Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution adopts the Sustainable Madison Committee’s (SMC) recommended work plan and authorizes initial negotiations between the City and Madison Gas and Electric. The proposed resolution does not have budgetary impact at this time. Elements of the proposed work plan may result in future budget amendments. The proposed plan calls for the creation of a high level position, housed in the Mayor’s Office, to coordinate the implementation of the work plan. The annualized cost of the position is $95,500.
Current sustainability efforts are funded through the City’s capital budget. The Adopted 2016 Capital Budget includes $750,000 for Sustainability Improvements. This project is used to implement the Madison Sustainability Plan by providing for solar installations and energy efficiency programs.
Title
ALTERNATE - Adopting the City of Madison’s Energy Plan and authorizing the City to begin discussions with Madison Gas and Electric.
Body
WHEREAS, the Common Council passed resolution RES-15-00313, which called upon the Sustainable Madison Committee to develop an energy and carbon action work plan for the City of Madison (“Energy Work Plan”), and;
WHEREAS, the Energy Work Plan is intended to help the City of Madison formulate and implement an energy policy consistent with the Madison Sustainability Plan that aims to reduce fossil-fuel based energy consumption and expand use of renewable energy sources in public and private buildings to ensure a resilient, healthy and economically robust region, and;
WHEREAS, the Energy Work Plan was developed principally through the efforts of an ad-hoc working group of seven Sustainable Madison Committee members who participated in four publically noticed meetings that invited nearly 3 dozen community members to identify and advocate for specific policies, practices and partnerships that might be included in the Energy Work Plan, and;
WHEREAS, the Energy Work Plan was finalized and ultimately approved by the Sustainable Madison Committee at a duly noticed meeting on January 25, 2016;
WHEREAS, key elements of the Energy Work Plan include (i) creating a working group to review the City’s overall climate change goals; (ii) creating a high level position in City government oriented around energy issues; (iii) supporting regional initiatives related to climate change; (iv) promoting existing City programs related to energy efficiency and renewable energy; (v) establishing a City-wide PACE program; (vi) enhancing the City’s efforts to implement its 2015 benchmarking resolution; (vii) developing an inventory of City-owned property suitable for solar development; (viii) increasing the City’s green sector economic development efforts; (ix) studying the feasibility of developing an internal sustainability fund based on City-operations; and (x) solidifying efforts to work collaboratively with MGE, including development of a Memorandum of Understanding that can serve as a framework for ongoing collaboration between MGE and the City;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and the Common Council of the City of Madison hereby:
1) Adopt the City of Madison Energy Work Plan in substantial form as presented to the Common Council for approval and included with this Resolution as Attachment A.
2) Authorize city staff in consultation with the Sustainable Madison Committee (SMC), together with City staff, to implement the Energy Work Plan, including entering into discussions with Madison Gas & Electric (MGE) to develop a Memorandum of Understanding as a framework for ongoing collaborative action between the City of Madison and MGE.