Item 16 Energy Conservation & ClimateMonroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
ENERGY CONSERVATION AND CLIMATE
Table of Contents
Item
Page
16.0. ENERGY CONSERVATION AND CLIMATE.......................................................................................1
16.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................1
16.2 Existing Impact of Energy Use Upon Climate Change and Global Warming........ 2
16.2.1 Energy Use...................................................................................................................... 2
16.2.2 Global Warming............................................................................................................ 2
16.2.3 Climate Change.............................................................................................................. 3
16.2.4 Responses to Climate Change and Global Warming ....................................... 3
16.3 Existing County Actions............................................................................................................ 4
16.3.1 County Operations and Facilities........................................................................... 4
16.3.2 The Green Initiative Task Force.............................................................................. 5
16.3.3 The Southeast Regional Climate Compact.......................................................... 6
16.3.4 Florida Energy and Climate Commission Grant Funds .................................. 7
16.3.5 Climate Change Advisory Committee................................................................... 7
16.4 Existing Data on Energy Use and GHG Emissions.......................................................... 8
16.4.1 Energy Consumption Generally.............................................................................. 8
16.4.2 Transportation.............................................................................................................. 8
16.4.3 Land Use and Land Use Changes............................................................................ 9
16.4.4 Commercial and Residential Energy Use............................................................ 9
16.4.5 Waste Management...................................................................................................10
16.5 Present and Projected Impacts from Climate Change: Land and Habitat ........... 11
16.5.1 Sea Level Rise...............................................................................................................11
16.5.2 Impacts on Property Loss........................................................................................14
16.5.3 Impacts on Habitat.....................................................................................................14
16.5.4 Hurricane Intensity and Frequency....................................................................15
16.5.5 Ocean Acidification and Coral Reef Degradations.........................................16
16.6 Present and Projected Impacts from Climate Change: Infrastructure and
Services.........................................................................................................................................17
16.6.1 Water Supply Impacts..............................................................................................17
16.6.2 Wastewater Impacts..................................................................................................17
16.6.3 Stormwater Impacts..................................................................................................18
16.6.4 Water Quality Impacts..............................................................................................18
16.6.5 Additional Infrastructure Considerations.........................................................18
16.6.6 Green Infrastructure Considerations..................................................................19
16.7 Needs, Goals and Opportunities..........................................................................................20
16.7.1 The Need for Baseline Data....................................................................................20
16.7.2 Mitigating County and Community GHG Emissions......................................20
16.7.3 Evaluating County Infrastructure Assets..........................................................20
16.7.4 Opportunities to Develop Strategies and Regional Airports .....................21
16.7.5 The Need for Additional Monitoring Data........................................................21
Energy Conservation and Climate i Technical Document: May 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
List of Figures
Figure
Page
Figure 16.1: Sea Level Rise Predictions, (SE Regional Climate Compact).................................13
Figure 16.2: Unified Sea Level Rise Projections of the Southeast Regional Climate
Compact.....................................................................................................................................13
List of Tables
Table Pale
Table 16.1: Average Rates of Historical Sea Level Rise (Heimlich et al., 2009).....................12
Energy Conservation and Climate ii Technical Document: May 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
16.0 ENERGY CONSERVATION AND CLIMATE ELEMENT
The Energy Conservation and Climate Element is an optional element developed pursuant to
Section 163.3177(7)(k) F.S. to address the unique issues and challenges facing Monroe
County (the "County") relating to energy conservation and climate impacts.
16.1 Introduction
On a global level, the long-term weather patterns and global climate of the Earth has
continually changed over its five billion year history, including periods of extreme cold with
glacier advancement and warming where the oceans rose and covered much of the Earth.
Traditionally, sea levels were much lower than today. While extreme, these changes have
usually occurred over many thousands of years.
For over 200 years, the global need for energy has steadily increased. Much of the energy
used for light, heat and vehicles comes from fossil fuels like coal and oil. Burning these fuels
releases greenhouse gases ("GHGs"). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
defines "greenhouse gases" as any gas that absorbs infrared radiation in the atmosphere.
Greenhouse gases include, but are not limited to water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2),
methane, nitrous oxide, cholorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, ozone,
hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.
EPA defines "greenhouse effect" as a general warming effect felt on Earth's surface produced
by GHGs. This process occurs naturally and has kept the Earth's temperature about 60
degrees Fahrenheit warmer than it would be otherwise. The greenhouse effect is important;
without it, the Earth would not be warm enough for humans to live.
Most climate scientists think that human activity, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation
and certain changes to land use are causing an increase in GHGs in the Earth's atmosphere.
Earth's climate has warmed by about 1 degree Fahrenheit over the past 100 years. Scientists
are trying to fully understand why and how this is occurring. The increased GHGs lead to
warming in general as well as greater variability and lower predictability of weather patterns
in many places around the world.
The U.S. in general is struggling with the issue of GHG regulation and climate change
preparedness. Approaches to these issues continue to evolve based on significant policy and
regulatory debate. State level climate change and greenhouse gas management policy was
first adopted in 2007 when the Governor of Florida hosted a climate change summit.
Executive Orders (E.O.) were then signed that established a call to action and set targets for
the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions within the State, and also established a Governor's
Action Team on Energy and Climate Change. This action team was charged with developing a
Florida Energy and Climate Change Action Plan to meet statewide targets for greenhouse gas
reductions. During the preparation of the action plan, the Florida Legislature passed House
Bill (HB) 697, which amended portions of Chapter 163, F.S. and required GHG emissions
reduction strategies to be included in a local government's Comprehensive Plan, among
other mandates.
energy Conservation and Climate 1 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Gaining an understanding of the relationships, effects and impacts related to energy
conservation and climate change will necessitate implementing the critical policies and
practices that will reduce GHG emissions and prepare for some of the unavoidable impacts of
climate change. Simultaneously, the State and federal regulatory landscape is constantly
evolving to address energy use and climate change. While GHGs produced within the County
constitute only a small fraction of national and global quantities, because of its unique
vulnerabilities to sea -level rise' and its status as a premier tourist destination the County has
a vested interest in demonstrating leadership on these critical issues.
16.2 Existing Impact of Energy Use Upon Climate Change and Global
Warming
16.2.1 Energy Use
Within the U.S., fossil fuel combustion accounts for the majority of carbon dioxide (CO2)
emissions. Fossil fuels are generally combusted for the purpose of producing energy for
useful heat and work (U.S. EPA Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-
2008). The five major fuel consuming sectors contributing to CO2 emissions from fossil fuel
combustion are electricity generation, transportation, industrial, residential, and commercial.
Changes in land use and forestry practices can also emit CO2 (e.g., through conversion of
forest land to agricultural or urban use) or can act as a sink for CO2 (e.g., through net
additions to forest biomass). The term "sink" used in this context is any process, activity or
mechanism which removes greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Transportation and
electricity generation are typically the largest contributors of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel
combustion.
16.2.2 Global Warming
Global warming is the gradual rise of the Earth's surface temperature. The Earth's average
temperature has increased by about 1°F (0.5°C) over the past century. An increase in
global warming has occurred in the distant past as the result of natural influences, but
today, the term is most often used to refer to the warming as a result of increased
emissions of GHGs. There are six GHGs regulated under the Kyoto Protocol. These GHGs
are: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N20), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),
perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Although the direct GHGs CO2, CH4,
and N20 occur naturally in the atmosphere, human activities have changed their
atmospheric concentrations.
Much of the sunlight that reaches the Earth's surface is reflected upward again as infrared
radiation. The heat caused by infrared radiation is absorbed by gases such as water vapor,
carbon dioxide, ozone and methane, thus retaining some of that heat in the Earth's
atmosphere. This action regulates the Earth's climate. The increased accumulation of
' "Most of Monroe County has natural elevations of about 4 to 7 feet above mean sea level. This makes the
area vulnerable to coastal flooding." Monroe County and Incorporated Municipalities Key West, Marathon,
Key Colony Beach, Layton, and Islamorada Village of Islands "Local Mitigation Strategy" 2010 Update
Energy Conservation and Climate 2 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
GHGs results in more infrared radiation trapped and held in the Earth's atmosphere. It is
this warming trend that causes other climate change impacts.
