USF, St. Petersburg Launch New Renewable Energy Initiatives

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – The Sunshine City is looking to put its money where its nickname and try to eliminate carbon emissions.

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and USF St. Petersburg Chancellor Dr. Sophia Wisniewska announced the launch of several new energy initiatives that will expand renewable energy.

On Monday, Nov. 21, the St. Petersburg City Council voted unanimously to dedicate $800,000 of its BP settlement funds toward modeling vulnerabilities to sea-level rise, energy analyses and efficiency retrofits for city facilities and creating an Integrated Sustainability Action Plan. The play will in part chart a roadmap to 100 percent renewable energy for the community.

St. Petersburg is the 20th city in the United States and the first in Florida to make a commitment to 100 percent clean, renewable energy.

“This is the most robust, comprehensive climate planning initiative St. Petersburg has ever undertaken,” Kriseman said. “Working towards 100 percent clean energy and zero waste is just one way we continue to build our city of opportunity where the sun shines on all who come to live, work and play.”

Wisniewska also unveiled the University’s inaugural Climate Action Plan. Developed in collaboration with the Center for Climate Strategies over the last three years, the Climate Action Plan is a set of strategies to reduce emissions by 50 percent before 2035 and to achieve full carbon neutrality by 2050.

“A respect for our environment is among the core values stated in USFSP’s Vison 20/20 Strategic Plan,” she said. “We take seriously our commitment to become carbon neutral.”

USF also announced a $125,000 investment in a new solar carport, which will be built directly south of the new College of Business Building on Fourth Street. The project is designed to provide power to the surrounding buildings, contributing to the university’s goal of installing 500 kilowatts of renewable energy production by 2020.

The announcement came on the heels of Gov. Rick Scott’s emergency rule that establishes new requirements for public notification of pollution incidents, like the recent sewage spills in Pinellas County.

According to the Suncoast Sierra Club, St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay have been identified as among the most vulnerable places for rising sea levels as a result of climate change. When combined with exposure to tropical weather events, economic interruptions like floods, sewage spills and power outages are projected to increase in frequency and severity, according to the organization.

The ISAP is a comprehensive strategy to achieve the city’s sustainability and resilience goals, including avoiding floods and sewage spills, hardening against wind damage and power outages, reducing energy costs and waterfront property insurance rates, and transitioning to a 100 percent clean energy system.

In addition, the ISAP will aim to promote job creation, stimulate private investment and generally enhance St. Petersburg’s economic development.

“(The) joint announcement is an impressive first by St. Petersburg’s most prominent public institutions to respond to the greatest threats to our community, while creating new opportunities for all people in our region,” said Emily Gorman, co-manager for the Suncoast Sierra Club’s Ready for 100% St. Pete campaign. “Suncoast Sierra Club is proud to collaborate with the city and university to support these initiatives and believes the community collaboration in the climate action and 100 percent clean energy planning process is an opportunity to improve the equity and unity in the city.”

Image courtesy of Suncoast Sierra Club