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Sitka sustainability commission seeks Assembly support to finalize community renewable energy strategy and sets multi‑year goals
Summary
The Sustainability Commission presented its 2026‑27 goals including municipal operations decarbonization, regional solid‑waste collaboration, and finalizing the Sitka Community Renewable Energy Strategy (SCRESS); the Assembly appointed up to three members to advise the SCRESS technical team.
Aurora Taylor, chair of the Sustainability Commission, and Vice Chair Elizabeth Bagley presented the commission’s goals and a progress report: release of a greenhouse gas inventory (calendar 2023 baseline), community engagement via an EnergyQuest simulation (84 players, 120+ hours of public input), and regional work on solid waste. Bagley highlighted that a recent waste assessment showed organics comprise about 23% of shipped island waste and paper/cardboard about 19%, material the commission says should inform the 2032 solid waste contract planning.
The commission summarized accomplishments including technical assistance from the National Lab of the Rockies, comments to the Alaska Marine Highway System about EV reservations, and the near completion of educational modules for SCRESS. Bree Gable (sustainability coordinator) said the strategy needs assembly contextualization and public comment before a final fall/winter adoption.
Assembly members volunteered to serve on a small SCRESS review team to provide technical feedback and to meet with scientists; the mayor noted three members (Kevin, JJ and Tor) would participate with an episodic time commitment estimated at about 1–2 hours when meetings are active.
Why it matters: SCRESS will guide municipal energy and decarbonization priorities on a multi‑year timeline, influence infrastructure and procurement choices, and shape future capital and operational planning for energy and waste.
Next steps: commissioners will finalize the draft, facilitate public engagement sessions, and return a final draft to the Assembly for review and possible adoption.
