REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) EMISSIONS & SUPPORT
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
STRATEGIES
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND THE COMING ENERGY AND CLIMATE CRISIS:
SELECT RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE ALACHUA COUNTY ENERGY CONSERVATION
STRATEGIES COMMISSION
May 28, 2009
Penny Wheat, Chair, Alachua County Energy Conservation Strategies CommissionJonathan Paul, Concurrency & Impact Fee Manager Alachua County
Introductions
Overview - Alachua County Energy Conservation Strategies Commission
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Over 204 recommendations exploring: Community Challenges
Rising Energy Costs, Climate Change, Peak Oil Production & Decline
Community Opportunities Create a resource efficient and resilient
community
1. Introductions
Resolution and Mission
“…wants to do its part to reduce or mitigate the effects of Global Climate Change and promote the long-term economic security of its citizens through the implementation of policies that enhance energy efficiency…”
“To draft a comprehensive report on energy use, its relationship to climate change and local socio-economic impacts, including actions that can be implemented by the Board of County Commissioners and the community at large.”
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County Commission Resolution
ECSC Mission
2. Background
Community Membership5
Twelve energy conservation experts“Possess demonstrated expertise and/or advanced training in the areas of energy demand side management, LEED or Green Building Code standards, renewable energy technologies, or a related field.”One representative of the University of FloridaOne former elected Gainesville City CommissionerOne former elected Alachua County
CommissionerOne alternate position
2. Background
Community Membership6
2. Background
ECSC Members from left to right: Bill Shepherd; Erich Christian; Pattie Glenn; Dwight Adams; Chris Fillie; Eduardo Vargas; Harry Kegelmann; Ed Brown; Ruth Steiner; Fred Depenbrock; Penny Wheat
ECSC Guiding Principles7
1. Practice conservation (reduce consumption);
2. make efficiencies in building envelopes and mechanical equipment; and
3. invest in renewable power generation.
2. Background
The ECSC Final Report8
2. Background
http://energy.alachuacounty.us
ECSC Recommendations Categories
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Major Strategic Policies Inviting and Engaging Our Public & Communities Alachua County Government Waste and Energy Implications Maximize Local Food Production and Processing Land Use and Transportation Residential Buildings Innovative Energy Systems and Renewable
Energy Legislative Items
2. Background
Moving from Global Crisis to Local Response: The Community challenges of rising energy costs, climate change, and Peak Oil production and decline
Community Challenges
Community Challenges11
Escalating energy costs for transportation & for buildingsClimate change: global and local“Peak Oil” means not 'running out of oil', but 'running out of cheap oil'. For societies leveraged on ever increasing amounts of cheap oil, the consequences may be dire.” Energy Bulletin: http://www.energybulletin.net/primer.php
3. Community Challenges
Energy & Transportation12
US General Accountability Office Report GAO-07-283: released February, 2007
Crude Oil: Uncertainty about future oil supply
makes it important to develop a strategy for addressing a peak and decline in oil production
Source: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07283.pdf
3. Community Challenges
Energy & Transportation
How long can world oil supply expand before reaching a maximum level of production -a peak- from which it can only decline?
U.S. economy depends heavily on oil,
particularly in the transportation sector.
World oil production has been running at near capacity to meet demand, pushing prices upward.
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United States Oil Imports14
This chart depicts the sources of American oil imports. While the United States gets about 45% of its oil from the Middle East and North Africa, these regions hold over two thirds of the oil reserves worldwide.”
Driving the Future of Energy Security http://lugar.senate.gov/energy/graphs/oilim
port.html
3. Community Challenges
US Oil Production and ConsumptionOverview 1949-2006
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Mill
ion B
arr
els
per
Day
Energy Information Administration; Official Energy Statistics from the US Government
US Consumption 20.59 MB/Day
US Production
Net Imports
3. Community Challenges
US General Accountability OfficeReport - Key Findings
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Peak oil is real.Decline in oil production will occur sometime between February 2007 and 2040.No one is sure of the exact date, because there is a wide variance in the data and methodology used by various research entities.Alternative energy sources, particularly for transportation, are not yet available in large quantities.
3. Community Challenges
US General Accountability OfficeReport - Key Findings
Alternative transportation technologies will take time and effort. Alternative transportation technologies have limited potential to mitigate the consequences of a peak and decline in oil productionThese technologies could displace only the equivalent of 4 percent of projected U.S. annual consumption by 2015.
US General Accountability OfficeReport - Key Findings
Without government policy the United States will be seriously harmed economically.
Federal agencies currently have no coordinated or well-defined strategy
In commenting on a draft of the report, the Departments of Energy and the Interior generally agreed with the report and recommendations.
Vulnerability and Oil Supply19
Vulnerability and Oil Supply20
Bargain Priced Fuel?21
New York Times: Savoring Bargains at the American Pump, June 29, 2008
Climate Change from the Past
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Image from: Statement on Sea Level in the Coming Century; Science Committee Miami-Dade County Climate Change Advisory Task Force
Presented by Dr. Wanless April 22, 2008
3. Community Challenges
Climate Change without Action
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Image from: Statement on Sea Level in the Coming Century; Science Committee Miami-Dade County Climate Change Advisory Task Force
Presented by Dr. Wanless April 22, 2008
3. Community Challenges
1. Invest in weatherization & energy efficiency2. Create employment & new local businesses3. Develop sustainable mobility infrastructure4. Maximize local food production5. Maximize renewable energy production
Community Opportunities
Question and Discussion25
Are current land use and transportation planning rules viable at $4, $5, $6 ….$10/gallon of gasoline?
Transportation Opportunities
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Mobility: Alachua County’s Plan to Effectively Link Land Use and Transportation Compact Centers Mixed Use Design Bus Rapid Transit Dedicated Lanes Bicycle and Pedestrian Network
PUBLIC / PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIP
TOD ButlerPlaza
Urban Village
Beville Creek
UF
Dedicated TransitLanes
PLANNING FOR MOBILITY vs. REGULATING ROAD CAPACITY
Peak Oil and Climate Change Conclusions and Best Advice
1. Develop sustainable mobility infrastructure
2. Invest in weatherization & energy efficiency
3. Create employment & new local businesses
4. Maximize local food production
5. Maximize renewable energy production
Start now Involve and educate your
residents Have land use policies that
address climate change Measure your performance Be ready for the benefits of
coming carbon markets (and your community’s carbon liability)
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Best Policies to create and energy efficient and resource resilient community
Best Advice
6. Conclusions and Best Advice
Alachua County, Florida40
Jonathan Paul, Concurrency & Impact Fee Manager Phone: (352) 374-5249 Email: [email protected] Penny Wheat, Chair, Alachua County Energy Conservation Strategies
Commission Phone: (352) 371-2125 Email: [email protected] Sean H. McLendon, Sustainability Program Manager Phone: (352) 548-3765 Email: [email protected]
7. Future Steps
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Thank you
