[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6659697,"mediaKeyId","2449637-7af21e51a273f045b2ca67c37d82f7a6","parentId",2449637,"title","Denton staff outlines electric lawn-equipment rebate pilot; board favors largest rebate option and including corded models","audioSeconds",870,"startMs",51000,"endMs",921000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2449637-7af21e51a273f045b2ca67c37d82f7a6&start=51&end=921","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2449637-7af21e51a273f045b2ca67c37d82f7a6/thumbnail_51000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6659697/Denton-City/Denton-County/Texas/Denton-staff-outlines-electric-lawn-equipment-rebate-pilot-board-favors-largest-rebate-option-and-including-corded-models","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659697-c00e9bfaa5b523c96b7d932a4597681d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137765&Signature=Xwi0AYkffBIB1fSU~2tOHzcPzQsyaSEdKr3WDVBIFygnrzUOd3QcaA~fgDpXFYKpPyGHGg5s3o-W~snmSf8-cKirNH~lZDHrzsDKbZdiyOH~C0LglX5Z96DzKrJolVGBv4IFwuN0iOV4i4ubCMZPc34z~1LL65Rez0hsRaG33e2Qvpeue4y1Cxcvzwz8ICf1Lr6VDev8kXzCnWbKHN-1TjAYXT6gvmQmrhunFc9e6cWJuyoHmJLDsbZjTGTtS~KwPFhTFcwI68z2NtYRFk8WHe4DxrWz7PbfXqfYxHQAiaWi6eJ6zurpsb8jnVKT4WzE6hplVGBk1x8MYZtUjTlN~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Denton","date","2025-02-28T00:00:00Z","article","City staff presented details of a proposed electric lawn-equipment incentive pilot for Denton residents at the Feb. 28 sustainability meeting, describing rebate levels, eligibility rules and options for proof of disposal of gasoline-powered equipment.

The city’s sustainability manager said the pilot would be available to all Denton residents and would not be limited to Denton Municipal Electric customers. Applicants would submit a detailed receipt and type of equipment within 90 days of purchase; staff proposed an additional $50 incentive for proof that a gasoline mower was turned in or picked up through the city’s bulky-item program. The manager said proposed rebate structures included a high-tier option with a $500 per-household maximum and up to $300 for a mower with trade-in, a mid-tier option with a $300 maximum, and a flat-payment option with lower per-item payments.

Board members raised questions about whether corded electric equipment should be eligible. Dr. Meyer and another member urged the inclusion of corded models, noting that corded equipment still reduces emissions compared with gasoline engines. One board member who reviewed large-box retailer pricing said the price difference between electric and gasoline push mowers was about $80 on average and that handheld electric trimmers were often cheaper than their gasoline equivalents; that member recommended weighting rebates more heavily where the price gap favors electric equipment.

Members asked about implementation details for the trade-in option; staff said the city’s bulk curbside pickup could provide proof of disposal and that items must be drained of fuel before pickup. When asked about program scale, staff said the pilot has $50,000 earmarked. Several members said they preferred the largest rebate structure (staff’s Option 1) and supported including corded electric equipment and a marketing push using the city’s existing channels.

No formal vote to adopt a program was recorded during the discussion; board members provided direction to staff to proceed with program design incorporating the feedback discussed, including considering corded equipment, the rebate structure similar to Option 1, and trade-in proof via bulky-item pickup.

Board members also requested that staff return with estimated emissions reductions and other co-benefits for the proposed program.

Staff noted that disposal and battery recycling logistics would need to be clarified as part of implementation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Denton - Sustainability Framework Advisory Committee on 2025-02-28 1:00 PM - Feb 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented details of a proposed electric lawn-equipment incentive pilot for Denton residents at the Feb. 28 sustainability meeting, describing rebate levels, eligibility rules and options for proof of disposal of gasoline-powered equipment.","taxTitle","Denton City, Denton County, Texas","taxId",2787,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6659682,"Sustainability meeting approves January minutes; adjournment carried",1741,1000,1742000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2449637-7af21e51a273f045b2ca67c37d82f7a6&start=1&end=1742","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2449637-7af21e51a273f045b2ca67c37d82f7a6/thumbnail_1000.jpg","/articles/6659682/Denton-City/Denton-County/Texas/Sustainability-meeting-approves-January-minutes-adjournment-carried","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659682-59db92ce31dd4f69be24aae95c74635a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137765&Signature=GirjhyiPJk6i7UNk1VMCcQdSM7x6b751npnqQxKU7ZyWqWepLHTSl-kWfIzgzOByyyqKGAvzCfQjYSG0DmDcyrfKV7lEP7MoMMwTT5dnuBjFvYgkdoDtm3x9bpK5qH6-D7XU3pb1wKriKdI31JZILMLDUjLuvD0twnLtCS7QOb8zESFsnuZJP8UJAbymWis9N6M1al~l46CV3Ojx5gbhjuB-WuW5fWP5CXz6kCZtgilOyU4hyMQ2L1t87n1CFBWKnfDb2j4mc1akYFFVUix3QVosNqC2OsSQ-9YtXRH8M2UaOQjkhYd7wd3ECusBYPankhyLRMmLfHEtkZ7Y7VDLnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The sustainability meeting held Feb. 28 approved the minutes of Jan. 24 and later adjourned by unanimous voice vote.

A motion to approve the Jan. 24 minutes was moved and seconded and carried on voice vote with no opposition recorded. At the end of the meeting, a motion to adjourn was made, seconded and carried.

