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Metroplan announces on June 27th that its Board of Directors had approved an Energy and Environment Innovation Comprehensive Action Plan (“Plan”).
Metroplan states that the plan will be released for public comment starting June 29th and ending on July 29th.
The announcement also lists two town halls that will be held on July 10th and July 17th virtually.
The Plan is described as a future submission to the Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment. The Plan is stated to be a collaboration with state and regional agencies to develop the Arkansas Energy and Environment Innovation (EEI) plan, which will guide investments and incentives to:
…keep the state’s air clean, protect its natural resources, and electrify economic development in Arkansas.
Its stated intent is to help organizations pursue projects to improve Central Arkansas’ economy and environment.
The Plan’s supplement will consist of:
- Regional greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and projections
- Regional GHG reduction targets
- Additional GHG reduction measures with implementation details
- Program design
- Review of authority to implement
- Funding availability
- Low-income and disadvantaged community (LIDAC) benefits analysis
- Workforce needs analysis
Metroplan states that they have received input from Central Arkansans identifying five major projects that should be considered:
- Build Regional Greenways and Preserve Open Space.
- Increase Energy Savings, Independence, and Resilience.
- Improve Waste Services.
- Use the Land We Already Have and Fill the Vacant Lots.
- Expand Electric Vehicle Charging.
Funding for the plan is stated to be provided by a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Metroplan has served as the area’s federally designated metropolitan planning organization since 1972. Its stated function as a metropolitan planning organization is described as working with local governments, the state Department of Transportation, and local transit providers to determine transportation needs and funding priorities for federal transportation investments.
A link to a summary of the Plan can be downloaded here.
