develop a Climate and Energy Action Plan. Prior to final edits and formal committee motion to approve the final plan and associated implementing documents, the plan is being presented to Council to provide an early opportunity to walk through the document, ask questions and provide direction on several key policy issues that will be a part of the formal plan review and acceptance deliberation scheduled for the March 7, 2016, Council business meeting. BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS: At the instigation of the Conservation Commission and with the support of Council, Mayor Stromberg created the CEAP in June of 2015 with a core group of members. Additional members have been added since that time, with a final member total of 13 (11 voting members). The CEAP began meeting in September of 2015, assisting staff in the development and issuance of a request for proposals for consultant services for the project. With considerable involvement of the committee in the review and selection process, Cascadia Consulting Group was selected in February of 2016 to assist the committee and City staff in the development of the plan document as well as facilitate the public involvement process throughout the project. Background Technical Materials To provide a foundation and technical background for the development of the plan, two important data driven documents were developed and used by the committee and the project team throughout the planning process. Ashland's first Greenhouse Gas Inventory was completed in February of 2016 and is the benchmark for measuring progress in carbon emission reductions over the life of the plan. The inventory provides both community wide and city operations emissions data across all emissions sectors and will continue to be a vital tool as the project moves into initial implementation and beyond. A local Climate Trends Summary was developed by the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute to provide ranges of likely climate impacts to our local area between now and 2080. This provides the committee, City staff and the community with a clear understanding of what types and magnitude of adaptation solutions will be needed to mitigate the impacts of these likely future trends. Page 1 of 3 ~r CITY OF AAS H LA N D The creation and funding for a new full-time staff position has been well discussed at the committee level and staff has had initial internal discussion with the City's Human Resource Dept to develop a formal job description and identify the appropriate location within the City' classification and compensation structure and will be developing a proposed "add package" in the upcoming budget process. There has been consistent public support and committee discussion of the importance of placing this proposed new staffing resource at a location and level within the City's organizational chart that ensures effective cross departmental collaboration, focus and commitment on successful implementation of the identified actions. COUNCIL GOALS SUPPORTED: 22. Prepare for the impact of climate change on the community. 22.1 Develop and implement a community climate change and energy plan FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: In addition to the staffing "add package" noted above, staff will be developing an overall CEAP implementation budget that identifies funding sources and recommendations for specific actions in various Department budgets. Many of the actions require prioritization of staff time in specific Departments, others involve suggested re-prioritization of already planned appropriations and some are proposals for incremental increases in appropriation for existing programs to increase their effectiveness and success. STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND REQUESTED ACTION: The intent of this presentation and discussion is to provide a general understanding of the content and layout of the CEAP document and its associated implementing documents. Additionally, both the committee and the project team is interested in feedback and suggested direction on the key policy issues noted as well as questions and feedback on the overall document and process to date. SUGGESTED MOTION: N/A ATTACHMENTS: Draft Climate and Energy Action Plan - January Plan Milestone & Update - July 19, 2016 Council Meeting ADDITIONAL LINKS: Project Background Materials - www.ashland.or.us/climateplan • GHG Inventory • Climate Trends Summary • Open House - Public Input Summaries • CEAP Ad-hoc Committee agendas/minutes/packets Page 3 of 3 ~r t' L~ n ,f N l Climate Amos i. Ener } Act*ion Plan 3 Ft's } JANUARY 2017 j. r A r INTRODUCTION ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Roadmap INTRODUCTION PLAN ORGANIZATION CLIMATE CHANGE VISION FOR THE & ASHLAND FUTURE What is a climate and Get the lay of the land. energy action plan, This section introduces Learn about Ashland's A glimpse of Ashland anyway? And why does the plan's six focus greenhouse gas emissions in 2050-a sustainable, Ashland need one? areas and how they are footprint, anticipated healthy, happy, and structured. climate change impacts, resilient community-and and the city's collaborative the initiatives that will and inclusive approach to shape how to get there. climate action. NOW 1 t i BUILDINGS URBAN FORM, CONSUMPTION NATURAL SYSTEMS PUBLIC HEALTH, CROSS-CUTTING & ENERGY LAND USE & & MATERIALS SAFETY & WELL- STRATEGIES TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT BEING STRATEGIES & ACTIONS BY FOCUS AREA This plan is divided into six focus areas, listed above. Each focus area section includes an introduction to its impact and importance, progress to-date, goals and benchmarks, and the strategies and actions that will get us there. Each broad strategy (e.g., "support cleaner energy sources") is driven forward by specific priority actions that focus on mitigation, adaptation, or both (e.g., "enhance production of on-site solar energy from City facilities"). IMPLEMENTATION PLAN The body of the plan lays out the "what" and the "why"; this appendix addresses the "how" and the "when," including the structure and timeframe of priority actions, which City departments are responsible for accomplishing them, and how progress will be tracked. 2 INTRODUCTION ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN FI f ryI~IIr~ f 1'^ i CLIMATE TRENDS SUMMARY This summary provides more information on projected climate c-lange impacts and trends in Ashland, including changes in temperature, precipitation, and natural hazard risk. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS OVERVIEW The public provided valuable input that helped shape the plan. _See when and how the public was consulted, and how public input was used in the plan. EMISSIONS MODELING AND TARGET-SETTING METHODOLOGY Take a behind-the-scenes look at the process used to model Ashland's green- house gas footprint and set emissions-reduction targets. ASHLAND GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY This document summarizes the city's emissions by sector and activity type from 2011 through 2015, and set the emissions baseline used to identify goals and prioritize strategies and actions throughout this plan. 3 . gin .x. gl~ •F L r w .Lc r, r • .f N ' C 'f L'. n r E _ 44s~~ - a i~ ' .m c • n 40- 469w~ . ..r !t ~.1r 111 . d , s' rr ~ { x' E EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ASHLAND CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLAN ava r! ! is 5 At c r ~ w • Wit,'. 1 ant i.- 47 a EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN a 4n 'tY', f. 4 , rk II ~F X >f WHY A CLIMATE AND ENERGY PLAN? Climate change is already affecting Ashland and the surrounding region, and its impacts are projected to become much more severe in the coming decades. To minimize harmful ' impacts and play its part in curbing global carbon pollution, Ashland will need to take ` s bold steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resiliency. This plan lays out a ~y foundation for the City of Ashland to reduce its emissions and impro,~,,e its resilience to future impacts of climate change on its environment, infrastructure, and people. Greenhouse Gas Emissions x a` According to the City's 2015 greenhouse gas inventory, The vast majority (83%) of 4~ ,'IP+ +I ~ Ashland's emissions stem from five main sources:: production of residential goods 7 4~I+ ~y s .u and food, residential travel, residential and commercial energy use, and upstream rv energy production. In 2015, Ashland's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions footprint was r s I i approximately 300,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MT C02e), representing ~y I 0.51/16 of Oregon's total emissions. City Government Goods = Construction 2'/• k Res s Energy / 00 • 1 • Goods 000 107 • 22% • f i 000 Ener 00 1 00 1 Industral Energy 10 -2% Y i JI III 1 1 i\ p f1 1 a i ' Commercial • • • 5c1id Waste + Industrial Freight Wastewater 2% 2% Residential R.efrigeran¢ Air Travel Leakage 4% 2~r Climate Impacts The impacts of climate change will have tangible effects on public health and quality of life for Ashland's residents and visitors. In addition to the direct dangers of wildfires, flooding, and extreme weather events made worse by climate change, secondary effects of more extreme temperatures, snowpack declines, and wildfire smoke include health and livelihood impacts to sensitive and exposed populations, heightened threats to • species and habitats, and consequences for local natural resources and economies such as agriculture, outdoor recreation, and tourism. 6 ' EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN HOW DID WE GET HERE? The Ashland Climate and Energy Action Plan represents the j",-V„'d It culmination of a year-long process of engagement, input, and review. - 77 Many individuals and organizations played a role in shaping this plan. It incorporates input from: • Over 250 community members who attended a public open house. • Over 125 individuals who responded to an online sL,rvey. • Representatives from over 15 local organizations, businesses, and institutions who participated in interviews. In 2030, Ashland will be a place where. • Over 30 City staff members who participated in facilitated - , y r - k S. ",i X71'. ^a~ workshops. • 10 members of the Mayor-appointed ad-hoc commil-tee. Formation of the plan was also informed by the following approaches: • Levveraging and builcing on progress to-date and existing plans and programs. Emphasizing equity and co-benefits. R • Customizing strategies to fit Ashland's unique context. • Prioritizing actions that help meet Ashland's climate goals and vision. These climate changes will threaten Ashland's people, resources, and economy. Here are some examples of challenges Ashland could face: i1 R Ak~ t A i PEOPLE N 40 i. ~•'.~.v E.,.~ Sensitive and exposed populations High elevation plants and wildlife will Seasonal and climate-dependent like the very young, elderly, those with need to adapt to shifting or diminishing industries such as agriculture, outdoor respiratory illness, and outdoor workers habitats. recreation, and tourism will be will be at risk from wildfire smoke and threatened under changing conditions. heat-related illnesses. 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN gCyg7 , ~ i 31- r h~ S ate t~t, ` P~} 2a F 6~3~1~r3E, ^ 'fi II i it.. ~~eti..-Y.i3 Ti ~ ~i7~...ck ,~s^'~-'4 ~ ~r>~r~r ~ ~ ~ ?~„T~ ,5 M a1~# F fit, tA: GOALS AND TARGETS The plan's overarching goals and targets focus on addressing STRATEGIC INITIATIVES climate change risks by reducing Ashland's emissions of climate The following overarching strategic pollution ("climate mitigation") and preparing the city for initiatives were identified to guide the unavoidable impacts ("climate adaptation"): strategies and actions presented in this plan. While the strategies and actions in Reduce Ashland's contribution to global carbon this plan are organized byfocus areas such pollution by reducing greenhouse gas emissions as Buildings and Energy, Transportation associated with City, residential, commercial, and Land Use, and Natural Systems, these and industrial activities. initiatives cut across these focus areas For the Ashtand community: to emphasize synergistic and integrated solutions for addressing climate in Reduce overall Ashland community greenhouse Ashland. gas emissions by 8% on average every year to 2050. a Transition to clean energy. For City of Ashland operations: 0 Maximize water and energy efficiency and reuse. Attain carbon neutrality in City operations by Support climate-friendly land 2030, and reduce fossil fuel consumption by 50a/o use and management. by 2030 and 100% by 2050. • Reduce consumption of Prepare the city's communities, systems, and carbon-intensive goods and resources to be more resilient to climate change services. impacts. a Inform and work with 400,000 residents, organizations, and government. 350,000 Lead by example. 300,000 Z 0 _ 250,000 Q 200,000 150,000 o z 100,000 Lj t 50,000 e s rr 8 0 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS The Climate and Energy Action Plan presents strategies, priority actions, and other potential actions to consider for six focus areas: Buildings & Urban Form, Consumption Natural Public Health, Cross-Cutting Energy Land Use & & Waste Systems Safety & Well- Strategies Transportation being The plan lays out specific actions within the following strategies: PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY + WELL-BEING :Strategy PHSW-1. Manage ecosystems and landscapes economy to minimize climate-related health impacts. Strategy PHSW-2. Promote a sustainable local vulnerability. impacts. Strategy PHSW-3. Minimize public health Strategy PHSW-4. Minimize public safety impacts. NEXT STEPS This Climate and Energy Action Plan is only the beginning of an ongoing process. The Implementation Plan provides a framework for launching the implementation phase of the plan, This phase will require the City and community to take priority actions-outlining specific plans of action and resource needs among responsible parties-while monitoring and benchmarking progress along the way. As details are outlined during this implementation phase, more specific quantitative goals and milestones can be created, driving the pace of strategy implementation. This plan provides a proposed structure for ongoing plan implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive management, as well as a list of key actions to be taken in the initial phase of implementation. a J w. s y I ri>N .j ry _l onsm „ rr.~.,;..; ~;y~•;5~^;~~: ~4.~h~~•'.~i''J:%"~.`'',Gf."' .?F'.,~y n3:9k': y, _ 3i n, Nlg Y K ~ 3 a , Jr, 1 4 _ r UP- yW d'" " i r y~~ t (y~~ 45 ~ "f tt ti4 + w . -lot 10`740; 1>r~ 5 ' f F ad. 'r' h~ t _ t N j e jx t T Y _ 7 F MOO . ' a a a r , . h 3 p! a•5 i M ' 4 4 a' AL INTRODUCTION ASHLAND CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLAN E D, ✓ s~ r f ~ 004 v Z ~ b H x. p Ca k ire • e yy z is SAS aw, . 4-W.-A 71, ~M INTRODUCTION ASHLAND CLIMATE ENERGY PLAN • Ashland's foundational Climate and Energy Action Introduction Plan (CEAP) provides a strategic framework and long-term vision for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for climate change in Home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Southern Oregon University, and abundant natural beauty the city. It represents the culmination of a year-long and recreation opportunities, the City of Ashland is a process of engagement, input, and review from the great place to live and visit. Climate change threatens public, key community stakeholders, City staff, and the vitality, livelihood, and surrounding environment a Mayor-appointed committee. Participants voiced that make Ashland what it is, with anticipated increases their concerns and priorities through online surveys, three public open houses, interviews, and facilitated in severe heat, water scarcity, wildfire risk, and storm events. By the 2080s, scientists project that Ashland workshops with City staff and committee members. will experience more than an 80% decrease in winter This plan builds on this input and community progress snowpack, 90 more days of extreme heat annually, and to date by presenting a coordinated set of goals and strategies to guide City and community action. more than an inch of additional rainfall during heavy storms. This plan provides a roadmap for Ashland to sustain The City of Ashland has a responsibility to address economic, social, and environmental prosperity for CL rrent and future generations of residents and visitors. climate change risks by reducing emissions and It represents the beginning of an ongoing and preparing the city for unavoidable impacts. Cities evolving process. Implementation of the actions and around the world are leading in this endeavor, including more than 125 cities and counties in the United States attainment of targets set forth in this plan will require a that signed the Compact of Mayors agreement to cut long-term, dedicated effort by the Ashland community greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for climate and all City departments and staff. As detailed in the Implementation Plan, the Ashland Climate and Energy change. Governments in the Pacific Northwest have Action Plan will be updated every three years to ensure led the charge on climate action, including the State of that the city's actions toward addressing climate change Ore are up-to-date, sufficient for meeting the City's goals, emissions which established a statewide target to reduce by 75% below 1990 levels by 2050. Other and beneficial for all. As progress is made and actions Oregon cities have set greenhouse gas action goals are underway, this plan and its future updates will serve including Corvallis, Eugene, and Portland. as a foundation for taking meaningful action toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building The City of Ashland has already taken initial steps to resiliency to climate impacts in and around Ashland. address climate change. Achievements include the solar power incentive program, home energy efficiency incentive programs, participation in and support of community outreach and awareness events such as Climate Week in 2015, and integration of climate change impacts into the Water Master Plan and 2016 Ashland Forest Plan. However, more work is needed. According to scientific models, to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, Ashland, along with the rest of the world, will have to reduce its greenhouse has emissions by 8% per year. Every year this reduction is not met will mean that more reduction will be needed in the future. 12 INTRODUCTION ASHLAND CLIMATE & ENERGY PLAN Plan Organization For each focus area, this document tells the story of Ashland's climate goals, progress to date, and strategies The plan presents goals, targets, strategies, and and actions for achieving those goals. The strategies and potential actions for mitigating and adapting to climate actions are presented in order of priority as articulated change. It is organized into six focus areas: by the public, City staff, ad hoc committee, and the practices and plans of other cities and communities. Buildings and Energy: Energy used in resi- dential, commercial, and industrial buildings, They are organized in the following manner: as well as opportunities to reduce energy use, expand renewable energy production, and Strategies represent a thematic groupings of actions prepare buildings for a changing climate. that all work toward a specific goal. Strategies within each focus area are ordered by priority. Urban Form, Land Use, and Transporta- tion: The form and function of land and Priority Actions are actions within a strategy that transportation systems, including ways to were prioritized, or shortlisted, from a broader set of reduce greenhouse gas emissions through potential actions. These priority actions underwent urban planning, design, improved land use a more thorough assessment that evaluated cost, practices, and clean and efficient transporta- effectiveness, feasibility, and co-benefits. These actions tion systems. are ordered from highest to lowest priority as identified through the evaluation process. Consumption and Materials Management: The lifecycle of goods and materials, including OtherAetions are opportunities that were identified as opportunities to reduce emissions associated potential actions but were not considered high-priority with manufacturing, use, and disposal. through the public and stakeholder engagement process. Natural Systems: Air, water, and ecosystem health, including opportunities to reduce Priority Actions are labeled by scope of impact, as emissions and prepare for climate change follows: through improved resource conservation and ecosystem management. Breadth of Impact Public Health, Safety, and Well-being: r affects community-wide operations and r;> climate goals. Health and assistance programs for disadvan- ~ taged populations, including preparing health affects municipal operations and climate social, and emergency systems for climate goals. change. Type of Impact Cross-Cutting Strategies: Activities that addresses mitigation goals (lowers GHG address climate change more generally or emissions). across multiple sectors. addresses adaptation goals (builds resilience to climate impacts). addresses both mitigation and adaptation goa Is. 13 y, S K. a ,d h ~ 4!' 2~ 1 1 ~ I 2 a 2 t ~ r ~ Y } r 00.1 . y `t v. t CLIMATE CHANGE & ASHLAND ASHLAND CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLAN 4 i4 i CLIMATE 14 CHANGE & W ASHLAND r 1 3 15 CLIMATE CHANGE 1 1 , ASHLAND ACTION PLAN Cl'imate ccording to the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), to have a likely chance of averting the most dangerous of A climate change impacts, the world must reduce emissions enough to keep global temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius. This amount of emissions is called the world's "carbon budget" and the world is already on track to spend the remainder of this budget in just three decades. The risks of climate change, including sea level rise, forest fires, and water shortages, exponentially increases with every degree of warming abcve 2 degrees. The following sections detail how Ashland may experience and contribute to climate change in the coming years. HOW WILL CLIMATE IMPACT ASHLAND? Regional projections indicate that by the 2080s, Ashland could experience the following climate-driven environmental changes:' +0.8-1.3 in rainfall increase +30% increase in probability of large wildfires" during the heaviest rain days' -40 year decrease in average time between fires- +4-6 day increase in the longest dry spells' Increased burn acreage More winter precipitation +7-120 F increase in the -71 to -86% decline in hottest day of the year April 1 snowpack in the Middle Rogue subasin +39-90 more days a year More precipitation as rain nstead of snow of warm spells Earlier spring snowmelt Higher winter streamflow Lower summer streamflow Oregon State University, 201-6 'Sorge models show decreases "Stave os, A.batzoglou, Larkin, McKenzie, & Steel, 2014 Sheehan, Bachelet, & Ferschvieiler, 2016 16 CLIMATE CHANGE &ASHLAND ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Climate Impacts Every community will experience climate change differently. The geography, ecosystems, economy, demographic makeup, and social networks of a community all influence how climate change will affect a community and its ability to cope and adapt. In Ashland, more volatile rainfall patterns will increase the frequency and severity of droughts and flooding. More frequent extreme heat events will pose a danger to vulnerable residents. Snowpack will decrease, putting the City's water resources at risk. Plant and animal species will also be affected -some positively and negatively. Increases in temperature, combined with less consistent precipitation, will increase the frequency and severity of wildfires. The impacts of climate change will have tangible effects on public health and quality of life for Ashland's residents and visitors. In addition to the direct dangers of wildfires, flooding, and extreme weather events made worse by climate change-including injury, death, and the destruction of property and livelihoods-there will be a variety of lesser-known impacts on Ashland's population. Wildfire smoke, forexample, can cause serious health complications, especiallyfor those with asthma or other respiratory conditions. Similarly, more frequent and severe heat waves can be deadly, especially for young children and the elderly, and exposed persons such as outdoor workers. Other changes, such as decreased summer stream flow and reduced snowpack, could have significant qual-ty-of-life impacts on Ashland's residents, many of whom enjoy outdoor recreation and rely on the water supplied by the local watershed for their livelihoods. Ashland could even experience an influx of "climate refugees" who are displaced from their homes due to climate change impacts elsewhere. Unfortunately, many of these climate risks will disproportionately affect certain groups. In the Unir_ed States, communities of color, non-English speaking households, and low-income populations have historically been underserved by public programs and investments, resulting in limitations such as fewer transportation options, less resilient housing, and less reliable healthcare options. These inequities may limit the ability of these populations to respond to the impacts of climate change and benefit from new investments and actions taken to address climate pollution. These climate changes will threaten Ashland's people, resources, and economy. Here are some examples of challenges Ashland could face: s # Sensitive and exposed populations High elevation plants and wildlife will Seasonal and climate-dependent like the very young, elderly, those with need to adapt to shifting or diminishing industries such as agriculture, outdoor respiratory illness, and outdoor workers habitats. recreation, and tourism will be will be at risk from wildfire smoke and threatened under changing conditions. heat-related illnesses. 17 CLIMATE CHANGE ; 1 1 , ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION 1 Ashland's Green house Gas Emissions To keep global greenhouse gas emissions below what is needed to avoid 2 degrees Celcius warming, the IPCC estimates that global emissions need to be reduced by 40 to 70% by 2050, and that carbon neutrality needs to be reached by the end of the century. In 2015, the City commissioned a greenhouse gas invenotry to understand and characterize the sources of Ashland's emissions and trends in emissions over time. In 2015, Ashland's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions footprint was approximately 300,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MT C02e), representing 0.5% of Oregon's total emissions. The vast majority (83%) of Ashland's emissions stem from five main sources: production of residential goods and food, residential travel, residential and commercial energy use, and upstream energy production. WHERE DO EMISSIONS COME FROM? The chart below shows how different sources and sectors contribute to Ashland's 2015 carbon footprint. Production of Residential Goods includin6 emissions associated with the Residential and Commercial Energy Use manufacture and transport of durable (13% and 110ic, respectively), including household goods produced outside of electricity and stationary combustion (a gas-fired furnace, for example) used Goods +Co s ~ct cn Ashland for use by Ashland residents. 21i in homes and commercial buildings. Energy Goods Residential o0o F Residential 13% ;70 177o comrrh 22% 00000ooo 414 Energy Industrial Energy 000 - 2% In" 10 1 Production of Residential Food including emissions associated with • • w the production and transport of agricultural products grown outside Residential Travel of Ashland for consumption by including direct and upstream j Commerclal emissiors associated with Ashland residents. : Shod waste ndustriA Freight • -wastewater 21/6 passenger cars and trucks used for • 2% R=_sidenri_ • • Refrigerant ` yT,ae i noncommercial purposes. • _eakag 4% • 2% • Upstream Energy Production including the emissions generated by the extraction and production of usable fuel products (e.g., refined gasoline or electricity) used in Ashland. 18 CLIMATE CHANGE &ASHLAND ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Consumption-based Sector-based emissions emissions include emissions include locally-produced generated outside of the emissions from buildings! • to produce the cooling Systems,, and water goods and food consumed • and waste processing. Ashland residents. LOW HIGH • Household consumption of food and Building energy use in residential, goods commercial, and industrial sectors • City government consumption, Transportation energy use including from the production of Methane emissions from waste goods and some purchased services disposal • Fuel production Wastewater treatment • Emissions from refrigerants s - There is some degree of uncertainty in any GHG inventory. High This uncertainty can come from incomplete data or uncertainty in translating units of activity into mo emissions.o c I M _ Consumption-based sector-based Understanding the sources of uncertainty should improve o future inventory and reporting efforts, including prioritization of - additional data-gathering, framing inventory results, and developing Low mitigation goals and tracking 0 50,000 100,000 systems Greenhouse Gas Emissions (MT CO e) . 1° CLIMATE CHANGE ; / 1 ' ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION 1 HOW HAVE ASHLAND'S EMISSIONS CHANGED OVER TIME? Ashland's per-household GHG emissions have decreased nearly 6% over the past five years. Households in Ashland are producing nearly 25% fewer GHG emissions than the average Oregon household. Nearly all of Ashland's GHG reductions can be attributed to changes in emissions from the built environment. Together, residential, commercial, and industrial buildings saw their GHG emissions footprint decrease by 21% from 2011 to 2015, largely due to increased renewable electricity on the regional grid, decreased electricity use in the residential sector, and decreased natural gas use due to warmer winters. 