The City of Gainesville has established goals of providing net zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 and of becoming a zero-waste community by 2040. With this as a backdrop, GRU’s Utility Advisory Board (UAB) sought to create an energy and utility policy that would “chart a balanced and measured path toward a sustainable utility and community.” The UAB defined “sustainable” as environmentally responsible, socially just and economically viable.
Unveiled in October 2020, the City of Gainesville’s proposed Energy and Utility Policy 2020-2030 is the first step in realizing an energy and utility vision for GRU and the City of Gainesville. By establishing clear policy, the UAB hopes to help the city create measurable goals and a strategic plan that addresses climate resiliency, supports local jobs and lowers utility costs for residents and businesses.
- You can read the draft energy and utility policy here.