Title
Sustainability Manager Updates
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The ESB receives routine updates from the Sustainability Manager.
1. The Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Study and Climate Action Plan
a. The agreement was approved by County Council on May 23, 2023 and Cascadia Consulting Group was awarded the contract.
b. The kickoff meeting was held on June 21, 2023
c. In August 2023, Los Alamos County employees were asked to share their 2022 commuting habits. Final response total is 315.
d. Community Survey was open from September 19 to October 18. In total 552 Los Alamos community members completed the survey.
e. The Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report was presented December 11 and the County Senior Management team also received an update on December 13th.
f. Cascadia presented update and budget options to County Council on March 5, 2024.
g. CAP Polling Survey Working Group (Joseph Chandler and Erik Loechell, and I) met twice to discuss path forward. The group concluded that the Community Survey did capture community demographics, was statistically significant and no additional community survey is needed at this time. The Group will provide feedback on the poll questions that will be presented at the Community Workshop.
h. Community Workshop scheduled for April 2, 2024 in Council Chambers - You are invited!
2. 4 Climate Actions Video - with PAC-8, Los Alamos County is producing a short video highlighting the climate action of four local residents who have taken climate action in their own personal lives. This video will be shared across the community and it’s purpose is to inspire other community members to take climate action.
3. Food Waste Composting Presentation was provided to Council on September 6, 2022. County Council voted unanimously to acknowledge and accept the ESB’s recommendation and direct the County Manager to implement a food composting system at Bayo Canyon using a windrow system; provide drop-off sites for residents and curbside collection for business; and incorporate this program into the revised Environmental Services associated fees and FY2024 budget development. Phase II - Design Services began December 2022. Due to unforeseen site constraints, alternative sites are being considered and will be presented to Council on February 6, 2024. Council approved recommendation to seek DOE approval to amend the lease to allow aerated static pile (ASP) composting at the Eco Station.
4. Los Alamos County, Santa Fe County, Dona Ana County, and City of Las Cruces (South Central Solid Waste Authority) are joining forces and formed the Rio Grande Composting Coalition in effort to strengthen our grant application for the EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant funding to expand organics diversion and composting. Council approved the request to apply for the grant, which is due April 1, 2024.
5. Information sharing and recruiting efforts will be key in upcoming months. Are you interested at volunteering at the following events:
1. Leadership Los Alamos Informational Booth on April 19th at PCS Building 1
2. Earth Day on April 20th at PEEC Nature Center
3. Water Festival in May 20 and 21st at Fuller Lodge
4. Clean Up LA Day on September 21, 2024
5. Other events: March 25 yard trimming collection begins and April 5 is next HHW collection event
Background:
The final report of the Los Alamos Resiliency Energy and Sustainability (LARES) Task Force contained many recommendations. Three recommendations were implemented: 1) Sustainability Manager position created and filled; and 2) Conduct Greenhouse Gas Study and Climate Action Plan; and 3) Provide ongoing outreach and education. The LARES recommendation GR-6 to “Create an on-going body of (largely citizen) collaborative stakeholders to advise Council, Department and Board of Public Utilities, and other relevant County bodies on implementing the goals and strategies recommended in the climate action plan and monitor progress.” From its inception ESB focused on solid waste topics; however, the code specified the scope as “environmental sustainability policies, programs, and services.” On March 14, 2023, County Council voted that the ESB work with the new Sustainability Manager in support of implementing the recommendations of LARES. The charter language remained unchanged; however, the Sustainability Manager and ESB will reside under the County Manager’s Office for support.
Attachments
E - Residential Sustainability Report - February 2024