Energy Policy Development Process and outcomes in local government American Planning Association MN Chapter Annual Conference St. Cloud, MN September 28, 2011

SETTING THE STAGE DAKOTA COUNTY ENERGY PLANNING

Dakota County Third largest county in Minnesota (398,500) Located in Twin Cities metro area Rapid growth earlier decades,slowed

Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group (MCCAG) Governor directed group to recommend policy options, final report 2008 Local government can be leader in GHG reductions – inventory sources – establish reduction targets

Regional Efforts Metropolitan Energy Policy Coalition (MEPC) – Energy efficiency and conservation – Greenhouse gas management and reporting – Legislation and advocacy

Comprehensive Plan 2030 Reduce greenhouse gas emissions Achieve optimal energy use and conservation, and transition to sustainable energy sources Plan, design, and construct sustainable public buildings in Dakota County Prevent waste generation Reduce demand for automobile transportation Create an environmentally sensitive transportation system Source: DC2030 Executive Summary

Dakota County Efforts Underway DC Design, Construction and Sustainability Standards Lighting Retrofit/Rebates Park System and Comprehensive Plans Recycling Transit Options Alternative Energy E-government and Videoconferencing Hybrid fleet vehicles

Board Direction for Energy Work 2009 Board goal: “Achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and support transition to alternative/renewable energy by adopting and implementing a County energy plan and related sustainability strategies.”

THE PROCESS AND FINDINGS DAKOTA COUNTY ENERGY PLANNING

Energy Subcommittees Buildings and Grounds – Facilities – Parks Natural Resources – County-owned land – Research opportunities Transportation – Fleet – Vehicle miles traveled Met monthly About eight staff per committee Cross-disciplinary

Research Template

Energy Subcommittees Criteria Name DefinitionMeasureScoring Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Reduction Return on Investment (ROI) Potential Projected reduction in GHG emissions for the initial investment and recurring costs associated with the strategy Dollars ($) per ton of CO2 Strategies will be ranked L, M, and H potential. Break points for L, M, and H will be determined after more calculations are completed Energy and Cost Savings Potential Projected reduction in energy consumed for the initial investment and recurring costs associated with the strategy Net fiscal impact ($), including net County fiscal impact ($). (Some costs/benefit is accrued beyond the County). Energy saved is calculated by appropriate measures, such as KWh or Gallons of Fuel, and is part of the net fiscal impact Strategies will be ranked L, M, and H potential. Break points for L, M, and H will be determined after more calculations are completed Leadership Potential Degree to which the strategy: a.Models energy conservation/ GHG reduction visibly b.Anticipates the future c.Leverages other resources or public benefit d.Motivates and provides opportunity for others Each sub-category will be rated as follows: Low=1 point Medium=2 points High=3 points Each sub-category will be measured individually (1-3) and then all categories tallied, for a total of 12 possible points. Scoring criteria used to screen and filter initial ideas: Consistent Objective Multi- dimensional

Goals and Objectives Defined Goals: Reduce (energy consumed) Renew (use renewable resources) Restore (sequester carbon by restoring natural landscapes) Objective Themes:

Dakota County Greenhouse Gas Inventory (2005): Government Operations Dakota County Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report, 2009 Total= 27,120 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

Dakota County can positively impact energy and greenhouse gas emissions and save money or be cost neutral.

Statement of Energy Principles “Dakota County will reduce energy consumed and greenhouse gas emitted, use renewable resources, and sequester carbon. To do so will require ongoing commitment and leadership as demonstrated through the following principles...”

Statement of Energy Principles Reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from buildings through design, construction, operations, and user habits. Reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in transportation through transportation fuel alternatives, fleet related business practices, and transportation system design and use. Manage waste, land, and water to conserve energy and sequester carbon. Increase renewable energy use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. Inform, advocate, and anticipate the future with others to collectively conserve energy, transition to renewable resources, and sequester carbon.

EMISSIONS REDUCTION TARGET

The Importance of Targets… Provide one or more endpoints toward which efforts are focused Enable benchmarks to know if we are making progress Signal our collective effort and commitment Align ourselves with scientific consensus on necessary reductions

Emissions Reduction Targets Reviewed other targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels, to show consistency and potential to achieve the targets 15% by % by % by 2050

If we followed State targets… 27,120 5,424

Dakota County can meet the 2015 target for government operations, using the following proposed strategies, and save money.

