Title
Climate Protection Strategies (B)
Staff will give an update on General Government and GRU current and proposed climate change strategies. A list of climate change strategies has been developed by staff to improve the carbon position in relation to the Kyoto protocol standards. Staff will give examples of the impacts of potential future policy decisions on carbon in the utility service area.
Explanation
After the Mayor's trip to the Sundance Festival, the concept of preparing strategies to measure carbon emissions emerged. A comprehensive list of current strategies planned for the near future by General Government and GRU has been developed. The Kyoto protocol standard requires that carbon emissions be 7 percent lower than 1990 levels by 2012. The current situation will be evaluated in light of the proposed climate reduction strategies. A list of strategies is included in the back up, and includes biomass generation, the retrofit of Deerhaven 2, biosolids applications, coal ash recycling, land conservation, an over 10,000 acres in forest preservation, planned efficiencies to public buildings (including LEED incentives), the Kelly CC1repowering, LED traffic signals, generation from landfill gas, Minimum Housing Code impacts, Progress Nuclear purchased power agreement, Solar PV proposals, RTS Ridership impacts, Shands combined heat and power plant, and solid waste recycling and implementation of the traffic management system.
Using the DOE protocol for the 1605B registration program, estimates of the carbon dioxide equivalents produced by the community were made for 2006. Using back casting of 2006 emissions, carbon emissions for 1990 can be estimated. Using forecast of load energy and capacity, the 2012 projection with the current generating fleet and vehicle mix shows we will be above Kyoto requirements.
Potential impacts on the progress towards the Kyoto standards will be shown. The carbon impacts of a 100 percent nuclear generating portfolio, the impacts of conversion of all water heaters to natural gas, and the impact of Biomass generation, will be shown in relation to the goal. Other scenarios include the proposed Gainesville Energy Advisory Board goal of an increase of 3 percent renewable annually, the impact of having fewer street lights, and having a strategy of employees telecommute 2 days per week.
This 1605B protocol includes GRU generation, natural gas use by citizens served by the GRU local distribution system and energy used for municipal operations. The City of Gainesville fleet (trucks, buses, and cars) fuel consumption, which includes the conversion of diesel, and gasoline, is included. The use of coal, natural gas, oil and the combustion of natural gas in residential, commercial, and city buildings are converted into the carbon impact and incorporated into the figures. All buildings that use power and natural gas are therefore represented. The 1605B calculations include impacts of the water and wastewater treatment systems, such as emission of methane from Sweetwater branch effluent disposal, and refrigerants lost to atmosphere from City of Gainesville fleet vehicles and buildings. The SF6 (sulphurhexafluoride) from electric breakers and natural gas leakage Methane (CH4) from the gas system in also counted. The carbon that is offset due to off system sales is deducted and the carbon impact of power purchases is included. The methodology excludes transportation by the general public, or commercial vehicles, and the University of Florida on site generating power capacity.
Recommendations
The City Commission a) hear a presentation from staff on climate protection strategies; and, b) hear a presentation of the status of the GRU service area under the 1605B carbon registration program, in comparison with examples of other options; and, c) adopt the proposed climate change strategies.
Drafter
Prepared by Ed Regan, P.E., AGM for Strategic Planning
Prepared by Teresa Scott, P. E., Public Works Director
Submitted by Karen S. Johnson, General Manager