200.000 - - - - - - - - - 2011 Baseline 195,000 MT CO ,e Sector-Based Emissions ~dec,ea 180,00 0 sed by - 6 - - between 20111 1 and 2015 160,000 - - - - - - - - 140,000 Refrigerant Leakage ego Solid Waste + Wastew: 120.000 N ^ - ®Transportation v o OU Industrial .C 100,000 - - - d Commercial a Residential 80,000 _ 60,000 - - - - - - - 40,000 - - - - 20,000 - - - - - - - 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 HOW DO CONSUMPTION EMISSIONS STACK UP? Emissions from household goods are dominated by hgome construction, furniture, clothing, and vehicle purchases, while the production of mean accounts for a large share of food consumption emissions from Ashland residents. The chart below shows these and other sources of consumption-based emissions in Ashland for the 2015 fiscal year. 90,000 80,000 - 70,000 - - - N C 60,000 G f n 1 50,000 40,000 C d a 30,000 Transport Fuels 20,000 Natural 10,000 Gas - ® Electricity 0 Household Goods Household Food Energy City Government 20 Supply Chain CLIMATE CHANGE ; / 1 , ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Building on a Foundation Ashland has already made notable progress toward reducing both its community emissions and its vulnerability to the potential impacts of climate change. Ashland has a variety of plans, policies, programs, and studies that are connected to the needs and solutions for addressing climate change issues and challenges. Some of tl-ese documents already emphasize climate solutions described in this plan, while others will need to be updated to integrate climate change and climate action. Where linkages are clear, this plan highlights "levers" in existing plans and programs and brings them together to address a common goal. %6M Oil This plan builds on the great work Ashland has done to-date to present a more coordinated and strategic pathway toward realizing the city's climate vision. City-sponsored ` events like the The community solar 04, Ashland Climate project Solar Pioneer Challenge have i L T~ II gives citizens an CH I If ~ ~r C engaged the Public opportunity to purchase SAYE ENERGY. WIN BIG! around climate locally-generated issues. renewable energy. The City recently completed a rCity Facilities Energy Audit that identified energy efficiency upgrade opportunities at City facilities. GREAT 1oB Asti LAND! A new city Water Master Plan will incorporate A retro-commissioning incentive program provides future climate risks to financial and technical water supply and quality into future service assistance to tune up energy - ~ planning and activities. 1g, systems in commercial and residential buildings. 21 CLIMATE CHANGE ; 1 1 ' ASHLAND 1 ENERGY ACTION PLAN WHAT ARE WE DOING RIGHT NOW? Below are examples of plans, programs, policies, and studies that link to the goals and actions of the Climate and Energy Action Plan: PLANS PROGRAMS Comprehensive Plan Emergency management Water Master Plan Community Emergency Response Transportation System Plan and Team (CERT) Regional Transportation Model Firewise Economic Development Strategy Forest Resiliency Project Neighborhood Master Plans Water conservation incentive and Emergency Management Plan outreach Community Wildfire Preparation Energy efficiency assistance Plan Solar incentives 2016 Ashland Forest Plan Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) Nature Center education POLICIES STUDIES Land use code City facility efficiency and solar Wildland-urban interface (WUI) assessment code and fire code Solid waste and recycling annual Energy contract with BPA report Renewable energy assessment GHG inventory 22 CLIMATE CHANGE ; ► 1 ' ASHLAND CLIMATE& ACTION 1 A Coordinated Effort Climate change is a cross-cutting issue. Contributions of greenhouse gas emissions stem from activities across sectors and sources, from transportation and energy to buildings and materials management. Strategies to prepare for climate change cut across traditional disciplines, ranging from water and natural resource management to public health and safety. Multifaceted challenges require integrated solutions. Many of the solutions and strategies presented in this plan are not new, and many are already part of existing City plans, programs, and policies that are focused within individual City departments. This plan brings those solutions together in an integrated and strategic way to address the climate challenge, and where needed, proposes adjustments or expansions to meet climate goals. Implementing this plan requires forging relationships and coordinating across traditional departmental and stakeholder boundaries to form synergistic, efficient, and effective solutions. This plan primarily focuses on strategies and actions that Ashland's City government can take to help address climate challenges. However, all parties have a role and must be a part of the solution, including Ashland residents, businesses, organizations, and government. This plan provides s-iggestions for actions that residents, visitors, businesses, and organizations can take to play their part in tackling climate change. ink, "Combatting climate change is o fundamental responsibility for everyone, everywhere. The status quo is clearly unocceptoble. For the s o ke o f f u to re ge n e ro ti o n s, making progress, together, os o community, is urgent. 11 Rich Rosenthal, Ashland City Councilor and Chair of the CEAP ad-hoc committee 4 y 23 23 CLIMATE CHANGE & ASHLAND ASHLAND CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLAN K ey Terms GREENHOUSE GAS A gas that absorbs and emits thermal radiation in the atmosphere, contributing to the "greenhouse effect" by preventing heat from leaving the atmosphere. CO, is the most common greenhouse gas, but this category also includes methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and even water vapor (picture a humid day). Greenhouse gases vary greatly in the strength and persistence of theirwarming effect; for example, methane has a greenhouse effect approximately 72 times stronger than CO2, but its atmospheric lifespan is much shorter. ENERGY For this plan, "energy" refers to power or heat produced from fuels or processes and used for a variety of applications, including for transportation, heating, cooking, and electricity generation. In Ashland, energy is largely consumed in the form of natural gas, electricity, and gasoline. The majority of electricity consumed by Ashland residents is purchased from Bonneville Power Administration, which provides electricity largely from hydro and nuclear resources. Other sources of electricity for Ashland include locally-produced solar and hydropower, and sources from the regional electricity grid, which include coal, biomass power, and other renewable sources such as wind. CLIMATE MITIGATION Strategies and actions focused on slowing the pace and lessening the severity of climate change by reducing or offsetting greenhouse gas emissions. Overarching Goal 1 on page 26 focuses on mitigation. CLIMATE ADAPTATION Strategies and actions focused on changing behavior, land use, and environmental management to prepare, protect, and build resilience of infrastructure, ecosystems, public health, and quality of life to anticipated effects of climate change. Overarching Goal 2 on page 14 focuses on adaptation. Although used interchangeably in this plan, there are slight difference between climate adaptation, and resilience: The strategies and actions in this plan address both climate adaptation and resilience. Adaptation refers to action to prepare for and adjust to new conditions, thereby reducing harm or taking advantage of new opportunities. Resilience refers to the capacity of a social or ecological system to continue to function despite disturbances. SOCIAL EQUITY Maintaining or creating a "level playing field" or equality of opportunity, often through 1) simple fairness and equal treatment, 2) distribution of resources to reduce inequalities in universal programs and services, and 3) redistribution of resources to level the playing field through targeted programs"' Social equity is a cornerstone of this plan-see the "Climate and Equity" section on page 40 for more information on the role of equity in climate action and the ways in which equity is reinforced through the Ashland C'.imate and Energy Action Plan. *National Climate Assessment, 2014 Norman-Major, 2011. "Balancing the Four E's; or Can we Achieve Equity for Social Equity in Public Administration?" Journal of Public Affairs Education. 17(2), 233-252 CLIMATE CHANGE &ASHLAND ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN w z E+ , .~y CLIMATE CHANGE &ASHLAND ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Overarching Goals This Climate and Energy achieving two goals: primary GOAL 1: Reduce Ashland's contribution to climate change by reducing community greenhouse gas emissions. GOAL 2: Prepare the city's communities, systems, and resources to be more resilient to climate change impacts. Goal 1: Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cities play an important role in reducing greenhouse gases. More than 80% of Americans and 50% of the world's population live in urban areas. Therefore, the design of cities, including their built environment and transportation systems, strongly influence GHG emissions. Ashland recognizes that it must minimize its negative impact on the global environment. While urgent action is needed, many climate actions cannot be completed overnight, so a long-term approach is needed to achieve deep reductions. The Climate and Energy Action presents the following long-term targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with city and community activities: For the community: • Reduce overall Ashland community greenhouse gas emissions by 8% per year, on average. For City of Ashland operations: • Reach carbon neutrality by 2030. • Reduce fossil fuel consumption by 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2050. The 8% annual target represents emissions reductions necessary to prevent the worst climate change impacts (see the Methodology appendix for more information). Specifically, it identifies how much the world on average would need to cut emissions each year to result in a concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere under 350 parts per million. To further underscore the importance of setting and reaching this target, this plan recommends that the community and city targets and related goals be adopted by ordinance. This action indicates to the community the highest level of commitment by the City Council to take meaningful action. 26 CLIMATE CHANGE & ASHLAND ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN ASHLAND'S TARGETED GHG EMISSIONS 8% per year average reduction in total emissions V) 2 400,000 0 U 350,000 LU I 300,000 -1 Z i 0 Ln 250,000 w 200,000 150,000 0 Z 100,000 W 50,000 ' . - 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 The strategies and actions in this plan are a starting point and strategic framework for making and assessing progress over time. This plan does not provide a pathway for achieving this target, as the target represents a degree of action that cannot be accurately modeled using current greenhouse gas accounting methodologies. Consequently, some real- world reductions in Ashland may not be reflected in near-term GHG inventories because available tools for evaluating consumption-related emissions do not currently capture changes in Ashland's consumption behaviors. This plan assumes that methodologies will be refined in the future to enable more accurate measurement of emission reductions. For example, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is developing a tool that can be used to more accurately quantify consumption-based emissions, and will be applied to Ashland's next GHG inventory. Emissions reductions were modeled against the proposed higher-level strategies in this plan. The "Moving the Needle: A Thought Experiment" section summarizes outcomes for that modeling exercise to reveal how various actions taken by the City and community could result in measurable emissions reductions. 27 CLIMATE CHANGE &ASHLAND ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION Goal 2: Prepare for Projected Climate Change Impacts Ashland will experience varying impacts of climate change at different times. Some of the impacts are already being felt, including lower snowpack and more smoke and heat in the summer. As climate changes our environment and its systems and resources, Ashland will need to anticipate the changes and take action to mitigate or adapt to the impacts. This goal calls for Ashland to recognize these climate change threats and take actions to ensure that Ashland can withstand the impacts while sustaining or improving quality of life for all its citizens. These actions could irclude approaches to minimizing community's exposure to climate impacts, the sensitivity of people or infrastructure that are exposed, or capacity to adjust or bounce back. 11f ~ ,ti . L , d~~k r -.tsYj i ~ ~,,.a may. sayy(f ?z J~ ~'4;. 1 a 'E y i Mr C r .Y 5.1 +f ~ t, ...I~' , Ff' g e V ~'y: k`s',';.ri~, .t.~1i•:.u~A6k"3.~3Y ~"•''f...i.i~'... _-3 , ,r ,f, k.-.: . ~ 28 A Strategic Approach This plan presents a strategy that is customized Direct influence on water supply. Ashland has to Ashland's unique characteristics. Ashland can direct ownership and control over much of its influence its ability to address or prioritize particular water supply. However, climate change will impact climate and energy strategies as a result: that supply. • Progressive state-level activities. The State of • Utility ownership. Ashland's electricity utility is Oregon has introduced ambitious climate policies and municipally owned, which grants the City direct regulations, as well as tools and resources for sup- control over utility operations, business decisions, and related program activities. porting local climate action. • Energy mix. Ashland purchases energy from Given these particular characteristics coupled with Bonneville Power Administration, which is largely information on Ashland's greenhouse gas emission sourced by hydropower. sources and anticipated impacts from climate change, • Engaged community. Ashland citizenry are highly the following overarching strategic initiatives were engaged in community issues and activities. identified to guide the strategies and actions presented in this plan. While the strategies and actions in this • Political will. Ashland's leadership is historically plan are organized by focus areas such as Buildings supportive of innovative actions and environmen- and Energy, Transportation and Land Use, and Natural tal leadership. Systems, these initiatives, described in the following • History of climate action. Ashland has a long sections, cut across these focus areas to emphasize history of environment- and climate-related synergistic and integrated solutions for addressing policies and actions to build upon, including climate in Ashland. the first community solar project in Oregon and effective energy efficiency programs. Transition to clean energy. • Heavy tourism influence. Ashland's industry is Maximize water and energy efficiency and largely tourist-based, meaning that a portion of reuse. the city's greenhouse gas emissions comes from Support climate-friendly land use and the behavior of visitors, over which the City has management. less direct influence. Ashland's interactions with • Reduce consumption of carbon-intensive tourists could also potentially give Ashland's actions a greater geographic reach, however, as goods and services. visitors bring the Ashland experience back home Inform and work with residents, organizations, with them. and government. • Small city in a rural environment. Ashland Lead by example. is a small town, which brings both benefits and challenges. On one hand, governments of small communities can have more direct contact and influence over its services and utilities. On the other hand, smaller communities have fewer available resources for climate action compared to larger cities, and advocating for changes at the state and national level could be more difficult. 2 9 RPM Transition to clean energy Energy used for buildings and transportation comprises half of Ashland's historic greenhouse gas emissions. ' Most of these emissions are from the combustion of natural gas by residential and commercial buildings, rJ electricity consumption, and gasoline used to fuel' residential on-road travel. Addressing energy-related emissions requires a combination of reduced and lower-carbon energy use. The majorityof energyconsumed by Ashland's buildings is purchased from Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which sources its electricity largely from hydro and nuclear power. The majority of energy consumed by Ashland's transportation sector come from th direct combustion of gasoline and diesel fuel. Switching existing fuels, such as natural gas and gasoline, to cleaner fuels such as low-carbon electricity can lower rte. the overall emissions profile of Ashland's current energy t k, use and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Furthermore, the introduction of new clean energy sources, such as local`. renewable energy, as well as increased conservation and energy efficiency, can help offset the increased electricity loads caused by fuel-switching and increased cooling demands anticipated under future climate change. These actions in combination actsynergistically _ z to reduce total energy-related emissions. y, The following Climate and Energy Action Plan strategies are cornerstones of this clean energy transition: • Support cleaner energy sources. • Support more efficient vehicles. • Improve energy demand management. Example actions within these strategies include supporting community solar projects, smart grid - technologies, and actions and initiatives that accelerate fuel-switching such as electric vehicle infrastructure 30 30 VISION FOR THE FUTURE ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN ASHLAND'S FUTURE: BALANCED, COST-NEUTRAL AC Transitioningto a clean energyfuture in Ashland will require a combination of increased fuel-switching, clean energy sourcing, and efficiency. Taking this three-pronged approach will allow the electric utilityto offset potential revenue losses from efficiency and off-grid electrical consumption with new revenues from switching gas-fueled cars and natural gas-heated homes to electric vehicles and electricity-heated homes. Through this strategy, Ashland will be able to lower its overall energy consumption, costs, and associated emissions. e CLEAN 8 • KAode Shifting ENERGY • Standards • Technology FUTURE I. L z u. ,g l y~ 4 t ~ w E 31 31 VISION FOR THE FUTURE ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Maximize water and energy Support climate-friendly land use efficiency and reuse and management The production and use of energy and water resources The use and management of Ashland's lands play for the built environment greatly influences Ashland's a significant role in both reducing greenhouse greenhouse gas emissions and vulnerability to climate gas emissions and preparing for climate impacts. impacts. Energy used by buildings accounts for almost Development that promotes walking, biking, and riding a third of Ashland's greenhouse gas emissions. Water transit reduces emissions from on-road vehicles, which consumption for residential and commercial buildings account for the majority of transportation-related and surrounding green spaces put considerable stress emissions. Proper management and conservation of on community water resources, which may become land resources can also support ecosystem services more scarce and in greater demand as temperatures such as water storage and flow attenuation, shade, and increase and summer water availability declines. biodiversity that make the city and its resources more resilient to threats posed by climate change. Reducing water and energy resource use associated with Ashland's built environment will cut emissions, Strategies in the Climate and Energy Action Plan that ease loads on the utility, and help secure resource support climate-friendly land use and management are: supply and resiliency in a changing climate. The introduction of cleaner energy sources can reduce Make Ashland even more friendly for people energy-related emissions to an extent, but improved walking and biking to reduce dependence on energy use efficiency will also be required to achieve vehicles. deep emission reductions. In general, cutting emissions Support better public transit and ridesharing. through energy efficiency improvements can be more cost-effective than adding new renewable energy Support more climate-ready development and sources. The following Climate and Energy Action Plan land use. strategies support water and energy efficiency: Promote ecosystem resilience. • Manage ecosystems and landscapes to • Encourage increased building energy minimize climate-related health impacts. efficiency. Manage and conserve community water • Adapt buildings to a changing climate. resources. • Manage and conserve community water resources. Actions within these strategies feature transit-oriented development and infrastructure that supports Example actions include adjusting land use codes walking and biking. Also, improved management and and incentives to support resource-efficient design, conservation of natural resources such as water adn water reuse, and/or on-site storage systems; green spaces in and outside the city can help prepare sponsoring building energy retrofit programs and water the city for changes in temperatures, water availability, conservation rebate programs; introducing rate-based and wildfire risk. incentives; and providing educational materials aimed at awareness and behavior change. The introduction of passive and heat-tolerant building principles can also reduce cooling energy needs during heat waves and minimize heat-related public health impacts. 32 32 VISION FOR THE FUTURE ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Reduce consumption of carbon- Inform and work with residents, intensive goods and services organizations, and government The production and delivery of goods and services Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building consumed by Ashland households contribute almost resilience to climate impacts in ,Ashland is a community- halfofAshland'sgreenhouse gas emissions. These goods wide effort. Everyone, including residents, businesses, and services include food, furniture, home construction organizations, institutions, and departments within materials, electronics, and clothing; and the production the City itself, must understand what is needed and of transport fuels, natural gas, and electricity consumed work together to take action. This strategy involves in Ashland. Certain foods, such as meats, are more the City working closely internally and with the public, carbon-intensive to produce than dairy and grains, and local stakeholder groups, and other jurisdictions and therefore contribute the largest proportion of food- agencies to communicate climate priorities, coordinate related emissions. action, and inspire change. The City must continue to learn from and listen to these parties to ensure that Despite the large contribution of household actions are coordinated, relevant, and effective. This consumption to Ashland's greenhouse gas footprint, the strategy involves paying particular attention to equity City of Ashland has little direct control over household considerations in the context of climate change (see purchasing behavior and product manufacturing and "Climate and Equity" section on page 21). Specific transportation. As a result City-initiated options to strategies within the Climate and Energy Action Plan reduce emissions from this source are limited. However, that support this education and coordination effort it is expected that as global markets and energy sources include: become greener over time, so too would the goods and services that Ashlanders consume. Strategies in the Educate and empower the public. Climate and Energy Action Plan that contribute toward Educate and empower City staff. reducing emissions associated with consumption of • Mainstream climate considerations. goods and services are: • Enhance City communication and coordination • Reduce consumption. to minimize public health and safety impacts. • Support sustainable and accessible local Promote a sustainable local economy that production and consumption. minimizes emissions and vulnerability. • Engage with other governments and These strategies promote reduced consumption, organizations on regional, statewide, national, facilitating marketplaces for reuse and sharing such and international climate policy and action. as tool-lending libraries and reuse fairs, expanding the construction and demolition debris code to promote material salvage; sustaining local food production such as through farmers' markets and community gardens; and distributing outreach and education materials on the impacts of consumer choices. 33 33 VISION FOR THE FUTURE ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Lead by example Although emissions from the City of Ashland's operations make up a relatively small proportion of the community's overall greenhouse gas emissions, City leadership in reducing its own operational emissions can inspire community action, enhance operational efficiencies, and reduce costs. This strategy involves the City taking actions to reduce its own GHG emissions footprint and make City operations more climate resilient, including by training internal staff, optimizing Cityfacilities, and improving equipment and purchasing processes. Strategies in the Climate and Energy Action Plan that support City leadership are: • Maximize energy efficiency of City facilities, equipment, and operations. • Increase the efficiency of City fleet and employee commuting. • Improve sustainabilir_y of City operations and purchases. • Conserve water use within City operations. 34 \j a r ,i t ti t t ;ft U IlIv, 'S F y ~a. is . n. • N f~. y- ~ ; tom. ti y VISION FOR THE FUTURE ASHLAND CLIMATE& ■ PLAN Moving the Needle: A Thought Experiment This plan sets forth an ambitious goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Ashland. What does that mean for the average hlander and hove the city operates? What kinds of changes would need to happen in Ashland to really move the needle on em ssions? This section provides a thought experiment to demonstrate how a few example changes in Ashland's behaviors and infrastructure could result in greenhouse gas emission reductions. It is merely a thought experiment to demonstrate the linkage between behavior and emissions - the scenario presented dices riot necessarily reflect what is realistic or would result by taping the actions in this plan. For more information on how specific actions in this plan may contribute toward Ashland's greenhouse gas emission reduction goal, see the `V+Jhat will this plan achieve?" section on page 39. If the Ashland community made the achievements listed in the table below, then the community would be able to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 46% below 2015 levels by 2050, equivalent to each Ashland resident and business reducing its footprint by about 1.44'0 per year. These estimates are based on assumptions from similar analyses conducted by other municipalities and organizations in the Pacific Northwest. The progress that Ashland makes toward reducing its GHG emissions will also be influenced by broader state, regional, national, and international initiatives and policies. The federal Clean Power Plan, forexample, if enacted, will reduce the GHG emissions associated with the U.S. energy grid by making power plants operate more cleanly and efficiently and expanding the capacity for zero- and low-emitting power sources. In 2016, the State of Oregon enacted legislation requiring Oregon's major electricity suppliers to obtain 50% of their power from renewable sources by 2040. The law also sets a timetable for eliminating coal-fired electric power in the state, and it establishes a community solar program for Oregon. These and other anticipated regulations and programs, such as changes to the federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, will further contribute toward Ashland's emissions reduction goals and were taken into account in this analysis. 36 VISION FOR THE FUTURE ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN r Id IL ILI! s Ashland could achieve a 46% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 if thecommunit~!... ENERGY CONSUMP T ION TRANSPORTATION i i • Reduced energy use by 50% Reduced consumption- Shifted 50°,0 of motorized through energy efficiency related emissions by travel to walking or biking. measures. 50% through activities b For the remaining motorized i ° such as product travel: • Shifted 14/0 of grid electricity reuse, reducing consumption to distributed meat consumption, Shifted 801/,, of private renewable energy generation. or introduction of vehicles to electric • Transitioned 90% of natural a carbon tax on vehicles. gas used in buildings to products and services. Shifted 33% of I electricity. commercial vehicles to electric vehicles. • Increased the average fuel efficiency of light- duty vehicles to 53 miles per gallon. 