Climate Change – Page 4

Biogas to Vehicle Fuel

Problem

Lincoln is dedicated to a climate-smart, low-carbon way of life and has set an ambitious goal to reduce our net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80% by 2050. The anaerobic digestion of solids that go to wastewater treatment facilities produces methane, a powerful GHG. Historically, Lincoln burned off the gas by flaring it. By 1991 however, Lincoln installed generators that could harness the biogas from the anaerobic process to produce electricity for the treatment plant. When these generators reached the end of their useful life, Lincoln went in search of solutions that could further optimize our wastewater system by harvesting renewable methane, converting it to usable fuel, and significantly reducing GHG emissions.

Solution

Lincoln developed a new process that treats, cleans, and transforms the biogas generated by our wastewater system into quality, renewable vehicle fuel. This solution also protects air quality by stripping the biogas of dangerous pollutants, including sulfur and carbon dioxide. The City partnered with HDR Engineering, Building Crafts Incorporated, and Black Hills Energy, which built the infrastructure needed to connect the renewable natural gas to the national natural gas pipeline system. To get renewable natural gas on the marketplace, the City is also partnering with Bluesource, a national energy management company.

The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round, Clean and Quiet, All Through the State

Problem

As in most states, Virginia’s public school buses are run on diesel fuels that produce carcinogens like Benzene and particulate matter (PM 2.5) which increase the risk of asthma and heart disease. Studies have found these toxins are present up to six times higher inside a diesel school bus, thereby exposing our youngest citizens to serious health issues. Among children ages 5-17, asthma is one of the top causes of their missed school days. Additionally, the transportation sector is responsible for 48% of Virginia’s carbon emissions and Virginia has the second-largest school bus fleet in the country. The Union of Concerned Scientists found that buses that operate on electric batteries have 67% lower life-cycle emissions than diesel, even when purchasing electricity from a utility.

Solution

My solution is to encourage local schools to convert to electric school buses using state incentives. To reduce both the health and climate aspects from the continued reliance on diesel school buses, I recently passed a bill to create the “Virginia Electric Vehicle Grant Program and Fund.” The new fund would support awarding competitive grants to local public schools to replace diesel school buses with electric versions, and to pay for the charging infrastructure, and for using labor-union trained workers to support maintenance. Based on the criteria of the Fund and Program, additional funds may support similar projects proposed by public, private, or nonprofit entities in Virginia to assist with replacing any commercial motor vehicle, heavy equipment, or other machinery that are used in Virginia that rely on diesel fuels with electric vehicles or equivalent equipment that reduce air emissions.

Moving to Solar

This week, NewDEAL Leader Mayor Buddy Dyer joined other local and county leaders and organizations in signing the 2030 Solar Pledge to kick off the city of Orlando’s campaign to transition businesses and municipalities to 100% solar energy by 2030. The $420 million investment from the city’s utilities commission will be utilized to transform energy facilities to be more sustainable and eco-friendly. Mayor Dyer noted “solar energy is good for the economy. It’s a green job creator. It’s good for public health and it helps address climate change”, and hopes that other cities will be inspired by this transition and seek alternative energy solutions themselves. To read more about Orlando’s solar campaign, read the article here.

Boise Continues to Lead on Climate

Last week, NewDEAL Leader Boise, ID Mayor Lauren McLean met with President Biden during a visit he made to Boise to tour the National Intermountain Fire Center, which leads wildfire response in the West. Mayor McLean highlighted Boise’s holistic Climate Action Roadmap, which commits the city to 100% renewable energy by 2035, funds electrification of all municipal buildings, and identifies environmental justice, equity, and community health concerns across the city. For more on Boise’s work, take a look at the NewDEAL Forum’s Climate Solutions report, which features Boise as one of its “model cities.”

