City of Lawrence

MEMORANDUM

Public Works Department

 

 

 

DATE:           December 28, 2007

 

TO:              Dave Corliss, City Manager

 

CC:               Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager

Charles Soules, Public Works Director

         

FROM:          Tamara Bennett, Assistant Public Works Director

                   Dena Mezger, Assistant Public Works Director

 

RE:               Request for City Commission agenda item and brief update on energy initiatives

 

The purpose of the memo is to communicate a request, on behalf of the Sustainability Advisory Board, to present a proposal to the City Commission after the first of the year and to provide a very cursory update on energy related items.

 

Staff provided an update to the City Commission June 18, 2007, and requested approval for future efforts (to include funding in 2008).  A copy of the update memo presented at that time is attached.  The City Commission directed staff to proceed on the course outlined, and indicated funding should be included in the 2008 budget for membership to ICLEI and green tags purchases for future years.  With the positive feedback from the City Commission, staff proceeded on the path as outlined.  A brief update on some of the items is included below. 

 

City Commission agenda item:  The Sustainability Advisory Board requests a time slot on the regular agenda after January 9, 2008.  A component of the US Mayor’s Agreement on Climate Protection is a commitment to create a local Climate Protection Plan, to support the goals for greenhouse gas reduction.  The SAB will present a proposal to the City Commission to establish a mayor’s task force for climate protection, with the goal of completing the climate protection plan in a specified amount of time. 

 

As background, the Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB) has been working on recommending a Mayor’s Task Force on Climate Protection as the primary community component to complete the recommended Climate Protection Plan.  This will be very similar to the steering committee used successfully in KCMO, that included top-level representation from the major players in KC, including KCPL, the chamber, neighborhoods, industry, and so on (e.g., those people whose buy-in is critical for successful implementation of true community wide energy conservation). 

 

The SAB plans to finalize their recommendation at their meeting on January 9, 2008.  They request a time on the regular City Commission agenda after that meeting.  If approved, the Mayor’s Task Force on Climate Protection would work concurrently with data collection and calculation of the greenhouse gas baseline.  The primary charge of the task force would be to complete the draft Climate Protection Plan for presentation to the City Commission.

 

Brief update on other energy related items since the June 2007 meeting:

 

1.     ICLEI Membership:  In June, the City Commission approved funding in 2008 for ICLEI membership.  ICLEI is an international organization supporting local governments for sustainability.  As part of that membership, the city receives access to a software program used to calculate the greenhouse gas baseline (ghg) emissions.  The standardized methodology for calculating the ghg baseline will be very meaningful when communicating across communities.  Staff was able to reallocate some resources to initiate the membership process in fall 2007.  We received our ICLEI membership materials on November 21, 2007.  We have downloaded Clean Air and Climate Protection Software (CACP), and worked out the bugs on getting the software to work on our systems just this week. 

2.     Webinar training:   Staff members from Public Works have participated in two separate webinar trainings offered on the CACP software, one in August and one in December, 2007.

3.     Greenhouse gas baseline survey:  This process will be completed concurrently with the climate protection plan, if the City Commission pursues appointment of that task force.  This is a baseline or historical number (either 2000 or 1990).  The Public Works Department has  an engineering intern who has worked with us for several years who is being re-assigned to work on the ghg baseline survey.  Brandon Womack participated in the CACP training on December 18th and will commit most of his weekly hours to completing the ghg survey.  Brandon will be leaving in May 2008.  By that time, we plan to have the ghg baseline completed, and the data sources well documented so the efforts can be replicated in future years.  By the end of January, 2008, the department plans to have a list of data required to do the ghg calculation, with notations on what has been collected and estimated time frame for collecting other pieces.  Dena Mezger and Tammy Bennett are the primary resources for Brandon in completing this inventory by May, 2008.

4.     Green tags:  The City of Lawrence purchased 184 green tags for the partial calendar year of 2006 and 685 green tags for the calendar year 2007.  We are working on the contract with Bonneville Environmental Foundation to complete the purchase of 685 green tags for 2008.  The contract should be finalized by the time SAB meets with the City Commission.

5.     Dennis Murphy presentation:    The Sustainability Advisory Board hosted a presentation by Dennis Murphy, Chief Environmental Officer and the head of the Kansas City, MO, Office of Environmental Quality, August 29, 2007.  Mr. Murphy is a member of the City Manager’s staff, as the chief environmental officer, in KCMO.  He was the primary liaison to the Kansas City Steering Committee that created their Climate Protection Plan.  Mr. Murphy also directed the calculation of the KCMO greenhouse gas (ghg) baseline data by contracting with a half-time engineer for a six month period.  This was a very helpful presentation on how to successfully complete both the ghg baseline and the climate protection plan, as required by the US Mayor’s Agreement.

