[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6160671,"mediaKeyId","5450066-5e1c4dd60300aa8fe9eaef0fdbd1a6ca","parentId",5450066,"title","Carmel utilities outline meter portal, facility energy audit and irrigation pilot to reduce water and energy use","audioSeconds",856,"startMs",1659000,"endMs",2515000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450066-5e1c4dd60300aa8fe9eaef0fdbd1a6ca&start=1659&end=2515","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450066-5e1c4dd60300aa8fe9eaef0fdbd1a6ca/thumbnail_1659000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6160671/Carmel/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Carmel-utilities-outline-meter-portal-facility-energy-audit-and-irrigation-pilot-to-reduce-water-and-energy-use","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160671-9193c994dc76fbae9bf39df1e0e2342f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151527&Signature=N8Cr2A26POFVqmynCnSBCKWyBAFvl7pF-bRCfUPuFoUpnkTz5GA-fUD2JDkqOP0HHHepClxt-xZqAPtbZdl725hqmQg0IiUBW8fBE2vGAse8j5DtUxWnEUkcdh7bq5GfRjfvXhzw1UgoPl50nM22KD3ACDkXzv0jVZgrM9stUk-Ww-HrJKPm5Gxie95ONzF7FoTbakNPKmGZCijQO6zNPs9GvgJzsjWhKm8wEJ9GDXI0MYgApDT5acoidizCfdh4CqWCJiyafoUTx~PnqAmUOSW74~BBLlwUhP-~AVmEY3fixH0Lr-gakhSHTb0aM9XF0sq~oY72F~CIIQlJ3BZmUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Carmel IN","date","2025-07-21T23:42:51Z","article","Lane, representing Carmel Utilities, updated the Climate Action Advisory Committee on July 22 about meter upgrades, an upcoming customer portal, energy audits and irrigation pilots intended to reduce water use and energy demand.

\"We are very close. We're probably a month away, maybe 6 weeks away from launching our new website and portal for customers to where they will have access to that information,\" Lane said, describing automated meters that provide monthly readings and real‑time usage data for customers.

Lane said the utilities team is conducting an energy audit of city facilities and refining budget and asset‑management information to better track where electricity and water are used. The audit is part of a broader effort to quantify costs of operating city assets and identify savings opportunities.

Committee members discussed irrigation practices and opportunities to lower usage. A staff member said the city currently irrigates many public landscapes about three times per week and suggested piloting zones reduced to two times per week to gauge effects on turf and water/energy savings. One participant noted the city’s summer water usage can be roughly four times winter usage and that pumping water is a major component of municipal energy use; another attendee said bringing water out of the ground accounts for about 51% of Carmel’s total energy usage.

Lane committed to follow up with parks and streets staff to confirm current irrigation schedules and to coordinate a pilot: \"I can guarantee that I'm working on this project and we'll report back in 2 months,\" he said.

Tara Washington, a city staff member who manages the Republic contract, is coordinating composting and Republic grant opportunities; one committee member noted Republic offers an annual grant of about $10,000 for local composting initiatives and suggested a meeting to pursue funding.

Staff also described work with Purdue University on drought‑resistant turf varieties and the possibility of pilot plantings. Purdue has federal research funding for low‑water grasses and discussed potential pilot projects, staff said.

On energy benchmarking, the climate fellow is researching the EPA Energy Star portfolio manager and other platforms (Atrius, Persephone were mentioned) to begin municipal energy benchmarking and disclosure (EB2). Staff proposed starting with one city building to test the Energy Star tool and build internal experience for future expansion.

