Building Energy Savings Program, Lake Monona Waterfront Design Challenge

Hi Everyone,

Here are this week's updates:

Building Energy Savings Policy

Sustainable Madison Committee meets today at 4:30pm. An important item on the agenda will be whether to recommend approval of the new Building Energy Savings Program (BESP). You may read about the program in greater detail here and here.

The BESP was presented to the Economic Development Committee last week and the EDC voted to refer the matter to the next meeting. The Chamber of Commerce is trying to stop this, arguing instead for a voluntary program. Unfortunately, voluntary programs don't result in significant energy savings. We have an EPA for a reason, and that's to enforce mandates to ensure clean water and clean air. History has shown us that private businesses in a competitive economic environment will shift costs off the books, hence voluntary measures are not sufficient.

Similarly, we require that taxes get paid. This is a mandate and it's why we have the IRS. The notion that voluntary support of the common good would be sufficient without mandates is not something anyone takes seriously. 

We have known about climate change for decades, but the private sector keeps dragging its feet. It's no longer a matter of shifting costs to future generations, because the future is now. Climate change is here and we are, in fact, in a climate emergency. It's imperative that we all work together, the private sector and public sector alike, to face these enormous challenges. Madison is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050. It's time for everyone to get on board.

Lake Monona Waterfront Design Challenge

The Lake Monona Waterfront Design Challenge is a once-in-a generation opportunity to shape the future of Madison's urban waterfront. This is a competition to create a visionary, inclusive, and environmentally focused master plan for Madison's foremost public lakefront comprising 1.7 miles of shoreline and 17 total acres. There will be in person presentations of the Lake Monona Waterfront Master Plans by the City's three selected consultant teams on January 26, 2023 from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Madison Central Library, 201 W Mifflin St., Madison, WI 53703. This event will also be live-streamed beginning at 6 pm CDT. You can learn more about this event and the the Lake Monona Waterfront Design Challenge process at the City of Madison's website and at the Friends of Nolen Waterfront's website.

That's all for now.

Take care and stay safe.

Tag