White House Climate Action Champion Designation Copyright 2014
City of Dubuque Action Items # 2.
ITEM TITLE: White House Climate Action Champion Designation
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending approval for the Mayor to execute the
designation agreement recognizing Dubuque as one of sixteen White
House Climate Action Champions.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
❑ White House Climate Action Champion Designation-MVM Memo City Manager Memo
❑ Staff Memo Staff Memo
❑ Designation Agreement Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF Dubuque
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007-2012-2013
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: White House Climate Action Champions Designation Agreement
DATE: April 29, 2015
Sustainable Community Coordinator Cori Burbach recommends City Council approval
for the Mayor to execute the designation agreement recognizing Dubuque as one of
sixteen White House Climate Action Champions.
Dubuque was honored to be recognized as one of sixteen Climate Action Champions
across the country. The designation agreement acknowledges this relationship with the
White House and the US Department of Energy. The City commits to collaborate with
Federal agencies to advance the climate-related goals and serve as a model for
communities across the country in implementing strategies that reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and enhance climate resilience.
Specifically, the City commits to working towards the self-identified 50% by 2030
reduction in greenhouse gases goal (as previously adopted by the City Council), identify
community priorities and work with Federal agencies to address those priorities, and
complete one case study and two annual updates to the White House. In return, the
Department of Energy has designated a community liaison who will assist the City In
seeking technical assistance and funding opportunities related to our goals.
There are no budgetary commitments associated with the designation.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Micliael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Sustainable Community Coordinator
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THE CDubuque
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007-2012-2013
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Cori Burbach, Sustainable Community Coordinator
SUBJECT: White House Climate Action Champions Designation Agreement
DATE: April 29, 2015
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to submit for Council approval and Mayor signature the
designation agreement recognizing Dubuque as one of sixteen White House Climate Action
Champions.
BACKGROUND
In 2014, the City of Dubuque submitted an application to be recognized as a White House
Climate Action Champion. The application highlighted Dubuque's sustainability efforts, notably
the 50% by 2030 Community Climate Action & Resiliency Plan and the Bee Branch Creek
Watershed initiative.
DISCUSSION
Dubuque was honored to be recognized as one of sixteen Climate Action Champions across
the country. The attached designation agreement acknowledges this relationship with the
White House and the US Department of Energy. The City commits to collaborate with Federal
agencies to advance our own climate-related goals and serve as a model for communities
across the country in implementing strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and
enhance climate resilience.
Specifically, the City commits to working towards our self-identified 50% by 2030 reduction in
greenhouse gases goal, identify community priorities and work with Federal agencies to
address those priorities, and complete one case study and two annual updates to the White
House. In return, the Department of Energy has designated a community liaison who will
assist the City In seeking technical assistance and funding opportunities related to our goals.
There are no budgetary commitments associated with the designation.
REQUESTED ACTION
The City is honored to be recognized as a White House Climate Action Champion. I
respectfully request Council approval and the Mayor's signature on the attached designation
agreement.
Cc: Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Al Climate Action Champion
DACTION
U.S. Department of Energy
Designation Agreement
In recognition of the importance of the dual policy goals of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and
enhancing climate resilience, the U.S. Department of Energy(DOE)—in close collaboration with other
Federal agencies—launched the Climate Action Champions initiative to identify and showcase U.S. local and
tribal governments that have proven to be climate leaders through pursuing opportunities to advance both of
these goals in their communities. In particular, DOE selected U.S. local governments and tribal governments
—or regional collaborations or consortia thereof—that demonstrated a strong and ongoing commitment to
implementing strategies that both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance climate resilience, with a
particular emphasis on strategies that further both goals. Through this agreement, the designated Champions
re-affirm their continued commitment to achieving sustainable practices leading to both improved climate
resilience and reduced greenhouse gas emissions through the planning and implementation of policies or
through the deployment of technologies.
