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Ten Actions Local Governments Can Take to Reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

Climate Action Plans

LWVUS Climate Interest Group

LWVUS CLIMATE ACTION PLAN TEAM

Welcome to this caucus devoted to the Climate Emergency and how the League can support local governments to address the issue. My name is Jeanne Logsdon from the Central New Mexico League, and I participated in a study of Climate Action Plans with the League of Women Voters U.S. Climate Action Plan Team. This presentation is a summary of work by the Climate Action Plan team about 10 actions that can be – and should be taken at the local level – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As you know, the burning of fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil creates greenhouse gas emissions, which cause climate change. Changing weather patterns are already causing disasters around the globe.

The April 2022 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that total greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2025 in order to avert climate catastrophe. We need immediate and deep emissions reductions – across all sectors – NOW.

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(Business as usual)

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The global average temperature at the end of the century will be determined by the accumulated amount of greenhouse gas emissions over the next several decades. This chart shows 5 scenarios from very low to very high emissions. As you can see from this chart, only the “very low” emissions scenario will keep the increase in the earth’s temperature below the IPCC goal of only a 1.5 degree C increase. This scenario requires greenhouse gas emissions to peak by 2025.

The takeaway: If we continue with business as usual, as shown in the top curves of the chart, we will not meet the climate challenge. Keeping global temperature change below 1.5°C is still possible, but 2025 is coming up fast. It will take immediate, sustained, and specific climate actions. This is why we developed the 10 Actions that local governments can take to effectively reduce GHG emissions.

Now, let’s hear from Karen Schmitt

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Motivation to Work on our Climate Emergency

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&&& Karen

Thank you, Jeanne.

Hi, I’m Karen Schmitt from the LWV of Marquette County Mich.

These are my grandchildren, 2 of the biggest reasons why I am working on our climate emergency.

We are already experiencing the effects of global warming here in Michigan. The crisp cold winter days my granddaughter loves to play in are not a guarantee anymore. Our frequent extreme rain events cause the storm drains to overflow and wash E. Coli into Lake Superior, and beaches have to be closed. Last summer, the smoke from the wildfires out west travelled with the jet stream to Michigan and made it dangerous for my grandchildren to play outside.

This crisis has called me into action. I want my grandchildren to know that their grandma tried her best to reduce the effects of climate change. By working with this group, I have learned that we can work locally to make real progress to reduce GHG emissions. Despite the stalemate at the national level, cities and states across the country are stepping up to act now. We must help our local leaders to make rapid deep cuts in GHG emissions. Our actions now will determine the type of world in which our children and grandchildren will live in and raise their children.

Next, we’ll hear from Kathy Berlin to introduce the 10 Actions your local government can take to make a difference.

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&&& Kathy Mon, Jun 13 at 8:42 PM

Thank you, Karen. Hello, I’m Kathy Berlin from the Pasadena, CA Area League. I am the chair of the Climate Action Plan Team.

The Team reviewed dozens and dozens of Climate Action Plans from across the country and found them noncommittal and nonspecific. We wanted to find Actions that local governments were taking to effectively reduce GHG emissions, so we turned our attention to those specific Actions that cities and counties were using to meet the current climate crisis. We gathered, and have continued to gather, examples from cities and counties across the country that have actually taken specific actions with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We are not talking about adapting to our climate crisis. We are talking about reducing the cause of it. Climate change, which is caused by GHG emissions, is the most urgent situation of our time. Every city, county and local government needs to take specific actions now to reduce these emissions. You and your league members are in a position to influence your local government to take these effective actions

We determined the 10 most effective Actions.

They fall into 4 categories as noted on the left hand side of the slide, in blue. 1.) the first category is to transition from fossil fuels to carbon free sources of energy, 2.) The second is to electrify buildings, 3.) The third category is to electrify transportation and 4.) And the fourth is to reduce the use of individual cars.

We have the power to influence our local governments to take these Actions. You can compare the 10 Actions to your city’s Climate Action Plan and also to the actual Actions your local government is taking to reduce GHG emissions. The climate situation is urgent and you can make a difference.

The technology is available NOW; we need the Will to act to reduce GHG emissions as quickly as possible.

Members of the Climate Action Plan Team will now present the 10 Actions individually with examples of local governments already implementing these Actions. We hope you will use this information to work with your local government to take the Action that the climate emergency requires.

We will begin with Cynthia Cannady discussing Action #1

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Action #1: Terminate

fossil fuel purchase contracts

and only enter into renewable

energy contracts.

Aspen, CO (achieved 100% hydro/solar/wind)
Burlington, VT (achieved 100% by 2014)
Palo Alto, CA (achieved by 2013)
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (100% planned by 2030)
Denver, CO (100% planned by 2030)

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&&& Cynthia Tue, Jun 14 at 9:59 AM

Hello, I am Cynthia Cannady from the Pasadena Area League. Action #1 is about the power of local governments to require or persuade their utility companies to stop supplying electricity made by burning coal and gas. Many cities have already achieved the goal of 100% fossil fuel free energy, like Burlington, VT and Aspen CO, pictured here. Some of the many other 100% cities are Palo Alto, CA, Rockport, MO, Eugene, OR, and Greensburg, KS.

