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Home My WebLink AboutA032 - August 25, 2026, Regular Meeting of the Ames City CouncilITEM #:34 DEPT:CMO August 25, 2026 Staff Report FY 2025/26 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE BACKGROUND: Since the Climate Action Plan was accepted by City Council in June 2023, staff has worked diligently towards the goals set out in the plan. This includes major greenhouse gas reductions in six focus areas, or big moves: 1. Renewable Energy Generation 2. Building Retrofits 3. Net Zero Ready New Construction 4. Reduce Vehicle Emissions 5. Active & Public Transportation 6. Reduce Waste Emissions The attached presentation, to be delivered August 25, will focus on the Climate Action Plan and Six Big Moves, including progress made to date and goals for next year. ATTACHMENT(S): FY 2025-26 Climate Action Plan Update.pptx 1 FY 2025/26 Climate Action Plan Update August 25, 2026 2 GHG Inventory 15% reduction from 2018 baseline Goals: 70% by 2030, 94% by 2050 Drivers: • ISU coal to natural gas conversion (166k MT CO2e, 78% of reductions) • Residential energy efficiency (32k MT CO2e, 15% of reductions) • Industrial energy efficiency (14k MT CO2e, 7% of reductions • Slight increases in transportation, waste, and commercial energy use 2 0.1%0.2%0.2%0.2% 43% 36%38%42% 27% 25%21% 13% 13% 16%17% 17% 16% 20%21% 24% 1% 3%3% 4% - 200,000 400,000 600,000 800,000 1,000,000 1,200,000 1,400,000 1,600,000 2014 2018 2022 2024 Ames Community-Wide GHG Inventory Waste On-Road Transport Natural Gas ISU Power Plant Electricity Aviation 3 #1 Renewable Energy Generation Challenges due to federal policy shifts Solar installations on Fitch Family Aquatic Center and Downtown Plaza - 231 kW Looking ahead • Investments in new renewable and thermal generation 3 2023 AMES Iowa National % Renewable 15%58%23% % Coal 0%24%15% 4 #2 Building Retrofits Progress • Smart Energy rebates for Electric customers • Advanced metering, time-of- use rates • Energy audits & weatherization Looking ahead • Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) application this fall 4 5 #3 Net Zero Ready New Construction Smart Energy Rebate Enhanced tax abatement program and builder incentive High-performance home pilot project underway Harrison Welbeck all-electric development Baker subdivision market-rate lots 5 6 #4 & #5 Transportation 11 fully electric vehicles, 19 hybrid electric vehicles B100 program - 11 snowplow trucks, 5 CyRide buses, 6 R3C transfer trucks (planned) 171 MWh of EV charging delivered in 2026 • Over half a million EV passenger miles • +8% over 2025 New level 3 charging station at Lincoln Center New EV charging stations at City Hall, Water Treatment, and WPC 6 7 #6 Reduce Waste Emissions Curbside Recycling July Metrics • Participation - 57% • 163 tons collected Resource Recovery & Recycling Campus Multifamily Recycling Pilot • 5 buildings, 165 units, $12,377 awarded funds Municipal Recycling Rummage Rampage • 69 tons diverted • $70k raised for 52 local non-profits 7 8 Funding Opportunities 8 Program Amount/Status Activity Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund $50,000 awarded Youth Grants IEDA Community Energy Resilience Program $37,500 awarded Solar Trailer USDA Rural Energy Savings Program $7.6 million loan conditionally awarded Energy Upgrade Program IDNR Solid Waste Alternatives Program Applied ($150,000)Resource Recovery & Recycling Campus AARP Grant Not awarded ($3,000)Recycling 9 Community Climate Grants Youth Mini-Grants Residential Owner-Occupied Grants Amount Up to $10k Up to $500 Up to $4k Projects Any project aligning with CAP goals Heat pumps, Solar FY25/26 Allocation $66,500 $3,500 $80,000 Number of Projects 13 6 1 Funding Awarded $93,059 $3,500 $4,000 Matching $150,000 and 500+ volunteer hours N/A $11,348 Climate Action Grants 9 10 Green Iowa AmeriCorps 10 GIA Programs Educational Programs 32 Outreach Events 31 Energy Audits 44 Weatherization/ESKs 41 A statewide AmeriCorps program supporting sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental education in Iowa communities. Ames hosts two members: Education & Outreach Coordinator Energy Audit Coordinator 11 Education & Outreach Organizations that we have worked with: 11 Reiman Garden Local Businesses and Organizations Ames Public Library Ames Parks and Rec ISU City of Ames Outreach: 12 Looking Ahead • GHG inventory update every 2 years • Actively seek renewable generation opportunities • Implement energy upgrade program using USDA RESP funds • Continue high-performance home and multifamily recycling pilot projects • R3C construction • Monitor and improve curbside recycling • Continue to pursue relevant outside funding opportunities 12 13