Why it matters: automated meters, benchmarking and facility audits give staff measurable data to target conservation and energy‑saving investments; irrigation reductions and drought‑tolerant plantings could lower both water and energy use and yield budget savings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Climate Action Committee - July 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Carmel Utilities told the Climate Action Advisory Committee on July 22 that automated meters and a new customer portal will be launched soon, the city is conducting facility energy audits, and staff plan pilot irrigation reductions and drought‑resistant turf trials with Purdue to lower energy and water use.","taxTitle","Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana","taxId",3929,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6160676,"Carmel committee seeks broader outreach: newsletter, social media, events and scavenger hunts to boost climate engagement",661,729000,1390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450066-5e1c4dd60300aa8fe9eaef0fdbd1a6ca&start=729&end=1390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450066-5e1c4dd60300aa8fe9eaef0fdbd1a6ca/thumbnail_729000.jpg","/articles/6160676/Carmel/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Carmel-committee-seeks-broader-outreach-newsletter-social-media-events-and-scavenger-hunts-to-boost-climate-engagement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160676-9b4a8c9c56a270eeb76a5dc4231e73e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151527&Signature=UHWy0DpAYzwdmhemNI~wNocYoIcVKD9FMtwZS7Y8knpghVTNjLHjb543fRM756cAJaDjtk7d-fynkDqZ9JL4hfVwErkJ5Wwwn5S~cNSg-E8sZfxaX1yuX29lhNRiHKAJdkPyFAf55kD4Cjpbz1Xjd2~5-bx3M-FMqjGFhZUb6fIj~AdBRLKxDsquQ59WoeYFfsbMB6R4H6pXsDVt2xq7illeWyRzUCwyGhLhKNfnSOvVo~D~K0Lk6UzzyZ5qT7ld2UbDNXh7NTulqoc2WorJjhQu0mMC6stpe3sOKnbqCpdPZNSue-05FdXqh6ath28LB0pHQOSpbhnlK-nmXI~qKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Climate Action Advisory Committee on July 22 reviewed communications work by a summer climate fellow and discussed ways to increase resident engagement with the city’s climate newsletter and supporting content.

A staff member reported the communications subcommittee met June 26 with Samuel, the City of Carmel climate fellow, who is preparing newsletter posts and website content. \"He's been working on developing current posts as well as future posts for the city newsletter,\" the staff member said.

Committee members cited quiz engagement as a barometer of interest: the tree‑mulching quiz received 53 responses, a native‑plants quiz had 27 responses, and a recent irrigation quiz had 37 responses. Members said the sustainability content currently appears late in the city newsletter and recommended wider dissemination through social media and partner publications.

Marketing and Community Relations will post newsletter content to city social channels when requested, the staff member said; the group also discussed pitching articles to local outlets including Current, Good Day Carmel and neighborhood Stroll magazines. One committee member reported they were in contact with Current’s staff and expected donated space could be available.

Members proposed event‑based outreach: using Rain On Main and the farmers market for flyers, QR codes and a newsletter‑linked scavenger hunt for residents, and stationing volunteers at market booths on select Saturdays. The committee discussed tradeoffs; one member noted rain barrels used at Rain On Main raise funds for Carmel Utilities and might not be feasible as a prize without purchasing them through the auction.

The committee also reviewed formats and distribution needs for partner publications, and asked for newsletter graphics and content in formats usable by local groups and schools. A committee member suggested student involvement through school publications and the Highlight newspaper.

The climate fellow will continue creating content through the summer and will support posting items and links on the climate dashboard, staff said. The fellow is expected to continue through August.

