Download vcdapresentation2a-final1 - Vermont Community Development

Community Infrastructure:
Is your town ready for change?
Presented By:
Shanna Ratner
Yellow Wood Associates
The Problem:
“Inadequate public infrastructure is
viewed as the most significant
roadblock to economic development
in small town and rural America.”
The Pulse of Small Town and Rural America, Report from the National Association of
Development Organizations Research Foundation eForum (August 30, 2004 national
focus group of 210 regional development professionals supported by the Kellogg
Foundation)
Implications of Climate Change
for Infrastructure
Rising Temperatures and Increased Precipitation will
impact:
 Energy Use
 Roadways & Bridges
 Stormwater
 Wastewater
 Water Supply
How Infrastructure
Affects Climate change
INFRASTRUCTURE & GREENHOUSE GASES
Heat & Power Generation
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Buildings
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Transportation
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Solid Waste

Water Systems

Open Space

Source: www.dec.ny.gov
VT’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
Source: Center for Climate Strategies - Final Vermont Greenhouse Gas
inventory and Reference Case Projections, 1990-2030
Sustainable Infrastructure:
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Reduces costs over a lifetime of use (lifecycle costs)
Shares costs equitably across user groups
Reduces effects of infrastructure on climate change
Minimizes the use of non-renewable resources
Minimizes impact on the natural environment
Protects biodiversity
Uses renewable resources in a sustainable manner
Is designed for flexibility
Sustainable Infrastructure
How we get there:
Mechanical Solutions
Biological Solutions
Behavioral Solutions
Sustainable Infrastructure
Goal: REDUCE FUEL USE
MECHANICAL: purchase more fuel efficient trucks
BEHAVIORAL: put in place a “no idling” policy for all
municipal vehicles
Sustainable Infrastructure
Goal: EROSION CONTROL
MECHANICAL: build retaining wall
BIOLOGICAL: install soft-shore protection
How We Get There
Green Community Technologies® is a service to
help communities make infrastructure choices that
will:
 Save money
 Improve municipal service delivery
 Improve human health and quality of life
 Protect the environment
Sustainable Infrastructure:
WasteWater
TRADITIONAL APPROACH:
Sewer collection, Treatment plant
SUSTAINABLE APPROACH:
Reduce Wastewater at the source
Use natural systems
Install highly efficient equipment
•Decentralized
Systems
•Cluster Systems
•Anaerobic
Digestion
•Composting
•Reclamation
•Fertilizer
•Fly Ash
•Energy
Green Community Technologies®
Portfolio of Services
 Inventory and Assess Infrastructure Assets
 Research Alternative Technologies and Present
Findings
 Assist Communities in Implementing Appropriate
Alternatives
Use the Infrastructure Inventory to:
 Meet GASB 34 Requirements
 Prioritize target areas for infrastructure
improvements
 Conduct a Climate Change Risk Assessment and
Preparedness Plan
 Put in place long-term infrastructure planning that
meets the needs of your community and is adaptive
to the changing climate
Infrastructure Inventory: Results
Richmond, VT
Need for energy efficiency improvements for town hall
Richmond, MA
Community will run out of cemetery space in 10 years
Hancock, NH
Eight bridges will need to be repaired or replaced with 10-15
years
Litchfield, ME
Community requires a better approach to aquifer protection and
ways to prevent salt infiltration to community wells
Ottertail, MN
Cluster zoning would be advantageous to the city’s desired
decentralized wastewater collection and treatment
What People Are Saying
“We are very enthusiastic about setting an example for other communities in
New York State. This is the first time we will undertake a comprehensive
evaluation of our buildings. Green Community Technologies brought this all
together for the town and provided recommendations for us to consider.”
-Mary Ellen Keith, Franklin, New York Town Supervisor
“I think it was money well spent. In our case, we settled on the wastewater
upgrade project, but it could apply to a number of projects.”
Rocky Martin, Director, Department of Building and Facilities in Hinesburg, Vermont
Green Infrastructure
RESOURCES
Funding Opportunities
Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block
Grants (EECBG)
Competitive Local
Government Sub-Grants
Distributed through the
VT Clean Energy
Development Fund
•Energy Efficiency Retrofits
•Financial Incentive Programs
for Energy Efficiency
•Implementation of
Transportation Projects
•Renewable Energy
Technologies on Government
Buildings
•Traffic Signals and Street
Lighting
http://publicservice.vermont.gov/energy/ee_cleanenergyfund.html
General Resources
Green Community Technologies
http://www.greencommunitytechnologies.com/
Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local,
Regional and State Governments.
http://www.icleiusa.org/action-center/planning/adaptation-guidebook/view?searchterm
Green Infrastructure: US EPA
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/home.cfm?program_id=298