FY 2024 Budget Provides New Opportunities to Reach Citywide Sustainability Goals
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In June 2018, the Charlotte City Council unanimously passed the Sustainable and Resilient Charlotte by 2050 Resolution, stating that our city “will become a global leader in environmental sustainability.” To make the Resolution a reality, the City of Charlotte created the Strategic Energy Action Plan (SEAP), a comprehensive framework of next steps and action areas to determine how Charlotte would achieve the following goals:
- Have all city vehicles and facilities be fueled by 100% zero-carbon sources by 2030.
- Reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions to below two tons of CO2 equivalent per person annually by 2050.
City Council made nearly $16 million in direct SEAP investments between Fiscal Years 2021 and 2023, which contributed to the implementation of electric buses and city vehicles, the addition of solar arrays on city buildings, the adoption of CDOT’s Strategic Mobility Plan, and more. Now, in Fiscal Year 2024, the city is pursuing new opportunities to add to its growing network of sustainable resources by introducing Charlotte's first electric refuse truck and funding sustainable stations for the Police and Fire departments.
Vehicles: Charlotte's First Electric Refuse Truck
Charlotte is currently operating one of the largest active battery electric bus fleets on the East Coast. The success of the fleet has contributed to a significant reduction of the city’s carbon emissions and has provided a positive example for other departments to follow, including Solid Waste Services.
While Solid Waste Services has been a leader in the alternative fuel space since they converted most of their fleet to Compressed Natural Gas many years ago, they have not yet made the transition to electric vehicles. The City of Charlotte decided to change that by allocating $700,000 of the FY 2024 budget for the addition of a new electric refuse (garbage) truck.
“This was a budget priority for this year because we must work toward the city’s sustainability goals, and we must start to transition now,” said Solid Waste Services Community Program Coordinator Brandi Williams. Since transitioning the fleet to electric vehicles will require a multi-year process, it is important to get started as soon as possible; and that process starts with a single truck. “This truck will help us answer many questions and serve as a pilot to help us optimize routes and transition our operation.” Some of the questions Solid Waste Services seeks to answer include:
- How many trucks will we need?
- Will we need charging stations in the field?
- What infrastructure do we need to get the trucks fully in operation?
Despite the need to answer these questions, Solid Waste Services is already recognizing the positive impact this truck will have on the community. "Electric trucks are quiet; they don't make noise when sitting still. This will reduce noise in neighborhoods," explained Williams. Additionally, "electric trucks have zero tailpipe emissions, unlike traditional diesel trucks, thus improving air quality."
Beyond the immediate benefits, electric trucks also provide cost savings since they do not require the same level of maintenance as traditional diesel trucks. “There are fewer fluids needed to maintain the truck and there are fewer moving parts. This means there are fewer things that can break, which in turn reduces the operational cost.” So, even though the $700,000 seems like a large expense, transitioning to electric trucks will ultimately save the city money in the long run.
Facilities: Sustainable Stations for Police & Fire
The city has made many positive strides toward a 100% zero-carbon future, but those strides have not all been made by vehicles. Charlotte’s Facilities Construction division has also done its part by implementing Council-adopted policies that further the city’s sustainability goals.
This division has already amassed a number of sustainability victories for the city. In 2022, the U.S. Green Building Council awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications to four new Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department stations, a Fleet Management equipment shop, and the Charlotte Convention Center Expansion Project.
“These achievements mean we truly are setting the example for a low-carbon and resilient future while not only providing the best possible workplaces for our employees but increasing the quality of life for all Charlotte residents,” said Facilities Construction Division Manager Kathleen Cishek. “It is our goal to step beyond the standard scope to understand LEED criteria and the larger goals surrounding sustainability to create a healthier building and city.”
With this understanding comes new opportunities to push the boundaries of the city’s sustainability efforts, and FY 2024 is doing just that with the construction of the city’s first all-electric firehouse and net-zero carbon police station. Both buildings will include state-of-the-art Sustainable Features, helping them reach these classifications while still operating effectively for the departments they serve. While construction will take time, the inclusion of these facilities in the FY 2024 budget emphasizes the city’s continued support of the Sustainable and Resilient Charlotte by 2050 Resolution and SEAP.
“I’m grateful for the support of the City Manager’s Office and Council, and our partnership with the Office of Sustainability & Resilience in advancing these initiatives,” added Cishek. “The benchmarking established once these projects are fully operational will be significant as the city pursues its goal of striving to have facilities fueled by 100% zero-carbon sources.”
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