STAFF REPORT COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING: AUGUST 19, 2015 TO: FROM: DATE:

County Council Lisa Yoder – Sustainability Coordinator August 14, 2015

SUBJECT:

Climate Action Plan

BACKGROUND July 29, 2015 - Brendle Group and staff presented the draft Summit County Climate Action Plan (July 2015) to Council. As a follow up to that presentation, staff is presenting the final Summit County Climate Action Plan (July 2015) (the “Climate Action Plan”) for adoption by resolution. CLIMATE ACTION PLAN The Climate Action Plan provides an analysis of historical countywide greenhouse gas emissions and forecasts future emissions trends. The Climate Action Plan presents cost/benefit analysis of stakeholder-vetted emissions reduction strategies and establishes an emissions reduction goal of 15% below 2015 level by 2030. The Climate Action Plan is intended to chart a course of collective actions in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thus ensuring an economically vibrant, environmentally healthy, and socially responsible future for Summit County citizens. NEXT STEPS 1. Council adoption of the Climate Action Plan by resolution will support Staff to continue implementation of emissions reduction strategies currently underway: a. Summit Community Power Works LED Switch b. Exploration of Community Choice Aggregation c. County Code Updates d. Installation of solar PV at Justice Center e. Participation in Regional Climate Network f. Residential Outreach Campaign 2. Implement the near- and long-term emissions reduction strategies outlined in the Climate Action Plan as resources allow. 3. Monitor and report progress to Council annually. RECOMMENDATION

Approve A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE SUMMIT COUNTY CLIMATE ACTION PLAN (JULY 2015).

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Resolution No. 2015‐__  A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE SUMMIT COUNTY CLIMATE ACTION PLAN (JULY 2015)    WHEREAS, scientific consensus has developed that carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse  gases released into the atmosphere have a profound effect on the Earth’s climate; and,  WHEREAS, pollutants such as greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere have negative  long‐term effects on local and regional human and natural systems, including, but not limited to,  economic vitality, environmental integrity, and human health; and,  WHEREAS, Summit County (the “County”) understands the interrelationship between economic,  environmental  and  societal  systems  and  the  importance  of  sustaining  each  while  maintaining  an  appropriate balance among them; and,  WHEREAS, local government actions taken to reduce human‐caused greenhouse gas emissions  and increase energy efficiency provide multiple local benefits by decreasing air pollution, creating jobs,  reducing  energy  expenditures,  and  reducing  costs  for  the  local  government,  its  businesses,  and  its  residents; and,  WHEREAS, the County  has a vested interest in protecting and enhancing the environment, the  economy, and quality of life through reducing energy consumption and helping the community become  more sustainable in use of resources; and,   WHEREAS,  the  County  is  committed  to  sustainability,  energy  conservation,  and  climate  protection; and,  WHEREAS, the County has conducted a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and forecast to  determine the source and quantity of greenhouse gas emissions countywide; and,  WHEREAS, the County has engaged community stakeholders in a climate action planning  endeavor, which endeavor produced both a roadmap of implementation strategies to reduce  greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and a set of metrics to evaluate those strategies, as set forth below:   

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Greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 15% below 2015 Adjusted Business As Usual level  by 2030;   A Climate Action Plan with both existing and future actions which, when implemented, will allow  the local government to meet the greenhouse gas reduction target and sustainability goals of  the County;   A timeframe within which to imp