ARLINGTON, Va. –The Arlington County Board today set a public hearing for its May 17 meeting on a task force’s recommendations for slashing Countywide energy use by 2050 and transforming the way the community uses, distributes and generates energy.

 

“A broad-based task force has worked hard to produce a different approach to energy usage,” said Board Chairman Christopher Zimmerman. “The Board looks forward to considering their recommendations, in the upcoming May 3 work session and after the public hearing, on ways to use energy more efficiently, reduce energy costs, increase our economic competitiveness and protect our environment.”

 

Then-Board Chairman Jay Fisette launched the Community Energy Project on Jan. 1, 2010, appointing a task force of residents, businesses and other stakeholders who have spent 15 months rethinking energy use in Arlington.

 

The task force, chaired by Fisette, has now produced its final report. The report calls for a transformational approach to ensure Arlington’s economic competitiveness, provide energy supply security, and protect the environment.

 

“This Task Force, composed of Arlingtonians from all walks of life, with many different perspectives, has done a tremendous job of re-imagining the way our community could think about and use energy in the future,” said Fisette. Among the task force’s 18 recommendations and strategies:

The Task Force report recommends setting a target of reducing County wide greenhouse gas emissions from 13.4 metric tons per capita in 2007 to 3.0 metric tons per capita in 2050.

 

The Board voted unanimously to advertise the public hearing.

 

Energy planning is the next phase of Arlington’s smart growth evolution.

 

“The recommendations contained in this…report are ambitious, yet practical and proven,” notes the Task Force. “The Arlington community has the opportunity and the capacity to embrace and support these recommendations, and thus to transform and secure Arlington’s economic, energy, and environmental future.”

 

Should the County Board accept the Task Force report, the next step is to develop a Community Energy Implementation Workplan. The workplan will help shape the final Community Energy Plan, which would become part of Arlington’s Comprehensive Plan. The County will be seeking community input along the way.

 

The County Board established the Community Energy and Sustainability Task Force January 1, 2010.  The Task Force included 29 stakeholders and community leaders representing diverse organizations and community groups. Together with County staff and consultants, the panel met bimonthly and held two well-attended Community Energy Town Hall meetings.

 

In addition, the project’s Technical Working Group presented information and gathered valuable feedback in more than 40 public meetings. At the end of this exhaustive, 15-month public process, the Task Force unanimously approved its report.