Renewable Energy Task Force

Work with landlords in the areas close to campus to increase house appliance efficiency and insulation

Many of the houses close to campus have sky-high energy bills- they get rented because of their proximity to campus. Encouraging landlords to retrofit these homes with better insulation, windows, etc. would save students money in utilities and reduce electricity waste.

https://www.amestrib.com/story/news/education/2021/06/17/iowa-state-university-isu-covid-plexiglass-recycling-plastics/7686986002/

Thinking outside the box…

Community Action agency leverages funding to help 54 families improve home energy efficiency - this could be a model for COCAA?

For many Minnesota households (and households everywhere), energy costs can eat up a big part of the family budget. Reducing this energy burden requires an approach that brings together several different pieces: energy efficiency upgrades to the home, habit changes to conserve energy, and, in some cases, financial assistance. As Jeff Gladis, Housing Director at United Community Action Partnership, explained, “Many clients want to be able to be more self-sufficient but need a helping hand. By conserving energy, we are able to stretch budgets.” https://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/seed-grant-project-reduces-energy-burden-54-minnesota-families?mc_cid=86e7ec126d&mc_eid=971a2ed5af

https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/28/22457432/city-examples-renewable-energy-net-zero-climate-change-burlington

Confirmation That EV's Saves Buckaroos - https://cleantechnica.com/2021/06/22/its-official-us-government-says-electric-vehicles-cost-40-less

US Government Says Electric Vehicles Cost 40% Less To Maintain

We must try to identify the most pressing local threats to life and property from climate-related disasters

Contingency planning for more heat waves, for instance, requires identifying the populations most at risk and coming up with ways to limit their exposure now. To reduce property damage and loss of life from forest fires, authorities must improve forest management and more effectively regulate development in and near wilderness areas. To better address threats posed by floods and hurricanes, governments need to develop sustainable land-use policies for coasts and floodplains, better enforce building code regulations and work on the availability of affordable insurance. Such policies are the bread and butter of reducing vulnerability for the uncertainties ahead. https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-key-to-avoiding-future-climate-disasters-adapting-11626443600?mod=searchresults_pos3&page=1

DOE releases a guide to increasing solar energy use in communities

https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2022/01/19/doe-releases-a-guide-to-increasing-solar-energy-use-in-communities/

Tools to help Stillwater plan- ICLEI drives change In 5 pathways:Low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development.

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 2500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 125+ countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development. Our Members and team of experts work together through peer exchange, partnerships and capacity building to create systemic change for urban sustainability.

Startup company developing cheaper battery storage for the grid

A four-year-old startup says it has built an inexpensive battery that can discharge power for days using one of the most common elements on Earth: iron. Form Energy Inc.’s batteries are far too heavy for electric cars. But it says they will be capable of solving one of the most elusive problems facing renewable energy: cheaply storing large amounts of electricity to power grids when the sun isn’t shining and wind isn’t blowing. https://www.wsj.com/articles/startup-claims-breakthrough-in-long-duration-batteries-11626946330?mod=searchresults_pos2&page=1

Why I'm not that jazzed about RECs - https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-and-other-tech-giants-race-to-buy-up-renewable-energy-11624438894

Does Spending $ on RECs Really the Best Use of Funds?

Work with OSU to kickstart civil engineering research to manufacturing cement more sustainably

According to breakthrough energy (Gates foundation climate group- link below), manufacturing 1 ton of cement creates 1 ton of CO2. Stillwater could expand its emissions impact outside of the city by connecting OSU with research grants for sustainable manufacturing, with an emphasis on cement. Link: https://www.breakthroughenergy.org/our-challenge/the-grand-challenges

Include a section on manufacturing/industry in the draft action report

To me, it makes sense to split the sections of the report by emission type, which it looks like it is to an extent: Transportation, agriculture, commercial/residential, industry, and electricity. However, I don't really see manufacturing, industry, or general production represented in this report. Breakthrough energy* (link below) describes manufacturing with these examples: "the cement in our buildings and bridges, the steel in our cars and appliances, the clothes we wear, the books we read, the plastic toys and containers we buy, refining the gas we put in our cars." The emissions from electric use in these industries are sometimes included in these calculations, making the total percentage unclear, but the impact of energy use & emissions is substantial, regardless. Here are some ideas about reducing emissions in the manufacturing sector: - partnering with OSU to promote sustainable cement production research. The impact of this would likely be beyond local production. - Encouraging local manufacturing partners to electrify their processes when possible (with the future goal of obtaining that electricity from 100% emission-free sources) - Encouraging local manufacturing partners to replace their electric motors with more efficient models: this is proposed by ABB as one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions- "global electricity consumption to be reduced by 10%" ** (link below) - Encourage re-usage when possible (real pokes pass it on, thrift shopping locally) Manufacturing community partners: https://members.greaterstillwaterchamber.com/list/ql/manufacturing-16 https://members.greaterstillwaterchamber.com/list/ql/automotive-marine-32 https://members.greaterstillwaterchamber.com/list/ql/retail-23 * Breakthrough energy: https://www.breakthroughenergy.org/us-policy-overview/manufacturing ** ABB motor article: https://new.abb.com/news/detail/75020/abb-urges-greater-adoption-of-high-efficiency-motors-and-drives-to-combat-climate-change-global-electricity-consumption-to-be-reduced-by-10 Another related article: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mfg-day-highlights-climate-change-opportunities-301389935.html