First Draft of Decatur’s Environmental Sustainability Plan Now Online
Decatur Metro | November 14, 2011There are a lot of really interesting plans and goals in Decatur’s just-released Environmental Sustainability Plan.
Here are some of the most notable ideas.plans, in my humble opinion. Let me know what else you find!
EXPLORE STARTING A MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC UTILITY
Though not a small task, controlling the electric utility would provide Decatur residents with much greater flexibility around the sources of their electricity. Additionally, innovative financing mechanisms (such as on-bill financing for energy efficiency or renewable projects) can be made available to Decatur residents and businesses.
SUPPORT THE INSTALLATION OF ALTERNATIVE FUEL SOURCE STATIONS IN PUBLIC OR SEMI-PUBLIC PLACES.
Fueling infrastructure that should be considered includes:
- Biodiesel: perhaps the most compatible biofuel with current infrastructure, this would require little in the way of future action to implement.
- Ethanol: also largely compatible with existing infrastructure.
- Electricity: charging stations require access to high voltage & amperage electric lines. The City should consider areas of high trip destinations (such as the Square) for charging infrastructure, and look at how charging infrastructure can fit into existing parking plans.
- Hydrogen: requiring new infrastructure, the City should look at permitting issues associated with this fuel.
CREATE A PROMOTIONAL PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE CITYWIDE COMPOSTING
DEVELOP AND INCORPORATE BEST PRACTICES TO DISCOURAGE THE USE OF DISPOSABLE FOOD AND BEVERAGE CONTAINERS, WATER BOTTLES, AND DISPOSABLE PLASTIC BAGS.
- Launch pilot with local businesses to educate the public on benefits of reducing use of disposable bags.
- Explore pilot education program regarding benefits of eco friendly containers.
- Review local health code policy regarding reusable vs disposable carryout and drink containers.
Latest from Decaturish
I haven’t read the details but my primary interest in this plan would be in whether a municipal electric utility could purchase excess solar power from residents if they instal pvc panels, independent of GA Power. GA Power has a purchase plan but they limit the number of customers they will buy from.
As a state we get a terrible grade for return on investment in solar panels. (Solar report card: http://solarpowerrocks.com/reports/spr-report-card-2010-part-1-state-by-state-solar-energy-roi/ )
Could a local utility improve that?
Yes, indeed it could. There’s a lot of work to be done in establishing a municipal electric utility (and it may not end up being the best way to go for the City, FWIW), but one of the rationales for doing so is that a muni utility could establish PV power purchase agreements, feed-in tariffs, and/or a renewable portfolio standard.
With any one of these mechanisms, there are additional details that would need to be addressed, including how to balance any policy goals (such as the incorporation of more clean energy in Decatur’s electric generation mix) with maintaining affordable rates. It’s not an insurmountable problem, just one that takes some work…
Georgia actually has it pretty good compared to a lot of states in regards to selling excess generation from solar panels, etc. http://www1.legis.ga.gov/legis/2001_02/fulltext/sb93.htm
The idea of starting a municipal utility appears to be a bit misdirected. It would seem to me that there are many more economical ways to promote clean energy than taking on the burden of becoming a small utility.
As long as we’re thinking crazy-outside-the-box to support clean energy, why don’t we become an independent power producer and put a miniature nuclear reactor in town? http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/nuclear/4273386