16.2.3 Climate Change
Anthropogenic (human induced) activity is now widely accepted by the overwhelming
majority of the world's scientists as the major cause of recent and predicted future global
climate change (Karl et al., 2009; IARU, 2009). Climate change is not only driven by the
accumulation in the atmosphere of GHGs from the burning of fossil fuels, but also
deforestation, land use, and agricultural practices (Heimlich et al., 2009). These influences
on GHG emissions result in changes to regional climate characteristics, including
atmospheric and ocean temperatures, humidity, precipitation, wind, and severe weather
events. The changes are occurring at different rates and levels across the world.
16.2.4 Responses to Climate Change and Global Warming
Historically, societies and ecosystems have responded to climate change by adjusting and
adapting to the natural variability of climate conditions, but the rate that climate change
has been occurring in the last century has begun outpacing the conditions of the past. Our
ability to mitigatez GHG emissions will affect the magnitude of the climate change impacts
to which we will need to adapt.3 "Vulnerability" to climate change refers to the exposure,
sensitivity, and adaptive capacity of systems to climate change (Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change).4 Mitigation of GHG emissions and adaptation to climate change are
inextricably linked, and both are required to reduce the impacts we have been, and will be,
seeing.5 Resilience to climate change is the capability to anticipate, prepare for, respond to,
and recover from significant multi -hazard threats with minimum damage to social well-
being, the economy and the environment (Council on Environmental Quality "CEQ" 2010).
It is this final response of "resilience" that the County seeks to achieve with this Energy
Conservation and Climate Element.
2 Mitigation is an intervention to reduce the causes of of changes in climate, such as through reducing
emissions of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The White House Council on Environmental Quality,
"Progress Report of the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force: Recommended Actions in
Support of a National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy" (October 5, 2010).
3 Adaptation is the adjustment in natural or human systems to a new or changing environment that exploits
beneficial opportunities or moderates negative effects. Id.
4 Differences in geological, oceanographic and biological processes can also lead to substantially different
impacts on a single coastal system at different locations. Some global patterns and obvious areas of
vulnerability are clear, however, estuaries, coral reefs, and ice -dominated coasts appear most vulnerable to
either climate change or associated sea -level rise and changes. Low-lying coastal wetlands, small islands, sand
and gravel beaches and soft rock cliffs may also experience significant changes (IPCC, 2001).
5 Id.
Energy Conservation and Climate 3 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
16.3 Existing County Actions
The County is on the front lines of climate change impacts such as sea level rise and increased
hurricane intensity. Recognizing the need to simultaneously mitigate GHGs attributable to
energy use and prepare for the gradual but accelerating impacts of climate change, the
County has already proactively taken several actions.
16.3.1 County Operations and Facilities
The County has adopted a GHG target for county operations (Resolution 067-2010),
including a reduction of countywide GHGs of 20 percent by 2020 as measured from a 2005
baseline inventory. The County has adopted green building standards for County Facilities
with Resolution 147-2010; building upon the energy requirements in the Florida Building
Code by incorporating the Florida Green Building Coalition's green commercial building
standard for county buildings, as the standard to be used for construction of all public
buildings. Finally, the County established the "Employee Green Team" in December 2009 to
develop a government operations climate action plan.
Although not traditionally considered a strategy to address energy conservation and climate
change, State and federal guidance and regulations pertaining to mitigation planning already
require the identification of mitigation goals that are consistent with other goals, mission
statements and vision statements (a Local Mitigation Strategy "LMS"). The previous
Comprehensive Plan included Goal 217: "Monroe County shall develop and implement a
program of hazard mitigation and post -disaster redevelopment to increase public safety and
reduce damages and public expenditures." The LMS Working Group first developed a set of
goals as part of the 1999 LMS. These goals were reviewed and confirmed for the LMS
revision in 2005, with one minor addition. The goals were discussed and reconfirmed for the
2010 Update. Monroe County Local Mitigation Strategy Goals include6:
• Preservation of sustainability of life, health, safety and welfare;
• Preservation of infrastructure, including power, water, sewer and communications;
• Maintenance and protection of roads and bridges, including traffic signals and street
signs;
• Protection of critical facilities, including public schools and public buildings;
• Preservation of property and assets;
• Preservation of economy during and after disaster, including business viability; and
• Preservation and protection of the environment, including natural and historic resources.
Much of the LMS can provide baseline information in terms of what the County
vulnerabilities are related to storm events, and additionally, projected impacts from climate
change.
6 Monroe County and Incorporated Municipalities Key West, Marathon, Key Colony Beach, Layton, and
Islamorada Village of Islands, "Local Mitigation Strategy" 2010 Update
Energy Conservation and Climate 4 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
16.3.2 The Green Initiative Task Force
The Green Initiative Task Force was created on June 18, 2008 (Resolution 177-2008) by the
Board of County Commissioners ("BOCC".) Originally called the Green Building Code Task
Force, the name and mission, was officially changed with the adoption of Resolution 121-
2009 on April 15, 2009. Membership of the task force consisted of two appointments made
by each Commissioner (the BOCC had the discretion to nominate one member from their
own district and one member from the County at large), and one member from each of the
municipalities, utilities and the Navy (Resolution 024-2010). The task force was sunsetted
on October 1, 2010 (Resolution 345-2008). The task force was coordinated by the Extension
Services under the office of the County Administrator (Resolution 446-2009). The scope of
the task force was to provide recommendations to the BOCC on environmentally sound
practices and techniques to protect the environment as well as address climate change
mitigation and adaptation needs. The task force also provided recommendations on green
standards for implementation to improve quality of life and create more efficiency in County
government.
The Green Initiatives Task Force completed a Sustainable Vision Statement in September
2010 with several key recommendations to address energy conservation and climate change.
In the development of Sustainable Vision Statement, the Green Initiatives Task Force
reviewed much of the data shaping energy and climate policy and management approaches
in Florida. This data included recent analysis by the South Florida Water Management
District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, other local government energy/climate change
initiatives and State and federal laws. That best available data serves as the basis for this
Energy Conservation and Climate Element.
In relation to the Comprehensive Plan, the task force made the following recommendation:
"The Monroe County Comprehensive Plan should include strategies to address the impacts of
climate change. Adaptive management principles should be used to continually review and
revise climate mitigation and adaptation policies, objectives, and Land Development
Regulations. Revisions to the Plan may include:
• Create a Climate Change Element or Sub -Element within the Monroe County
Comprehensive Plan which can be a model to other local government efforts;
• Address greenhouse gas reduction and energy conservation strategies that
promote compact, bicycle and pedestrian -friendly development; increase public
transportation; reduce reliance on automobiles, the construction of energy
efficient buildings; and address the potential effects of rising sea levels, tropical
storms, storm surge, and other climate change issues; and
• Consider climate change impacts as a factor in determining whether or not to
permit additional intensity or density in land use plan changes."
Energy Conservation and Climate 5 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
An additional recommendation was also made:
Monroe County should continue to support the livable communities concept
which promotes functional, walk -able mixed use development designs and
projects by providing flexibility in development review for these projects,
revising the zoning and land development codes to allow and encourage these
projects, establishing incentives for this type of development, and adopting
specific goals in the Comprehensive Plan to support and establish sustainable
development patterns.
Because the Sustainable Vision Statement was accepted by the BOCC on September 15, 2010,
those recommendations also provide a basis for the development of this Element.