In support of the Climate Action Champions, the
Department of Energy, in coordination with the
The Champion agrees to: other participating Federal agencies, agrees to:
✓ Commit ✓ Assist
► Publicly pledge to a continued commitment to ► Provide targeted technical assistance to
achieving sustainable practices leading to both support the Champion's commitment to improved
climate resilience and reduced greenhouse gas
improved climate resilience and reduced
emissions through the planning and
greenhouse gas emissions through the planning
and implementation of policies or through the implementation of policies through the
deployment of technologies. Specifically, the deployment of technologies..
Champion publicly pledges to: ► Collaborate with the Champion on a regular
basis via teleconference, in-person meetings,and
P. Strive to achieve the Champion's near-term, other means as appropriate.
jurisdiction-wide,waste, water, energy and
transportation sector goals for greenhouse gas ► Issue targeted financial assistance
emission reductions,as outlined in the CAC opportunities that include considerations for
Strategic Plan(see Attachment 1). Champions. Such targeted financial assistance
opportunities could include: (1)funding
► Strive to achieve the Champion's longer term opportunity announcements that target certain
(10 to 35 years), community wide, greenhouse focus areas that can assist the Champions in
gas emissions reduction of 50%by 2030. achieving their climate change objectives; (2)
funding opportunities made exclusively available,
► Strive to achieve the Climate Action Champion in whole or in part,to designated Champions; and
initiative goal to reduce GHGs in their (3)funding opportunities that include selection
jurisdiction by 2% annually. considerations applicable to Champions and
projects proposed in a Climate Action Champion
community that would further that Champion's
goals under the Climate Action Champion
initiative.
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The Champion agrees to (Cont.): The Department of Energy, in coordination with
the other participating Federal agencies, agrees
► Work with the Climate Action to (Cont.):
Champions program team to apply
for/support the uptake of federal programs ► Coordinate with other Federal agencies to
to support local climate action in their increase the availability of Climate Action
community. Champion-targeted technical assistance and
P. Serve as a true champion of this initiative funding opportunities.
among peer communities involved in this
initiative,other U.S.communities, and other ► Provide additional resources, including
city/triballregional climate networks,with the access to climate resilience and energy analysis
goal of further promoting the continued tools, training webinars, technical guidance
need for local climate action and local documents,and peer-to-peer networking
community leadership. Ideally this will opportunities(coordinating with existing
include actively sharing information, best city/regional/tribal peer climate networks as
practices and lessons learned via webinars, appropriate).
conferences, and other means,with the
goal of fostering replication by other ✓ Connect
communities interested in expanding their
climate mitigation and resilience action.
► Facilitate the inclusion of the Champion in peer
P. Complete an exercise to focus the networks such as the Administration's Strong
Champion's top 3 priorities to aim to Cities, Strong Communities,which consists of
accomplish through the initiative with the communities that have experience with long-
White House Climate Action Champion range planning to achieve the objectives of
Program Director, refining these priorities environmental protection, economic
over the term of the initiative with the competitiveness, and climate resilience.
Program Director and relevant Agencies.
► Complete a minimum of one Climate Action ► Assign a Desk Officer and Program Lead that
Champion case study by the end of 2015, will make sure the Champion is aware of the
broad range of technical and financial
using the case study template provided by
DOE on behalf of the Climate Action assistance opportunities from DOE and other
Champion Initiative. participating agencies that are targeted
Champions,and which could bolster its efforts to
IP Complete a minimum of quarterly check-in address climate resilience and greenhouse gas
calls with the White House Climate Action emissions reduction in its community.The Desk
Champion Program Director. Officer and Lead will also be tasked with
promoting intra-agency and inter-agency
coordination.
► Complete an annual/end of year progress
update in 2015 and 2016. Focus of update ✓ Recognize Success
will be on progress made on initiatives 9
covered in your application over the course
of the past year. DOE, on behalf of the ► Provide national recognition to Champions
Climate Action Champion initiative,will for achieving strategic plan milestones and
provide a template for this update. greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.
