The Eugene, Ore., City Council recently passed an ordinance aimed at steeply reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The city of 158,000wants to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, and reduce fossil fuel use by 50% by 2030.
Eugene is developing an energy inventory for its entire economy. After that is completed, it will consider voluntary energy-saving measures in the private sector, such as easier permitting for energy-efficient construction and energy performance scores for commercial buildings. The city will also consider other measures like commercial food-waste composting in restaurants and grocery stores to reduce methane emissions from landfills.
Eugene has made significant progress in reducing emissions recently from transportation without any concerted plan. Transportation emissions have dropped 2.5% per year since 2010, despite some population growth. This is largely due to economic and cultural shifts: the recession, the rise of telecommuting, online shopping and entertainment, transit, biking, more efficient cars, and higher gasoline prices. The city has encouraged these trends by improving bus service and developing a master plan for sidewalk and bike path improvements.
City government has rejected hard caps on emissions to date, focusing instead on voluntary measures and incentives for the private sector.
(http://grist.org/climate-energy/what-can-small-cities-do-to-fight-climate-change/)
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Dec 4, 2017
Trump tax proposal would kill historic tax credits
Developers would lose up to 20% discounts on some redevelopment projects.
Codes and Standards | Nov 30, 2017
Asheville, N.C. rezoning favors pedestrians, could change city’s character
Focus is on layout and look of new buildings rather than use.
Codes and Standards | Nov 29, 2017
Many New York City landlords have not addressed new flood codes
City revised building codes after Superstorm Sandy, but many owners not required to upgrade.
Codes and Standards | Nov 28, 2017
Nail-Laminated timber Canadian design and construction guide released
Includes practical strategies and guidance with lessons from real-life projects.
Codes and Standards | Nov 27, 2017
New standard to monitor building sealing performance
Increased understanding of how materials act when stretched and compressed is the goal.
Codes and Standards | Nov 27, 2017
Denver voters approve green roof mandate
Buildings of 25,000 sf or larger required to install vegetative roof or PVs.
Codes and Standards | Nov 21, 2017
USGBC adopts ‘RELi’ resilient building and design standard
The standard prescribes methods for designing more resilient buildings and communities.
Codes and Standards | Nov 21, 2017
Updated material transparency web site and hazardous building materials list unveiled
Improved versions of tools aimed at use of healthier construction supplies.
Codes and Standards | Nov 16, 2017
White roofing isn’t always the best choice
Adverse effects include heat reflection onto nearby walls.
Codes and Standards | Nov 15, 2017
U.S. finalizes tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber
The duties would add 20% or more to cost if trade negotiators can’t find common ground.