2020_01-28_PWETCpacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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KICK-START PROJECTS Three projects, described herein, have been identified to help launch the city's CAP. The intention of these projects is to provide initial focus for the city and its partners to implement specific actions that will provide momentum for implementing the CAP. PROJECT 1: Youth -led initiative to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy in the community St. Louis Park's youth have been instrumental in working with the city to advance its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and it will be critical to maintain the involvement of students to accomplish the goals of the plan. The Roots and Shoots Club, supported by Matter, at St. Louis Park High School will initiate a student -led project to increase the adoption of green power purchases, clean energy, and/or energy efficiency actions in the city. This may involve working directly with the school district to help it adopt and achieve goals consistent with the city's goals; an outreach effort to get fellow students to encourage their families to sign-up for green power and decrease energy use; or an educational campaign for residents and small businesses to understand their solar resource and guide them toward installing solar on their rooftops. While it is important for this project to be initiated and implemented by the youth, the city should support efforts, identify big -impact opportunities, and maintain an active relationship as the project advances. PROJECT 2: Develop a climate action plan resource hub This effort will require city staff, residents, and businesses to move together to achieve deep emissions reduction by 2040. Through branding, communication, and outreach, the city can make it clear what it needs from the community and provide resources to help people participate in energy saving and clean energy initiatives. A CAP Resource Hub (see Seattle) will serve as a one -stop destination for businesses and residents to find information to improve efficiency, install solar, purchase green power, participate in a bulk purchase of electric vehicles, and more. The hub should be easily accessible on the city's website and have clearly identified resources for residents and businesses to take advantage of multiple opportunities. City staff will be responsible for developing the CAP Resource Hub. There are several recommendations and resources throughout this document to include in this project (Appendix D). PROJECT 3: Install electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in public parking lots Transforming how people move within the city will be one of the biggest challenges for St. Louis Park. There are several options the city can consider to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. While the biggest impact will come from reducing vehicle miles traveled, there will still be people who need and want to drive. In recognition of this limitation, the city should encourage residents to choose electric vehicles (EVs) and accelerate the adoption of zero emission vehicles. For this project, the city will provide charging infrastructure for EVs in public parking lots. This will include parking lots associated with city -owned buildings, city parks, and school buildings. The charging stations should be highly visible, educational, and incorporate any branding the city develops as part of its climate action efforts. The city already has a charger in the City Hall parking lot and has included an additional electric vehicle charger in its 2019 Capital Improvement Plan; this should be expanded to include public locations listed above, as well as educational material.