Title
Strategic Energy Action Plan Update
Action
Action:
Approve the Transportation, Planning and Development Committee’s recommendation to adopt the Strategic Energy Action Plan Update.
Body
Committee Chair:
Ed Driggs, Transportation, Planning, and Development
Staff Resource(s):
Sarah Hazel, City Manager’s Office
Heather Bolick, Office of Sustainability and Resilience
Robyn Byers, Office of Sustainability and Resilience
Explanation
§ In June 2018, City Council unanimously adopted the Sustainable and Resilient Charlotte by 2050 Resolution and followed with an adopted plan to help us set the foundation for success. The Strategic Energy Action Plan (SEAP) was unanimously adopted by City Council in December 2018.
§ Over the last six years, at the direction of City Council and the City Manager, the focus has been on creating a strong foundation for sustainability in Charlotte.
§ With this implementation experience, the latest science, and updates in technology, the revised SEAP remains relevant in a changing context while focusing on meaningful impact to support all residents.
§ In partnership with Ernst & Young and Civility Localized, staff worked closely over the past year with community stakeholders, partner organizations, and content experts to update the SEAP.
§ The SEAP+ includes an update of the two original SEAP goals, splitting one into two, and setting one new goal:
- Charlotte will reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions 72 percent (to 3.56 metric tons of CO2 emissions per capita) by 2035 and reach net-zero by 2050;
- 600 MW of distributed renewable energy generation will be installed in Charlotte by 2035;
- The city will source 100 percent of its electricity use in municipal buildings from zero carbon sources by 2030 and reach net zero emissions in municipal buildings by 2050; and
- The city will reach net zero emissions in its light-duty fleet by 2035 and in its entire fleet by 2050.
§ The focus areas of the SEAP+ are:
- Buildings,
- Transportation,
- Energy generation, and
- Cross-sectional.
§ While the key objective of the SEAP is greenhouse gas emissions reduction, the SEAP+ has broadened this focus to include waste and water reduction and climate risk, and charts a course to align economic development policy, such as the creation of green jobs, with the actions necessary to transition to a zero carbon future.
§ The SEAP follows a similar update pattern as the Charlotte Future 2040 Plan. It is to be reviewed every five years, and larger revisions are planned to occur roughly every ten years.
§ Implementation of the SEAP will ensure operational resilience while achieving a balance between return on investment, total cost of ownership, and sustainability.
Committee Discussion
§ The Transportation, Planning, and Development Committee discussed the SEAP+ referral at the January 8, 2024; October 7, 2024; February 3, 2025; March 3, 2025; April 7, 2025; and May 5, 2025, committee meetings.
§ On May 5, 2025, the Transportation, Planning, and Development Committee voted unanimously (Driggs, Molina, Graham, Johnson) to recommend the updated SEAP (SEAP+) to full Council for adoption.
§ Council received an overview of the committee’s recommendations at the May 12, 2025, City Council Meeting.
Attachments
Attachment(s)
Strategic Energy Action Plan Executive Summary
Strategic Energy Action Plan+ full updated document