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Climate Action Plan
Under the direction of the Mayor and City Council, City Staff has developed a Climate Action Plan that aims to take positive steps in addressing and preparing for climate challenges. Building on past action, the Plan includes actions that can be taken at both the Community and Operations scales. Public input is important to ensure that the City has sufficiently addressed public concerns regarding climate change and its expected impacts. The Climate Action Plan was officially adopted on October 3, 2022.
VIEW CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
Public Comment was open from February 24, 2022, through March 26, 2022. It is now closed. Responses to all comments received are now available.
VIEW Appendix E: PUBLIC COMMENTS & RESPONSES
An online forum was held on March 9, 2022, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Watch the full video below, or visit: https://youtu.be/2hFeH77Td4A
History
Policy
In 2007, the City joined the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), by way of Resolution No. 2007-13, as a fully participating member in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign and, as a participant, pledge to take a leadership role in promoting public awareness about the causes and impacts of climate change. The resolution noted that the City would undertake the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign's five (5) milestones to reduce both greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions throughout the community, specifically:
- Conduct a greenhouse gas inventory and forecast to determine the source and quantity of greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions in the jurisdiction
- Establish a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target
- Develop an action plan with both existing and future actions which when implemented will meet the local greenhouse gas reduction target
- Implement the action plan
- Monitor and report progress.
In 2010, purusant to Resolution 2010-18, the City adopted a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal of 20% of 2005 levels (from City operations by year 2020. The City affirmed and adopted the GHG reduction goal in 2013 (see Resolution No. 2013-16). Then, in 2014, the City Council updated the baseline year from the 2005 level to 2008 and once again affirmed the reduction goal of 20% of 2008 levels by 2020. Finally in 2018, the City approved Resolution No. 2018-23, which urged the United States Congress to enact a revenue-neutral carbon fee and dividend policy for the U.S. The resolution notes that the Moscow City Council recognizes that the effects of climate change have impacted Moscow and northern Idaho and threaten natural resources, food security, public health, quality of life, and the economy.
Citizen survey
In 2017, the City's various commissions conducted the first comprehensive Commission Survey. IN that survey, City residents were presented with the following statement:
" There are concerns that adverse climate patterns are having an effect on precipitation, temperatures, aquifer recharge, snowpack, air quality, and pest incursion on the Palouse."
To gauge the level of resident concerns, the City asked respondents to indicate their feelings on the matter. The Likert Scaled used ranges from "Very Concerned" to "Not Concerned". Of the responses received, 68 percent noted they are either "Concerned" or "Very Concerned" whereas 10 percent said they are "Not Concerned".
Today
City Council recently adopted a Major Challenge Area of "Climate Change Science Highlights Need for Significant Action" in the City's Strategic Plan. To that end, City Staff has been working to gather information to help City Council develop a Climate Action Plan.
On April 26, 2021, City Staff presented an update to City Council on the results of our 2020 Local Government Operations Inventory, how we met the 20% reduction goal, and potential next steps in tackling remaining emissions. At that time, staff was directed to look at what carbon neutrality, or Net-Zero, would look like for City operations and to look at what a community-wide plan might entail.
On September 27, 2021, City Staff presented research and alternatives to address greenhouse gas emissions and programs focusing on climate concerns at a City Council Workshop. Information presented included an analysis of community-wide emissions, carbon sequestration rates on city operations- and community- scales, as well as an overview of climate action plans from other communities.
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Kelli Cooper
Sustainability Programs CoordinatorPhone: 208-883-7122
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Environmental Services
Physical Address
201 N Main Street
Moscow, ID 83843
Phone: 208-883-7230
Resolutions
Greenhouse Gas Inventories
Council Workshop Packets
Greenhouse Gas Inventories
The City has conducted bi-annual Greenhouse Gas Inventories to determine the source and quantity of greenhouse gas emissions from local government operations only since 2010. Each inventory consists of six (6) sectors: Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities, Buildings & Facilities, Streetlights & Traffic Signals, Vehicle Fleet, Employee Commute, and Solid Waste Facilities.
- Water & Wastewater Treatment Facilities sector: This sector consists of all electrical and natural gas consumption associated with production, treatment, distribution, wastewater conveyance, and wastewater treatment executed by City of Moscow Public Works Department for its residents
- Buildings & Facilities sector: This sector consists of all electrical and natural gas consumption by all City owned and operated facilities, excluding water and wastewater facilities.
- Streetlights & Traffic Signals sector: This sector consists of all electrical consumption by street lights, traffic signals, and accessory lighting throughout the City. Accessory lights are any lights that are not street lights or traffic signals including sign lights, crosswalk flashers, park lights, etc.
- Vehicle Fleet sector: This sector consists of fuel used by City vehicles and equipment.
- Employee Commute sector: This sector consists of fuel consumed by employees going to and from work. It is based on the results of a survey sent out to collect information on commute length, vehicle type and vehicle fuel economy.
- Solid Waste sector: This sector consists of all the waste that is landfilled from City Facilities.