Climate Action Committee reports progress; highlights MRC solar carport and low residential solar uptake

The Climate Action Committee presented its 2025 annual report, summarizing progress on goals adopted in February 2023 and actions for 2024–2025. The report is a high-level, 10-page highlights version of a fuller report; the committee emphasized metrics and next steps rather than seeking action tonight.

Key findings included municipal fleet electrification progress (the last full reporting year shows 18% of non-emergency light-duty municipal vehicle mileage from plug-in electric vehicles toward a 25% target for 2025) and a plan to meet the target after purchasing an EV shuttle bus to replace the aging senior shuttle. The committee noted the borough’s passive-house 44-unit affordable housing project on Walnut Street and Community Place that includes onsite solar and lower energy bills for residents as a model for resilient, equitable housing.

The presentation flagged a shortfall on residential rooftop solar: the borough counted 122 residential systems in 2024 and an annual install rate that has fallen to roughly five systems per year, far below the long-term goal of 1,000 residential systems by 2050. To address that, the committee has organized Solar Madison (an outreach event on Oct. 20 at the Madison Community Arts Center) to connect residents who have rooftop solar with those considering installations.

Operational successes included the MRC solar carport, energized on Sept. 4 and producing approximately 75–90 kilowatts per hour that feed back into the grid; the committee discussed closing out technical items such as cloud-based monitoring and inverter stringing adjustments. Committee presenters also highlighted about $526,700 in grants awarded to borough green teams and commissions in recent years.

Looking ahead, the committee recommended: mapping and tracking electrical grid infrastructure in the borough GIS; identifying municipal buildings needing HVAC replacement and developing heat-pump retrofit cost estimates; and piloting a phased gas leaf-blower ban supported by a $10,000 grant for DPW equipment replacement. The report includes long-range targets (e.g., municipal and non-residential solar generation goals through 2050) and concludes the committee will return with formal recommendations for council consideration later in the year.

Committee members answered council questions and emphasized the need for steady, year-by-year progress rather than last-minute efforts to meet long-range targets.