Agenda - 02-02-2021 Virtual Board Meeting; 6-a - Community Climate Action Grant - Project Selection for FY20-21

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13 Project Benefits: "We project displacing 20,000 gals of diesel or 22 pounds per gallon for 2021. If we are able to conduct our energy efficiency upgrade for the building,we will cut our current bill by about 60K Kwh per year and that energy is split between coal and nuclear and peak load natural gas.We hope to reduce stormwater runoff with a gutter and cistern system, which we can use for grey water and agriculture reducing water usage and lowering greenhouse gases caused by drinking water processing. If we can enhance our composting operation, we can reduce methane emissions (80 times greater greenhouse gas) and sequester carbon in our farming operations, reducing fertilizer needs and added greenhouse gases.A rough estimate of CO2 is 100 tons annually, but could be double that if we can ramp up a food waste diversion system." Grant Dollars Requested Per Metric Ton of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced During Project Lifetime: $350* (*based on rough estimates by applicant) HRC Comments:While this seems like a worthwhile project, it places little specific emphasis on social justice/racial equity. Additionally,the HRC liked that this project would be located outside of Southern Orange where many of the other projects are focused.The HRC was concerned that the applicant's experience working in East Durham may or may not directly apply to what they are proposing to do in Efland.They felt the application was light on details and was too broad to see direct impacts.This project is also by far the largest request and might not be able to come together quickly. CFE Comments: CFE reviewers liked the ambition and overall idea of the project, but needed to see more specifics, clear goals, and deliverables before they could recommend funding.The Forest Foundation good goals, however,the application describes the project in very general terms, and it was not clear how it would measure success or how long it would take to implement the actions it listed.The Forest Foundation (TFF) also proposed to collaborate with 5 other organizations, but did not describe how they would work with these organizations. The reviewers liked the focus on decreasing GHG emissions by replacing petroleum-based diesel fuel with biodiesel, improved composting, and other improvements in operations. Reviewers also pointed out the applicant's 20 years of experience in environmental education and participating in hundreds of events. The total request ($700k) seemed excessive for the intended scope of the request for grant proposals. If the applicant were to focus on a smaller better-defined and promising piece of the proposal,they would have been far more competitive. No funding was recommended at this time.