City staff in Lawrence are considering a significant change in their approach to sustainability. They plan to suggest to the city commissioners that the 2020 renewable energy ordinance be repealed. Instead, they’re proposing a new resolution aimed at achieving climate neutrality by the year 2050, aligned with a broader county climate plan.
Kathy Richardson, the city’s sustainability director, emphasizes that climate neutrality means cutting down greenhouse gas emissions. Essentially, it’s about reaching a net-zero emission level in city operations and the community at large.
The current resolution isn’t finalized yet. City staff want to first see if commissioners support moving forward with this new initiative before officially drafting it. In an October 2024 meeting, commissioners encouraged the Connected City and Environmental Sustainability advisory boards to collaborate on revising existing policies. They gathered again recently to discuss sustainability updates and share feedback.
Ordinance 9744, which aimed for 100% clean energy by 2035, was born out of a strong desire for environmental progress. Unfortunately, it was found lacking a clear path for implementation, making its goals unrealistic. Richardson admitted that the city has learned from this experience. There’s recognition now that setting ambitious goals without proper support can lead to inaction.
One sub-goal of the old ordinance was to run municipal operations exclusively on renewable energy by 2025, but achieving that is still debated. While city operations reportedly meet 100% of their electricity needs through wind credits, critics argue that this isn’t truly clean energy, as it still relies on coal plants.
Despite ongoing efforts, like equipping Fire Station 6 with solar energy, the city faces budgetary constraints. For instance, transitioning all city vehicles to electric models isn’t currently feasible.
Nick Kuzmyak from the advisory board questioned the initial ordinance’s formulation, asking why it was set up if it appeared destined to fail from the start. Richardson pointed out that the enthusiasm for sustainable energy goals seen in 2020 was somewhat unbounded by practical considerations. “The trend was to declare ambitions without a solid plan,” she noted.
Both advisory boards have stressed the need for realistic yearly goals and evaluations to ensure success with any new proposals. They advocate for a clear resolution that aims for climate neutrality while being adaptable over the coming decades.
The new resolution is expected to set a straightforward target: achieving climate neutrality in Lawrence by 2050. By focusing on a flexible framework, the city hopes to adapt to changing circumstances and knowledge over time.
The Douglas County Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, which aims for the same climate neutrality goal, offers guidance. Adopted in March 2024, it suggests practical steps like promoting energy conservation, improving infrastructure, and supporting policies that decarbonize the energy grid without raising costs dramatically. As these plans evolve, local stakeholders realize the importance of measurable and actionable targets.
Kim Criner Ritchie, the county’s sustainability manager, mentioned they’re currently evaluating their progress six months into the Climate Action Plan, ensuring it remains relevant to community needs. “We’re prepared to adapt and grow while learning from both successes and challenges,” she noted.
In an email, Mohsen Fatemi from the advisory board expressed concerns over replacing the specific ordinance with a more vague concept of climate neutrality. He worries that it might shift focus away from accountability in managing the city’s energy systems. He called for clearer methods and responsibilities to ensure environmental goals are met.
Next steps for the city staff involve planning a work session with the commission for feedback on their recommendations before creating the new resolution. They aim to align the community’s environmental responsibilities with manageable goals while continuing to engage the public in the discussion on sustainability.
For more on local sustainability initiatives, check the Douglas County Climate Action Plan.
