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Item 4.
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| City Council Work Session | |
| Date: | 04/19/2021 |
| Title: | Energy & Conservation Commission Annual Update |
| Presented by: | Debi Meling |
| Department: | Public Works |
| Presentation: | Yes |
RECOMMENDATION
The Energy and Conservation and Commission (ECC) and staff will present an update on ECC progress and inform Council of the opportunity to participate in the LEED for Cities Local Government Leadership Program which will provide recognition for the energy and conservation efforts that the City of Billings has achieved. At the April 26, 2021 City Council meeting, the Energy and Conservation Commission (ECC) will recommend acceptance of a grant from the U.S. Green Building Council to participate in the LEED for the Cities (formerly S.T.A.R. Cities) Local Government Leadership Program.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The Energy and Conservation Commission (ECC) was formed in 2019. The ECC is made up of seven (7) commission members (Billings residents) and two (2) staff liaisons. The purpose of the ECC is to consider ways to conserve energy and water and reduce waste and pollution. This includes making recommendations where the City can reduce the amount of money it spends on resources and ways to limit the City’s impact on the environment.
Upon completing the resource inventory, the ECC found that the City of Billings is a state and regional leader in resource conservation, while reducing costs to citizens with innovative projects such as the landfill methane capture and the West End Reservoir and Treatment Plant. However, the ECC found that the innovative resource and cost saving projects that have and continue to be implemented are not widely known or recognized.
This presentation will update City Council on ECC progress and inform Council of the opportunity to participate in the LEED for Cities Local Government Leadership Program which will provide recognition for the energy and conservation efforts that the City of Billings has achieved. This program will be utilized by the ECC as a framework to conserve energy, water, and reduce waste. Addition, the program will benchmark and recognize the extensive energy and conservation efforts that the City of Billings has already achieved.
Upon completing the resource inventory, the ECC found that the City of Billings is a state and regional leader in resource conservation, while reducing costs to citizens with innovative projects such as the landfill methane capture and the West End Reservoir and Treatment Plant. However, the ECC found that the innovative resource and cost saving projects that have and continue to be implemented are not widely known or recognized.
This presentation will update City Council on ECC progress and inform Council of the opportunity to participate in the LEED for Cities Local Government Leadership Program which will provide recognition for the energy and conservation efforts that the City of Billings has achieved. This program will be utilized by the ECC as a framework to conserve energy, water, and reduce waste. Addition, the program will benchmark and recognize the extensive energy and conservation efforts that the City of Billings has already achieved.
ALTERNATIVES
No specific action is required on this item at this work session. Acceptance of a grant from the U.S. Green Building Council to participate in the LEED for Cities Local Government Leadership Program will be at the April 26th City Council meeting.
FISCAL EFFECTS
There are no direct fiscal effects for the discussion. The grant acceptance waives the LEED for Cities program fees (approximately $10,500).