1.
ENERGY
ENERGY SUPPLY
ACHIEVING BOULDER’S 100% CLEAN ENERGYVISION
Greenhouse gas emissions from power generation are one of the leading causes of climate change.That means creating a climate-friendly, renewable energy system is among the greatest
and most important challenges in our time.The time is ripe to reimagine the way we generate, buy and sell energy, so that we can to create a low-cost,
To achieve this, Boulder has embarked on a clean energy transition by committing to power our community with 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030.
The goal is to have a clean, affordable and reliable energy system.To reach our climate goals, we need to change how we produce, manage and use energy by creating energy systems that
are clean, affordable and reliable, low-carbon energy future.

2.
WHEREWE ARE
CLEAN ELECTRICITY SOURCE CHANGE - MAKINGTHETRANSITION
Making a transition to renewable energy future will require the rapid transition to 100% renewable electricity as the foundation of this change.
This will include ways to:

3.
GAME CHANGERS
WHAT IFTHEREWASA NEWWAYTO FUNDTHETRANSITION?
Example:
A financial process that helps accelerate the deployment of more solar and storage on the roofs of homes and businesses.
WHAT IFTHEREWASA NEW POLICY OR REGULATIONTO DRIVETHETRANSITIONTO HAPPEN?
Example:
A requirement that all Colorado communities can implement microgrids in neighborhoods to manage costs, reduce emissions and
enhance reliability and resilience.
WHAT IFTHEREWASATECHNOLOGY BREAKTHROUGHTHAT MADETRANSITION EASIERAND CHEAPER?
Example:
A requirement that all Colorado communities can implement microgrids in neighborhoods to manage costs, reduce emissions and
enhance reliability and resilience.
IMAGINE…
What will Boulder’s energy system look like in 2030? How will you get your energy?
Looking at where we stand today and where we need to be in 2030, what do we need to do to get there?
What are the flagship initiatives and priorities our community should prioritize, and what aspects of the transition are most
important?

4.
ENERGY
BUILDINGS
HOWWE HEAT, COOL AND USE ENERGY MATTERS
BOULDER’S BUILDINGSTODAY
Two-thirds of the Boulder’s greenhouse gas emissions are associated with these buildings:
• 44,000 homes, apartments, and other residential units
• 3,700 commercial and industrial buildings.
Most commercial buildings and about 80% of residential units rely on natural gas for heating. Even
as electricity gets cleaner, buildings will still contribute significant emissions unless we move away
from natural gas.
EMISSIONS BY SECTOR
ENERGY-BURDENED HOUSEHOLDS IN COLORADO
THE COST
As the impacts of climate change are felt in terms of increasing
temperature extremes, energy costs and emissions are rising.
Already, nearly 30% of Colorado’s residential households are
experiencing some level of financial hardship because of their energy
costs. Energy affordability is critical.

5.
WHEREWE ARE
CURRENT GOAL: BY 2050 ALL BUILDINGS IN BOULDERWILL BE HIGH
PERFORMANCE
Having high-performance buildings, means:
• Air-tight and insulated buildings that reduce the need for heating and cooling
• Highly efficient equipment, lighting and appliances
• On-site renewable energy generation and storage where possible
• Smart, automated energy management systems that ensure building comfort,
efficiency and livability.
Did you know?
If natural gas is replaced by renewably
generated electricity, community
emissions will be reduced by 16%
SAVING OURSELVES (METRIC)TONS OF EMISSIONS

6.
GAME CHANGERS
WHAT IFTHEREWASA NEWWAYTO FUNDTHETRANSITION?
Example:
Instead of you owning your heating and cooling systems, you lease them from someone else who installs, operates and maintains
WHAT IFTHEREWASA NEW POLICY OR REGULATIONTO DRIVETHETRANSITIONTO HAPPEN?
Example:
A way to sell your excess solar to your neighbor or limits on natural gas use.
WHAT IFTHEREWASATECHNOLOGY BREAKTHROUGHTHAT MADETRANSITION EASIERAND CHEAPER?
Example:
A better option for replacing your gas furnace or a way to easily convert neighborhoods to district systems.

7.
ENERGY
MOBILITY
MAKING SMART CHOICES IN HOWWE GET AROUND
HOW WE MOVETODAY
There are over 63,000 registered vehicles in Boulder.Tens of thousands of additional vehicles enter and depart from Boulder every day, carrying employees, students, goods and visitors.
28% OFTHE CITY’S EMISSIONS COME FROM GROUND TRANSPORTATION
Boulder has one of the highest per capita percentages of hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) ownership, but we also have one of the highest per capita proportions of SUVs. Boulder’s average fuel
efficiency is 21.4 MPG, barely higher than the state average.
8% OFTHECITY’S EMISSIONS COME AIRTRAVEL
An additional 8% is added for Boulder’s share of the regional air travel out of Denver InternationalAirport. As the community prospers financially, drawing more and more workers and
visitors from outside the city, vehicle miles traveled continue to increase.

8.
WHEREWE ARE
CURRENT GOAL: BY 2050 PEOPLEAND GOODSWILLTRAVELAROUND BOULDERGENERATING LITTLE OR NO
GHG EMISSIONS
This will include walking and biking, as well as shared transportation like transit, car share, van pools and e-bikes.The personal and work vehicles that remain will use clean energy
sources, such as renewably produced electricity and alternative fuels like hydrogen.

9.
GAME CHANGERS
WHAT IFTHEREWASA NEWWAYTO FUNDTHETRANSITION?
Example:
A vehicle miles traveled fee that replaces or supplements the gas tax by charging for the use of the road system.
WHAT IFTHEREWASA NEW POLICY OR REGULATIONTO DRIVETHETRANSITIONTO HAPPEN?
Example:
A carbon tax program that incentivizes alternative and clean mobility choices.
WHAT IFTHEREWASATECHNOLOGY BREAKTHROUGHTHAT MADETRANSITION EASIERAND CHEAPER?
Example:
Next generation high-speed transit and autonomous vehicles.