Energy Policy and Smart Growth

American Planning Association

2003 Legislative and Policy Conference

May 11-13, 2003

Speakers Megan Lewis, AICP, Senior

Research Associate, APA Naomi Friedman, Director of

Sustainable Markets, Center for the New American Dream

Alexandra Tietz, Counsel to the House Governmental Reform Committee

Session Summary Linkage between energy policy and

planning. Connection of energy issues to

smart growth and sustainability issues.

Research opportunities to promote energy conservation and efficiency.

Status of current federal energy legislation.

Land-Use Planning and Energy APA last visited this topic

in depth in the mid-1970s. Emphasis was on energy

conservation and preventing another crisis.

Solar power, heating, and cooling was the renewable technology.

Few communities made modifications to the built environment to address energy issues.

Village Homes, Davis, Calif. Pioneering solar-

oriented subdivision Street and path

orientation to allow natural heating and cooling

Bike and pedestrian-oriented streets, and narrow streets.

Natural stormwater drainage system

Energy Today Alternative energy sources now: solar,

wind, hydrogen, landfill gas, biomass, and cogeneration.

Connected to broader issues to reduce dependence on foreign oil sources.

Connected to other issues of smart growth, sustainability, equity, and environmental quality.

Energy Statistics – Consumption

Residential19%

Industrial37%

Commercial16%

Transportation 28%

Energy Statistics – Spending

Residential24%

Industrial21%

Commercial18%

Transportation37%

Energy Statistics – Sources

Natural Gas23%

Coal21%

Renewables8%Nuclear

Power8%

Petroleum40%

Energy Statistics – Renewables

Biomass48%

Hydroelectric46%

Geothermal4%

Solar1% Wind

1%

Energy Statistics – Additional Data

U.S. produces only 38 percent of the oil it consumes.

World fossil fuel reserves, particularly petroleum, are expected at current consumption levels to peak by 2010 and be depleted by 2050.

Drilling in the ANWR will yield only 2 percent of U.S. consumption demand at its production peak.

General Conclusions Issues of supply, cost, and energy

sources suggest a need for a policy shift that: Encourages adoption of renewable

energy sources in all sectors Promotes energy efficiency in

systems that use non-renewable sources

Supports such efforts on the local level, where land-use and transportation decisions are made.

Why planners?

Global issue

COMMUNITY ISSUE

Individual issue

APA Policy Guidance on Energy APA addresses energy policy in its

policy guides on: Smart Growth (2002) Sustainability (2000)

APA is also developing a stand-alone energy policy.

Energy conservation and efficiency is an APA legislative priority for 2003.

APA Policy Guide on Smart Growth (2002) “Energy conservation is a major

benefit and result of Smart Growth, helping to create more sustainable development and allow people to meet current needs without compromising the needs of future generations.”

Smart Growth and Energy Development patterns that minimize

vehicular miles traveled. Transportation policy and funding that

supports different transportation modes. Regulations and financial programs that

support the use of alternative energy sources and “green” building approaches.

APA Policy Guideon Sustainability (2000)

Local and regional development patterns that expand choice and opportunities

Resilient, diverse, and self-sufficient local economies

Communities with a healthy economy, environment, and social climate

Sustainability and Energy Policy

Land use Transportation Housing and

building Economic

development

Open space and recreation

Infrastructure Resource

conservation

Reduce dependence upon fossil fuels, extracted underground metals, and minerals, in the areas of:

Land-Use Actions Compact development Mixed uses Pedestrian-friendly

development Transit-oriented

development Home-based occupations

and work Local food production and

agriculture

Transportation Actions Reduce vehicle trips Use alternative modes

of transportation Development and use

of alternative fuel vehicles

Provide affordable, efficient transportation alternatives

Transportation Actions Street design that:

Encourages pedestrian and bike use and discourages high speed traffic

Supports/enhances neighborhood connection to other neighborhoods and commercial developments

Housing and Building Actions Solar-orientation Regenerative energy

for heating and cooling Housing near

employment centers Building materials with

low “embodied energy” Housing that shares

resources and living spaces (cohousing)

Economic Development Actions Reduce employee and

product transport vehicle trips (Transportation)

Use regenerative energy alternatives (Housing and Building)

Are locally based or have home-based work opportunities (Land Use)

Open Space/Recreation Actions Provide facilities within

walking and biking distance Use local materials and

native plants in construction Design to reduce

dependence on landscaping and maintenance resources

Preserve green spaces in urban areas for cooling benefits

Infrastructure Actions Promote facilities that

use renewable energy sources

Support design approaches that focus on pollution prevention, re-use, and recycling

Direct development to areas with existing transportation systems

Resource Conservation Actions Minimize energy use Encourage develop-

ment of renewable energy sources (Infrastructure)

Promote recycling of waste materials

Develop community gardens (Land Use)

APA Working Paper on Energy

Energy Conservation Energy and Weatherization

Assistance Facility Siting Transportation Alternative Energy Sources Building Design

Barriers to Achieving Energy Goals

FINANCIAL

PERCEPTIVE

REGULATORY

Overcoming Financial Barriers Incentive programs:grants,

rebates, and loans Examples on Database of State

Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) website.

Relief programs: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Weatherization Assistance for Low Income Persons (Wx)

Overcoming Regulatory Barriers Adopt regulations that promote and

encourage smart growth Site plan standards that allow for

cluster, solar orientation, narrow streets, etc.

Building codes that capture efficiencies and promote use of approaches like BIPV.

Adopt energy facility siting regulations for alternative energy facilities

Examples of rules, regulations, and policies in the DSIRE database.

Overcoming Perception Barriers Compact land patterns

encourage creation of community

Financial freedom to pursue jobs and housing that may be currently out of reach

Air quality improvements and improved public health

Energy sources will change – a matter of when and how

In the Future…

Different, Yet the Same

Selected Resources

APA Policy Guides: www.planning.org/policyguides Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy

(DSIRE): www.dsireusa.com U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable

Energy Lab: www.nrel.gov U.S. Department of Energy, Smart Communities

Network: www.sustainable.doe.gov Rocky Mountain Institute: www.rmi.org

Email address: mlewis@planning.org