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 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 was presented to Council on July 2024, and the public comment period was opened until August 9, 2024. The final report will be presented to Council in October.
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. Grant Opportunities
a. The County is planning to submit a grant for the USDA Composting and Food Waste Reduction Grant.
5. Recruitment Efforts
Chair Chandler, Councilor Ryti, and Angelica Gurule have received 6 applications to date and have conducted 5 interviews. Additional interviews will be scheduled for the end of July and the appointments will go before Council for approval on July 30.
6. Past/Upcoming Events:
1. Thank you to ESB members who volunteered at Farmer’s Market.
2. Post ESB Meeting - Social Media Post and Editorial - Hermann Geppart-Kleinrath
3. Farmer’s Market Booths - Thursday’s between 8:30am to 12pm
4. Draft Climate Action Plan will be open from July 9 to August 9.
5. Final CAP will be presented to Council July 9
6. LAPS - Annual Back to School Breakfast July 29 7:30am to 10:00am
7. Clean Up LA Day on September 21, 2024
8. ESB Presentation to Council on October 22 (Need approval at the September ESB meeting)
Attachments
A - Residential Sustainability Report - June 2024