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Consideration of approval of a letter of support for the City of Milwaukee’s application for funding under the 2024 EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant to implement projects that reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions as part of a coalition of municipalities and jurisdictions in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metropolitan Area
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Submitted by:
David Simpson
Department
Public Works
A. Issue
The City of Wauwatosa has an opportunity to join the City of Milwaukee’s grant application for funding through the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program.
B. Background/Options
Wauwatosa continues to be a leader among local municipalities as we continue to undertake our mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While we continue to make significant strides toward our goals related to municipal energy reductions and transition significant portions of our consumption to renewable sources, there is still very much to accomplish at the municipal level and community-wide.
Very recently the Mayor, members of the Sustainability Committee, and City staff have been working with SEWRPC and other local municipalities on the idea of a consortium that would help fund efforts to increase sustainable energy use in the region. Through those discussions the City of Milwaukee has agreed to be the lead agency for a grant application to the 2024 EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant. Under the grant proposal nearly $10,000,000 would be received over the course of five years to pay for Milwaukee Environmental Collaboration Office staff as well as three Community Environmental Sustainability Managers who would work within local municipalities. One of the Managers would work in and for the City of Wauwatosa as a City staff member but would also provide support to other local municipalities and liaison with the City of Milwaukee.
In addition to providing support staff the grant would fund three major projects:
1. More utility-scale solar to potentially bring our municipal use of non-renewable electric to zero. We would have to discuss buying into this at a later date.
2. Regional public EV charging stations
3. A Resource Center to support energy efficiency and renewable energy in commercial buildings.
There is no local match required for this grant and it aligns incredibly well with the City’s Strategic Plan so I am strongly recommending that the Common Council approve and endorse the attached letter.
C. Strategic Plan (Area of Focus)
Infrastructure & Quality of Life
D. Fiscal Impact
None at this time. If the grant is awarded we would likely discuss the opportunity (but not requirement) to invest into utility scale solar. The Manager position’s funding would be in place for five years and near the end of that term partnerships would be explored to potentially keep the position in place long term if desired at that time.
E. Recommendation
Approve the attached letter of support for the City of Milwaukee’s application for funding under the 2024 EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant to implement projects that reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions as part of a coalition of municipalities and jurisdictions in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metropolitan Area