TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Keith Stahley, City Manager
FROM: Brian D. Martin, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
title
2023 Salem Climate Action Plan (CAP) Annual Report.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Natural Environment Stewardship
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SUMMARY:
summary
Provide 2023 Climate Action Plan Annual Report to Council.
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ISSUE:
Provide 2023 Climate Action Plan Annual Report to Council.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Information Only.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The Salem Climate Action Plan (CAP) is a long-term plan designed to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and increase Salem’s resiliency to climate change. This Plan was accepted by City Council on February 14, 2022, and a Mayor appointed CAP Committee was created to oversee implementation. The CAP Committee continued to meet in 2023 on a bi-monthly basis to review strategies and receive updates from staff and community partners. The attached CAP Annual Report provides a summary of implementation efforts that were completed or initiated in 2023. Highlights from the current year are provided below.
Strategy EN 07: Hire a full time City Climate Action Plan Manager.
• A motion to fund a dedicated Climate Action Plan Manager staff position was approved by the CAP Committee in November of 2022.
• This position was posted for an open recruitment and a final candidate was selected.
• The new Climate Action Plan Manager joined the City on November 6, 2023.
Strategy EN 04: Begin Reporting GHG Emissions on a regular basis.
• The 2021 Inventory of Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions was completed, and the results were presented to the CAP Committee on March 6.
• This sector-based inventory estimates that more than 1.2 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions were released in Salem in 2021.
• Transportation (gas/diesel vehicles, public transit, aviation, and rail) was the single largest source of GHG emissions (41% of total).
• Commercial and industrial energy use was the second largest source of emissions (32% of total).
• Residential energy use (electricity, natural gas, other home heating fuels) was the third largest source of GHG emissions (23% of total).
Strategy TL 40: Amend City code to eliminate parking minimums.
• This strategy has been completed.
• Ordinance No. 4-23 (Code amendments to eliminate minimum off-street parking) was approved by Council and became effective May 24, 2023.
Grants and Funding Received
• $1 Million - Oregon Department of Energy for the Willow Lake Cogeneration Facility Boiler Upgrade.
• $1 Million - U.S. Department of Agriculture & Forest Service from the Urban & Community Forestry Program to increase tree canopy in disadvantaged communities.
• $225,000 - Portland General Electric Drive Change Fund for an electric compact street sweeper.
• $185,000 - Portland General Electric for EV Charging Infrastructure for City Fleet Vehicles.
BACKGROUND:
On October 12, 2020, City Council adopted two goals for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in Salem: (1) By 2035, Salem’s GHG emissions shall be reduced to 50 percent of the citywide greenhouse gas emissions for the baseline year of 2016; and (2) By 2050, Salem should be carbon neutral. For 18 months beginning in 2020, City staff worked with a consulting firm, a 33-member Task Force, and multiple stakeholders to produce a Climate Action Plan (CAP) for Salem with the strategies necessary to reduce GHG emissions and to achieve the two Council-adopted goals. The CAP also provides measures for creating a resilient community and for addressing issues related to equity and inclusion.
The CAP serves as a guide for actions over many years, actions that may include Council-directed implementation of new initiatives, programs, plans, partnerships, regulations, and projects.
The Salem CAP is available on the City website at: <https://www.cityofsalem.net/community/natural-environment-climate/climate-action-plan-for-salem>
The complete list of 183 strategies in the Salem CAP can be found in Appendix 8 of the CAP.
Robert Chandler, PhD, PE
Assistant Public Works Director
Attachments:
1. Attachment 1 - Salem Climate Action Plan 2023 Annual Report