Transcript Document
Climate Prosperity Project: Portland Climate Prosperity Project National Leadership Meeting February 21, 2009 Context: Urban Growth Management Context: Effective Land Use and Transportation Planning Context: Green Culture No. 1, “Sustainable City” SustainLane, 2007, 2008 Highest percentage of bicycle commuters No. 1, “America's 50 Greenest Cities" –Popular Science magazine (February 2008) ◦ ◦ 8x the national average at <$2 per capita in annual city investment The nation’s most extensive modern light rail and first modern streetcar system ◦ ◦ 140 new miles in the 1990s Stimulated over $3 billion in new investment along rail corridors since 1986 Transit ridership doubled since 1990 Among the best recycling rates in the 30 largest cities: 63% 50% of new commercial sq footage is LEED certified in 2007 No. 1, breweries per capita Coordinating Organizations • • • • • • Greenlight Greater Portland Metro Nike Portland Development Commission Portland + Oregon Sustainability Institute City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability Leadership Erin Flynn Urban Development Director Portland Development Commission Gillian Floren Vice President, Marketing and Business Retention Greenlight Greater Portland Kate Willis Global Finance Nike Martin Tull Director of Sustainability, Formos Mike Hoglund Director, Research Center Metro Rob Bennett Executive Director Portland + Oregon Sustainability Institute Michael Armstrong Senior Sustainability Manager City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability AND MORE TO COME Key Challenges • • • A commitment to economic growth and job creation is needed to transform the economy. Commercialization and venture capital in clean tech and green building is limited. There is limited coordinated response to regional climate planning in Portland metro region. Goals 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 (Portland) National model for sustainability and economic growth Full regional collaboration Maintain quality of life and vibrant central city Green Savings • Efficient Land Use • Transportation Infrastructure • Clean Energy Fund • EcoDistricts • Green Dividend • Drive Less, Save More • Recycle at Work • Green Building Policy Green Opportunity • • • • • Largest solar cluster in America with an estimated capital investment over $1 billion Vestas North American Headquarters Soon to be top five state in the US in wind with more than 1,100 megawatts operating and 2,500 megawatts more approved or under review. Oregon requires renewable power for 10 percent of the state’s electric power by 2012 and 25% of its electricity load by 2025. PGE ranks first in the country in sales of green power options and PacifiCorp ranks fourth. Green Talent “Green talent” means? • Skill development – all levels • Business development and entrepreurship – • Leadership on climate prosperity strategies over the long term Who’s involved? • • • K-12 • Oregon University System • Oregon BEST Worksystems/RWIB Portland Community College System Where are we on this? • Fragmented, but “bubbling” • Need to inventory, map, connect the dots • Need to focus on the “New Fundamentals” – leap frog • Will be major transition requiring “head, heart, and hands” appeal to the grass roots Strategic Planning Process Metro convening local governments around climate change Major updates to City of Portland Climate Plan and Economic Development Strategy in development Greenlight Greater Portland and Portland Development Commission convening public and private sector around prosperity Last night at the bar was a key step in bringing these discussions together Competitive Advantage • • • • • • The region has begun transition to a more dynamic economy by emphasizing green job creation along with quality of life Investments in transportation options, density, smart growth, energy efficiency, and sustainable practices position Portland to thrive in global economy Creative class higher than national average State and local policy leadership (e.g., RPS, BETC) Concentration of clean tech firms nearly double the national average Cost of doing business and living esp. compared to all CA metros Future Actions Assessment and inventory of existing initiatives and gaps Regional GHG inventory Assessment of sustainability metrics across metro area Development of governance structure and timeline Identify resource plan Key Obstacles & Impediments Lack of coordination between local and state economic development and education Lack of a major research institution Lack of skilled workers and reliance on imported workforce Lack of venture capital Low wages Regional coordination limited to land use and transportation Lack of funding Major Sources of Financing Public benefit charges (energy) Tax increment financing Federal transportation dollars Stimulus: block grants, competitive grants, loans Local and state bonding State and federal tax credits General obligation and revenue bonds Citizen Outreach City: Portland Plan, new climateprotection strategy, new economic development strategy Metro: Making the Greatest Place, Regional Innovation Forum, Achieve Green State: Oregon Business Summit Advice and Assistance from Climate Prosperity Project Coordinate and refine key strategies ◦ Ex: Building retrofit fund loan guarantees Peer networks and shared learning Resource development: How do we pay for this? Governance models Accomplishments