Renew DBQ -A Low- to Moderate-Income Solar Pilot ProjectCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Action Items # 2.
Copyrighted
July 6, 2021
ITEM TITLE: Renew DBQ -A Low -to Moderate -Income Solar Pilot Project
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval of a pilot project
called Renew DBQ, which focuses on increasing access to solar
technology for low- to moderate -income (LMI) residents and requests
approval to move forward with funding the pilot project. Sustainability
Coordinator Gina Bell will make a presentation.
SUGGESTED Receive and File; Approve, Presentation Suggested Disposition:
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Renew DBQ-MVM Memo
Staff Memo
Program Information —Renew DBQ
Cost Sheet Renew DBQ
Presentation
Letter of Support from Resilient Community Advisory
Commission
Type
City Manager Memo
Staff Memo
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF
DUB E-E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Renew DBQ - A Low- to Moderate -Income Solar Pilot Project
DATE: June 1, 2021
Dubuque
All -America Cily
I i
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
Sustainability Coordinator Gina Bell recommends City Council approval of a pilot project
called Renew DBQ, which focuses on increasing access to solar technology for low- to
moderate -income (LMI) residents and requests approval to move forward with funding
the pilot project.
This project includes the City's three-part approach to sustainability by offering a
reduction in monthly bills for low-income residents, an economic multiplier effect and
jobs for local installers and helps the City to reach its 50% by 2030 greenhouse gas
reduction goals, achieving the triple bottom line.
The proposed pilot project will focus on installing solar panels on ten LMI homes in
Dubuque. The City would work inter -departmentally as well as partner with outside
entities including Carbon Solutions Group, the Dubuque County Energy District, and
local solar installers to identify interested parties and execute solar projects on
individual homes. The average size system would be --5kW per household.
The pilot project request is $40,710.49. The amount would cover the cost of Solar
Renewable Energy Credits for a local, LMI program, while helping to meet the carbon
reduction goals. It also includes vendor fees, administration fees and other program
expenses, supplies, marketing materials, etc. The proposed funding source is the
downtown urban renewal area non-profit weatherization fund, which currently has an
FY20/21 uncommitted balance of $110,968.50.
The City would partner with the Dubuque County Energy District to implement the
program due to limited staff capacity in the City's Sustainability Office. A portion of the
funding would go to the Dubuque County Energy District for this body of work.
The program will be restricted to the boundaries of the downtown urban renewal district
because of the source of the funding.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Gina Bell, Sustainability Coordinator
I
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mike Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Gina Bell, Sustainability Coordinator
SUBJECT: Renew DBQ — A Low- to Moderate -Income Solar Pilot Project
DATE: May 31, 2021
INTRODUCTION
Dubuque
AII.Aneriea Cky
N%XC \L R'R. I AjLA
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
This memorandum outlines a pilot project, Renew DBQ, which focuses on increasing
access to solar technology for low- to moderate -income (LMI) residents and requests
City Manager approval to move forward with funding the pilot project. This project
addresses City Council's vision of a sustainable, equitable and resilient city.
BACKGROUND
In June 2019, we began to explore a pilot project to help low-income families access
solar technology. This project includes the City's three-part approach to sustainability by
offering a reduction in monthly bills for low-income residents, an economic multiplier
effect and jobs for local installers and helps the City to reach its 50% by 2030
greenhouse gas reduction goals, achieving the triple bottom line.
The proposed pilot project will focus on installing solar panels on ten LMI homes in
Dubuque. The City would work inter -departmentally as well as partner with outside
entities including Carbon Solutions Group, the Dubuque County Energy District, and
local solar installers to identify interested parties and execute solar projects on
individual homes. The average size system would be —5kW per household.
The average LMI homeowner's energy burden in Iowa (the percentage of their income
they spend on electricity) is 8-10%, which this project would address. The cost of the
project to LMI households would be—$10,000 before tax credits and sale of energy
credits. It is our intention that a 5kW solar installment would cost the homeowner
—$2600 after program credits. The energy cost savings per household would be —$800-
$1000 annually, significantly reducing the energy burden in these homes while also
increasing home values. As noted in the City's recent Equitable Poverty Prevention
Plan, "Households experiencing severe cost burden have to face difficult trade-offs in
meeting other basic needs."