37 VISION FOR THE FUTURE ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN r t` 400,co0 350,0'20 300,000 The • below shows how Ashland 6' could • • 150,000 i0^0,(;00 reduction emissions, "W: :MORON 1 example actions 2010 201-5 2020 2025 '330 20x5 2040 J'-5 2050 in the plan that could contribute. Renewable energy (1 BE-1-2 Encouraging on-site and community solar energy production BE-3-1 Installing solar at City facilities BE-4-1 Introduction of virtual net metering 3% VISION FOR THE FUTURE ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN 1. F What will this plan achieve? The modeled emission reductions in this section provide a sense, of what could be achieved if Ashland took aggressive action on climate change by implementing actions set forth in the Plan. Reductions are presented as groupings of similar actions, but do not precisely represent the red:-jctions associated with those actions. This is due to challenges in attributing emission reduction values to individual actions. Potential emission reductions associated with individual actions can be difficult to quantify with certainty due to their interdependent nature. For example, reduced emissions associated with switching from gasoline to electric vehicles will depend largely on the mix of energy sources used to generate electricity and the average fuel economy of the vehicles. Emissions associated with use of electricity will in turn be affected by other actions in this plan, such as increased local renewable energy production. It is therefore difficult and counterproductive to single out reductions associated with any individual action. l Assessing emissions reductions is also complicated by uncertainty n underlying variables and assumptions. The efficacy of expanded education and outreach efforts around home energy efficiency will depend on many factors, including the populations to which outreach will be conducted, the extent to which to City has already reached existing residences, as well as external factors, such as the state of the economy, which influences people's willingness to take risks and invest in new technologies. Given these limitations, actions in this plan were not quantitatively modeled for efficacy. Rather, actions were qualitatively assessed relative to other potential actions using a set of criteria that included estimated emissions reduction potential. Qualitative assessment informed the order of priority actions in this plan. It is expected that, at the time of implementation, the City will undertake more detailed modeling efforts to quantify anticipated outcomes. { 39 VISION FOR THE FUTURE ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Climate and Equity Equity is central to addressing climate change. Many of the countries most responsible for contributing to climate change, such as the United States, will not bear Elements of the Plan that the brunt of global climate change impacts. Countries Emphasize Equity and communities that were not large historical emitters of greenhouse gases, such as small island nations, Arctic villages, and developing coastal communities, are facing Faulty integrated • a rapidly changing environment of thawing ice, flooded and Energy 'ction Plan. For • coasts, and extreme storms. Many of these communities plan • and address equitable do not have the resources or capabilities to protect climate action: restore, or adapt to these changing conditions. It is the responsibility of the United States and its communities, An ambitious greenhouse gas emissions as historical and current contributors to the problem, to reduction target -,'rat acknowledges the be a committed and proportionate part of the solution. • societies to minimize This plan provides a foundation for ensuring that harmful impacts to the who id n-, contribute Ashland contributes to being part of the climate • • • change solution. Actions that focus on supporting vulnerable Climate change will also have a disproportionate populations, ,,,,jho disproportionately Suffer impact on some local populations. In Ashland, elderly, from mrv ckmate change impacts. low-income, disabled, and minority populations will be • most vulnerable to many changing climate conditions, such as threats from severe heat, wildfire smoke including equity in prioritization criteria for exposure, and flooding.l These populations may also evaluating protential actions. suffer from other secondary impacts of climate change, such as risks to seasonal employment and agricultural Progress indicators that track equitable productivity. Ashland will need to commit special impIementation of the plan, such as percent of focus when implementing all actions in this plan to Ashland residents experiencing health issues or ensure the continued and improved prosperity and with access to • • quality of life of these populations in the face of a changing climate. An implementation plan that calls for equity to considered 'in the - . • phase of Actions to address these inequities, such as by reducing every action. urban heat islands or providing disaster preparedness assistance to at-risk communities, will pay dividends not just for those populations but also for the greater Ashland community. When everyone is healthy, employed, and safe, the community enjoys greater economic and social stability and prosperity. 1. Source: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for Ashland and the Rogue Valley (2016). 40 40 VISION FOR THE FUTURE ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Co-Benefits in addition to the larger societal benefits that result from equitable and inclusive climate action, many strategies and actions in this plan result in other co-benefits, such as enhanced natural aesthetics, public health, economic vitality, or quality of life. For example, the introduction of energy-saving equipment and b&aviors not only address climate goals, but they can also lower energy costs for residents and citizens. This plan prioritizes these "win-win" solutions that benefit both the climate and other facets of the Ashland community. Co-benefits associated with each action are identified with icons in the Implementation Plan. Co-benefits considered in prioritizing the strategies and actions of this plan include the following: Support for low-income and disadvantaged communities. When implemented carefully and correctly, actions such as local green job training and subsidy programs for energy efficiency upgrades can be especially helpful for low-income and disadvantaged communities. Public health. Some actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions also promote healthier lifestyles, such as supporting more people walking and biking and eating less carbon-intensive foods. Quality of life and well-being. Many climate actions can also improve quality of life for Ashland citizens, such as benefits of green jobs to the local economy and creation of more comfortable and inviting homes through energy efficiency improvements. Local habitat, recreation and aesthetic. In addition to enhancing ecosystem resilience, minimizing heat impacts, and storing carbon, actions that improve natural habitat and tree cover can also enhance natural beauty and provide recreational opportunities for visitors and residents. "In urban settings, neighborhoods with low socioeconomic status hove some of the highest needs for climate adaptation and resilience-building efforts. Applying the concept of social equity to these efforts con help ensure that oll communities ore involved." U.S. Climote Resilience Toolkit 41 VISION FOR THE FUTURE ► ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN THE CLIMATE AND ENERGY ACTION PLAN AT-A-GLANCE The table below summarizes the strategies and actions of this plan, detailed by focus area in the following sections. SCOPE / TYPE BE-1-1. Develop a comprehensive plan for the Municipal Electric Utility. BE-1-2. Promote switching to lower-carbon fuels. BE-1-3. Facilitate and encourage solar energy production. BE-1-4. Enhance production of on-site solar energy from City facilities. BE-2-1. Increase outreach efforts to expard participation in energy efficiency programs & promote climate-friendly building/construc BE-2-2. Require building energy audits to identify and incentivize cost-effective energy efficiency improvements. BE-2-3. Identify and adopt strategies to reduce energy efficiency barriers in rent/lease properties. BE-2-4. Establish minimum energy efficiency standards for the affordable housing program. BE-3-1. Use results from City Facilities Energy Audit to prioritize Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) & maintenance improvements. BE-4-1. Expand the current net meter resolution to include and incorporate virtua' net metering. BE-4-2. Implement utility-level smart grid technologies to facilitate efficiency and distributed energy solutions. BE-5-1. Encourage heat-tolerant building approaches such as cool roofs and pass ;e cooling. ULT-1-1. Coordinate with neighboring local governments to promote use of trans', carpooling, and car-sharing. ULT-1-2. Work with RVTD to implement climate-friendly transit. ULT-1-3. Establish policies to support development near transit hubs without displacing disadvantaged populations. ULT-1-4. Fvaluate feasihility of expanded local transit options. ULT-2-1. Implement bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly actions in the 1 ransportauor system Plan and uowntown Parking Management ULT-2-2. FxnlorP onportuniries to convert to shared streets where appropriate to provide multimodal connectivity. ULT-3-1. Implement a local fuel-related tax. ULT-3-2. Revise land use codes to require EV charging infrastructure at multifami', and commercial developments. ULT-3-3. Prnvide infnrmatinn about elecrr c and hvbrid vehicles and incentive nroRrams on the Ciris website. ULT-4-1. Consider regulating construction or expansion in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) part of the urban growth boundary. ULT-4-2. Revise community development plans to favor walkable neighborhoods nd infill density. ULT-4-3. Modifv the WUI code to include construction tPrhninuPS appronriare for wildfire-prone areas. ULT-5-1. Provide carpool and vanpool parking, charging stations, and parking for E Vs for City employees. ULT-5-2. Conduct a city fleet audit and use it to set policy and targets. ULT-5-3. Purchase verified carbon offsets to offset City staff travel. CM-1-1. Implement an education campaign for waste and consumption reduction strategies. CM-1-2. Support "collaborative consumption" community projects. CM-1-3. Conduct a studv to determine effective wavs to reduce and track consurrotion-based emissions. CM-2-1. CM-2-2. CM-3-1. Improve recycling programs, implement new education and outreach, and expand public space recycling. CM-3-2. Update the multi-family recycling ordinance to encourage more diversion. CM-3-3. Strenarhen the Demolirion nPhri,~ and Diversion ordinance to enhance enforcement, diversion, and reuse. CM-4-1. Support ediole tool donation. CM-4-2. Provide a best practices guide to help households and businesses reduce- food waste and consumption. CM-4-3. Facilitate recvclinR of commercial food waste. CM-5.1. Introduce City environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) guidelines for City procurement.} CM-5-2. Assess the feasibility of co-digesting food waste and blosolids at the wastewater treatment facility. 42 VISION FOR THE FUTURE ASHLAND ► ACTION ► NS-1-1. Manage forests to retain biodiversity, resilience, and ecosystem function .nd services in the face of climate change. Use best available science to inform fire management and planning. NS-1-2. Use green infrastructure such as bioswales, permeable pavement, other ::ervious surfaces to reduce flood risk and minimize sediment entry into creeks from trails and roads. NS-1-3. Undertake restoration efforts to retain and restore native fish and riparian species. NS-1-4. Map and protect areas that provide ecosystem services. NS-2-1. Evaluate incentives for practices that reduce use of potable water for nor-)otable purposes and recharge ground water. NS-2-2. Explore water-efficient technologies on irrigation systems and consider requiring them during permitting. NS-2-3. Expand water conservation outreach and incentive programs for residents and businesses. NS-3-1. Evaluate the potential for installat on of rainwater collection systems at Ciy facilities for graywater uses, and investigate oppor- tunities for graywater reuse at existing and new City facilities and properties. NS-3-2. Implement efficiency recommendations from the City facilities water audit PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY + WELL-BEING PHSW-1-1. Promote the expansion of tree canopy in urban heat islands or areas that need air conditioning. . PHSW-2-1. Engage leading employers in a dialogue on climate action. PHSW-2-2. Support organizations, such as SOU, in evaluating risks to local food sources under climate change. PHSW-3-1. Work with vulnerable populations to create specific adaptation strateg es that address public health. PHSW-3-2. Identify and minimize potential urban heat impacts. PHSW-3-3. Develop or enhance heat-warning systems for employees and the public. PHSW-4-1. Update the City's emergency response plan and ensure that preparation and updates recognize and address likely climate change impacts. PHSW-4-2. Identify and address populaticns and essential City services within the 100-year flood zone. a , T CC-1-1. Create a formal public outreach and education plan to inform the comma city about climate actions. CC-1-2. Support capacity of community groups to implement climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives. CC-1-3. Assess the feasibility of a City-sponsored carbon offset program. CC-2-1. {r , CC-3-1. Consider climate change in all City Council policy, budgetary, or legislative decisions and as part of the Council Communication document template. CC-3-2. Consider CEAP goals in future updates of city plans. CC-3-3. Expand mission statements of existing City Commissions to include consideration and perpetuation of climate action goals. CC-4-1. Engage with other governments and organizations around climate policy and action. SCOPE OF IMPACT TYPE OF IMPACT M addresses mitigation goals (lowers GHG emissions). affects community-wide operations + climate goals. addresses adaptation goals (builds resilience to climate impacts). affects municipal operations + climate goals. addresses both mitigation + adaptation goals. 43 r i t /f , f X11 , - i ; f ' J j fy ~ a A t r f /r PIX~ j 1.4 ,~j~i..r'/'r r ......:..:.::rw s.::::s,• .i, ~:a7.~. ,'k` r8''~~wA!`:iz•`yr'",%'?!ry *.;3r:X~;::;7~'n %.^`i'/.rY/f'.'d,,~''. ~5,,.,~:''..r,.: a.:~'.,re. Lam,,... ,.r.r: !/.:..<::r..,.. ~~3:.~~';! G::gs ~i;.'uti•.~•T',».,~: 1 7 c 5 y RG ~e 5 P INV, r : Y-; , /f'~~-', ,,,z , 3•x5„ gm 1. FIT •n?yiri. 1"ir.y.'`•;.d,'L•,.,s..,_:S„~,Z;i':':f%' _ ,~,s. m: _ Y.i ;fir~r.r a' his WRII, jl'yA. i!'"/>frl,,''6 Ma'Vy'.,,~E3.• r<^L y. :;:5,• 9y,Yf /3 cry 2.1 's r; 5 ri{; j Z nv Lr A - kip 10 to. t ,;;.Ai ?11 A ';i,'~Tl'' ` 1' 717 1 ii ..v. 4- . '7f,'j. ,.•r rill ! t r; 4 j? V BU I d hke many people think of greenhouse gas w :s especially pronounced among residential homes, V emissions, they picture cars and trucks; however, wriich saw a 9% decrease in electricity demand overthe commercial, residential, and industrial buildings are same period. some of the largest energy users-and thus responsible fora largeportion ofgreenhouse gasemissions. Ashland's Climate change will have complicated effects on built environment accounts for more than one-quarter Ashland's built environment. On one hand, warmer (27%) of the city's total emissions, more than all types of w nters will mean buildings require less energy to heat, transportation combined. This represents a significant w-rich will cause natural gas use to decline. The number opportunity to reduce emissions and help Ashland of heating degree days-a measure of the number of meet its reduction targets. On the plus side, because degrees that a day's average temperature is below 65°F, building emissions are primarily due to energy used commonly used to describe heating energy demand for electricity, heating, and cooling, energy efficiency in buildings-decreased by 20% between 2011 and measures can dramatically reduce building emissions. 2015, contributing to a 13% drop in natural gas use. Installing efficient lighting, heating, ventilation, and air Conversely, reduced snowpack due to climate change conditioning (HVAC) systems, windows and insulation, may affect regional hydropower capacity, and increased and other upgrades can significantly reduce the amount to nperatures will increase energy demand for cooling of energy a building requires. daring the dry summer months. The projected increase in wildfire frequency and severity may also put Because most buildings' energy use Ashland is transmission lines at risk, making electricity less reliable predominantly in the form of electricity, changes in the in the region. fuel mix used to generate electricity-for example, by replacing a coal-fired power plant with wind turbines- reduce the GHG emissions footprints of all buildings that draw electricity from the grid. These factors, among others, contributed to a reduction of 21% in overall emissions from Ashland's built environment from 2011 to 2015. The impact of energy efficiency improvements 1 r S ;f ~S.• : t t w 3~s Y~i ~ ;.L'\ \ E ~ 1 'a ..a:: - t . > iL. ;5-. :y:~~ ~ .{-..t: ` . ~ ,sir + ~ a K ti~,:~~ L ~ ij ~ 7 ~ V { ~ ! ~ c: +r~~` j ~ ~ 4~` ~ e r ky ~ ~~a'r~ ~ T ~ ~ ~ l~~"1~ p e ~ ~ 1 f 71 1;~ } y bin z .K'` 1za.. ,L ~ j~'i~~...~ 2h~9 '1t1~i 4~~~•.-~ I Progress to rL)ate `°kj 7•-*,~.o{. l -~~~f 9 iht r.n f T e f ''.'^k'a~. ~2J! i'3}''*'n-~.}' ~ _ Goals and I&I'%ldicators Ashland's commercial, residential, and industrial building energy use declined 21% from 2011 to 2015. These changes were due largely to increased renewable Jc I, electricity in the regional grid, decreased electricity use in the residential sector, and reduced natural gas use r ~r• from warmer winters. Ashland owns its own electric utility, which means that 4 the City has greater control over its electricity rates and _ programs compared to other cities. This arrangement has contributed to the City's progress in supporting community renewable energy and Improving building = systems efficiency. The City has implemented three successful programs focused on expanding renewable energy sources and improving the energy efficiency of existing residential, commercial, and government buildings: • A retro-commissioning incentive program _ provides financial and technical assistance to tune up energy systems in commercial and residential buildings. This program offers incentives to building owners and occupants to upgrade or - replace building systems-including lighting, HVAC, - heating-with newer and more efficient equipment. rh• Solar Pioneer II, a 63.5-kilowatt City-sponsored community solar project, gives citizens the opportunity to "adopt" one of its 363 panels as a way to purchase local renewable energy. • A City Facilities Energy Audit identified energy efficiency opportunities at the City's own facilities. 47 r x ~yb'k .w , x.,.::' ryV •e.r ' i ,~s:;'a3' ' :r'~, }~E . : 'yA V ;r, .~,t'~...><~{ " y;y -:i c y ~ r 3 ~t~~~, ~ 1.~ iy -r 1 r ~ , ~ ~^3~ ~ ~,ti~ ~ z`~ S t ~.t ~ ~x c r ~u~1 ~y;~v. ~ :Y ' t {c.` , c 'C w0. ♦ :1 BE-1-2. Promote switching to sirategieslower-carbon fuels. Strategy BE-11. Support cleGner energy With relatively clean electricity sources, Ashland has great potential to reduce GHG SourCeS. emissions through switching from higher-car- bon fuels such as wood burning, natural gas, Efforts to support cleaner energy sources will minimize and gasoline to lower-carbon electricity. This harmful pollution associated with energy use and help action calls for the City to work across depart- meet the additional energy needs as climate change ments in a coordinated and strategic manner causes temperatures to rise. This strategy deals with to identify ways to promote this kind of fuel enhancing the use of cleaner fuels through fuel- switching in the community. switching in residential and commercial buildings and renewable energy production and generation. BE-1-3. Facilitate and encourage PRIORITY ACTIONS solar energy production. Local generation of renewable energy can BE-1-1. Develop a comprehensive offset emissions associated with energy con- plan for the Municipal Electric sumption from the electric grid, and in some cases, may also mitigate climate-related risks M UtiIity. to the hydropower electricity supply due to The transition to low-carbon energy such as snowpack declines and increased drought renewables will require taking a broad-level risk. This action calls for the City to support approach that transcends traditional utility increased solar energy production in Ashland, boundaries. Although some aspects would such as through the installation of a large- not fall under the traditional purview of the scale community solar project or rooftop solar utility, a comprehensive energy plan for the panels on buildings in the community. It is Municipal Electric Utility that addresses clean worth noting that City-sponsored community energy, energy efficiency, and electrification solar has faced cost challenges in the past, so of the transportation sector will provide a this action would need to address potential more strategic path forward for maximizing financial hurdles, like finding a nongovern- societal benefits and achieving climate goals. mental organization or institution to sponsor This plan would set targets, address policy and the project or by developing new models and service issues, and identify potential solutions policies to facilitate community interest and related to comprehensive energy planning. investment, such as virtual net metering and For example, the plan could delineate energy solar production aggregation. The new Oregon rate structures and efficiency/conservation Renewable Energy Cooperative Law will facili- program funding levels, targets for installation tate this process, allowing renewable energy of solar photovoltaics within the City's distri- cooperative corporations to be created and bution grid, a long-term strategy for wholesale capitalized without the requirement of secu- power acquisition, and demand management. rities registration. It will also be important to The recently adopted 10% new, local, and ensure that new renewable energy installations clean energy by 2020 ordinance is a key policy do not negatively impact natural habitats or decision that would play a large role in level- ecosystems. opment and shaping of this plan. 48 , v a h <y w ,y . :t......s.:';':":ti ',.'n~'i .,:.far ..r.. :.e F....P ..r..... r < r..... r...,..... . M.,/ ill C ..4. :s yy F. .Y F r. . r........ .<.)::S'~'%,.. it 's'f~'s'a ( E~ l ..i s. ,Y 1. .f x - N 4././ rf...l > . .r r,. 5,ro<, IJ ~r2 Ili . sX K. ~.....,....r ri . . . f "Y . i s.f r ..._r.., , 4N J" :1. . .CIF' r :s%',' r F ,r! 9 r Y,. ij:.. nay • ~ i i ~ ~ 4 ry i ~w \ t \ Solar Pioneer I and 11 From 2000 to 2002, the City of Ashland, in collaboration with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, implemented the Solar Pioneer I project, involving installing photovoltaic arrays totaling 30 kilowatts (kW) at the Civic Center, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Southern Oregon University. The project was funded in part by voluntary contributions from more than 260 ratepayers, who paid small surcharges on their utility bills to support the project. In addition to bringing renewable energy to the city, the program aimed to inform Ashland residents about solar energy. Building on the success of the first round of the program, Ashland launched Solar Pioneer fi in 2007, which used the same community funding mechanism to finance a 63.4-kw photovoltaic system on the City service center. Ia _ j ' ^Yad` t• i ~ 3 t R . +~..r ^4 ..'.t F~.:.K ky 5 J i ~ ~ t. ~ , 3,~t U 't'~ 'i E r~1 ~'k ~i 4~g'b~kyy . ~ ~ E . ~k ~y r~ t• a ry4 Jf r~ ' © ♦ w.. a -*'a.,a t5 F F'R"- 7 s rd i ,s :4 ~'"*t , Strategy E511-2. Lncour=be increased BE-2-2. Require building energy guild n(7enei-g\ eff cier~cyGnci audits to identify and incentivize Col~ser`V LT& . cost-effective energy efficiency improvements. In addition to changingthe energy source, cutting energy use within buildings presents another opportunity Energy used in Ashland's building stock to reduce emissions. This strategy presents actions accounts for more than one-quarter of the to reduce energy consumption through efficiency city's greenhouse gas emissions. The City improvements in the commercial and residential could require and facilitate energy audits and/ sectors. or scores for Ashland's buildings, perhaps triggered at the point of sale or permitting phase for new development or major remodels. PRIORITTION For example, the City of Portland requires com- mercial buildings over a certain size threshold BE-2-1. Increase outreach efforts to annually report their energy use. The City to expand participation in energy also recently proposed a policy that would require sellers of single-family homes to obtain efficiency programs and promote a home energy performance report and disclose climate-friendly practices in the report to the City and prospective home buyers. The audits could educate property building and construction. managers about energy use and opportunities, Ashland currently provides energy conserva- help the City understand building energy use, tion incentives and educational materials to and facilitate implementation of energy-saving residents and businesses through its electric measures. energy efficiency programs. The program currently provides guidance for conducting home energy audits, as well as incentives for BE-2-3. Identify and adopt weatherization, improved heating and cooling, strategies to reduce energy and more efficient appliances. Expanded outreach efforts will ensure that all Ashland efficiency barriers in rent/lease residents are aware of these valuable programs properties. and understand actions they can take to be Residents and businesses who own their prop- more energy efficient in the home. For example, erties often have stronger incentives to invest in the City could discuss with businesses ways energy efficiency technologies and equipment to reduce conduct a comprehensive energy than those who rent or lease their homes and audit. The City could also explore other ways offices. Although more difficult to motivate, the to promote climate-friendly buildings, such as introduction of energy efficiency approaches in through introducing new mandates into the rental and lease properties presents a signifi- land use code that require mitigation (e.g., cant opportunity for reducing emissions from reduced energy use) and/or adaptation (e.g. buildings. increased cooling) elements in the built envi- ronment. s0 r !`f J ~r~ ~ ! ;Y :w.e GeV.] c t pp 1''~ .k + tZ z .;i•. .r 2.~ r t ~ ° '5.,.., ors P 'Y r Ski ;f S S yy~ 1 s ~+~t}.4 w Y~r y1-1 I.a ~ z a ~h ~ tl , i ~ ~ ~ ~ ~I, •Y a 'X t ~ ~ ~ Q`~~~ vr~ ~j~ y 'A ' L4 ~ ~ r ~ ~ ® b 1:~ c r' >u~f- 1 e ( t p ~i_ ~ 4-• '~`k ;.s 7 `rtr* r y st'Rn. BE-2-4. Establish minimum energy efficiency standards for the affordable housing program. Ashland's Affordable Housing Program is an H;. ongoing program that provides incentives to 3 promote affordable housing development and r requirements for affordability. The establish- . ment of minimum energy efficiency standards for these housing units present a valuable opportunity to make homes more comfortable and energy efficient for residents, while also lowering energy bills and supporting those most in need. OTHER ACTIONS JL L._. 71 r.. }!7..4 F !cll M. fi.. v rr ,ry: :'fig Aq N r `'E.' } ' JI'~•„y _ _ _ - + c:_ .~""r _ F a ~ •i, s ~1 r e ~krkp~arsrg. ss, fir`';-t ~"r`f{ m~ 1~i777 ..,d J.t. r 9 7 'r 't= y k _ kj I t ~a .T3 ^ R try_a?. rQ'I ry;~J"0t~. ~-~~l'riancc r ~111axil ire efficiency,10, its BE- 4. il~ ~e- a Cify fc~ciii ies, equips-nent & opel-aTO" S. rr . ravel en t. Although City buildings contribute only a small Managing the timing and intensity of energy demand proportion of the city's overall emissions, efficiency can help make sure that more polluting forms of energy improvements to City facilities can allow the City to lead are not needed during peak times of high demand. by example and communicate to residents that energy- efficient buildings can be beautiful, affordable, and PRIORITY ACTIONS comfortable. This strategy aims to reduce emissions associated with the City's built environment and promote energy conservation. BE-4-1. Expand the current net meter resolution to include and PRIORITY ACTION incorporate virtual net metering. Net metering allows customers who generate BE-3-1. Use results from City their own electricity to sell the excess electric- Facilities Energy Audit to prioritize ity back into the grid. Traditional net metering City Facilities Capital Improvement works at the level of the individual electricity meter, where excess energy supplied to the grid Plans (CIPS) and maintenance results in running the meter backwards. Virtual improvements. net metering, on the other hand, credits energy generation that occurs at another location City facilities frequently undergo routine main- against one's electricity bill. Working outside tenance and improvement projects. This action the utility meterenables residents to experience calls for using an evaluation of City facilities to the financial benefits of generating renewable identify opportunities for energy (and water) energy even if they are unable to generate the efficiency upgrades, The evaluation could electricity on their own property. Expanding be used to integrate more energy-efficient current net metering will make energy gen- practices and equipment into City maintenance eration more cost-effective and available to schedules and prioritize efficiency upgrades Ashland's residents, including through such within capital improvement plans (CIPs). mechanisms as community solar. OTHER ACTIONS r, , 7 1 =r- L 1-7 F i L FY• 5.020 -7 v 0.5-200 AMP 120 v TYPE BLOCK 15 MIN. 52 r 4l Ry v`Y' a• 4~.,, u..:'4T ••..4 T PPfl~~q ;P ~.ii y k •y 9 ` y, .;i::L. r t: iC ®i `"i g 3 9 JJ f k ;K. I} t`i ?EfH„i"+ `v y Ti` , 1 €a• a~ 'i sj K 2 ~}fr, :1 BE-4-2. Implement utility-level Strategy BE-5. Prepare and adapT smart grid technologies to b~iildil~~sf0l-a C1 Linn clima e. facilitate efficiency and distributed The City can promote actions that help adapt buildings energy solutions, such as storage. to withstand climate impacts such as extreme heat Implementing new energy solutions requires and wildfire, as well as protect building dwellers and bringing the electricity delivery systems, or the visitors through improved design and functionality. "grid," into the 21st century. Updating the grid involves enabling automation, remote control, PRIORITY ACTIONS and two-way communication. These updates help the grid to handle sources of electric- ity like wind and solar power and to integrate BE-5-1. Encourage heat-tolerant electric vehicles. Smart grids also collect data building approaches such as cool and allow residents to better understand their roofs and passive cooling. energy use and identify energy-saving oppor- tunities. Implementing smart grid technolo- Buildings playa role in both withstanding gies will enable the adoption of clean energy climate change impacts as well as providing solutions, and complementary strategies infrastructure to protect people from impacts. promoting renewable energy, electric vehicles, Buildings will be subject to potential increased and energy efficiency will help realize the envi- flooding, extreme temperatures, and exposure ronmental benefits of the smart technologies. to wildfires. At the sane time buildings can also shelter inhabitants and visitors from many of these impacts. To optimize the built environ- ment to address climate change, the City can encourage heat-tolerant building approaches, such as cool roofs that block heat and passive cooling features such as improved air circula- tion designs. There are many venues available to encourage the public and developers to adopt these building approaches, including through education and incentive programs. OTHER ACTIONS TEST Y " - - ' MSMT Level 2 IR LED Ks 14.4 53 Fes;' ;rl 1f'>7YS .:c:~4.,.., <Qv~'.,..,,.q..; a :"1.f,.:r ~4~•::li.:ri. r r . / ,`y , . ...rti It ;.n:.:t - <ti%<•S ~ %%1~.4r`G` / r .r r. .r... .9.. ...:j,.. r 1<6,{ _ r'~..s'' •s:fin•xxi.[,,_.. ;:<..:,:,::y;.. < < t....,,,. ~ vim. , 3.< ..fr . ~ 1. ....Cy.. ~y%~~;. . r nY . <^S T a y 5fiX= ./•'jN 'X'S", r.',/+y:vf%ySy~, ,,y~/ , r ANACLI M5,:: E h ~S rh . ` %'l,'Vii,w.i= v ;l 6 5 wT%✓3^w a:, : S .•,,Z•, 22. ~f5' '.'4... F. FVti. :',.'4,i' ,l s fl .i •~/S.'!~' -.((V' -,h. /•.<7~,x~..,5 / q'/> { < r5', r ' k rYf , :L,:~2±,'y '.p; , i%ax , 5/4' • j`~S$.u' .r5,% ~~.6:r • ar":, r r 'f : •f4 r~~4 . • r~ ri6 9 .t. r < ••,.e. , J s , .r, r.. f: rt, l', L' 'sy,.f.~ f h,`f" ,•t•« >y' <4:i *'v r'';>gr, i,fl ,C./F. .,'„'!A %'/s ri ~Z Yy•a7i^~: ~~~i~~f ',:yrl ~~Y g1 1r io % t .''~r1 s 2 „G s:: IS V.N` F ,',ty„k~>„';.~, ,l:^f•::,' fr,''n~? ; ,;~~..