Below is a list of study issues, confirmed by the Planning Commission and City Council at a joint meeting in July 2023. The draft will incorporate revisions that address issues in the following list:
- Strengthen policies about resource conservation (e.g., electricity, water)
- Strengthen policies about renewable energy
- Support installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations (including for bikes and motor vehicles) in public rights-of-way and at City-owned facilities and parks
- Support exploring ways to make it easier for residential and commercial property owners to install EV charging stations (e.g., through code amendments, partnering with PSE, etc.)
- Consider the impacts of climate change and fisheries protection on regional water resources
- Strengthen or add policies about utility resilience
- Ensure that utility infrastructure can accommodate substantial infill development in the future
- Support access to internet service to underserved areas
- Support projects to increase electric grid reliability and resiliency
- Add policy about reuse of materials/products, recycling, and compost
- Revise policy regarding the Houghton Transfer Station to reflect the updated situation and focus on ensuring adequate mitigation if the site is selected (see 12/14/2023 Staff Memorandum for more information)
The draft revised Utilities Element goals and policies are available in the menu below.