National recognition to include a feature on
websites, recognition letters from Administration
leadership, and invitations to special events.
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General Terms
The U.S. Department of Energy hereby designates the City of Dubuque, Iowa as a Climate Action
Champion ("Champion").
This designation will be in effect until December 31, 2016. Eligibility to receive special consideration as
a Champion for future targeted technical assistance and financial assistance is limited to the term of
this designation. The Champion may continue to refer to itself as a Climate Action Champion after
the designation expires so long as the Champion's activities are not inconsistent with the goals and
objectives of the Climate Action Champion initiative.
During the term of this designation, the Champion will receive special consideration for future targeted
technical assistance and financial assistance opportunities issued by DOE and other participating
Federal Agencies, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development,the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the
U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Department of Commerce. These opportunities
could: (1) include certain focus areas that can assist the Climate Action Champions in achieving
their climate change objectives, (2) be made exclusively available, in whole or in part, to designated
Climate Action Champions, and (3) include a program policy factor related to the Climate Action
Champion initiative. The designated Climate Action Champions, like any community applying for
Federal assistance, will be required to meet program eligibility and competitiveness criteria as
governed by an agency's program rules, guidelines, and statutes.
The Champion or DOE may terminate this Designation Agreement by providing written notice to the
other Party. The termination shall be effective upon the tenth calendar day following the notice,
unless an earlier date is agreed to by all the Parties.
Compliance with Laws. The parties shall be responsible for their own compliance with applicable laws
and regulations in performing under this agreement.
Severability. Nothing in this agreement is intended to conflict with current law or regulation or the
directives of the Department of Energy. If any provision of this Designation Agreement is determined
to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in force and unaffected to the
fullest extent allowed by law and regulation.
Obligation of Funds. This Designation Agreement shall not be used to obligate or commit funds or as
the basis for the transfer of funds.
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Executed on the dates indicated below:
, 2
By: , Date:
,
2 cr
Mike Carr
Principal Deputy Assistant
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Energy Efficiency
By:
Secretary
and Renewable Energy
Date:
June
1,
2015
Roy D. Buol
Mayor
City of Dubuque, Iowa
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Attachment 1
City of Dubuque, Iowa
Climate Action Champion—Strategic Plan
A. Priorities: The Champion identified the following three (3) priorities.
Challenge 1: HUD Natural Disaster Resiliency Grant
In 2006,The City Council made becoming a more sustainable and resilient community their top priority. In order to
achieve the goal of becoming a"viable, livable, equitable"community, city leaders, staff and partners seek to create
greater resiliency by embracing green infrastructure to"day-light"a mile long creek from the MR through Dubuque's
oldest and most at risk neighborhoods. Rain events over the past decade have resulted in six presidential disaster
declarations. Historic workforce housing stock is threatened by neglect and poverty. Mold, lead paint and structural
challenges must be addressed in order to create livable, sustainable neighborhoods for renters, homeowners and
businesses. Dubuque's challenge is to reclaim this damaged and devalued urban core and create better more
resilient neighborhoods that will allow people to move from poverty to prosperity and full community participation.
The City is working with many partners to mitigate risk when possible and adapt to the changing climate.The
multiple challenges require additional funding and braided technical support to overcome blight,destruction and
decay.
Challenge 2: Translating National Climate Change Data Into Local Prevention/Action
Dubuque's 50%by 2030 plan is a climate mitigation plan. What it does not address is climate resiliency. We
struggle with the vast amount of information regarding climate change and how to implement an action plan based
on that data: How will national climate trends be experienced locally? How will those changes impact our daily
operations?How should our budget and service delivery plans change? Dubuque faces the challenge of not having
reliable, localized data regarding the impacts of climate change. Without this data, it is difficult to engage our
partners and the general public in meaningful discussions about how climate change will affect us. It is even more
difficult for our department heads to operationalize those changes. This data is required for daily operations
planning as well as emergency preparedness and response planning. As examples, if we knew that we would be
experiencing more significant snow events,we would increase our snow removal budget. Changes to severity and
length of seasons may change the way we plan recreation programming. Updated,actionable data is needed to
inform new management strategies.
