Cities & Towns Can Plug Into Energy Solutions

Updated May 2008 | .pdf version 

This briefing paper is adapted with permission from Sierra Club’s Cool Cities website at http://coolcities.us.

Energy is an important topic in Montana. A 2006 statewide poll commissioned by Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund found developing more reliable and affordable sources of energy on par with improving health care and a higher priority than improving schools or even gaining better paying jobs in the state.

Since conventional electricity generation contributes to air pollution and global warming more than any other industry in the United States, switching any percentage of Montana’s electricity to renewable sources can make a significant, positive impact on the environment and human health. Each year, for example, the use of a single 750-kilowatt wind turbine in the United States prevents on average as much carbon dioxide as can be absorbed by 500 acres of forest.

No longer waiting for the federal government to act, mayors and other local leaders are putting into place winning energy solutions right now. By using the innovative technologies of cleaner cars, energy efficiency and renewable energy, cities across America - and right here in Montana - are protecting our health and environment, while saving taxpayer dollars.

CITIES AND TOWNS TAKE ACTION

Communities all over America and in Montana are taking decisive action to reduce heat-trapping emissions, lower energy bills, save taxpayer dollars, and protect our environment. Beginning with Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, more than 400 mayors representing 61 million Americans in 50 states have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement to reduce global warming carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution in their cities to 7 % below 1990 levels by 2012 (see seattle.gov/mayor/climate).

These cities - which currently include Billings, Bozeman and Missoula - are working to meet this goal with practical and innovative energy solutions that reduce energy waste and pollution, and thereby cut our dependence on oil, benefit public health, and save money.

TIME TO ACT IS NOW

Scientists have concluded that burning fossil fuels—like oil, coal, and natural gas—to power our cars, homes, and businesses is causing global temperatures to rise. This heating of the earth poses a serious threat to our health, safety, economy, and environment. The good news is that we have the tools today to reduce global warming pollution, and cities of all sizes are pursuing innovative energy solutions. While each city’s energy solutions plan will be unique, there are three key strategies for municipalities: Green Fleets, Energy Efficiency, and Renewable Energy.

GREEN VEHICLE FLEETS

The biggest single step we can take to curb global warming is making our cars, trucks, and SUVs go farther on a gallon of gas. Many cities are cutting their global warming emissions by purchasing gas-electric hybrid cars and SUVs for their city vehicle fleet. By using less gasoline, hybrid vehicles release a fraction of the global warming and air pollution emitted by conventional vehicles while saving money at the gas pump. Some cities are also providing incentives, such as free parking and lower registration fees, to encourage the purchase of hybrids by local residents and businesses (see www.coolfleets.com).

ENERGY EFFICIENCY SOLUTIONS

Energy efficiency means using less energy through better technology to light streets and power buildings and industrial facilities. Reducing energy use is one of the most cost-effective and fastest ways to meet our energy needs. Lowering energy costs enables communities to invest more in schools, job creation, and new infrastructure. Since fossil fuel power plants account for more than one-third of U.S. global warming emissions, saving energy also means less pollution. From high-tech interior and street lighting, energy-efficient building standards and retrofits, to efficient combined heat-and-power, cities in every region of the country are modernizing lighting, heating, cooling, and other systems.

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Cities across the nation are investing in clean and renewable power like solar and wind energy to lower global warming emissions and create a reliable source of safe, homegrown electricity. Many cities are adopting “renewable energy standards” that require a specific percentage of the electricity sold in a city or utility area to come from renewable sources by a specific target date. Other cities are incorporating renewable energy technologies, such as solar photovoltaic panels, into the design of public buildings. Renewable power and energy efficiency are essential solutions for replacing electricity from dirty, fossil-fuel burning power plants like Colstrip.

FOUR STEPS: SOLUTIONS INTO ACTION

With a strong commitment, a sound plan, and real action, your city can be on its way toward meeting the goals of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Getting your city to become part of the fight against global warming is as simple as the four steps outlined below. These steps are modeled on the Cities for Climate Protection program, a successful initiative run by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) to help cities reduce global warming pollution. Encourage your city to join ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection program.

STEP 1: TAKE THE PLEDGE

The first step towards curbing global warming pollution in your community is to ask your mayor to sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. This agreement sets the goal of reducing citywide global warming carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. See seattle.gov/mayor/climate

STEP 2: CONDUCT A GLOBAL WARMING EMISSIONS INVENTORY

The next step is to conduct an inventory of your city’s current global warming emissions. This information will identify the city’s major CO2 sources (and the greatest opportunities for reductions), and will provide a baseline to judge the city’s progress towards its goal. Cities can receive technical assistance to conduct a global warming emissions inventory from a variety of sources including state and federal agencies as well as ICLEI through its Cities for Climate Protection program.

STEP 3: CREATE A SOLUTIONS PLAN

After completing its inventory, your city will be ready to develop a solutions plan that can reduce emissions while lowering energy costs for the city. While every city’s energy solutions plan will be unique, there are three important strategies: Green Vehicle Fleets, Energy Efficiency, and Renewable Energy. In some combination, these solutions will form the foundation of your city’s comprehensive energy-saving plan.

STEP 4: IMPLEMENT AND MONITOR PROGRESS

Of course, a plan alone cannot cut global warming pollution. It is essential that your city put the plan into action and monitor its progress periodically. With a strong commitment, a sound plan, and real action, your city will be on its way toward meeting the goals of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

BIODIESEL IN MONTANA CITY FLEETS:
Cleaner Air, Renewable Energy, And Homegrown Prosperity

A move to incorporate biodiesel into city-owned vehicles in cities like Bozeman, Missoula and Billings represents a win for people who care about the air we breathe and our quality of life.

It also represents a win for Montana workers and farmers who can produce oilseed crops, which provide good conservation benefits when rotated with small grains like wheat and barley. While there are serious problems with some of the land conversions to grow biofuels in equatorial regions, Montana and its neighboring states can produce biodiesel in ways that represent good stewardship of our soils and water. All of this translates into jobs, income for our farmers, and cleaner air. It also moves us forward toward a low carbon, renewable energy future, and sets us on a path to energy independence, renewable energy, and cleaner air.