Renew DBQ would also create a local Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) market.
SRECs are a tradable commodity that you obtain from owning a solar panel system and
producing clean energy. Because of a state requirement known as the Renewable
Portfolio Standard (RPS), many utilities must generate a certain percentage of their
energy from renewable sources, typically at least 20 percent. Currently Iowa does not
have a viable SREC market as the RPS does not specify that a certain percentage of
the renewable energy produced must come from solar power. States with this type of
"solar carve -out" are willing to pay significant amounts of money to take credit for the
power generated by solar homeowners. This pilot project would create a market until
they gain momentum in Iowa.
The City's role in this project would be to cover the cost of the inflated SREC, which
basically serves as a carbon offset, meeting our goal of environmental integrity,
economic prosperity, and social and cultural vibrancy. This pilot project serves to
eliminate the barrier to entry to solar technology for LMI families.
This type of local approach has not been implemented, in Dubuque or elsewhere. We
are taking proactive steps, since our state does not have a carve out for solar, by
creating a local SREC market to further the City's climate action and equity goals. The
City will own the SRECS, paying more for them than the current market value because
they are both local and have an equity component (for LMI homes). It will be mutually
an economic and a charitable decision; with City assistance to create a potential path
out of poverty by reducing low-income households' utility bills.
This project will also serve as another scalable model of sustainability and equity for
other communities. Dubuque has long prided itself on creating a model of sustainability
and the need to continue to address everyday climate challenges in an equitable way.
Not only would this be a sustainable, equitable investment, this could offer the city
recognition by creating a replicable model for municipalities everywhere to make solar
technology affordable for all.
DISCUSSION
The City's investment could further garner benefits by a) retiring the SRECs and claim
as solar energy to meet 50% by 2030 Goal or b) keep for speculative value as Iowa
could move to create a market for SRECs. This investment for solar technology on 10
homes returns in value $100,000 of economic activity with additional multipliers and
offers a savings to low-income residents of $385,000 over 25 years (the estimated
useful life of the solar project).
This pilot project aligns with the vision, mission and goals of the City and City Council to
be an equitable and sustainable community. It is also outlined in the Imagine Dubuque
plan, in Chapter Four — Environmental Integrity which includes a recommendation to
continue implementation of the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan and focus on clean
air and energy. Solar panels are also in compliance with the Architectural Guidelines for
historic properties and are generally compatible with historic districts, where many LMI
residents reside. The project also addresses affordable housing, outlined as a
determinant of poverty in the Equitable Poverty Prevention Plan.
2
The City would partner with the Dubuque County Energy District to implement the
program due to limited staff capacity in the City's Sustainability Office. A portion of the
funding would go to the DCED for this body of work.
We continue to explore partners that would be interested in offering extended financing
arrangements or covering some of the upfront cost to keep the program affordable for
low -to -moderate households. The Iowa solar tax credit was left to sunset in the 2021
Legislative session and the $1500 tax credit played a role in making this project work.
We are working with potential partners to secure outside funding to cover this cost.
BUDGET
The pilot project request is $40,710.49. The amount would cover the cost of SRECs for
a local, LMI program, while helping to meet our carbon reduction goals. It also includes
vendor fees, administration fees and other program expenses, supplies, marketing
materials, etc. The proposed funding source is the downtown urban renewal area non-
profit weatherization fund which currently has an FY20/21 uncommitted balance of
$110,968.50. We will work cross -departmentally to determine eligible homes located
within the URA and could prioritize homes in which the City has already invested
resources.
REQUESTED ACTION
I respectfully request the City Council's approval to move forward with the pilot project
using the downtown urban renewal area non-profit weatherization fund to begin this pilot
project.
Enclosures: Program Information
Cost Sheet
3
RENEW DBQ
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Renew DBQ is a pilot project to help families with low- to moderate -incomes (LMI)
access solar technology. This project includes the City's three-part approach to
sustainability by reducing monthly energy bills for residents with LMI, serves as an
economic multiplier/job creator for local installers and helps the City to reach its 50% by
2030 greenhouse gas reduction goals, achieving the triple bottom line.
