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Board favors broader energy/GHG KPI instead of construction-only energy-code metric; city to reopen renewable-energy ordinance
Summary
Members recommended shifting from a construction-count energy-code KPI to a measurable greenhouse-gas reduction metric across residential, commercial and industrial sectors; the board also discussed revising Ordinance 97-44 on renewable energy and possible DOE technical assistance worth about $147,000 for an energy plan and feasibility work.
The Lawrence Environmental Sustainability Advisory Board on Thursday recommended reframing an energy-related KPI from a narrow construction-count metric to a broader goal measuring reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions across the residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
Cathy Richardson, the city sustainability director, explained the current draft KPI counts buildings constructed after the city adopted a given energy code and said that approach does not capture efficiency upgrades to existing buildings. “It’s just a count of how many since the energy code,” Richardson said, adding that the city’s greenhouse-gas inventory shows residential and commercial energy use make up the largest shares of community emissions.
Board members argued a measurable GHG-reduction metric would let the board recommend a wider array of policies — from building-code updates and multifamily rental efficiency programs to solar and electrification — and better align with the city’s climate action goals. One member noted utilities can provide consumption data but staff cautioned that obtaining detailed, parcel-level breakdowns can be difficult.
Separately, Richardson said the city commission approved opening Ordinance 97-44 for revision and invited the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Board to work with staff and the Connected City Advisory Board on updating the city’s renewable-energy goals and related policy. Richardson also told members the city applied for and was approved to receive Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) technical assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy, described in the meeting as roughly $147,000 in support that would be used to produce an energy plan, a solar feasibility study for municipal facilities and an electrification feasibility analysis.
Why it matters: Board members said a broader GHG metric would produce clearer policy options and allow prioritization tied to the city’s 2026 budget process. Richardson noted building-code updates (moving to the 2024 model code) and a separate fleet electrification study are underway and that the ordinance revision could affect timing and goals for fleet and facilities work.
Ending: Richardson asked board members to suggest specific KPI wording and peer communities with useful measurement approaches; staff will incorporate those suggestions into upcoming meetings and the building-code update process.