16.3.3 The Southeast Regional Climate Compact
The Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact (the "Compact") is a joint
commitment of Monroe, Broward, Miami -Dade and Palm Beach Counties to partner in
mitigating the causes and adapting to the consequences of climate change. The Compact was
formalized in 2009 following the Southeast Florida Climate Leadership Summit, when
elected officials came together to discuss challenges and strategies for responding to the
impacts of climate change. The Compact outlines a collaborative effort to participate in a
Regional Climate Team toward the development of a Southeast Florida Regional Climate
Change Action Plan. Specifically, the Compact includes seven commitments on the part of the
participating counties:
• Each county shall work in close collaboration to develop a joint policy position urging the
United States Congress to pass legislation that recognizes the unique vulnerabilities of
Southeast Florida to the impacts of climate change and to further a joint policy position
that includes specific recommendations regarding the allocation of federal climate change
funding based on vulnerability to climate change impacts.
• Each county shall work in close collaboration with the other counties to develop
additional legislative policy statements relating to global climate change and future
legislation to be considered by Congress for transmittal to the local delegation members.
• Each county shall work in close collaboration to develop joint position statements on
proposed State legislation and energy/climate policies.
• Each county shall work to develop joint position statements for future State legislation.
• Each county shall commit appropriate staff resources and expertise, within budget
constraints, to participate in a Regional Climate Team with other counties toward the
development of a Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Action Plan.
• Each county shall work to develop a Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Action
Plan. The Action Plan could, at a minimum, include the following components:
Energy Conservation and Climate 6 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
A baseline of greenhouse gas emissions for Southeast Florida;
Strategies for coordinated emission reductions throughout the built environment to
include the use of energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the use of demand -side
renewable energy resources;
Strategies for coordinated emission reductions from the transportation sector to
include increased reliance on public transit, emerging vehicle technologies, and
advanced biofuels;
Strategies for coordinated emission reductions resulting from changes in local and
regional land use;
- Strategies for the coordinated regional preparation for and adaptation to a rapidly
changing global environment based upon regional mapping of projected sea -level rise
and any resulting amplification of localized impacts of tropical cyclone events. Such
strategies shall incorporate climate preparation concerns for the regional economy,
regional infrastructure and the built environment, social and cultural needs, and
natural systems within the four counties party to this compact; and
Each county shall commit to participating with other counties party to this compact in
hosting the Second Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Summit in October
2010.
There are also several work groups and sub -groups compiling information to complete work
products including a Greenhouse Gas Work Group, Vulnerability Work Group, Sea Level Rise
Work Group. Finally, the Regional Climate Change Action Plan is being developed with a
strategy of focusing on priority planning areas, narrowing that focus through vulnerability
and risk analysis and integrating it with the concepts of mitigation and adaptation. The Focal
Areas of the Plan include: Land and Natural Systems, Transportation and the Built
Environment. A Draft document is anticipated for completion by December 2011.
16.3.4 Florida Energy and Climate Commission Grant Funds
In 2010, the County, along with the City of Marathon, City of Key West and Islamorada,
Village of Islands, received a state grant from the Florida Energy and Climate Commission.
The collective grant application known as the "Keys Energy Conservation Initiative"
identified different projects for use of the grant funds. The County's projects included: an
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy for County Operations and Facilities, energy
retrofits at four buildings, and the purchase of five hybrid vehicles for its fleet. Across all
jurisdictions, the Grant includes funds for a low-income solar hot water heating installation
program and a public awareness and outreach strategy on energy conservation and climate
mitigation strategies. The Grant activities will be concluded by 2012.
16.3.5 Climate Change Advisory Committee
In January 2011, the BOCC adopted Resolution No. 002 - 2011 forming the Climate Change
Advisory Committee. The purpose of the Climate Change Advisory Committee is to make
recommendations to the BOCC regarding appropriate mitigation and adaptation policies
needed to address climate change issues and to provide input to staff regarding
Energy Conservation and Climate 7 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
implementation of those components of a Florida Energy & Climate Commission Grant
received by the County and multiple partners. The Grant includes funds for community input
and intergovernmental coordination on energy and climate issues. The Committee will also
provide input on climate action plans and other climate related draft reports as needed.
16.4 Existing Data on Energy Use and GHG Emissions
16.4.1 Energy Consumption Generally
Trends in CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion are influenced by many long-term and
short-term factors. Year in and year out, the overall demand for fossil fuels generally shifts
in response to changes in general economic conditions, energy prices, weather, and the
availability of non -fossil alternatives. Longer -term changes in energy consumption
patterns, however, tend to be more a function of aggregate societal trends that affect the
scale of consumption (e.g., population, number of cars, size of houses, and number of
houses), the efficiency with which energy is used in equipment (e.g., cars, power plants,
steel mills, and light bulbs), and social planning and consumer behavior (e.g., walking,
bicycling, or telecommuting to work instead of driving) (U.S. EPA Inventory of U.S.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2008). Direct GHG emissions are emissions
from sources that are owned or controlled by the reporting entity such as energy use for
the electricity generation by utilities. Indirect GHG emissions are emissions that are a
consequence of the activities of the reporting entity, but occur at sources owned or
controlled by another entity. The residential and commercial end -use sectors are reliant
on electricity consumption for lighting, heating, air conditioning, and operating appliances
and as such are indirect emissions sources. Direct emissions, used in industrial,
commercial and residential sectors, represent the greatest share of U.S. GHG emissions.
16.4.2 Transportation
Energy use from the transportation sector is approximately 32 percent of CO2 emissions,
24 percent of CH4 emissions, and 65 percent of N20 emissions from fossil fuel combustion,
respectively. Among domestic transportation sources, light duty vehicles (including
passenger cars and light -duty trucks) represents 62 percent of CO2 emissions, medium -
duty and heavy-duty trucks 22 percent, commercial aircraft seven percent, and other
sources nine percent. From 1990 to 2008, transportation GHG emissions rose due to
increased demand for travel and the stagnation of fuel efficiency across the U.S. vehicle
fleet.
Over the 1990s through early this decade, growth in vehicle travel substantially
outweighed improvements in vehicle fuel economy; however, the rate of Vehicle Miles
Traveled growth slowed considerably starting in 2005 (and declined rapidly in 2008) while
average vehicle fuel economy increased. The number of vehicle miles traveled by light -
duty motor vehicles (passenger cars and light -duty trucks) increased 37 percent from 1990
to 2008, as a result of a confluence of factors including population growth, economic
growth, urban sprawl, and low fuel prices over much of this period. A similar set of social
and economic trends has led to a significant increase in air travel and freight
Energy Conservation and Climate 8 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
transportation. But, with EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) taking regulatory steps toward mandating reductions in GHG emissions, and fuel
use from cars and light trucks, coupled with future regulatory steps related to fuel economy
standards, transportation related emissions could see future decreases.
16.4.3 Land Use and Land Use Changes
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2006 Guidelines for National Greenhouse
Gas Inventories (IPCC 2006) recommends consideration of the effects on changes within,
and conversions between, certain land -use types such as undeveloped or forest land to
development. The impact of considering these changes is significant. Land use, land -use
change, and forestry activities in 2008 resulted in a net carbon sequestration offset of
approximately 13.5 percent of total U.S. CO2 emissions.
Alternative development scenarios demonstrate that location, density, proximity,
connectivity, diversity of land uses and other concepts can be important in reducing GHG
emissions. The overall composition of development patterns, housing and buildings types
such as single-family, multi -unit and multi -story also have an influence over energy use.
Transit Oriented Development and Transit Ready Development and transit served
neighborhoods are all strategies that have been used in other communities to reduce
vehicles miles traveled. When considering GHG emissions from land use, a land -use or
management trend factor estimates the rate at which land -use or management changes are
occurring within the geographic area during a specific timeframe. The land -use trend
factor is then applied to the baseline to reflect the changing land -use or management
practices in an area.
