Two City of Lawrence advisory boards will consider asking the commission to replace a 2020 ordinance aiming to transition to full renewable energy use by 2035 with a new resolution aiming for climate neutrality by 2050.
The Connected Cities and Environmental Sustainability Advisory Boards will have a joint work session this Thursday, Jan. 22, to hear updates on the city’s sustainability goals. They will also consider making a recommendation to the commission to repeal Ordinance No. 9744.
The ordinance, adopted in March 2020, declares the city’s goal to achieve 100% clean, renewable energy in municipal operations and citywide by 2035.
Per the Thursday meeting agenda presentation, board members will consider repealing the ordinance because it has an unrealistic goal and timeline.
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One of the sub-aims of the ordinance was to exclusively use renewable energy for electricity in municipal operations by 2025. During a past ESAB meeting, Kathy Richardson, the city’s sustainability director, said that the city has not met this benchmark.
CCAB and ESAB may ask the Lawrence City Commission to make a new resolution, instead, as goals for the city are meant to be codified in resolutions as opposed to ordinances.
The resolution would potentially align with “Adapt Douglas County: A Climate Action and Adaptation Plan,” which both the city and county signed onto in 2024. The plan has a goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2025.
Climate neutrality defined by the 2024 plan would entail reducing greenhouse gas emissions and avoiding greenhouse gas use in government operations and throughout the community. This would mean Lawrence has a net-zero emission level.
The joint Connected City and Environmental Sustainability Advisory Board meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St. See the full meeting agenda at this link.
The boards will accept written public comment emailed to Connected City Support at msieben@lawrenceks.org until noon the day of the meeting. The boards will also hear live public comment during the meeting, both in person and virtually. The meeting can be attended in person or virtually by registering via Zoom.
Advisory board members are volunteers appointed by city commissioners.
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