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. Hosted Community Workshop April 2, 2024
i. Conducted interviews with individuals and focus groups. Feedback will be integrated into the Draft CAP.
j. Draft climate action plan to be presented to Council in July 2024, then public comment period open for one month
2. 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. County staff is working with DOE to obtain approvals for lease amendment to allow for ASP composting at the Eco Station.
3. LARES task force recommendation WCNR-2 is to reduce consumption - associated greenhouse gas emissions through sustainable purchasing and consumption/disposal of food, goods, and services. Strategy: Through education, outreach and community engagement, the County will create an online resource to help residents reduce their carbon footprints and expand the “Save the Food” campaign to reduce food waste. The County launched this online toolkit last week to help residents reduce their carbon footprints. <https://www.losalamosnm.us/Initiatives/Sustainability-and-Conservation-Initiatives>
4. Grants
a. The County has hired five on-call grant writing experts to assist with grant writing.
b. In 2023 the County submitted a grant application for US DOT Electric Vehicle Charging Fueling Infrastructure grant. The County submitted at $5M grant application to plan, design, and deploy EV charging infrastructure. Though the County was “recommended for award” the County was not selected for round 1, but due to the “recommended” status has been invited to resubmit for round 2 awards. The County has submitted the letter of interest to be considered for round 2 awards.
5. NM Recycle Conference:
a. New Solid Waste Bureau Chief and NMRC Executive Director are working towards Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which holds the producer of hard to recycle goods accountable for managing products such as mattresses, tires, batteries, and paint. EPR programs are currently in place in states like Oregon, California and Colorado. This will require a lot of coordination and legislation. We are likely to see similar efforts come forth in our state.
6. The State of NM Energy Conservation and Management Division is developing a Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan that will provide a blueprint for a more resilient NM. They have conducted many community conversations in person and virtually. You can read the report and provide feedback at the following website: <https://www.climateaction.nm.gov/carp/>
7. Past/Upcoming Events:
1. Thank you to ESB member KokHeong McNaughton and Dina Pesenson who participated in the PEEC Water Festival on May 20 at Fuller Lodge
2. Farmer’s Market Booths - Thursday’s between 8:30am to 12pm
3. Cascadia presents draft CAP to Council July 9
4. Clean Up LA Day on September 21, 2024
5. ESB Presentation to Council on October 22 (Need approval at the September ESB meeting)
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
B - Residential Sustainability Report - May 2024
C - ESB Communication Management Plan - June 2024