°~:rr.3~z ~v ~~s f: 'f~ : g'= l ru i y .J 'lyJ rr Hg ! Southern fire` ty ^5 ( a h1Y Southern Oregon University (Sa used its position as one of Ashland's leading institutions` to ..adva.hce sustainability programs, both on campus and by serving as a hub to connect with and support the community. SOUs ongoing sustainability efforts inctud 4 acX , f power p 1 g~ R't ../y'. implementing energy efficiency and solar owes projects, reducing Al I ~Yr 'e. waste, and conducting greenhouse gas inventories to assess its progress in reducing emissions. SOU was one of the first universities in the country to offset 100% of its energy and water use, with on-sife ,r . renewable energy generation, carbon offset credits, and Water t Restoration Certificates. The university also worked closely with Be City USA-an organization that honors cities for their commitment to supporting pollinators -to create Bee Campus USA, an offshoot designation that recognizes pollinator-friendly campuses. r e . r r ALI f j ` t~~ `'j• y x`~~ ° 1 i~ti h~"YF'•:. ~~1, i;`~ =,...j 1~$;`rai'}~ ~~4~ rr ?1.~'t` t:. d V o~7i lttt3 ta{11 io' 1 r a(. Ta a- x { y1~er a s r J~~:~ ~dd~ ~ a `i! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~33'J ''f ■ , ~ ~ ' , r . ,r The 1 he unit Here arc -l actions that everyday Ashland residents and organiza-ions can take to make a difference in addressing climate change v,Athin our buildings and energy systems: MFAV ~icr1 iY 'lrti~r^~ of Edi t\L Y t,J I IU - energy- and water-efficient. Simple improvements can make a big difference for energy and water use. Weatherization, equipment upgrades, and basic behavior changes can also make your space more comfortable and lower utility bills. Ex ore pr.~or~n In renewable energy ~`Ol lei Community solar programs provide opportunities for residents to participate in renewable energy programs without needirg to install solar panels on their own roofs. There are increasing options for residents to participate in these programs, including the development of a new statewide community solar program that will soon be available to all Oregon residents. Thinksmall be-Ifol"e you rent oll I (D U Consider what size home or business you need, and consider downsizing to avoid having to spend more on energy. 55 r No* Aio _ r -inn "wYlr ~ ,..~1~;i~f_ 1 r,' i r~•.~-',.: ~ iIr-` f~1 ^rj ■ W_" r'.;;y 3 k', ,tl ii f_17 i~ i txr f "F<<if~ " f. 8 tLt~•AXT~r ♦ ~k, f ~~.J "all t a. riF'~'~6RSlrt~_i_z'lk3 q~1G. ~N1 1 a I' ='0' f_ ~ 3*171t •le_.1!#tral~lN[* •y_ ^:i~w{~; ~ I, . , wom- ji, Mbomou r~ 1i11 } f fiifliffiff ~Al~~~n~' tf iIf ~ffi~~~ I~tt1i, . ~ UIf 1 ~ I f .-L f ~•y~ A ,erg y..l % • ~ L - •w l r Y L i . 1 e x r ~ . ~ Wiz: ds 3.r ° Jr. - L ~ ern r ~1 i _ _ I tMMdJ _ ✓ I ESA i~ S 1 u R The movement of goods and services is central to to withstand increased flooding, and roads bordering Ashland's economy and community-and one of rivers and streams maybe at risk of inundation. The City, the largest GHG-emitting sectors. Emissions from the its residents, and private property owners will need to transportation sector made up nearly one-quarter work together to reduce the risks that extreme weather (23%) of the city's total emissions in 2015. Residential events pose to Ashland's infrastructure. on-road vehicle use accounts for nearly three-quarters of the sector's emissions, followed by residential air travel. While emissions from buildings have decreased markedly since 2011, transportation emissions have seen no significant change. This speaks to the challenge Ashland has made strides in incorporating climate of reducing emissions from vehicles, the vast majority of ar..d sustainability priorities into its land-use policies. which burn fossil fuels and, unlike buildings, are difficult Many of Ashland's existing plans and standards address to retrofit in ways that improve their efficiency or reduce activities that contribute toward emissions from the GHG emissions. transportation sector, including the Transportation S\/stem Plan, local land use code; and Comprehensive While electric vehicles are becoming more available Plan. Some examples of climate-friendly actions and and affordable, near-term progress on reducing requirements in these plans are: Ashland's transportation-related emissions can focus on reducing reliance on personal vehicles by Street standards and street classifications in improving public transit access and convenience, and the Transportation System Plan promote by improving urban design to support higher densities shared streets that incorporate infrastructure for while keeping housing affordable. Also worth noting people walking, biking, and riding mass transit. are potential climate-driven impacts on alternative The City's Comprehensive Plan and forms of transportation. With increased temperatures street standards highlight connectivity as and wildfire-induced smoke, biking and walking may a requirement in new development. become more hazardous and thus increase reliance on vehicles. Addressing challenges like these is crucial to The City's land use code has a "Pedestrian improving the resilience and reducing the greenhouse Places" component, which encourages the gas emissions footprint of Ashland's transportation. creation of walkable mixed-use areas that "encourage walking, bicycling, and transit use." Climate change also puts Ashland's infrastructure at greater risk of damage or destruction. More frequent and severe wildfires and floods may threaten roads, bridges, and real estate, and hotter summers may increase the rate of deterioration of some building materials. Culverts and road crossings may not be sized 58 Rogue Valley Transportation District (RVTD) provides Ashland's primary public transit service for visitors and residents. RVTD provides intercity and regional public transit within Jackson County, serving the city of Ashland as well as Talent, Phoenix, and Medford with fixed-route bus and dial-a-ride paratransit service. Residents have voiced a desire for expanded public transit options, including more frequent and accessible downtown bus service, cleaner-fueled public transit vehicles (e.g., electric buses), and other public transit systems such as shuttles or trolleys. These options can reduce per-person emissions associated with residential on-road transportation, as well as reduce congestion, save fuel costs, and provide transportation options for those who cannot afford or choose not to own a personal vehicle. ULT-1-1. Coordinate with neighboring local governments to promote use of transit, carpooling, and car-sharing. Ashland is already a member of the Rogue Valley Transportation District (RVTD), which provides shared bus service to cities through- out the greater Jackson County area. Currently, RVTD is examining a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Mine in their 2040 Transit Master Plan. Using RVTD as a model, the City together with nearby jurisdictions, can support, promote, and poten- tially provide additional service offerings, such as carpooling and car-share programs, that expand transportation options within each community and strengthen important connec- tions to other areas in the Rogue Valley. 5 ° ULT-1-2. Work with RVTD to ULT-1-4. Evaluate the feasibility of implement climate-friendly transit, expanded local transit options. including continuing to move Rogue Valley Transportation District currently offers the only bus service in Ashland, and towards more efficient buses and service and routes are limited. This action expanded ridership. calls on the City to evaluate options for addi- The City and neighboring jurisdictions in the tional intra-city service to augment existing RVTD already have a longstanding and success- RVTD service and provide more public transit fulpartnershipthathasbrought publictransitto options to residents. This assessment would residents throughout the area. Recently, RVTD involve determining potential transit providers, introduced the One Bus Away app, allowing assessing demand, identifying possible routes, riders to view schedule and arrival information and estimating costs and funding sources for in real time. In 2016, RVTD also began piloting purchasing and operating a transit fleet. an electronic fare called TouchPass that allows riders to purchase card passes that can be reloaded from a computer or mobile device. This action calls on Ashland to use its position as a partner in the RVTD to continue to improve the convenience, sustainability, and accessibil- ity of its services. ULT-1-3. Establish policies to support development near transit hubs without displacing disadvantaged populations. Transit-oriented development (TOD) increases housing density within walking distance of transit hubs. Creating a TOD zoning overlay or similar policy could reduce car use, but Ashland will need to design any policy carefully to avoid unintended consequences, such as gentrifica- tion that threatens housing affordability and could displace vulnerable populations. 60 ULT-2-2. Explore opportunities to convert to shared streets On-road transportation generates nearly one-fifth of where appropriate to provide Ashland's total emissions. It is difficult to substantially multimodal connectivity. improve the efficiency of existing cars and trucks, so one of the most feasible methods of reducing emissions Shared streets are popular because they offer from them is to make other forms of transportation improvements for people walking and biking more desirable. A city that supports people walking while preserving vehicle access. This action will spur Ashland to assess which streets or and biking not only reduces the need for residents to drive but also offers the public health co-benefit of corridors may make sense to convert to shared streets due to their current use, potential future encouraging exercise. use, location, or other considerations. ULT-2-1. Implement bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly actions in the City's Transportation System Plan and Downtown Parking Management Plan. For bicycling to be considered a viable alter- native to driving, the City will need to invest in infrastructure to improve its safety and conve- nience. For example, the City could encourage installing bike lanes at schools and arteries connecting to schools, or provide dedicated bicycle infrastructure downtown or at area hotels. The City should commit to implement- ing bicycle-related actions in the Transporta- tion System Plan and Downtown Parking Man- agement Plan, such as 1) installation of bike intersection safety improvements; 2) increased bike lane infrastructure; and 3) expansion of on- and off-street bike racks, shelters, and sharing. 61 ULT-3-2. Revise land use codes to require EV charging infrastructure at multifamily and commercial With on-road vehicle use responsible for nearly 20% of Ashland's overall emissions, improving the overall developments. efficiency of the cars and trucks use throughout the city Lack of charging infrastructure is a barrier to could have a significant impact on meeting greenhouse gas expanded use of electric vehicles. Addition- reduction goals. While most vehicles already on the road ally, residents in multifamily buildings typically are likely not cost-effective to retrofit, the City can make have little say in whether their buildings offer progress by focusing on providing education, incentives, the charging equipment necessary to support and support for hybrids, electric vehicles (EVs), and other electric vehicle use. Requiring new multifam- cleaner-fueled vehicles. ily and commercial developments to provide charging stations will make electric vehicle use possible and practical for a larger segment of Ashland's population by giving them the ability ULT-3-1. Implement a local fuel- to charge their vehicles near where they live, related tax. work, and shop. . Having a sense of the baseline use of fossil fuels for transportation can help Ashland shape the ULT-3-3. Develop and provide most effective fuel-switching policies and incen- Information about electric and tives possible. A local gas tax or a carbon tax on gasoline and diesel would serve as an indicator hybrid vehicles and incentive of fuel demand, while also providing the City programs on the City website. with funds that could be used to improve trans- The technology and market for hybrids and portation infrastructure, expand public transit EVs can be difficult for consumers to decipher. options, or invest in other actions. A gas tax Educating the public on these vehicles-and would also encourage drivers to change their the rebates and incentives available for them- behavior to reduce their use of fossil fuels. is an easy and low-cost early step that can make the process of choosing and purchasing one of these vehicles more straightforward. The City could also explore opportunities to work with organizations like Drive Oregon to organize promotional events and with dealerships to increase availability of electric vehicles. 62 these activities do not come at the expense of higher housing costs, which could disadvan- tage low-income populations. Ashland's population is growing, and with a larger population comes new development. Updating zoning ULT-4-3. Modify the WUI code to requirements and land-use policies can shape new development to be as climate-resilient as possible. Include COnStrUCtlOn techniques appropriate for wildfire-prone areas. Ashland's WUI zones are the most wild- ULT-4-1. Consider regulating fire-threatened parts of' the city, and the risk of further construction or expansion wildfires affecting these areas will only increase as climate change increases the frequency and in the Wildland Urban Interface severity of fires. Modifying the WUI code to (WUI) part of the urban growth require more resilient construction techniques boundary. can minimize the risk that new structures built in the WUI are damaged or destroyed by fire. The WUI zone includes areas on the fringe of Ashland where homes and buildings are inclose proximity with undeveloped lands. Evidence from other cities indicates that wildfires are most deadly and destructive when they burn into denser neighborhoods on the outskirts of town. Expanding the WUI aid/or limiting con- struction can limit the density of these areas reducing the risk of severe damage as the frequency and intensity of wildfires increase. ULT-4-2. Revise community development plans to favor walkable neighborhoods and infill density. Ashland has a series of long-range planning documents that guide development across Ashland districts, neighborhoods, and natural areas. Revisiting these plans to ensure that they support climate-ready development needs, such as walking, biking, transit, parking management, and climate adaptation features, will ensure that Ashland development is con- sistent with the City's climate goals and com- mitments. It will be important to ensure that 63 ULT-5-2. Conduct a city fleet - audit and use it to set policy and targets for higher-efficiency vehicles, vehicle-sharing across To move Ashland toward a future of low-carbon transportation, the City should lead by example. While departments, and out-of-town the City's own emissions are relatively small compared vehicle use. to personal and commercial vehicle use, there is an Conducting an audit of the City's vehicles is a opportunity to make internal improvements that straightforward and low-cost action that sets demonstrate its commitment to supporting efficient the stage for policies to govern the fuel effi- vehicles, alternative fuel sources, and public/shared ciency of the fleet and/or mandate a transition transportation. to alternative fuel vehicles overtime. ULT-5-3. Develop policy to require ULT-5-1. Provide carpool and the purchase of verified carbon vanpool parking, charging offsets to offset City staff travel. stations, and parking for EVs for Ashland has no contro, over the policies, City employees. fuel sources, and infrastructure of jurisdic- tions beyond the city limits. Purchasing Supporting multiple commute options for City carbon offsets is a straightforward action that employees is an important step on the path to allows the City to extend its commitment to reducing the use of fossil fuels for transporta- reducing its emissions to staff who travel for tion, one of Ashland's biggest sources of green- work reasons. Furthermo-e, if the City's offset house gas emissions. Encouraging the use of payments are invested in local projects, they ridesharing, vanpooling, and alternative fuel can provide a wide range of co-benefits to the vehicle use among City staff will set an example local community. for private citizens and serve as tangible evidence of the City's commitment to sustain- ability. Furthermore, some of this infrastruc- ture-EV charging stations, for example-can be opened to the public, increasing its positive impact. The City could also pursue new policies and programs for encouraging City employees to drive less for their daily commute. 64 SSM~SPORIA~'7 fry} Q Here are some actions that everyday Ashland residents and organizations can take to make a difference in addressing climate change. Leaving your personal vehicle behind when commuting or running errands can make a big difference for your carbon footprint and can also be a healthy and enjoyable alternative to driving. When purchasing your next personal vehicle, consider more efficient alternatives such as hybrid or electric vehicles. 65 { i,, •.A Utz ~,;~4 ,a ; VIP- y . , Iv-4 i'l all r ~ y ..;s -~~{y{j t b'"Y ((E { r t S r fr' ~ ~ yys♦ ter, 6 w r IN ~sl 4 e At ..v ~y o Ailp . tiq,~ . 1, 1` ~1• .tit ~i~,~~ :+e i ,~f, F` wAs,~2.~ his j."Y'• fl, ~17T.41k- 0 1 I v y, . ~ 40 `F e r ^"•;:l z t ,f 1 t . ~ t ~ 1 ~ ~ ~ ,Vd' .tic 1= f . ~ ! L.L l a 444 ( . 9 ~ _ ev~ ra.~ '~.e, Ar~ 4w, , opro w , p. t -th ta f AA t} t o"A .p IZA d ~ ~E A/ jfppp , . •.t s 4 t ' S -YIA y ~ ~ r N t Y r ~ K i r: z,,f Y 1 6 { Upstream emissions from the production and could also disrupt global markets and supply chains, transportation of food and goods account for 48% potentially resulting in global price increases and of Ashland's total emissions-more than any other resource scarcities. sector. A large portion of food emissions are from the production of meat, and household goods emissions are largely from home construction, furniture, clothing, Ashland exemplifies its commitment to reduced waste and vehicle purchases. Because Ashland's industrial and local sourcing through a variety of programs, sector is small and there is no significant agriculture ordinances, and offerings, such as the following: within city limits, the Ashland community relies almost Bans on plastic bags and polystyrene entirely on imported goods, food, and energy products containers: In 2014, the City approved to meet its needs. Encouraging greater local food an ordinance to substantially reduce production would have emissions reduction benefits consumption of single-use plastic carryout while simultaneously improving food security and bags. The City also bans polystyrene availability for Ashland's residents. Climate change may foam food packaging at local restaurants, disrupt global supply chains and thereby affect the cost retail food vendors, and nonprofit food of household goods and services that local residents providers. and businesses rely on. While these emissions are large, Community garden programs, they are "indirect" emissions that are not under the • farmers' markets, and co-ops: Ashland same level of community control as the local, sector- enjoys anumber of venues for growing based emissions. While Ashland might change local and purchasing locally produced development codes to address building energy, there food, including at four City-sponsored is no similar ability to influence production efficiencies for imported goods and services. Therefore, Ashland's community gardens, the Rogue Valley potential actions related to consumption and materials Growers and Crafters Market, and at management mostly centeron influencingconsumption retailers like the Ashland Food Co-op. behavior and supporting a variety of local and/or more Residential curbside recycling sustainable purchasing options for its residents. programs and outreach: Recology provides curbside recycling service to Ashland residents, as well as education Climate change is also expected to increase stressors and outreach programs on backyard such as pests, disease, and drought on the region's small local agriculture sector, potentially reducing composting and reduce/reuse best the availability of local food. Global climate change practi ces. Recology also provides a drop-off recycling center for some hard-to- recycle materials. 68 1 Illlli~llll Mimi t 1 cl 69 CM-1-2. Support "collaborative consumption" community projects. Collaborative consumption reduces demand for new products by facilitatingthe sharing and/ or repair of existing products in the community. Because the City cannot directly influence how goods Tool libraries, for example, allow community are produced outside its jurisdiction, its main feasible members to avoid purchasing new tools by option is to reduce the use of targeted carbon-intensive instead borrowing from a communal pool of goods and services by encouraging residents to change donated tools. The City can explore how best their consumer habits, such as by supporting shared to encourage sustainable consumption and use programs that reduce the need to own products. sharing activities like tool libraries and repair cafes, such as through mini-grant programs. CM-1-3. Conduct a study to CM-1-1. Implement an education determine effective ways to campaign for waste and reduce and track consumption- consumption reduction strategies. based emissions. Private consumption of food and goods is the Current approaches for tracking and mitigating largest single source of Ashland's greenhouse consumption-based emissions are coarse and gas emissions. While the City does not have relatively undefined. The City should continue the ability to directly control or reduce these to evaluate new approaches and tools for emissions, it can encourage sustainable habits more accurately and effectively addressing this and purchasing decisions that target common important emissions source. sources of waste and carbon-intensive con- sumption. For example, the City could continue to include tips and instructions for energy-sav- ing opportunities within City bills and news- letters, or provide additional informaton and outreach for replacing inefficient appliances, opting-out of junk mail, and available reuse sto res. 70 70 CM-2-2. Expand community gardening and urban agriculture opportunities at community gardens, schools, parks, and Supporting environmentally responsible production of goods and food locally-in or around Ashland- rooftops. is beneficial because it eliminates the emissions increasing the land and resources available for associated with shipping goods produced far away to local agriculture can help satisfya portion ofthe the city, and because it gives the City greater influence city's demand for food, reducing the quantity on encouraging sustainable production practices. of food that must be imported from outside the region. "Greening" public spaces can have numerous co-benefits, too, including offset- ting the urban heat island effect and providing garden space to those who do not have yards. CM-2-1. Partner with nonprofit The City could work to expand existing local food programs, such as by encouraging farms organizations to promote the to work directly with organizations such as purchase of local produce and churches or schools to provide communi- products, such as through a ty-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. "buy climate-friendly first" food purchasing initiative for public institutions. One way the City can support sustainable local food production is to work with independent organizations to showcase and support cli- mate-friendly retailers and products. The City could work with systems such as the Ashland School District, Southern Oregon University, and Asante Ashland Community Hospital to incorporate "climate-friendly first" food pur- chasing. 71 71 Diverting more waste from the landfill is one of the most CM-3-3. Strengthen the direct strategies Ashland can focus on to reduce the Demolition Debris and environmental impacts of the city's consumption. While Diversion ordinance to enhance the City cannot influence upstream procuction methods at factories and farms beyond its city limits, minimizing enforcement and increase downstream waste has a clear and measurable diversion and reuse. positive impact that will help Ashland move toward its Due in large part to the sheer quantity of sustainability goals. material involved, home demolition has an outsized impact on Ashland's materials man- agement strategy. Targeting buildings for reuse and salvage not only reduces the quantity of CM-3-1. Improve recycling material being sent to the landfill, but also programs, implement new creates a local market of recovered building materials that can be used again in new con- education and outreach, and struction projects, remodels, and landscap- expand public space recycling. ing. This actions calls for enhancing Ashland's current Demolition Debris and Diversion Making recycling a convenient and straightfor- ordinance so that it is more strictly enforced ward process is crucial to helping Ashlandersto and encourages further diversion and reuse of reduce waste disposal and increase diversion building materials. The City could explore the from the landfill. Education and outreach, introduction of mandates for a greater per- better signage, and placing more bins in public centage of deconstruction over time and also areas are some of the potential ways to improve consider efforts to promote reuse of those recycling in Ashland. materials in new construction projects. CM-3-2. Update the multi-family recycling ordinance to encourage more diversion. Historically, increasing diversion rates from multi-family residential waste streams has been challenging. The City should uUpdate and expand recycling standards and requirements for existing and future multifamily housing to increase recycling diversion rates consistent with the Council approved recycling program updates. These actions should be implemented in accordance with recommendations provided by the ad-hoc Recycle Center Committee. 72 72 CM-4-2. Provide a kitchen best practices guide to help Production of food is a large emissions source, and, unfortunately, a significant portion of the food that households and businesses makes it into Ashland's homes and businesses spoils reduce food waste and or is otherwise wasted. Reducing this waste-and using the remaining food waste productively-will ensure that consumption. Ashland gets the most benefit possible out of its food. Educating residents and businesses on how in addition to reducing the GHG emissions associated to reduce food waste is a low-cost option to with wasted food, edible food that would have gone to reduce wasted food, a preventable source of waste can be donated to residents who might otherwise greenhouse gas emissions. struggle to afford groceries. CM-4-3. Facilitate recycling of commercial food waste. CM-4-1. Support edible food While reducing food waste by addressing its root causes is the best option, some food waste donation through coordination will always remain. The City can serve a central with the food bank and donations role in taking advantage of this waste stream by arranging for discarded food to be used from City and community partner for energy production, including the use of events. cooking oil for biodiesel and biofuels. The City The environmental benefits of reducing food could also consider working with Recology to waste means there is more food to share with provide organic waste pickup services. those in need. This action calls on the City and community to work with the food bank to make sure edible leftover food at public events ends up on dining tables, not in the landfill. 73 73 City operations account for a relatively small portion of Ashland's emissions, they are a relatively easy target for sustainability improvements because the City has direct control over them. CM-5-1. Introduce City environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) guidelines for City procurement. Creating an EPP policy is a low-cost action that would guide City staff to choose more sustain- able products and services by modifying the procurement process. While the complexity of Ashland's existing procurement process may make this action more difficult to implement, it is worth considering because a wide range of cities similar to Ashland have successfully implemented EPP policies of their own. For example, the City could require evaluation of electronic equipment using the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT). CM-5-2. Assess the feasibility of co-digesting food waste and biosolids to generate electricity at the wastewater treatment facility. Generating electricity from the gases captured from decomposing organic matter is a win-win strategy: it prevents harmful GHGs from entering the atmosphere, and it creates electricity that can offset the wastewater treatment facility's energy use or be fed back onto the power grid. 74 ROGUE VALLEY Here are some actions that everyday Ashland residents and organizations can take to make a difference in addressing TO climate change. Animal products are extremely G -iG-intensive to produce :ompared to plants. Eating less meat and dairy can make a big cut in food consumption emissions. Eating regionally-grown food that is suitable for the southern Oregon climate can also make a difference through reduced transportation-related emissions. Studies show that in America, approximately 40% of food never makes it to our dining tables-meaning the water, fertilizer, farm equipment, and transportation involved in producing this food and getting it to your refrigerator is wasted. Planning carefully when you shop and storing food properly can go a long way toward reducing food waste, and save you money, too. ROGUE11111tV,A,LLEV~;, The purchase of manufactured goods is one of the A~l largest contributors to Ashland's GHG emissions. • dT4 Consider buying reused or borrowing items you only use S CHO 0L infrequently to help reduce these emissions. _ 'yam The fewer items you purchase, the better for the environment. Investing in quality items that last longer often also makes sense for your wallet, since you don't have to keep replacing items when they break. 755 , , r.jY' ~ ~`.~:%3. •R. d~ .w wit i, ~•Y~f`;a:- _ j[ i y( Su • S .~Y.• 4 ,y,;.. - ,i ~F4 `gib. ~.f'~'~~ •l_:'• t ~ Pr ,•~'~^;9 ~'>c. ,•03°#4.. 5 . ,L,,' ,L ~y _ ~ K~ at L ,•y7t".> a • .%P/;' V$; - J . • S.. - ,',.:u•" fi'r''' ~;.s• )y~!~ • , , .1 Y 311 7 Am it W 9iC 1;7 -P 'lee 'y'. > w y tl F 7:"t } rtx '%z tir, ~cl. y}~ • y JT. 3.~ ~ ryt v~ y.~ + , Y i or* .17 'AN, •yf r r fir' ,4i5','. r `4• ` _ R w > I~J p,~ ~~i~ f+ • f e'er r, a¢- •'t te^'"`f•' .aP` yy • . A r* ax _ t , . ~ Jae - e. e . wz - u AA& ' - All s • ~~J a -L. i 41• v x r~ y ~ S ~n rz r: - 'Y•. s ~.t i G,Y L f ~ Y t { X512 t~ # Y c r.. ; 5 1 *`41~} T^ t+«'t : 'iiJ ~}.L~ f ~ 7K-~S..S £ i ; 4 ~,r >t ll / } y !Y',~ 4 RL'~5.,;. ~w~ 4 @ ~ 5 •Y. NYtyr~ ~ ~i '11't L..t ~h ~t~ F. E. ~ E4 .t ra•. ~Y `.N. "4'~15L~~.,P-t# f.. J - 2, ' ~ z'~; ~ }y 'i' Fa~1 ~`kqY i ' F'",~;; r „ ~ ~ F ~ Y ~ , }4 ~ - x::: .i' S yj'y o Ft,Sfrr5 }s 1' t I T''r`'~ 14 i xdc it Y M F Sri ~,tb ,I rl 'LS~~4jlfr 7 v b ?I t±f't ,a r l } ~ ~ ~ yy i. 