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Climate Action Plan dashboard shows progress; committee requests greenhouse-gas inventory updates and risk assessment details
Summary
Staff reviewed the Climate Action Plan dashboard and reported gains on rooftop solar, diversion rates and municipal energy and water reductions. Committee members asked for an updated greenhouse-gas inventory, clarification on EV and charging data, and for staff to share or pursue a city climate risk and vulnerability assessment.
Staff provided an update on the Climate Action Plan (CAP) dashboard and related sustainability measures at the July 25 Denton City Sustainability Committee meeting, reporting progress on several metrics while committee members requested follow-up on inventories, modeling and risk assessments.
Staff said rooftop solar capacity increased by about 3.2 megawatts from April 2023 through the end of fiscal 2024, solid-waste diversion rose to 24%, and social media engagement for sustainability messaging increased substantially. On municipal operations staff reported an electric usage decrease of 9.27% and a municipal water decrease of 34%, which staff attributed in part to parks irrigation improvements.
Transportation-related measures also featured in the presentation. Staff said the city added 11 electric vehicles to the municipal fleet and six e-bikes for police use during the year; staff noted funding is available to offset incremental vehicle costs when departments elect EV replacements. The presentation included a map of EV charging stations and a market assessment of EV models available in the market.
Committee members pressed staff to break out which rooftop solar installations were incentivized by the city’s rebate programs and which were market-driven; staff said they would contact Denton Municipal Electric to get a monthly breakdown. Members also asked for a clearer accounting of trails that function as transportation connections versus recreational loops; staff said they would work with the parks department to separate those categories.
On greenhouse-gas inventory and modeling, staff confirmed the 2019 inventory work was completed in 2023 and that a new inventory using 2023 data will begin soon. Members discussed the ICLEI modeling referenced earlier in CAP development — which had shown projected increases in excessive heat days and flood risk — and asked whether flood-risk and climate resiliency planning were adequately reflected in current materials. Staff said the risk and vulnerability assessment started in 2020 was only partially completed but that a preliminary report exists and staff would explore procurement options for completing an updated assessment; whether the assessment requires council-level procurement action would depend on cost and procurement rules.
Several members also requested that Denton Municipal Electric present to the committee when its integrated resource plan and renewable energy policy are complete, and asked staff to evaluate solar rebates, battery-storage incentives, and expanded charger strategies as federal incentives shift. No formal votes were taken on the CAP metrics; staff will follow up with the requested inventories, breakdowns, and procurement information.
