Rochester to update climate action plans
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Hoping for communitywide involvement, the city of Rochester recently announced its intention to update its climate action plans.
The updated plans will set new greenhouse gas reduction goals and outline strategies to cut emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and improve the quality of life for all residents, especially those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, officials say.
“Addressing climate change requires all of us working together,” says Mayor Malik Evans. “By updating our Climate Action Plans, we are building a roadmap that strengthens resilience, improves quality of life, and creates opportunity for every Rochester resident. This work is about ensuring a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable city for generations to come.”
The plans will be based on the 2013 Municipal Climate Action Plan, the 2017 Communitywide Climate Action Plan, and the 2022 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories. These climate action plans inform the work of the city’s Office of Energy and Sustainability. They also guide the office’s collaboration with residents, businesses, government agencies and nonprofits.
The city has issued a request for proposals from qualified consultants. The deadline for submissions is Sept. 22. Decisions will be made in December.
This project is funded in part by the Climate Smart Communities Grant Program, Title 15 of the Environmental Protection Fund, through the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the city says.
Some examples of partnerships over the last decade include:
■ A solar field on the former Emerson Street landfill. The field is owned and operated by Solar Liberty. Solar Liberty and AES Distributed Energy completed the project in 2017. In the first year alone, the emission of approximately 2,300 tons of carbon dioxide was eliminated—equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions from close to 500 passenger vehicles driven for one year or 12 rail cars of coal burned, the city says.
■ In its effort to create “Bike Rochester,” a bicycle community, and since the adoption of the city’s first Bicycle Master Plan in 2011, the city has installed more than 50 miles of bike lanes, about 35 miles of bike boulevards, and more than three miles of cycle tracks.
■ A residential composting program that has diverted more than 520 tons of food waste from landfills.
■ Partnerships with city housing programs to integrate sustainable features into affordable housing.
To access the RFP or sign up for public engagement opportunities, click here.
Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor.
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