Community Energy Planning

WHY DO WE NEED COMMUNITY ENERGY PLANS?

• To reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in communities
• To inform public officials during goal setting and budget decisions
  • Focus is on reduction strategies over which local governments have control

HOW DO WE DO COMMUNITY ENERGY PLANS?

• International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Regional Membership
  • ICLEI is the leading global network of local governments dedicated to sustainability, resilience, and climate action
• ICLEI Regional membership gives local governments access to ICLEI’s extensive tools and resources through the University of Northern Iowa Conservation Corps
• ICLEI’s ClearPath software – a powerful, advanced web application for energy and emissions management
  • Government Track: Energy use in the local government’s operations
  • Community Track: Energy use for the entire community

ICLEI’s 5 STEP COMMUNITY ENERGY PLANNING PROCESS

Leadership commitment needed to start process

1. Develop GHG Emissions Inventory (Community, Government, or Both)
   - Includes a “business-as- usual” forecast
    
2. Set sustainability goals including a reduction target
   - Example: Reduce emissions 50% below 2015 baseline levels by 2030
    
3. Develop Community Energy Plan
   - Stakeholder meeting(s); brainstorm possible reduction strategies
   - Develop reduction strategies and plan implementation for strategies
   - Write the plan
    
4. Implement the Plan
    
5. Monitor and Evaluate Implementation Progress
   - Annual progress reports, update GHG emissions inventory