Title
Resolution Supporting Advancement of the Ann Arbor Sustainable Energy Utility
Body
Whereas, Ann Arbor has established a goal of community-wide carbon neutrality by the year 2030, a goal known as A2ZERO;
Whereas, One of the strategies of A2ZERO is powering the entire community with 100% renewably powered electricity;
Whereas, The City conducted numerous studies and public outreach exploring various pathways to achieve the goal of 100% renewable electricity powering the community;
Whereas, These studies identified multiple viable pathways, including the creation of the proposed Ann Arbor Sustainability Energy Utility to achieve the City's clean energy goals;
Whereas, Studies of the Sustainable Energy Utility found that it could help advance renewable energy adoption, improve electric reliability, spur local job development, and enhance resilience for Ann Arbor residents and businesses;
Whereas, Public outreach and engagement to understand the public's interest in a potential supplemental, optional, 100% renewably powered Sustainable Energy Utility found strong public support;
Whereas, The Energy Options Analysis study also recommended initiating a request for proposals for a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement to help ensure that any power not provided through the Sustainable Energy Utility, the existing State Renewable Portfolio Standard, or other offerings, is renewable, thereby ensuring the City meets the 100% renewable electricity goal;
Whereas, City staff recently sent a memorandum to City Council identifying next steps to advance the proposed Ann Arbor Sustainable Energy Utility, inclusive of taking the concept of the Sustainable Energy Utility to a vote of the public in November of 2024;
Whereas, Staff identified a vote as a meaningful way to ensure public support and a vehicle for conducting deep engagement around what the Sustainable Energy Utility is and what services it could provide;
Whereas, City staff's memorandum also include...
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