Why it matters: staff and volunteers said broader, multi‑channel outreach and event presence would increase the small but measurable engagement on climate topics and allow the city to amplify behavior changes (composting, irrigation tips, native plants) that support emissions reductions.","Committee members reviewed the climate newsletter, quiz engagement numbers and outreach tactics on July 22, and discussed expanding distribution to social media, local publications, Rain On Main and the farmers market to raise resident participation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6160681,"Strong Towns group urges Autumn Greenway, transit and \"missing‑middle\" housing to help Carmel reach climate goals",557,247000,804000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450066-5e1c4dd60300aa8fe9eaef0fdbd1a6ca&start=247&end=804","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450066-5e1c4dd60300aa8fe9eaef0fdbd1a6ca/thumbnail_247000.jpg","/articles/6160681/Carmel/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Strong-Towns-group-urges-Autumn-Greenway-transit-and-missingmiddle-housing-to-help-Carmel-reach-climate-goals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160681-cd6c43adf7abaa29eb6bce8fe36ff54e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151527&Signature=Erl8C~xEwxtvGROEFpFNQiPASJltTwDdpqNCf-Yo9ybHqrH4s8toDWsYTvNOyuH9OJ7PNvoQ9VVqzfU~eDO93x6KcAGbTEL6epC~ljyysiU1T7KC38k6XhUSYwLLgI3R7MZDzlws8ofoVkK74BQ2LoGX95NZh238~rGLTjltTwFn4jw5p-bAaFExC3ZwN5LCgrQ8GiMi~l1d~m7xchOB8BDxrCzZLMTbbhFfCFUt-jL1143yMWp2lGqxBsiwtikLwsisN1lPRl-ztBV~fOhE0U5M4i3SB8A3GMp0QL8F8Ld4W4xcfoAw1fXS~pIC9-iXwYykRat8Jo8STNv6ol5-Eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jordan Cole, a Carmel resident representing Strong Towns Carmel, told the City of Carmel Climate Action Advisory Committee on July 22 that three local priorities — improving the PATH/trail network, adding public transit and legalizing more housing choices — would help the city meet goals in its Climate Action Plan.

\"Improving our PATH network, adding public transit, and legalizing more housing choices,\" Cole said, summarizing the group’s recommendations.

Cole said transportation accounted for about 40% of Carmel’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2018, citing the Climate Action Plan, and argued that short trips now taken by car could shift to walking, biking or transit if alternatives are made safe, efficient and low‑stress. He described the Autumn Greenway, a trail included in last year’s bond program, as a near‑term connector that would link Old Meridian, Midtown and the PATH network to the Monon Trail.

The group has discussed the Autumn Greenway corridor with city parks staff and volunteers have sketched possible connections along Autumn Drive and across Guilford to the Providence complex to create a continuous path to Third Street and the Monon, Cole said. He added that the idea grew from a resident project rather than a formal study: \"we haven't done any studies,\" Cole said, noting Matthew Snyder and local parks staff had reviewed the concept.

Cole said Strong Towns Carmel supports small, incremental housing types — backyard cottages, duplexes and small starter homes — as \"gentle density\" that can add housing choices near downtown without major demolition of existing neighborhoods.

Committee members asked that neighbors along the proposed Autumn Greenway remain engaged. \"We want to make sure that they are included,\" said a committee member, urging continued outreach to adjacent neighborhoods as the city refines the corridor.

No formal action was taken at the meeting on the group’s recommendations; the presentation was received as public comment and staff and committee members discussed possible coordination.

Why it matters: committee members noted transportation is the largest local source of emissions in the 2018 inventory and that building safe, connected walking and biking routes, paired with transit and more nearby housing, could reduce short car trips. The Autumn Greenway is already listed in a city bond program and is in preliminary stages, according to Cole.

What’s next: Cole invited committee members and residents to Strong Towns Carmel’s monthly meetings and directed listeners to strongtownscarmel.org for more information. Committee members said they would continue conversations with parks staff and other departments on neighborhood engagement and project feasibility.","At the July 22 Climate Action Advisory Committee meeting, Jordan Cole of Strong Towns Carmel told the committee the group supports completing the Autumn Greenway, adding public transit options and legalizing smaller housing types to reduce vehicle trips and greenhouse gas emissions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Carmel utilities outline meter portal, facility energy audit and irrigation pilot to reduce water and energy use

Carmel committee seeks broader outreach: newsletter, social media, events and scavenger hunts to boost climate engagement

Strong Towns group urges Autumn Greenway, transit and "missing‑middle" housing to help Carmel reach climate goals