PROPOSED STRATEGY PACKAGE Internal Strategies

Developing Strategies Each subcommittee tasked with developing and ranking strategies 72 strategies were developed o0-4 hours of research per strategy to estimate impacts and costs oSubcommittees ranked strategies, then an exercise was used with the full group to prioritize among them

Evaluation Criteria Applied 1.Cost per ton of GHG avoided 2.Net Fiscal Impact 3.Leadership potential 4.Potential to avoid GHG

Developing the Strategy Package: Meet the 2015 target Net cost-neutral or better Represent the three goals Use strong assumptions and data

10% Fuel Efficiency Increase by Class Reduce: 11 mt

Promote Employee Transit Use Reduce: 25 mt

Increase Employee Recycling 15% Reduce: 32 mt

Cellulosic Biomass for Biofuel Reduce: 160 mt

Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Reduce: 221 mt

EECBG Projects Reduce: 423 mt

Improve Building Efficiency 10% Reduce: 1,619 mt

Build a 1 MW Wind Turbine Reduce: 1,950 mt

Dollars Spent (or Saved) Per Metric Ton of GHG Avoided

Annual Net Fiscal Impact and GHG Avoided

GHG Emissions from County Operations Dakota County Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report, 2009 Total= 27,120 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)

Impact of Proposed Strategies 16% (reduced emissions) 84% (remaining footprint)

16% (reduced emissions) 84% (remaining footprint) Save $40,000 Annually Impact of Proposed Strategies

Impact of All Internal Strategies 50% Recommended Strategies Other Internal Strategies

2015 Target: 15% Reduction If Dakota County implements proposed strategies from , we can meet this target (using 2005 baseline data)

We would need to double our reductions to reduce emissions 30% Target: 30% Reduction

2050 Target: 80% Reduction We would need to do five times as much to reduce emissions 80%.

Not all strategies are scalable…

EXTERNAL/COMMUNITY STRATEGY OPTIONS Example Strategies and Policy Questions

Why look externally? Climate change will affect government operations (environment, water, public health) Federal and state mandates likely forthcoming Position ourselves to receive funds Some role unique to or best suited to counties Our decisions and actions impact our residents energy use

Why look externally? MCCAG major Recommendations: – Reduce VMT – Biofuels – Forestry Management – Recycling/Waste Management – Public Education and Outreach

County Government Operations: 27,120 metric tons annually Viewing Ourselves in Context

Govt. Operations VMT on County Roads 440,000 MT from travel on County Roads…

Govt. Operations VMT on County Roads Dakota County Households 2.7 million MT from households…

Neighborhood Energy Sweep Reduce: 222 mt

Improve Signalized Intersection Efficiency Reduce: 447 mt

Work with CDA to Improve Efficiency in Units Reduce: 1,098 mt

Reduce VMT by 1% Reduce: 3,900 mt

Green Building Initiatives Reduce: 9,600 mt

Increase Municipal Recycling by 10% Reduce: 174,000 mt

Example External Strategies

Example External Strategies (minus recycling)

Dakota County is well-positioned to affect change, realize benefit, and respond to future change beyond government operations. Energy Principles, Plan, and Practices

APPROVALS AND IMPLEMENTATION Energy Principles, Policies, and Practices

Adopted resolution – Adopt energy principles – Adopt government operations GHG reduction target – Authorize implementation Established 2010 Energy Board Goal – Reduce costs of County services and operations by: Reducing County energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions Implement Energy Plan strategies – (largely internal) Immediate Action

Intermediate Action Completed 2009 Government Operations GHG Inventory and Community GHG Inventory Continued Facilities/Fleet strategies with demonstrated results GreenCorps Member

Energy Staff Roles – Connect and communicate energy information to departments, management, and external audiences Responsibilities – Track energy-related projects; emissions data – Coordinate reporting with liaisons – Investigate and instigate new projects/strategies – Help secure partnerships and identify funding – Track regional initiatives and relevant legislation – Manage internal and external outreach

Department Energy Liaisons Roles – Connect and communicate broader energy work plan efforts with department efforts Responsibilities – Encourage use of the energy principles for decision-making – Track energy-related projects – Coordinate on reporting with energy staff – Assist department efforts at securing funding

Challenges Staff leaving the County; function not replaced Budget cuts and prioritization Accounting for weather Addition of new facilities

Performance To Date

Buildings GHG emissions up 2% between 2005 and 2009 Existing buildings becoming more energy efficient – Total gas and electricity usage increased, but decreased if you discount new construction 2010 data will show further efficiency gains – Results of some projects not measurable in 2009

Fleet Largest source of overall emissions reduction: Decreased miles driven by 3.7% Reduced fuel gallons burned by 26% Decreased GHG emissions by 27%

Business Travel Business travel (total reimbursable miles) decreased 4.4% between 2005 and 2009 Greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 8% (employee vehicles assumed to be slightly more fuel efficient)

Traffic Signals Total number of traffic signals increased Energy use decreased by 11% due to increased use of LED signals Greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 12% Future opportunities for additional efficiency are limited

2011 Board Priorities Conserve energy and save costs by implementing strategic changes in operations, specifically: Reduce annual electricity consumption by 1% over 2010 levels, by year end (This will translate into a projected $15,000 annual savings.) Replace 16 vehicles with those that are, on average, 10% more fuel efficient. (This will translate into a projected 1,601 gallons of fuel and $4,803 savings annually over replacement vehicles-65% unleaded gas and 35% diesel fuel.)

Thank you Questions?