'xt F S ~ '.r.. ,}S. ~ > ~ Ste. Y ~ >L ~k t4 ,1 r r ~ S S 7 44 rr; + i ^ti~ t •r;yE P ~ .yry4 k } , y - y 4%s ~ A ~f5 4'-d ~r i 't r x I4r v, , Although not formally accounted for in Ashland's Many of Ashland's natural systems and surrounding greenhouse gas emissions inventory, natural natural areas will be harmed by climate change, ecosystems such as forests and wetlands capture and tf reatening the ecosystem services they provide such store carbon, acting as a greenhouse gas "sink."Proper as water filtration, flood abatement, pollination, ecosystem management optimizes this process of recreation, and fire protection. Importantly, the effects carbon sequestration and minimizes the potential risk of climate change on natural sys-ems are interrelated of greenhouse gas emissions from wildfires. and may compound each other; for example, more frequent and severe droughts will increase the risk of The 2016 Ashland Forest Plan puts forth forest wildfires. Changes in temperature, snowpack, and the management objectives that take into account the abundance of diseases and pests will stress sensitive important role of forests in a changing climate. Some and high-elevation plants, wildlife, and ecosystems relevant objectives from the plan include: such as the northern spotted owl, anadromous fish populations, and mid-elevation coniferous forests. Reducing the likelihood of high-severity fire Other stressors, such as habitat loss and pollution, • through strategically placed fuels treatments exacerbate this risk by minimizing habitat connectivity and subsequent implementation of prescribed and aggravating existing sensitivies. underburning to maintain reduced fuels and less fire-prone conditions; Climate change may also benefit some species and ecosystems. For example, a species whose pathogens Managing for both development and maintenance are sensitive to drought may experience reduced • of older forests that may sequester and retain large pathogen risk. However, these rarer cases are not are not the focus of this plan. amounts of carbon overtime; • Focusing on protection and restoration of diverse forest structures, plant communities and associated genetic resources which are important mechanisms of resilience; • Emphasizing multiple tree species management including species well selected to thrive in future warmer and drier conditions such as pines, hardwoods and shrub species (within prescribed spatial considerations for their potential to aggravate fire potential and hazard'; and • Monitoring and control of plant species that are prone to establishment and/or expansion in changing climates. 78 } The City of Ashland works within its city limits and with partners outside its limits to promote sustainable management and conservation of its natural ecosystems. Here are some ways the City is currently taking actior: • The Ashland Forest Resiliency Project has produced planning documents that consider optimized forest fuel management and wildfire planning in the face of climate change. • A new city Water Master Plan will incorporate future climate risks to water supply and quality into future service planning and activities. • The City promotes drought-tolerant landscaping through education, outreach, and technical assistance. • The City water utility has a tiered rate structure to provide incen- tives for conservation among the largest water uses. • The 2016 Ashland Forest Plan calls for over 500 acres of wildfire hazard reduction in and around the City, over 150 acres of commercial thinning, and the establishment of a controlled uncerburn- ing program to continually reintroduce the natural role of fire in our fire-dependent ecosystem. I t r' i Y - r 4 . a 'AA 79 through a plan that includes thinning smaller trees, reducing flammable fuels, and conduct- ing controlled burns. Through these activities - and close monitoring, adaptive management, and incorporation of future climate change =i= projections into forest management and planning, the City will address climate change Climate change has the potential to significantly disrupt threats ecosystem stability and public health local ecosystems by altering precipitation patterns, and safety. increasing average temperatures, and making extreme weather events more frequent and severe. These changes can affect a wide range of ecosystem features NS-1 -2. Use green infrastructure and functions, from causing fish die-offs to disrupting such as bioswales, permeable pollinators. Local government policies and actions will play pavement, other pervious a key role in protecting ecosystem elements from climate- surfaces to reduce flood risk and related threats. minimize sediment entry into creeks from trails and roads. NS-1-1. Manage forests to retain Runoff from rainwater and snowmelt can carry pollutants and sediment into ecologically biodiversity, resilience, and sensitive waterways. PoLution due to runoff ecosystem function and services and flooding in urban areas will likely become a more common-and more serious-problem for in the face of climate change. Use Ashland as climate change alters precipitation best available science to inform patterns and increases the frequency of severe rainstorms. Green infrastructure allows water fire management and planning to infiltrate into the Soil, reducing the amount to manage ecosystem health, of polluted runoff that flows into sensitive community safety, and carbon creeks, wetlands, and other waterways. The City should continue to promote green infra- storage. structure where possible and consider green Responsible management of existing natural infrastructure as a default option for on-site areas within and surrounding Ashland will stcrmwater management. bolster ecosystem health and prevent the breakdown of important ecosystem functions. The 2016 Ashland Forest Plan discusses these critical needs and considerations for City- owned forests in the context of a changing climate, and presents management approaches for balancing forest resilience, climate mitiga- tion, and other priorities. The Ashland Forest Resiliency Stewardship Project addresses forest resilience beyond City-owned properties 80 80 NS-1-3. Undertake restoration NS-1-4. Map and protect areas efforts to retain and restore that provide ecosystem services, native fish and riparian species, such as remnant spring, wetland, including enhancement of fish- and late successional forest friendly operations and habitat at habitats, through improved public Reeder Reservoir and in Ashland lands management/ownership and Bear Creeks. and promotion of conservation The fish and riparian species that call southern easements and private open Oregon home will likely be increasingly stressed by water scarcity and other climate-driven spaces. impacts on the health of local waterways. This action focuses on identifying and prior- Undertaking habitat restoration and protec- itizing the protection of the most important tion efforts not only supports healthy stocks elements of the local ecosystem through public of these species, but can provide co-benefits ownership and conservation easements. The to residents and visitors by creating beautiful 2016 Ashland Forest Plan provides a variety of natural environments for visitors to enjoy and maps that could be used to begin prioritizing educational opportunities for residents to areas for protection. understand and appreciate native ecosystems and species. The City delineates Riparian Man- agement Areas (RMAs), and the City's Stream and Wetland Enhancement Guide provides a resource for learningto control erosion, manage invasive plants, and cultivate a healthy, native " landscape. The 2016 Ashland Forest Plan lays" " out ecosystem service-driven management - priorities within the over 5 miles of stream and = 96 acres of riparian areas, as well as calls out specific opportunities for fisheries enhance- ment along Bear and Ashland Creek. 81 81 r, cultural areas, or better understand the rela- tionship and tradeoffs between tree density and water availability.. While minimizing the City's water use internally is important, conserving water in the community can have NS-2-2. Explore water-efficient a greater impact due to its scale. Water conservation technologies on irrigation systems can have double benefits in the face of a changing climate: it can help the community be more prepared for and consider requiring them drought, and also reduce stress to aquatic ecosystems during the permitting process. and thereby enhance the resiliency of those ecosystems to a variety of climate and non-climate stressors. landscaping irrigation uses large quantities of Through education, policy, and incentives the City can water. Requiring advanced irrigation systems encourage the community to make meaningfulwater especially for large commercial or multifam- use reductions. ky properties, could have a significant impact on the city's water use. T-iis action could also involve promotion of water-efficient landscape design and maintenance through revision of Site Design and Use Standards in the land use Evan NS-2-1. Evaluate incentives for code. practices that reduce use of potable water for nonpotable NS-2-3. Expand water purposes and recharge conservation outreach and groundwater. incentive programs for residents Incentives can be a valuable tool to reduce and businesses. water use and encourage the installation of Providing additional education and support to rainwater collection and water reuse systems. residents and businesses can help reduce water As a bonus, these systems offer stormwater use by identifying easy, cost-effective ways to prevention co-benefits. Similar incentives reduce water use; for example, by installing have been used successfully in a number of low-flow fixtures and faucet aerators. The City other cities. The viability and benefits of these may consider providing additional financial practices are currently being examined as part incentives to encourage widespread adoption of Ashland's Comprehensive Water Master of these upgrades or to make more costly Plan update, including exploration of options water-saving upgrades financially feasible all to promote and install graywater reuse at households, including lower-income families. community gardens and other local urban agri- This action could involve facilitating sustain- ability certifications, such as under the Salmon Safe certification program, at local businesses. 82 82 NS-3-2. Implement efficiency F M1 _ a recommendations from the City -1 facilities water audit. While the City's internal operations account for a The City is currently in the process of conduct- relatively small portion of Ashland's overall emissions conserving resources sets a visible example that ing an audit of water use at its facilities. The residents and businesses in the community can follow. audit will help the City identify opportunities to Water use, in particular, will be important to minimize reduce waste and improve the water efficiency in the future: with more frequent and severe droughts of its operations. due to climate-driven changes in precipitation and snowpack, Ashland and the surrounding area will have to manage its water resources to minimize the impacts of increasing water scarcity. NS-3-1. Evaluate the potential for installation of rainwater collection systems at City facilities for graywater uses, and investigate opportunities for graywater reuse at existing and new City facilities and properties. This action aims to reduce the quantity of filtered, potable water used at City facilities by using rainwater for nonpotable uses, such as toilet-flushing and irrigation. Graywater recycling could further reduce the quantity of fresh, clean water used by the City for nonpo- table purposes. 83 Here are some actions that everyday Ashland residents and organizations can take to make a difference in addressing climate change. Work with the City to learn about options for reducing stormwater runoff and increasing water storage and reuse at your home or business. Install water-efficient fixtures, take shorter showers, irrigate at night, and otherwise reduce water use. x Volunteer at a habitat restoration event donate to land conservancy or education organizations, and get outside! i. k f ~«F ~ 4 'S fin. n x Y I 4 r t id r^r YR i f rr 4Y I d~4, tr. t ~F t F x ~ 4 k.~ w. x; r ~t 0s } 4, hR * . e ~ l lot x r w 85 tsxV m i„ _ y z~ R AN 66 Y N t ~ r F t <3 e R ~ • R a 5 , ~ c w~ : .:+rSLY. ri~:vye '816 r L f - 11 . t t f F Z , " t rr y, Yb r ` f yl I : N ' 11 t . S - ~r - V 5 - ,N..t L t v c I f; A. .y. .'i 3r P air 3 h v: . 4 r , 1 r'~ S NF Jr4 f iI,♦r r j l1 k , 9 > 1... a}dya s , ...z S f ' 4,5 y a j `Fr I t t i H 1 i +a r t k - .V : ~ v( s 7 1 , F'' 4 I ~ I 'f' S a LU F '~pi l"1 v rM y s w ' t to ~ ;yl)v " s e t. c t - a' ' r,'4rl , tih t r r\ 7 i r "uw h`r , C, f'i~.a 4 r y' 1 t n ~s ~ ,~C r a ..rv~i r S kia 7 1j, ° "S 1 r I ys. t..:1~1 1 r,.b .14 4 f, ' ~ j 'l' i t F . A ski _ M war 11 s S. , rc s "b° xr k r i ~ 1-- _ ij 7 ^vt a j k R~ 4 s t, ~t t ? o-,c-- r x , < ilF, 't" 3L ; ,Y :way` 3 'L t gtir.Yt T x t i k?'~, 3 0, 7 It, 4 ; s. 3 Ash Y I k = 7 I~ ~ r a .'k~4..t : a i `a r s y0 9 3 4 1 e r 1 f c r l' 4 ;W ? [ IF{ ..1 t , 7 Fes' J~ l..;.. 1 a ~ Y-a#ty I Qr r1,1 - 'rl,A ` t r awe p„ G a k+1S " b . z ff 4 r-' icy ,...5_. h;•', ~'1~' 6 r six'T- { ,.1 " y, 47~,av' a E 5 5.. t 8 - k. J.➢ '1 i,~ e VS r 7« a y? r,., ,.y X. f E f .x'[ . k i .f~^c}p, .>t 1~ e K, R C a 7t. n x _ -I I C : ,h I,f S. :d a~} + r ~ -.R ~t a'`~ r t 4 S4 S,K. -r+<<• r ij ¢ 7 ti .e Fs k. N'rE r . , 1 F ~5Y t Y }.c s ti 111- w = Y 11 rm . s Tie .C1 ~e.- y a;y it~r`'?~~.: td.,i - 11 I 11 I id k r. -{r; r~ti } = h r ,m w ~ azr e a 4 fj t 4 f- txY ~z k , . , ' rat`; ~7 .f S:"b ,us x • 1 i r 1 Y t ,R `r , :max r Y ~ ~3, y ':p y *IF - t?Ff A la _ z 4 ..F L, _r . Climate change may seem removed from issues of t o D a , tnt health, safety, and security, its effects may have significant impacts on Ashland's population. Increased Although the City of Ashland has limited influence over heat waves, flooding, and wildfires threaten the health the health and social security of its residents, the City and safety of all residents, and Ashland's outdoor has made great strides in supporti-ig the local economy industry workers, the elderly and very young, and low- and preparing for emergency events: income populations are especially vulnerable. • Firewise Ashland provides residents of the Rafting, skiing, and other outdoor recreation industries wildland urban interface with the knowledge and may suffer from reduced snowpack and reduced skills necessary to prepare for wildfires. summer flows, affecting workers throughout the local tourist industry. Increased wildfire risk will stress The Social Service Grant and Community emergency services and increase the number of homes Development Block Grant programs support within wildfire risk areas. While many of the strategies disadvantaged and at-risk populations. and actions in other sections of this report have • The annual Ashland is Ready workshop provides positive direct impacts or co-benefits on public health emergency planning assistance and information for and safety, these issues are important enough to merit residents. specific discussion. Without healthy, happy, and secure citizens, Ashland will not thrive. Note: Emissions associated with public health, safety, and well-being ore encapsulated in other sectors of the greenhouse gas inventory and therefore cannot be independently evoluoted. .may i L is f -w i s an m_ I 6 ~-A-ld Ind' C." s ~ s With average temperatures on the rise and extreme weather events predicted to become more common due to climate change, Ashland will need to consider adapting its management of the cityscape and ecosystems to protect its residents' quality of life. PRIORITY ACTIn. PHSW-1-1. Promote the expansion of tree canopy in urban heat islands or areas that need air _ conditioning such as schools. _ The urban heat island effect can have serious - impacts on public health and quality of life, including causing heat--related fatalities among elderly or otherwise vulnerable people. The City can reduce this effect by increasing tree canopy cover in targeted areas that do not currently have adequate shade or air conditioning, as well as promote and educate citizens about the benefits of shading, with trees and building features. OTHER ACTIONS J 8Q ,g Y PHSW-2-2. Support organizations, such as SOU, in evaluating risks to local food sources under climate Becoming more sustainable and preparingforthe effects change. of climate change will require more than government As discussed in Strategy CW-2, local food pro- action; the private sector also plays a central role. The duction minimizes greenhouse gas emissions City can serve as a thought leader, facilitator, and central associated with food transport, supports the coordinator to spur climate action by a wide variety of local economy, and brings other sustainability independent businesses. benefits. As part of the City's work to support and expand local agriculture, it can consider taking a supporting the work of other organi- zations to evaluate how local food sources may be stressed or affected by climate change, and PHSW-2-1. Engage leading how best to navigate the challenges to ensure employers in a dialogue on that local farms remain viable and productive. This workwould include researching new crops, climate action, for example, technologies, and innovative approaches, by organizing and facilitating and working with farmers to adapt to climate roundtables. change. This action involves bringing focal employers togetherwith City staff and independent experts to discuss how climate change will affect their businesses, how to minimize those risks, and how to effectively incorporate climate and sus- tainability concerns into their businesses. 90 PHSW-3-2. Identify and minimize LY R Q potential urban heat impacts. Climate change is expected to increase the Many of the facilities and services provided by the number and severity of heat waves in Ashland, City can also serve as important venues for adapting putting vulnerable people at greater risk to climate change. This strategy identifies ways that of heat-related health complications and the City can work with the community to minimize reducing the quality of life for all Ashland public health impacts from climate change, such as residents. The City can take steps to minimize heat, respiratory, and pathogen-related illnesses. This the risks presented by heat waves by identify- strategy also includes opportunities for the City to ing where heat-related impacts will be most adjust or repurpose its current activities and facilities to pronounced and working to encourage and/ help minimize public health threats, such as its libraries, or directly implement strategies for offsetting parks, and emergency managemertservices. these impacts, such as by designating cooling centers through the city, improving cooling R, TY ACT systems in schools and senior centers, and incentivizing cooling strategies such as cool PHSW-3-1. Work with vulnerable roofs/pavements and expanded tree canopy. populations to create specific adaptation strategies to address PHSW-3-3; Develop or enhance public health risks. heat-warning systems for p employees and the public. Some populations and areas of the city will be more vulnerable to climate impacts than Heat-warning systems Help minimize the health others. The City can work to minimize the dangers associated with extreme heat by giving impacts on its most at-risk populations and the public a chance to plan ahead to avoid areas by working with residents and local being outside or take refuge at a designated organizations to identify and implement cus- cooling center during the hottest periods. tomized solutions. For example, outlying areas exposed to wildfires or low-lying homes 01.*.7.: ACTIONS and businesses in flood zones could receive tailored trainings to ensure readiness for the = - - = - risks of their location. The City could work with at-risk populations such as the elderly or disabled to identify specific challenges in the _ face of a changing climate and customized solutions such as accessible cooling centers or additional health services. 91 Climate stress adds additional burdens to City safety services. This strategy involves taking measures within City operations and current services to protect the public from injuries caused by extreme events like wildfires and flooding. PHSS-4-1. Update the City's emergency response plan and = - ensure that preparation and updates recognize and address likely climate change impacts. From wildfires to floods, the emergencies that Ashland faces will increasingly be linked to climate change. The City can protect its citizens from these emergencies by incorporating climate projections and likely impacts into its existing emergency response plan. J iPHSS-4-2. Identify and address J~ populations and essential CityY services that are within the 100- year flood zone. Climate-driven changes in precipitation and snowmelt patterns will likely increase the, frequency and severity of flooding in the city. One way Ashland can mitigate the damage of severe floods is by identifying populations and essential services in flood-prone areas and working to relocate or protect them. This action could include examining adjustments" to the Water Resources Ordinance chapter of the land use code, which stipulates setback requirements for properties located within at-risk areas. 92 Here are some actions that everyday Ashland residents and organizations can take to make a difference in addressing climate change. ocency it, Jackson County offers tips and checklists to help residents create emergency kits for their homes and cars. Visit the Jackson County Emergency Management website or contact Jackson County for more information. Sign up for Citizen Alert!, a free program from Jackson County that sends community alerts to your phone and email when you register online. z ,..g i.', ffi+tl 3 R .r J L . Understand the risk of flooding or wildfire to your home, and take action to safeguard your home. Ashland provides free Firewise assessments for properties at potential risk of wildfire. Find more information at the City's Ready, Set, Go! Evacuation website. Injuries from heat exhaustion and wildfire smoke can be exacerbated by conditions such as dehydration, diabetes, heart conditions, and obesity. Staying healthy, avoiding harmful activities, and taking proper precaution can make sure you and your family are safe from deadly heat- and smoke-related illnesses. r `5F r y.3„*~~ ~ ,~7 C C,-C'~~ ~ ~ '1 , ile ma=y" ~ Y~ r ' ~ , t~ e~ ~'~•~"J ~ 7 y r LL u R 7' .>.y~ ` .i ..'~ifa `~'~e9..a3 J "ir7 aD • ~j j m +W:°~ I WE r - S lI ~ v - •S~ ff/ rrr fir a . y.Q j~ J~N y %1J !N } r i ft o f ix s yry "r i4A ,~tk' • ~ f~t a 1 ~ _ ~h ' S~ ! ~ (I " r jt i~ • ~!P' 4! rC r ,~yGlw ^ . ' Y~ ~ t i'`.t .x. * ` ~ « . / r x ~ rt ~ T• ti :y'. , fi"r" 4 t M ~,-i ` x. {s t.. x ! } .5~,,~,,f P ~!,S~'' 1 I - E ' re l i F « 1 ` t I . f : r` t•' 1 Y Y •'Olt, - . ! • ; r I ~ • D f r ~'F' tt yi v ~ s /4 ~1, a,..w. 1y' s l 1 + J I r{~ ti « fl r'•• « C ~ . / f ~ ' '1 ` ~ w .M1 t e ,t 3 t ~ ~ • r 6 i ~ ~ „ < <ra :.3^.: . ""ter ~ A 'C-.. 1-{„ f- ! e• ~r.• h \ a r ~'i`'. 'fir` t _ ~I Tt i fF• a ° ~ t• 1 ` - w. { x t a 1 t. ~ .t rte I ~ t5 t•- l~ % ~~yt1 ,~/4 is! r,t l•~• ~E rs y,'rs~j~. , ~ `yk. Ifs "TA i'~•. ;r~f;.i~ N i t ~-it S ~ .t, , t ± I` 1 q 8I a I f~, j/, ~ `ht( ll c q ' ~ A t *7 ' t ~R'kn+e,y~"„='^y .4 ~ f t 'atx " '+h~f!~~~~7~(~r Jf~ , ' yt \ ~•~a'-..r+~". i:• "~l~A~ Y~t ~l'~f A •,r ' ~t'~~ a '~"`iO . iS ~ • t? x ~ . t ~ # t ; ~r jt ~ x , t .i rig.. , t JI~'s ,t ~'.si.., . , 4s •s"- i ~ t j`~A s t LL~ ' ~ i!R t , ~ 7..+'! j +.l~i*^" ,.r -vi`..~t \ p ~T'♦ it: ~ t t..~Tr" v~ ~r~~° ? T}b -•yl ` ; s, ~I ;r • , g Z. ti f, Y t* v , •.s r.:' rI'+~ ' ' ! ' " 4Fo 00 WNW. ".ry rt r'.sNV x6" it" f ` ~s ~ °t' ~r.~C;~, . '~y ~ca ~~~+•4 a Y: r . ► A« , .t . J; {try t~~ *r - f+ . f~ 1 lit e all 0 ~ ~ ~ • ~ it . : i'+~ ~ ~ jar.( j 1 r Y ti~'~.~»•.. A• ~t ~ A . ~ ~ • ' , s, Hi' .fr'y'' / t F >f r+ ' . w . i y~"' 'r. Fy•. js~• r. ri S;, t. ry, iA w.trfK r c r fII • K \ y ~ F n r`+8 p l'v w y} w ' 7 4 i { t . r . r . - Sri - 3a r fir.. x ~ Addressing climate change requires working across sectorsto incorporate climate change considerations into all that we do. Only through a coordinated and multifaceted effort can significant progress be made. The City of Ashland has demonstrated a commitment to comprehensive climate action through development of this Climate and Energy Action Plan. Prior to the plan _ the City also completed its first citywide greenhouse gas inventory, which served as an essential benchmark for understanding and taking action against the community's greatest GHG emission sources. The City has also hosted a number of public outreach and engagement events around climate change and sustainability, including the Ashland U mate Challenge in 2015. - . a . 96 CC-1-2. Support capacity of neighborhood and community groups to implement climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives. Addressing community-wide emissions starts with Every community is different in how it affects ensuring that the public understands climate change and is affected by climate change. To accom- and what they can do to address the challenge. This modate these differences and to empower com- strategy involves not just enhancing public knowledge, munities to take action, the City should provide but also continuing to learn and understand the needs resources and support for neighborhoods that and challenges the public faces in taking action. It wish to tackle climate change directly. Options focuses on finding ways to address the public's needs could include providing resource guides or and challenges through incentives, education, and checklists, venues for community meetings, behavior change programs. or mini-grant programs for specific adapta- tion actions. This action could include plans to conduct outreach specifically to schools and other important institutions and organizations CC-1-1. Create a formal public in the city. outreach and education plan to inform the community about CC-1-2. Assess the feasibility of climate actions and progress. a City-sponsored carbon offset An informed community is critical to empower- program. ing and inspiring climate action. The outreach in cases in which additional local, on-site and education plan will inform residents about emission reductions are not possible, the climate actions, what they accomplish, how purchase of offsets can help the community they can be accessed or used, and how the attain additional emission reductions needed community is progressing toward its targets. to meet the city's climate mitigation goals. The City should explore options for facilitating purchase of offsets by Ashland community members, such as through development of an online tool or interface. ~a. JAN o low. per : 97 a CC-3-1. Consider climate change - in all City Council policy, budgetary, Tasked withimp lementingtheClimate and Energy Action or legislative decisions and as part Plan, City staff and leadership must understand threats and issues related to climate change and the actions of the Council Communication needed to address it. This strategy deals with ensuring document template. that all City departments inform their staff members about the Climate and Energy Action Plan and clarify Council decisions presen- key points in the policy-setting process for incorporating and their roles and expectations for its implementation. considering City priorities. Asking how policy, budgetary, and legislative decisions may affect CC-2-1. Ensure all City or be affected by climate change during these keydecision pointswill provide further assurance departments educate their staff that no new policy or decisions hinder progress members about the Climate and toward reaching Ashland's climate goals. Energy Action Plan. This action includes identifying the expecta- CC-3-2. Consider CEAP goals in tions, roles, and responsibility of each depart- future updates of city plans. ment in meeting specific community and City operations actions within the Climate and To enhance integration of climate change across Energy Action Plan. City activities, climate mitigation and resiliency goals set for in this plan should be promul- gated through future updates of related City plans. Example plans to which this action would apply include the City Comprehensive Plan, Water Master Plan, Transportation System Plan, Neighborhood Master Plans, Forest Plan, and As a cross-cutting issue, climate change should be Emergency Management Plans. integrated into all other City activities and processes, as relevant. This means that any decision that could affect or be affected by climate change should explicitly address that connection and ensure coherence with the city's climate action goals. For example, climate ' change should be considered in all City Council policy, budgetary, or legislative decisions, and as part of regular f. 4.. City Council communications. s ry T d 98 s CC-3-3. Expand mission statements of existing City Commissions to include consideration and perpetuation of climate action goals. The City of Ashland can learn from the experience of There are a variety of existing City Commis- others, and a larger, unified coalition can be more sions that focus on topics related to climate powerful. This strategy involves coordinating with other change. This action involves making an explicit local governments that have set ambitious climate connection to the role of climate change in the targets, such as Eugene, Port and, Seattle, and Fort purview of these Commissions, and formaliz- Collins, to learn from their experiences, share best practices, and together advocate for broader regional, ing the inclusion of climate considerations and state, goals into the activities and objectives of those and national action and leadership. Commissions. CC-4-1. Engage with other governments and organizations around regional, statewide, national, and international climate policy and action. Ashland should continue to collaborate with neighboring cities to share information and foster coordinated and unified action. The City / i should lead and pursue a partnership model, j° f; such as the King County-Cities Climate Collab- oration in Washington State, to coordinate and enhance the effectiveness of local government climate and sustainability action within its region. 4. tr' ~(r + Z FOP ` ,may ~ ~ Y~ ~ 1 y ''s r C` p.