The Sustainability Advisory Board met September 9 to review city drought preparedness and renewable energy initiatives. Water conservation program manager Jessica Ahlstrom presented the 2022 drought management plan, which establishes four drought stages with escalating restrictions and water use reduction targets ranging from 10% in Stage 1 to 40% in Stage 4. The plan uses tiered surcharges—from 0-25% at Stage 1 to 25-200% at Stage 4—to incentivize conservation. Ahlstrom noted that the city achieved a 28% water reduction during the 2021 drought declaration despite challenging conditions, and monitors streamflow, snowpack, reservoir levels, and regional drought indices to inform declarations. Board members raised questions about reaching renters, homeowners associations, and commercial properties, with Ahlstrom identifying postcards, social media, and the free Drop Counter water monitoring app as primary outreach tools.
Natalie Meyer of the Sustainability Division updated the board on several municipal infrastructure projects now operational or under development. The Bozeman Public Library's expanded solar array, which added 37 kilowatts to an existing 16-kilowatt system, is now generating power and is expected to offset 10% of library electricity use. Recent library energy efficiency improvements achieved a 30% reduction in combined electricity and natural gas consumption. A 120-kilowatt DC fast charger installation at the city shops complex is operational and serves the municipal electric vehicle fleet. Meyer identified high demand charges from Northwestern Energy as a barrier to wider EV charging adoption and called for utility time-of-use rates to encourage off-peak charging.
Meyer also reported that the Water Reclamation Facility will receive a 608-kilowatt behind-the-meter solar array, the city's largest solar installation, with construction expected to begin next spring. The project will offset 5% of all city building carbon emissions. The City Commission adopted the LEED Community Agreement on July 21, with a public filing to the Public Service Commission expected and an informational public session scheduled for September 24. The board noted a vacancy following a resignation and encouraged recruitment through the City of Bozeman board application website.