October, 27th: Virtual via Zoom
8:30am - 12:30pm
In our fifth Local Government Summit, the Wisconsin Academy and partners held a virtual Summit to share practical resources and explore emerging issues in local energy planning and resilience in Wisconsin communities. Local government and tribal leaders and representatives from organizations actively serving as resources to these communities were invited to attend the Summit.
The Summit featured Kevin Bush, Deputy Assistant for Grant Programs for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as our keynote speaker. Bush provided an overview of HUD grant programs and how they can be used for climate change mitigation, adaption, and resilience. He also discussed the Biden administration’s “Build Back Better” plan and gave a preview of future funding opportunities coming for local municipalities. Following the keynote were multiple concurrent sessions and a plenary session featuring Steve Vavrus, Senior Scientist with the Nelson Institute Center for Climatic Research. Vavrus discussed the impact changing weather patterns will have in Wisconsin. Session details below:
Concurrent Session I (9:15-10am)
Session One: How municipalities are leading the transition to electric vehicles
Electric vehicles are no longer a thing of the future. As we move to decarbonize our transportation sector, hear from municipalities as they lead electric vehicle adoption efforts in their communities and fleets, including any challenges they experience.
Session Two: Understanding local government opportunities in a changing energy world with PSC Commissioner Tyler Huebner
PSC Commissioner Tyler Huebner discusses a changing Wisconsin energy landscape in this session and will answer questions from participants. The presentation will include a discussion about new funding opportunities for local governments for renewable energy expansion and climate resiliency.
Concurrent Session II (11:15-12pm)
Session One: Really Affordable: Climate Resilient Affordable Housing
Housing costs are on the rise in many communities, spurring work to create and maintain affordable housing. Ideally affordable housing is safe, comfortable, resilient and resource-efficient so that it remains affordable. This panel will talk about strategies that leverage climate action and affordable housing to maximize both short and long-term benefits.
Session Two: Infrastructure Resilience: Tools for Climate Change Adaptation Planning
Members of the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI) Infrastructure Working Group discuss how communities can plan for and implement changes to infrastructure to respond to climate change. The presentation will make the business case for infrastructure adaptation, describe insights from a survey of Wisconsin infrastructure owners and designers, and detail the steps that communities can take to assess infrastructure vulnerability and improve resilience. Discussion with session participants will focus on how climate change infrastructure planning can move forward in their communities.
See the full schedule here!
