Energy Action Plan

Fayetteville has exhibited leadership in our deliberate pursuit to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions through numerous city- and community-led programs and projects. In the past, these activities have often been led by the City government, but today they are increasingly being implemented by utility companies, building design professionals, local non-profit groups, and community organizations. 

In an effort to encourage continued improvements in the Climate and Energy sector, the City has adopted a comprehensive Energy Action Plan.

Energy Action Plan button

Background 

In early 2017, the City Council approved Resolution Number 45-17 which expressed the City Council’s support for the study and development of an Energy Action Plan in 2017.

City staff enlisted a group of stakeholders with expertise in the fields of energy conservation, energy efficiency/green building design and retrofit, renewable energy design and installation, electric and gas utilities, and facilities management to work with elected officials to develop the framework for this plan.

The stakeholder group utilized the Sustainable Tools for Assessing and Rating Communities (STAR) outline to identify actions, policies, programs, and partnerships that create the basis of the plan. The STAR rating system (now integrated into the Green Building Council's LEED for Cities and Communities) defines community scale sustainability and presents a vision for communities to become more healthy, inclusive, and prosperous across seven goal areas. In addition to the STAR rating system, City staff and stakeholders made use of peer city research, international best practices, and ongoing public input to form the basis of the plan. 

The Energy Action Plan was adopted by City Council on January 2nd, 2018. The plan, including goals, strategies, and action items, was set in motion in early 2018.

Goals and Framework

The Energy Action Plan is structured around one overarching goal: reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) for activities occurring in Fayetteville. While GHG reduction is the guiding goal, a host of co-benefits accompany ghg-reducing actions. This plan outlines ways that the City can increase energy efficiency, transition to cleaner fuel sources, improve public health outcomes, build more resilient local businesses, and more. 

The plan outlines strategies, goals, and actions in transportation, energy supply, buildings, waste, and cross-sector activities. The adopted plan includes the following goals: 

Cross-Sector

  • Reduce total housing and transportation costs to 45% of area median income
  • Develop and expand Fayetteville’s reputation as a hub for socially and economically
    responsible business development, entrepreneurship, and green jobs
  • Build local support for national carbon emission reduction and carbon capture strategies

Buildings

  • Complete periodic feasibility analyses of building energy code updates
  • Achieve 3% annual reduction in overall energy usage by total building stock
  • Achieve 40% tree canopy coverage by 2030

Energy Supply

  • Achieve 100% local government clean energy by 2030
  • Achieve 50% community-wide clean energy by 2030
  • Achieve 100% community-wide clean energy by 2050

Transportation

  •  Reduce per capita vehicle miles traveled to 2010 levels by 2030
  •  Achieve 25% bike/walk/transit mode share by 2030

Waste

Read the full Energy Action Plan.

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