~,. x_. F T s ~ ~ ~ - ~ { ; ~ r y~~ x ~ ~ i ' tr rte' .2, T` a i hC ~ A ~ j1s. r ~ ~ ~ ,pr's4 `~~f } i ~ ~y . ~ ~p^ ~ ~ _ 1 ~ Y,~ _ 4~ I ~I!' ~orw+~~ at.m. n H . r, _ i. r r ~ - .2Mt ~'~S- i~).._ ie t i ~ Y. . - . _ ~ ' - R ~ y, t -.r, ; - .i1~.,dy,~~;, - - T 't. . , t , 1 ~ _ ~ . R . i~ n., ~ - _ _ _....,,y... 7i, .r M. _ •t_ ,rte, ~ _ .:r J r ' r ` - ~ ~ NEXT STEPS ASHLAND CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLAN ai.. , ;jr7 ,m - J x f a r. NEXT STEPS -,ywF and actions presented in The goals, strategies, this plan signify an ambitious step forward for the Ashland community. AV, Although susta'r:able living, operations, and management s not nev'u, to -Asr.and, this i• a', !2 plan pule together the strong momentum and action that a' ready exists M the city and intentional strategy forward. Makin ogress and provides a coordinated an 1 going g pr ' on these goals v~'~ill require Ashland's government and community to ,work together and corrmt dedicated time and resources. • ' Th s Climate a A Energy Action Plan is only t-,e beginning of a`, o"cc l.:g process. The accompahying Implementation Plan provides a framework for i.au cn g t^e • `implementation phase of the plan. This phase will require the City and ccmmunity to take prority actions--outlining specific plans of action and resource needs among { ~ ~ m e yam. ` ~ 'responsible parties--and monitoring and benchmarlking progress alo g e -°„ay. As details are outlined, more specific quantitative goals and milestones can be createdm driving the pace of strategy implementation. The Implementation Plan ~f also details the proposed structure for ongoing pear implementation, monitoring w N evaluation, and adaptive management, as well as a list of key actions to be taken in Y the first year of implementation. It concludes with a discussion of hovj the goals and strategies o` this plan fit with a potential ordinance establishing binding greenhouse A gas emissio reduction targets. Through careful and committed action by all Ashlanders, and with this plan as a basis, the city can achieve its vision of becoming a resilient community that has zero-net greenhouse 't gas emissions, embraces equity, protects healthy ecosystems, and creates opportunities for future generations. xY 3 101 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Implementation Plan Year 1 Implementation Summary The focus in 2017wiII be on establish ingthe institutional This implementation plan sets forth a proposed foundation for plan implementation and taking initial structure and schedule for implementation of the steps on key priority actions. Table 1 provides a Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP). It contains the sc-iedule and key milestones for Year 1. Key activities to following sections: undertake are: • Formalize the city's commitment to CEAP actions • Year 1 Implementation Summary - A summary and goals (e.g., ordinance or resolution). of key tasks to be accomplished it Year 1 of CEAP implementation, described in more detail in the Create and hire a full-time, permanent City CEAP following sections. staff position that also includes clear high level management oversight and direction. • Oversight - An ongoing structure for ongoing citizen oversight and involvement in CEAP implementation Form and convene a permanent City Advisory Commission to provide guidance and oversight of and long-term plan updates. plan implementation and future plan updates as • Accountability and Enforcement - Potential described in the plan. policy mechanisms for ensuring that the CEAP is Create an internal City Climate Action Team for implemented to its full potential. City operations actions and to assist in coordinating • City Staffing and Leadership- A structure for the implementation of community actions that ongoing City staff resources and leadership for span multiple City departments. ensuring implementation of the CLAP and its ongoing success. Designate potential funding sources for individual actions and identify additional funding needs and • Funding - Potential funding mechanisms and opportunities for ongoing plan implementation. opportunities for financing specific CEAP actions. • Establish CEAP progress indicators and • Monitoring and Evaluation - A mechanism and corresponding baselines and targets (including set of metrics for monitoring and evaluating CEAP equity indicators). progress and updating the plan as necessary. • Determine and formalize Ashland's approach to • Equity - Guidance for ensuring that equity is incorporating equity considerations into plan considered in CEAP implementation. implementation. • Near-term Actions- CEAP actions to be]mplemented Commence priority near-term CEAP actions. by 2020. • Implementation Schedule - Implementation detail for each priority CEAP action, including relative measures of action cost and effectiveness; accompanying co-benefits; timeframes for implementation; and responsible departments. 102 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Oversight Accountability and Enforcement Adoption of this Climate and Energy Action Plan will A Citizen Advisory Commission is recommended to demonstrate the City of Ashland's commitment to oversee implementation of the CEAP. The Commission addressing the challenge of climate change in the will be composed of stakeholders who represent Ashland community. Establishing a more formal Ashland residents, have interest, experience or expertise City commitment to CEAP goals, such as through a on climate-relevant topics or related policy work, and/ resolution or ordinance, would be seen by many as or represent key community or civic organizations that reinforcing the importance of this plan and could help may play a role in implementation. ensure implementation of CEAP actions and measurable progress toward meeting CEAP goals over time. A formal Roles of the advisory committee could include: commitment can also be a considerable asset in the pursuit of grant funds and other funding sources to assist in the implementation of the plan. • Monitoring and tracking progress towards meeting CEAP goals. • Providing recommendations to the Climate and Energy Coordinator regarding CEAP progress and implementation. • Ensuring that the CEAP stays up-to-date over time, with a focus on the three-year plan update cycle • Reviewing and making recommendations as part of the three-year greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory update process It is expected that the Commission will meet at least quarterly, and likely more often in the early stages of implementation. Table 1. Schedule and key milestone for Year 1 CEAP implementation. Citizen Advisory Commission Resolution/Ordinance City Staffing and Leadership Internal City Climate Action Team Identification of specific Funding sources Progress Indicators t - Equity Considerations Priority Near-Term Actions 85 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN City Staffing and Leadership Fa miliarityand working experience with both climate mitigation and adaptation, including greenhouse The plan calls for the creation and hiring of a new, gas accounting methodologies and climate change full-time a City Climate and Energy staff position projections and anticipated impacts. dedicated to and charged with coordinating both Experience managingclimate-related programsthat internal and external implementation of the CEAP. involve both internal and external stakeholders. Job responsibilities oftheposition include thefollowing: Experience with public outreach and citizen engagement, preferably at the local municipal level. • Provide lead staff support to the CEAP Advisory Experience managing climate-related programs Commission. that involve both internal and external stakeholders. • Work with City departments to facilitate, design, It is anticipated that an internal Climate Action Team will and track strategy and action implementation. be formed within the City to coordinate and implement Develop and lead outreach efforts with external CI-AP actions. The following departments should be • stakeholders, including public, to encourage taking represented as part of the Climate Action Team: actions identified in the CEAP. • Community Development (including Building • Provide leadership and direction to the City's Division and Planning Division) internal advisoryteam on implementation activities, Ashland Municipal Utility (Electric) tracking, progress updates and developing advisory Administration team recommendations to relevant internal and Parks and Recreation external implementing parties. Conservation Lead development and presentation of annual Public Works • Fire CEAP progress reports, as well as plan updates. • Develop and implement a system to systematically review, adjust, and update plan strategies and actions as needed. • Develop and lead the planned three year update cycle for the community and city greenhouse gas inventory • Implement and maintain a dashboard or other interactive and publicly accessible platform for tracking and communicating progress to internal and external stakeholders. The Climate and Energy staff position will have the following qualifications: 86 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Funding As the implementation commences in earnest, City staff and the proposed CEAP advisory committee should pay particular attention to additional funding sources. Fundingfornear-term actionsoftheCEAPwillcomefrom This examination should include exploration of specific a variety of sources within the City budget depending grant opportunities targeted at individual plan actions, on the type of action, the responsible department, and potential new local revenue streams such as from a the legal and operational limitations of the particular carbon/fuel tax, and multi-jurisdiction or public/private funding source. Additionally, some of the actions partnerships to provide the resources needed for City recommended in the plan are expansion of existing City and community goal achievement. programs or efforts and therefore already have funding sources. However, incremental funding increases may be needed to meet the higher level of action called for in the plan. Current and potential funding sources include: • City general fund • Electric Utility revenues • Storm Water Utility revenues • Water Utility revenues • Bonneville Power Administration • Federal and state grants • Revolving loan funds • Newly identified funding sources (see below) OFFSETS Every time Ashland • - its greenhouse gas inventory, the City and community can evaluate the need to purchase carbon • to heip meet • reduction goals. Offsets provide a pathway • • g emission reductions beyond what can be achieved internally. Purchasing - means counting emission reductions achieved another party and often in • geographic • example, • • could purchase offsets fir-orn, Bonneville • Foundation, • emissions reduction credits froi-n regional and global renewable energy projects, forest enhancement projects, and waste methane and capture projects. When an • • ' emission reductions cannot be counted by anyone except the party that purchased the offsets, thereby minimizing the risk of double counting. 87 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Monitoring and Evaluation Progress toward meeting CEAP targets and goals will be evaluated and tracked on an action-by-action basis with an overall progress report for all actions and activities provided on at least an annual basis. If possible, qualitative updates will be available on a quarterly basis. The plan will be evaluated and updated on a three-year cycle to ensure that plan strategies and actions reflect the latest knowledge and best practices around climate mitigation and adaptation. The plan will also be reevaluated to assess whether actions are sufficient to meet emission reduction goals and, if not, io add new or expanded actions to the plan. To facilitate the three-year update, the Ashland community and City greenhouse gas inventories will also be updated on recurring cycle, one year in advance of the plan update process. This cycle will provide City staff and the proposed commission with concrete measurement results to inform plan evaluation and updates. At a minimum, the following indicators will be tracked and reported on at least an annual basis. Due to data availability limitations, some of these indicators will require establishment of --)aseline and target values for meeting CEAP goals-to be developed in Year 1 of implementation. Additionally, it is expected that some methodologies for measuring some indicators, such as consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions, will evolve and improve overtime. Further development and build-out of the monitoring and evaluati,~n indicators likely form a significant opportunity for the proposed new commission to work on as an early oversight activity. Equity indicators will also be monitored, as available (see "Equity" section below). 88 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Potential Progress Indicators CFAP Goal Primary Indkator Target 2015 Baseline overarching l 1: Reduce GH13 Emissions t:crrr mutiny GI-tG emissions, 8'~'v reduction 342,480 (n,t('o r?) per year f City G14G er7tissions (r1-itC01e), 0ley 2030 T10,757 Fossil fried consumption (MMRTH. 5a• rediirtion Unknown i by 2030; I ION% reduction by 2050 Overarching Goal 2: Prepare for Climate Impacts ? ! N/A (see individual far us areas) N/A NIA Reduce building GHG Building GHG emissions (mtCo.-,e) ~ 8 reduction 82,426 ertaiss(ofis_ I per year _ Increase energy and water Energy & water use per square font ~ T130 ~ Unknown efficiency iri City aril private # ('ltvlRTt1/;f & (CF/sf) buildings. ~Protect Ashland's building I Prr ps r"tiort of build¥rtg that use T91) l r1kn 4vn ~ { stock and energy supply from ~ heat -resistant niateria-', passive climate impacts, heating/cooling, and/cr white roofs Local renewable errergy production 77-7 Reduce transportation GHG Transportation GHG emissfOrts 8% reduction 29,Ot.V 1 i emissions, ; {mtCO-e) per year Reduce corwounity & City 7 Vehicle miles traveled lmilts) JBD Unknown I employee vehicle miles traveled. I I Improve vehicle efficiency and ~ Emissions per mile tra,.°eled TBD Unknown expand lower-carbon transport, (mtCQze/mile) I Including, within City's fleet t rdrrsit ridership (prisstTi er rrtiles) I and bicycling r Support local and regional Average city 0 alk ~+ce.rr'° 'r 9L) sustainable groa,rth, protect transportation TBC) TRCr TBD infrastructure from climate I rrti f.,acts. Reduce sohd waste ~ Solid waste & wastewater GliG 8$4.j reduction ~ 6,923 teviater GHG emissions. I emissions (rntMe) per year wa i s a I I Increase waste diver-si`-rn Waste diverted from landfill to = TRC) € Unknown I through waste prevention, ~ recycling and composting J~*) recycling, and e:umpr)sting. Reduce consumption of Consumption-related emissions 8% reduction 166,731 climate intsrisive food, (rrrtCO.C1 per year products, and services, Support locally-produced Community gardens (41 ' TBD ~ 4 gardens; i products, 1 armors Markets 191 1 faraicts market Natural 5ysis 89 89 "~ourcp: https.,//www.walkscort--(,om/(,)FI/ IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Potential Progress Indicators, Continued 4CEAP Goal Primary Indicator Target 2015 BaWine Goal Enhance ecosystem health and ~ Water gkjahty (EPA score otrt of TC~1,1 Water quality = resilience. 100) 60/1oto Acres of forest maint,jined Acres of prcitectetl anti restored Over 2,000 arre5 habitat of forests 1 nnakajinedf- 1 Ensure sustained access to ~ Water, consumption (.-vg MGD) TBD ~ 4.5 MGO' clean air and drinking water, Protect public health from air A` quality (EPA scare out of 10%)) TBi7 Air quaiity = pollution and climate impacts, i tooling renter rapacity (a people) 70;'1Ofe' i w Tree canopy corer (dal Irnprove con mimity capacit-Y # heme,5 in the vwildland urbafl TBO 1,400 homes" to understand, prepare for, interface (WIJI) I and respond to clirnate change I security risks, k Increase awareness of city Public and staff knowledge and TBD le-g., over 2,000 chrrtate odIs and needs_ understanding of climate change students'") issues and actions (e-g., n students engal,ed in AFR I project) Integrate climate Number of other City plan's or TBD 7 Mater taster Considerations into City activities, that Incorporate climate Plan Update; 2016 E operations, planning„ and change considerati,-,int, Ashland Forest I decision-making,. Plan) 90 90 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Equity In addition, these equity considerations can be explicitly integrated into the cross-cutting strategy CC: 3 1 "Consider climate change in all City Council Each action of the CEAP should be implemented in policy, budgetary, or legislative decisions. Incorporate an equitable manner that addresses Ashland's unique climate action considerations/relationship as part of equity issues and concerns. The sections below provide tre Council Communication (staff report) document suggestions for ensuring equitable implementation template." The inclusion of equity considerations as of the CEAP. It is expected that specific criteria and p(-, rt of the standard formal communication template for indicators will be determined and formalized in Year 1 Cily Council deliberation and decision making ensures of CEAP implementation. t1-at equity related impacts of City Council decisions are b\, default considered in the deliberation and able to be Equity Considerations understood and commented on by the public. When planning for implementation, the City should consider equity impacts and potential benefits. For example, the City of Portland put forth the following equity considerations in implementation of their Climate Action Plan: EQUITY CONSIDERATIONS Does the proposed action generate burdens (including costs), either directly or indirectly, Disproportionate impacts to communities of color or low-income populations? If yes, are there opportunities to mitigate these impacts? Shared benefits Can the benefits of the proposed action be targeted in progressive ways to reduce his- torical or current disparities? Are the benefits of the proposed action broadly accessible to households and businesses Accessibility throughout the community - particularly communities of color, low-income popula- tions, and minority, women and emerging small businesses? Engagement Does the proposed action engage a,id empower communities of color and low-income populations in a meaningful, authentic and culturally appropriate manner? Capacity building Does the proposed action help build community capacity through funding, an expanded knowledge base or other resources? Does the proposed action align with and support existing communities of color and low- Alignment and partnership income population priorities, creating an opportunity to leverage resources and build collaborative partnerships? Relationship building Does the proposed action help foster the building of effective, long-term relationships and trust between diverse communities and local government? Economic opportunity and Does the proposed action support communities of color and low income populations staff diversity through workforce development, contracting opportunities or the increased diversity of city and county staff? Does the proposed action have appropriate accountability mechanisms to ensure that Accountability communities of color, low-income populations, or other vulnerable communities will equitably benefit and not be disproportionately harmed? 91 91 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLAN Equity Indicators Progress toward advancing equity through implementation of the CEAP will also be assessed as part of the monitoring and evaluation process. Identification and baseline assessment of relevant indicators will be an important part of Year 1 implementation. Potential process and outcome indicators related to climate resilience implementation identified by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), for example, including the following: EXAMPLE CLIMATE RESILIENCE PROCESS / OUTCOME INDICATORS Solar and wind installation - community level, home, commercial/business (mapping/ Infrastructure distribution) Economic Development New, local jobs created and Jobs Food Security Businesses temporarily or permanently closed (net new businesses) Housing Community Workforce Agreements for redevelopment projects Healthcare Services Households identified as food insecure Emergency Management Property values increased or reduced Planning and Decision Health care and mental health facilities Making 92 92 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Phase I Actions The following twenty actions were identified as Phase I priority actions. Actions were identified as Phase I that meet one or more of the following criteria: • Easy, early wins - relatively straightforward actions that demonstrate climate action and help the City hit the ground running on making progress toward climate goals. • Foundational steps - actions that set the stage or guide direction for other actions. • Complex, but important initiatives - actions that will make a big difference but may be challenging or resource- intensive to implement, so getting started as early as possible will be important. • Windows of opportunity - actions align with or could synergize with other City plans, projects, or initiatives, and so should be implemented concurrently. 93 93 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN BE-1-1. Develop a comprehensive plan for the Municipal Electric Utility. initiate Four daticrrai step planning process in 2017. BE-1-2. Facilitate and encourage solar energy production. Begin eKpIorir`jg inrre,i ed local snl.ar energy production as part of the 10-by-20 ordinance a Winricrw of npporttjnity implementation- BE-1-3. Enhance production of on-site solar energy from City facilities. Prioritize and development irnplernentation plan and funding for recently completed City WindaW of opportunity fac-flity solar audit, BE-2-1. Increase outreach efforts to expand participation in energy efficiency programs and promote climate-friendly building and construction. U odate the Easy, early wrn lame use code for conservation housing density l OnLis, expand particil-.ation in Ci#} % LAIII 5rmp ,t_ yY ld program, and expand zero-interest loan program opportunities. ULT-1-2. Work with the RVTO to implement climate-friendly transit. Begin t'0mplex, but r emission bust-t, ar)d corrversations with f VTD to begin transitionirrg to Iowt important '°sti anti ridership, exptrlring ways to expand ac(. ULT-2-1. implement bicycler-friendly Transportation System Plan (TSP) actions, 4'Vindovr of oppcrtuntiy Begin impiementing rapital improvement plans as part of TSP implementation. ULT-2-2. Explore additional opportunities to convert to sh r streets where appropriate to provide multimodal connectivity. Pursue East Main 51 stirrer- Window of cppor-tunity sharrow concept through Transportation Commission. ULT-3-2. Revise land use codes to require EV charging infrastructure at Complex, hi a multifamily and commercial developments. Draft revised code. 93 C3 important ULT-3-3. Provide information about electric and hybrid vehicles and rebates on the City's website. Easy, cal ly v or) . ULT-4-1. Consider regulating further construction crr expansion in the Wildland Complex, but Urban Interface (WUI) part of the urban growth boundary (UGS). Explore available important po;tcy iristrurtrenis or incentives for lirt,iting development in this area. Consumption and Materials Management CM-2-1. Partner with nonprofit organizations to promote the purchase of chmate- friendly produce and products. rrnplen-lent as part of Economic Deveinjiment LPWFj3 Easy, early von Strategy 1.3. local import substitution. CM-2-2. Expand Community gardening and urban agriculture at community gardens, schools, parks, and rooftops. Offer additional trainings, programs, and Fasy, early win gardening areas. 't ti NS-1-1. Manage forests to retain biodiversity, resilience, and ecosystem function and services in the face of climate change. Use best available science to inform Window of irplJOrturrity fire management and planning. Continue efforts as part of the As.hiand Forest Resiliency Project, and it-nplerrient actions in the 2016 Ashland Forest Plan. NS-1.3. Undertake restoration efforts to retain and restore native fish and riparian species. i€lerttify and create new restoration sites, and coritirtrae Easy, early win rnaintaininp existing sites. NS-2-2. Explore water-efficient technologies on irrigation systems and consider Complex, but requiring there during permitting. 164 important k PNSS-2-1. Engage leading employers in a dialogue on climate action _L~nveere fr~r~nrJacit~nal sta=g 0r)g;01;7g, organized meetings in partnership with the Chamber of Con ;fierce. LIZ - PHSS-3-1. Identify and work with vulnerable neighborhoods to create site specific Fondational step adaptation strategies that address pubfIc health, , y - Std . - x iµ,~. _ q.t.. . _ J tr~.{ .,r• P. r CC-1-2. Create a formal public outreach and education plan to inform the Foundational step community about climate actions. CC-2-1. Ensure all City departments educate their staff members about the Climate and Energy Action Plan. City (EAP Coordinator can engage venter each Foundational step department. CC-4-1. Engage with other goverinments and organizations around climate policy and action. Jain a formal organization such as ICLEI to e=xplore best practices and Foundational step establish relationsftips With peer c[tmrtrvrtities. 94 94 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Phase II Actions The following forty actions were identified as Phase 11 priority actions. Priority actions that were not icentified as Phase I were assigned as Phase 11. Strategy Bli Encourage increased budding energy efficiency. _ BE-2.2. Require buildinE energy audits to identify and incept€vizc° cost effvctive energy efficiency irnproauements. _ t e....W..._.....e....e.v..M.if y .A..~..»..... _.,_..m an......d .e... adopt st .....ra tegies to red..........._uce...._ener_........gy».,.a.<...efficiency barrier_s )n_ren_tJ'le ase pro perties. BE 2 3. Ident _ _ BE-2-4, Establish minirnurn energy efficiency standards for the affordable hoissing program, Strategy BE-3. Maximize efficiency of City facilities, equipment & operations. BE-3-1. Use results from City Facilities Energy Audit to prioritize City Facilities Capital Improvement 13 Plans (CIPs) and maintenance improvements- strategy Bli Improve demand management. - BEA-1. Expand the current net meter resolution to include and incorporate virtual net metering. BE-4-2. Implement utility-level smart grid technologies to facilitate efficiency and distributed energy 3 i i i solutions. Strategy Bl`-S. Prepare and adapt buildings for a changing climate. BE-5-1. Encourage heat-tolerant building approaches such as cor.)► roolli and passive cooling, ~Strat~Sy ULT-1. Support Fetter public transit and riii ing. Ul i Coordinate with neighboring local governi-nents to promote use of transit, carpooling, and car- ; ~ i i sharing. E ULT-1-3. Establish policies to support development near transit kubs .vithout displacing disadvantaged ® ~ populations, ULT-i-4. Evaluate feasibility of locally-owned and operated transit. i Strategy ULT-3. Support more-efficient vehicles- ULT-3-1. Implement a local fuel-related tax. 13 Strategy IILT-4. Support more climate-ready development and land us.e. Uli Further revise corrit-nuriity development plans to favor ~valkable neighborhoods and infill density- Uli Modify the WUI code to include construction technicli is approptlate for wildfire-protle areas. --r strategy ULT-S. Increase the efficiency of City fleet vehicles and employee commuting. ULT-s-1. Provide carpool and vanpool parking, charging, stations, and preferred parking for EVs for City erntaluyees. _ i ULT-5-2. Conduct a city fleet audit and use it to set policy and targets. l ULT-5-3. Ctes}elc~p policy tr rrcjs~ire the g urcl'iase sat ~rerified carb~,rr offsets to offset City staff tr,~tirel. j Consumption and Materials Management Strategy Cl i- Reduce consumption of carbon-intensive goad=s and services. ~ CI'v"1-1-1. Implement an education campaign for waste and consumption reduction strategies ~ i C.li Support'WIleaborative consumption" community projects. i 13 I Strategy Cli Expand community recycling and composting, CNN 3-1.1rt`tf fOVe recyclin8 pioetann, to rrrake therm easier to ust° and implernent rreve educat-lo n and I M [3 outreach to increase recycling in all sectors, expand public spare recycling. CNI 3-2. Strengthen the Demolition UebriS argot Diversion r:1rdrrr WLV to enhance enfrtrcern112-nt aril increase diversion and reuse, Strategy li Reduce food waste- Cli Support edible food donation. j j CM-4-2. Provide a kitchen hest practices guide to help households and businesses reduce food waste i and tunsurnii Cli Facilitate recycling of commercial food waste. fix l ; _ 95 95 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Scope Type CNN 5 1. Introduce City envirDn mentally preferable purchasing (EFT) guidelines for City procurement. C%1-5-2. Assess the feast-bility o co-digesting food waste and biosolids to gertierate electricity at the. viwewlater treatment facility. Strategy NS-1. Promote ecosystem resilience. NS-1-2. Expand usp of green infrastrcrcttrre such as bioswaless, permeable pavement, other pervious 1 surfaces to reduce flood risk and minimize sediment entry into creeks from trails and roads. 13 3 i E NS-1-4, }lap and protect areas that provide ecosystem services. Strategy NS-2. Manage and conserve community water resources. NS-2-1. Evaluate the value and potential for incentives for practi{es that reduce ose of potable water for nonpotable purposes and recharge ground water. NS-2-3. Expand water conservation outreach and incentive prog;,jms for ►csi&nts and businesses. Strategy N5-3. Conserve water use within City operations. NS-3-1. Lvalu,ate the potential for installation of rainwater collection systems at City facilities for gray water rises, and investigate opportunities for graywatQr reuse a existing and new City facilities and properties. i NS-3-2, Implement efficiency,' recommendations from the City facilities v;titer audit, F Strategy PHSS-1. Manage ecosystems and landscapes to minimize climate-related health impacts, PHSS-1-1: Promote the expansion of tree canopy in urban heat islands or areas that need air conditioning such as schools. Strategy PHSS-2. Promote as sustainable local economy that minimizes emissions and vulnerability.. PHSS-2-2. Support organizations, such as SOU, in evaluating risks to local food sources under climate i change, Strategy PHSS-3. Optimize City services to minimize pudic health irnpacts- PH55-3-2, Identity and minimize potential urban beat impacts, such as by designating cooling centers E f through the city, improving cooling systems in schools and senior centers, and incentivizing cooling 10 strategies such as coal roofs/pavernents and expar ed trees Lancipy. PHSS-3-3- Devee op or enhance heat-warning systems for employees and the public _ Strategy PHSS-4- Optimize City services to minimizes public safety impacts, PHSS-4-1. Update the City's emergency response plan and ensure that preparation and updates recognize and address likely dirnate thange irr`rlaarts. PHSS-4-1. Identify and address essential city services that are within the 100-year flood zone- E ti.s. ..r.. Y..L. ."ii tJ1 »at r,xVC'.am?h ~,c~.chx,.7a. ; ; .,y. _3',I vc x a i tk R t Zvi ;kS^R - .S,- x T . r.