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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainable EnergyEnergy Energy comes in various forms. Some sources are widely available and renewable such as the sun or wind. Other sources are rarer, such as fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) or radioactive minerals that need to be extracted from the parts of the earth where they occur. Modern industrial societies use very large amounts of energy to heat and cool buildings, provide lighting, produce food, transport people and goods, run machines, and provide communications. The top energy sources for Wisconsin are oil (33 %), coal (28 %), natural gas (24 %) and nuclear (7 %), with several renewable sources providing remaining 8 %. Cities need to import energy for their concentrated human populations. Transporting energy via roads, rail, ships, pipelines or wires takes energy, land and money and carries environmental risks. A more sustainable city would get more of its energy locally. The term "Energy Independence" has been coined to cover both import reduction and development of domestic energy sources. Reducing imported energy can eliminate trade with disreputable countries or enemies (e.g. oil -rich dictatorships). For a state like Wisconsin, which has no fossil fuel or uranium resources, Energy Independence is a call to develop state energy resources that build local economies. Wisconsin -based renewable energy resources include sun, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass from agriculture and forests. All are renewable. There are environmental costs to developing these local sources, but shifting away from fossil fuels has the significant benefit of avoiding greenhouse gas pollution capable of altering Earth's climate. Energy Conservation is a beneficial, achievable, and necessary step towards a sustainable energy system. On average, Americans and Canadians use about twice as much energy per person, and energy per dollar of economic activity, as competing industrialized countries. Our inefficient use of energy makes our way of life more expensive and more polluting. The technical means to improve energy efficiency is available and ranges from simple insulation to complex electronics. Ways to finance conservation improvements are also well known, and can be combined with government or private incentives and assistance. Considering economic, environmental, and social impacts, energy conservation investments are often more effective than expanding the energy infrastructure. Energy conservation should take top priority because the lowering of energy demand makes energy independence easier to achieve (local renewable sources do not have to be as large), while energy cost savings can provide funds for further conservation improvements or new sources. Goal: Foster energy conservation and local energy production from renewable resources. Policies: 1. Conserve Energy in Buildings: Encourage the wider use of Energy Star labeled building materials, appliances and electronics. Examples include products such as programmable thermostats, lighting fixtures, low- emittance glazed windows, insulation, heating and cooling equipment, washers and dryers, water heaters, office equipment and refrigeration equipment. City operations should lead by setting their purchasing policies and showcasing results on city building performance. Government assistance programs to winterize houses for eligible homeowners (usually based on low- income eligibility) should be promoted, de- stigmatized, and used to the maximum extent possible. The city should promote one or a few common methods for measuring performance (e.g. Energy Star Portfolio Manager, or green building rating systems such as LEED; see Sustainable Development section of this chapter). 2. Conserve Energy through Pooled Resources: Explore collaborations that provide opportunities to use energy more efficiently, or to make use of waste energy. District heating and cooling plants (as found on the UW Oshkosh campus) can be cost effective in high density neighborhoods and industrial parks. "Industrial Ecology" approaches should be used to help co- locate businesses, public facilities, or residential neighborhoods to make better use of waste heat through steam or hot water lines. Seasonal facilities, such as schools, parks, and tourist facilities could arrange to share facilities part-time and maximize the time their facilities can be in a low - or no- energy mode. 3. Conserve Energy in Transportation: Transportation is a large portion of energy use in most US Cities, surpassed only buy buildings. Transportation recommendations are compiled elsewhere in this document (see Transportation section), with many that will directly contribute to energy conservation. In general, the policies aim for a city less dependent on automobiles and more successful in providing energy efficient alternatives for public transit, walking, and biking. 4. Conserve Energy in Outdoor Lighting: The City of Oshkosh was an early adopter of high efficiency LED lamps in traffic lights, and should continue to upgrade outdoor lights to high efficiency lamps. Examples include street lighting, parks, athletic fields, and Leach Amphitheatre. Consider efficiency standards for outdoor lighting ordinances for all new construction and existing building lighting retrofits. 5. Expand Renewable Energy: The city should encourage development of renewable energy sources, and increase the portion of imported energy that is from renewable sources. Building codes should allow for development of solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass energy sources, with guidelines that protect public safety and maintain community standards for aesthetics. Zoning may become necessary to coordinate and encourage siting for larger facilities such as factory - scale digesters or "farms" of small wind turbines or solar panels. Electricity is provided by Wisconsin Public Service (WPS), who sells green power imported from wind, hydroelectric and biomass - fueled generators. The city should encourage businesses and homeowners to work with WPS to increase the purchasing of renewable electricity. Fuels are also imported to the city, with renewable sources including ethanol, biodiesel, and wood. Ethanol use can be increased today by increasing the use of flex -fuel vehicles in fleets (city, police, schools, taxis). Wood- burning for heat should be encouraged only with installation of safe and efficient stoves and furnaces that minimize air pollution.' 6. Keep Government Commitments: The City of Oshkosh should maintain membership in ICLEI -Local Governments for Sustainability ( ICLEI) and fulfill the US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (USCMMPA) signed in 2007. With 85% of our energy derived from fossil fuels, energy policies are critical for addressing greenhouse gas reductions (see Atmosphere section elsewhere in this document). ICLEI support has been instrumental in helping the city assess greenhouse gas emissions from energy use. The USCMMPA requires that the city develop a Climate Action Plan, and its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will need to be matched with strategies for reducing the use of fossil fuels. More specific to renewable energy, the city should consider becoming a Wisconsin Energy Independent Community, which would mean adopting the State's goal of 25% renewable energy by the year 2025. 7. Raise Public and Business Awareness: Partner for educational purposes with statewide groups (Focus on Energy, RENEW Wisconsin, Energy Center of Wisconsin, WDNR), WPS, and organizations in the community that can provide leadership and resources (ADVOCAP, Chamber ' Fireplaces and fire pits provide negligible heat with far larger pollution impacts and safety risks. of Commerce, UW Oshkosh, FVTC, OASD). The City Sustainability Advisory Board Website should provide materials that inform residents and businesses about energy conservation and renewable sources, payback times, site assessment, installation and related regulations. The website could also provide a list of energy tax credits or other forms of assistance available from the Federal, State, and local governments, power companies and non - profits. Business groups could coordinate sales promotions for energy - related products. Fairs and home shows could be used to promote public understanding of their current energy use and affordable first steps, such as light bulb changes and winterizing. Demonstrations and tours of projects will help residents and businesses learn about successful strategies. Encourage, coordinate, and collaborate with the business community about energy savings via guaranteed performance contracts, life -cycle payback options, and other programs which lead to greater efficient use of energy.