No further administrative actions were recorded in the transcript.","The Denton sustainability meeting on Feb. 28 approved the Jan. 24 minutes and adjourned by unanimous voice votes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6659687,"Board members urge clearer climate outreach and local risk assessment; staff to consult risk management",272,1433000,1705000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2449637-7af21e51a273f045b2ca67c37d82f7a6&start=1433&end=1705","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2449637-7af21e51a273f045b2ca67c37d82f7a6/thumbnail_1433000.jpg","/articles/6659687/Denton-City/Denton-County/Texas/Board-members-urge-clearer-climate-outreach-and-local-risk-assessment-staff-to-consult-risk-management","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659687-de583d39229674ad0f47ba7a9b2936b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137765&Signature=W7b~nOUlvjTiZlk7feE8MoDanRYxWOJ3J0YKhQ~qyq6VxecfR8kelc0arvI7bXyiGvL3xYZgvlJK164zHJT5Q9aL2FoDGSzmswFxmP6q8kp1byXGwfKVx371bBq1vC3SAelKKJj3wFIZK1ft64zc1XDWctNB317RtBRgoyw0F1UMrPn4h6HVMpIZfLH~VwE3L1C9LaHdsUoaPqHPcLU6etPVnUgkdVwk1yRGcjwQxxv9EIAU~J6rrSxnFLxaLS77mOdD9KfDn3oft4QWZWDj1pp6dPD8q~773~t8gU3lAfM0UukxnKJTRuyWshQCCg0cf4up5TKzcfntBbqxOH2~~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the Feb. 28 sustainability meeting staff reports, several board members urged the city to improve the public-facing climate-change information on the city website and to expand community outreach.

A board member said the current city web links for air-quality and greenhouse-gas resources point to Department of Energy pages that the speaker found unhelpful, and recommended replacing them with concise, locally relevant educational materials such as downloadable guides and FAQs. The member suggested using templates from other Texas cities — specifically citing Austin’s integrated pest management (IPM) outreach and San Antonio’s materials — as models to adapt for Denton.

The speaker also raised the city’s climate-action goals and the need to help residents understand the city’s Climate Action Plan and its net-zero by 2050 target. Another member asked whether the city would conduct its own risk assessment of municipal infrastructure rather than relying on the broader Denton County Emergency Management Department; staff said they would consult the city’s risk management department and report back.

Staff noted the parks department is already using some electric equipment and that promotional materials — for example, demonstration videos showing staff using electric mowers — could support public outreach. No formal actions were taken on the outreach or risk-assessment questions; staff will follow up with the risk management department and return with options for outreach content and possible templates.","During staff reports, board members called for improved climate-change educational materials on the city website, suggested using Austin or San Antonio outreach templates, and asked whether the city would pursue its own infrastructure risk assessment rather than relying solely on Denton County Emergency Management.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6659692,"Staff briefs board on Texas homeowner and electrification rebate programs; funding currently frozen pending federal release",370,948000,1318000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2449637-7af21e51a273f045b2ca67c37d82f7a6&start=948&end=1318","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2449637-7af21e51a273f045b2ca67c37d82f7a6/thumbnail_948000.jpg","/articles/6659692/Denton-City/Denton-County/Texas/Staff-briefs-board-on-Texas-homeowner-and-electrification-rebate-programs-funding-currently-frozen-pending-federal-release","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659692-832480d2b1414f26d794a4ab07b9a09e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137765&Signature=H2xMoVYWHtN543Cb0K3O6p3~5EoCdX6-LzCJHsNMntEqdBViO17F4Go4Jm06OOepyVnD5Od4l0RerD162PrSW1YBwIuwCjN~ounQPjlW2x8PRGVICPtysqG4ZmLz8aQCveKJhFikUHNKbX-FiEIPaqTqp4KQlgSY-ASYuyQXtP4CHA0-dd3qToGa~f8sz~nBfWSQmhirA4sPhggvEriSxLYtZz1q7VPTKaBKnr-YGZrHGQDhDD1bVZ1YxsqHLiLdDUDZ4A1Qz3Ras8IMQFTLoo-wwN-RzX--0XqASlWMw0s3KR4R7VOnutjQa-tubLZcy-hb8elT-k~fOVrkh-rcEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff updated the sustainability meeting on state-administered energy-efficiency rebate programs that were allocated federal funding and will be delivered by the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO).

Staff said there are two principal programs: a whole-home retrofit rebate that provides higher awards for low- and moderate-income (LMI) households and a home electrification rebate (HEAR) program. Rebate amounts are determined by modeled or measured energy savings; staff described examples such as higher payments for projects achieving greater than 35% energy savings and doubled rebate levels for LMI households.

Staff explained that states were allocated these funds under federal law and that Texas’s plan was approved in December, but release of funds and program launch has been delayed by a federal funding freeze. Staff said the city is monitoring developments and that some funding releases to other states have begun; the state program team hoped to begin applications this summer if funding becomes available.

Board members asked whether the funding is federal money flowing through the state and whether municipalities are lobbying for release; staff confirmed the funds are federal allocations administered by the state and said several states are actively urging release of funds. Staff also noted that the appliance rebate stream is intended to operate at point of sale to reduce upfront costs for homeowners.

No formal action was taken; the item was an informational update and the board asked staff to continue monitoring funding availability and potential ways the city could support state-level requests for release of funds.","Denton staff summarized two Texas programs awarded federal funding to support whole-home efficiency and home electrification rebates, and said awards are currently held up by a federal funding freeze; the programs were funded via state allocations from the Inflation Reduction Act.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Denton staff outlines electric lawn-equipment rebate pilot; board favors largest rebate option and including corded models

Sustainability meeting approves January minutes; adjournment carried

Board members urge clearer climate outreach and local risk assessment; staff to consult risk management

Staff briefs board on Texas homeowner and electrification rebate programs; funding currently frozen pending federal release