Agenda - 04-08-2014 - 3 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

2 meeting for response and discussion. In recent months Board members asked to revisit this topic at an upcoming work session. The CFE proposal (Attachment C) recommends a standing work group to gather information on energy efficiency and renewable energy, and consider how local initiatives could be supported and implemented. The proposed Renewable Energy and Efficiency Work Group would bring together public and private stakeholders to develop draft policies and initiatives that promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. 2. Environmental Responsibility in County Government / Energy Scorecard: On June 7, 2011, the Energy Conservation Team within Asset Management Services ("AMS") presented a comprehensive report on the County's historical use of energy, water and fuel as well as a work plan for ongoing conservation and efficiency. Staff presented a set of goals in these areas relative to a fiscal year 2010 baseline, and committed to annual updates on the County's performance relative to these goals. The 2011 report and presentation represented a subset of the larger body of "Environmental Responsibility in County Government" Goals adopted by the Board in December 2005. On October 16, 2012, AMS staff collaborated with Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation ("DEAPR") and the Orange County Solid Waste Management Department to broaden the performance report against the established "Environmental Responsibility in County Government" goals in the annual report of fiscal year 2012 data. The attached presentation (Attachment D weblink - http://orangecountync.gov/AssetMgmt/index.asp) provides the latest updates on these performance goals, which includes data for fiscal year 2013, as well as current year initiatives and proposed initiatives for fiscal year 2014-15. This collaboration will grow in future performance reports to include other departments that are involved. 3. State of the Environment 2014 / Environmental Summit Beginning in the year 2000, the CFE has periodically prepared a "State of the Environment" report to provide a snapshot of a set of measurable environmental indicators on progress toward or away from environmental goals. Subsequent reports were issued in 2002, 2004 and 2009. By 2004, it had become apparent that a two-year reporting window was too frequent to reasonably measure change, and five years was created as the new timeframe. Over the past several months, DEAPR staff and a UNC graduate student have worked to compile the data needed to create the report. The report uses a set of 22 measurable indicators of the current status of air quality, water quality and other environmental conditions within Orange County. These indicators may reveal trends to alert readers to potential impacts on human and environmental health, and suggest areas for more research and monitoring is needed. The 2014 report includes new surface water indicators, energy conservation measures undertaken by the County, emerging issue sections (including "fracking") and other information. The 2014 State of the Environment report is being finalized and will be presented, as in years past, at an "Environmental Summit." This year's summit is planned for May 31 at Maple View Agricultural Environmental Center. Dr. Norman Christenson of Duke University will be the keynote speaker, along with other panelists.