6.     FCIP update from SAB meeting 12/2007:  The SAB heard a presentation last November regarding the FCIP program options.  FCIP is a program through the Kansas Energy Office for Facilities Conservation Improvement Program.  The program facilitates energy savings performance contracting through private companies for public agencies.   There was some interest in pursuing the program, although it was never a formal SAB recommendation to the City Commission.  Kevin Doyle met with SAB in May and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of FCIP, among other topics.  The SAB, at that time, decided not to pursue FCIP.  Daniel Poull, Chair, opened the item discussion at the December SAB meeting by acknowledging that the SAB agreed that we were not going to pursue FCIP in May.  A previous board member has been in continuing contact with SAB members about this item and wanted the proposal to move forward.  The item was discussed again, and the SAB made a formal motion and voted NOT to pursue FCIP at this point. 

Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works Department

 

TO:

Dave Corliss, City Manager

Debbie Van Saun, Assistant City Manager

 

FROM:

Energy Management Committee

Co-chairs:  Dena Mezger and Tammy Bennett

Debbie Van Saun, Jeanette Klamm , Kathy Richardson, Lisa Pool, Steve Bennett, Steve Stewart

 

DATE:

June 13, 2007

 

RE:

Energy Management Committee Status and Progress

 

 

The purpose of the memo is to outline the commitments and requirements of energy and environmental initiatives for the City of Lawrence.  Many of the programs are inter-related and contain many of the same core concepts and features.  This document provides a framework to view the various programs and requirements of each.

 

There are budgetary considerations for 2008 related to the various environmental initiatives commitments.  While we do not know the full scope of the financial implications, the elements that should be considered when budgeting for 2008 include staff time, ICLEI membership ($1500) and green tag purchases for 2008 ($8700 -$10,000, depending on power usage).  

 

CURRENT ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS

 

Cool Cities Program:  The Cool Cities program was initiated by local governments taking action on global warming, initially in the form of 200 mayors signing the US Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement.  This is really an “umbrella campaign.”  Many of the elements and requirements are repeated in the program below.  The four steps to becoming a cool city are:

 

US Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement:  By resolution on March 7, 2006, the governing body affirmed the City’s commitment to action to advance climate protection at the local level.  The resolution sets out three fundamental actions, including meeting or exceeding Kyoto protocols (listed below).  Cities engage in a five step process when undertaking a city climate protection campaign.

 

National Plug-In Partners:  The Plug-In Partners program is a coordinated effort by cities to encourage automakers to mass-produce plug-in hybrid vehicles.  To encourage mass production, Plug-In Partners commit philosophically to purchasing these vehicles when produced.  The community committed to supporting local, state, and federal policies that will promote flexible fuels plug-in hybrid vehicles.  The City of Lawrence signed the Plug-In Partner Agreement September 26, 2006. 

 

Green Power Partnership:  EPA’s Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program to help increase the use of green power.  Partners commit to purchasing green power to offset a designated percentage of their organization’s use each year.  The City of Lawrence signed the Green Power Partnership on April 10, 2007.  The City already purchased green tags for 2007, off-setting 3% of power usage.  The next phase of the program would be to strive for Green Power Community status.  To date, the City has not made this commitment formally.  The Green Power Community component would require that the City promote green power community-side and be able to document a 2 percent community-wide offset annually.  The City would be responsible for data collection and reporting to the EPA.

 

Green Tag Program:  Green Tags are certificates for renewable energy that offsets carbon emissions, to replace traditional polluting sources of electricity with clean, secure, and sustainable renewable sources of energy, such as solar, wind, or hydro power.  The purchase of 870 green tags was completed to offset three percent of City electrical use for a one year period.  The green tag purchase supports goals and commitments under Cool Cities, the US Mayors’ Agreement, and the Green Power Partnership.  Purchases will have to be made annually to continue demonstration of commitment to each of those programs.

 

Integrated Management Systems for Utilities operations:   The integrated management system meets the requirements of three energy/environmental standards:  ISO 14001 (an environmental management system), OHSAS 18001 (occupational health and safety management system), and National Biosolids Partnership EMS for Biosolids (a biosolids specific environmental management system).  The Waste Water Treatment Plant is certified under the integrated management system.  The department is expanding ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards to the entire department and preparing for a 3rd party audit.  The new Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility will fall under the management system certifications.  The requirements for the environmental management systems include setting goals and target toward improvement, including energy and environmental elements.  The Lawrence Utility Management System Policy was approved by the City Commission in May 2007.  Detailed listing of requirements can be found below.

 

EPA Performance Track (Utilities):  EPA Performance Track is a partnership that recognizes top environmental performance among participating U.S. facilities of all types, sizes, and complexity, public and private. Program partners are providing leadership in many areas, including some that are not currently regulated, such as energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water consumption. Currently, the program has about 450 members.  Currently only 2 are in Kansas. The Lawrence Utilities Department submitted an application on May 31, 2007 and is awaiting acceptance into the program. It requires the entity to have an EMS as well as have one past environmental accomplishment and 2 future environmental commitments.

