Renewable Energy Task Force

Through energy saving measures, CPS Energy's Save for Tomorrow Energy Plan (STEP) reduced demand by 771 MW between 2009 and 2020

STEP focused on these key objectives: Encourage residents to purchase energy-efficient appliances Increase the use of energy efficient lighting and programmable thermostats Improve residential insulation use, as well as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems Increase commercial lighting retrofits, encourage use of energy-efficient, commercial HVAC systems and offer other energy-saving commercial programs CPS Energy provided financial incentives to residential and commercial customers to participate in energy saving practices and install energy efficient fixtures to reduce customers’ use of electricity on a permanent basis. The community’s goal of reducing energy demand by 771 MW was achieved a year ahead of schedule and 15% under budget. https://www.cpsenergy.com/en/about-us/programs-services/save-for-tomorrow-energy-plan.html

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

Working with local manufacturing and industrial businesses to increase motor efficiency

Many manufacturing and industrial businesses rely on electric motors to conduct their operations. By increasing motor efficiencies even by small percentages, they will use a significant amount of energy less by wasting a smaller amount daily.

Grant funding is available (applications due by December 2021) to replace aging school buses in Oklahoma!

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is pleased to announce funding is now available for the Oklahoma Clean Diesel Program/DERA. The program is focused on replacing older diesel school buses with new diesel, gasoline, all-electric, propane (LPG), or natural gas (LNG or CNG) school buses. https://www.deq.ok.gov/2021-new-releases/deq-announces-clean-diesel-dera-funding-available-for-oklahoma-schools/

https://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/are-municipal-electric-vehicle-fleets-worthwhile-investment

Are Electric Vehicle Fleets a Worthwhile Investment?

C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing program is available in Tulsa and Cleveland Counties https://oklahomacpace.org/

The Oklahoma C-PACE Program provides a blueprint for Oklahoma’s counties to establish C-PACE in their jurisdiction in a uniform manner by utilizing standard enabling ordinances, form contracts, applications, and Program Guidelines. Property owners, contractors, capital providers, and other service providers benefit from a single point of contact for C-PACE financing throughout the state. Oklahomans enjoy the benefits of increased property value, more efficient buildings, cleaner environments, and cutting-edge commercial spaces. Cleveland County Commissioner Rod Cleveland was instrumental in getting the program approved quickly, and remarked, “C-PACE program is a great economic development tool that doesn’t increase county government cost to the taxpayers. The Board of County Commissioners are proud to offer Oklahoma C-PACE to our residents and show that Cleveland County is forward thinking and ready for business.”

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?

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

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.

Analysis shows value of DG is much greater than utilities would have you believe - https://www.volts.wtf/p/rooftop-solar-and-home-batteries

Distributed Generation is not an alternative to big power plants, but a complement

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

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