The project will install solar arrays on ten or more homes in Dubuque. Generally,
households with LMI need assistance to overcome the initial up -front cost hurdle of
going solar. Efforts to enable customers to benefit from solar must also consider a
larger set of barriers, including policy, finance, and regulatory obstacles. The City would
support overcoming these barriers and work inter -departmentally as well as partner with
outside entities such as Carbon Solutions Group, the Dubuque County Energy District,
and local solar installers to identify interested parties and execute solar projects on
individual homes. The average size system would be -5kW per household.
The average LMI homeowner's energy burden in Iowa (the percentage of their income
they spend on electricity) is 8-10%, which this project would address. The cost of the
project to households would be-$10,000 before tax credits and rebates. The intention
is that a 5kW solar installment would cost the homeowner --$2600, after incentives and
onetime payment for 15 years of solar renewable energy credits, and we would work
with installers and partners willing to extend the financing arrangement. If grant funds
were available, extended financing would not be an issue/grant funds could be used to
offset the cost for the homeowner. The energy cost savings per household would be
-$800 - $1000+ annually, significantly reducing the energy burden for these
households.
Renew DBQ would also create a local Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) market.
SRECs are a tradable commodity that you obtain from owning a solar panel system and
producing clean energy. Because of a state requirement known as the Renewable
Portfolio Standard (RPS), many utilities must generate a certain percentage of their
energy from renewable sources, typically at least 20 percent. Currently Iowa does not
have a viable SREC market as the RPS does not specify that a certain percentage of
the renewable energy produced must come from solar power. States with this type of
"solar carve -out" are willing to pay significant amounts of money to take credit for the
power generated by solar homeowners. This pilot project would create a market until
they gain momentum in Iowa. offering
The City's role in this project would be to cover the cost of the inflated SREC (as an
upfront, onetime, cash payment to the homeowner, for fifteen years of SRECs), which
basically serves as a carbon offset, meeting the City's goal of environmental integrity,
economic prosperity, and social and cultural vibrancy. This pilot project serves to
eliminate the barrier to entry to solar technology for families with low- to moderate -
incomes.
This type of local approach has not been implemented, in Dubuque or elsewhere to our
knowledge. We are taking proactive steps, since our state does not have a carve out for
solar, by creating a local SREC market to further climate action and equity goals. The
City will own the SRECS, paying more for them than the current market value because
they are both local and will benefit LMI households. It will be both an economic and a
charitable decision, with City assistance to create a potential path out of poverty by
reducing utility bills and increasing property values. The program will also assist in
engaging families with low- to moderate -incomes to be a part of the 50% by 2030
Community Climate Action and Resiliency Plan.
Dubuque has long prided itself on creating a model of sustainability and the need to
continue to address everyday climate challenges in an equitable way. Not only would
this project be a sustainable, equitable investment, it could offer the city recognition by
creating a replicable model for municipalities everywhere to make solar technology
affordable for all.
PROJECT ELIGIBILITY
Households interested in the program will need to meet the following criteria:
• Home energy audit has occurred and a minimum of LED bulbs swap and low -
flow water aerators and dampers on fan installations have occurred.
• Location is a suitable site for solar installation
o Minimum 400 square feet roof/south facing or 600 square feet/east-west
facing
0 85% sun/shade reading
0 100-amp service
• Low- to moderate -income based on 80% Area Median Income (AMI)
(considering that the lowest income customers already have savings through
utility assistance programs)
2021* Income Limits
Household Size
80%
1
$46,450
2
$53,050
3
$59,700
4
$66,300
5
$71,650
6
$76,950
7
$82,250
8
$87,550
*incomes adjusted annually
Additional priority considerations include:
• Frontline populations (those most impacted by climate change)
• Households with a higher -than -average energy burden and/or
• Homes owned by Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) residents
HOW IT WORKS
Average
Federal
State Tax
SREC (City
Upfront Cost
Cost After
System
Tax Credit
Credit
contribution/
to Homeowner
Program
Size + Cost
payment)
5 kW-
$2,600*
$1,500**
$3285
$10,000
$2,615***
$10,000
*26% of cost of array
**15% of cost of array (Currently seeking outside funder to cover this portion of project.)
***dependent on tax burden and usage of tax credit
We will work cross -departmentally to determine certain homes in specific
neighborhoods and could prioritize homes in which the City has already invested
resources.
