SUBJECT:
Title
Town of Erie Beneficial Electrification Plan Draft with Partners In Energy
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DEPARTMENT: Environmental Services
Department
PRESENTER(S): Eryka Thorley, Sustainability Manager
Andrea McCarthy, Partners In Energy
First Name Last Name, Title
TIME ESTIMATE: 30 minutes
only required for non-consent items
FISCAL SUMMARY:
The Beneficial Electrification Plan drafting and implementation is funded by Xcel Energy though the Partners In Energy program at no incurred cost to the Town.
POLICY ISSUES:
Erie’s Beneficial Electrification Plan builds on initiatives and policies established in its 2019 Sustainability Plan, 2024 Climate Emergency Declaration, and 2023 Community Survey priorities of safety, fiscal responsibility, and natural environmental protections identified by residents.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
For discussion only.
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SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
Beneficial electrification is the process of replacing direct fossil fuel (natural gas, propane, gasoline, diesel) burning equipment with electricity using equivalents in our homes, businesses and transportation networks. This transition is important for many reasons such as improving indoor and outdoor air quality, increasing resilience with the opportunity for onsite renewable energy and battery storage which supports electric powered equipment demands, and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions that fuel our warming climate.
The Town of Erie and Partners In Energy conducted a six month partner engagement process with community organizations, residents and businesses including local school districts, developers, and utility companies to develop a draft Beneficial Electrification Plan for the community. This plan establishes a roadmap for Erie to continue reducing its emission from its built environment and transportation networks in the new development space as well as existing infrastructure. This plan includes 18-24 months of implementation support from Partners In Energy to reach identified strategies and goals.
The Town of Erie has long valued sustainability and resilience as key drivers for the community and its residents. This Beneficial Electrification plan aligns with these goals, prioritizing and highlighting energy efficiency, building and transportation electrification and matching community incentives for residential, commercial and municipal efforts. Electrification of Erie’s buildings and transportation where possible not only increases comfort and energy efficiency, it improves air quality, supports economic growth and job creation and cost savings but also aligns with Erie’s sustainability and climate goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from our built environment, our largest sources or emissions in Erie.
Tonight’s presentation is intended as a discussion to gather feedback and insight from Council members and the community for this draft strategic plan before its intended adoption in April.
COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
ü Prosperous Economy
ü Safe and Healthy Community
ü Environmentally Sustainable
ü Fiscally Responsible
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Erie Partners In Energy Beneficial Electrification Council Presentation March
2. Erie Draft BE Plan March 2025