16.4.4 Commercial and Residential Energy Use
Energy use in homes and businesses is typically a large sector of GHG emissions. The U.S.
Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates total energy use from these sectors at 7
percent of electricity sales.' In homes, several factors influence energy use: the physical
characteristics of the housing units, the appliances utilized including space heating and
cooling equipment, demographic characteristics of the household, the types of fuels used,
and other information that relates to energy use.
According to the EIA, commercial buildings include all buildings in which at least half of the
floor space is used for a purpose that is not residential, industrial, or agricultural; therefore,
they include building types that might not traditionally be considered "commercial," such
as schools, correctional institutions, and buildings used for religious worship. This includes
retail and wholesale stores, hotels and motels, restaurants, and hospitals. Excluded from
the sector are the goods -producing industries: manufacturing, agriculture, mining, forestry
and fisheries, and construction. Analysis of the structures, activities, and equipment
associated with different types of buildings is the clearest way to evaluate commercial
sector energy use.
7 Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.1, April 22, 2009.
Energy Conservation and Climate 9 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
16.4.5 Waste Management
Generally, a large portion of GHG emissions is related to energy use in resource acquisition,
manufacturing, transportation, and end -of -life life -cycle stages. The total energy consumed
related to waste management activities is a result of direct fuel and electricity consumption
associated with raw material acquisition and manufacturing, fuel consumption for
transportation, and embedded energy. Not all GHG emissions are related to energy,
however, and the effects of GHG are not directly translatable to energy impacts.
Alternative materials management practices, source reduction, recycling, combustion,
composting, and landfilling strategies all can be used to reduce GHGs. The EPA Office of
Solid Waste and Response found that 42 percent of U.S. 2006 GHG emissions were
associated with the manufacturing, use and disposal of materials and products. As a result,
changing materials management patterns is an important strategy to help reduce or avoid
GHG emissions. Reducing the amount of materials used to make products, extending
product life spans and maximizing recycling rates are examples of possible materials
management strategies that can significantly reduce GHG emissions.
Source reduction, or waste prevention, refers to practices that reduce the amount of
materials entering the waste stream, including changes in the design, manufacture,
purchase or use of materials. When a material is source reduced, GHG emissions associated
with producing the material and/or manufacturing the product and managing the
post -consumer waste are avoided. Consequently, source reduction provides GHG emission
benefits by: (1) avoiding the "upstream" GHGs emitted in the raw material acquisition,
manufacture and transport of the source -reduced material; (2) increasing the amount of
carbon stored in forests (when wood and paper products are source reduced); and (3)
avoiding the downstream GHG emissions from waste management.
EPA defines recycling as "minimizing waste generation by recovering and reprocessing
usable products that might otherwise become waste (i.e., recycling of aluminum cans,
paper and bottles, etc.)" (EPA, 2008). In evaluating the relative GHG reduction benefits of
recycling compared to an existing materials management practice (i.e., evaluating the
benefits of recycling relative to source reduction, composting, combustion or landfilling),
the recycling GHG emissions must be compared against the corresponding emission factors
for the existing management practice. According to the EPA, source reduction techniques,
such as double -sided copying and reducing the weight of products (light -weighting) are
important in reducing energy because source reduction significantly lowers energy
consumption associated with raw material extraction and manufacturing processes.
During composting, microbial decomposition aerobically transforms organic substrates
into a stable, humus -like material (Brown and Subler, 2007). Composting results in some
carbon storage (associated with application of compost to agricultural soils), as well as
minimal CO2 emissions from transportation and mechanical turning of the compost piles.
The GHG reduction benefits from composting include a comparison between composting
and other possible disposal options for yard trimmings (i.e., landfilling and combustion).
Energy Conservation and Climate 10 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
According to the EIA, the solid waste industry currently produces more than half of
America's renewable energy, more than combined energy outputs of the solar, geothermal,
hydroelectric, and wind power industries. Landfill -gas -to -energy projects involve
capturing methane and waste -to -energy activities displace fossil fuel sources and lower
landfill methane emissions by diverting waste from landfills helping to reduce GHG
emissions.
In the County, disposal of solid waste is currently handled by three transfer station
operations where waste is prepared for transportation and disposal at an out of county
location. The County provides recycling services for residential properties but businesses
must arrange for service with local providers as outlined in the Solid Waste Element.
16.5 Present and Projected Impacts from Climate Change: Land and
Habitat
Almost all impacts from climate change relate to increasing air temperatures with global sea
level rise largely attributable to the thermal expansion of the oceans and melting of glaciers
and ice sheets.$ Altered precipitation patterns, heat waves, floods and droughts are all
related impacts. Not all impacts will be uniform and there will be some variation by location
due to differences in atmospheric and oceanic circulation. Inundation, erosion and flooding
are also resulting impacts. Areas with greater precipitation will see more sewer overflows,
more runoff and nonpoint pollution, and infrastructure overloading. Areas of lesser
precipitation with struggle with meeting water demands and habitat shifts. A great area of
uncertainty is the combination and interrelationships of these impacts in the future. In
particular, predicted changes in storm intensity and sea level rise create the need for
integrated potable water, storm water, and wastewater infrastructure planning and greater
interagency coordination.
16.5.1 Sea Level Rise
Approximately 100 years ago, early in the Industrial Revolution, sea level rise began to
accelerate, averaging about 2 mm/yr during the 20th century and 3.1 mm/yr since 1993
based on satellite altimetry (Cazenave et al., 2008). On average, globally, the sea level has
risen by approximately 200 mm (8 inches) during the past century (IPCC, 2007). As
illustrated in Table 16.1, a Florida Institute of Technology Report (Maul, 2008) shows an
average rate of sea level rise of 2.27 ± 0.04 mm per year from 1915 to 2005 based upon
tide gauge readings in Key West, which has the Western Hemisphere's longest sea level
record.
"If global atmospheric temperatures rise, the oceans will absorb more of that heat and expand known as
"thermal expansion". A greater volume of ocean water due to thermal expansion will lead to a rise in sea level
Lombard, A.; Cazenave, A.; Le Traon, P., Contribution of Thermal Expansion to 1993-2003 Sea Level Rise
(2005).
Energy Conservation and Climate 11 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Table 16.1- Average Rates of Historical Sea Level Rise (Heimlich et al., 2009)
Location
Rate
Source
Global average sea level rise, 1870-1990
2.0 mm r
Church and White, 2006
Global Average sea level rise, 1993-
3.1 mm/yr
Cazenave et al., 2008
2007
Miami, Florida, 1931-1999
2.39 ±0.22 mm r
US EPA, 2009
Key West, Florida,1913-1999
2.27 ±0.09 mm r
Maul, 2008
Source: Heimlich et al., 2009
The rate of sea level rise is accelerating, although scientists differ on that rate of
acceleration; over the past 2,500 years south Florida has experienced an average rate of
sea -level rise of 3.8 centimeters per century. From 1932 to 2000, tide -gauge data reveals
that the sea level rose by 22 centimeters, a rate equivalent to 30 centimeters per century or
8 times higher than the average rate over the past 2,500 years. Today, analysis of satellite
data suggests the sea level is rising 50 percent faster than it was just 15 years ago (IPCC
2007). An increasing number of papers concerning future sea level rise due to climate
change are appearing in the scientific literature. Publications and reports about future
rates of sea level rise to date apply relatively simple empirical correlations and
extrapolations based upon limited historical data.
Sea level rise data is generally considered to be a conservative estimate of the impacts for
the following reasons:
• Most of the sea level rise in the 20th century was due to thermal expansion as a result of
rising global temperatures;
• A relatively small contribution was from the melting of ice sheets and glaciers and may
not be a reliable guide for the increasing contributions due to melting in the 21st
Century; and
• The mechanisms of glacial melt and flow are not well understood (Heimlich et al., 2009)
but numerous scientific publications point to acceleration.
