EQC Meeting Date: January 20, 2021
To: Members of the Environmental Quality Commission
From: Beth Kallestad, Program Coordinator
Title
State level climate action items to support
Body
Action Requested:
The EQC will discuss two state level climate action items to recommend to City Council for support.
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.
The EQC is asked to consider recommending support to City Council for the two items below.
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 December16, 2020 meeting. The City Council received a presentation on January 12, 2021.
The EQC is asked to adopt a motion recommending that the Northfield City Council adopt a resolution supporting this coalition letter and become a signer of the letter.
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 Minnesota, Cities are not allowed to pass ordinance regulating buildings that are...
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