PARTNERS
Various City Departments: Sustainability, Housing, Health, Human Rights, Legal, etc.
Outside agencies: Carbon Solutions Group (for SREC), Dubuque County Energy
District (program administration), Green Iowa AmeriCorps (home energy audits and
weatherization), and local solar installers.
Carbon Solutions Group is a project development, environmental asset management
and advisory firm. Carbon Solutions Group brings project finance specialization in
environmental asset valuation, trading, and energy forecasting. Carbon Solutions
Group's expertise lies in a deep understanding of global carbon and environmental
trading markets. The comprehensive but balanced expertise commanded by our
associates ranges from environmental consultants, business and policy analysts, multi -
disciplined engineers, and financial traders. Our wide-ranging expertise enables Carbon
Solutions Group to deliver innovative solutions with high -quality results.
Clean Energy Districts of Iowa create local jobs, retain, and grow wealth, and
simultaneously reduce carbon emissions and air pollution. As a resident -driven
movement, they also support building more informed, engaged, and inclusive
communities. Founded in 2017, the Dubuque County Energy District was created by a
group of volunteers to serve the residents of Dubuque County. They envision one
hundred percent sustainable, efficient, and/or renewable energy by 2050, contributing to
a vibrant economy, resilient community, and stable climate for generations to come. The
DCED mission is to implement the vision through education, energy planning, market
transformation, investment, advocacy, and partnership in Dubuque County, and to
catalyze and support an energy district movement in Iowa and beyond. Energy Districts
are grassroots non-profit organizations dedicated to promoting environmental
stewardship and energy system sustainability.
Green Iowa AmeriCorps works to empower Iowa's communities and school districts to
make more environmental, conservation -minded decisions and improvements by
engaging our AmeriCorps members in direct service work, environmental education,
professional development opportunities and volunteer engagement. The Energy and
Community Team focuses on the three C's of weatherization: Cost, Comfort and
Conservation. BPI trained team members assess a home's efficiency, evaluate problem
areas, and seek potential solutions.
CONSIDERATIONS
• Federal tax credit drops to 22% in 2023
• Constantly changing landscape at both state and federal level.
DISCUSSION
The City's investment could further garner benefits by a) retiring the SRECs and claim
as solar energy to meet 50% by 2030 goal or b) keep for speculative value as Iowa
moves to create a market for SRECs. This investment for solar technology on 10 homes
returns in value $100,000 of economic activity with additional multipliers and offers a
savings to low-income residents of $385,000 over 25 years (the estimated useful life of
the solar project).
This pilot project aligns with the vision, mission and goals of the City and City Council to
be an equitable and sustainable community. It is also outlined in the Imagine Dubuque
plan, in Chapter Four — Environmental Integrity which includes a recommendation to
continue implementation of the Community Climate Action and Resiliency Plan and
focus on clean air and energy. Solar panels are also in compliance with the
Architectural Guidelines for historic properties and are generally compatible with historic
districts, where many LMI residents reside. The project would work in conjunction with
the Equitable Poverty Prevention Plan the City recently adopted.
MEASUREMENTS OF SUCCESS
• Reduce monthly utility bills for LMI homeowners by 30%
• Reduce energy burden for LMI homeowners by 6%
• % of Black, Marshallese and Latino homeowners participating
• Quantified wealth -building (home price increase with solar/$saved/etc
• Reduce city-wide GHG emissions
• Annual performance of solar arrays
TENTATIVE WORK PLAN
Milestone Output
Successful Outcomes
Responsible
Part
Due Date
Outreach &
Create materials, meet
Energy District
Months 1 - 3
Planning & First
with identified
with support of
Step Energy
populations
Sustainability
Efficiency Audit &
Provide first step home
Office.
Initial site
energy audits and direct
assessment
installation of LED, low-
GIA/energy
flow fixtures, and fan
auditor
dampers. Initial site
assessments.