Extensive research is underway on this important issue and better projections will no
doubt be forthcoming. There does not appear to have been a significant difference in sea
level rise during the 20th Century between Southeast Florida and globally; therefore,
published predictions for global sea level rise are applicable locally. Figure 16.1 shows the
diversity of some of these predictions. Figure 16.2 shows the current Unified Sea Level
Rise Project agreed to by the participants in the Southeast Regional Climate Compact.
Energy Conservation and Climate 12 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
zs
20
1s
10
SE Florida Projections
Key West Sea Level
Broward CCTF Science and
Technical Subcommittee
Projection (2009)
Army Corps Guidance for South
Florida
South Florida Water om
Management District oN
Miami -Dade CCATF Projection
(2008)
O
0
N
0
a
N
55
so
45
40
35 m
30
zs
V —
z0
15 n
5 FAU — S FI Resilient Water Res 5
0 I I I 0
5 5
-10
1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 2020 2040 2060 2080 2100
Increasing Uncertainty
Source: Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact (2011).
Figure 16.1 - Sea Level Rise Predictions, (SE Regional Climate Compact)
Unified SLR Rise Projection
36
30
24
c
18
�
c
t
12
14
6
0
-6
3
2 �
a�
1 �
A
a�{
O
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 -1
Source: Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact (2011).
Figure 16.2 - Unified Sea Level Rise Projections of the Southeast Regional
Climate Compact
Energy Conservation and Climate 13 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
16.5.2 Impacts on Property Loss
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) evaluated the impacts of sea level rise on Big Pine Key and
the Florida Keys (Bergh, 2009). In 2007, TNC acquired high -resolution Digital Elevation
Models derived from airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) data for Big Pine Key
and the best -available Digital Elevation Model for the entire archipelago. Future shoreline
locations and distribution of generalized habitats of Big Pine Key in the year 2100 were
estimated using sea level rise scenarios described in the scientific literature. Property
value loss estimates for Big Pine Key were based on the same 2100 sea level rise
projections using 2008 property values. In every scenario, the island becomes smaller,
marine and intertidal habitat moves upslope at the expense of upland habitat, and property
values are diminished.
In the best -case scenario, 18 cm (7 in.) of sea level rise, 1,840 acres (34 percent) of Big Pine
Key are inundated resulting in the loss of 11 percent of the island's upland habitat. This
degree of inundation would displace native species dependent on upland habitat and
threaten $40 million of property value. Four other scenarios are modeled for Big Pine Key
using the same high -resolution data. With a rise of 140 cm (4.6 ft.), the highest modeled
rise, about 5,950 acres (96 percent) of the island would be inundated with all upland
habitat and $1.6 billion in property value lost (Bergh, 2009).
Under the most optimistic Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scenario (a rise of
18 cm over the next 100 years), $11 billion in property value and 58,800 acres are at risk of
inundation in the Florida Keys (Bergh, 2009). Under the highest Rahmstorf (2007)
estimate (a 140 cm rise by 2100), approximately $35 billion in property value and 142,000
acres are at risk from sea level rise or are already inundated in the Florida Keys (Bergh,
2009).
16.5.3 Impacts on Habitat
Plant and animal species and natural processes of ecological systems have evolved to fit
specific climate regimes. Certain biological processes (e.g. flowering of plants, migration of
birds) and ecological processes (e.g. natural fire regimes, aquifer recharge) are dictated by
seasonality and these processes are sensitive to changing climate regimes. Some species
may have the ability to adapt to slower changes by dispersing to habitat that meets their
needs, but the insular nature of the Keys will prevent species that cannot fly or swim long
distances from dispersing naturally and more abrupt climate related shifts may threaten
even highly mobile plant and animal species. Ecological disturbances related to climate
change (e.g. flooding, storms) also invite an increase in non-native species which compete
for resources with native species.
The effects of sea level rise on the natural habitats of the Keys are already apparent. In the
publication, "Sea Level Rise and the Reduction in Pine Forests in the Florida Keys," Ross et
al. (1994) surveyed upper Sugarloaf Key elevations, vegetation distribution, groundwater
salinity and other factors and examined historic aerial photographs from 1935 to 1991,
Energy Conservation and Climate 14 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
ultimately learning that the area of pine forest on Sugarloaf Key declined from an initial 88
hectares ("ha") (217 acres) before 1935 to 30 ha (74 acres) by 1991. Transformation of
pine forest to more salt -tolerant vegetation types proceeded continuously over that time
period and advanced from lower to higher elevation, leading the authors to attribute the
decline in pine forest area to sea level rise.
Simply stated, as sea level rises, water over land displaces tidal habitat, which moves
upslope and in turn displaces transitional habitat, which moves upslope and displaces
upland habitat (Bergh, 2009). As sea level rises, some habitats will change rapidly and
others will disappear. Although not well documented in the literature yet, it is widely
believed that many native plants and animals, particularly the already imperiled species,
those with limited ability to disperse naturally and those dependent upon freshwater or
other climate or sea level -sensitive habitat requirements for all or -a portion of their
lifecycle will have an increasingly precarious existence as sea level rises.
16.5.4 Hurricane Intensity and Frequency
There is ongoing debate regarding whether global warming will increase the frequency or
intensity of hurricanes. Regardless, hurricanes are likely to be more destructive to coastal
areas because an elevated sea level will cause higher storm surges that will penetrate
further inland. Hurricane Wilma caused $215 million in damage to the County. (2005)
Based on work by Harrington and Walton (2008), when a similar storm hits the County
after sea level rise of 1.02 ft, the damage costs are predicted to be 39 percent higher ($298
million). When a similar storm hits the County after sea level rise of 2.13 ft, the damage
costs are predicted to be 72 percent higher ($370 million). The County is more susceptible
to increased damage costs than neighboring Miami -Dade County. For the latter storm
described above, the percent increases in damage costs are substantially higher for the
County (72 percent) than Miami -Dade County (31 percent) (Harrington and Walton, 2008).
Hurricane return periods were evaluated by FEMA in a Flood Insurance Study for the
County (FEMA, 2005). The purpose of the County Flood Insurance Study was to develop
flood risk data for various areas of the County, to establish actuarial flood insurance rates,
and assist the county in promoting sound floodplain management. Hurricane Wilma
resulted in a 2.76-foot (0.84 m) high surge in the County. Based on FEMA's study, it was
classified as a 7.35-year hurricane event. For sea level rise scenarios of 0.28 ft (8.53 cm)
and 1.02 ft (0.31 m) (Florida State University's Beaches and Shores Resource Center
estimates for years 2030 and 2080), the same hurricane storm surge as Wilma would be
reduced from 7.35 years to 6.04 years and 3.61 years, respectively. For a 0.49-foot (14.9
cm) and 2.13-foot (0.65 m) scenario (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
estimates for years 2030 and 2080), the same hurricane storm surge would be reduced to
5.22 years and 1.65 years, respectively. It is important to note that at a given elevation,
sea -level rise increases the likelihood of storm -surge flooding and synergistic effects
between these two variables could cause upland habitat to be reduced more rapidly than
predicted. For example, sea -level rise has rendered pine forests in the Keys more
vulnerable, by reducing the area capable of capturing precipitation and recharging fresh
groundwater supplies. Droughts that sometimes follow late- season hurricanes can further
Energy Conservation and Climate 15 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
diminish the volume of freshwater available to dilute salts deposited by storm surge. A
second mechanism that may exacerbate the situation is that the background level of the
water table is brought closer to the surface resulting in reduced drainage capacity. The
interaction between sea -level rise and storm surge will soon reach a tipping point with
respect to the maintenance of freshwater ecosystems in the County.9
16.5.5 Ocean Acidification and Coral Reef Degradation
Oceans are being acidified by carbonic acid formed from dissolved carbon dioxide and a
corresponding decrease in pH; this is detrimental to marine resources. The oceans have
absorbed about 50 percent of the carbon dioxide released from the burning of fossil fuels,
resulting in chemical reactions that lower ocean pH. This has caused an increase in
hydrogen ion (acidity) of about 30 percent since the start of the industrial age through a
process known as ocean acidification. A growing number of studies have demonstrated
adverse impacts on marine organisms, including (1) the rate at which reef -building corals
produce their skeletons decreases, (2) the ability of marine algae and free-swimming
zooplankton to maintain protective shells is reduced, and (3) the survival rate of larval
marine species, including commercial fish and shellfish, is reduced. The reduced rate of
coral reef building could lead to diminished resiliency from bleaching, disease, and coral
death. Reef building rates could decrease to levels insufficient to maintain reefs in any
oceans when atmospheric carbon dioxide levels reach approximately 840 parts per million,
which may be reached by the year 2100 (NOAA, 2008).
The Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank
9 Michael S Ross, Joseph J O'Brien, R Glenn Ford, Keqi Zhang, and Anne Morkill, "Disturbance and the rising
tide: the challenge of biodiversity management on low -island ecosystems", Front Ecol Environ 2009; 7,
doi:10.1890/070221.
Energy Conservation and Climate 16 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
16.6 Present and Projected Impacts from Climate Change: Infrastructure
and Services
16.6.1 Water Supply Impacts
While the precise level of sea level rise, or speed with which it rises, may not be known, sea
level rise will reduce the amount of fresh water available for potable water use. The
County's wellfields in Miami -Dade County are at risk from sea level rise impacts because of
the low elevation of southern Miami -Dade County and the elevation of the groundwater
within the Biscayne Aquifer close to the surface level. The easterly wellfields of Miami -
Dade County are at risk from saltwater intrusion caused by sea level rise, and to the west,
inundation of the southern Everglades with seawater would also affect the Biscayne
Aquifer (Heimlich et al., 2009). This impact will be even more pronounced during the dry
season potentially impacting the location and continued productivity of certain wellfields.
The relationship between future growth and alternative water supply planning will become
an even more important consideration as traditional water resources will become
impacted in the future from sea level rise.
In the future, increased water conservation through demand management will become
even more important as supplies could become scarce. Cutting the demand for landscape
irrigation, generally the highest type of water use becomes more of a priority. Given the
County's history related to water conservation, additional focus could be placed on
upgrades to the efficiency of water use such as in buildings and irrigation infrastructure.
Recent 2008 legislation (Senate Bill 2080/494) provides a source of model ordinances for
assuring water efficiency for landscape irrigation.
16.6.2 Wastewater Impacts
Wastewater treatment contributes CO2, CH4, and N20 in quantities totaling approximately
3.4 percent of total US GHGs. CO2 and N20 are generated in aerobic (e.g. activated sludge)
treatment. CH4 and CO2 are generated in anaerobic (e.g. biosolids digestion) treatment.
Wastewater treatment facilities use a great deal of electricity to run the equipment.
Greater power consumption efficiency in wastewater treatment can significantly lower
GHG emissions.
Encouraging full utilization of the energy products from the wastewater treatment process,
such as biosolids and methane gases can mitigate some of the impacts from process energy
use. The decomposition of the sludge generated in the treatment of wastewater causes
significant contributions of methane to the atmosphere. Sludge can be shipped off -site to a
landfill or treated on -site by composting, incineration or digestion. Methane emissions
generated in these processes are normally lost to the atmosphere, but the process of
anaerobic digestion allows the methane to be captured. Due to global interest in reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, it is anticipated that anaerobic digesters could be installed to
reduce methane emissions from wastewater treatment facilities more commonly. Methane
is not only a greenhouse gas; it is also a source of energy when it is burned. As a result,
power generators can be installed at wastewater treatment facilities to burn the methane
Energy Conservation and Climate 17 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan
emitted from anaerobic digesters and the electricity can be used to power equipment at the
facility.
Impacts to treatment processes, system hydraulics and conveyance facilities may occur at
pump stations, plants and distribution lines. Another impact to wastewater infrastructure
could stem from increased chlorides in raw wastewater which will result in different
treatment requirements depending on whether the wastewater is injected or reused.
Flooding may impact wastewater infrastructure as well necessitating protective
improvements to maintain capacity and processing of wastewater. In particular, it is noted
that the anticipated service life of infrastructure becomes an increasingly important
consideration given anticipated climate change.
16.6.3 Stormwater Impacts
As sea level rise occurs, drainage and stormwater structures will diminish in their
effectiveness to direct and capture stormwater flows. Since the rate of sea level rise is
uncertain, this loss of effectiveness will take place over a gradual progression reducing the
difference between water levels on either side of a flood control structure (Heimlich et al.,
2009). Eventually, a structure could lose its entire operational capacity if the water levels
upstream and downstream are equal. Effects of the loss of this operational capacity could
occur with as little as three to six inches of sea level rise predicted as soon as the next 10 to
25 years (Heimlich et al., 2009). Additionally, the capacity of the ground to absorb
stormwater is reduced.
The lower topography of a region will result in even more challenges for operating flood
control structures. The gradual loss of operational capacity of flood control structures
could be exacerbated by the increased frequency and intensity of major storm events.
These considerations will need to be factored into the design of flood control structures
with further specific vulnerabilities identified.
16.6.4 Water Quality Impacts
More intense storms will result in increased storm water and non -point runoff. Water
quality vulnerabilities will also occur such as increased algae growth, higher levels of water
quality indicators such as fecal coliform bacteria and turbidity, pH changes and higher
water temperatures. Aquatic life will be impacted by the change in water temperature and
changes in seasonality; changes in nutrient loading; and increased eutrophication. Warmer
water temperatures will reduce assimilative capacities of surface waters and increase the
impacts of certain pollutants, leading to more impaired waters and more complex water
quality and regulatory challenges.
16.6.5 Additional Infrastructure Considerations
Other infrastructure could be impacted in the future including, but not be limited to,
hospitals, libraries, transportation facilities, multi -modal stations and commercial centers.
Additional infrastructure impacts that also need to be considered include: historic or
Energy Conservation and Climate 18 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
archaeological resources, existing landfills, abandoned dump sites, remnant septic tanks
and underground storage or petroleum tanks. Determining the life expectancy of a project,
as related to capital investment, is also a critical factor to consider for decisions related to
the development, or improvement to, infrastructure in the face of sea level rise and other
climate change impacts. Economic decisions related to the funding of capital
improvements will have to be made in the context of strategies to mitigate impacts to
infrastructure.
16.6.6 Green Infrastructure Considerations
It is also important to consider the value of the County's "green infrastructure" and the
corollary benefits it provides when considering energy and climate issues. Practices such
as aggressive onsite water conservation, wetlands and habitat enhancement/maintenance,
transportation systems with alternative paving materials and onsite stormwater retention
have long been known for their benefits related to heat island effect, water quality
improvement, improved air quality, lower energy demand and increased carbon storage.
But now, green infrastructure approaches have been recognized to help achieve GHG
mitigation and climate change adaptation goals because their benefits are also generally
related to their ability to moderate the impacts of climate change such as extreme
precipitation or temperature.10 In many instances, maintenance and enhancement of green
infrastructure involves stewardship of the natural setting (e.g. preventing and controlling
exotic species invasions, maintaining fire regimes, restoring wetlands, etc.). This concept is
also known as Ecosystem Based Adaptation (EBA). For instance in the context of the
County, the reefs, natural beaches, coastal berms, wetlands and other natural communities
are just as important for protecting people and the built environment from the negative
consequences of climate change as "grey infrastructure" such as seawalls, stormwater
drains.
