Middleton sustainability staff report spotlights GHG accounting, streetlight conversions and federal grant uncertainty

The Middleton Sustainability Committee on March 17 heard a detailed staff report on greenhouse‑gas (GHG) accounting, streetlight conversions and the status of several federal grants that fund local energy projects.

Kelly, referenced in the meeting as the city sustainability coordinator, told the committee the GHG work covers building energy, fuel, wastewater and waste and that ICLEI has been contracted to help WLGCC communities compile the inventory. "It's pretty comprehensive," Kelly said, adding that the current data are from last year and that ICLEI could help produce a public community dashboard if Middleton becomes a member.

Committee members asked how the GHG data are collected. Kelly said the work is staff intensive and often requires contacting utilities, the wastewater plant and internal departments to compile different datasets, noting a recent combined 12 staff‑hours for a portion of planning data.

Streetlight conversion was a focal point of the discussion. When asked how many fixtures would be converted in the first round, Kelly said "it's more than half" of the city‑owned lights, with deliveries of ordered fixtures expected in late March or early April and some fixture arms not arriving until June. She said Tom Weber, an engineering technician in public works, is assisting with installation planning and the city is in talks with MG&E about performing installations or subcontracting the work. Kelly also said the remaining unconverted lights are concentrated in Middleton Hills and Northlake and are costlier because of their fancier fixtures.

Members pressed on ownership and control. Kelly clarified the current work covers city‑owned lights and that some lights are owned and maintained by MG&E, which limits what the city can directly change. She said she maintains a per‑light inventory that can be shared with committee members.

The committee also discussed contingency planning for projects tied to federal funds. Kelly reported mixed signals: the Energy Future grant appears unlikely to proceed, and she described limited communication from federal agencies since the administration change. "There is a communication blackout," Kelly said, and staff are continuing planning work until told otherwise. For the Charge Up Dane County grant, Kelly said planning work will proceed and could position the city to complete installations later with private funds if federal reimbursement does not arrive in full.

Committee members recommended exploring private or local funding alternatives for chargers and other installations and requested additional details on utility‑owned lights and the per‑fixture inventory. Kelly said she will provide further information and coordinate follow‑ups with public works and MG&E.

The committee also discussed related items in the staff report, including school district solar projects and IT sustainability efforts, and agreed to continue oversight as implementation moves from planning into action.