City Inspectors
Identify interested
10+ low-income
City depts. +
Months 2-4
income -eligible
households are
Energy District
households
interested in program
artici ation
Financing
Households have
City +
Concurrent
financing in place
Grantors/Financial
with site
Institutions +
assessment,
Installers (TBD)
Months 3-6
Installation
Solar installed on 10
Partner installers
Months 6-12
homes
Reporting/Ongoing
Interim and final report
City/DCED
Project end or
Data Collection
completed/annual data
any outside
collection on
funder
performance
deadlines
Dubuque County Energy District will serve as project administrator and assist with
outreach, planning, identification of LMI households, education component and general
program administration.
BUDGETIMPACT
The total project cost is $48,710.49 ($40,710.49 from City for SREC support and
supplies/outreach materials and $8,000 service from Green Iowa AmeriCorps Energy
and Community Team.)
The amount requested from City ($40,710.49) would cover the cost of SRECs for a
local, LMI solar program, while helping to meet our carbon reduction goals. It also
includes administration fees and other program expenses, supplies, marketing
materials, etc. It leverages the Green Iowa AmeriCorps team already working in the
City. Additionally, grant funds could be used to lesson the financial burden on LMI
households participating or be used to expand the program to include more households.
The suggested funding source is the Downtown Urban Renewal Area — nonprofit
weatherization line item. $40,710.49 of this funding is requested for this pilot project.
The investment will offer a $385,000 benefit to LMI households.
PRODUCE FIELD -BUILDING IMPACTS
This project aligns with USDN's High Impact Practice of Community Installation of
Renewable Electricity. This program would establish local incentives (e.g., SREC
market/rebate) for on -site renewable energy. Ideally, program success would help to
catalyze major new local investment after the initial installations. The project addresses
equity issues as under-resourced communities face a disproportional share of societal
burdens and lack access to many of the benefits the rest of the community enjoys,
specifically participating in the solar economy. The program builds resilience, especially
among vulnerable populations and creates a model which can be shared with other
communities.
EQUITY
This program will focus on partnering with our community members/organizations that
already have built trust with priority populations. Community education will be a key
component of the program while also addressing barriers to solar for LMI communities,
so they are able to increase community wealth and resiliency (both in terms of cost
savings and reliable alternative energy source). This program will help to transfer
control over energy decisions to LMI households. The structure of the program focuses
on distributing resources and benefits to those with highest needs. Often, LMI
households do not get a direct benefit to LMI solar programs because of reliance on tax
credits, or projects do not benefit the community. This project will directly benefit LMI
households, and they will receive the direct benefit. Of note, the tax credit may be
spread out over years to receive full benefit. We will work with financial institutions to
support loans to cover homeowner responsibility of costs which energy savings will pay.
Additionally, we will continue to work with private funders to support this project.
Roocks�.corn
our Mission Blog Best states ror Solar Intograpnia Get Solar Quotes E-book Solar Loans & Financing Solar Parley Guitle Orr Grid Solar solar FAQ Installers
2019 State Solar Power Rankings Report
BEST PRACTICES
While LMI solar projects are still relatively new, there are some general
recommendations that need to be considered. Strong consumer protection benefits all
solar customers, but it is especially important for LMI consumers. This project will
minimize financial risk to LMI households. It will set up participants to be ready for future
resiliency projects (i.e., battery storage as outlined in 50% by 2030 Plan).
Considerations will be taken to help protect the consumers through programmatic
safeguards to minimize the risk. The program will ensure there are clear avenues for
consumers to report problems with the solar contractor and will require performance
guarantees, warranties, and service statements. The program will work to increase the
availability of financing so worthy solar projects can move forward. Education is key and
we will ensure that it is easily accessible and understandable information so LMI
households can make an informed decision.
SOLAR RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDITS (SRECs) EXPLAINED
SRECs are a special kind of compensation for clean energy generation that are used as
an incentive in some states. Each SREC is basically "proof of generation" for one
megawatt -hour (MWh) of solar electricity, and they have value to utility companies, who
must prove they are buying a certain amount of solar energy to meet state standards.
SRECs are typically sold in a marketplace through brokers that buy from energy
producers (solar owners). Only a few states offer SREC markets, and most solar
owners can only sell their SRECs for 5-10 years after installation. Iowa does not
currently have a program.