Challenge 3: Resiliency &Equity
Equity is a priority in communities across the country today. In many instances, topics that are addressed using an
equity lens include education, safe neighborhoods and workforce development. However,the City seeks assistance
in crossing traditional operational silos to incorporate equity into additional areas of service delivery,community
health and disaster planning and response.The City of Dubuque is currently one of over 30 partners engaged in the
Inclusive Dubuque initiative. As part of a community equity profile. The profile will look at topics including those
above as well as public health and access to transportation. Additionally, a recent STAR Communities assessment
identified weaknesses in preparation for,response to, and recovery from natural and human hazards. Specifically,
we seek assistance in incorporating equity into that planning and response. Examples could include topics such as
evacuation plans for at-risk populations without access to transportation and alternative engagement strategies to
inform populations who don't use"traditional"media outlets to obtain their news
B. Objectives. The Champion identified the following objectives.
The Champion's strategic plan for future actions includes a continued commitment to achieving sustainable practices
leading to both improved climate resilience and reduced greenhouse gas emissions through the planning and
implementation of policies or through the deployment of technologies.
Recommended opportunities for reduction are broken into five categories:Waste, Water, Energy,Transportation,
and Miscellaneous. Notably,over two-thirds of the reductions described in the report are either active/planned
(meaning that the projects are underway or included in current budgets),or highly likely(meaning that the current
policy and financial environment makes it very likely the actions will be implemented).The remaining one-third of
recommendations will require changes in existing policy, significant financing,or some other major change in order
for them to come to fruition.
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Recommendations range from policy to major public infrastructure projects to citizen and business action. Examples,
with projected measurable outcomes, include the following:
• Waste Reduction/Resource Management: Methane capture and flaring(estimated impact: 50,000 mt CO2e/yr)
• Energy: Renewable energy power purchase agreement implementation(estimated impact: 1,000s mt CO2e/yr)
• Transportation: Construction of Southwest Arterial,diverting heavy traffic from downtown(7,762 mt CO2e/yr)
• Built Environment:Commercial lighting and energy efficiency(1,000-10,000 mt CO2e/yr)
Regular GHG inventories, along with participation in national sustainability performance measurement systems like the
STAR Communities program,will ensure that we are making adequate progress towards our goal.
The City pursues state and national programs as part of a strategy to achieve our 50% by 2030 goal.The City recently
joined the Iowa Economic Development Authority's(IEDA)Community Energy Management Program to develop a
strategy to increase energy efficiency in all municipal facilities.With guidance from IEDA staff,we will track energy use in
the state's Building Benchmarking system(a program modeled after EPA Portfolio Manager)and develop facility energy
efficiency plans.To supplement energy efficiency, in 2011,the City installed its first solar array on the Municipal Services
Center(MSC). The facility now includes renewable energy in its portfolio, and could use solar power to supplement
generator power in a natural disaster, significant as the MSC is the City's Emergency Operations Center.With a recent
change in state legislation to allow PPAs,the City is currently exploring additional opportunities for solar.
The Strategic Plan is intended to memorialize the commitments that the Champion set forth in
their Climate Action Champion application, along with the 3 priorities that each Champion
identified. The Strategic Plan is not intended to obligate either party. It will help the participating
Federal agencies better identify opportunities where they can support the Champions as
permitted by applicable law, regulation and programmatic objectives.
DOE, in coordination with the other participating Federal agencies, is committed to making
targeted technical and financial assistance opportunities available to support the Champions to
achieve their climate change objectives as consistent with applicable law, regulation and
programmatic objectives, however, this agreement does not commit or obligate the U.S.
government to provide specific support for each activity listed above.
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