Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP)

Station 4Buildings and Energy City of Ashland Climate and Energy Action Plan Open HouseGoals, Strategies, and Actions:Why is it important? For mitigation: Ashland’s commercial, residential, and industrial building energy use accounted for 27% of community greenhouse gas emissions in 2015. These emissions represent a significant decrease from 2011 emissions due to increased renewable electricity in the regional grid, decreased electricity use in the residential sector, and reduced natural gas use from warmer winters.Buildings and Energy refers to energy used in commercial, residential, and industrial buildings, as well as opportunities to reduce energy use, expand renewable energy production, and prepare buildings for a changing climate.What are we talking about? What are we already doing? Ashland owns its own electrical utility, which means that the City has greater control over its electricity rates and programs than other cities. This arrangement has contributed to the City’s great progress in supporting community renewable energy and improving building energy efficiency.For adaptation: Ashland’s energy sources and building stock will be affected by climate change. Reduced snowpack may affect hydropower capacity, and increased temperatures will increase energy demand for cooling during the dry summer months. Increased wildfire risk may also put transmission lines at risk.Proportion of overall emissions Relevance to addressing priority climate risks Level of City influence A retro-commissioning incentive program provides financial and technical assistance to tune up energy systems in commercial and residential buildings. The City recently completed a City Facilities Energy Audit that identified energy efficiency upgrade opportunities at City facilities. The community solar project Solar Pioneer II gives citizens an opportunity to purchase locally-generated renewable energy.27%