Task 1: Conduct existing conditions analysis and research other jurisdiction actions (Months 1-6) Assess current residential building efficiency conditions in Hennepin County, including programs, economic sectors, challenges, and opportunities for decarbonization. Research challenges and successes in other jurisdictions. The study could include the following sections: 1. Inventory of Communitywide Energy Use and Emissions: Build upon the insights of Hennepin County’s existing GHG accounting and other available data sources to provide an analysis of current energy use and emissions by building type, age, geography, etc. 2. Data Analysis of Hennepin County Housing Stock: Analyze available data on the characteristics and condition of Hennepin County's 1-4 unit residential buildings, including building age, insulation levels, HVAC systems, etc. 3. Develop GIS Prioritization Map: Identify areas with highest energy consumption and energy burdened populations in Hennepin County. 4. Review of City Actions/Programs: For cities in Hennepin County with highest energy consumption, conduct an analysis of any relevant efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or increase energy efficiency in residential buildings. Include a review of the Minneapolis Weatherization Roadmap and identify components that can be leveraged or adapted for Hennepin County. The County will provide a list of existing Hennepin County efficiency programs for reference. 5. Review of Peer County Strategies: Perform a targeted review of other similar counties that have demonstrated successful decarbonization strategies in greenhouse gas emission reductions in the residential building sector. This review should focus on counties with similar jurisdictional powers and limits (e.g. lack of land use authority). a. Research best practices and lessons learned from weatherization and electrification programs in other jurisdictions, especially cold climates b. Research barriers encountered and strategies for overcoming c. Identify successful equity focused programs and lessons learned to advance building decarbonization in disadvantaged communities 6. Current Barriers: Include an assessment of barriers such as state policy, utility role, workforce, and supply chain for weatherization and electrification. Deliverables 1. Report in Word/PDF format, with accompanying tables. a. Summarize the data analysis findings and implications for weatherization and electrification planning 2. Set of GIS prioritization map 3. A list of all documents referenced in the background research. Task 2: Stakeholder Engagement and Best Practices Review (Months 1-6) Engage with key stakeholders to gather their input and insights on challenges and best practices from weatherization and electrification programs to inform the development of Hennepin County's plan. 1. Collect Stakeholder Input: Conduct workshops, interviews, and/or surveys with key stakeholders to understand priorities, concerns, barriers, recommended best practices, and ideas related to equitable residential weatherization and electrification. a. Potential groups to engage with: i. Community-based organizations with some knowledge and/or experience with building efficiency topics, especially those serving low-income or disadvantaged communities ii. Utilities and energy efficiency program administrators iii. Local government officials and staff (cities, towns, etc.) iv. Workforce development organizations and training providers v. Financing institutions, such as green banks and community development financial institutions (e.g. MNCIFA) vi. Business and industry associations vii. Clean energy advocacy groups Deliverables 1. Summary of stakeholder input and best practices to inform the plan Task 3: Identify emission reduction targets (Months 1-6) Set quantifiable targets for emissions reductions in Hennepin County's residential building sector, assess the costs and equity impacts of these targets, and identify potential ownership (cities, county, state). Forecast the expected impact of achieving these targets and the potential impact of no intervention. Keep in mind the goals outlined in the Climate Action Plan. 1. Set targets for emissions reductions: Create a list of specific quantifiable targets for Hennepin County to meet its carbon reduction goals in the residential building energy sector, building on the existing KPIs that Hennepin County has already developed. These targets could be broken out by the various residential building sectors such as affordable housing, rental properties, and owner-occupied homes or new and existing homes. 2. Estimate expected progress without intervention: Analyze the baseline scenario where no additional measures are taken beyond current policies and initiatives. This analysis will quantify the likely emissions levels and energy consumption in the building sector by evaluating existing trends, regulatory frameworks, and ongoing programs. The evaluation will consider different geographic areas within Hennepin County, providing a detailed forecast of the county's carbon footprint and energy usage under a business-as-usual scenario. This will serve as a benchmark for assessing the urgency and scale of interventions required to meet the county's decarbonization targets. Deliverables 1. A PDF/Word document listing of emission targets and scenarios where no additional measures are taken as a benchmark.