The value of SRECs varies widely by state and is based on the penalties utility
companies face if they do not comply with the requirements. Income from the sale of
SRECs must be reported to the IRS as part of a seller's annual income.
Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District
Attachment A: Subarea Map
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Year
Solar Prod $/kWh
Annual Savings
Average System Size (Watts DC)
5,000
1
6,300
$ 0.145
$ 914
Estimated System Cost
$ 10,000
2
6,269
$ 0.149
$ 936
Estimated Annual kWh
6,300
3
6,237
$ 0.154
$ 959
Estimated SRECs over 15 years
91.26
4
6,206
$ 0.158
$ 983
SREC Price
$ 40.00
5
6,175
$ 0.163
$ 1,008
Total Value of SREC Contract
$ 3,650.52
6
6,144
$ 0.168
$ 1,033
Carbon Solutions Vendor Fee
($365.05)
7
6,113
$ 0.173
$ 1,058
8
6,083
$ 0.178
$ 1,085
End User Benefits
9
6,052
$ 0.184
$ 1,112
Federal Tax Credit
$ 2,600
10
6,022
$ 0.189
$ 1,139
State Tax Credit/Grant from private funder
$ 1,500
11
5,992
$ 0.195
$ 1,168
SREC Contract (after CSG fee)
$ 3,285
12
5,962
$ 0.201
$ 1,197
Estimated 25 Year Utility Savings
$ 31,143
13
5,932
$ 0.207
$ 1,226
Total
$ 38,528.0
14
5,903
$ 0.213
$ 1,257
15
5,873
$ 0.219
$ 1,288
16
5,844
$ 0.226
$ 1,320
17
5,814
$ 0.233
$ 1,353
Total Budget
$ 40,710.49
18
5,785
$ 0.240
$ 1,387
Program Administrator
$ 4,205.25
19
5,756
$ 0.247
$ 1,421
Total Number of Projects
10
20
5,728
$ 0.254
$ 1,456
Total Solar Capacity Installed (kW)
50
21
5,699
$ 0.262
$ 1,493
Total Value of Solar projects Installed
$ 100,000
22
5,671
$ 0.270
$ 1,530
Total Estimated CO2e Reduction (Tons)
11150
23
5,642
$ 0.278
$ 1,568
Total Benefit to Low Income Households
$ 385,280
24
5,614
$ 0.286
$ 1,607
25
5,586
$ 0.295
$ 1,646
Total
148,402
$ 31,142.57
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• The City needs tc
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ENVIRONMENTAL
ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY
Viable Livable
SOCIAL /
ECONOMIC equitable CULTURAL
PROSPERITY VIBRANCY
• 10 Low- to Moderate -Income (LMI) homes in the
downtown Urban Renewal Area (URA) purchase
solar array with low upfront cost
• City purchases Solar Renewable Energy Credits 11
(SREC) to meet our 50% by 2030 Climate Action W,..
Pilot Details Plan goal 'fir
• �SkW system per home &Savings start the first
year
• Makes solar technology accessible to residents
generally not able to access renewable energy
benefits
Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District
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Mayor Roy D Buol, City of Dubuque
50 W. 13t" Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
June 24, 2021
Honorable Mayor Buol,
The Resilient Community Advisory Commission (RCAC) submits this letter in support of the
Renew DBQ Solar Pilot Project.
At their June 3, 2021 regular meeting, the RCAC received a presentation by Gina Bell, City
Sustainability Office, regarding the pilot project details and potential funding. During the weeks
following, the Commission requested additional information and asked questions. At the June
23, 2021 regular meeting, the RCAC voted to support this project.
This pilot project aligns with the RCAC's priority of improving Economic Resiliency Through
Combatting Poverty and Increasing Social Capital. It also will help the City meet the 50% by
2030 emissions reduction goal and is a project which exemplifies the "triple bottom line" — our
model for sustainability work — economic prosperity, social and cultural vibrancy and ecological
integrity. Helping low- to moderate -income households access solar technology and reduce
their energy burden will help us build a resilient community.
The RCAC, by a unanimous vote, advocates that the City Council approve moving forward with
the Renew DBQ pilot project.
Sincerely,
Candace Eudaley Loebach
Resilient Community Advisory Commission Chair