First in the Nation Heat Mitigation Office

In Phoenix, where rising temperatures and extreme heat due to climate change are threatening the City’s economic vitality and health of its residents, NewDEAL Leader Mayor Kate Gallego this week announced the establishment of a Heat Response & Mitigation Office. The new department, the first of its kind in the nation, will examine scientific ways to address rising temperatures and the serious dangers they can pose to residents. “Already, Phoenix is recognized as a leader in cooling strategies and support for heat vulnerable residents,” Gallego said, “and this investment is reflective of Phoenix’s continued commitment to develop innovative solutions to ensure our city’s health and livability.” Read more about the new office and how Phoenix continues to be a leader in heat mitigation.

New Energy Efficiency Fund in New Jersey

Recently, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed NewDEAL Leader Senator Troy Singleton’s legislation establishing a new energy efficiency fund into law. The bill will use $180 million in American Rescue Plan funding to provide grants to schools and small businesses for the repair and upgrading of central heating/cooling systems, plumbing, and appliances. Senator Singleton said as schools and businesses reopen for in-person service, “there are concerns about whether they have adequate ventilation systems to meet health and safety requirements.” The law will approve applicants for grants by December 1, 2021. Read more.

Acting to Prevent & Mitigate Wildfires

An op-ed from NewDEAL Leader Colorado Representative Dylan Roberts highlights the importance of the state legislature’s successful bipartisan passage of six bills to prevent and mitigate wildfires, including one with NewDEALer Senator Chris Hansen as a prime sponsor. As underscored by the latest IPCC report on climate released this week, the changing climate and resulting increase in extreme weather events demand immediate action to protect people both now and in the future. Roberts highlights his state’s recent “dramatic upsurge in the incidence and duration of forest fires” that mirrors what’s happening throughout the western states and explains how the new state laws will mitigate this challenge in Colorado. Hansen’s bill directs funding to forest restoration and risk mitigation projects, while others in the package allocate funding to the water conservation board for watershed protection and new technology for firefighting. Read more about this important legislative work to combat the effects of climate change.

Phasing Gasoline Vehicles Out of Washington

The Washington State legislature passed the groundbreaking Clean Cars 2030 bill, championed in the Senate by NewDEAL Leader Washington Senator Marko Liias. The bill requires all passenger vehicles model year 2030 or later to be electric vehicles, the most aggressive state goal in the country, and is the first gasoline phaseout legislation to be passed. Senator Liias noted that the legislation clarifies the transition to electric by creating a timeline and providing tools and guidelines for businesses and consumers alike to have a roadmap for the way forward. Read more about this pioneering bill.

Climate Recommendations for Wisconsin

For a year and a half, Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes has led his state’s Climate Change Task Force as it conducted public listening tours and generated policy recommendations. Now, with the announcement of Gov. Evers’ latest budget, Barnes is seeing his hard work pay off with the inclusion of $60 million in spending for nearly three dozen climate recommendations in the budget proposal. Highlights include the creation of an Office of Environmental Justice, increased data collection and stronger requirements around pre-approval environmental assessments. Read more about the proposed budget here.

Lincoln Prepares for the Future

Despite the perception of climate change as a coastal issue, forward-thinking leaders like NewDEAL Leader Lincoln, NE Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird understand that their communities are not immune. In a recent interview with The Well News, Mayor Gaylor Baird discussed the steps her city is taking to improve resilience and prepare for an uncertain future. Recently, Gaylor Baird released a climate action plan, which lays out policy and spending priorities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 and build the city’s resilience across economic, demographic, and infrastructure sectors. In addition, Lincoln has debuted a new process to turn Lincoln’s wastewater into biogas, which can then be sold to generate revenue for the city. Check out the Mayor’s profile in The Well News here.

Biogas to Vehicle Fuel

Problem

Solution

The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round, Clean and Quiet, All Through the State

Problem

Solution

Moving to Solar

Boise Continues to Lead on Climate

First in the Nation Heat Mitigation Office

New Energy Efficiency Fund in New Jersey

Acting to Prevent & Mitigate Wildfires

Phasing Gasoline Vehicles Out of Washington

Climate Recommendations for Wisconsin

Lincoln Prepares for the Future

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