Introducing the Glenwood Springs 2024 Energy and Climate Action Plan for Municipal Operations

Glenwood Springs, CO from above.

Introduction and Background

The City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado has a history of environmental stewardship. With a population of over 10,000 residents and as a significant tourist destination, the city has committed to addressing climate change through proactive measures. The 2024 Energy and Climate Action Plan (ECAP) represents a continued effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance sustainability across municipal operations. A story about the unanimous approval of the Plan in the local press can be found here

Glenwood Springs' commitment to renewable energy began in 2019 when it became one of only two utilities in Colorado to procure 100 percent renewable energy through a contract with the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska. The 2024 ECAP builds on this achievement by setting an ambitious goal to reduce emissions from municipal operations by 60 percent by 2035 compared to 2022 levels, with a longer-term target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Emissions Targets

A key component of the ECAP is the Municipal Greenhouse Gas Inventory, which assessed the city’s emissions in 2022, totaling 33,702 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. (1)

The ECAP outlines a strategic roadmap with five focus areas: Energy, Buildings, Waste Management, Transportation, and Parks and Natural Systems. Each focus area includes specific goals, strategies, and actions aimed at achieving the city’s emission reduction targets.

Glenwood Springs total emissions comparison. 

Focus Areas and Strategies

Energy: The city aims to increase renewable energy production and reduce peak electricity demand. By 2030, the city plans to install 10 MW of solar capacity, with an additional 5 MW by 2040. The plan also includes implementing battery storage solutions to achieve peak shaving and reduce electricity costs. These investments will ensure additional load can be served by local renewable energy. In fact, the City has already made significant emissions reduction progress by sourcing 100% renewable energy, community wide.

Glenwood Springs comparison of City municipal emissions.

Buildings: Glenwood Springs is committed to improving the energy efficiency of its municipal buildings. The city plans to decrease natural gas use in municipal buildings, increase energy efficiency by 25 percent by 2050, and support energy efficiency city-wide for both new developments and existing buildings.

Waste Management: The city’s waste management strategies focus on reducing emissions from the South Canyon Landfill and increasing waste diversion rates. The ECAP includes goals to make food waste diversion mandatory, ban certain organics in the landfill by 2025, and increase recycling rates for commercial properties.

Transportation: Transportation emissions are a significant focus, with goals to reduce emissions from the city vehicle fleet and employee commutes. Strategies include expanding electric vehicle infrastructure, promoting alternative transportation options for city employees, and transitioning the city’s transit fleet to electric buses by 2035.

Parks and Natural Systems: The city aims to reduce emissions associated with maintaining parks and green spaces by transitioning to electric landscape equipment and implementing water-efficient landscaping practices. Additionally, the city plans to expand its urban tree canopy and promote the use of drought-resistant native plants to enhance biodiversity and reduce water consumption.

Implementation and Monitoring

The ECAP emphasizes the importance of regular updates and reviews to ensure progress toward the city’s climate goals. The plan includes an implementation roadmap, assigning priority scores and target years for each strategy based on emission reduction potential and cost. This approach ensures that the city focuses on the most impactful and cost-effective measures first.

By adopting the 2024 ECAP, Glenwood Springs is setting a clear path toward a sustainable future, with a strong focus on reducing emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, and promoting renewable energy. The city’s commitment to continuous improvement and adaptive management will be crucial in achieving its long-term climate goals and ensuring a resilient community for future generations.

(1) This total does not include emissions for the South Canyon Landfill. While landfill emissions were measured during the inventory the city has excluded these emissions from its immediate reduction target. A specific target for the Landfill will be set after a methane emission study is conducted in 2026.


Resources:

https://www.postindependent.com/news/glenwood-springs-city-council-approves-updated-energy-and-climate-action-plan-moves-toward-net-zero-municipal-emissions-goal/

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