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Sustainability staff reports greenhouse gas inventory progress, grants and program updates
Summary
City sustainability staff told the Farmers Branch committee the greenhouse gas inventory is nearly complete, the city joined a USGBC national cohort, grants for electric vehicles are pending reimbursement and several community outreach and conservation efforts are underway.
City sustainability staff gave the committee updates on the greenhouse gas inventory, grant-funded electric vehicle purchases, water-rebate activity and public outreach programs.
Alex, the sustainability staff member, said the city has received the final data needed to complete a greenhouse gas inventory and will do a final review with the software vendor to compare 2019 and 2023 levels. Alex also said Farmers Branch was accepted into a national cohort through the U.S. Green Building Council to help with certification and data gathering.
On grants, Alex said the city is awaiting reimbursement from the U.S. Department of Energy for two electric vehicles. The city has two additional funding opportunities under consideration: trail funding (a detailed application due in June for the Inwood/Encore easement) and another electric vehicle grant. Alex said water-conservation rebates have yielded 16 toilet replacements and 14 irrigation checkups so far.
The committee also discussed public outreach work. Alex said the city issued a "Lights Out" proclamation at a City Council Earth Day event (April 22) and has produced social media and lobby materials to raise awareness. Staff reported a spring Power Switch auction was held in April and sign-ups for the next round in October remain open; Alex said auction sign-up results are returned to participants immediately based on the information provided.
Committee members also received updates on an upcoming water-meter/customer portal rollout. Staff said the vendor will provide a dashboard with meter counts, outage and leak detection and consumption data; the portal (vendor name referenced as Metra/Metron) will be tested with staff and selected residents before a broader outreach.
Separate committee items included subcommittee updates: the Built/Natural Environment subcommittee is pursuing native landscaping and rewilding ideas for local parks; the Communications subcommittee reported outreach activity but no immediate events; and members flagged a Native Plant Society training and local tree-nursery visits as educational events.