 

Daimler – Chrysler agreement: The City of Lawrence entered into an agreement with Daimler – Chrysler and the Metropolitan Energy Center to be part of the nationwide consortium testing and evaluating the development of plug in hybrid transit vehicles (PHEV). Through this agreement, Chrysler would provide the local match for a federal grant to provide two PHEV’s for the Transit system, one route bus and one service truck. This joint development program continues even though Daimler and Chrysler have dissolved there business arrangement. Federal earmarks for 2007 funding were canceled. The Senate is currently working on earmarks for 2008 and optimism is high that this project will receive funding. It is considered a priority project by FTA and the Department of Energy.  

 

POSSIBLE FUTURE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS

 

LEED’s Certification:  The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating system is a voluntary consensus-based national standard for developing high performance, sustainable buildings.  LEED standards can be applied to new construction (LEED-NC) and existing buildings (LEED-EB).  City staff is pursuing both options:

·       Staff is working with the design team from Black & Veatch to include LEED standards in the design and operation of the new Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility.

·       The City of Lawrence is now officially a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and will be obtaining guidance materials about the certification process for the existing Wastewater Treatment Plant on East 8th Street.  This process is currently stalled due to LEED not having a suitable category for this type of plant at this time.

DETAILED COMMITMENTS AND PROGRESS (e.g., Work List)

 

Cool Cities Program (Sierra Club)

X

1.  Take the “Cool Cities” pledge (sign US Mayors Agreement)

 

2.  Conduct a Global Warming Emissions Inventory

 

3.  Create a solutions plan:  The solutions plan will identify ways to reduce emissions from the City’s major CO2 sources and lower energy costs.  Three core strategies should be included (green vehicle fleets, energy efficiency, renewable energy).

 

  a.  green vehicle fleets

 

  b.  energy efficiency

 

  c.  renewable energy

 

 

US Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement

 

1.  Urge federal and state to greenhouse gas reductions (7% below 1990 by 2012)

 

2.  Urge Congress to establish timetables and plan

 

3.  Strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocols in city operations and community-wide

 

a.      inventory global warming emissions in city operations and community (set targets & plan)

[same as the requirements for Cool Cities]

 

  b. modify land-use policies to promote sustainability (sprawl, open-space, walkability)

 

  c. promote alternative transportation options (bike trails, commuter trip reductions, transit)

 

  d. increase use of clean alternative energy (renewable energy, green tags, methane)

 

  e. promote energy efficiency (code changes, retrofitting facilities, employee conservation)

 

  f. purchase only energy star equipment and appliance for city use

 

  g. promote sustainable building practices using LEED’s or similar system

 

  h. green city fleet (improved efficiency, reduce # vehicles, alternative fuels, employee cons.)

 

  i. water & wastewater efficiencies (increase pump efficiency, recover methane)

 

  j. increase recycling rates in city operations and community

 

  k. maintain urban forests and promote tree planting

 

  l.  promote public education on global warming

 

 

Plug-In Partners

 

X

Sign agreement for future purchases of mass-produced plug-in hybrid vehicles when mass produced.  (complete, pending mass-production of affordable alternatives to meet operations)

 

 

Green Power Partnership

X

1.  Purchase green tags to off-set 3% of city use (complete for 2007)

 

2.  Phase 2 à becoming a Green Power Community by committing to community-wide off-set of power use of 2%.  Must collect data and be able to document to the EPA annually to maintain designation. 

 

 

Green Tag Program for city operations

The green tag program can be viewed as either a stand-alone program or as part of the many other programs outlined here.  It is an integral component of Cool Cities, the US Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement, and the Green Power Partnership.

X

3% of city-use (complete for 2007)

 

 

Integrated Management System for Utilities (ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, NBP EMS)

 

1.  Third party audits

 

2.  Commitment to continual improvement, through setting goals and targets, correction and preventive actions, internal audits, and measuring progress.

 

3.  Maintaining the requirements for each standard (ISO, OHSAS, NBP EMS) which include communication plans (external and internal), public participation, internal audits, emergency response planning, environmental impact and safety hazard analysis, training/competency, management review, and document/records control.

 

4.       Targets (which are directly corresponding with CC goals) include:

  • Implementation of a grease program (environmental/water quality)
  • Determination of alternative uses for digester gases in other process (decrease of energy usage)
  • Increase of public and school outreach opportunities (public education)
  • Acceptance into the EPA Performance Track Program (see below note on this)

 

 

 

EPA Performance Track (Utilities)

 

Must have an Environmental Management System plus 1 past and 2 future accomplishments:

 

·         Accomplishment:  Decrease of fuel usage of land application activities by 13.5% in the last three years.

 

·         Commitment 1:  Implement grease program which will (1) decrease the number of sanitary sewer overflows from manholes which may enter surface waters and basement backups which may be a public health concern.

 

·         Commitment 2: Return approximately 10 acres back to wildlife or natural areas at the new WWTP site for mitigation purposes, based on suggestions from the advisory committee.: 

 

Note:  These are currently the only commitments required based on the size of the facility. With the addition of the entire Department of Utilities to our EMS, we will be then required (if accepted) to submit an update to include an additional accomplishment and 2 additional commitments (again based on size).