Hundreds of local governments across the nation have set 100% targets by 2030 and 2035. The decreasing cost of renewable energy relative to fossil fuel energy is making this transition easier.

These American cities are joining cities around the world that have either achieved or targeted 100% renewable energy power sourcing.

How cities do this depends on the type of utility company that provides electricity. In Pasadena, where I come from, we have a city owned utility so our City Council has the authority to direct our utility company. In other cities that are serviced by investor owned utilities, the path to 100% carbon free electricity is less direct but still possible as cities like Denver, Colorado have shown. Denver and its IOU XCel energy have a 100% by 2030 commitment. Other cities source their electricity through community choice aggregators or cooperatives. And some cities, like Louisville Kentucky are considering forming their own public utility so they can move to renewable energy more directly. Still other cities, like Houston, Texas run all their municipal operations on renewable energy, thereby setting an example for the private sector. Orlando Florida has committed to run municipal operations 100% renewable by 2030.

Action # 1 is critically important because it is the foundation of actions 2-9. For example if we have EVs but the electricity to charge the EVs is from coal, then we look good and are making progress for the future, but our current reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is limited.

If you ever doubt that local communities have power to address climate change, Action #1 shows that the potential for effective climate action is huge.

What specifically can YOU do? Our Pasadena League has formed a coalition with other non profits and written a letter asking our utility company to transition to 100% non-carbon electric power by 2030. We held a League at Night webinar in which we invited experts from utility companies that have already committed to a transition to 100% carbon free electric power. It's amazing how willing other cities are to share their experiences. And the subject is fascinating so we are all learning, a real opportunity for the League to do what we do well--bring people together for education and democratic advocacy.

And now Wayne Morgan is going to tell you about Action #2

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Buildings account for about 31% of GHG emissions in the U.S.

Reference: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Action #2: Permit new construction only without fossil fuel energy.

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Seattle, WA

Bans natural gas from certain buildings and multi-family dwellings in 2021

Santa Barbara, CA

All new buildings as of January 1, 2022 will be fossil fuel free

Ithaca, NY

All buildings to be fossil fuel free by 2030

Cities are adopting 100% fossil fuel free building codes

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Many cities have already embraced all electric codes for new construction.

Seattle, WA, in 2021, approved amendments to building codes, that among other things, bans natural gas for heating in commercial and apartment buildings taller than three stories; and requires such buildings to wire for future electrification of appliances;

In Santa Barbara, California, natural gas infrastructure is prohibited in buildings permitted after January 1, 2022.

In June, 2021, Ithaca, New York, passed sweeping legislation which requires all buildings, to be free of fossil fuels by 2030; Yes, that requires retrofits to commercial, as well as residential buildings. The city partnered with a private company to help implement and finance their ambitious goal.

One factor driving these ordinances is the concern for health, especially indoor air quality.

[Next slide]

https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2021/02/18/denver-net-zero-energy-plan-buildings-natural-gas.html

https://library.qcode.us/lib/santa_barbara_ca/pub/municipal_code/item/title_22-chapter_22_110-22_110_040

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Having gas in your house can be hazardous to your health from:

Carbon monoxide
Nitrogen oxides
Natural gas impurities such as benzene (carcinogen)
Other combustion products

Health Concerns

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“Preemption laws” that prohibit municipalities from banning natural gas

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Action #3: Retrofit or Build Municipal Structures for Renewable Energy Supply and Energy Efficiency. Install solar PV systems.

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Asheville, NC

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Providence, RI

City Transit station plus

schools, fire stations

LED lighting, efficiency, heating

Landfill covered

by solar panels

&&& Bill Mon, Jun 13 at 10:32 PM

Hi, I’m Bill Koehl from the LWV of Central Kane County, in Northern Illinois.

Action #3 is to Retrofit or Build Municipal Structures for Renewable Energy Supply and Energy Efficiency.

Also, whenever possible: Install solar panels!

In many communities, the municipal buildings are a major source of carbon emissions and offer a great opportunity for rapid action.

You can help your community by encouraging the development of incentives and programs in any or all of 3 different areas:

1. energy efficiency - USING less energy, the best strategy of all. There are low and high tech methods like insulation and smart thermostats.

2. electrification - basically to switch building mechanicals from gas to all electric for home heat, hot water and cooking.

3. And acquiring renewable energy however possible - solar panels on site or a community project subscription or community choice aggregation.

Because cities have control over their buildings, they can directly introduce improvements in all three areas.

This is an opportunity for cities to lead by example and stir innovation and encourage adoption.

They can act as flagships to pilot new ideas and inspire other building owners to also begin their journey of decarbonization.

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Action #3: Retrofit or Build Municipal Structures for Renewable Energy Supply and Energy Efficiency. Install solar PV systems.

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Asheville, NC

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Providence, RI