The City of Clearwater's Environmental Advisory Board convened on January 17, 2024, to discuss significant initiatives aimed at achieving clean energy goals for municipal operations and the broader community. The meeting focused on the city's commitment to transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2040 for municipal electricity consumption and by 2050 citywide.

The first agenda item highlighted the Duke Energy Clean Energy Connection program, which the city has been part of since 2022. Currently, 40% of the city's municipal electricity consumption is enrolled in this program, which allows solar energy generated by Duke Energy to contribute to the city's electrical grid. The city anticipates a total expense reduction of approximately $4.69 million over the program's 30-year duration. In 2022, the city generated nearly 1.98 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy, equivalent to retiring 976 renewable energy credits. Notably, the city has received approval to increase its enrollment from 40% to 59%, further enhancing its clean energy capacity.

The second pathway discussed was the city's internal Energy Conservation Program, initiated in March 2022 through a five-year contract with Synergistic. This program aims to reduce energy consumption in city facilities by 20%, with an expected cost avoidance of $5 million. Early results indicate a 12% reduction in electricity consumption and significant savings in natural gas and water usage.

The third pathway involves expanding on-site solar installations at municipal buildings. A solar feasibility study completed in 2023 identified potential locations for solar arrays, with the first installation at Cochin Park featuring a 59-kilowatt system. Future projects will utilize funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and other grants.

The board also discussed additional strategies to achieve the remaining 35-40% reduction in electricity consumption, including routine repairs, upgrades, and participation in regional work groups for knowledge sharing. The city is considering LED lighting replacements as part of its energy efficiency efforts.

In addition to municipal goals, the city aims to encourage residents and small businesses to adopt solar energy through a solar coop program, which is set to be renewed this year. This initiative aligns with the city's broader objective of achieving 100% clean energy consumption by 2050.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on carbon sequestration efforts, indicating a need for further exploration in this area as part of the city's environmental strategy. The board plans to report back with more concrete pathways and updates on these initiatives in the coming months.