EQC Meeting Date: April 17, 2024
To: Members of the Environmental Quality Commission
From: Risi Karim, Assistant to the City Administrator
Title
Consider recommendation to the City Council for Resolution of support for Northfield Public School District efforts to implement a geothermal system at Northfield High School
Body
Action Requested:
The Environmental Quality Commission consider a motion recommending support and Council consideration of a Resolution for Northfield Public School District efforts to implement a geothermal system at Northfield High School.
Summary Report:
Northfield School Board has approved a bond referendum for the November election to address the issues facing the Northfield high school facility.
The referendum will have three questions on it. The third will ask the voters to consider approving up to seven million dollars to support the installation of a geothermal system at Northfield High School for the purposes of heating and cooling the facility. The passage of question three is contingent upon the passage of both questions one and two.
Northfield Climate Action Plan identifies "switching energy sources from fossil fuel to clean electricity in both buildings and travel" as one of the key strategies to achieving its 100% carbon free by 2040 goal.
The Northfield School District is one of the City's large energy users, supporting their transition to geothermal systems can significantly contribute to the city's goal of achieving 100% carbon neutrality by 2040. Geothermal systems utilize renewable energy from the Earth's heat, producing significantly fewer carbon emissions compared to traditional fossil fuel-based heating and cooling systems. By installing geothermal systems in local facilities such as Northfield high school, the city can directly reduce its carbon footprint, advancing towards its carbon neutrality goal.
The School District is requesting $25,000 from the City's Carbon Reduction Fund to assist with the cos...
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