Agenda - Council - 04/13/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Riverstone South EAW January 2021 GHG emissions from this project, while unquantified, are not expected to cause potential for significant environmental effects because this is a discretionary EAW, the project does not trip any other mandatory EAW thresholds, and there are no available GHG emission estimates that show a comparably sized Minnesota project with potential to exceed the mandatory EAW threshold of 100,000 tons of CO2e per year (Minnesota Rules Part 4410.4300, Subp. 15.B.). Mitigation and adaption measures could help the project lessen the impacts of climate change and GHG emissions. Such measures may include: 1. Use energy efficient building materials that reduce needs for home heating and cooling. 2. Install energy star appliances and programable thermostats (already assumed). 3. Install smart irrigation, or no irrigation at all, to reduce outdoor water use (many Minnesota lawns now stay green all summer long without irrigation) . 4. Encourage residents to sign up for utility -sponsored renewable energy programs, such as renewable connect or windsource. 5. Install high-albedo (reflective) roofing materials that reflect the sun's UV rays and save energy needed to cool buildings. 6. Plant some turf to no -mow fine fescue mixes or native prairie/pollinator gardens to decrease mowing and increase carbon sequestration. 7. Encourage residents to sign up for utility -sponsored renewable energy programs, such as renewable connect or windsource. 8. Consider rooftop solar, electric vehicle charging stations, and/or battery storage in new homes to make them more energy autonomous and EV-ready. 9. Consider a community compost program for organic solid waste to reduce the burden on and future methane emissions from local solid waste landfills. 10. Consider a microgrid for efficient, automated distribution of energy among participants. 11. Install ground -source or air -source geothermal heat pumps during initial construction when most cost-effective. b. Vehicle emissions. Describe the effect of the project's traffic generation on air emissions. Discuss the project's vehicle -related emissions effect on air quality. Identify measures (e.g. traffic operational improvements, diesel idling minimization plan) that will be taken to minimize or mitigate vehicle -related emissions. The proposed project will generate increased traffic, which will result in a relatively small corresponding increase in carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and other vehicle -related air emissions. Project development is expected to have a minor effect on air quality. GHG emissions related to traffic and transportation are listed under Item 16.a above. The project does not include air quality monitoring or modeling. 27