Community Infrastructure: Is your town ready for change? Presented By: Shanna Ratner Yellow Wood Associates

“Inadequate public infrastructure is viewed as the most significant roadblock to economic development in small town and rural America.” The Problem: The Pulse of Small Town and Rural America, Report from the National Association of Development Organizations Research Foundation eForum (August 30, 2004 national focus group of 210 regional development professionals supported by the Kellogg Foundation)

Implications of Climate Change for Infrastructure Rising Temperatures and Increased Precipitation will impact: Energy Use Roadways & Bridges Stormwater Wastewater Water Supply

How Infrastructure Affects Climate change Source: INFRASTRUCTURE & GREENHOUSE GASES Heat & Power Generation  Buildings  Transportation  Solid Waste  Water Systems  Open Space 

VT’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Source: Center for Climate Strategies - Final Vermont Greenhouse Gas inventory and Reference Case Projections,

Sustainable Infrastructure:  Reduces costs over a lifetime of use (lifecycle costs)  Shares costs equitably across user groups  Reduces effects of infrastructure on climate change  Minimizes the use of non-renewable resources  Minimizes impact on the natural environment  Protects biodiversity  Uses renewable resources in a sustainable manner  Is designed for flexibility

Sustainable Infrastructure How we get there: Mechanical Solutions Biological Solutions Behavioral Solutions

Sustainable Infrastructure Goal: REDUCE FUEL USE MECHANICAL: purchase more fuel efficient trucks BEHAVIORAL: put in place a “no idling” policy for all municipal vehicles

Sustainable Infrastructure Goal: EROSION CONTROL MECHANICAL: build retaining wall BIOLOGICAL: install soft-shore protection

Green Community Technologies ® is a service to help communities make infrastructure choices that will:  Save money  Improve municipal service delivery  Improve human health and quality of life  Protect the environment How We Get There

Sustainable Infrastructure: WasteWater TRADITIONAL APPROACH: Sewer collection, Treatment plant SUSTAINABLE APPROACH: Reduce Wastewater at the source Use natural systems Install highly efficient equipment Decentralized Systems Cluster Systems Anaerobic Digestion Composting Reclamation Fertilizer Fly Ash Energy

 Inventory and Assess Infrastructure Assets  Research Alternative Technologies and Present Findings  Assist Communities in Implementing Appropriate Alternatives Green Community Technologies ® Portfolio of Services

Use the Infrastructure Inventory to:  Meet GASB 34 Requirements  Prioritize target areas for infrastructure improvements  Conduct a Climate Change Risk Assessment and Preparedness Plan  Put in place long-term infrastructure planning that meets the needs of your community and is adaptive to the changing climate

Infrastructure Inventory: Results Richmond, VT Need for energy efficiency improvements for town hall Richmond, MA Community will run out of cemetery space in 10 years Hancock, NH Eight bridges will need to be repaired or replaced with years Litchfield, ME Community requires a better approach to aquifer protection and ways to prevent salt infiltration to community wells Ottertail, MN Cluster zoning would be advantageous to the city’s desired decentralized wastewater collection and treatment

“We are very enthusiastic about setting an example for other communities in New York State. This is the first time we will undertake a comprehensive evaluation of our buildings. Green Community Technologies brought this all together for the town and provided recommendations for us to consider.” -Mary Ellen Keith, Franklin, New York Town Supervisor “I think it was money well spent. In our case, we settled on the wastewater upgrade project, but it could apply to a number of projects.” Rocky Martin, Director, Department of Building and Facilities in Hinesburg, Vermont What People Are Saying

Green Infrastructure RESOURCES

Funding Opportunities Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG)  Competitive Local Government Sub-Grants  Distributed through the VT Clean Energy Development Fund Energy Efficiency Retrofits Financial Incentive Programs for Energy Efficiency Implementation of Transportation Projects Renewable Energy Technologies on Government Buildings Traffic Signals and Street Lighting

General Resources Green Community Technologies Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional and State Governments. Green Infrastructure: US EPA