~. 2t S::s;, K d, -4,F 1.. Strategy CC-1, Educate and empower the public CC 11. Support capacity of neighborhood and community groups to implement clirrtate rrnitigdtion dr,d adaptation initiatives. Strategy CC-3, Mainstream and integrate climate considerations. CC-3-1.. Consider climate change in all City Council policy, budgetary, or legislative. Incorporate climate i i ire tc~r7siderations/rclatirartship as pesrt ref the Council cornmui6cation dO urricnt ternplat+_. i CC-3-2- Consider CFAP goals in future updates of city plans- 96 96 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN Implementation Schedule The table starting on the following page details when, why, and by whom timeframes by which all priority Co-benefits actions in the CEAP will be implemented. The list Benefits low-income or disadvantaged includes additional information on each action, communities including co-benefits and relative, qualitative estimates of implementation costs and effectiveness in meeting Benefits local habitats, recreation, or CEAP goals. The CEAP also includes additional actions natural aesthetic that were not listed as "priority"-these actions will be implemented on an opportunistic and as-needed basis. Benefits households, local economy, ~w City operations budget, or jobs Phases Benefits public health (e.g. by enhancing local air quality) Phases for CEAP priority actions are designated by budget biennials and represent the relative sequence of actions in the CEAP. All actions are slated for near -term Relative Rankings commencement; it is expected that longer-term actions $ Lower relative implementation cost will be identified during the three-year plan update process. Actions identified as Phase II could be initiated Moderate relative implementation cost in Phase I, but not at the expense of completing Phase Higher relative implementation cost I actions. • Phase I: Complete by 2020 Effective in meeting CEAP goals Phase II: Complete by 2025 7 More effective in meeting CEAP goals Departments Most effective in meeting CEAP goals Actions are labeled by the primary department responsible for implementation. It is expected that many of these primary departments will need to work with other supporting departments and/or external stakeholders to fully and successfully implement the action: • Community Development (including Building Division and Planning Division) • Ashland Municipal Utility (Electric) • Administration • Parks and Recreation • Conservation Division • Public Works • Police / Fire 97 97 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN v N E Scope T, De o Y v o v 0- a o v ~ L Buildings and Energy Strategy BE-1. Support cleaner energy sources. BE-1-1. Develop a comprehensive plan for the Municipal Electric Utility. I Electric/Conservation BE-1-2. Promote switching to lower-carbon fuels BE-1-3. Facilitate and encourage solar energy production. $ $ < Electric/Conservation s' BE-1-4. Enhance production of on-site solar energy from City facilities. $ $ Za I Public Works Strategy BE-2. Encourage increased building energy efficiency and conservation. BE-2-1. Increase outreach efforts to expand participation in energy efficiency programs and promote climate-friendly building and con- $ $ I Conservation struction. BE-2-2. Require building energy audits to identify and incentivize cost- effective energy efficiency improvements. $ $ II Community Development BE-2-3. Identify and adopt strategies to reduce energy efficiency barriers © 4 Conservation in rent/lease properties. $ BE-2-4. Establish minimum energy efficiency standards for the afford- able housing program. S y Community Development Strategy BE-3. Maximize efficiency of City facilities, equipment & operations. BE-3-1. Use results from City Facilities Energy Audit to prioritize City 7, 7 11 Facilities Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) and maintenance improve- ments. Strategy BE-4. Improve demand management. BE-4-1. Expand the current net meter resolution to include and Incorpo- rate virtual net metering. © $ $ 1 Y II Electric BE-4-2. Implement utility-level smart grid technologies to facilitate efficiency and distributed energy solutions. ® $ $ $ II Electric Strategy BE-5. Prepare and adapt buildings for a changing climate. BE-5-1. Encourage heat-tolerant building approaches such as coo[ roofs 11 and passive cooling. Community Development Y i Strategy ULT-1. Support better public transit and ridesharing. ULT4-1. Coordinate with neighboring local governments to promote use x7 of transit, carpooling, and car-sharing. II Public Works $ ULT-1-2. Work with RVTD to implement climate friendly transit. © Public VVorks ULT 1 3. Establish policies to support development near transit hubs E a I $ ,,7 4y II Community Development without displacing disadvantaged populations. ULT-1-4. Evaluate the feasibility of expanded local transit options. f $ $ $ II Public Works Strategy ULT-2. Make Ashland more bike- and pedestrian-friendly. ULT-2-1. Implement bicycle- and pedestrian-frieidly actions in the City's , $ $ y ! Public Works ® r ~ Transportation System Plan and Downtown Parking Management Plan. $ '~r ULT-2-2. Explore opportunities to convert to shared streets where appro- riate to provide multimodal connectivit ® $ $ $ 4; r Public Works 98 98 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN E Scope Type o ? v s o U d 0 W U Strategy ULT-3. Support more-efficient vehicles. ULT-3-1. Implement a local fuel-related tax. ® x!. ' Q $ 4~ II Administration/Legal ULT-3-2. Revise land use codes to require EV charging infrastructure at ® ® $ Y v. Community Development multifamily and commercial developments. ULT-3-3. Provide information about electric and hybrid vehicles and rebates on the City's website. $ Conservation Strategy ULT-4. Support more climate-ready development and land use. ULT-4-1. Consider regulating further construction or expansion in the Wildland Urban interface (U/U I) part of the urban growth boundary S Community v ~ Development/Fire (UGB). ULT-4-2. Further revise community development plans to favor walkable a 9 ® $ ~ YA~ C II Community Development neighborhoods and infik density. ULT-4-3. Modify the WUI code to include construction techniques appro- priate for wildfire-prone areas. 4 II Community Development Strategy ULT-5. Increase the efficiency of City fleet vehicles and employee commuting. ULT-5-1. Provide carpool and vanpool parking, charging stations, and C1 parking for EVs for City employees. ` ; ® $ $ II Public Works ULT-5-2. Conduct a city fleet audit and use it to set policy and targets. $ Public Works ULT-5-3. Develop policy to require the purchase of verified carbon offsets ® $ to offset City staff travel 4 Administration r Strategy CM-1. Reduce consumption of carbon-intensive goods and services. CM-1-1. Implement an education campaign for waste and consumption reduction strategies. S Z II Administration CM-1-2. Support "collaborative consumption" community projects. ® ® $ " Administration 4 r a CM-1-3. Conduct a study to determine effective ways to reduce and track consumption-based emissions. Strategy CM-2. Support sustainable and accessible local production and consumption. CM-2-1. Partner with nonprofit organizations to promote the purchase of ® $ A 47 1 Administration climate-friendly produce and products. y r:_.... CM-2-2. Expand community gardening and urban agriculture opportuni- 4 ties at community gardens, schools, parks, and rooftops. S S y I Administration/Parks Strategy CM-3. Expand community recycling and composting. CM-3-1. Improve recycling programs to make them easier to use and implement new education and outreach to increase recycling in all ® S S Z, II Conservation sectors; expand public space recycling. CM-3-2. Update the multi-family recycling ordinance to encourage more diversion. CM-3-3. Strengthen the Demolition Debris and Diversion ordinance to 11 enhance enforcement and increase diversion and reuse. $ $ ~y Conservation Strategy CM-4. Reduce food waste. CM-4-1. Support edible food donation. $ ~ 1 II Conservation r 99 99 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN N N rj Ql - N Scope Type o v o v W U CL ~ CM-4-2. Provide a kitchen best practices guide to help households and $ 4~ <7 II Conservation businesses reduce food waste and consumption. CM-4-3. Facilitate recycling of commercial food waste. $ $ 4~ II Conservation Strategy CM-5. Improve sustainabitity of City operations and purchases. CM-5-1. Introduce City environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) ® ~r guidelines for City procurement. $ II Administrative Services CM-5-2. Assess the feasibility of co-digesting food waste and bios-k,, to 1 ® r generate electricity at the wastewater treatment facility. 1I1 $ $ $ r% II Public Works Strategy NS-1. Promote ecosystem resilience. NS-1-1. Manage forests to retain biodiversity, resilience, and ecosystem A ,f function and services in the face of climate change. Use best available $ ~.i Fire science to inform fire management and planning to manage ecosystem r z health, community safety, and carbon storage. NS-1-2. Expand use of green infrastructure such as bioswales, permeable pavement, other pervious surfaces to reduce flood risk and minimize ® $ ~7 4' II Community Development 13 sediment entry into creeks from trails and roads. NS-1-3. Undertake restoration efforts to retain and restore native fish Parks & Recreation and riparian species. $ $ 71 NS-1-4. Map and protect areas that provide ecosystem services. ® $ $ ✓ II Parks & Recreation Strategy NS-2. Manage and conserve community water resources. NS-2-1. Evaluate the value and potential for incentives for practices that reduce use of potable water for nonpotable purposes and recharge $ $ r' II Conservation. E I / 13 ground water. NS-2-2. Explore water-efficient technologies on irrigation systems and consider requiring them during the permitting process. $ $ y' Conservation NS-2-3. Expand water conservation outreach and incentive programs for ® A residents and businesses. S S i,:';. II Conservation Strategy NS-3. Conserve water use within City operations. NS-3-1. Evaluate the potential for installation of rainwater collection systems at City facilities for graywater uses, and investigate opportuni- $ $ II Public Works ties for graywater reuse at existing and new City facilities and properties. NS-3-2. Implement efficiency recommendations from the City facilities water audit.$ $ 4~ 11 Public'vVcrks 777 _-i 7: e r'r Strategy PHSW-1. Manage ecosystems and landscapes to minimize climate- related health impacts. PHSW-1-1. Promote the expansion of tree canopy in urban heat islands If At El Parks & Recreation/ or areas that need air conditioning such as schools. $ 4✓ ~y II Community Development Strategy PHSW-2. Promote a sustainable local economy that minimizes emissions and vulnerability. PHSW-2-1. Engage leading employers in a dialogue on climate action, A A for example, by organizing and facilitating roundtables. Conversation PHSW-2-2. Support organizations, such as SCU, in evaluating risks to local food sources under climate change. ® Administration 100 100 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ASHLAND CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN v _ ~v E v Scope Typ,' w V ~ G Strategy PHSW-3. Optimize City services to minimize public health impacts. PHSW-3-1. Work with vulnerable populations to create specific adapta l tion strategies to address public health risks. $ y !I Administration /Fire FHSVV-3-2. Identify and minimize potential urban heat impacts. $ $ 4s II Parks & Recreation/Fire PHSVV-3-3. Develop or enhance heat-warning systems for employees and the public. S II Fire Strategy PHSW-4. Optimize City services to minimize public safety impacts. PHSW-4-1. Update the City's emergency response clan and ensure that preparation and updates recognize and address likely climate change S f r II Fire impacts. PHSVV-4-1. Identify and address populations and essential City services that are within the 100-year flood zone. $ $ II Public Works v Strategy CC-1. Educate and empower the public. CC-1-1. Create a formal public outreach and education plan to inform 4' L7 Administration the community about climate actions and progress. $ CC-1-2. Support capacity of neighborhood and community groups to $ ~ implement climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives. II Administration CCC-1-3. Assess the feasibility of a City-sponsored carbon offset program. Strategy CC-2. Educate and empower City staff. CC-2-1. Ensure all City departments educate their staff members about r'^ the Climate and Energy Action Plan..,..', $ 41` Administration Strategy CC-3. Mainstream and integrate climate considerations. CC-3-1. Consider climate change in all City Counci', policy, budgetary, 1 A d or legislative decisions and as part of the Council Communication /7 II Administration document template. f CC-3-2. Consider CEAP goals in future updates of city plans. 777~ $ II Administration 101 S i e. ♦ a N : r ` l.~~s.~.#`". ,~.r N. 4, ~ ~ X ~ ~*"'4n':.. . '1kf, s~ ~ ^ a<; r t •+r< w f<.`"»•'':+~~±."T~ •N;Lf~/ , r~►y :~`~i.i a dyer. 'F y y~` 5 14. a . a~°`~> F i! ;f s.y P N. ~L ~ ~ ,~ACC7T ,{j,,{p~ RF 1 sT a r°+~ ':7": ,i,"L,~. • _5., y S~~i•~'+~rJr T•7,~'~ i`! " } •MRc~..: y"r~R `ia Y.~ ~,.Y~';`~s'•.~~.'„'+4;J.<'~ J .~1~ " r .#fx ~ ~^_~..;~~N*~ i!4 v~#'~ }!'2 ~ :t t r r •e~„3.aY All, .•~\'.~y'~,fjk~ .4 ~~r►' dj, i•? I'' v ~ ~Td ye ~r°~ ~i ,f .I k „,a ;r4`t • 'rll.. yf`r' ~.r ¢ ,.'4) 71st ~4 +t !I $ - * ! L = rI ' 3.fea> ! ''i'_ .fk,~.! ►~.t.•:~ i i pV, t' #•'.s a 4 < r ,.s .`+~,~•f q k. r a It .9R< s $ r ' , ° N ~ iP ~.ybP~fi- _ ~e ~~r'~`~: " ~ ^r:'J «i, r • . 1i ~r r~,r :oil . t.,~,'~ ~ .i='~t'"~`, t% ~ ` ~ • • ;3~.#rr,~ 'i ~ "a • ;w ~ ~ ~n°~F y" * ~ w ,.fir xy°~ • a t. ; ~ r1N~ '~E' 1- ~ b d'y.. r✓:..F :w~'~.~'~,rr at •lt 4,~ L-F1 * ~'if . r r. ~<!e rr • ti¢'r' « 's . er~ .ice t a ~e * !„'r .ij ~7c L •:ro!.,1~ 77ii'' y ' ,,,jf' pae ..irRr' ! , ~w~ .~Y R , R='".~'c,.~+lM•~r'~.~''C'ey~, .'~~f~! It~<, t ,yrt f e 1~ y ire ''~er~ Y • `~".;~r'~,~f ,~Ir ~ ~ f s ~ ~ ,.~«.s' ~ • to► ♦ r:'+; `,rarer ~i'S r# :ys' 4 x ! i i alb ~ ~ •i!;' ~.As•N'~ t ~ u T, d p yr « w -WA 'r'ss .u < r e a %ww r-- ' I'r: r:,3Y>-'~.y 'Or d'• xL11;5/~+'r , r .n. i j r f... i .i•. ~•d...: ' ~ q~ ~F y. Fig !x 'T~': A ~ Appencices CLIMATE TRENDS SUMMARY This summary provides more information on projected climate change impacts and trends in Ashland, includi ig changes in temperature, precipitation, and natural hazard risk. i; PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS OVERVIEW The public provided valuable input that helped shape the plan. See when and = how the public was consulted, and how public input was used in the plan. EMISSIONS MODELING AND TARGET-SETTING METHODOLOGY Take a behind-the-scenes look: at the process used to model Ashland's green- house gas footprint and set emissions-reduction targets. ASHLAND GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY k`. This document summarizes the city's emissions by sector and activity type from 2011 through 2015, and set the emissions baseline used to identify goals and prioritize strategies and ac=tions throughout this plan. 103 CITY OF ASHLAND Council Communication July 19, 2016, Business Meeting Climate and Energy Action Plan - Project Update FROM: Adam Hanks, Management Analyst, adam@ashland.or.us SUMMARY The ad-hoc Climate and Energy Action Plan Committee (LEAP) has been working on the development of a draft plan to bring to Council in January of 2017, per Council request. A process progress check-in was included in the plan to provide the Mayor and Council with an update on the work of the committee and the project consultant team. This update will summarize the work to date and focus primarily on the CEAP's first milestone recommendation of overall plan goals and targets that form the foundation for the remainder of the plan development. BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS: At the instigation of the Conservation Commission and with the support of Council, Mayor Stromberg created the CEAP in June of 2015 with a core group of members. Additional members have been added since that time, with a final member total of 13 (11 voting members). The CEAP began meeting in September of 2015, assisting staff in the development and issuance of a request for proposals for consultant services for the project. With considerable involvement of the committee in the review and selection process, Cascadia Consulting Group was selected in February of 2016 to assist the committee and City staff in the development of the plan document as well as facilitate the public involvement process throughout the project. The first major milestone recommendation request posed to the committee was for the overall plan goals and targets. Knowing that the goals and targets set the foundation for how the implementing actions are developed, reviewed, prioritized and selected. As the goals and targets lay the foundation for the rest of the plan, the goals/targets milestone was selected as a Council check-in time in the plan development timeline. To assist the CEAP in developing this first milestone recommendation, a public open house was held on May 24, 2016, to introduce the project to the community, to update them on the existing science- based data guiding the project and to solicit their input and feedback on the importance of the topic and the aggressiveness with which to build the plan. An online survey also was made available on the City's website to gather the same input/feedback for those that were unable to attend the open house. The open house had an attendance of approximately 175-200 and 40 online survey responses were submitted. At both its June 15 and July 6, 2016, meetings, the Committee went through a series of structured questions to build an overall draft plan vision with accompanying goals and targets to meet that vision. Page 1 of 2 1. ~r CITY OF ASHLAND Below are the preliminary goal/target recommendation: 1) A goal of carbon-neutral by 2047, using a sector-based methodology (i.e. this goal doesn't include consumption) 2) Five-year benchmark/milestone intermediate targets (2022, 2027, 2032, 2037, 2042, 2047) 3) All calculations and benchmarking based on 2015 as the base year 4) Final recommended goal/targets will include specific fossil fuel and GHG based targets for City operations (specifics TBD by committee) 5) Committee will be discussing further how consumption issues factor into the plan and whether a separate goal should be established for consumption-reduction recommendation along with the sector-based plan 6) Committee is still discussing the merits of adopting goals/targets by ordinance and the optimal timing for proposing an ordinance to Council. COUNCIL GOALS SUPPORTED: 22. Prepare for the impact of climate change on the community. 22.1 Develop and implement a community climate change and energy plan FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: The recommendations being presented to Council are preliminary. The final plan will include short-, mid-, and long-term prioritized implementing actions for accomplishing the recommended goals and targets. The implementation plan will include cost estimates for all actions, as well as cost/benefit calculations. No financial commitments are being requested at this time. STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND REQUESTED ACTION: The preliminary recommendations of the CEAP will be used to develop the implementation component of the plan. While no specific, formal action is requested at this time, Council feedback on the recommended goals and targets would be valuable for any modifications necessary before CEAP begins the actions and implementation phase of the project. SUGGESTED MOTION: N/A ATTACHMENTS: • June 15, 2016 - CEAP Ad-Hoc Committee Meeting Packet ADDITIONAL LINKS • www.ashland.or.us/climateplan • CEAP Public Input Summary - June 2016 http://www ashland or.us/Files/AshlandCEAP BaselinePubliclnputSummary.pdf Page 2 of 2 LVI ■ T~ _ . .~,....-.-mss • ? .-'..c'L";" .sue t '7 Wit` Climate and Energy Action Plan Climate and Energy Plan Committee Meeting Agenda June I5, 201 5:30-7:30 j Community Development Building 1 Winburn WN: - Sisk you Room Agenda - 5 min Call to Order Roxane • Approval of Minutes - May 18, 2016 ' i • Icebreaker Question _ 15 min Public Forum i 20 min Review/Discussion of Open House # 1 All I • Committee Survey in Packet 10 min Committee Decision Making Process Roxane 60 min Vision, Goals & Targets - Committee Recommendations All i • Draft Vision statement in packet i • Goals/Targets question breakdown in packet • Goals/Targets discussion guide in packet 10 min Upcoming Meetings (Committee meeting July 6 and Council meeting July 19) Adam j i CITY OF ~CASCADIA -ASHLAND Minutes for the Climate and Energy Action Plan ad hoc Committee May 18, 2016 Page 1 of 4 MINUTES FOR THE CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLAN ad hoc COMMITTEE Wednesday, May 18, 2016 Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way 1. Call to Order Councilor Rich Rosenthal called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Committee members James McGinnis, Cindy Bernard, Greg Jones, Isaac Bevers, Jim Hartman, Bryan Sohl, Mami Koopman, Louise Shawkat, Roxane Beigel-Coryell, and Claudia. Alick were present. Staff member Adam Hanks was present. Consultant Andrea Martin and Eugene City Councilor Alan Zelenka participated in the meeting by phone. 2. Approval of minutes Bevers clarified names of public speakers from previous minutes. Minutes were approved with amendments made by Bevers. 3. Around the Room Group did around the room team building regarding their favorite part of their morning routine. 4. Public Input Huelz Gutchen: Stated he has been talking at City Council meetings for a while and recently has been putting those discussions on YouTube. He stated that Commissioner Hartman recently called him a bulldog - he doesn't believe he is, but that he is just a community development director "wanna be." He wants this position because climate issues are so important. He stated that in China there are over 1 billion people, all on one grid. There is one set of rules for all aspects of electricity use, solar panel installation, etc. We can regulate similarly here. He stated that Exxon recently got into trouble for hiding climate issues for years. Robert Block-Brown: He is here representing Rogue Climate and is in support of all the youth presentations and participation in this process. He offered appreciation for the group's work. He encouraged the group to have the plan be science-based, socially equitable, and something that protects Ashland's quality of life. He also encouraged the group to have an ordinance in order to make sure there is plan accountability. He and Rogue Climate are looking forward to the open house and they, along with the Interfaith Social Justice Coalition, have been putting out information about the open house to encourage participation. Ken Crocker: Stated that he has been sitting with two things since the last meeting: 1) that it seems like we're on a path to set targets of where we want to be in 2050 but we should avoid focusing on targets which may change. He instead encouraged the group to focus on how to change Ashland culturally to meet the challenge of climate change. In other words, be focused on what we can do to be more adaptable. 2) The plan relies on the City of Ashland to help implement and this might be scary for city staff. The group needs to build into the plan sufficient resources for city staff to implement effectively. He encouraged Hanks in his role as the liaison to city staff. Minutes for the Climate and Energy Action Plan ad hoc Committee May 18, 2016 Page 2 of 4 5. Review of Climate Assessment Document Hanks stated the document is currently still in draft form. Some of the document will be adjusted for the sake of public understanding and inclusion in the upcoming open house. Consultant Martin reviewed some of the plan and requested the group give input on what might be missing. This document is related to the "primary" climate impacts, but doesn't take the next step to say how these impacts might affect specific sectors in the community. Martin reiterated that there will be visuals (charts, graphs, etc.) added to make the document more readable before it is finalized. Group discussed the possibility of including low and high climate predictions. Some thought that Cascadia's choice of moderate and extreme predictions were well chosen. Most of the group agreed that using standard scenarios is important for consistency between the plans of various communities in the northwest. There was some concern that much of the information is very global - which is important for framing - but not much is reflective of our specific area. Group discussed the desire to have the specific data sources referenced better in the document. Group requested inclusion of both night-time temperature and freezing temperature predictions. Martin agreed to see if those could be included. Group discussed possible inclusion of analysis of demographic shifts due to climate change (climate refugees). Martin stated that there likely isn't data available for this. Group discussed why the climate science primer is on page 28, rather than at the beginning of the document. Martin stated this was done because most of the people who will be looking at this document are looking for the hard science, and won't :need the primer. Group determined that including a brief primer in the executive summary might help. 6. Open House #1 Martin thanked the group for the input they gave at the last committee meeting. She stated they are working on getting a videographer to record the event and participate in one of the stations. She gave details of when the committee needs to arrive and how they will be used at the open house. Group gave their general preferences regarding which station they would like to be assigned. Group thanked Martin for her work. Martin's conference call ended. 7. Goals and Targets in Ordinance Form Group discussed whether it would be appropriate to let the Council know at the scheduled July update that there is a strong possibility of an ordinance proposed as part of this plan. Group discussed what timeline would be most appropriate. Minutes for the Climate and Energy Action Plan ad hoc Committee May 18, 2016 Page 3 of 4 Eugene City Council member, Alan Zelenka, joined the group via conference call to discuss how the ordinance in Eugene came to be, what has been positive from the ordinance and what challenges they have faced due to the ordinance. Some of what he encourage the group to consider when drafting/proposing an ordinance: • Having an ordinance has the force of law and public hearings are required for changes to the ordinance. • Use the ordinance (or discussions of the ordinance) to engage the community to participate in the plan. • Be specific on timelines for every piece of the plan. • Have scientifically-based actions. "Having an unrealistic goal is worse than having no goal." • Short-term goals need to be consistent with long-term goals. Having an ordinance helps keep that consistency. • Think about the overall costs - focus on the lowest cost options for achieving goals. In other words, having either social or economic costs too high will cause the plan to fail. • Make sure that the reporting requirements are realistic. Group discussed with Zelenka if there has been any negativity from the plan or the ordinance. He stated there hasn't been much, other than people frustrated by the perception that nothing is being done. He stated that Cities aren't good at letting people know what they have achieved, and encouraged the group and the city to be transparent about every achievement and to frequently report what they are doing well. Group asked if Eugene included consumption in their plan. He stated the next update to the plan will include some of that, it's just harder to track accurately. Group asked if the ordinance helped to make funds available for city projects (or staffing). Zelenka stated that there was no real additional funding but that it has helped create a "core staff' team who help focus and implement projects in each department. It also helps with selecting what projects will get funded in the CIP. Group asked if the Eugene plan considered including carbon offsets to achieve goals. Zelenka stated they are now considering using offset to achieve the 2020 goals (up to 40% of the goal). They are looking into focusing on local offsets to also use it as a "mini economic development tool." Group thanked Zelenka for his information and his phone call ended. Group discussed whether it was appropriate to move forward with an ordinance at this time. Most agreed it was too early in the process to create a specific ordinance but it shouldn't be left out of the process. Most felt it was important to get more community input and to let the Council know that this concept will likely be coming to them as part of the action plan. Group expressed concerns with rushing to an ordinance without getting the details correct. Minutes for the Climate and Energy Action Plan ad hoc Committee May 18, 2016 Page 4 of 4 8. Geos Project Update Koopman stated that Geos is moving forward with their polling project. They have incorporated the comments from the committee and will be doing a test run of the poll next week. Geos is also doing five vulnerability meetings with local community leaders. They are hoping to schedule most of these meetings in early June. Rosenthal departed the meeting at 7:21 p.m. Koopman stated that the vulnerability assessment information will be used in the group's process, mostly during the development of adaptation strategies. Hopefully the information gathered will make the adaptation strategies more robust. 9. Next Meeting Hanks stated that there have been some adjustments to the meeting schedule (shown in packet) to reflect a better connection between the projects such as the open houses and other group activities. The next full-committee meeting is June 15, 2016 at 5:30 p.m., though members are encouraged to attend the city staff and committee member workshop on May 25th at 2:00 p.m. 10. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diana Shiplet, Executive Assistant ACEAP Committee After Action Review (AAR) of Public Meeting #1 (raw results) Published: June 9, 2015 What went well in the meeting and why? • There was a great turnout as far as the number of people and how engaged they were in the issue. The meeting went smoothly and was well staffed and the booths were easy to navigate and there were lots of people to answer questions and get information. The city staff and council attendance was impressive and reflected the importance of the issue. Specifically, Adam Hanks and Diana Shiplet should be commended for their organization and logistical preparation - it was due to a lot of work on their end that things went so smoothly. 