DEPARTMENT: Parks, Facilities, and Fleet Management
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Direction On County Energy Conservation And Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy Modification
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Request direction regarding County Energy Conservation and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy Modification.
SUMMARY
On November 19, 2021, staff provided an update on County energy-related projects since 2005, summarized current energy efficiency and conservation achievement, discussed past and current energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction achievements and practices, and identified potential future opportunities to seek County Board guidance on clear future goals for energy generation and conservation projects (Attachment: Dakota County Energy Efficiency Update for updated figures).
The Dakota County Physical Development Committee expressed interest in the County continuing to pursue energy efficiency investments that provide a return on investment within the life expectancy of the investment, as well as seeking external funding to pursue energy efficiency investments that may require additional external funding to meet energy savings payback expectations.
On February 22, 2022, the County Board adopted the Energy Conservation and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy to assist in the County's application for external funds and provide direction to County staff on future investments in energy efficiency improvements and projects that reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions.
Since that time, the State and Federal Government have passed laws providing for expanded funding opportunities for public agencies interested in pursuing energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction projects. However, to qualify for and/or improve an organization's probability of success in securing State or Federal Funding, many of these grant opportunities require that the public agency establish energy and GHG reduction goals (specific targets), establish a target...
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