City Council Meeting Date: January 12, 2021
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Beth Kallestad, Program Coordinator
Title
Presentation on supporting climate action items at state and federal level.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is provided with a presentation highlighting three opportunities for the City of Northfield to support climate related actions at the state and federal level.
Summary Report:
The City of Northfield's Climate Action Plan includes action item
PP 7.4 - Engage decision-makers, including local members of boards and commissions, county officials, as well as state and national representatives, around elements of the climate action plan.
As such, the following are items the City Council will be asked to consider supporting through motions and resolutions at upcoming Council Meetings.
State Level
1. Comment Letter on Xcel Energy Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)
A coalition of Minnesota Cities and clean energy advocacy organizations have drafted a comment letter they are asking Northfield and other cities to support with regard to Xcel Energy's 2020-2034 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The plan outlines the utility's resource needs over that 15 year period, and charts a path for achieving its carbon goals of 80% reduction by 2030 and 100% carbon-free by 2050 with proposed plan retirements and new resource additions. A coalition summary document is provided with this packet for more information. The comment letter is also attached for review.
The Northfield EQC received a presentation on this IRP plan and request for comment at its December meeting. They will be asked to recommend a motion of support that Council sign on this letter at their meeting on January 20, 2021.
2. Support for upcoming state legislative action on Building Code
Building energy uses, especially commercial buildings, is a major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in Northfield and other cities in Minnesota. In M...
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