A concurrent benefit is that green infrastructure attributes provide these resiliency
benefits at a much lower cost than constructed infrastructure components.11 Green
infrastructure approaches can be implemented at the macro level with larger centralized
public projects or at the micro level on private property.12 Economic values can also be
placed on green infrastructure assets in terms of carbon sequestration and the cost savings
with maintaining certain habitat functions as opposed to constructed solutions such as sea
walls.13 The County could benefit from considering how green infrastructure practices can
achieve resiliency goals with less adverse impact and cost.
10 Foster, Lowe and Winkelman, "The Value of Green Infrastructure for Urban Climate Adaptation", February
2011.
11 Id.
1 21d.
13 For instance a 20% tree canopy over a house results in annual cooling savings of 8-18%. Id.
Energy Conservation and Climate 19 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
16.7 Needs, Goals and Opportunities
16.7.1 The Need for Baseline Data
CEQ suggests that where climate change effects are likely to be important, but there is
significant uncertainty about such effects, it may be useful to consider the effects of a
proposed action or its alternatives against a baseline of reasonably foreseeable future
conditions that is drawn as distinctly as the science of climate change effects will support.
Baseline information is helpful on two levels. First it is helpful in terms of understanding
and prioritizing energy use to reduce GHG emissions. Second, it is helpful in terms of
understanding what is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Without such baseline
information on the mitigation or adaptation level, it is difficult to assess the types of
strategies to employ to alleviate future impacts.
16.7.2 Mitigating County and Community GHG Emissions
To date, the County has initiated an effort to quantify energy use for its facilities and
operations with the aforementioned grant funds. While local government GHG emissions
are typically a small percentage of the overall communitywide footprint, this sector of
emissions is critical for two reasons. First the County leads by example. Second, knowing a
local government's GHG emissions provides a mechanism to prioritize GHG emissions and
energy use. Typically, water and wastewater facilities are among the largest and most
energy -intensive systems owned and operated by local governments and account for
approximately 30-50 percent of municipal energy use according to EPA. Streamlining,
retrofitting and implementing efficiency projects at the County level, based on prioritized
energy use data, will be critical to meet the County's GHG target for county operations
(Resolution 067-2010). Additional countywide GHG emissions data will be useful to help
meet the County's goal of a 20 percent countywide reduction of GHGs by 2020 as measured
from a 2005 baseline inventory.
16.7.3 Evaluating County Infrastructure Assets
The consequences of climate change impacts and strategies to address those impacts must
be planned for in the future. This includes identification of infrastructure deemed to be
"vulnerable" or susceptible to adverse impacts and the resilience factors to be considered.
The capacity of that infrastructure to maintain levels of service can then be evaluated. An
Asset Management Plan, or harmonizing the County's LMS process with achieving this goal,
could establish a comprehensive baseline of infrastructure under the County's control.
This process should also include an inventory of green infrastructure under the County's
control. Building upon the existing LMS, additional protection, accommodation, adaptation
or resiliency strategies could then be developed to address access and operation of this
infrastructure.
But complicating the identification of vulnerable infrastructure and facilities, social and
economic diversity issues will also warrant further review. Different populations will be
impacted in various ways and this will be evidenced by issues related to access to
Energy Conservation and Climate 20 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
affordable housing, infrastructure dependence, wealth and age. Physical as well as social
impacts can be identified.
16.7.4 Opportunities to Develop Strategies and Regional Approaches
Upon mapping and prioritizing areas that may be vulnerable to sea level rise impacts,
protection, accommodation and retreat strategies can be developed. Protection strategies
should include the green infrastructure principles discussed as a means of managing
systems to prevent the landward migration of tidally influenced water bodies. This could
include shoreline stabilization via shoreline armoring, protection of wetlands and other
natural communities that minimize erosion or a combination of engineered and nature -
based solutions. This could require analysis of current and future land acquisition
practices. Accommodation strategies may include adaptation of buildings or infrastructure
to the periodic impacts of storm surges that also account for rise of sea levels. This could
include increased or improved management of flood management systems. Retreat
strategies include relocation of structures and infrastructure from areas that will be subject
to increased and repeated impacts. A County planning effort such as this will also provide
necessary information to dovetail with the various Work Groups of the Southeast Regional
Climate Compact and the existing LMS. More data based on specific planning horizons will
assist in determining which strategies to implement and consider in the future.
16.7.5 The Need for Additional Monitoring Data
The County will strive to reach the goal of becoming a resilient community by anticipating,
preparing for, responding to, and recovering from significant multi -hazard threats with
minimum damage to social well-being, the economy and the environment. To reach this
goal, the County will employ the "Guiding Principles for Climate Change Adaptation"
developed by the CEQ:14
• Adopt integrated approaches;
• Prioritize the most vulnerable;
• Use best -available science;
• Build strong partnerships'
• Apply risk -management methods and tools;
• Apply ecosystem -based approaches;
• Maximize mutual benefits; and
• Continuously evaluate performance.
Many of these Guiding Principles are already being implemented by the County such as
using best available science and building partnerships and adoption of integrated
approaches through maintaining the LMS. But, it is also important to continue monitoring
for impacts from climate change throughout the County to achieve better understanding of
14 Council on Environmental Quality, Implementing Climate Change Adaptation Planning in Accordance with
Executive Order 13514, "Federal Agency Climate Change Adaptation Planning", Support Document, March 4,
2011.
Energy Conservation and Climate 21 Technical Document: May 2011
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
the timeframe and rate at which impacts will be experienced. This can be done through
updating the energy use and infrastructure asset baselines mentioned earlier. Capital
improvement planning decisions are made over the long term and as better data and more
certain projections become accepted, such as those for sea level rise, the County will
develop more specific assumptions in relation to capital improvement planning decisions.
Even though certain County and community -level GHG emissions data is unknown, and
specific capital infrastructure vulnerabilities have not been entirely inventoried, the County
will utilize the recommendations of the Green Initiatives Task Force, the new Climate
Change Advisory Committee, and the strategies developed from the Southeast Regional
Climate Compact, to develop a more robust response strategy incorporating the concept s
of mitigation of GHG emissions, adaptation and resilience to climate change impacts based
on the CEQ Guiding Principles.
The Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Energy Conservation and Climate 22 Technical Document: May 2011
CHAPTER 16.0 -ENERGY CONSERVATION AND CLIMATE- COMMENT RESPONSES
Commenter:Chris Bergh,The Nature Conservancy
Date Received:Email,Friday,March 04,2011 9:04 AM •
L6b1tibfl "tdlllit tt#ilinetit; 1 i s. etili l.
16.1 TNC: Add the language, and sea levels much lower than tolanguage
day" Agree,this languagg has has been added or addressed in Section 16.1
16.1 TNC: Address comment regarding"Earth's warming"language Addressed comment in 16.1 by eliminating first part of sentence
being a red herring and starting sentences with"Most climate scientists believe..."
16.1 TNC: Add language regarding greater variability and lower Agree,language added to Section.
predictability of weather patterns.
16.1 TNC: Change"presence"to"status" Agree,language changed in Section 16.1.
16.1 TNC: Language revision to final paragraph of"Gaining Change made.
understanding"versus"Gained understanding".
16.1 Add"c"to cholorofluorocarbons Agree,spelling corrected.
16.2.1 TNC: Language change from"highest sources"to"largest Change made.
contributors"
16.2.2 (now TNC: add atmospheric and ocean and precipitation as adjectives Change made.
16.2.3) relating to regional climate characteristic.
16.2.3 Revise sentence as follows: "There are six GHGs regulated under Agree,change made.
the Kyoto Protocol."
1 16.0 Energy Conservation and Climate Summary Response Form
Date:5-2-11
tdtl �y
Poa
°
ir
16.2.4 TNC: This last sentence sounds like the introduction to a new and Agree,changes made to better define terms.
important paragraph or section about vulnerability. It is
important to flesh out what is meant by each of these terms
(exposure,sensitivity,adaptive capacity)and to point out the ways
in which Monroe Co is vulnerable,or not,in general terms.
