City Council Meeting Date: February 18, 2020
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Beth Kallestad, Program Coordinator
Title
Consider Resolution of Support Establishing a Policy to Support Improved Energy Performance Standards in the State of Minnesota.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the Resolution of Support Establishing a Policy to Support Improved Energy Performance Standards in the State of Minnesota.
Summary Report:
In most cities, buildings continue to be the largest emitters of carbon. However, Minnesota state law prohibits cities from adopting a higher standard for commercial development. Northfield is being asked to join numerous individual cities and others who support legislative action to allow cities the choice to adopt an advanced energy standard for commercial and large multifamily buildings. This would allow cities that are ready to take the next step with the option of adopting and implementing a more advanced energy standard.
The attached summary provides additional information. The Mayor and Council were invited to attend a presentation at the City of Bloomington on February 13, 2020 to learn more about this issue.
Adopting this resolution does not commit the City of Northfield to then adopt an Advanced Building Energy Standard if it becomes allowable at the state level. Supporting such a resolution is strategy PP 1.2 in our Climate Action Plan and meets Green Step Cities Best Practice 1, 2.
Program Coordinator, Beth Kallestad participated in several meetings this past fall hosted by a group of metro area cities around this topic. City staff participated in a conference call with Fresh Energy to learn more about this process and recommend that Council adopt this resolution of support. The EQC will be informed about it at their February 19, 2020 meeting.
Alternative Options:
No resolution of support is adopted.
Financial Impacts:
Not applicable
Tentative Timelines:
Not applicable...
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