In sum, poor residential energy efficiency in Easton is an issue that can be amended with the proper tools, and one such tool is microgrids. Microgrids have proven to be beneficial in many other locations throughout the United States, and have provided varying communities with local, reliable, and relatively inexpensive energy. Microgrids have also been a major factor in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and meeting energy goals. On account of technical, social, and economic factors, microgrids are a solution that the City of Easton should consider in the face of climate change pressures. It is because of this that we suggest that the City of Easton Housing Authority and the Nurture Nature Center work together to rebuild the Bushkill and North Union Street housing complexes with maximum energy efficiency and connect them to a renewable energy source. We propose that Easton’s Environmental Advisory Council help to facilitate increased coordination between Easton housing authorities and the Nurture Nature Center during this period.
For this to be successful, further research and work must be done to determine the energy load required for these buildings which could be determined by the energy companies that supply Easton– PPL Corp and Met-Ed. Once these companies carry out an energy analysis for Bushkill and North Union complexes, the more specific details of the microgrid can be determined. It would also be beneficial to create an “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy”, or a more general “Climate Change” chapter of the Choice Neighborhoods plan, which currently makes no reference to climate change or what will need to be done to address it as an issue for the West Ward specifically.
Generally, this project has identified a gap in Easton’s coordination. Given that the city is eight years out from the first deadline for major climate goals, there should be no new development projects that do not strongly consider their environmental footprints and long-term sustainability. To this end, we suggest that the City of Easton supports the formation of an ‘Energy Efficiency Housing Council’ which can solely focus on connecting the goals of the Climate Action Plan and all housing development plans, not just in the West Ward. For example, objectives EP-2A and EP-2E of the Climate Action Plan discuss rooftop solar on existing and new residential buildings. However, the Nurture Nature Center does not have the resources or authority to follow through with these objectives at this time. If granted the proper resources and authority, an Energy Efficiency Housing Council could coordinate efforts and ensure that no new housing units are built without rooftop solar.
If this proposal were to be implemented, it would advance the goals of not only the Climate Action Plan but also the West Ward Choice Neighborhoods plan. This plan discusses actions that will be taken to rebrand the neighborhood and change its perception. There is an unutilized opportunity here – to use climate action as a rebranding opportunity. If the N. Union and Bushkill House units were to be built with maximum energy efficiency and on renewable sources, and the West Ward could exert itself as a ‘Progressive Energy Neighborhood’. This would advance the goal of advancing West Ward’s reputation in Easton, but it would also advance Easton’s reputation in PA and hopefully inspire other regions to create their own Progressive Energy Neighborhoods.