6/6/2016 10:27 AM View respondent's answers • Nice turn out. 6/5/2016 12:23 PM View respondent's answers • The event was well-promoted and generated an excellent turnout. The robust attendance appeared to produce the intended outcome: lots of citizen feedback. 6/5/2016 9:28 AM View respondent's answers • There was good turn out from the public and the stations provided a convenient way to supply information and receive feedback/input from the public without causing too much of a cluster. 6/1/2016 11:57 AM View respondent's answers • Introductions and talks by the Mayor, Rich Rosenthal, Adam Hanks. 6/1/2016 10:47 AM View respondent's answers • Sorry, but could not attend. However, from my read of the local press and comments from others, it appears to have been a successful event. 6/1/2016 7:41 AM View respondent's answers • The layout with the placement of the welcome table-was inviting the placement of the tables: seemed crowded together, space for folks to gather would have been better to have more space from one table and easel to another. Demonstrated waste reduction with reusable plates/cups. The main speaker from the consultant company was not dynamic-no enthusiasm, too long and technical. The room temperature was about right--usually too cold. Asking for help putting away chairs was good. Introduction of the ceap committee good. appreciated the city's outreach-in news services etc... 6/1/2016 7:39 AM View respondent's answers • A lot of people enthusiastically showed up. They were interested in learning about the science of climate change, the projected effects on Ashland and the surrounding area, and in visioning on Ashland's future. 5/31/2016 11:02 PM View respondent's answers What would you suggest for areas of improvement in future public meetings, and why? • The feedback that I have heard from folks that came included: 1) It was really exciting to see so many people there engaged in the plan and they felt like the event had great energy. 2) People liked the booths, and liked that way of engaging, others also felt like a more traditional public forum would have been good where people could have heard each others comments, and brought up ideas publicly. It would be good to have more opportunity for people to speak and be heard. 3) Some people were hoping for more details regarding what options the city is considering for the plan so that they could respond directly to actual programs / policies / and plans as opposed to just general ideas. 4) The science presentation was hard to follow and hard to understand how the findings actually related to our community. The style of presentation was extremely dry. More of a story telling style with important take home messages would be more effective, especially if given by a dynamic speaker who is trusted by the community. 5) It seemed like a lot of the usual suspects in attendance. - it would be great to see more effort in getting other community members to engage in different ways. 6/6/2016 10:27 AM View respondent's answers • We needed to give the public 3 choices of goals, and let them vote on them. Also, the issue was not properly framed globally in terms of what is needed to avoid a 2 degree C increase, why that 2 degree limit is chosen by all countries in Paris, and why they are even hoping to strive for 1.5 degrees. 6/5/2016 12:23 PM View respondent's answers • The PA system at the Armory was inadequate for the crowd assembled; there needed to be a dynamic MC to introduce speakers and to convey process context. 6/5/2016 9:28 AM View respondent's answers The presentation was very boring and dry. I would suggest having different presenters and maybe being more mindful about what information is important to present and what can be discussed on a smaller scale with expert groups. I would also suggest having an opportunity for an open forum Q&A. People didn't really have an opportunity to ask questions, other than at the stations, but it probably would have been beneficial to have open Q&A. • 6/1/2016 11:57 AM View respondent's answers • Have some time, 30-45 minutes for open forum with perhaps a panel of Ad-Hoc members and the audience having a discussion. 6/1/2016 10:47 AM View respondent's answers • Try to reach out to other constituents. Events and topics such as this have a tendency to bring out the same people. Need to figure out a way to engage others. 6/1/2016 7:41 AM View respondent's answers • some education on how to access city website and how to navigate-this is not easy put address on big screens while folks are milling around. a new flyer will have to be developed eliminating the first date with reason for having the Sept meeting clear. There were few Council members present-they need to show up.. Representatives from commissions should be evident. 6/1/2016 7:39 AM View respondent's answers • The stations were good. It would be better to have station facilitators in front of the tables interacting with the public. This way they "feel" our commitment. The speakers for the presentations were not inspiring. Lots of data was presented but in a dry and unappealing manner. Passionate speakers make for engaged audiences. We definitely need to change how speakers engage with the public at future events. Design future meetings that engage the audience in active Q&A during or after each speaker. People feel heard this way. 5/31/2016 11:02 PM View respondent's answers General Comments • There seems to be a lack of understanding about how the science feeds into the planning process in general, and the public outreach more specifically. Presenting the science in a really engaging and educational manner is a fantastic tool for community engagement. Yet communication of the science needs to come from trusted and dynamic experts, it needs to come in forms that are easy to understand and that tell a story (such as online short illustrated videos or a short handout with take home messages), and it needs to be clear how the science leads the decision making process (a science-based plan). Also, some of the science was presented in a misleading manner (specifically wildfire) that could affect decision making regarding that topic. The science presentation at the public workshop caused me to tune out and disengage rather than want to learn more. At the workshop with the city, the science was again cast aside, rather than explored and discussed so that everyone is on the same page as to what the science is telling us and what it is not telling us. This can create confusion later, as different people will be recommending different strategies based on their very different understanding of what climate change really means for Ashland. Having Mark Yaconelli, Jeff Golden, or another beloved Ashland leader address the topic and act as the MC can really change the dynamics of the meeting. Plus, it is worth including art, music, and/or something out of the ordinary to keep peoples' attention and make it more fun. 6/6/2016 10:27 AM View respondent's answers • The committee needs to have a speaker at the next meeting with key talking points agreed to by the group. 6/5/2016 12:23 PM View respondent's answers Open House No. 2 should be held at a different venue with more comfortable seating and a more audible PA system, such as the Rogue River Room at SOU. The most dynamic speakers on the committee should be utilized to explain key information to attendees. 6/5/2016 9:28 AM View respondent's answers • Many people at the event mentioned how boring and dry the presentation was. 6/1/2016 11:57 AM View respondent's answers • 1 have spoken with many people who simply could not make it to the 1 st public forum. They are very interested in having an opportunity to review material and give their input, just as those who were at the event had an opportunity to do so. After each open house we should post a replica of what went on at each open house for a period of time after the public event (including video and ppts of speakers). A website should contain all of the material and a link to a survey for each of the questions brought before the public during the open house and allow others who were unable to attend the meeting to give their input as well. 2) Speakers at the public meetings should have a more dynamic: interaction with the audience. Some speakers at the first public meeting presented data in a very dry and possibly overwhelming way. We need lively, engaging speakers when presenting material and data. 6/1/2016 10:50 AM View respondent's answers • Need to have some time to discuss "The Vision". Not just go over projected temps and data. Get people involved with sharing specific ideas, or present specific ideas and see how the community reacts. 6/1/2016 10:47 AM View respondent's answers Potential strategies: this is going to be a selling event to get folks on board ...really important to point out the benefits of potential strategies... what is in it for'me' 6/1/2016 7:39 AM View respondent's answers • 1 appreciate the intent of the contractor and the city staff in making this a great event. Kudos to both. And, we have an opportunity to improve public engagement and passionate involvement in our next two public meetings. Additionally, We should take advantage of an electronic media opportunity for further and new public involvement. A poll like this one with the same questions posed as at the event would expand our reach to the public for critical input. Creating a new poll and sending out an invite to all of the mailing lists, and referenced in other ways, is warranted. 5/31/2016 11:02 PM View respondent's answers Committee Vision and Goal Setting June 15, 2016 Objective The vision and goals are preliminary and will be communicated to City Council and the public as the plan development process moves forward. The vision and goals will be the basis by which the plan elements are constructed. Through the plan development process, the goals and targets are subject to revision by the committee as the CEAP is further defined Procedure The committee will attempt to reach consensus on all decisions and recommendations. If consensus cannot be reached, decision-making will occur using the motion/second and committee member voting on each component. Committee Roles and Responsibilities 1. Members accept the responsibility to come to meetings prepared for the discussion. Members will work between meetings to educate themselves on issues. 2. Members will recognize the legitimacy of the concerns and interests of others, whether or not they are in agreement with them. Members will participate in the spirit of giving the same priority to solving the problems of others as they do to solving their own problems. 3. Members will share discussion time and encourage everyone to participate fully. Members will attempt to present their views in a succinct manner and will cooperate with the facilitator to ensure that everyone is given equitable time to state their views. 4. Members will never interrupt another and will listen respectfully to others, even while disagreeing. Only one person will speak at a time. Members will not participate in side conversations. 5. Members will look for common ground and areas of agreement as the foundation for building consensus recommendations. Members will communicate their concerns, needs, and diverse opinions but will not give ultimatums. 6. After the meeting, be respectful of the decision-making process and other committee members even if you may not completely agree with the outcome(s) 1 1. Vision Discuss and approve the following vision statement: Ashland leads on climate action to foster a resource-efficient, diverse, and prosperous community with secure and sustainable access to clean air, water, food, and green spaces for future generations. 2. Preliminary Goal Using the breakdown of questions provided below, discuss and vote on your preference for Ashland's long-term community emissions reduction cloal. 1. Which type of inventory would you like to include in Ashland's emission reduction goal? a. Sector-based emissions b. Consumption-based emissions 2. Do you think Ashland should include purchasing of offsets as an option to reach its emission reduction goal? a. Yes b. No 3. Do you think Ashland should have a specific goal for reducing emissions from C operations? a. Yes b. No 4. If yes to #3, should the targets be fossil fuel reductions or GHG? a. Fossil Fuel b. GHG c. Both 5. Which year do you think Ashland should use as a base year for its greenhouse gas reduction goal? a. 2011 b. 2015 6. What do you think Ashland's reduction goal for 2050 should be? a. <80% reduction by 2050 b. 80% reduction by 2050 c. 90% reduction by 2050 d. 100% reduction by 2050 (i.e., carbon neutral) e. >100% reduction by 2050 7. Which years should be used for intermediate targets? a. 2018, 2025, 2040 b. 2020, 2030, 2030 c. 2022, 2028, 2034, 2040 d. 2025, 2035 e. Other combo 2 3. Goals/Targets Adopted by Ordinance 1. Should plan include recommendation for goals/targets to be adopted by Ordinance? f. Yes g. No 2. If yes, should ordinance match the plan goals/targets or be something different (i.e. absolute vs aspirational) a. Match b. Different 3. If Different, how should the goals/targets in ordinance be structured? Emissions Reduction Goal Setting: Discussion Guide Sector Based vs. Consumption Based Emission Targets (Excerpt from City of Ashland GHG Inventory - February 2016) Ashland's community greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory includes both "sector-based" and "consumption-based" emissions. Sector-based emissions include local emissions from building energy use in residential, commercial and industrial sectors, transportation energy use, methane emissions from solid waste disposal, wastewater treatment, and fugitive leakage of refrigerants from cooling systems. Consumption-based emissions are generated outside the community in order to produce the goods and food consumed by Ashland residents. Together, they make up a community's total emissions. The community has greater control over the sector-based emissions sources, as well as better data, which is why these emissions are typically the primary accounting methodology used to set emissions mitigation goals. While the community does not control the means of production for the majority of goods and food it consumes, there is local control and choice in the quantity of demand; the types of products; and vendors who supply the products. Ashland GHG Emissions, Past and Future • Trends: Total emissions decreased 6% between 2011 and 2015, and sector-based emissions decreased 10%. These decreases are largely attributable to increased renewable electricity on the regional grid, decreased residential electricity use, and decreased natural gas use due to warmer winters. Reductions are greater on a per- capita basis (12% and 8% for sector- and consumption-based, respectively). • Composition: Buildings and transportation are the largest contributors to sector-based emissions (contributed 27% and 23% to overall emissions in 2015, respectively), while household goods and food contributed 48% to the overall emissions. City government operations, refrigerant leakage, and solid waste and wastewater contributed a relatively small amount to overall emissions (2% each). • Public perception: Initial public response to the GHG inventory reveal a desire to be bold, ambitious, and show leadership in setting goals and actions and motivating the community. There is also an emphasis on changing personal habits and behaviors, as well as instituting a legally-binding emissions reduction goal. The highest-priority emissions sources are buildings and energy and transportation and land use. 3 • Projections: As shown in Figure 1, preliminary modeling shows that, assuming expected increases in CAFE standards and state renewable portfolio standards, Ashland can expect a 28% reduction in GHG emissions from 2015 to 2050 under a business as usual scenario. Meeting an 80% reduction by 2050 goal would require an additional 40% reduction in vehicle miles travelled, 40% reduction in building energy use, and 55% reduction in refrigerant leakage and waste emissions, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 1. Preliminary emissions forecasting for Ashland 12% reduction LCD 176 175 by 2030 174 28% 137 , 15 0 reduction ' 159 by 2050 .r, 154 126 00 F G 50 0 '1010 2025 20DO .-103-1 2040 2045 20-0 -Bt AIU ,.-BABA CAFE -E"InU - C,4HH & ED'S Figure 2. Preliminary wedge analysis for Ashland 00 z 150 z - Renewable Portfolio Standard - CAFE Standard Zt, 112- - - 50% Renewable Fuels z e= 40% VMT Reduction ,r g0 ` 40% Reduction in Building Energy Use 55% Reduction in z 40 80% reduction by 2050 Refrigerant Leakage & Waste Emisssions 0 2015 202t? 2025 2.030 203 520`0 204' 5 21 01 Other Jurisdictions ICLEI and WWF's 2015 Measuring Up 2015 report summarizes greenhouse gas reduction targets set by 132 local governments for their communities. The report revealed the following trends: • 25% of examined communities set 80% or greater by 2050 or earlier (largely from IPCC recommendation). • 46% set target equal or greater than US target of 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025. 4 • 3% of examined communities (n=4) set a 1000% or net zero emissions target. • Those communities with 5-year targets range from 4-25% reductions. • Those communities with 2030 targets range from 35% to 50% reductions. • Those communities with 2050 targets range from 50% to 100% reductions (80% is by far most common) Emissions targets for other Oregon jurisdictions are summarized below: City of Eugene • Reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions 10% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 75% by 2050 • Reduce community-wide fossil fuel use 50% below 2005 levels by 2030 City of Corvallis • Reduce overall community fossil fuel use 30% below 2012 levels by 2020 • Reduce overall community fossil fuel use 55% below 2012 levels by 2030 • Reduce overall community fossil fuel use 85% below 2012 levels by 2050 State of Oregon (House Bill 3543) • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 10"/o below 1990 levels by 2020 • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 75% below 1990 levels by 2050 • Targets derived from IPCC recommendations at the time City of Portland/Multnomah County • Reduce local carbon emissions 40% from 1990 levels by 2030 • Reduce local carbon emissions 80% from 1990 levels by 2050 5 _ p a) p O O O O C a) C: 01 Q) O• . =3 co O Ft E N C E O p Q) O_ 4-- 0 0 o U Q U) Cul (n cn 0) >1 0 0 a) (n CD 0 CL C: 0- 0 D C) 2E Q ()M-0Q a)E> L6 L- T p > O a) C• O~ O - C C L O cA L C (n O C C: U Q) C U) cn Q ° O 0 7) O U >C c p i ca L i Q C Q. E C (1) Q) C . C- Q) o (D F5 E5 °ocnoa'QU DEcu 0) -0 -7 cn > a' U) E a) U E ~ E: oC Q C o -ci~oC co w~•Ln o~ Co D Q ~M cu (L) co ° -Ca)coE0) : °o C: U) 0 Q- o L)) «-0) W a) U- m a) C o~ ca Fn -0 C: C: -0 00- -0 T) :t4-- ~C`E~° =~~°auio~ : Qa " o o ca o o QQ °QC C U U) U) ~-L p o U (B U N. n -0 > U) C O U _0 U O cn O Q) C a) m p m O O -E L:3 0- E -0 1 4- cu cu (L) o a) .C(1) O o O O U 'nL pJ 0-0 O Z~ U m 0_0z U) U UU~Z'~ Q-ED U O o C U) >1 U) ~ O a) ~ o U L Q) (n C U U) Un U Q) C C +-n C a) o O N _0 L a) C Q) +a) * ' p U 7- C~ ° 4 N -0 0) o > U O L Q) N C U+. Q) U C Q) _C Q Q O ~o~ a) m E a) m~a)=a) Cm o L (n Un U) 0 t- i o m Q E (i) o C U p C C > v- 0 -0 : Q) o r-.- Q) ~ E C w C m w 0) 0 C: i O M O m 0 U) a) a) L- 0 :3 1 U C C to U C U CO m C: U) M a) °-U) m-0 -0 ca cn• ~~oLeo C) C: Q~ E a) O Q) u) E u) o) Q~ ° E p) u a) p cn (3) c U~) oU) ~m0c cncnU. Ua)Co~~~cn V U: > U m 0 cn E Q-0 -0 z3 =3 E o},oo0~o~ °~°o >o'~ O~ma)a)~~o~ Ucn EU QQ~Q a <C) 2 ~02~ L L O ct5 c c~ U) 0 U) N a_ E m c cll p to U L U s- M Q. C C C 0 -0 CL 4a Ll- E o W C' C p ~ O +U) (n N C C Z - Flo C > 0 p E U p U o 0 ~!U) U Q) C ;0 V C - - - U) N O U) O o o O O a) U C: 4- 4- ol a) E a) to . 0 :3 00 a) ° c! cn CU to O o o o U U O L U CU Q) O L cnn N aL-+ L O Q 0 E p Q) a) a) - o -r- : E !E uj O m a) uj a) _0 -0 E U U Q) Q) a) U L a) O cu (B o -0 C!) CU Z) a) a) 0 C to U ° 0 u to CU (6 L O O O ca a, O U U C E_0 4-1 Q) N +O -a Q) U - -0 Q) N 0 C _0 _0 cu -0 C: 0- > O M -0 CU m > :t-' a) 0 = L U (C3. Q) f a) O 0 cu 4- > 0 C: C > Q) CL c o° CL a) cu 0 a) v c a) = o a) E -E (D Y~ -0o Via) a) c~°U,Q)°_0 Q O -0 =3 , (A Q p Co (B U co U p O O p p' L O 0 Z~ cn ctf C!)~ Z~-- a).~J.~ZD a) a) a) O to p C C N cB 0 p o U) U) o O O = O a) 07 to O O n cm 0- 4- 1 U) m 0') cn a) a)_0 •(n M 4- a) o E a.E ~.E Ln a) (n E Co cn 0 a) _0 _0 _0 4- a) a) a) L (a a) -0 (n 4 a) N Q) U) 4- U a) Q) O 0 O > U O O (u U o m E o 4-0U U_0 U_0 a) 0 a) o D- c U I~^11 0 U p L^, 4- 0 c 0 c to E L- -o ~ ° - O .a) > O ° O to 4- CZ Q) O U O U CD 0 CD 3: 0 C) a) >>p cn° ° ° ~O o N N cn cm N U) w 0 (D CZ a) O m E O o 0> O OX M 0 'L p U (B 0000 O L ° C L U~~ a)N:~~ c~ w~U ~_0 (L)U ~_0 E ~2 o :3 o: O aZ C! 0 v cv ~ O 0 O N 1 a o if) o 801 0 0 M: o 0 000 0 L C) m 04 N N',V 00 00 Q ~ Q) O0 O Q 4~ ca Q c > S= f6 U > O \ O o a) - Q Q u Q O •E M O Q) O Q) + O L " > O 1 N > 4- Q) a) N Q O N O O LO O O O 2 > } 00 w N L Q1 O c~ 4~ 4- (a) N O Q L 0- •L Q) L N Q O a) ap L O p N u cu 41 O O u \ O a) ca O a) N U- D 41 Q) 4-1 m Q) Q) 0 QJ c~ U by bA 4J Q 2 4-1 O L O - O N _ 0 4-1 V) Ln 0) z t o N N O N V) O ca O O Q c~ u w C ~ O O ¢ U N O u Q S2 - L O O O cu O 'O to L L p t_B a, N O Q) 4-1 L O O\ O 4-1 -0 a) O E 3 4-1 Ln L E 4- 4-1 c6 =5 Q) a) O aJ a) - p cB \ o :3 a) p O O U Q Q C1A N f6 Q > U > > u N v O s Q Q) O U Q) Q) u a cB a a a a u O - - ii 2 a a Lr) a a a m n_ a m a O a 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (n o m m m m m o m n, m m m m o ~i &i m m ui ui ~ r--l o o 0 CD t.0 0 N N O NNO N ~p lD l0 O 0 ~ O r ~ N N k.6 O O o 0 O a) Q) a) L L L N N N N O r-i a) cc N S2 S2 -0 L (1) 00 ' N Lr N al C_ E E O i rl N N Q) lD i =5 4' +U-+ 4--+ O a) a) - cCO ccc0 cCCB ? > ~i Q O' u O Q) N G G G ¢ V7 c/) 0 Z Q Q Q p O O N ~ L L v v aA aai en nn are a) a) 4 +J +J M a) v Q) w o O } a, a~ :3 u v a~ a) a, cu u a) u :3 Q) Q) o a, a) a) a) u o a) a o a; a, 4-1 4-1 4-1 t~ 41 v u u a E p o o o o p 4- o p o u 41 u u o u u u u o a - N a a u a - V) a V' - a u w Q > w w w w -0 w a -0 w u a u u U u u u u a u u u a u u BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF ASHLAND, OREGON AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING THE CURRENT AND FUTURE PROTECTION OF THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF RESIDENTS AND ECOSYSTEMS OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND, OREGON, A. Climate change is caused by anthropogenic activities, primarily from the consumption of fossil fuels that emit greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (C02) and methane, the primary component of natural gas. B. Mean global temperature is increasing as a result of increased concentrations of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. C. The decade from 2000 to 2010 was the warmest on record; 2015 and 2014 are the two the hottest years on record; and the twelve consecutive months of May 2015 through April 2016 have each set a record for global average surface temperatures for their respective months. D. C02 levels in the atmosphere surpassed 400 parts per million (ppm) for the first time in 800,000 years in the year 2013 and now are at the brink of permanently remaining above 400 ppm in the absence of a global effort to reduce emissions. E. Scientists predict that by 2100 average global temperatures will be 2 to 11.5 degrees Fahrenheit higher than they are now, depending on the rate of emissions. F. As climate change continues, the Pacific Northwest will experience a considerable amount of variation in temperature and precipitation. This is expected to have a significant impact on the local environment, economy, and community while affecting all sectors including water and other natural resources, agriculture, and recreation/tourism. G. Emissions of greenhouse gases are already impacting global ecosystems causing ocean acidification, ocean warming, and warming of the Earth's surface. Continuation of these trends lead to rising seas, more frequent and severe weather events, heavy rainfall and flooding, heat waves and drought, intense and destructive wildfires, disrupted ecosystems and agriculture, more disease, famine, disrupted economic sectors and job markets, conflict and human loss of life, increased social and economic inequity resulting in a an added burden on those least able to adapt. H. The health, welfare, and economic future of the citizens of Ashland are threatened by these climatic changes. 1. Meaningful action is needed at all levels of government to mitigate climate change, effectuate climate recovery, and leave a healthier environment and atmosphere for future generations. The City of Ashland ("The City") is ready to do its part, and will engage its residents, visitors, businesses and organizations to do the same. K. This ordinance is based on the widely-accepted science of climate change. Specifically, this ordinance is a direct effort to contribute to climate stabilization and to respond to the present and future adverse impacts climate change poses to our health and safety, our environment, and our local and global economies. L. State and Federal goals and mandates - More to come here M. With the passage of this ordinance, Ashland commits itself to actively and significantly reducing all GHG emissions emanating from within city limits. The GHG reduction targets prescribed in this ordinance are designed to be consistent with science-based goals, primarily the goal of returning global atmospheric C02 concentrations to below 350 ppm by the year 2100. N. The City will be guided and directed by a Climate and Energy Action Plan, which will be created and developed by the City with input from Ashland residents. Progress in meeting the prescribed reductions will be monitored and reported on by the City, and course corrections to the plan can and should be made, as needed over time. 0. Failure to complete the Climate and Energy Action Plan and take meaningful action could permanently affect the safety, health, welfare, and economic future of the City and its residents. Delayed action could also result in increased City costs and community impacts. SECTION 1: The City of Ashland Municipal Code (AMC) Chapter 9 is amended by adding new Sections to read as follows: 9.40 CLIMATE RECOVERY 9.40.010 Definitions - The following words and phrases whenever used in this chapter shall be construed as defined in this section. A. "Carbon Neutral" means zero net emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) B. "City Operations" means C. "GHG Baseline" means the carbon emissions calculations for 2015 as found in the 2016 Greenhouse Gas Inventory document D. More to come 9.40.20 - Climate Recovery Goals - Community A. By the year 2100, total community greenhouse gas emissions shall be reduced to an amount that is no more than the city of Ashland's average share of a global atmospheric greenhouse gas level of 350 ppm, which is estimated in 2016 to require an annual average emission reduction of 8%. B. The per capita fossil fuel use in the City shall be reduced by at least 50% by 2030 and 100% 2050. 9.40.030 - Climate Recovery Goals - City Operations A. Using actions contained in the Climate and Energy Action Plan, City operations, facilities and services shall reach carbon neutrality by 2030. B. The City shall reduce its fossil fuel consumption by at least 50% by 2030 and 100°/) by 2050. 9.40.040 - Climate and Energy Action Plan A. The Climate and Energy Action Plan shall contain the following: 1. Plan for City Operations (CEAP-CO), which shall contain specific and measurable GHG reduction targets and milestones to guide and direct City operations in achieving the required carbon mitigation and fossil fuel reduction targets. 2. Plan for the Community (CEAP-C), which shall contain specific and measurable GHG reduction targets and milestones to guide and direct the community in achieving the required carbon mitigation and fossil fuel reduction targets. 3. Each plan shall contain the following: a. Strategies, actions, timelines and progress indicators to meet GHG reduction targets b. Measurements to evaluate progress and achievement of actions c. Minimum reporting content and schedule for City Council for CEAP and GHG Inventory d. Identified process for plan amendments, including comprehensive review on a three year cycle. e. Identified role of the Climate and Energy Action Plan Commission in advisory and recommendation capacity for CEAP implementation and updates ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE CLIMATE AND ENERGY ACTION COMMISSION 2.27- Climate and Energy Action Plan Advisory Commission 2.27.005 - Purpose Upon adoption of this ordinance, the Mayor shall establish a permanent Citizen Commission to provide oversight and recommendations regarding the implementation of the Climate and Energy Action Plan, as well as recommending updates and modifications to the Climate and Energy Action Plan (LEAP) document. 2.27.010 - Establishment - Membership The Commission shall reflect and represent a wide range of community interests and perspectives, including environmental, energy efficiency, renewable energy, academic and business, low income, equity, and health, communities of color and elderly. The Commission shall consist of nine (9) voting members, including at least two (2) of whom shall be 25-years-old or younger at the time of appointment. Eight (8) of the members shall reside within the City, and one (1) may be an at large member living within the Ashland urban growth boundary. One (1) Mayor or City Councilor and one (1) City staff person shall serve on the Commission as non-voting, ex-officio members. The primary staff liaison shall be appointed by the City Administrator and shall serve as Secretary of the Commission. Voting members shall be appointed by the Mayor with confirmation by the City Council 2.27.020 - Powers and Duties A. Monitor and advise on the Implementation of the Climate and Energy Action Plan for the Community and City Operations B. Recommend modifications to benchmarks, targets or implementing actions contained in the CEAP as needed to incorporate the best available science and practices to achieve CEAP related goals and targets. C. Monitor progress toward achieving the reductions of GHG emissions prescribed by this ordinance D. Work to ensure that the CEAP considers public input and long-term social, economic and environmental impacts E. Recommend changes in city ordinances, rules and processes that facilitate and/or incentivize residents and businesses to reduce their GHG emissions F. Work to ensure the plans are socially equitable for all community members including low-income, young people, persons of color, elderly and those living with disabilities. G. Work to ensure the CEAP protects Ashland's quality of life by identifying, benefiting, and preserving long-term natural resources, services, amenities, institutions, industries, and community characteristics valued by Ashland residents.