Bend unveils 2025 outreach plan: energy navigator, website revamp and monthly sustainability newsletter proposed

City of Bend staff presented a 2025 outreach and engagement plan to the Climate and Environment Committee on Jan. 9 that centers a revamped sustainability web hub, an "energy navigator" service, targeted event outreach and a new sustainability newsletter.

Meghan Piazza, the city staff member leading the effort, summarized the strategy and timeline and asked the committee for feedback. "The engagement plan is, like, kind of a long document right now, but I summarized it in the memo," Piazza said, introducing the packet.

What the plan proposes

- Revamped sustainability website: Staff said the site would act as a centralized hub for CCAP (Community Climate Action Plan) progress, data dashboards and signups. The target was a March 15 revamp deadline.

- Energy navigator program: Staff described a proposed one-stop service to provide individualized assistance to residents and businesses on electrification and efficiency. Piazza and staff said they planned to present options for different navigator models to the council in February, with a stretch goal of launching a pilot in mid-2025. Staff clarified the city expects to outsource navigator service delivery rather than run the entire program in-house.

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