ENERGY

ENERGY SUPPLY

ACHIEVING BOULDER’S 100% CLEAN ENERGY VISION

Greenhouse gas emissions from power generation are one of the leading causes of climate change. That means creating a climate-friendly, renewable energy system is among the greatest and most important challenges in our time. The time is ripe to reimagine the way we generate, buy and sell energy, so that we can lower emissions and costs.

To achieve this, Boulder has embarked on a clean energy transition by committing to power our community with 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030.

The goal is to have a clean, affordable and reliable energy system. To reach our climate goals, we need to change how we produce, manage and use energy by creating energy systems that are clean, affordable and reliable, low-carbon energy future.

WHERE WE ARE

CLEAN ELECTRICITY SOURCE CHANGE - MAKING THE TRANSITION

Making a transition to renewable energy future will require the rapid transition to 100% renewable electricity as the foundation of this change. This will include ways to:

REDUCE

Reduce the need for additional generation through continued improvements in energy efficiency and productivity

Expansion of energy services
Expansion of on-site solar plus storage

REPLACE

Replace all coal and natural gas electricity generation with renewable energy systems such as solar and wind

Municipalization
Local generation analysis

REDESIGN

Redesign the existing electricity delivery system to make it more reliable, more secure and more supportive of a diverse mix of electricity sources

Nanogrid and microgrid development
Energy resilience capacity building
Piloting new programs and services

GAME CHANGERS

WHAT IF THERE WAS A NEW WAY TO FUND THE TRANSITION?

Example: A financial process that helps accelerate the deployment of more solar and storage on the roofs of homes and businesses.

WHAT IF THERE WAS A NEW POLICY OR REGULATION TO DRIVE THE TRANSITION TO HAPPEN?

Example: A requirement that all Colorado communities can implement microgrids in neighborhoods to manage costs, reduce emissions and enhance reliability and resilience.

Example: A requirement that all Colorado communities can implement microgrids in neighborhoods to manage costs, reduce emissions and enhance reliability and resilience.

WHAT IF THERE WAS A TECHNOLOGY BREAKTHROUGH THAT MADE TRANSITION EASIER AND CHEAPER?

ENERGY

BUILDINGS

HOW WE HEAT, COOL AND USE ENERGY MATTERS

BOULDER’S BUILDINGS TODAY

Two-thirds of the Boulder’s greenhouse gas emissions are associated with these buildings:
• 44,000 homes, apartments, and other residential units
• 3,700 commercial and industrial buildings.
Most commercial buildings and about 80% of residential units rely on natural gas for heating. Even as electricity gets cleaner, buildings will still contribute significant emissions unless we move away from natural gas.

THE COST

As the impacts of climate change are felt in terms of increasing temperature extremes, energy costs and emissions are rising.

Already, nearly 30% of Colorado’s residential households are experiencing some level of financial hardship because of their energy costs. Energy affordability is critical.

WHERE WE ARE

CURRENT GOAL:
BY 2050 ALL BUILDINGS IN BOULDER WILL BE HIGH PERFORMANCE

Having high-performance buildings, means:
• Air-tight and insulated buildings that reduce the need for heating and cooling
• Highly efficient equipment, lighting and appliances
• On-site renewable energy generation and storage where possible
• Smart, automated energy management systems that ensure building comfort, efficiency and livability.

SAVING OURSELVES (METRIC) TONS OF EMISSIONS

If natural gas is replaced by renewably generated electricity, community emissions will be reduced by 16%

DID YOU KNOW?

GAME CHANGERS

WHAT IF THERE WAS A NEW WAY TO FUND THE TRANSITION?

Example: A financial process that helps accelerate the deployment of more solar and storage on the roofs of homes and businesses.

WHAT IF THERE WAS A NEW POLICY OR REGULATION TO DRIVE THE TRANSITION TO HAPPEN?

Example: A requirement that all Colorado communities can implement microgrids in neighborhoods to manage costs, reduce emissions and enhance reliability and resilience.

Example: A requirement that all Colorado communities can implement microgrids in neighborhoods to manage costs, reduce emissions and enhance reliability and resilience.

WHAT IF THERE WAS A TECHNOLOGY BREAKTHROUGH THAT MADE TRANSITION EASIER AND CHEAPER?

ENERGY

MOBILITY

MAKING SMART CHOICES IN HOW WE GET AROUND

HOW WE MOVE TODAY

There are over 63,000 registered vehicles in Boulder. Tens of thousands of additional vehicles enter and depart from Boulder every day, carrying employees, students, goods and visitors.

28% OF THE CITY’S EMISSIONS COME FROM GROUND TRANSPORTATION

Boulder has one of the highest per capita percentages of hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) ownership, but we also have one of the highest per capita proportions of SUVs. Boulder’s average fuel efficiency is 21.4 MPG, barely higher than the state average.

8% OF THE CITY’S EMISSIONS COME FROM AIR TRAVEL

An additional 8% is added for Boulder’s share of the regional air travel out of Denver International Airport. As the community prospers financially, drawing more and more workers and visitors from outside the city, vehicle miles traveled continue to increase.

WHERE WE ARE

CURRENT GOAL

BY 2050 PEOPLE AND GOODS WILL TRAVEL AROUND BOULDER GENERATING LITTLE OR NO GHG EMISSIONS

This will include walking and biking, as well as shared transportation like transit, car share, van pools and e-bikes. The personal and work vehicles that remain will use clean energy sources, such as renewably produced electricity and alternative fuels like hydrogen.

REDUCE

Create multiple mobility options

Use digital technology to maximize our transportation efficiency

Create incentives to explore new mobility options

Prioritize regional bus rapid transit (BRT) to provide speed and reliability to non-resident employees traveling to Boulder, paired with advanced first- and last-mile options

WHERE WE ARE

REPLACE

Support the adoption of electric vehicles and other non-fossil fuel mobility options for personal vehicles

Catalyze the development of non-fossil fuel transit systems

Shift single-occupancy-vehicle (SOV) trips with the full range of other options (bus, walk, bike, micro-transit, shared rides and transit

REDESIGN

Expand areas using the SUMP principles (Shared, Unbundled, Managed, Paid) to stimulate adoption of high efficiency mobility options

Integrate mobility enhancements in land use planning

Pilot new programs and services such as micro-mobility, micro-transit and smartphone-based integrated traveler information and payment systems

Create more accessible neighborhoods where daily needs can be met with a less than 15-minute walk

GAME CHANGERS

WHAT IF THERE WAS A NEW WAY TO FUND THE TRANSITION?

Example: A vehicle miles traveled fee that replaces or supplements the gas tax by charging for the use of the road system.

WHAT IF THERE WAS A NEW POLICY OR REGULATION TO DRIVE THE TRANSITION TO HAPPEN?

Example: A carbon tax program that incentivizes alternative and clean mobility choices.

Example: Next generation high-speed transit and autonomous vehicles.

WHAT IF THERE WAS A TECHNOLOGY BREAKTHROUGH THAT MADE TRANSITION EASIER AND CHEAPER?