16.3 TNC: qualify impacts of climate change as"accelerating" Agree,change made.
16.3.1 TNC: move phrase,"building upon the energy requirements in the Agree,change made.
Florida Building Code by"
16.3.1 Suggested clarifications regarding building code. Agree,changes made.
16.3.2 TNC: "It would be useful to insert a statement about the BOCC Both changes addressed with additional language.
creation of a new Climate Change Advisory Committee and that
group's mandate.It would be useful to insert a statement about
Mo.Co.'formal participation in the SE FL Climate Compact with
Miami-Dade,Broward and Palm Beach Counties and that group's
mandate."
16.4.1 TNC: change"as"to"are" Agree,change made.
16.4.3 "Monroe County does not have TODs,TRDs. We have a height Somewhat agree,clarified that TODs and TRDs have been used in
limit of 35 feet." other communities. Did not address height comment because
discussion is broader regarding land use changes and impacts to
energy use.
16.4.5 Refer to the Solid Waste element. Agree,added,"as outlined in the Solid Waste Element."
16.5 TNC: comment modifying thermal expansion,"This is pretty high Agree,added footnote defining term.
tech.An explanation is warranted."
16.5 TNC: comment"The Keys are more likely to respond to CC like the Agree,added following sentence after comment: "Areas of lesser
Caribbean Basin as opposed to the SE USA. Predictions for the precipitation with struggle with meeting water demands and
Caribbean are for dryer conditions than present.If you need and habitat shifts."
can't find citation for this let me know and I'll dig it up."
16.4.3 "Monroe County does not have TODs,TRDs. We have a height Somewhat agree,clarified that TODs and TRDs have been used in
limit of 35 feet." other communities. Did not address height comment because
discussion is broader regarding land use changes and impacts to
energy use.
2 16.0 Energy Conservation and Climate Summary Response Form
Date:5-2-11
j�
Ltutioti , . . m . teti m �,
in
16.4.5 Refer to the Solid Waste element.
Agree,added,"as outlined in the Solid Waste Element."
16.5 TNC: comment modifying thermal expansion,"This is pretty high Agree,added footnote defining term.
tech.An explanation is warranted."
16.5 TNC Comment:"The Keys are more likely to respond to CC like the Agree,added following sentence after comment: "Areas of lesser
Caribbean Basin as opposed to the SE USA. Predictions for the precipitation with struggle with meeting water demands and
Caribbean are for dryer conditions than present.If you need and habitat shifts."
can't find citation for this let me know and I'll dig it up."
16.5.1 TNC comment on paragraph: "This paragraph switches back and Agree,reorganized paragraph and clarified sentence,"On
forth between global and local SLR. If this last statement is about average,globally,the sea level has risen by approximately 200
global average SLR that should be made more clear." mm(8 inches) during the past century(IPCC,2007)."
16.5.1 TNC comment on Mozumder citation: "These social scientists Agree,changed reference IPCC 2007.
were citing a biophysical science publication by someone else.It
would be worth citing that here instead of them."
16.5.1 TNC comment: add language"about future rates of sea level rise" Agree change made.
modifying publications and report.
16.5.1 TNC comment: "The bullets below do not all relate to the Agree,revised language as follows: "Sea level rise data is
reliability of the publications and reports. They relate to the generally considered to be a conservative estimate of the impacts
conservative nature of the predictions of future SLR." for the following reasons"&incorporated suggested language into
last bullet.
Table 16.2 TNC comment: modifications to copied table from publication. New table used at County request,comment no longer relevant
16.5.2 TNC comments: various language changes to Impacts on property Agree,all changes accepted.
loss section.
16.5.3 TNC comments: various language changes to Impacts on habitat Agree,all changes accepted.
section
16.5.3 Capitalize publication title and define or spell out hectares-ha. Agree,changes made.
16.5.4 TNC comment: change International to Intergovernmental. Agree,change made.
16.5.4 TNC comment: "Please review"Disturbance and the rising tide..." Agree,reviewed document and incorporated summary of
by Ross et al.and consider summarizing the discussion about the concepts commented upon.
interactions between SLR and storm surges in this area.This
relationship is really important identifying"tipping points"for
natural areas,native species and even the built environment and
human communities.I'll attach the document to my email with this
modified draft."
3 16.0 Energy Conservation and Climate Summary Response Form
Date:5-2-11
� �� v t r�,,° e 'i` 4� � °�[}` e. �{�b + c to°�d.
�> s.<t- az` s n`� 4a 7e°>:e• °B4� e.'�.y 111. Ra,,° d � ° . '`w g :° ° '�,°1� 1. �11 a �.� .e. : °.
16.5.5 Add"rate"in paragraph. Agree,change made.
16.5.6.1 Spell out Senate Bill. Agree,change made.
(new Section
16.6.1)
16.5.6.2 Superscript greenhouse gas abbreviations. Agree,change made.
(new Section
16.6.2)
16.5.6.4 TNC comments: language changes in section,eliminate streams All changes made.
(new Section reference,spell out TMDL reference.
16.6.4)
•
16.5.6.5 "Not sure if this goes in this section or in Water Quality above,but Landfills,etc.dealt with in later in another Section 16.6.5.
the need to deal with the disposition of the existing landfills(4),
informal/illegal/abandoned dump sites(many),and other sources
of pollution that will be mobilized into the environment by SLR
needs to be highlighted."
16.5.6.6 TNC comment: "I would like to suggest that this document should Researched and added"green infrastructure"see new draft
embrace the idea of"green infrastructure"as co-equal with the Section 16.6.6
traditional"built environment"infrastructure that this paragraph
is focused on. The Keys'reefs,natural beaches,coastal berms,
wetlands and other natural communities are just as important for
protecting people and the built environment from the negative
consequences of climate change as seawalls,stormwater drains
and so forth,but they provide their services to people at no cost.
Rather,the cost is minimal and it involves good stewardship of
nature(e.g.preventing and controlling exotic species invasions,
maintaining fire regimes,restoring wetlands,etc.). This idea,that
if people make our natural systems more resilient to climate
change impacts they in turn will help make us more resilient to the
same impacts,is more fully explored in the recommendations
found in my 2009 report on SLR impacts on the Keys which is cited
in this document as well as the Ross et al.paper that I will attach
with this draft.The latest term of art for this"nature helping
people"concept is Ecosystem Based Adaptation(EBA)."
4 16.0 Energy Conservation and Climate Summary Response Form
Date: 5-2-11
_, r_ ._ • _ _- a
d
16.5.6.6 TNC comment: "This sentence is weird.I think it's because the last Agree,paragraph reorganized now see Section 16.7.1.2
group of ideas relates to the diversity mentioned at the beginning,
not impacts mentioned in the middle."
16.5.6.6 TNC comment: additional language suggested regarding shoreline Agree language added. •
(new Section armoring,wetlands,etc.
16.7.1.3)
Commenter:Mayte Santemaria
Date Received:3-30-11
tdtn
tiTf ;t
:m • itk§A Ililt`° oe h
° °. e
16.1 Paragraph 5,second sentence delete"have". This section has been re-written.
16.3.2 Delete"No.",adjacent to"Resolution". Agree.Deleted.
16.4.1 Next to last sentence:change"as"to"are". Agree.Revised.
16.4.2 Use superscript for N20. Agree.Revised.
16.5 Delete"But"from 3rd sentence. Agree.Deleted.
16.6.1 Rearrange second sentence to begin"The County's wellfields..." Agree.Revised.
16.6.2 Use superscripts. Agree.Revised.
16.6.3 Second sentence: Revise"Because"to"Since". Agree.Revised.
16.6.4 Spell out"TMDL". Deleted,replaced with"water quality".
16.5.6.6 This section has been rewritten.
new 16.7.5 Changes have been incorporated into new section.
5 16.0 Energy Conservation and Climate Summary Response Form
Date: 5-2-11