Renewable Energy Task Force

About the Task Force
The Renewable Energy Task Force is an ad hoc advisory committee that is working to develop clean energy goals and benchmarks through a transparent and inclusive stakeholder process. The Stillwater City Council passed a resolution in early 2020 committing to 100% clean, renewable energy and forming a citizen Renewable Energy Task Force.
“We are eager to hear from the community as the task force carries out this important initiative. The community appreciates the work and commitment of the task force members as Stillwater explores a transition to clean and renewable energy.” -- Becky Taylor, task force liaison and Chief Civic Innovation Officer for the City of Stillwater
Task Force Members
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About this Page
This page is meant to function as the hub of civic engagement for this Task Force. Feedback is shared with City Council and city staff. Comments made on this page, as well as any comments made to city staff through email, are considered public documents. For questions about this, click on "Who's Listening."
About the Task Force
The Renewable Energy Task Force is an ad hoc advisory committee that is working to develop clean energy goals and benchmarks through a transparent and inclusive stakeholder process. The Stillwater City Council passed a resolution in early 2020 committing to 100% clean, renewable energy and forming a citizen Renewable Energy Task Force.
“We are eager to hear from the community as the task force carries out this important initiative. The community appreciates the work and commitment of the task force members as Stillwater explores a transition to clean and renewable energy.” -- Becky Taylor, task force liaison and Chief Civic Innovation Officer for the City of Stillwater
Task Force Members
|
|
About this Page
This page is meant to function as the hub of civic engagement for this Task Force. Feedback is shared with City Council and city staff. Comments made on this page, as well as any comments made to city staff through email, are considered public documents. For questions about this, click on "Who's Listening."
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Energy Out Work Group
almost 2 years agoThe Energy Out work group is looking at ways to increase efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions with ideas like electric vehicles, waste reduction and efficient buildings.
maloriecover 1 year agoWork 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.
3 comments2Pat Darlingtonalmost 2 years agohttps://www.amestrib.com/story/news/education/2021/06/17/iowa-state-university-isu-covid-plexiglass-recycling-plastics/7686986002/
Thinking outside the box…
0 comment1robinover 1 year agoCommunity 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
3 comments0Pat Darlingtonalmost 2 years agohttps://www.theverge.com/2021/5/28/22457432/city-examples-renewable-energy-net-zero-climate-change-burlington
1 comment1Henri Ueharaover 1 year agoConfirmation 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
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Supply Work Group
almost 2 years agoThe Supply group is exploring ways to increase the supply of renewables available with ideas like solar panels, distributed generation and community solar.
robinover 1 year agoWe 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
0 comment0drewingabout 1 year agoDOE 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/
0 comment0robinover 1 year agoTools 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.
1 comment1robinover 1 year agoStartup 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
0 comment1Henri Ueharaover 1 year agoWhy 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?
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Other Ideas
over 2 years agoIs there another renewable energy goal that you would like to see the City work toward? Tell us about it here!
maloriecover 1 year agoWork 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
0 comment0maloriecover 1 year agoInclude 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
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Level of Engagement
Inform: Give information to the community
Consult: Get feedback from the community
Involve: Community input/feedback influence the process
Collaborate/Partner: City and community work as equal partners
Who's Listening
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Phone 405-533-8411 Email loren.smith@stillwater.org -
Videos
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Click here to play video 10.12.20 Renewable Energy Task Force Meeting #1
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Click here to play video 03.18.21 Renewable Energy Task Force Meeting #2
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Click here to play video 03.23.2021 Renewable Energy Task Force (Special Meeting)
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Click here to play video 04.01.2021 Renewable Energy Task Force Meeting #3
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Click here to play video 07.19.21 City Council Meeting Update Renewable Energy Task Force member Robin Cornwell provided a great update to Council.