Title
Sustainability Manager Updates
Body
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 Angelica Gurule) 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 was presented to Council on July 2024, and the public comment period was opened until August 9, 2024. The core team will review comments and incorporate them into the final report that will be presented to Council on November 12, 2024
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. Grant Opportunities
a. The County submitted a grant for the USDA Composting and Food Waste Reduction Grant for $500K
b. The County submitted a grant for the USDOT Charging Fueling and Infrastructure Grant for $3.8M
4. EV Infrastructure
a. The County is working on deployment of 14 EV Chargers to serve County Fleet and the public
b. The County is also developing the scope of work to conduct a Fleet Conversion Plan and Community-wide EV Charging Plan
5. Recruiting Senior Project Manager to help with Sustainability initiatives
6. Bear-resistant roll carts will be delivered upon request. Please be aware that there are currently 500 orders in the queue, so deliveries may take several months. To be ready for next spring, sign up today: https://www.losalamosnm.us/Services/Waste-and-Recycling/Roll-Cart-Requests
7. Past/Upcoming Events:
1. Post ESB Meeting - Social Media Post and Editorial - TBD
2. Clean Up LA Day on September 21, 2024
3. Next Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day - October 5, 2024 from 9am to 1pm at the Eco Station
4. ESB Presentation to Council on October 22, 2024
5. Final CAP Presentation to Council on November 12, 2024
Attachments
B - Residential Sustainability Report - August 2024